need a few more perks

[BostonDisneyKid]

I'm REALLY looking forward to having these conversations 10 years from now when we're all sitting around saying, "WOW! I'm sure glad that I bought in when the price per point was $XX! Can you imagine paying the current rack rates???" I'm sure the original OKW owners feel that way now!

I purchased back in 2003 and paid $67 a point at OKW and I am already having these exact thoughts !!!

-------------------

As for more perks, sounds good. Do I expect them, no.
Would I like them, absolutely. Who wouldnt want something for nothing?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We purchased in '97. When we first bought, the only perks were a few restaurant discounts of a psaltry 5-10%. That is still the same except that the number of restaurants had decreased and changed. Frankly, the only perk I have ever felt was worth it was our AP discount, and that is the only one I use anymore. With the AP, there are a lot of other discounts, so that is kind of the all inclusive discount.

I also don't understand why more people don't take advantage of it. If you go annually, why not skew your dates by a week and get two trips on one AP? That's what we did before the discount, and now with the discount, we tend to actually go to WDW MORE than we did before. We love that we can get 3 trips in on a single pass and still take an 11 month break before purchasing a new one and starting the process over. I know I've heard all the arguements about how you can stretch 10 day non-expiring passes into 2 or 3 trips, but I still don't see the value over our 27-30 days in the parks each year.

 

[sean-1966]

What the Owners Locker company does is great in my mind. Once a week he gets together with all who want to attend at Epcot for a glass of wine. Wednesday night I think. I have said several times that an area roped off for DVC members to watch fireworks or Fantasmic would be fantastic. Just one night a week. Offer fountain soda and popcorn as refreshments and you would have some very happy owners. It would be just enough for members to feel special and it might be enough for some non-owners to take the tour and see what DVC is all about. Everybody wants to feel special.

I've also thought a 10% discount at WoD would be nice. Truth be told, in my case, I would probably just spend more money. DW loves a bargain and she just can't say no to a discount.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What the Owners Locker company does is great in my mind. Once a week he gets together with all who want to attend at Epcot for a glass of wine. Wednesday night I think. I have said several times that an area roped off for DVC members to watch fireworks or Fantasmic would be fantastic. Just one night a week. Offer fountain soda and popcorn as refreshments and you would have some very happy owners. It would be just enough for members to feel special and it might be enough for some non-owners to take the tour and see what DVC is all about. Everybody wants to feel special.

I agree with that one! It is virtually no or little cost to DVC, and would go a long way to make the perk visible. Once a week isn't too much to ask, and would cover most eveyone's stay. They could even move it around....once a month at Illuminations, once a month at Wishes, and once a month at Fantasmic (although that one would be more difficult). IT wouldn't even have to be a fireworks show....it could be something like the Light's Motors Action show or even a members only time at one of the major attractions.

They could also do it kind of like the Holiday time tent activities but hold it in a park. In fact, that would also assure that members would actually be going to the parks!

 

[logan115]

Here's my suggestion :

Upon check-in each DVC owner gets a VIP fastpass for each person in their party that has to be used on that trip.

Doesn't cost Disney anything, and would give the owners an even more relaxing trip, and make them feel better about their ownership as they're getting something special.

Not an owner yet, but should hear on ROFR within the next 8 days and to be honest the wait is KILLING ME

Chris

 

[tink'smom2B]

All this talk is about one thing. Feeling *special*. I just returned from 10 days at Saratoga Springs. I did not feel special at all on any day anywhere there. My room was nice. The people were friendly. But no one anywhere at anytime even remotely tried to make my stay *magical*. It was crowded, stressful, and extremely expensive even though we are DVC owners. On the last day, the morning before we left for the airport, I even got the luxury of taking a cold shower (no hot water!). Did anyone at the resort try to make me feel better? All I got from the front desk was "Did you let the water run long enough to see if it would get hot?" I still love my DVC, but I am an owner. No one has to go out of their way to see if I'm happy If I had to buy in again, I probably would pass.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

At the end of the day I would take any perk Disney gives me if it suits me and my family and I agree they could throw us more special little perks here and there. Of course, like most every one else, the perks aren't what drew me to DVC and purchasing a membership. Nor have I ever expected Disney to make me feel " special", the special part comes from the many good times we've experienced with our friends and family using our DVC. Those memories were made that more special by being able to spend them together in wonderful settings like OKW, AKV, etc. We've purchased AP's, rented boats, eaten lunch and dinner and enjoyed the discounts, would I like more? Sure who would say no!

 

[tink'smom2B]

We came to WDW 16 times before we purchased DVC. I haven't noticed any difference except we've upgraded our room. I still think we could have something that would set us apart from the millions of others who are there. A Fastpass would be a great perk! The discounts for AP only pay for the tax. Discounts for Disney Visa are the same. I don't think Disney should have to lose money, but there must be something that doesn't cost them anything. Of course, maybe the only people who are idiot enough to go during Easter are DVC members in the first place. If they gave all of us a Fastpass, there'd be no one in the standby line!

 

[yitbos96bb]

All the free deals are a way to fill the rooms that would probably go empty if they didn't have the deals. Disney already has our money and if we leave the rooms empty and fail to use our points, they don't care. But if a lot of members bank into the next UY, there is going to be a lot of points to try to fit into the available villas.

Most of the time, if you do the math, those free deals aren't always so free.

I agree. Did the math for Free dining promo... Unless we stayed at the All stars, it wasn't worth it. I checked out Port Orleans and I was better off with DVC, not only in cost but in the fact the rooms are much nicer. I didn't buy DVC for any perks... I bought to get a much nicer room that a value or moderate, which is what I would probably stay in, for a reasonable price.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I know we all read the rules and bought into DVC knowing that they would probably never be offered extras, but I think that they could offer deals once in a while. They offer regular visitors free dining and Florida residents ticket discounts but DVC gets very little.

I know the reason for this and I understand, they have our money already, they know we are going to come why offer more incentives. We have our yearly vacation money dedicated to Disney and they know we are staying on property they don't have to offer free dining or discount tickets to keep us there.

We will both likely be flamed for our views but I would love to get an annual pass discount for my parents, who always come with us, so that I would not have to pay the same price for their 8 day pass as I pay for our annual pass.

Thanks for bringing up the topic

Judy

OK... I could see the argument on the AP discount for Parents who may not live with you... Perks are nice as well... geared toward DVC. But offering free dining as the OP suggested would probably cost us more in higher dues. The only reason disney offers that sort of thing is to fill vacant rooms in slow months... and we get a perk like that... the cheapest point costs for rooms are in those months. I mean look at the rate for a BCV studio and then look at the number of points and use the $10 pp avg to figure out points. We do well.

I would like to see a rewards program like Marriot's or Hilton's, not tied to a credit card. DP, tickets and DVC purchases should of course get points toward the program. THAT to me is what Disney needs to do.

 

[KPH500]

I'm sure the original OKW owners feel that way now!

I have no idea what they paid per point but my in-laws bought into OKW in the very beginning. At that time each DVC guest was given a length of stay pass included with the room reservation. Can you imagine? Talk about a perk!

 

[yitbos96bb]

We purchased in '97. When we first bought, the only perks were a few restaurant discounts of a psaltry 5-10%. That is still the same except that the number of restaurants had decreased and changed. Frankly, the only perk I have ever felt was worth it was our AP discount, and that is the only one I use anymore. With the AP, there are a lot of other discounts, so that is kind of the all inclusive discount.

I also don't understand why more people don't take advantage of it. If you go annually, why not skew your dates by a week and get two trips on one AP? That's what we did before the discount, and now with the discount, we tend to actually go to WDW MORE than we did before. We love that we can get 3 trips in on a single pass and still take an 11 month break before purchasing a new one and starting the process over. I know I've heard all the arguements about how you can stretch 10 day non-expiring passes into 2 or 3 trips, but I still don't see the value over our 27-30 days in the parks each year.

I'm with you on the AP. The only way the 10 day non-exp are a good deal is if you AREN'T going two or three times in that year span. Right now a 10 day non-exp park hopper is over $100 more expensive than an AP. I rather get the AP and spend an extra $50 to get TIW.... I still come out ahead.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I also don't understand why more people don't take advantage of it. If you go annually, why not skew your dates by a week and get two trips on one AP? That's what we did before the discount, and now with the discount, we tend to actually go to WDW MORE than we did before. We love that we can get 3 trips in on a single pass and still take an 11 month break before purchasing a new one and starting the process over. I know I've heard all the arguements about how you can stretch 10 day non-expiring passes into 2 or 3 trips, but I still don't see the value over our 27-30 days in the parks each year.

That's exactly what we do. We used to go two, three times a year, but sold off two contracts. So now we go once a year. Last years trip started on June 8. This year's trip ends on June 7. Two trips in one calendar year. We won't go next year (we'll be driving around the NW US to check on colleges with our son) and saving up all our points to get either a GV or two bedroom villa for our son to celebrate HS graduation in 2011.

 

[bonybroad]

The 4/3 worked out for me financially because I was out of points!
Taking my entire family down in Dec, so I used up everything between banking and borrowing.
I will upgrade the passes they gave me with the room packages to AP using my DVC discout, and basically pay for park tickets both times.
I have no idea how much that will cost me, but I think it works out to a deal to upgrade to passes.

 

[yitbos96bb]

All this talk is about one thing. Feeling *special*. I just returned from 10 days at Saratoga Springs. I did not feel special at all on any day anywhere there. My room was nice. The people were friendly. But no one anywhere at anytime even remotely tried to make my stay *magical*. It was crowded, stressful, and extremely expensive even though we are DVC owners. On the last day, the morning before we left for the airport, I even got the luxury of taking a cold shower (no hot water!). Did anyone at the resort try to make me feel better? All I got from the front desk was "Did you let the water run long enough to see if it would get hot?" I still love my DVC, but I am an owner. No one has to go out of their way to see if I'm happy If I had to buy in again, I probably would pass.

You are also talking about one of the most crowded times of the year at Disney as well... in addition to the fact that there isn't nearly as much staff as needed due to budget cuts. The hot water thing I agree is cause for complaint, but to EXPECT a magical moment created by Disney on every trip is just unrealistic, especially during one of the busiest times per year.

 

[yitbos96bb]

We came to WDW 16 times before we purchased DVC. I haven't noticed any difference except we've upgraded our room. I still think we could have something that would set us apart from the millions of others who are there. A Fastpass would be a great perk! The discounts for AP only pay for the tax. Discounts for Disney Visa are the same. I don't think Disney should have to lose money, but there must be something that doesn't cost them anything. Of course, maybe the only people who are idiot enough to go during Easter are DVC members in the first place. If they gave all of us a Fastpass, there'd be no one in the standby line!

What taxes are you being charged? The AP discounts are about $100. That is WAY WAY WAY more that tax.

 

[tink'smom2B]

I was talking about the 10% discount on some things you purchase. If you have an AP you can get a discount on merchandise and meals in select areas of WDW. You just have to show your pass. Of course, the $100 discount to purchase the pass is also a good deal

 

[pycees312]

well with the economy in the tanks i think we will see more DVC members not going using points, and loosing points not being able to even rent or give them away. While they have our money up front we also buy tickets, food, etc inthe parks. so I do think soon we may see something to get even DVC back in the parks.

 

[dgaston]

I used the Visa Free Dining in December. We have set aside points for a Family Gathering in September 2009-- 2 br at Kidani, 1 br at BLT for the adult kids-- and I didn't have any to spare. For 3 of us, even paying the extra adult fee, our newly rehabbed room at ASSp cost less than the dining plan for 3 of us would have. We ate at great places including Le Cellier for our CP meal (Rita Moreno narrating). Any time I called to speak to CRO, they kept telling me what a deal I had arranged. I bring this up just to mention that any DVC member can take advantage of the public offerings, and there might be times when it makes sense.

Everyone needs to do the math to find out what is best for them.

 

[bonrea]

Another thread that talks about this same topic is here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2153027