New Dining Rules

[lulu71]

Originally posted by peachgirl
In business, loyalty means $$$'s. I think they're trying to create more loyal guests. They already have the DVC'ers and AP holders.

And do you think it makes good business sense to bite the hand that feeds you?

No offense, but....I guess if one is really looking hard for a way to defend this decision it is possible, but clearly makes for a very weak argument. It makes absolute sense to add perks to try to win loyal customers, but to do that at the expense of your already loyal customers is insanely dumb.

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by peachgirl


I suppose the FTP was to the detriment of DVC and AP guests as well. But, I don't see anything wrong with offering special benefits to other guest.
.

Forgot to address this..the FTP was not to the detriment of AP and DVC guests at all..nothing was taken away from us by offering such a great deal.
I have zero rpoblems with ANY discount ANYONE gets..but when it affects my vacation, and when *I* lose something I will be irked that WDW treats their most loyal customers that come back every year like that..whether or not we are a sure thing, it's a sucky thing to do.
I'm not saying it doesn't make sense business wise(although word of mouth is a powerful thing if many people are unhappy), but there's no reason I would have to like it.

 

[Vickery]

I suppose that I see this differently. I don't think that giving a privilege to certain groups that are high-rollers and/or repeat performers is out of line. If you want to give DC cardholders 10% off at the DisneyStore, then do it. If you want to give concierge guests two free 4-day hoppers, again, do it. It hasn't taken away anything from me or given them an advantage to a limited commodity.

But, to tell those that have been loyal in the way of APs and DVCs, now you can't compete with those few, who may or may not be as loyal as you have been, is an insult to me.

Many people book a package as a one-time thing. Some are Disney-holics, but are most? Are do the majority book this way once? Then, it's I've been to Disney, it's nice, where do I go next? Do they become Disney fans and continue to book the package or do they become Disney fans, see the package as expensive and learn to book a la carte for the same things at a savings?

Maybe I'm not seeing this clearly - I'm trying to see it unemotionally. I only see it as very unfair right now. Talk about an uneven playing field!

I just think that WDW took away from me - a family of four frequent visitors with APs. (Frequent=several times a year. Far more than the cost of a package. DVC=lots more than the cost of a package.)

I've sent my emails.

 

[peachgirl]

the FTP was not to the detriment of AP and DVC guests at all

You should go back and read the posts when the FTP was first announced. It didn't really affect DVC, but there were plenty of AP holders who thought it was terribly unfair that you had to purchase UPH's to get the 7 days for 4 rate.

As someone else posted, perhaps it's better to just wait and see what they actually do before getting too upset about it.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't read through this whole thread just bits and pieces but I wanted to add that it's not just the DVC and AP holders who MAY be affected by this. I'm certainly a loyal customer but I book the room only and purchase hoppers when we visit. We only booked one of the packages before we realized that it was a more expensive way to go. Disney certainly has the right to make more money in any way they see fit but the idea of having to buy a more expensive package doesn't thrill me.

I guess that I don't think that any loyal customers should be shoved to the side or forced to buy something they don't want. But with any luck, it'll never happen.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by peachgirl
I doubt this will effect one single DVC sale.

I think you are sooo wrong about everything in your entire post but I can guarantee you that it has lost one sale. In one hour I am due at the closing table in the sale of my "real" home. I had planned to purchase a contract at SSR with a portion of the proceeds by the end of the week. That will definately NOT be happening now. This was to be for my adults only vacations to take in the spa treatments, dine at restaurants my DD & DGD's don't care to go to, etc. When this new dining policy goes into effect, I probably won't be able to get into those restaurants I want to eat at, so half my interest in buying is gone.

I'll keep the points that I have now. I'll take my DD & DGD's to the world once a year, and eat either in our villa, off property or at counter service restaurants where I don't have to have a PS.

I am sooo happy that you're not "worked up" over this.

 

[zulaya]

My problem with this is that it specifically talks about package holders making a deposit. Basically committing to this vacation. Refresh my memory, but don't all cash reservations thru CRO and DC (and WDTC) all require a deposit within like 10 days to keep it?

So basically they want you to commit your money to the vacation in order to have the privilege of making PS 180 days out. Okay, I can understand a company wanting a financial commitment out of visitors and rewarding them for planning ahead. Those people wait until 2 months out to reserve won't have this perk.

So IF this is a money issue, and commitment to vising Disney and staying onsite, why exclude the DVCers who in a lot of cases make their ressies right at that 11 month window, a good 330 days in advance? They already have thousands of dollars from me for my DVC contract - my "deposit" is paid for the next 39 years.

Sorry, just am irked that because we HAVE paid for our accomodations that we are excluded from this.

Believe me...e-mails have been sent to both MS and WDW

 

[Scottwdw]

An 'Ohana Character Breakfast PS can be made up to 180 days for WDTC package guests and 90 days for non-WDTC quests in advance.

I had to write this on my web site for my current PS Spotlight. Now tell me what it sounds like to you? I can't wait to see how WDW prints this in their brochures and websites. I bet they have a better way of saying it than I.

Plus, I have to update all my old PS Spotlights! Ugh!!

 

[Disneyolic]

I understand about Disney having DVC members and AP holders in their pocket..and I just think it's a crappy thing to do to the most loyal guests Disney has.

I am pretty insulted at this statement. Loyalty has nothing to do with owning DVC or APs. Some don't have the money to afford DVC and AP is out of the question for others. If you save and save your butts off just to go to Disney, then that is being pretty loyal.

Now, in the long run, when WDTC totally takes over, it may be that all can book their "rooms only" and it becomes a package, therefore making it possible for all to make PSs in advance. It may be SOL for people going through travel agents, though.

 

[ripleysmom]

planogirl is right, everyone who books outside the WDTC system is affected so the AP holders and DVC members should stop feeling sorry for themselves.

Both AP holders and DVC members get good deals. How can anyone say that they are not.

The people who do get the shaft currently are the people who use WDTC. They pay for what everyone on this site can acknowledge is higher pricing than if they were to book directly.

Disney is now trying to attract people to use their travel service. They make a very good profit when people use it. I think that the people who pay more money should get more bang for their buck so I have no problem with it.

Disney will not be losing money from doing this. They will still sell seats for their restaurants. People will still go to WDW.

As far as the people not buying additional DVC add-ons, I stand by what I said. It doesn't really matter if you buy those 100 points or not. Someone will. If you go to stay at HH, have fun. If you exchange to HH someone else will stay at your home resort on your points and they will still make money.

This is the same thing that we went through when Disney did away with early entry and everything else. People had a big fit but did not stop going and this will not stop people from going either.

 

[HookdonWDW]

post removed, as I realized I was allowing myself to respond inappropriately...

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
The people who do get the shaft currently are the people who use WDTC. They pay for what everyone on this site can acknowledge is higher pricing than if they were to book directly.

It takes time and energy to research the most cost-effective way to travel to Disney. I don't think these folks should get a pity party because they don't do their research.

From a business perspective, I can see why Disney would want to offer perks to entice folks to book a package and I'm all for it...just not to the detriment of other loyal customers, be it DVC members, AP holders, room only bookers, etc.

 

[DebbieB]

If the CRO does completely turn over to WDTC by January than those of us who make AP reservations will end up with the same PS advantages as full packages I think

But how often are AP rates announced more than 90 days ahead to be included in the extra time? 8/24 is less than a month away and still no AP rates. My question is what happens if you book a package and make PS's and then switch to an AP rate, do they cancel the PS's you made since your reservation may have to be cancelled and rebooked?

Someone compared this to FTP as not a detriment. FTP doesn't hurt AP or DVC members other than the fact that the parks maybe a little more crowded because of the deal. But it will effect AP or DVC members when they go to make PS at 90 days and all the good times are gone.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by DebbieB
But how often are AP rates announced more than 90 days ahead to be included in the extra time? 8/24 is less than a month away and still no AP rates. My question is what happens if you book a package and make PS's and then switch to an AP rate, do they cancel the PS's you made since your reservation may have to be cancelled and rebooked?

I usually book a room only reservation first, make my PSs and then change to an AP rate when they are released. I've always kept all PSs with no problem at all.

And your point about AP rates not being released actually speaks to the fact that this won't matter to AP holders at least if they plan ahead. If they don't plan ahead it's a moot point anyway. But if you do plan ahead 120 days you usually can't get an AP rate anyway. So just book a room only and wait. The next set of rates are apparently only good for what... 38 days? And as you pointed out they're still not even out.

I do much prefer to book through CRO, though but again it sounds like those days may be coming to an end.

I do hope the thing is tweaked so that DVC (I qualify there too) and SOG folks aren't left out. If they are included and if CRO ends then it will simply be on-site guests at 180, off-site at 90. At least I think?

 

[peachgirl]

Loyalty has nothing to do with owning DVC or APs. Some don't have the money to afford DVC and AP is out of the question for others. If you save and save your butts off just to go to Disney, then that is being pretty loyal.

Exactly!

Why some DVC members /AP holders seem to think that they are in a special class of loyalty that no one else can compare to is beyond me, but it isn't true.

If being able to make ps arrangements as quick or quicker than anyone else is that important to you, don't add on points. If it really bothers you, sell the timeshare. Frankly, I'm not interested in DVC, but if I were I can't imagine that a character breakfast would be the make or break reasoning behind my purchase.

I don't think these folks should get a pity party because they don't do their research.

And I don't think the DVC or AP holders should get a pity party because they aren't getting an advantage someone else might.


Oh yeah.....and everything Ripleysmom said too!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I hardly ever look at this board, but I was interested in this new policy and read the entire thread....it seems to me that there is some DVC/non-DVC snippiness going on.
I do own DVC--we will not go back to WDW until 2005 and all of this may be blown over. I do see the detriment--if we call at 90 days out and can only get Chef Mickey's before 5 or after 8 because "50% of the PSs are gone to WDTC guests", who wants to go there at those times?
It leaves us with the icky restaurants, which vary by person (I would rather jump off a bridge than eat at Marrakesh) or our trusty kitchenette in our roomy DVC rooms.
Again, I'm hoping that by 2005 it will all blow over, like when early entry was replaced by character caravan. It may take time, but it blows over.
In the meantime, if you don't like the policy let someone know about it, but remember we are all supposed to be friendly here.
Robin M.

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
I hardly ever look at this board, but I was interested in this new policy and read the entire thread....it seems to me that there is some DVC/non-DVC snippiness going on.
I do own DVC--we will not go back to WDW until 2005 and all of this may be blown over. I do see the detriment--if we call at 90 days out and can only get Chef Mickey's before 5 or after 8 because "50% of the PSs are gone to WDTC guests", who wants to go there at those times?
It leaves us with the icky restaurants, which vary by person (I would rather jump off a bridge than eat at Marrakesh) or our trusty kitchenette in our roomy DVC rooms.
Again, I'm hoping that by 2005 it will all blow over, like when early entry was replaced by character caravan. It may take time, but it blows over.
In the meantime, if you don't like the policy let someone know about it, but remember we are all supposed to be friendly here.
Robin M.

ITA Robin. I'm also a DVC member (for barely a month, BTW) and believe me, I've voiced my opinion to the powers that be. It's such a shame when you want to vent about a policy that DIRECTLY affects you, you get a bunch of snarkiness. Now I remember why I mostly lurk.

 

[peachgirl]

post removed, as I realized I was allowing myself to respond inappropriately...

Me too...

I'll worry about it when I find out I really need to worry about it.

 

[mickeysaver]

Originally posted by SAWYERMAW1
Just talked to Disney Dining. She confirmed this would go into effect on 8/4 as reported but would exclude Cindys.

I called them myself and spoke with a lady named Asia. She said she knew nothing of any changes. She said they had no staff meetings planned to discuss any changes. Who knows at this point??!?! Mickey

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by peachgirl
Excuse me, but if that's even partially directed to me, I take offense. First off, I am just as DIRECTLY affected as anyone else. I have PAP's. Secondly, I have to wonder just where the "snarkiness" and "snippyness" is really coming from. Until the last 2 posts from DVC members, I didn't see anything but a discussion with differing opinons going on. There certainly had been no negative characterizations of other's posts until now.

Peachgirl,
Please do not get so defensive. I'm sorry if you took this the wrong way and I am sincerely not trying to make trouble. I was only responding to what I felt was a little more "snarky" responses than just disagreeing. I can speak for myself as a DVC member who just bought my first contract a month ago and my second contract on Friday that I'm kind of feeling ripped off by the new policy. I feel that way and wanted to express it. Then came the responses that are in the spirit of DVCers feeling sorry for themselves, sell your contract, etc. I'm not so sure that's exactly friendly, in my book.

I'm not trying to get into a debate, nastiness, etc. I guess from fellow Disney fans I expect a little more friendliness. If this is what characterizes a debate here, maybe I'm a little too thin-skinned for it. As I said...back to lurking.