New DVC Golf Program

[samples78]

Not a DVC member yet, but when/if we do join this would be a benefit we would look into. Based on the info on this thread and the rates posted on Disney's website I am not seeing that much of a change in price. Am I not calculating the rates correctly?

Has anyone figured out (price wise) what the new discount would be vs. what the cost for the same thing was last year. Just quickly looking at this winter's rates and applying the 20%/40% discount to the resort guest rates seems to come out to a similar price to last year's discount. The only major difference I can see is that the dates the seasons (peak, value etc..) change is slightly different and the rates would go up on the weekend.

For example, I get that a weekday round this year between January 15 and May 16, 2010 (peak season) would be $111.20 ($139x.8) before 10 and $83.40 after 10 ($139x.6), with the weekends being $8 and $6 more respectively. This would compare to $109 and $89 for the same season last year. Am I looking at this wrong?

Just didn't want anyone to be too concerned if the change isn't all that great. The biggest difference I see is if you were going the end of April or the beginning of May which was value season last year and will now be peak season.

Please correct me if my math is off or I have misunderstood the discounts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm not sure, but are you applying the discount to the resort guest's rate? The discount is off of day visitor rates.

 

[samples78]

I'm not sure, but are you applying the discount to the resort guest's rate? The discount is off of day visitor rates.

Yes I was using the resort guest rate. So the new DVC golf discount is off the Day Guest Rate, even if you are a resort guest? If so, then that would mean about a $15 to $20 increase over the previous discount. I wonder why they wouldn't let you apply it to the resort guest rate if you were staying on-site?

That would be my main contention with the discount - if it is off of the Day guest rate then I am only saving a few dollars over the resort guest rack rate and if I am a DVC member then I am most likely also a resort guest - so what is the point of the discount?

 

[jonmcguire]

Can you still play the 9 hole course for $15 withthe golf membership??? My guess is no.

From the DVC Member benefits guide this is now $20.

 

[jonmcguire]

Yes I was using the resort guest rate. So the new DVC golf discount is off the Day Guest Rate, even if you are a resort guest? If so, then that would mean about a $15 to $20 increase over the previous discount. I wonder why they wouldn't let you apply it to the resort guest rate if you were staying on-site?

That would be my main contention with the discount - if it is off of the Day guest rate then I am only saving a few dollars over the resort guest rack rate and if I am a DVC member then I am most likely also a resort guest - so what is the point of the discount?

Unlike the AP discount, this is not off the Day Visitor rate. It is off the non-discounted rate to which you are entitled. That is, if you are staying at a Disney/DVC resort, your non-discounted rate is the resort guest rate. If you are not, then the non-discounted rate is the day visitor.

From the new DVC member benefits guide (available at dvcmember.com):

A 25% discount off the cost of one non-discounted 18-hole round of golf for tee times before 10:00 a.m. and a 40% discount for tee times after 10:00 a.m. at Disney’s Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista, or Osprey Ridge Golf Courses for the Cardholder and up to three of their guests. Greens fees and required golf carts are included.

A $20.00 per person rate for one non-discounted 9-hole round of golf per day at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course for the Cardholder and up to three of their guests.

A 20% discount on golf instruction at all Walt Disney World Resort golf courses for the Cardholder.

Resort Guest Rate is not a "discount". It is a rack rate in and of itself.

That said, I don't recall the old rates entirely, but I think the highest one was $79 for top season before 10 am. They went down to $59 or 39 for low season after 10.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Unlike the AP discount, this is not off the Day Visitor rate. It is off the non-discounted rate to which you are entitled. That is, if you are staying at a Disney/DVC resort, your non-discounted rate is the resort guest rate. If you are not, then the non-discounted rate is the day visitor.

From the new DVC member benefits guide (available at dvcmember.com):



Resort Guest Rate is not a "discount". It is a rack rate in and of itself.

That said, I don't recall the old rates entirely, but I think the highest one was $79 for top season before 10 am. They went down to $59 or 39 for low season after 10.

Thanks so much for correcting me on that! I don't know where I got the idea (I thought I read it somewhere) that the DVC discount was off day visitor rates. So then, I wonder who's rate is better for before 10:00 am? I did notice that this years' rates are the same for whichever golf course you play (now where did I see that?) If so, it would be so much easier in the process of figuring things out.

 

[ehesterpa]

I purchased the DVC golf membership on our trip in December and due to the weather was only able too play one round. I later decided to take a golf vacation with some of my buddies and was able to sell them on the Orlando area due to the promise of lower rates at the Disney courses. We booked airfare, a week in a timeshare, and rented a van for the week. At exactly 90 days out I went on-line to book our first tee time. Needless to say I was shocked to see that for the same time frame as last year the rate would be $83 instead of $39. I was on the DVC website today and they still have not updated the golf page. Does anybody have off-site golf ideas? Also does anyone have a phone number or web address where I can vent. Not that Dvc really cares anymore.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I purchased the DVC golf membership on our trip in December and due to the weather was only able too play one round. I later decided to take a golf vacation with some of my buddies and was able to sell them on the Orlando area due to the promise of lower rates at the Disney courses. We booked airfare, a week in a timeshare, and rented a van for the week. At exactly 90 days out I went on-line to book our first tee time. Needless to say I was shocked to see that for the same time frame as last year the rate would be $83 instead of $39. I was on the DVC website today and they still have not updated the golf page. Does anybody have off-site golf ideas? Also does anyone have a phone number or web address where I can vent. Not that Dvc really cares anymore.

Wow, $83! Since DH golfs every day of our vacation, that's quite a jump. Sorry, I don't know about any off site deals. If the member website hasn't updated their info, where can members get the current discount information. I Emailed DVC through the "contact us" link, and the standard line said that although the rates hadn't been determined yet, I should keep watching the members' website for the most current information. Oh, well-our 90 days is in a few more days, so I suppose I'll find out that way.

 

[drusba]

I have to ask.
Does anyone know if DVC golf membership is something DVC pays towards to give members a benefit, or is it like many DVC discounts , something offered by other individual Disney departments in order to attract our business?

If DVC pays towards the discount, then it is something DVC management can influence. If it is something decided within the recreation department, then they (DVC) may "suggest" but ultimately , it is beyond their control.

If it is something DVC can influence, then letting member service know may help.
If it is within the recreation department, then voting with our golf shoe clad feet may have the desired effect. As has been said there are an awful lot of excellent golf courses just a short drive away that are desperate to attract business.

I would guess that with the reduction in golf courses on Disney with the closing of one ( soon to be 2??) Bonnet Creek course(s) means there is less supply of golf slots on WDW and the recreation department feels the demand is sufficient to justify lowering the discounts.

The laws of supply and demand, America was built on it.

I have no problem venting frustration on DVC or Disney over measures that hurt members, I'm just not sure that DVC is the correct target in this issue.

No, it is not paid in any way by DVC. The golf courses provide several different types of discounts (for example there is a Florida resident discount) principally to get people to play and the DVC discount is just one.


The new DVC discount went into effect January 15, 2010.

If anyone is curious here are Disney's current rates for January 15 to May 16, 2010: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/golf/course-rates/

The discount would be off the "Day Guest" rate, $164 per round during the week and $174 on the weekend. That means between now and May 16, the DVC rate is $123/$98.40 pre/post ten during the week and $130.50/$104.40 pre/post ten on weekends, obviously much worse than previous discount rates (and the pre-ten rate is not much better than the Disney Resort Guest rate which anyone staying on site can pay). Note, these regular rates shown on Disney's site were just put up Jan 15 and they are the highest rates, by far, Disney has ever had for the courses. Moreover, unlike before all the courses have the same regular rate -- something they started last October because before then LBV and Palm always cost less than Magnolia and Osprey.

For the person above who asked where on the official DVC site do you find the new discount rates, you need to sign on to the site, and after that click on "Member Privileges" tab at top, next page click on "Member Benefits and Privileges" in the left hand column, next page click on "View the Members Benefit Guide." The DVC golf discount program is on page 4 of that guide.

 

[Simba's Mom]

So, if I understand correctly, the DVC discount is 25% and the AP discount is 30% off of the same day visitor rate. If that's the case, it's easy to see that the AP discount is better (or should I say, less bad). However, I think the AP discount can only be booked 14 days in advance. Can the DVC discount at least be booked the full 90 days in advance and applies to any time, including before 10:00?
Duh-I just went back got my answer about the time. The discount is 25% before 10:00, but 40% after. I'm still wondering about booking 90 days ahead (I'll probably get my answer when I try to book this weekend, 90 days out).

 

[manning]

You want to know how to get around the $75.00 fee to get a 20% discount for restaurants?

Go eat at the Dolphin/Swan. Show your DVC membership card. Shula and the Blue something is not included.

If you want to eat at an outstanding restaurant go to the Gaylord Palms just a few miles down the road. The name is Villa De Flora. Their buffets are what Disney served 30 years ago when you got your moneys worth and it was good.

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylor...ing-activities/assets/PA_VillaDeFloraMenu.pdf

 

[manning]

I wonder if this is why our dues increases are so low this year?

 

[drusba]

So, if I understand correctly, the DVC discount is 25% and the AP discount is 30% off of the same day visitor rate. If that's the case, it's easy to see that the AP discount is better (or should I say, less bad). However, I think the AP discount can only be booked 14 days in advance. Can the DVC discount at least be booked the full 90 days in advance and applies to any time, including before 10:00?
Duh-I just went back got my answer about the time. The discount is 25% before 10:00, but 40% after. I'm still wondering about booking 90 days ahead (I'll probably get my answer when I try to book this weekend, 90 days out).

You can make AP times only 14 days or less out. You can now make DVC times 90 days out all year round (used to be during prime season, mid-Jan through April, you could reserve only 14 days out and then rest of year 90 days out). You can book times on-line.

Also, MAJOR correction to my post above. Now that I have actually made a DVC time for before 10 under the new program, be aware that discount, at least right now when you book on-line, is taken off the Disney Resort Guest rate not the higher Day Guest rate and thus it is better than the AP discount even before 10 a.m.

 

[Simba's Mom]

You can make AP times only 14 days or less out. You can now make DVC times 90 days out all year round (used to be during prime season, mid-Jan through April, you could reserve only 14 days out and then rest of year 90 days out). You can book times on-line.

Yup, just found out last night. Also, I figured out last night that the 2 for $200 (that I discovered elsewhere) is a better deal before 10:00. DH's golf went from $65 or so last year to about $104 this year. And since he used to golf every day, that's one huge jump. I finally told him at breakfast this morning and he was speechless.

 

[UConnJack]

As an avid golfer, I used to play the Disney courses whenever we were at WDW. Before having kids, I used to take advantage of the after 10AM DVC program discount and it was well worth it. Once I had kids I needed/wanted to get my round in the early AM so as not to waste the rest of the day, so I started playing mostly off-site. Now with these changes, I am not even going to try to play on-site. We usually driver or rent a car, so playing off-site is not an issue for me. Personally, I think anyone who golfs more than a few times during a week at WDW would find it financially a benefit or a wash to rent a car for the week and play off-site, and you get access to more varied and (IMO) better courses. The WDW courses are fine, but nothing to write home about, and certainly not for the prices they charge.

A lot of the resort courses in the immediate Orlando area are similarly expensive (e.g., Mystic Dunes, Champions Gate, etc.), but are probably better courses. If you are willing to drive 1/2-1 hr, however, you open a up a slew of more reasonably priced ($50-$100) and very good courses. You can also find deals for less the $50, especially during the slower seasons. Courses I have personally played that I would recommend around the $50-75 price point (high season) and <$50 low season are:

Providence Golf Club: New course, about 1/2 hr west off I-4 in Davenport, linksy, not to much development, especially back 9, fun.

Bridgewater: Another new course, about 1/2 hr west, just off I-4 in Lakeland, modern linksy, little development, tough but fun.

Highland Greens: 20 min west of WDW in Davenport, dunes/links type golf, lot of elevation change for FL, some development, but unobtrusive, very fun.

Stonybrook West: 1/2-hr NW, Arthur Hills layout, enjoyable and a good layout, although I feel the development/houses are a little too close.

Other reasonable priced courses within 1/2 hr I have read about that plan on trying include Ridgewood Lakes and Hunter's Crossing.

Some more expensive, but enjoyable courses I have played within 1/2-hr and would recommend include Celebration, Southern Dunes, and Hawk's Landing. They are pricey high season, but deals can sometimes be found, especially in the low season.

If you are willing to drive up to an hour, there are several more quality and reasonable priced courses such as Deer Island, Black Bear (a Dye course), Victoria Hills, Sanctuary, Harmony Preserve, etc. I plan on playing a few of these when I go in February.

A great place to find deals in both high and especially low season is here:

http://www.golfnow.com/orlando

 

[madcoco]

Even though it's in the back yard, we don't play the Disney Courses that often. They have just kept raising the locals rates over the years. If you are going to travel offsite, there is another great public golf complex very close to Disney. Orange County National. It has one of the better practice ranges in the country and always near or at the top for public courses in FL and the country. They are again hosting the PGA Q School finals this year. Fun to play and the pub and grub is great too at the 19th hole. They have an all you can play and open bar/crab leg buffet for the SuperBowl next week if anyone is in town and looking for a spot to watch the game.
http://www.ocngolf.com/

 

[locodemickey]

Does anyone have a guess as to what the summer rates will be with the DVC discount? (sorry if this has already been posted )

 

[jonmcguire]

To all those that posted other golf options, my most sincere thanks. Bookmarking this thread for later reference.

However, my point of disappointment is not in comparison of golf prices so much as the convenience of playing on site. I live in NC and drive to WDW and thus have a vehicle. That said, I like not driving it when on vacation. I prefer to play on site due to the convenience and overall experience of the resort. As such, when I bought into DVC, one of the positives of the purchase was the ability to consistently have vacations that met the needs of the entire family.

While there was no guarantee, golf membership, dining (which has gone down hill somewhat recently), and other recreation were part of what I consider "the resort experience".

The ironic part is that the moves by parts of WDW (read: Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company and its various business units and departments) away from favored status for DVC members appear to be contrary to normal economic supply and demand. One would expect that during the the boom years, the discounts for the assumed customer would get better, and that during lean times such as these, the discounts would be extended. However the opposite is what is occurring.