News on Annual Passes

[zachatak]

I think the number of DVC people going to every other park but disney will increase. In our case, I'd probably rent out points. Sure disney is still getting money, but it's not my money.

This. We are now doing Universal while staying on DVC points.

 

[igrsod]

Not this DVC owner. One week is almost as much as an AP before COVID. It's too expensive to visit 2-3 times a year without an AP. We always borrowed points but are now banking them.

We are in the same way of thinking. We will be banking and using our points elsewhere, or using our points just to stay and go do other things around Orlando. We have never been to Universal, maybe now is a great time to go. It's too expensive to buy day of tickets for the family for 3 trips a year.

 

[Marionnette]

There will always be DVC members who never bought APs to begin with. And they will continue to buy regular park tickets for their yearly or every-two-year stays. For them, APs never made good financial sense anyway.

But for those of us with enough points to visit multiple times each year, not having an AP makes it less appealing to visit the parks. We are also heading to Orlando this year and will spend time at Universal. If it were not for family members who will be visiting the parks at the same time we are there, this would be a resort-only trip. As it is, we will use a couple of very old park tickets when there.

 

[artesian]

This. We are now doing Universal while staying on DVC points.

This trip in May 7 days we did MK,EP,HS and spent a day in UNI. Kids agreed they are ok cutting down to just 2 WDW parks next time. I get the feeling over time aside from EP and maybe HS we will be doing more resort only stays

 

[Disneyfan754321]

With renewals happening in October, I wonder how that will change numbers.
We are downgrading to a pixi pass.. unfortunately we cant afford to to the sorcerer's pass again its double the pixi pass price.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I'm thinking that Universal is very, very happy that Disney has stopped selling passes. I wonder how much their AP sales have gone up since Disney sales stopped. I've seen people outside here say they bought passes there since they couldn't get them at Disney. Between that and the park reservation system people are moving on. Granted, Disney is still more than busy so they don't care, just saying Universal is bound to be pleased.

 

[jo-jo]

I'm thinking that Universal is very, very happy that Disney has stopped selling passes. I wonder how much their AP sales have gone up since Disney sales stopped. I've seen people outside here say they bought passes there since they couldn't get them at Disney. Between that and the park reservation system people are moving on. Granted, Disney is still more than busy so they don't care, just saying Universal is bound to be pleased.

I have a fear the park reservation system will cause us issues this Dec. We have park passes made, but what if DH isn't have a good day, maybe just hit a park for a few hours. If we can walk/scooter to Epcot for a few hours, vs waiting for transportation coming and going, I'd say skip AK and just do Epcot. I understand the system, but why can' t one just go to any park after 2pm without worrying about tapping in at first park.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I have a fear the park reservation system will cause us issues this Dec. We have park passes made, but what if DH isn't have a good day, maybe just hit a park for a few hours. If we can walk/scooter to Epcot for a few hours, vs waiting for transportation coming and going, I'd say skip AK and just do Epcot. I understand the system, but why can' t one just go to any park after 2pm without worrying about tapping in at first park.

I hear you! It's the thing I hate most about the "new" Disney. I can tolerate just about all the rest even if I don't like it.
The good news is most days you can change your reservations yourself. So you may be able to just switch parks that day. Some days do "sell out" or rather book up, but not every day.
My advice, especially if it's a health related type thing in the case of your DH, go to concierge at your resort. Explain the situation. They may be able to override things and get you in the park you planned to hop to. Never hurts to ask at least. Worse they can say is no. But they do have some leeway in those things.

 

[jkh36619]

Wow. Ok. One word, Compassion. Try it on.
Those folks spent a lot. I have some compassion for them having to spend even more for access to the parks
I don't think they expect anything. Just an option to buy an AP, not get a hand out
Why exactly is it putting a burr under your saddle?

Nothing at all. Just stating that a DVC contract is for a room and nothing more. Just like if you buy into Aulani. That's what you get, a room at Aulani

 

[RivShore]

Nothing at all. Just stating that a DVC contract is for a room and nothing more. Just like if you buy into Aulani. That's what you get, a room at Aulani

But there was certainly something implied during the sales process about the availability of AP's to DVC'ers. I can hear it now - "not only will you be saving big money on hotel rates over 50 years, but you can save money with AP's". Yes, it's not in the T&C's of the contract but that carrot was dangled and I would think they are allowed to be upset about it.

 

[karen4546]

But there was certainly something implied during the sales process about the availability of AP's to DVC'ers. I can hear it now - "not only will you be saving big money on hotel rates over 50 years, but you can save money with AP's". Yes, it's not in the T&C's of the contract but that carrot was dangled and I would think they are allowed to be upset about it.

I bought in 2019 and my guide did not push any of the membership extras. I had done my research and knew that the extras could be modified at any time but we were spending the money on the Platinum pass and going twice a year and so DVC makes sense for us. We downgraded to Gold Passes when we renewed and that saved some $$. We of course have been since switched to the Sorcerer pass with MM.

I have seen people remark that their guide was pushing the membership extras and that very well may be, but I think they are trained to let people know that the extras are not guaranteed. Those who buy something that costs $$$$ should do their own research.

Bottom line, my guide said we are buying deluxe accommodations.

My only regret about DVC is that I don’t have enough points…..

oh and I have stayed in my DVC resort and gone to Universal. But I also walked from BWV to Epcot and HS On that same trip.

I hope They start selling APs again (sorcerer) so that I can get passes for my grandchildren who now live with me. But, if they don’t then we will just have to buy tickets.

for those with DVC that want to sell, right now you can get prime dollar Or rent your points in the meantime.

fingers crossed

 

[jkh36619]

But there was certainly something implied during the sales process about the availability of AP's to DVC'ers. I can hear it now - "not only will you be saving big money on hotel rates over 50 years, but you can save money with AP's". Yes, it's not in the T&C's of the contract but that carrot was dangled and I would think they are allowed to be upset about it.

APs have always been available to anyone. DVC'ers received a discounted AP

edited

 

[RivShore]

I bought in 2019 and my guide did not push any of the membership extras.

I've never heard of a guide "pushing" them and if I remember correctly ours just said something like your eligible for the Sorcerer pass which is really the best buy....

I'm just trying to point out that it is not outrageous for an owner to have expected that option to always be there. And to be fair, this only happened because of a once in a century pandemic that no one saw coming.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

We bought in 2002 and have had an AP up until the closure. My husband still has his but mine and our daughters have expired. We actually sold/gave them back during the closure for credit. We always made 2 long trips a year staying on points and using our AP’s was a very good value for us. We have been renting out our points since the parks reopened and are taking our first trip in October. . Since I couldn’t get AP’s we are renting out the remainder of our points and going to The Keys for spring break. I’ll continue with plan until AP’s become available again. One week at Disney and one week somewhere else. We are also going to Universal in October so that will be fun.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I received a lengthy survey today from Disney. It was regarding DVC, annual passes, perks, prices. the park reservation system and are were visiting less frequently. They also asked my ethnicity and sexual orientation

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I received a lengthy survey today from Disney. It was regarding DVC, annual passes, perks, prices. the park reservation system and are were visiting less frequently. They also asked my ethnicity and sexual orientation

Hmmmm…..

 

[DeeBee3]

I received a lengthy survey today from Disney. It was regarding DVC, annual passes, perks, prices. the park reservation system and are were visiting less frequently. They also asked my ethnicity and sexual orientation

Please let us know if anything comes of it/if they follow up!

 

[DeeBee3]

P.S. I just saw an update that park reservations are now across all ticket types - meaning you do not have to pick which type you are - AP, resort, or day ticket.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[Mrs.AMC]

I saw that on Kenny the Pirate. Did Disney just quietly get rid of the bucket system where they were trying to manipulate the mix of guests?

I know that I've had many surveys since this all started and the one thing I've complained about every time, repeatedly is that as an AP holder I had to book separately from the ticketed guests even when we all had the same resort reservation/confirmation. I know many others who have too. So it could be simply a case of Disney listening to complaints from a whole lot of guests. They aren't listening to complaints to do away with the entire thing but the best they can which is to get rid of different pools