News on Annual Passes

[jade1]

So Instead of spending around $3500 for a family of four for our two trips I've now paid like $7000 for tickets alone in a year :/

The Board after reading this.

 

[Cynner]

So Instead of spending around $3500 for a family of four for our two trips I've now paid like $7000 for tickets alone in a year :/

Unfortunately, that’s probably music to their ears.
We’re long haul AP owners when we get them, 1200 miles one way, but when we get APs we come down like 5 or 6 times. We generally rented DVC point - which probably doesn’t put any additional money in Disney’s pockets. We’d break the DDP system, math crunch tables in wonderland, and though we’d stay Club level at times - we’d eat (and drink) as much as we could. We’d still spend 1000s on souvenirs, food and drink, I’m on vacation, I’m not cooking, I don’t care if I have a kitchen .
But Disney is probably thrilled that we’ve had to but tickets for our DVC credit rooms instead of the APs we planned on. But we also are cutting out 4 trips completely now.

 

[CarolMN]

But we also are cutting out 4 trips completely now.

Many are doing the same. But others take your & their place, so I doubt it matters to Disney.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

Unfortunately, that’s probably music to their ears.
We’re long haul AP owners when we get them, 1200 miles one way, but when we get APs we come down like 5 or 6 times. We generally rented DVC point - which probably doesn’t put any additional money in Disney’s pockets. We’d break the DDP system, math crunch tables in wonderland, and though we’d stay Club level at times - we’d eat (and drink) as much as we could. We’d still spend 1000s on souvenirs, food and drink, I’m on vacation, I’m not cooking, I don’t care if I have a kitchen .
But Disney is probably thrilled that we’ve had to but tickets for our DVC credit rooms instead of the APs we planned on. But we also are cutting out 4 trips completely now.

Yeah I'm sure that's entirely the point, but what it means for us is that we won't go at all next year and will likely move from being multiple times a year guests to maybe once every other year. But as others have said, people will take our place. It just sucks that due to the pandemic we had to use these points or lose them (renting seems to complicated!) and so we are spending way more on vacations than we really wanted to.

 

[Liquidice]

Free Dining offers are to fill hotel rooms with new reservations at full price. Each hotel gets to decide how many rooms they will offer based on their current reservations and they absorb part of the cost. None of this would apply in the DVC situation just like there are perks for DVC that regular guests can not get.


Curious question ~ I've always wondered (and I'm not expecting an answer) how many DVC owners actually buy in so they can go many weeks a year that would justify AP. Most people I know who hold "timeshares" at specialty locations buy a week here and a week there with different brands. The folks I know who hold a large amount of points, do so in a brand with many more locations, like Marriott or Wyndham. Just thinking if when it comes down to it most DVC guests buy regular tickets anyway because they only go once a year.

I'm not sure how true this is with the majority of DVC owners, but addonitis seems to plague many DVC members on this board and the sister DVC Fan group on Facebook. I started out with 100 points and maybe a plan to add an additional small resale contract later so we could stay in a 1-bedroom for 1 week each year. That quickly changed to 2 trips a year and now we've been going 3-4 times a year. 1 longer trip (~10 days) when the kids are off of school in the summer along with 3 smaller trips (usually 4-6 days) spread out throughout the year. I have 460 points right now

But I'm lucky to still have an AP for my entire family. If I didn't - I would certainly cut down on the number of trips or do resort only stays or go to Universal or somewhere else.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm not sure how true this is with the majority of DVC owners, but addonitis seems to plague many DVC members on this board and the sister DVC Fan group on Facebook. I started out with 100 points and maybe a plan to add an additional small resale contract later so we could stay in a 1-bedroom for 1 week each year. That quickly changed to 2 trips a year and now we've been going 3-4 times a year. 1 longer trip (~10 days) when the kids are off of school in the summer along with 3 smaller trips (usually 4-6 days) spread out throughout the year. I have 460 points right now

But I'm lucky to still have an AP for my entire family. If I didn't - I would certainly cut down on the number of trips or do resort only stays or go to Universal or somewhere else.

I appreciate all the answers and I do get the addonitis.

Of all the DVC members that I have spoken to in person none of them fell in to the category of multiple trips per year. They seemed to be a full week plus/minus a few days, dining plan and blow out their trip ONCE per year or once every other year. So I guess in my mind perhaps, I thought most used it as a way for deluxe lodging in math that works for them one big trip per year.

I know Disney shifted perks to make resales less attractive ... and I have no idea how much they pressure for addons BUT do you think perhaps that the member that does the big blowout trip once per year is more profitable to them? Again I don't know the financial obligations and if it works to their advantage or not. I just find it strange they haven't found a way to bring back a DVC AP unless there is a longer term "plan" which we know always works to their advantage.

 

[TCRAIG]

I appreciate all the answers and I do get the addonitis.

Of all the DVC members that I have spoken to in person none of them fell in to the category of multiple trips per year. They seemed to be a full week plus/minus a few days, dining plan and blow out their trip ONCE per year or once every other year. So I guess in my mind perhaps, I thought most used it as a way for deluxe lodging in math that works for them one big trip per year.

I know Disney shifted perks to make resales less attractive ... and I have no idea how much they pressure for addons BUT do you think perhaps that the member that does the big blowout trip once per year is more profitable to them? Again I don't know the financial obligations and if it works to their advantage or not. I just find it strange they haven't found a way to bring back a DVC AP unless there is a longer term "plan" which we know always works to their advantage.

Hello - nice to meet you - I’m DVC, out of state with an AP - Husband and I take 4-6 week long trips to WDW per year - stay in a 1 Br or larger - and only bought the Dining Plan once in 2018 when we brought our daughter, granddaughter, SIL, and his mother and wanted to pay for everything. We normally pay for one Halloween and Christmas party per year but have never done any of the dessert parties or other expensive add on. We’re not big foodies so we tend to eat QS and maybe a few sit down meals for the whole week. Yes, we are ‘cheapo deluxe’ DVC members who pop in to the parks every visit but still spend lots of hours enjoying the resorts. I’m so glad we kept our APs during the shutdown and plan on renewing forever and ever…no way would I be able to afford WDW without DVC and our APs.

 

[Cynner]

Many are doing the same. But others take your & their place, so I doubt it matters to Disney.

Yeah; I totally know it. And don't expect Disney to freak out and change things because we stop going as much. But it has definitely changed how we think about Disney - there was a love and loyalty there that no longer feels reciprocated. Which will totally make us stop being long term major Disney visitors and make us spend our time and money in other places. Hell, I was going to move within a 30m drive to WDW in 3 years when I retire, now.. I'm not so sure.

 

[TraderStitch]

If no news at D23 or at the latest by the end of the 50th celebrations in March, just assume APs ain't coming back.

 

[DL1WDW2]

That would certainly be a huge announcement for the d23 if they want guests to Celebrate all things Disney+

 

[Liquidice]

I appreciate all the answers and I do get the addonitis.

Of all the DVC members that I have spoken to in person none of them fell in to the category of multiple trips per year. They seemed to be a full week plus/minus a few days, dining plan and blow out their trip ONCE per year or once every other year. So I guess in my mind perhaps, I thought most used it as a way for deluxe lodging in math that works for them one big trip per year.

I know Disney shifted perks to make resales less attractive ... and I have no idea how much they pressure for addons BUT do you think perhaps that the member that does the big blowout trip once per year is more profitable to them? Again I don't know the financial obligations and if it works to their advantage or not. I just find it strange they haven't found a way to bring back a DVC AP unless there is a longer term "plan" which we know always works to their advantage.

Personally, I think the rumors of a DVC perks membership, if true, is part of DVC trying to negotiate or come up with a way to bring back additional perks including APs to their direct members. I assume like most other companies, change doesn't always happen fast - especially when you have a list of priorities and I bet DVC member perks doesn't bubble up to the top of the priority list right now. It would potentially bubble up to higher on the priority if Riviera, Aulani, Grand Floridian, Disneyland Tower and Polynesian Tower were all for sale at the same time and not selling as briskly as Disney would like. Having members email and complain might also help.

Again, not sure if every DVC member is like this - but we tend to eat on property all the time when we're staying at the resort - and because we're there often enough we try a lot of different restaurants. We also buy a lot of merch each trip, I seem to have an unending need for Disney gift cards. I'm basing this off of a skewed group of people though namely myself and people on DVC Fan, etc.

I suspect at some point soon, DVC will be able to offer something to its blue card members (sorry resale owners) if Disney as a company doesn't already have a plan to bring back APs already.

Maybe next week at D23 we'll see some kind of announcement - whether its for DVC members only or APs for all guests (doubting this one though).

The DVC members only perk could be a special kind of ticket instead of an AP though - like a 10-day ticket that doesn't expire for 1-year. I think that could be a decent alternative to annual passes for DVC members. But - if they did this, would take awhile to implement I suspect.

 

[jkh36619]

Personally, I think the rumors of a DVC perks membership, if true, is part of DVC trying to negotiate or come up with a way to bring back additional perks including APs to their direct members. I assume like most other companies, change doesn't always happen fast - especially when you have a list of priorities and I bet DVC member perks doesn't bubble up to the top of the priority list right now. It would potentially bubble up to higher on the priority if Riviera, Aulani, Grand Floridian, Disneyland Tower and Polynesian Tower were all for sale at the same time and not selling as briskly as Disney would like. Having members email and complain might also help.

Again, not sure if every DVC member is like this - but we tend to eat on property all the time when we're staying at the resort - and because we're there often enough we try a lot of different restaurants. We also buy a lot of merch each trip, I seem to have an unending need for Disney gift cards. I'm basing this off of a skewed group of people though namely myself and people on DVC Fan, etc.

I suspect at some point soon, DVC will be able to offer something to its blue card members (sorry resale owners) if Disney as a company doesn't already have a plan to bring back APs already.

Maybe next week at D23 we'll see some kind of announcement - whether its for DVC members only or APs for all guests (doubting this one though).

The DVC members only perk could be a special kind of ticket instead of an AP though - like a 10-day ticket that doesn't expire for 1-year. I think that could be a decent alternative to annual passes for DVC members. But - if they did this, would take awhile to implement I suspect.

Disney is greedy and smart. When they're ready to sell more contracts, they'll come up with something. I assure everyone.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The whole Halloween party just sold out for the first time EVER. I don’t think annual passes are coming back anytime soon

 

[Mrs.AMC]

The whole Halloween party just sold out for the first time EVER. I don’t think annual passes are coming back anytime soon

First time ever?
The party has sold out many times

 

[MinnieMSue]

First time ever?
The party has sold out many times

I don’t remember the whole year selling out before though. I think every party sold out (there was one left last I looked that hadn’t )

 

[CampbellzSoup]

First time ever?
The party has sold out many times

It has never completely sold out for the season, ever. Boo Bash if it did completely sell out is no MNSSHP

 

[Boomatt]

My AP is up right after our October trip and I’m not renewing because we don’t have a return trip until the end of march. That’s 5 months wasted. No AP means no parks for my family. I’m not buying day tickets for every trip. I will use my DVC points to stay at Disney but I will be buying an AP for Universal and Sea World and spending my money there until Disney gets their mind right

 

[Llama mama]

My AP is up right after our October trip and I’m not renewing because we don’t have a return trip until the end of march. That’s 5 months wasted. No AP means no parks for my family. I’m not buying day tickets for every trip. I will use my DVC points to stay at Disney but I will be buying an AP for Universal and Sea World and spending my money there until Disney gets their mind right

We are considering a Universal pass too. After a certain time it becomes an express pass for 1 time most rides. Spend our days at the pool and hit Universal at 3-4 pm via Uber. Not a bad plan…..

 

[Boomatt]

We are considering a Universal pass too. After a certain time it becomes an express pass for 1 time most rides. Spend our days at the pool and hit Universal at 3-4 pm via Uber. Not a bad plan…..

Bingo!!! We would rope drop, go back to the pool at the resort late morning then skip lines in the evening.

 

[DeeBee3]

Not sure if anyone else saw the interview with Mr. Bob from Hollywood Reporter:
You’re known as a guy who cuts costs and raises prices. You’ve raised the prices pretty stiffly [for some streaming plans] and the parks. And you’ve gotten some blowback from superfans. How much can you keep raising prices and does ill will from them create a problem for the brand?

We love all our fans equally. We love the superfans, obviously. But we also like the fans that don’t have the same expression of their fandom. We want to make sure that our superfans who love to come with annual passes and use [the parks] as their personal playground — we love that. We celebrate that. But at the same time, we’ve got to make sure that there’s room in the park for the family from Denver that comes once every five years. We didn’t have a reservation system and we didn’t control the number of annual passes we distributed and frankly, the annual pass as a value was so great that people were literally coming all the time and the accessibility of the park was unlimited to them and that family from Denver would get to the park and not be let in. That doesn’t seem like a real balanced proposition. I guess it’s possible that the superfans look at that as a disadvantaging of the way they consume the park, but we’ve got to make sure that not only are we heeding the needs of our superfans, but we’re heeding the needs of everyone who travels from across the country one time every five years. We have a real high-class problem: We have much more demand than there is supply. What we will not bend on is giving somebody a less than stellar experience in the parks because we jammed too many people in there. If we’re going to have that foundational rule, you have to start balancing who you let in. … Our ticket prices and constraints we put on how often people can come and when they come is a direct reflection of demand. When is it too much? Demand will tell us when it’s too much.