people being upgrated from value to studio or 1 bedroom

[ITGirl50]

Sure, they may have gotten upgraded this year, but I get to stay in the DVC villas year after year after year...and I don't even have to wish for an upgrade.

 

[flipflopmom]

Trust me, as someone said to me recently, Nothing like staying at a value to push you over the edge to DVC. Honestly, we'd never considered DVC. We were staying at Pop on the recommendation of friends, AAA had a room available, and we put the extra money on a deluxe dining plan. What did we find out after the trip?
1. We couldn't wait to go back.

2. Deluxe dining plan is overkill for us, and extremely expensive once our kids "age up" next year to 10 and 3!

3. We hate riding the buses with a stroller.

4. All of our favorite restaurants were in the MK area.

5. Even though we had to finance, BLT is our new home! Pop was wild!!! Some people enjoy that, we didn't! Our only other experience was at the WL, and I guess we got spoiled!

 

[Sammie]

You have to also rememeber at 60 days out those rooms are not in the DVC inventory any longer. Because "members" traded out or did not book them DVC lost them to Disney resorts. That is in the POS and whether we like it or not, we accept it when we sign our contracts.

There was two reasons for the move. Values were overbooked and people were still calling in wanting value rooms. They were not calling in and wanting moderates and as Chuck said many in the moderates do not want to move.

So they opened up overcrowded value resorts and took up some empty rooms that would have remained empty without the move.

If the move prevents Disney from laying off more workers I am glad they did it.

I am sure many people feel it is not fair we can afford DVC and yearly trips to Disney World, therefore I never worry about what is fair for others.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think many of you have some excellent points.

It is a wonderful upgrade and I've had SSR staff tell me that September has historically been a low month for occupancy. Around 80% occupancy.
So if OKW is low occupancy during that time also, that could mean idling staff since they share many services and are staffed up for the busy months.

Last month we cruised DCL and they only have a very small number of Cat 12 rooms. Well they sold these cabins multiple times over to help fill the ship. We were fortunate enough to book 2 Cat 12's and were upgraded to 2 Cat 11's next door to each other. There were people onboard that paid 4 to 5 times more than we did (even more) but I felt very lucky because we were finally able to cruise in the summer without taking the kids out of school. I doubt if we could ever go back to just 1 stateroom (unless it was the Walt or Roy)

We joined DVC for many reasons and have been thrilled with our choice and ability to take awesome vacations year after year. DVC is a lifestyle and we truly enjoy it. Even with all the deals this year, DVC has given us great value for our investment.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, there is no reason to think that value resort guests are less likely to appreciate DVC and buy into the resorts. They may have $$ but are simply being frugal by staying at a value resort or driving a Hyuandai instead of a Cadillac. These people may truly see the value in savings of DVC and be perfect candidates.

Agreed!


Though Cajun28 had some good points too.


I'm very happy for those getting upgraded.

 

[Tara]

Honestly, I couldn't care less! It's developer rooms, not DVC rooms, so they can do as they please. Right now I'd much prefer Disney bring in some more cash so they don't make further cuts to guest services. I think it's a smart marketing move to upsell people from values to DVC- converting a value guest to DVC is a bigger "win" than converting a deluxe or even moderate guest. And for those who don't buy, they might be tempted to upgrade on a future trip after experiencing a far nicer resort. And I guess in the end, I am glad someone is getting a little magic- for some it will be a dream come true and beyond what they'd ever be able to pay.

 

[Flyerfan]

I totally understand giving perks to non-DVC to get them hooked but how about a little love for us who bought. This change I have asked for costs them NOTHING - Wouldn't it be nice to at least let us have the best rooms?

I agree!

It has been stated that many people who book moderates are extremely loyal to their choice of resort, and would not be happy at an upgrade. They booked POR because they wanted POR, or because they wanted a room that has sleeping accomodations for 5 people. Neither studios or 1 bedrooms at OKW/SSR have sleeping areas for 5 people. Plus, it is twice the work for Disney, upgrading moderate, THEN upgradig values, when they ca just upgrade the values directly.

I'm of the minority. Prior to DVC our choice was POR and we really liked it there. However, I would have been thrilled to get an upgrade to a villa.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't buy the arguement of trying to sell them on DVC. If they were, they would be putting them in BLT or AKV, not a mostly sold out resort.

I think they are just trying to fill rooms, nothing more.

MG

 

[Tara]

I don't buy the arguement of trying to sell them on DVC. If they were, they would be putting them in BLT or AKV, not a mostly sold out resort.

I think they are just trying to fill rooms, nothing more.

MG

I bet rooms at BLT and AKV sell to cash customers a lot better than SSR - just a hunch. If that is the case, why upgrade value guests to rooms they could more easily rent anyway?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I bet rooms at BLT and AKV sell to cash customers a lot better than SSR - just a hunch. If that is the case, why upgrade value guests to rooms they could more easily rent anyway?

I would bet your hunch is correct.
It just seems to me that if their angle was sales, not one visit profits, it would be smart to put the upgradees in the latest and greatest. Kind of like walking into a car showroom. I expect to see the new hot selling model on the floor, not a two year old model that they are about to stop making.

Of course, the slim possibilty exists that I'm wrong.

MG

 

[movie77]

I would just be happy if they treated us with ANY value. I just used my Marriott timeshare and because I own at the resort I got PRIORITY room selection. I asked for high floor poolside and guess what? I got it. Top floor, closes oceanside room you can get.

What a concept. Marriott does the rooms for the day in this order: Resort owners, MVCI owners, Trade-In owners, the rest. I cannot tell you how many times I have ended up in the worst rooms AND been an owner. Like the VWL room adjacent to the trash cans that banged EVERY morning at 4 a.m.

I totally understand giving perks to non-DVC to get them hooked but how about a little love for us who bought. This change I have asked for costs them NOTHING - Wouldn't it be nice to at least let us have the best rooms?

I agree with you 100%. I just feel like DVC and Disney takes its loyal fans for granted. I don't feel the love I must say. For example as a token gesture this year that could of given 10% of off DD for DVC members with the tough economy giving a nod for all the deals non DVC folks are getting. Not a big discount, but I think it would be appreciated and make it feel like membership has its rewards.

 

[dixiefriend]

I agree with you 100%. I just feel like DVC and Disney takes its loyal fans for granted. I don't feel the love I must say. For example as a token gesture this year that could of given 10% of off DD for DVC members with the tough economy giving a nod for all the deals non DVC folks are getting. Not a big discount, but I think it would be appreciated and make it feel like membership has its rewards.

Thank You!

 

[dixiefriend]

I'm of the minority. Prior to DVC our choice was POR and we really liked it there. However, I would have been thrilled to get an upgrade to a villa.

GOd you sound like us!! POR (it'll always be Dixie to us)will always be my favorite place to stay...We've stayed there every year from 8/96 (honeymoon) sometimes twice a year till 2006 , when we took a tour of SSR realized moneywise because we go so often it would benefit us!..It broke my heart because I love that resort, the grounds to me are gorgeous , I love the dining hall .....Just everything about that resort, plus going often we knew it like the back of our hand..Pretty bad when you noticed newly planted grass in an area that never had any....yes I know we could still go there either paying out of pocket or through points(which is'nt worth it)...
I'm use to saratoga.. though it grew on me.......
Now I get very defensive if people knock it!!!

 

[Alexander]

AKV and BLT are not completed yet. The allotment of rooms there is not available as it is at SSR and OKW. Upgrading folks to those DVC resorts wouldn't work.

Do I think all of this is fair? Heck no, I have an All Stars reservation during free-dining because I wanted a great deal and I didn't get upgraded.

But as I tell my 11-12 year old students all of the time: Life Isn't Fair
I have had students who have had siblings die, children who have a parent with cancer or worse, have died from cancer--these things in life truly aren't fair, especially to a child, so complaining about upgraded rooms--really now, let's move on!

 

[kaffinito]

The biggest demand for rooms right now is at the value resorts. They are only $82 a night, which in this economy people are looking for. Moderates are $149 a night, out of alot of people's price range. If those $82 rooms open up, they are likely to fill them. $149 rooms might be more difficult to fill, even with free dining. I'm surprised DVC did not require a tour to go with the upgrade.

You are right on!

But I don't think they need a tour... DVC sells itself in a lot of ways.

It's just another smart business move that's all. Sort of like the "going green" campaign. Wonder how much Disney saves in accumulated laundry bills with their "green" campaign to "save" water?

 

[Chuck S]

I don't see how a 10% discount on a DDP shows "appreciation." While other discounts apparently "aren't enough" to show appreciation.

I realize not all members use APs, but the $100 off perk is the best we've had so far. Though, to be fair, they could offer a percentage off for any ticket media...as almost every DVC members uses some type of park ticket.

But to act as if we get no discounts already is not true...I mean if you take discounts to mean Disney is showing "appreciation" then they already do so in many ways...limited discounts on dining, discounts at Disney Quests, mini-golf and water parks, "free" video rental and valet parking at DVC resorts to name a few. Whether you take advantage of these discounts or not is up to you.

They also have negotiated perks/discounts with non-Disney operated companies, like Landry's (RFC), Ghiradelli, etc.

In reality, the point of most discounts isn't to "show appreciation" but to increase business, and it is doubtful a 10% discount on a DDP would encourage a lot more members to purchase it.

 

[anbouk]

AKV and BLT are not completed yet. The allotment of rooms there is not available as it is at SSR and OKW. Upgrading folks to those DVC resorts wouldn't work.

Do I think all of this is fair? Heck no, I have an All Stars reservation during free-dining because I wanted a great deal and I didn't get upgraded.

But as I tell my 11-12 year old students all of the time: Life Isn't Fair
I have had students who have had siblings die, children who have a parent with cancer or worse, have died from cancer--these things in life truly aren't fair, especially to a child, so complaining about upgraded rooms--really now, let's move on!

Nicely said! Can't agree with you more! Let's move on!

 

[DebbieB]

The free internet is a nice perk that we recently received. I used to "ration" use so that I didn't have to pay everyday. Now we don't have to worry about how much we are using it.

 

[lugnut33]

Since I am not an expert on the inter-working of Disney, I might be totally wrong in my thinking, but I'll give my take on what's happening. From what I've read, the area of Disney that rents rooms (CRO) and the timeshare part of Disney (DVC) are 2 separate entities. CRO is trying to empty rooms that can be rebooked and filling rooms that are not booked or, in their opinion, will not be booked. So evidently, CRO feels that the SSR and OKW rooms they control will not be booked during the time period they are offering this deal. Also they feel they can book the value rooms that are emptied. If CRO felt they could fill moderates by upgrading those who book them, then those who booked moderates would have been offered upgrades. I don't think it has anything to do with who might buy into DVC if upgraded. It is just a case of how CRO can maximize room occupancy (and make more money).

I don't think CRO cares if any upgraded visitors buy into DVC. If any do, it would be a byproduct of the situation, not the reason for the move. ETA: Actually CRO, being a separate entity, may not want people buying into DVC, since that would take away some of their future customers. Don't really think this is the case, but just something to consider.

I understand people being frustrated because the people in the next villas may be paying a lot less for the same accommadations you have. In the world today, if we worried about paying for things that others are receiving free, I feel we would be wasting a lot of our short lives worrying.

Sometimes it works in reverse. Years ago, there was a thread on the Budget Board about people getting the Dolphin for good prices through Priceline. So I tried and got a room for $70/night. I know for a fact that some others down the same hallway as us paid $300+ for their rooms. I'm sure those people wouldn't have been happy to know I was paying a fraction for the same room.

So what you're saying is DVC's financial results are independent from the rest of the Disney company?

Hmmm, something tells me Disney is interested in selling DVC shares as well as freeing up those cheap rooms.

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm, something tells me Disney is interested in selling DVC shares as well as freeing up those cheap rooms.

Likely some of both. Like most major diversified corporations, the many parts operate independently, yet contribute profit to the whole. Each individual division has to be meet performance expectations.