people being upgrated from value to studio or 1 bedroom

[dixiefriend]

Ok let me start by saying in no way am I complaining or wanting anything for free..
But its really irking me (and I'm happy for those who get the upgrade) that Disney is upgrading non dvc members to studio or One bedrooms at SS or OKW for nothing!
Why not upgrade a DVC member who is staying in a studio to a one bedroom??
Sorry Just had to vent, if I read one more post about it how fabulous people are getting these upgrades.....I'd behappy to hear of a DVC member being upgraded!!!!!Has anyone been upgraded??
Ok Better now, I know I really can't be the only one who feels this way, even a little,
And then to read people saying that they won't take the upgrade because of SS (not liking it)...Hello Its for free!!
Ok I must really stop........Breathe!!!!

Anyone else? And yes I know Disney has us as many others have said....What can you do?
an upgrade would be lovely though!

 

[Granny]

It's like free dining or other deep discount plans...Disney is just trying to get the people into their resorts and parks. And by giving them upgrades to DVC accommodations, they probably are spurring some new DVC sales from people who never thought they'd want to look at DVC.

I get annoyed when my phone or cable company come up with great promotions for new customers that I can't take advantage of as a current customer. But I understand that they are trying to lure new business, and I just have to ask myself if I'm satisfied with the quality and value of the product I'm buying.

If you never knew about other promotions or discounts would you consider your DVC a good deal for you? If so, then just try to block out the other stuff and don't worry about what "the other guys" are getting.

Hard to do that I know, but otherwise you'll be second guessing your DVC purchase every time the economy takes a downturn and Disney does a lot of discounting to lure customers.

I understand your frustration, but as you say, what can you do? Just roll along and enjoy your vacations for the next few decades. And when the economy is up again, you'll feel great when everyone else is complaining about the lack of discounts and promotions!!

 

[RadioFanatic]

be careful what you complain about. I am also happy for those who got the upgrade and admitted I would also take it and run; but posted that I wish there was a better way to dole such things out as it bothered me that I am paying OOP for the one bedroom while others are paying less than half because they paid for a value. Well, people were not happy with me and the thread was closed. I totally appreciated their opinion but many didn't seem to appreciate mine.

 

[kmk1180]

The reality is that there's plenty of DVC members out there.
The fact most resorts are sold out to new members is proof.
If the members were booking then the rooms wouldn't be available to
non members to upgrade into.
Some members are not taking vacations. Others are taking advantage of 4 for 3 and free dining deals. In which case every time they do they take up one more room and leave DVC room empty.
I can't blame Disney for trying to fill as many rooms as possible.

Put it this way. If you owned a time share resort and looked at you bookings for the next 60 days...and saw the deluxe rooms half empty and studio rooms fully booked, turning away people....what would you do?
Hope the members book at last minute? Or upgrade people to open space that people who can't book are requesting?

It's just business in the travel industry.

 

[jimaok]

It's a marketing tool for Disney. When we first started going to Disney in the late 70's earlier 80's, we stayed off site- nice but not the same. Then we stayed at the values- wow- if you like lots of cheerleaders, tour groups and general confusion this is the place for you. Then in the 90's we began renting points- initially at Disney Institute and then Old Key West- we found peace and quiet and a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks and the values. We loved OKW so much that we finally took the plunge last March and purchased 160 OKW points from Disney. (I know, I know I could've got them cheaper via resale-but thats a different story). Anyway, once these people get a taste of DVC, alot of them won't want to go back (to the values). That's more maintenance fees, higher value for points etc. These people are going to go back home and tell their friends and family how nice DVC properties are which will generate more interest in DVC. It's better than the DVC tours- they are actually getting a taste of DVC. And don't believe for a minute that Disney is not prescreening those that get the offer.

 

[Slakk]

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?

 

[Claire L]

I am surprised that they are not upgrading those from the moderate resorts first as they are the ones more likely in my opinion to them want to try a deluxe, and get hooked on it.

Claire

 

[StreamMaster]

Do those folks that are getting the upgrade have to pay a $95 fee for it like DVC mambers have to if they book a non-DVC resort ?

 

[RadioFanatic]

nope. they pay absolutely no more than what they paid for the value package.

 

[twinklebug]

It's a marketing tool for Disney.

Bingo!

 

[Chuck S]

I am surprised that they are not upgrading those from the moderate resorts first as they are the ones more likely in my opinion to them want to try a deluxe, and get hooked on it.

Claire

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.

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.

The rooms used for upgrades would not be available to DVC members even if Disney were not upgrading...those rooms are turned over to CRO, and they can do with them what they wish. They are the result of either a member trading, Disney/DVC owned points or the 60 day breakage.

Who knows how many points Disney/DVC may have reacquired either through ROFR or default of the owners. I know they had a pretty good amount of OKW points a couple of years ago, they were always calling trying to get members staying at OKW to add-on.

 

[lugnut33]

What I want to know is how many of the upgraded people wind up buying into DVC? Is it really worth doing this? Of course we'll never know, unless perhaps somebody can pin down management at the annual meeting.

 

[Chuck S]

What I want to know is how many of the upgraded people wind up buying into DVC? Is it really worth doing this? Of course we'll never know, unless perhaps somebody can pin down management at the annual meeting.

Why would that make a difference? They aren't using DVC rooms, they are using CRO controlled rooms...it really isn't any of the DVC owners concern (if it is a marketing scheme) as to whether it succeeds or fails. Owners aren't paying for it. Since the upgrades are nothing new, they've been doing them for several years, if they are for marketing, we can only assume that DVC has been happy with the results.

 

[Claire L]

I am not bothered about Disney using the DVC resorts but would be a bit annoyed if I had spent as much as I could afford to stay at a mod yet people who had spent less than me got an upgrade to a deluxe resort, bit like coach traveller on a plane getting first class rather than the business class traveller getting that upgrade. As you say POR takes 5 and OKW/SSR don't, but that is the only resort that does and for only a small portion of rooms.

Claire

Edit: Sorry, I hit edit instead of quote...post restored to orignal condition - Chuck

 

[Chuck S]

I am not bothered about Disney using the DVC resorts but would be a bit annoyed if I had spent as much as I could afford to stay at a mod yet people who had spent less than me got an upgrade to a deluxe resort, bit like coach traveller on a plane getting first class rather than the business class traveller getting that upgrade. As you say POR takes 5 and OKW/SSR don't, but that is the only resort that does and for only a small portion of rooms.

Claire

It still wouldn't bother me. Only the OKW studios have two real beds. SSR studios, and OKW/SSR one bedrooms have bed and sleeper sofa. If I had adults or older kids traveling with me, I'd want to keep a room with 2 beds rather than have to put someone on a sleeper sofa.

 

[DebbieB]

I am surprised that they are not upgrading those from the moderate resorts first as they are the ones more likely in my opinion to them want to try a deluxe, and get hooked on it.
Claire

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.

 

[toniosmom]

When I first bought into DVC, it was after taking the tour while staying at an All Star resort. We were so cramped into that AS room that I was salivating when I toured the AKV 1BR. It really sold me!!!

 

[jodifla]

Every once in a while, our fellow human beings get a break. I'm happy that some people will get a chance for the luxury of DVC. What a treat for them!

Yes, I could look at it the other way: "It's not fair!" But the truth is, I've been lucky enough to have DVC for 13 years now. Most years, the financial benefit has been mine. In down years, I might be able to do better with all the "deals."

But deals evaporate when the economy gets better. THen all those poor value people can do nothing but pony up 400 bucks a night for a DVC room, or just have the memories as they crawl on top of each other in their All-Stars room.

I have my gripes about DVC, but this isn't one of them.

 

[Cajun28]

What I want to know is how many of the upgraded people wind up buying into DVC? Is it really worth doing this? Of course we'll never know, unless perhaps somebody can pin down management at the annual meeting.

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.

 

[eliza61]

Anyone else? And yes I know Disney has us as many others have said....What can you do?
an upgrade would be lovely though!

Naw,
Just look at it as Disney pixie dust spreading to a few people. First, remember that the Dis is a small portion of the disneyworld population, next just as Granny said... some times DVC'er catch a deal, some times we don't.

Truthfully I more concerned about what the economy is doing to other aspects of the world. The down hill slide at the restaurants really worry me and cuts in things like Fantasmic and illuminations worry me. If bumping people up, frees up more room at the values and possible helps Disney turn a profit so they can address these issues. It's all good to me.