People need to stop complaining!

[Brian Noble]

Ok, I've gotta know about this $21 asparagus? What IS that?? I know about the "theft of valet parking in the dark of night" (and boy do I remember THAT ruckus! It was akin to DCL restricting carry-on booze! LOL), and I THINK I know what the "Pandoraverse" phenom is, but asparagus???? Do tell.

A side of asparagus (enough for a few people) at Boathouse is $12---sort of typical steakhouse prices. But, an early menu posted online had a typo, listing it at $21, and the Disney Internet exploded.

 

[pangyal]

I think that everybody who is complaining has a completely valid reason to be upset. It would have cost Disney very little to grandfather in the contracts that were currently from under review to closing, which is really the group that deserves the sympathy here. If they had taken away perks for all resale buyers unilaterally, we would all have complained and vented and gotten over it in a week. However, saying that Resale Buyer A can be a "card-carrying" full member because she closed on April 3 and Resale Buyer B cannot access any of those benefits because she closed on April 4 is incredibly petty and not in line with the customer-loving image that Disney tries to project. That's why I wholeheartedly sympathize with everyone whose contracts got stuck in this maelstrom and will continue to lend an ear if they want to vent.

I can't see how people expect others to leave emotion out of subject involving Disney when Disney has made billions from milking exactly that angle. We are enticed to be a part of the magic, make magic for our families, create a lifetime of happy memories...but only when it behooves them, I see.

If anything, this is making me never want to buy direct, because ultimately, they could always revoke those perks they are using to prop up their sales in lieu of members purchasing within a certain timeframe only. I also don't like the fact that new members (who are fully shouldering their part of the maintenance costs, I might repeat) are not welcomed in the way I would hope for people who are planning to invest thousands in Disney parks, eateries, merchandise and more.

This is why I completely disagree that it's "just a timeshare". The chief selling point of this product is the Disney parks and the Disney brand. The other area timeshares are not on Disney property and don't have the same access to EMH and Disney transportation until they are onsite. DVC members are essentially park guests and entitled to those benefits as well, which really sets DVC apart from the other programs. Of course, the off-park resorts are exceptions to this rule, but overall, I think they are shooting themselves in the foot by not recognizing the monetary commitment these new buyers of resale will be bringing to the parks and resorts, and should have treated them accordingly.

 

[lovin'fl]

Wow, have not read this thread in it's entirety but the OP telling folks how to feel...laughable

It does not affect me since we own 6 contracts bought and closed before 4/4/16...2 direct and 4 resale (1 resale bought before the 2011 restrictions). But I still think it affects some and those folks have a right to be pretty ticked off right now. OP stated that either you are grandfathered (like me) and then not losing anything so no complaints...or you are thinking of buying and know what you are buying and that the perks were always just perks that could be taken away so no complaints. BUT OP fails to see that some folks were buying and haven't closed yet and now are being told that they won't be able to get the perks that they thought they would get (like buying a car that includes a free oil changes for life plan and then finding out after you paid and as you are about to drive off with your car that, nope, no free oil changes for you).

The biggest loss is the DVC AP and with that the ability to get the TIW card. That can be a BIG deal for folks. I looked at prices last night and it's $750pp for a non DVC AP where you can get the Gold DVC AP for $550. No TIW card and no DVC dining discounts...so DDP it is or OOP (honestly the TIW card is too expensive anymore anyway). I am sorry for those currently in ROFR or waiting to close (especially those waiting to close who sent in their $$$$ weeks ago and should have/could have closed by 4/4).

 

[djohn06]

I contacted my broker who told me to put in a complaint about Disney vacation Development with the BBB.
I am going to write DVD first. This is their address.
Disney Vacation Development Inc
1390 Celebration Blvd.
Celebration, Fl 34747-5166

I also asked them to rescind the contract as Disneys policies changed from when I signed the contract with no advance warning and this had devalued my purchase.

Really? People do not even know what the changes are yet. You should not change your habits on the advice of anyone on this board.

Remember you can always save a lot resale and then buy a small 25 pt contract later direct for the perks. In most cases doing this will be cheaper than buying a direct for the entire point amount that you wanted.

 

[kamik86]

Honestly this change wouldn't have bothered me except for one thing.

I was planning to sell soon, would have already but I have a rental for mid May that I have to let clear first. I am actually starting the process to list my membership now. so even if this only causes a short term dip in resale prices this will affect me, even though I did buy direct.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I think the key point in all of this, is that no one was really buying any of these perks in buying a resale or even a direct sale. It states that very plainly. I think some must have either overlooked that or simply ignored it.

You should not purchase or add on real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort in reliance upon the continued availability or renewal or extension of these offers.

THIS THIS THIS.

Again, the people that are upset should be upset with themselves first and foremost for not understanding the contract they signed. Disney has not "changed anything" in the middle of this process. They had the right to take away any perks the day before the contract was signed. If they took these perks away the day after they closed on the contract would that make it any better? A week after? A year after? The reality is, it wouldn't hurt DVC to grandfather those in that are currently under contract. There are so few people that it will make no difference to them in the scheme of things. Hopefully they will do that, but all resale buyers should be prepared for changes (only for the worse) in the future.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Here is why I don't like the changes:

1. Said it before, will say it now. I think they are going to count on IT solutions to separate the "members" from the resale buyers when doing stuff like issuing DVC cards. You think that won't impact a large swath of folks at some point? It's Disney IT. Eventually, people who add a name to a deed will get caught in the net or similar. Fun!
2. Every "added benefit" that is being taken from new resale buyers can also be taken from any one of the rest of us. Do not kid yourself on that. Yeah, everyone's been grandfathered... Now. I have noted before that this is a real estate interest and this has always been possible, and I am minimally impacted even if they do, but I think their whole "this isn't a timeshare, it's a special club and here's the handshake!" Isn't going to hold up over time.

 

[opal]

Ok, so the contract states that Disney may change the benefits at any time. But does it say it can change them just for certain owners? Does the contract prohibit resale? It is one thing to change the benefits for all, but to only change it for resales seems to be discriminatory.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

PS: don't tell me I am not "allowed" to complain. I know DVC is the ultimate first-world thing. But you are not my mom.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

If the perks mean a lot to those that want resale but also want these, then after the resale is purchased, an add-on directly through DVC can be done. I would add on 25 points - that would get all the benefits with little cost compared to having to buy 160 points direct from DVC.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Here is why I don't like the changes:

1. Said it before, will say it now. I think they are going to count on IT solutions to separate the "members" from the resale buyers when doing stuff like issuing DVC cards. You think that won't impact a large swath of folks at some point? It's Disney IT. Eventually, people who add a name to a deed will get caught in the net or similar. Fun!
2. Every "added benefit" that is being taken from new resale buyers can also be taken from any one of the rest of us. Do not kid yourself on that. Yeah, everyone's been grandfathered... Now. I have noted before that this is a real estate interest and this has always been possible, and I am minimally impacted even if they do, but I think their whole "this isn't a timeshare, it's a special club and here's the handshake!" Isn't going to hold up over time.

I agree. I wasn't directly impacted by this either, but I don't like it one bit. And I assure you, it will only get worse in the future. I'm just hoping we have another 3-5 years between major changes. But whatever the next change is, I'm sure I'm not going to like it.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Ok, so the contract states that Disney may change the benefits at any time. But does it say it can change them just for certain owners? Does the contract prohibit resale? It is one thing to change the benefits for all, but to only change it for resales seems to be discriminatory.

"But does it say it can change them just for certain owners?" - Yes
"Does the contract prohibit resale?" - No

"It is one thing to change the benefits for all, but to only change it for resales seems to be discriminatory. " - This isn't the first time they have done that. And it won't be the last. Unfortunately, DVC is not a democracy.

 

[jodifla]

I think it's pretty awful for people who are in transition to have the rules changed on them like this.

That said, it is not surprising that DVC is putting more of a difference between direct and resales. This gives the agents more selling points, and will likely drive a good amount of people to at least buy some of their points direct.

 

[southerngirl528]

I think that everybody who is complaining has a completely valid reason to be upset. It would have cost Disney very little to grandfather in the contracts that were currently from under review to closing, which is really the group that deserves the sympathy here. If they had taken away perks for all resale buyers unilaterally, we would all have complained and vented and gotten over it in a week. However, saying that Resale Buyer A can be a "card-carrying" full member because she closed on April 3 and Resale Buyer B cannot access any of those benefits because she closed on April 4 is incredibly petty and not in line with the customer-loving image that Disney tries to project. That's why I wholeheartedly sympathize with everyone whose contracts got stuck in this maelstrom and will continue to lend an ear if they want to vent.

I agree that it is not ideal for those midstream on resale contracts if they are just now entering DVC membership. I would have liked to see some advance notice for this reason. Perhaps a couple of months notice would have been much better. But one point I want to make about the complaints about changes- changes can and will happen to perks/benefits during the length of membership.

BUT OP fails to see that some folks were buying and haven't closed yet and now are being told that they won't be able to get the perks that they thought they would get

Actually I believe the OP has acknowledged that and extended some sympathies to anyone "midstream".

I think it's pretty awful for people who are in transition to have the rules changed on them like this.

Agreed, but I bought direct and have had perks taken away. That was "after I signed" as well and I couldn't "turn back". I know it is unfortunate that there was no official announcement but whether it's popular or not, no one has a legal leg to stand on in these new changes because it is ALL outlined in the contracts. If anyone has a broker that played up specific benefits, & in such a way that they would exist forever, then they should be reported because they would KNOW that perks/benefits are transient and that changes could be made at any time. And I would report them to DBPR. FL timeshare laws are very strict (I have my license) and misrepresentation is a big deal. And like it or not, Disney is squeaky clean on this point. It's all covered in their docs.

Lastly, as several have mentioned here, the good news is that so, so many resale buyers ARE grandfathered in, and the bottom line is that each of us as members own a timeshare that gives us great accommodations at a much lower price. And we ARE all guaranteed of that, at least at our home resort, regardless. For those that saved big bucks by buying resale, you got perks that those buying retail did not: you saved WAY more money in most cases than you ever might with ever-changing discounts and perks. Should those of us that bought retail be demanding that those perks are stripped from all resale buyers because they got the same thing we have and didn't have to pay so much? I have no interest in that but if we are talking about "fair".....

 

[southerngirl528]

I contacted my broker who told me to put in a complaint about Disney vacation Development with the BBB.
I am going to write DVD first. This is their address.
Disney Vacation Development Inc
1390 Celebration Blvd.
Celebration, Fl 34747-5166

That may may be cathartic for you and can do no harm but Disney is entirely within their rights. I am surprised your broker would even suggest such when he/she knows that is a dead-end entirely. Sounds to me like they just want to pass the buck. THEY are the one that should have outlined full disclosure to you which includes that perks/discounts can change or be taken away at any time. He/she KNOWS that verbiage is outlined in detail in every single contract.

 

[kapicka]

If I understand correctly there are 3 tiers of owners now:
1. Buyers who have purchased direct or resale before December 2013 (all benefits available)
2. Resale buyers between December 2013 and April 4, 2016 (no concierge collection, adventures by Disney, cruises)
3. Resale buyers after April 4th 2016 (also no special discounts on passes, etc)

Is that correct?

 

[Sammie]

Ok, so the contract states that Disney may change the benefits at any time. But does it say it can change them just for certain owners? Does the contract prohibit resale? It is one thing to change the benefits for all, but to only change it for resales seems to be discriminatory.

Believe me I understand why everyone is upset and I am fine with those upset, venting. And I will be the first to say it was not handled well. There should be some grace period.

But are you upset they took them away or that they took them away from one group only? Were you upset when you paid less for the same product than a direct buyer did? Because in a way that was discriminatory.

Honestly I like the perks, but when we bought very little was offered. A few meals and a few shops. No ticket discount at all for years. I did not buy for the perks and if they leave, so be it. As long as I get what I actually bought, a discounted room then I am happy.

Sadly and again I understand the upset, I think some got a wake up call in that Disney is a business, and in business to make money. They only make that money by sales.

 

[bwvBound]

If I understand correctly there are 3 tiers of owners now:
1. Buyers who have purchased direct or resale before December 2013 (all benefits available)
2. Resale buyers between December 2013 and April 4, 2016 (no concierge collection, adventures by Disney, cruises)
3. Resale buyers after April 4th 2016 (also no special discounts on passes, etc)

Is that correct?

Almost. Change date references from "Dec 2013" to "March 2011" and I think you'll be on track.

 

[DisCatGirl]

Please don't flame me - I am just trying to understand. Really. I am not an owner.

If you buy resale, you probably paid significantly less than a direct purchase? So shouldn't you have less perks? You got the ultimate perk - you saved a whole lot of money?

 

[disneynutz]

For new buyers waiting to close, I feel your pain.

For others not affected currently by the changes, it's not that there are changes, it's that all of our years of Disney training told us that Disney was different than other companies. All of the recent changes and price increases now teaches us that they are really like all other companies who put profit over people.

Truth is sometimes hard to accept.

Bill