Perk predictions,anyone have any?????

[disney-super-mom]

If Disney wasn't making A LOT of MONEY off of DVC, then they wouldn't keep adding more DVC accomodations, plain and simple. Why would they keep expanding otherwise? You don't keep milking a dry cow.

Maybe DVC accomodations only account for 10% of WDW accomodations because only 10% of the population can afford to buy in.

Do you think Vegas casinos makes most of it's money from high rollers - NO - but they sure do cater to them (they're special patrons) to squeeze as much money out of them as they can while they're there, and that includes free...well...everything.

And at Vegas, you don't need to even be a high roller to get free perks, like complimentary rooms and food.

Geez, all I was thinking was a couple fast passes thrown in for a visit and maybe a discounted dining plan. I just don't think that's too much for Disney to do for it's DVC members. Not that they will, but they easily could.

Also, if you've got kids, you will spend money on stuff every trip. My six year old doesn't care if I can get the same toy on a web site for 50% less. We're at Disney and on vacation, so I'm going to get it for him. I'm not there to bargain shop.

 

[Figment2]

I had to laugh when I read the comment about DVCers not buying many souveirs. A friend & I had to ship our purchases home recently. They arrived in 2 HUGE boxes (3 if you count the framed MNSSHP pin set I bought).
There wasn't much packing material in there either. I love shopping at WDW!

Cyn

 

[NYMomof4]

My thought of a perk is that I can stay at all the different DVC resorts and hope for new ones in the next 49 years that I will be able to try I can only imagine how tempting add-on-itis will be if they build more in the next 49 years!lol

 

[keishashadow]

All DVC units have "kitchens"...I wouldn't call the set-up in a Studio @ kitchen, by any stretch of the imagination...unless your diet consists of microwaveable frozen dinners.

The beauty of DVC is it's flexibility both in ownership and type of accommodations. We don't all have points to burn, nor do we necessarily want to stay in the 1 BR's. Many of us have no inclination to cook while on vacation - personal preference.

Additionally, I expect percs (whether my expectations are met remains to be seen).
Whatever comes down the pike is a welcome bonus.

I, and quite a few other DVC'ers, are still waiting to hear if MYW dining will be offered in some form or another.

You can't categorize all DVC'ers usage by your own pattern of utilization. Of course, some members will adapt to whatever percs are currently offered by DVC.

As for the whole FP issue, they did patent it - it's explained quite nicely in the '06 Unoffice Guide, very interesting. Particularly if it's tied into overall spending in the park/level of resort stay; it will be interesting to see if DVC'ers are credited w/accommodations at all or at what level (deluxe, etc.).

 

[DisFlan]

I don't know if we're the "average" DVC members, but I know we spend plenty when we're there. That extra bag we took last week came back full (as usual), plus there was golf and a lot of other stuff paid to WDW like special events tickets, a private Illum. party, etc. We even paid for the hurricane lunch buffet provided by BWV. (Which was very good for $16, btw. The dessert trays were to die for.) Disney won't go broke on us, even with "pre-paid accommodations", golf discounts or APs. I can't imagine we're all that different from a lot of other DVCers.

And we eat at WDW TS restaurants. A lot. We enjoy them. I wouldn't turn down a meal plan, but our eating habits won't change.

We'll enjoy whatever perks come along, but none would be fine, too.

DisFlan

 

[sarhenty]

Yikes, I have to agree on some quotes mentioning they continue spending the same amount of $$$ on souvies or more. There may be an outlet with 50% discount on Disney merchandise but I like having the latest gizmos and gadgets that Disney offers up. I find myself spending more on that than ever. I also see myself dining at table service restaurants now than before. The more you know Disney, the more you see what they have to offer and the more you want to try it, dine it and buy it!But, I also know that Disney doesn't need to offer us any new perks and we shouldn't expect them. They would be nice incentives to continue adding on (to spend more time there). I prefer to be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Sammie]

They are called member perks because you have to be a member to get them-- offering them to nonmembers would defeat the whole concept.

Your friend spent $350,000 attending the wedding-- he must be a big spender-- or the whole entire wedding cost that?

A dining plan---- that would be nice but if DVC'ers don't like to spend money as you say, why would they spend money out eating when they have a kitchen?

The wedding cost that much, my friend was a guest. Never said DVCers don't like to spend money, we eat out dinner every night while at DVC.

My point is DVCers are not the only segment of guest going to WDW that spend large amounts of money each and every year. Many repeat guests spend as much or more staying in deluxe resorts staying concierge and in suites. Disney is not going to offer a Fast Pass perk to DVC and alienate the nonDVC guest.

 

[mamatojon]

It doesn't really matter to me since I don't use any of the perks now - I bought without even knowing about them. If they kept the AP discount that would be nice, but I doubt they will. I can't see them doing "unlimited" fastpasses, but I could see them offering 1 per day per person or something like that. Dining? I doubt we would use it but I could see where in certain families it would definitely be a perk, for us we'd probably end up spending more on food. I would love a % off or dollars off on park hoppers, that would be what I'd end up using. I'm sure the perks will mostly be % off dining, spa, and golf stuff though. Recreational things that you might not normally do, perks to encourage you to spend more money than you normally would.

 

[tjkraz]

Yikes!!! Hostile crowd in here.

Well, for the sake of those playing at home, let's review. On the topic of DVC profitability, of course it's been a very profitable venture. But that doesn't mean Disney is going to throw perk-after-perk-after-perk at members to pacify them. As Doc said, there is no free lunch. You know those "Merry Mixers" everyone is excited about? Check your annual dues statement--the line item is called "Member Activities." There may not be an admission charge, but we still pay for them.

The perks that offer discounts off of everything from golf to annual passes to dining are not magnanimous rewards to members for buying into DVC. They are incentives designed to get us to spend MORE money.

My only point about a FastPass perk is not to expect anything exclusive to DVC members. If Disney decides to make changes to FastPass (which is still a very big *IF*, as I'm sure was clearly stated in the Unofficial Guide), our benefit will almost certainly be similar to other Deluxe resort guests.

But I can't see Disney arbitrarily giving DVC members some sort of unlimited FastPass just because they like DVC members. There is no financial gain to be had. Existing members aren't going to decide to keep a contract just because of unlimited FP, and potential members aren't going to use a perk like that as a "tipping point." "Gee, honey, saving all that money on our room sounds great but it's just not worth it unless they can get us more FastPasses every time we visit!"

I also think it's unfair to label something like this a "free" perk. It would cost money to make programming changes to the FP computer systems. If they use paper ticket or some other media, that costs money. And, most importantly, it reduces the value of FastPass to the TENS OF THOUSANDS of cash guests visiting daily. If you intend to maintain the integrity of FastPass, every additional DVC member ticket issued means one less ticket for the public. That means longer lines and later FastPass return times for everyone, just so the priviledged DVCers can get their due.

Maybe Disney will prove me wrong. Honestly, I hope not.

On the kitchen issue, let's compare with other cash resorts:

Pop Century - zero kitchens.
Port Orleans - zero kitchens.
Contemporary - zero kitchens.
Every single DVC resort - some number HIGHER than zero kitchens.

While cooking, as some define it, may be difficult in a Studio room, I'm confident that DVC members make better use of their facilities than some appear willing to admit. Ever stick leftovers in the fridge for a late-night snack? How about frozen waffles or a bowl of cereal in the morning? How about popcorn or a bowl of ice cream before bed?

Sure, some of these are possible with the accommodations provided to most cash resort guests. But I'll never believe it happens with the same frequency as DVC members. IMO, you can't compare preparing a bag of popcorn in a food court microwave to the convenience of walking 5' from your suitcase to the kitchenette.

Cash resort guests buy a greater percentage of their meals and snacks at WDW than DVC members. Disagree? Convince me.

As for souvenirs, obviously I have only my own experiences to relate, as is the case with every other person participating in this debate. Logically, I just don't see how one can assume that, ON AVERAGE, folks who have visited WDW 20 or 30 or 40 times spend as much on t-shirts and pressed pennies and autograph books as someone on their 1st trip (or 1st trip in five years.)

Disagree if you will. But bear in mind that many DVCers are folks who have been visiting the World on a regular basis for over a decade now. Check back with us in 10-15 years and let us know how consistent your spending patterns have remained.

Now, as for the other issues being discussed....

...........

....what were we talking about?

 

[disney-super-mom]

Yikes!!! Hostile crowd in here.

Well, for the sake of those playing at home, let's review. On the topic of DVC profitability, of course it's been a very profitable venture. But that doesn't mean Disney is going to throw perk-after-perk-after-perk at members to pacify them. As Doc said, there is no free lunch. You know those "Merry Mixers" everyone is excited about? Check your annual dues statement--the line item is called "Member Activities." There may not be an admission charge, but we still pay for them.

The perks that offer discounts off of everything from golf to annual passes to dining are not magnanimous rewards to members for buying into DVC. They are incentives designed to get us to spend MORE money.

My only point about a FastPass perk is not to expect anything exclusive to DVC members. If Disney decides to make changes to FastPass (which is still a very big *IF*, as I'm sure was clearly stated in the Unofficial Guide), our benefit will almost certainly be similar to other Deluxe resort guests.

But I can't see Disney arbitrarily giving DVC members some sort of unlimited FastPass just because they like DVC members. There is no financial gain to be had. Existing members aren't going to decide to keep a contract just because of unlimited FP, and potential members aren't going to use a perk like that as a "tipping point." "Gee, honey, saving all that money on our room sounds great but it's just not worth it unless they can get us more FastPasses every time we visit!"

I also think it's unfair to label something like this a "free" perk. It would cost money to make programming changes to the FP computer systems. If they use paper ticket or some other media, that costs money. And, most importantly, it reduces the value of FastPass to the TENS OF THOUSANDS of cash guests visiting daily. If you intend to maintain the integrity of FastPass, every additional DVC member ticket issued means one less ticket for the public. That means longer lines and later FastPass return times for everyone, just so the priviledged DVCers can get their due.

I would assume that the annual dues definition of "member activities" would only include the activites at the DVC resort that you own, such as pools, rec-rooms, playgrounds, gamerooms, etc. I wouldn't think it included activities that not all DVC members could attend or take part in like the Merry Member Mixer. Maybe I'm wrong about this?

Also Disney wouldn't need to make programming changes to the fastpasses computer systems. They could adopt a similar program to Universals front of the line privileges - show them your card and you get to go into the fastpass line type of thing.

As far as DVC members eating Disney food, I'm just guessing that even those with full kitchens probably eat 50% of their meals/snacks at some Disney eatery. A periodic cash customer may eat 100% of the time at a Disney eatery. A DVC member may end up going to WDW 6 times or more before that cash customer makes a return trip. During that time, the DVC member has spent 200% more on food eating 50% of their meals at a Disney eatery compared to that periodic cash customer.

Maybe a few added perks for DVC members won't tip the scale and make someone decide to purchase based on the perks, or make someone sell out because they didn't get any perks. But, it's always nice to reward your most frequent customers with a little added "incentive". You are exactly right. They wouldn't be perks, but incentivies to get DVC members to spend more money. Either way, I think for the most part DVC members are pretty happy regardless of any added incentives. They're just "wishing upon a star" for a few more.

 

[Patty3]

Hopefully availabilty of Dining Plan for DVC members!!!!!

I would really like this as well!

 

[tjkraz]

I would assume that the annual dues definition of "member activities" would only include the activites at the DVC resort that you own, such as pools, rec-rooms, playgrounds, gamerooms, etc. I wouldn't think it included activities that not all DVC members could attend or take part in like the Merry Member Mixer. Maybe I'm wrong about this?

Member Activities - "Cost of the quarterly Member newsletter, annual Association meetings and priting an postage for Association legal mailings. Also includes the cost of Member recreational activities and events at the Resort.

Or perhaps it's under:

Management Fee - "Fee paid to DVMC for providing management services (including home office expenses) to the Association acccording to the Property Management Agreement.

But I still tend to think it's covered under the activity budget. Either way, don't kid yourself into thinking that these gatherings are gracious, "thank you for being such loyal members" rewards from DVC. We pay for them.

Also Disney wouldn't need to make programming changes to the fastpasses computer systems. They could adopt a similar program to Universals front of the line privileges - show them your card and you get to go into the fastpass line type of thing.

Except that rides have a finite number of riders they can accommodate on an hourly basis. What's the point of calling it FASTpass if the FP return queue is 15-20 minutes long because DVC members keep showing their keys and jumping to the front of the line

Every DVC member that used such a system would mean a longer wait for the guests who didn't have access to such a system.

As far as DVC members eating Disney food, I'm just guessing that even those with full kitchens probably eat 50% of their meals/snacks at some Disney eatery. A periodic cash customer may eat 100% of the time at a Disney eatery. A DVC member may end up going to WDW 6 times or more before that cash customer makes a return trip. During that time, the DVC member has spent 200% more on food eating 50% of their meals at a Disney eatery compared to that periodic cash customer.

That's all fine and dandy. But the real issue is that cash guests far outnumber DVC members. If memory serves, combined attendance at the Orlando theme parks runs about 50 million per year vs. less than 100,000 DVC members.

I know those numbers are flawed, but here's the point: Disney has 25,000 cash guest rooms to fill each and every night of the week. Even if a family should only visit once every 5 years, Disney wants that family to feel like ROYALTY while they are visiting. They want those families to be loose with the purse strings and to consider returning sooner than 5 years down the road.

Like I said in a previous post, Walt Disney World will NOT survive on DVC members only. We may be their most loyal customers, but I think it would be incredibly short-sighted to risk disenchating their bread and butter cash guests at the expense of DVC members. Can't you just see the post on the Theme Parks board: "We waited over an hour to ride Soarin and I swear the same family walked by us 5 times in that other line. I'm never going back to Disney World!!"

One final thought: What would your feelings be if Disney announced that they were providing unlimited FastPasses (or front of the line access) to Concierge guests only? One could certainly argue that those paying top dollar for concierge-level accommodations are among the most dedicated, free-spending groups to which Disney caters. Would the folks posting on this thread still think unlimited FP is a great benefit if they were excluded from it in favor of another group?

 

[married@wdw]

As for who spends more, DVCers or cash guests, I just don't think there's an answer. DH and I probably spend less now of souvies than we did, but mainly because we just have too much stuff. But, we spend a LOT more on food -- going to much nicer restaurants and almost never eating counter service -- than we ever would have before.

And for those that talk about our DVC rooms with kitchens so we eat in more -- how many cash paying guests get one AP to stay for a week at a Value Resort for a pittance, then keep a cooler in their room, use the microwave at the food court to make breakfasts and make sandwiches to take into the parks for lunch or only eat counter service?

I'd bet the two types of guests -- DVC and cash paying -- balance each other out in the end with how much they spend.

As for that price quoted for a Disney wedding -- I always wonder how people know what someone's wedding costs when they attend? Did a parent, or the bride or groom, announce it? Ewe...how tacky! We had a Disney wedding and a friend once said something about my "$100,000 Disney vacation." My wedding AND honeymoon were less than a quarter of that price, but I'm thrilled the guests thought it was $100,000 quality!

Ahhh, and the DVC perk I'm looking for, well, I'm not sure it would really be a perk, but ... using points to stay at Tokyo Disney. We've been dying to go, but it's just too expensive. If we could save up our points for a few years (and ask for extras as birthday and Christmas gifts from my mom and in-laws, who are also members) we could probably swing it! But I doubt that will happen!

 

[NMW]

Well, my family may not be a "typical" DVC family (whatever that is). However, we are doing our first DVC trip in about 23 days. We plan to spend exactly the same. I don't understand why I would spend differently on our annual trips as DVC members than I did as paying guests at the BC or POLY? We don't cook on vacation. My husband and I would hate that, but that's just us. In fact, I was surprised to read so many people cook real meals on vacation. I quess maybe I'm more of a "hotel" type vacationer. Although we do plan to have the driver stop to fill the fridge with with soda, beer, milk, juice and wine. So, maybe I'll spend a little less at Disney by not buying those items in the little gift shops. I guess I also will not spend $20-30 on laundry since we will have a washer and dryer. But, really how much less is that? Not much.

We plan $2200 for food and drinks and $1500 for things like gifts, tips, the limo guy, etc. I don't understand why owning DVC would change our yearly trips. I really hope it doesn't, because I love our trips!

We would love to have the meal plan as a perk!!! I'm really, really hoping we get one.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

It is kind of funny how many people assume they are the most loyal customers because they are DVC owners. I just don't think that is the case. A former co-worker declined to buy DVC and instead elected to plan for deluxe vacations for her family every year at Disney because she had no interest in cooking on vacation and her husband wasn't interested in doing anything other than going from one fun thing to the next. I would guess from this thread that she wouldn't be as loyal a customer as a DVC'er but I suspect Disney would heartily disagree. Other people I once worked with organized annual trips to Disney through the company recreation association. The group stayed at the Polynesian on some type of package plan and there were plenty of repeat offenders in that group as well.

Anyway...back to the subject at hand. Dining Plan? I suspect when (and if) they implement it the price will be too high to be of interest to most members. The current plan is subsidized by the amount paid for the room.

My wishes for a perk? Free internet access. A 10% discount on park tickets purchased at the gate. And maybe nature tours at VWL, OKW and SSR.

 

[mark&sue]

I have just got back from Disneyland Paris with my DVC points and when we checked in at the New York Hotel we were given three fastpasses each for the three days we were staying.

Therefore I feel I have gotten my DVC fastpass perk already!

I would also add we have 520 points and the money I am saving on accommodation will mean more and more spending money over the years to spend at WDW. I don't cook at home and certainly would not cook on vacation!! I am planning on more meals at Victoria & Alberts and my DD wedding at WDW when she grows up!!! Disney will certainly get a lot of my money when we come over to US and that of my friends and family that I plan to bring with.

Looking forward to the next 48 years.



Susan

 

[granmanh603]

Just keep the discount on AP and then you get the20% dining card.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Except that rides have a finite number of riders they can accommodate on an hourly basis. What's the point of calling it FASTpass if the FP return queue is 15-20 minutes long because DVC members keep showing their keys and jumping to the front of the line

Every DVC member that used such a system would mean a longer wait for the guests who didn't have access to such a system.



That's all fine and dandy. But the real issue is that cash guests far outnumber DVC members. If memory serves, combined attendance at the Orlando theme parks runs about 50 million per year vs. less than 100,000 DVC members.

If there is so few DVC members at one of the parks at any given time compared to cash customers, then "fastpass line access privledges" for DVC members would have very little impact on the length of the fastpass lines.

Using your attendance figures, that averages out to 22,831 guests per day, per park (I included both water parks for a total of 6 WDW parks).

I had to guess how big the average DVC family is, which I though might be a family of four. I also guessed that on average, a DVC member family will visit WDW twice a year. Using those figures, it comes out to 365 DVC family members per park, per day.

I don't think 365 DVC family members with fastpass line access privledges would have much affect on fastpass line length for the remaining 22,466 cash paying customers at a WDW park.

 

[LeCras]

Also Disney wouldn't need to make programming changes to the fastpasses computer systems. They could adopt a similar program to Universals front of the line privileges - show them your card and you get to go into the fastpass line type of thing.

Just to let you know, the room keys which give you FP access to the rides at Universal are scanned every time they are used, so there is definitely a need for a re-programming of the back-end as far as FP's are concerned. The scanning also keeps track of where the card has been used previously - I got a few comments from CM's when going on ROTM for the fifth and sixth time the same morning...

Charlotte

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, my family may not be a "typical" DVC family (whatever that is). However, we are doing our first DVC trip in about 23 days. We plan to spend exactly the same. I don't understand why I would spend differently on our annual trips as DVC members than I did as paying guests at the BC or POLY? We don't cook on vacation. My husband and I would hate that, but that's just us. In fact, I was surprised to read so many people cook real meals on vacation. I quess maybe I'm more of a "hotel" type vacationer. Although we do plan to have the driver stop to fill the fridge with with soda, beer, milk, juice and wine. So, maybe I'll spend a little less at Disney by not buying those items in the little gift shops. I guess I also will not spend $20-30 on laundry since we will have a washer and dryer. But, really how much less is that? Not much.

We plan $2200 for food and drinks and $1500 for things like gifts, tips, the limo guy, etc. I don't understand why owning DVC would change our yearly trips. I really hope it doesn't, because I love our trips!

We would love to have the meal plan as a perk!!! I'm really, really hoping we get one.

There are several reasons behind my premise that people's spending decreases as the number of DVC stays increases.
1. Food. I guess it depends on what you mean by 'cook'. We don't 'cook' on vacation, as in lots of pots, pans and potato peeling. However, we do pick up some things at Winn-Dixie for breakfast and lunch. It's only DW and I, but try this: we have coffee and pastries in our room for breakfast every morning. That's what, $10 / day Disney doesn't get (and about $7 day in savings). We also pick up lunch meats, mustard, soft drinks, bread & chips for lunches. That's about $20 / day a Disney CS restaurant doesn't gt (and about $15 / day in savings). We rarely eat more than one or two dinners on-site; with a car, Outback, Pizza Hut, Applebee's, etc. is a better deal - and often, better food. That's upwards of $75 / day Disney doesn't get. And we did NONE of this when staying in a Disney resort room. So far, that's over $100 / day we no longer give Walt.

2. Souvenirs. We always pick up one 'cheesy' souvenir everytime we travel, and we're already running out of room on our shelf . I guess that after the 10th, 15th or 20th trip, most people just don't need any more Poohs, Eeyores or mouse-ear antenna caps. Now, maybe as rabid Disney fans, some of you do - but that leads me into a key point:

DVC DIS OWNERS ARE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF DVCers IN GENERAL NOR RESORT GUESTS IN GENERAL!!! Sorry to shout, but so many people forget this. By definition, we are in the top 5% (1% ???) of fanatical Disney guests. We actually take time out of our day to post & read the DIS - because we enjoy it! Don't get me wrong - I think that DIS folks are some of the finest people I've met. Yea, us!!! But we are not the same as the vast majority of DVC owners who don't even understand 11/7, add-ons, banking & borrowing - some folks even let DVC point expire, unused, unbanked and unrented . Think about it; when some is talking Disney in the office or at practice or at the store - who is it that everyone else turns to for the answer because "S/he is a real Disney nut" (and has more Disney stuff on their desk than anyone else)?

So, I'll grant you that some DIS DVCers probably spend more than resort guests trip after trip after trip. But, on the whole, with our kitchens, our exisiting souvenirs and a gradual " been there, bought / eaten / rode that" attitude, I don't see DVCers as cash cows once they've paid off their points.

IMHO - YMMV

PS to NMW: I bet that you'll find yourself able to have just as wonderful a trip as you always do with at a slightly lower cost. Hey, then you can buy more points!