Perks: wdw vs dl, why so different

[NicoleLarson]

Since the DPD has seemed to skyrocket, I took a look @ the dvc restaurant perks. I couldnt help but to notice how little there were for wdw and how many there were for DL. Does anyone have an answer on why they give so many more discounts @ DL? I know these are "perks" and dvc can take them away @ anytime so i really shouldnt complain but well I am. We are fairly new to DVC so have the perks always been this way or have they gotten less and less over the years?

 

[tjkraz]

They are not DVCs perks to give or take...it's all about what WDW and DL chooses to offer. And in that, it comes down to management philosophy. DL passholders get those 10% discount on pretty much all dining and shopping and it was similarly extended to DVC members. WDW is more stingy to all groups.

 

[NicoleLarson]

So i'm taking it that it has always been this way.....?

 

[Brian Noble]

The two resorts are completely different, in many ways. One way is audience: a much larger fraction of DLR visitors are locals, vs. WDW's much larger mix of tourists from far afield. Another is environment: DLR is surrounded by a raft of walking-distance but non-Disney hotels, gift shops, and restaurants, while at WDW it can take a non-trivial amount of time just to leave a theme park and reach "the outside world".

WDW is a city-sized captive audience---it's genuinely painful to leave "the bubble" to eat. And, because most people are not driving from home, it's not particularly convenient to pack a lunch. But, you have to eat somewhere. So, the straight up discounts, whether to Annual Passholders or DVC Members, tend to be restricted to less-popular locations/times that might not fill up by themselves.

 

[tjkraz]

So i'm taking it that it has always been this way.....?

Correct.

And if you look at the menus, DL prices tend to be higher so the discount isn't really saving you much in a direct comparison.

Kids meals at WDW are $4.99 each while at DL they are $5.99.

A 1/3lb Angus bacon cheeseburger at Cosmic Ray's (WDW) is $8.79 while the Angus cheddar burger (no bacon) at Taste Pilot's Grill (DCA) is $9.49.

The breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey's (WDW) is $26 / $14 while Goofy's Kitchen at DL is $30 / $16.

Doesn't look like that 10% discount at DL really saves anything if you're comparing WDW to DL.

 

[disneynutz]

Most of the discounts at WDW come from non-Disney owned venues. I wonder if it's that way at DL?

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

Most of the discounts at WDW come from non-Disney owned venues. I wonder if it's that way at DL?

Bill

At DL, DVC members get 10% off at every Disney owned restaurant plus some non Disney owned. But as I illustrated above, the 10% doesn't necessarily translate into lower prices than WDW since many DL prices are higher to begin with.