Re-jiggering point structures

[vbalacek]

I know Disney sometimes tweaks the point structures/seasons to reflect certain times of the year like thansgivings or spring breaks and the like. And I understand Disney can change points needed for staying at different times (as long as the total points for the year remains the same.)

But as many new members are being added, and Disney increases its seasonal events, does anyone think Disney would ever change the seasons around to reflect more recent demand? Does anyone think Disney even moniters high/low demand times for DVC?

For example, based on postings it seems that "choice season", now October November and part of December, is extremely popular with DVCers given F&W, NSSHP, Christmas decorations.... (Posts have detailed not being able to book switch outside their home resort at the 7 month window, or not being able to get anything in October at all...) If this is more than my assumptions, but actual vacation trends, would Disney "up" the points required to stay during those times and lower points for lower demand times (like maybe August where it seems people can get something at the last minute)? Or perhaps specifically adjust per resort (increase Epcot resorts during F&W, while other resorts stay the same, and just decrease Epcot resorts in another season).

Has Disney ever done something like this before?

 

[Chuck S]

There has only been one re-allocation. It was at OKW in 1996. The change was not horrible, basically the "seasons" stayed the same, but the cheapest season increased and one of there were some decreases in other seasons. I know in the least expensive season, studios went from 69 to 80 points for a week.

Other than that, there are the normal adjustments depending upon Easter week and Thanksgiving. F&W has been popular at the Epcot area resorts for several years, as has early December at all resorts. Unless there are major shifts in usage, I don't think we'll see any major changes until our contracts are almost up (and maybe not even then). More likely as 2042 approaches they'll limit banking and borrowing at those resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

with over 100,000 members - you know Disney does not like complaints - can you imagnation all the complaints....

 

[bobbiwoz]

with over 100,000 members - you know Disney does not like complaints - can you imagnation all the complaints....

But since the total can't change, someone would HAVE to benefit from a point tweeking, wouldn't they?

Bobbi

 

[Granny]

Obviously, any point tweaking would have to be announced more than 11 months in advance, and more probably a year or so before going into effect.

There are so many ways to tweak points, it would be quite a task to do, I would think. Disney could tweak points within a resort....

- from one season to another

- from one type of accommodation (1BR) to another (studio)

- from one part of the week (weekend) to another (weekdays)

There are a lot of permutations of potential changes, and although there would have to be some people that benefit from any change, there would also be those experiencing a downside.

For example, let's say that they make early December more "expensive" pointwise and reduce (for example) early August. People who can only take vacations during the summer would think that's great. People who love to vacation in early December would be up in arms.

Which one do you think would be the more vocal group?

The point system is supposed to be designed to balance out stays in various accommodation types and to achieve resort bookings as equal as possible for as many days of the year as possible. I'm sure they could tweak some here and there and come closer to "balance".

But I don't see the benefit outweighing the cost as far as Disney is concerned. And if it doesn't benefit Disney overall, I don't see it happening. Just an opinion, YMMV.

 

[spiceycat]

But since the total can't change, someone would HAVE to benefit from a point tweeking, wouldn't they?

Bobbi

that was what make so many people mad the first time...

they took from Sept, Dec, Jan - and gave it to - summer and peak (christmas to Ny, easter) it was a drop in the bucket for those times - and very costly for Sept, Dec, Jan.

I really expected DVC to change Oct/Nov - when WDW did - they put them in regular season not value.

Since they didn't to change it then, now with even more members.....

I don't think so....

a studio week stay was 69 points now it is 80 points.

dream season went down from 100 points to 98 (yea weekend only)
magic season went down from 111 points to 109 (yea weekend only)
premium season went down from 151 to 147 (again weekends only)

now they were more flexiblity with the 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms and actually did some weekdays - but generally it was only a point or two down - when the weekends were several points...

 

[drusba]

As noted, a point change has occured only once and only at OKW. Though Disney has the right to shift points between seasons and days, it is not likely to do it just because parts of October, Nov. Dec, have become somewhat more popular. To make a change is costly and a pain in the butt -- DVC has to hire consultants to advise as to whether it is actually needed and to re-evaluate the entire year to determine where to make changes, then you have to go through all the angry calls of members who will feel disadvantage (and who may make negative comments to possible buyers), then you have to redo all the brochures and hand-outs. In other words, it is not like DVC is sitting anxiously just waiting to make a change. You are not likely to see one absent a sea change in demand and it becomes absolutely necessary. DVC once floated the idea to members that it change day points so that weekends would be lower and weekdays higher because demand for Sun-Thurs was outstripping Fri-and Sat. There was a very loud outcry from members and the idea was buried.

 

[salmoneous]

If I were the all-powerful Oz of DVC (and I think there is near-unanimous happiness that I am not) I'd be constantly rejiggering the points when necessary. Whenever you have a situation where people need to book day-to-day at the 11 month window, something is wrong. Your supply/demand has gotten out of balance and needs to be fixed.

You don't need fancy consultants. You look to see if any blocks are being sold out at exactly the 11-month window. If there are, up the points on that block and lower the points on your slowest-to-book blocks.

Will people be cranky? Sure. But if a block is so popular it has to be booked day-to-day at the 11-month window, you've already got a bunch of cranky people who aren't able to get the days they want.

 

[Caskbill]

It wouldn't be as easy to tweak as it might seem. All five WDW resorts have the same seasons. If they changed seasons for one resort and not another, that would really be a mess.

So, let's say they have to change all 5 seasons for all 5 resorts. But OKW, SSR, BWV-std are all different point structures than BCV, BWV-pref, VWL.

Since the total points must remain the same, and all the resorts have different totals, based on the size of the resort and the type of villas they have, it could be impossible to balance the individual points proportionally. As mentioned, the permutations would be enormous.

I can hear the cries now: "How come they reduced VWL 1-B/R by 2 points, but SSR by only 1 point", etc.