Red Headed Step Child!

[JWG]

I guess I was thinking more of "in system" discounts and perks for using your timeshare, not trading. I get that we're limited on RCI. But that's not the argument being made here.

Here people are upset they don't get more for actually showing up and using their timeshare.

Does the Wyndham or Marriott give free dining 2-3 meals a day? Deep discounts to Six Flags?

That's what I don't get. We get a nice AP deal, discounts on restaurants, access to a lot of the FL only deals (TiW).

Feels like a lot people want free and top quality?

 

[Kimmielee]

See I don't see the same way. I have become a Disney hotel snob and I can not stand to stay in the values And really not a fan of the Moderate hotels either.

So the little extra that you are saving.... I will take DVC any day

I am in complete agreement. We ran out of points and booked a value for just one night this past weekend and vowed WE WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!! So... we met with our DVC sales rep and bought 200 more points at AKV with 200 banked points right off the bat... we have become Disney hotel snobs too!!!!

 

[Dean]

I guess I was thinking more of "in system" discounts and perks for using your timeshare, not trading. I get that we're limited on RCI. But that's not the argument being made here.

Here people are upset they don't get more for actually showing up and using their timeshare.

Does the Wyndham or Marriott give free dining 2-3 meals a day? Deep discounts to Six Flags?

That's what I don't get. We get a nice AP deal, discounts on restaurants, access to a lot of the FL only deals (TiW).

Feels like a lot people want free and top quality?

They all vary. Marriott tends to hunt down discounts and offer those to both members and exchangers alike. All the rest tend to be cheaper than DVC by roughly 30%, sometimes more, for a comparable option in yearly costs. Of course they all have their good and bad points.

 

[JimMIA]

RCI's last call, WM's Monday Madness, Bonus Time, are all specials that are offered to the members owners, not in addition to their discounted room.

That is no different than DVC or AP discounts, or 30% off on rooms. Most of the above are last minute and depends on inventory.

Just for readers who don't know what we are talking about, FULL RCI (or II) membership is available to owners of most timeshare systems -- certainly all of the better ones with the exception of DVC. Some systems provide both RCI and II exchange opportunities. In many cases, it is provided with your maintenance fees, in others you may obtain an individual membership. DVC owners cannot get individual RCI memberships...either for "free" or by purchase.

In addition to their 3,242 exchange options, RCI offers two types of discounted cash rentals. Extra Vacations are discounted cash rentals that can be booked far in advance. Sometimes the discounts are substantial, other times not so much. One of our frequent posters here got a full week in a 2 BR Deluxe at Wyndham Bonnet Creek this February for less than $400 via RCI Extra Vacations.

(DVC is also available on RCI Extra Vacations for just about all resorts, and it would be an interesting exercise to see if RCI's price is higher or lower than the DVC Member cash rental discount.)

Last Calls are deeply discounted cash rentals with reservations made within 45 days of checkin. Last Call base prices range from about $250-$300 for an entire week, depending on whether you book a hotel room/studio, 1 BR, or 2 BR. All units of the same size are the same price, regardless of resort. RCI frequently runs specials off those base prices.

I'll start my pretend whining. Oh why do I have to pay an extra $39 for changing my reservation. What? I'm out of RT? I'm out of HK credits? But, but, but, with DVC I can change my mind anytime and book and rebook and cancel anytime! What? I need to stay a minimum of 3, 4 or 7 days? But, I can stay 1 day at DVC? Oh, and why oh why must I pay an extra $99 for each extra rooms I'm booking for my family? Sooo frustrated with all these fees!!!! Why don't they value us owners? *throws a temper tantrum*

Yeah...and I know you're joking!

For others who don't know what we're talking about, you have to consider those aggravating nickle/dime charges in the context of your MFs. Our Wyndham contract is the rough equivalent of 600-700 DVC points and we pay $2.200 per year in MFs.

Make no mistake, every DVC owner pays for every single call to MS. It's just all lumped into your annual "dues." MS costs whatever it costs and that expense, as well as other common expenses like transportation, is shared by the DVC owners. There is no real incentive -- either for DVC or owners -- to keep those costs down...which is one reason why DVC dues are so high.

At Wyndham, they have a base Program Fee which provides a certain number of Guest Confirmations, Reservation Transactions, Housekeeping Credits, etc, etc, etc. I personally have never exceeded any of my allowances, but if I did, I would gladly pay the extra miniscule fee.

Guest Confirmations, frankly, are something DVC would do well to look at if they ever become seriously concerned about commercial rentals. Let the people who are benefiting financially pay for it.

To be fair, there was a lot of angst after WBC started charging $12/day for their shuttle.

Yes there was, for a variety of reasons. Although to be completely fair, the "bad guys" in that stupid decision were the WBC HOA...NOT Wyndham management.

I think for the most part, it is because most other owners understand what they bought into. There really is a big number of DVC owners that don't understand what they bought.

Agree. I think that's true across the industry, but may be more widespread with DVC. How many times have we seen someone post (in disbelief! ), "But my GUIDE specifically told me so!!!"

 

[MrsDuck]

Free dining isn't free...

 

[JWG]

Free dining isn't free...

Wha.....

Kidding, I just can't understand how people seem to struggle with this. It's a gem of a concept that Disney has stumbled onto. I looked at this promo once and couldn't stomache the full rack rate.

 

[JimMIA]

I just can't understand how people seem to struggle with this. It's a gem of a concept that Disney has stumbled onto.

DDP: Average food at vastly inflated prices, served in elbow-to-elbow crowding by college kids waiting for the kegger tonight (and cooked in central kitchens by their fellow partiers), sold at a "dining plan" price that is probably triple what you would actually spend out of pocket. And you have to make reservations six months in advance!

In order to get it "free," you pay vastly inflated room rates, and buy vastly inflated tickets.

Even when we stay in a DVC resort, I'd much rather dine offsite -- enjoy real variety in food choices, get better food and service, and pay much less.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is smoke and mirrors in a lot of ways. Their brand is so embeded that many will argue that Disney isn't in business to make money, they just want to make magic and fill wishes.

In the past it seemed like there was more of an equal balance between profit and magic, now profit has taken control in many ways.

It is projected that Magic Band will increase consumer spending anywhere from 10 to 20%

Fast Pass+ allows guests to obtain passes from home which locks the into a vacation at WDW. Same with ADR's 180 days out and online check in 60 days out. All designed to keep you committed to your vacation. Who really needs to do online check in 60 days before check in, there is no benefit.

We all know that free dining isn't free and that the majority of the DVC discounts are provided by business partners, not Disney.

The PAP discount was such a hit that many owners have added on additional vacations this year which of course is more money in Disney's pockets. Some are buying additional points because they are short.

We pay Disney to manage the DVC and to act on our behalf, but over and over again, they draw a line and only do so much. It's as if they really don't want to fix problems like room issues, reservation problems and a website that links you to never never land.

Sometimes I just don't get it.

Bill

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

how do i know?...reading what some are doing in their trip reports
and some of the references they made in general. while we where
there, i also socialize with those staying there during our "down
times." ( you might be surprise how much you can learn just
by asking, especially when you observed /noticed behaviors
outside the expected norms. ) . my best sources came from the
workers.

i can tell you my expectation, that we didn't buy dvc to ever rent
our points out. i also won't forget the 2 young ladies not wearing
undergarments that were so drunk that they fell against our door.

it like the abuse about the gac, really?..is anyone surprised. just
saying disney management rather keep secret/cover up than
to enforce their rules.

why is this so important to me? is the same reason the broken
lamp was mentioned.....i feel things like that should never be
allowed to exist....furthermore- why i added my previous
disney encounters....to "highlight" that every single disney
vacation we do is very special ...i would be taken back , to see
that dvc thinks a room that is all beat up , with broken lamps
or whatever ...is "ok" just because we brought dvc. and the first
time we come home & find there no parking because those
has staying off property, off duty , or from other resorts -
then i will do the problem solving. it just liked when i try to
share the new years fireworks---wall to wall people..so obvious
that most didn't belong...excuse us, we 're owners trying for
a view....they moved. now if they were owners, they would
have held their ground.

i think because we are owners, dvc should be an open book
with their "operations". currently i think the potential for dvc
is a "win/win" situation but conflict of rci interests should be
monitoring , ongoing --& better leaders/ management are needed.

i agree with bill's observations. but i also think owners can support
dvc by learning all they can what they brought into. actually ,
i think one of the best benefit from resales are increasing owners
that are more knowledgeable about the whole system.

 

[Sammie]

Actually Free Dining is free to anyone willing to book Rack Rate packages that include tickets.

Now if you want to say Free Dining is not necessarily the greatest bargain or cheap, that is true.

But if you meet the requirements it is Free.

Many people actually do book and pay rack rates so getting dining thrown in is a good deal for them.

 

[Coach81]

We loved our AP discounts this year!!!

 

[AmyB2006]

DDP: Average food at vastly inflated prices, served in elbow-to-elbow crowding by college kids waiting for the kegger tonight (and cooked in central kitchens by their fellow partiers), sold at a "dining plan" price that is probably triple what you would actually spend out of pocket. And you have to make reservations six months in advance!

In order to get it "free," you pay vastly inflated room rates, and buy vastly inflated tickets.

Well said.

And this...

Disney is smoke and mirrors in a lot of ways. Their brand is so embeded that many will argue that Disney isn't in business to make money, they just want to make magic and fill wishes.

... made me literally laugh out loud. Make magic and fill wishes.

 

[crisi]

Disney is smoke and mirrors in a lot of ways. Their brand is so embeded that many will argue that Disney isn't in business to make money, they just want to make magic and fill wishes.

They have one of the best brands going. Its actually magical how they can convince people to give them money simply because of the Disney name