Rumor: DVC members receive VIP Fast Passes?

[a Really Bad Egg]

I heard recently that DVC members may soon (beginning Jan 2009?) be receiving VIP Fast Passes for each day of their stay?

The thought process was that DVC wanted members to have a more relaxed vacation experience allowing them to spend more time at their resorts. This in turn would result in members spending more money there as well.

It would also help with the question - "What perks do I get for spending all of this money?"

I can't remember if I heard this from the bus driver or boat captain but was wondering if anyone else heard anything about it?

 

[starwood]

Not that I wouldn't love this perk but I wouldn't hold my breath. That sounds too good to be true.

 

[MomofKatie]

DSIL and DBIL got free "any attraction" FPs last January, but that was for going on the DVC tour. I wouldn't mind DVC owners getting this perk- 1 set per day for them wouldn't really have that big an effect on my vacation, I don't think.

 

[doconeill]

There has long been a "rumor" of added benefits based on Fastpass for on-site guests, and the higher the "class" of resort, the more benefit. But there hasn't been any indication as to when, if ever, such at thing would happen, or exactly how it would work.

DVC would certainly be included in it, likely at the "deluxe" category, but it would almost certainly not be exclusive to it.

Disney has a variety of patents regarding "features" of the Fastpass systems that have yet to actually happen.

 

[mrsR123]

Although this perk would make me personally very, very happy, I don't foresee Disney giving anything away to DVC members that they don't have to. They already got our money and are constantly looking for more ways to get some more-- they don't sit around wondering how they can make us happier.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't expect VIP Past Passes for DVC members either.

Every "special" Fast Pass means one fewer regular Fast Pass from a Fast Pass machine. Right now, Fast Pass distribution is fairly egalitarian. Except for a few VIP Fast Passes, promotional Fast Passes, and "Dream" Fast Passes, all other Fast Passes are distributed to any park guest according to consistent rules. It doesn't matter if someone has a one-park ticket or an annual pass, and it doesn't matter is someone is staying at a Disney deluxe resort or at a Days Inn off-site.

There's very little reason for Disney to give DVC Fast Passes to DVC members. There's far more of a business case to create expensive deluxe packages that include Fast Passes -- to the detriment of DVC members.

Disney has been granted patents for alternate means of Fast Pass distribution. Let's hope that Fast Passes don't eventually become rewards for buying Super-Duper-Deluxe Disney Platinum Plan packages -- at the expense of the rest of us.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

There's very little reason for Disney to give DVC Fast Passes to DVC members.

Perhaps to get them out of the line so they can spend more time spending money.

Every minute they are stuck in a queue is another minute they aren't grazing.

I would highly discount the idea that Disney executives look at DVC members as old money.

Nope, they probably look at them as devoted fans with another pocketful of cash.

And of course, DVC is marketing like crazy for new members. Another perk would never hurt that effort.

Forward looking...there is always a new angle. You can't discount a good idea...it may be the next opportunity.

Because right when you do, some sharp marketeer sneaks another bill from your wallet and puts it in his.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I took a survey a few months ago that dealt with Disney World, and one of the questions asked about my feelings on a fastpass system that could be reserved in the morning in your room (through the tv somehow? I think that's what it said....)before you head to the parks--I think it was 4 attractions at one park could be reserved at the times you chose.

 

[TDC Nala]

Why do they care whether we spend money at the resorts or we spend money at the parks?

 

[deej696]

Great benefit, but I am not going to hold my breath. I am not so much in favor of the "fast passes based on how much you paid at your resort" thing anyway....

 

[Maribel]

I think this is a great marketing tool for both, DVC and deluxe hotels.
Bring it on Disney!!

 

[doctorhead]

i wouldn't complain.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

Why do they care whether we spend money at the resorts or we spend money at the parks?

I think the point is they would rather have you spending money than standing in line.

 

[ClareH37]

Can't see it just being DVC (if at all) myself. Let's face it, we DVC'ers have already spent our money so they're not interested in us

They want more money off those who are spending $$$$$$ for a stay at the deluxes - i.e. they want them to keep spending money, keep coming back each year spending $$$$$$ at a time. Offer VIP fastpasses each time you stay at a deluxe and it's a good tool to get people back, spending more money.

 

[doconeill]

I posted this in the other thread in the DVC forum, but essentially a good reason to target DVC people even though we have "already spend our money"...with each trip, we are likely to have more disposable cash available since we are NOT paying for a room.

In theory, we are more likely to spend money a little more freely knowing that we don't also have to pay for the room at the end of the stay.

If I'm spending an hour in line at Splash Mountain, or 2 hours at Soarin', I'm not spending a dime (which applies to everyone, and is probably the ultimate motive for creating Fastpass in the first place). But if I've got a little time to kill waiting for my FP window, I'm more likely going to pop into a shop to get out of the heat, and have a look around while I'm there. If I'm not thinking that I have to pay $2k when I check out at the end of the week, I might just spend the $20 on a T-shirt or a hat.

 

[DisneyBaby!]

As a DVC member I am all for it. I just hope I would fall into a decent place in line based on what we spend. Working in the Casino industry (albeit in F & B) we do this every day, give people a shorter or no line based on the ammount they spend. Simple philosophy, keep the people that spend the most, or the most consistantly, happy and they will spend more and choose you over the competition. In my area, that means the best players get to bypass our "cash" guests. Sure they (the cash) guests complain, but they don't spend the money. Being new to this, I took me awile to reconcile this but it isn't about treating one person less, but treating those that pay the bills better. With the increased competition and technology that exists, I expect something like this to happen eventually

 

[ClareH37]

I'm sorry to sound negative but I still don't see it (I'm a DVC member as well, and it would be great).

When I did a MK tour last year I asked the question to our guide about if you're on a VIP tour (i.e. not a proper VIP, but a guest paying for one of the VIP tours) do you get to the front of the line. He said in no uncertain terms no, because "Disney is for everyone, all guests are equal and just because someone has money doesn't mean they get to jump the line".

I guess we'll all have to wait and see, will be interesting to see what Disney have in store for us

 

[Modog814]

I don't know if I see it ever happening. But it does make sense to do it for DVC Members (yes I am one so I may be biased).

Yes, they've already gotten our "money". But don't think for one second that they don't want more of it, and they're not getting it from us sleeping in late, lounging around the pool all day and dare I say, traveling to other places outside of Disney while staying at the DVC resort.

Getting people inside the parks are where they're going to increase their ticket sales, and souvenier sales, and food sales. And what better people to target than:

a) The people who are there most often.
b) The people who have committed to going to Disney for many of the next 50 years.
c) The people who have shown they have the financial ability to pay for the next 50 years of vacations up front.
d) The people who are most like to go stay at a Disney Resort and NOT go to many (or any) parks in a specific vacation.


By offering something simple to DVC members (and/or Deluxe Hotel) you can get this person whose committed to Disney Vacations for many years to attend the parks more often than they might have had it not been for free fast passes, and along with this person comes their wallet/purse and credit cards.


Again, I don't think you'll see it, but to me it sure does make sense from a business point of view.

 

[paulh]

a) The people who are there most often.
b) The people who have committed to going to Disney for many of the next 50 years.
c) The people who have shown they have the financial ability to pay for the next 50 years of vacations up front.
d) The people who are most like to go stay at a Disney Resort and NOT go to many (or any) parks in a specific vacation.
.

were dvc going for three weeks in aug,plan on doing parks 2 days this might make us do 3 days
Paulh

 

[DisFlan]

Not gonna happen. Passes might be gifted to people doing the DVC tour, but that's about it. Not that I wouldn't love to get them, of course. I wouldn't turn them down!

DisFlan