Services are being stripped

[Chuck S]

I've solved my dilemma over the perks issue. I no longer eat at any WDW restaurants at the resorts, since valet parking was terminated; I take my family off site to nearby restaurants, which I feel are better in price, and quality of food (really, does anyone think WDW food is better than mediocre, and worth the inflated prices); or we just prepare meals in the unit, or order in a pizza (from an off property vendor), and forget the hassle of going out. Next, I no longer play at the WDW golf courses, as there are many great courses nearby at a fraction of the cost. There once were free annual passes included with the purchase at OKW, way back in the early days. That was gone before we became members, but the gist is we rarely go the parks because they are overpriced, and overcrowded. Seems WDW keeps building accomodations without regard to theme park capacity; the more the merrier philosophy. Its poor planning in my opinion, just cram-em in. But, all that said, we like WDW because its a short drive away, and nice facility where we can stage from. There are the pools, and beautiful grounds to walk through that are very relaxing, and free (unless or until they charge for that). There's actually more to do off WDW than on property. Sounds like I'm boycotting WDW, but maybe the Management will see their bottomline drop, and react in a positive manner, ie upgrade their product.
PS: We do appreciate the free internet, but I bet anyone that will be gone within the next 5 years, due to "membership upgrade".
Think of your timeshare as only a place to lodge, and enjoy the perks available, but don't get too comfortable with them, for they will be taken away at some time.

You can still receive free valet while dining, if you have the TiW card. Remember that DVC never got free valet at ALL resorts only DVC resorts. The TiW works at all resrt that offer valet.

The Limited Park Admission Program, as the OKW passes were called, were not Annual Passes, they did not include any of the onsite discounts and perks of owning an annual pass, and were not for ALL occupants in the room. They were a length of stay pass, only if staying on points at OKW (The Disney Vacation Club Resort), and only for half the occupancy limit of the room. Studios and one bedrooms received 2 passes, two bedrooms received 4 passes, and GVs 6 passes. They were an incentive to purchase, just as $ off per point and a free cruise is today. So you now get a cruise for your family versus park admission for half your family. Incentives change, the Limited Park Admission Program was not a perk, unless you consider the free cruise a perk.

True perks have always changed since the beginning with DVC, and surely will continue to do so. I personally think the current AP discount is FAR superior to the 10% discount on Length of Stay passes that DVC used to get.

I think it is doubtful that the free internet will disappear, and by all or that Disney will start charging for local phone calls, like they once did.

 

[tjkraz]

Seems WDW keeps building accomodations without regard to theme park capacity; the more the merrier philosophy. Its poor planning in my opinion, just cram-em in.

Only quarrel I have with your post is the above. Hotel rooms don't drive theme park attendance. There are dozens of more economical lodging alternatives within a stone's throw of Disney property. Sure there is some benefit to staying on site, but I don't see those benefits as driving attendance.

Guests don't decide to visit Walt Disney World BECAUSE of a new hotel. They first make a decision to visit the theme parks and THEN it becomes a question of where to stay. New Disney hotels give guests options (and make money for Disney in the process), but they don't drive park attendance.

As for overall attendance growth, the parks are designed to hold many more guests than they currently do on an average day so I wouldn't expect Disney to take any actions which would discourage folks from visiting.

 

[RobDoc]

I think that is why Hilton Head's dues have gone up at a higher % than the WDW resorts.

The annual fees for HH took a sizeable jump in 2006 due to some underestimated capital reserve projects. The project had been anticipated, but not for a few more years. DVD loaned the money to the HH Cap. Res. fund and the dues were increased for few years for that reason. Once the loan is paid off (I think it ends in 2012), the dues are supposed to be lowered by that amount of that loan payment. This was not done as an assessment and the increase was within the allowed % increase. It was for repair/replacement of the exterior of the buildings. The work has been completed.

 

[TDC Nala]

but maybe the Management will see their bottomline drop, and react in a positive manner, ie upgrade their product.

And I don't agree with this one. With the current Disney management I would bet that if the bottom line drops they will just cut more.

 

[DaveH]

And I don't agree with this one. With the current Disney management I would bet that if the bottom line drops they will just cut more.

I agree.

 

[kirstenb1]

I've solved my dilemma over the perks issue. I no longer eat at any WDW restaurants at the resorts, since valet parking was terminated; I take my family off site to nearby restaurants, which I feel are better in price, and quality of food (really, does anyone think WDW food is better than mediocre, and worth the inflated prices); or we just prepare meals in the unit, or order in a pizza (from an off property vendor), and forget the hassle of going out. Next, I no longer play at the WDW golf courses, as there are many great courses nearby at a fraction of the cost. There once were free annual passes included with the purchase at OKW, way back in the early days. That was gone before we became members, but the gist is we rarely go the parks because they are overpriced, and overcrowded. Seems WDW keeps building accomodations without regard to theme park capacity; the more the merrier philosophy. Its poor planning in my opinion, just cram-em in. But, all that said, we like WDW because its a short drive away, and nice facility where we can stage from. There are the pools, and beautiful grounds to walk through that are very relaxing, and free (unless or until they charge for that). There's actually more to do off WDW than on property. Sounds like I'm boycotting WDW, but maybe the Management will see their bottomline drop, and react in a positive manner, ie upgrade their product.
PS: We do appreciate the free internet, but I bet anyone that will be gone within the next 5 years, due to "membership upgrade".
Think of your timeshare as only a place to lodge, and enjoy the perks available, but don't get too comfortable with them, for they will be taken away at some time.

On the one hand, you seem cynical, on the other, I largely agree with you! Guess that makes me a cynic too. We just returned from a stay at Kidani Village. Nice resort, well run. But we have small children who seemingly need to be fed 24/7. Sherberth Road is about 1/4 mile further than Jambo House. Lo and behold, there are about a million dining choices, but a brief right from Sherberth. Plus we hit Publix, for fruit, and breakfast foods. It was a decently priced grocery store.

PS. even the craptacular motels we stayed at on 95 on the way down and back offered free internet----is it really that tricky!!!

 

[Tara]

PS. even the craptacular motels we stayed at on 95 on the way down and back offered free internet----is it really that tricky!!!

Those "craptacular motels" are all in stiff competition with each other. They have to offer such perks to get you to choose one over another. Disney hotels don't really have to compete - as they're the only game ON property. (Swan & Dolphin aside, but even they don't have all the benefits of the Disney owned and operated resorts.) Disney wants you in their parks and restaurants, not in your room on your laptop. They have no real incentive to offer free internet to the masses.

 

[CNPHILLY]

Guests don't decide to visit Walt Disney World BECAUSE of a new hotel. They first make a decision to visit the theme parks and THEN it becomes a question of where to stay. New Disney hotels give guests options (and make money for Disney in the process), but they don't drive park attendance.

Generally, I would agree with the point here. While new hotels generally do not drive park attendance, however, there are those of us who visit WDW regularly who happen to be at the parks on certain occasions precisely because we wanted to stay at the new hotel and check it out (see Bay Lake Tower). The new hotel HAS been the draw for us to make an extra trip here or there, and I am sure its the same way for others.

 

[Tara]

Generally, I would agree with the point here. While new hotels generally do not drive park attendance, however, there are those of us who visit WDW regularly who happen to be at the parks on certain occasions precisely because we wanted to stay at the new hotel and check it out (see Bay Lake Tower). The new hotel HAS been the draw for us to make an extra trip here or there, and I am sure its the same way for others.

I understand this sentiment, but I think people like you (generally people who do this) are a very small drop in the bucket. In fact, I'd bet that for every one person going solely to check out a new resort (and including parks in their visit, because if you aren't doing parks, then this argument is invalid anyway), there are a number of people who are DVCers who visit just for resort time and never enter a park.