The official low cost, high satisfaction, DVC perk idea thread

[rutgers1]

I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, but for some reason, the idea of perks keeps "percolating" through my mind. While I realize that the there are many benefits associated with DVC and that it will definitely pay off for me in the end, one thing that keeps coming back is the fact that no one seems to be winning the "Is it a good deal? Is it a bad deal?" debate. In other words, there are two sides to the debate and the money issue is such a fine line that I can honestly side with both.

Now back to perks.....IF the perks were good enough, I think the "debate" could be a "no brainer" for a much larger percentage of people. And I am not even necessarily talking about perks that would pull HUGE amounts of money out of Dinsey's pockets (such as free theme park tickets). Rather, I am talking about perks, such as a better discount plan, that might even serve to put more money INTO Disney's pockets. And even if some of the perks cost Disney something, perhaps they would be the kind that would not only make you feel more "special" when you visit, but also lead you to be a bigger advocate at home when talking to potential new DVC members. For me, the free Internet access was a big one.

Simply stated, Disney is making big money off of DVC. If they weren't, they wouldn't be doing it. So, with that in mind, they want more people there. Right now, I only see three arguments recurring AGAINST DVC:
1) might not be THAT good of a deal financially, and might even be a bad one
2) no daily mousekeeping
3) not a great trade value when trying to use points at non DVC hotels, whether in Disney or in Interval Internation

Think of the THOUSANDS of people who read these web sites and are turned away from DVC because of a few lingering issues that they read about day after day. Think of the THOUSANDS of new customers that they would have (and the dozens more resorts that they could build which WE could stay in!) if they addressed these lingering issues.

So, with all that said, if you were creating the "perks" program from the ground up, and if you wanted to give the members something to truly buzz about with the rest of the non DVC world, what would you include???? Throw in some "pie in the sky" ideas, but also some very practice ones!

 

[starbox]

So, with all that said, if you were creating the "perks" program from the ground up, and if you wanted to give the members something to truly buzz about with the rest of the non DVC world, what would you include???? Throw in some "pie in the sky" ideas, but also some very practice ones!

I think the additional fastpasses would be a perk that would cost DVC nothing and significantly stack the deck in favor of people purchasing DVC.

Priority seating at parades and fireworks would be another biggie.

Advance purchase party tickets/dining reservations - at the 7 month window.

 

[disney1474]

Some type of discount on 10 day Non exp. tickets would be nice.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

1 preferred fireworks or parade viewing area pass per trip.
Big sign: DVC fireworks viewing area- that probably would get people to ask questions at the kiosks.
Good discounts on DCL, WDW hotels., MYW tix.
Bring back quick & casual vouchers for DVC members to purchase

 

[spiceycat]

well don't like the firework viewing areas at Epcot - my favorite (along with the rest of the world) is between Mexico and Norway. disney does not have a special place here.

don't know about the ones at the MK?

perks are just that - perks - they can be taken away at any time and DVC says that to you. they can't advertise something that could be gone tomorrow.

definitely appreciate the $100 off the annual passes!!!

 

[bwvBound]

Beef up the exchange options:

• Allow DVC members to join II as individuals. DVC members choosing to enroll in II would have to pay a membership fee to II -- but would gain access to II's rental inventory and other benefits.
• Allow all members to search for any type of II exchange online (both short-stays and full-week exchanges).
• Allow for discounted trades during II's 59-day window. A "value season studio" should be able to book anthing available in II's last-minute inventory.
• Drop the $95 inbound exchange fee if the inbound guest is a DVC member.
• Provide all DVC member benefits to inbound exchange guests who are DVC members. (Free internet, movie rentals, etc.)

 

[rinkwide]

Would a Beluga caviar foot bath be asking too much?

 

[CraftyMouse]

I don't think a priority seating area at fireworks/parades would work. There are so many DVC members that the area would have to be huge. If it was smaller and first-come, first-served then a lot of unhappy DVCers would be turned away, thus negating any benefit of the area.

I do like the idea of DVC fastpasses and a discount on the 10-day tickets though. I also think that a 7-months window for dining reservations would be fantastic. Unfortunately, DVC sells itself and there is really no reason that DVC would need to offer any additional perks. If they did I could see them only offering them to new purchasers.

 

[Mtnman44]

DVC has people lining up to buy and they, relatively quickly, sell out each resort. This means 1) no reason to create more perks and 2) prices won't be dropping.

 

[rutgers1]

I brought up the Fast Pass idea to a guide, and she said that it wouldn't work because the place would be flooded with them and they would diminish the Fast Pass' effectiveness. I don't agree with that logic. Here is why:
1) Anyone can get a fast pass. It isn't like they are giving someone something that they couldn't get for free with park admission.
2) It isn't like all DVC members would be entering at the same exact minute and hitting the same exact ride.

When I hit Disney, there are usually 5 rides that I absolutely want to go on. It would be a HUGE, HUGE perk for me if I arrived at the resort and was given a card loaded with 5 fast passes for however many people the room sleeps. Heck, it would be a big perk if it was loaded with 3. Actually, if they presented it properly, they would win me over with a single fast pass.

It isn't like they don't have the technology for this. When I bought, I was given a "thank you" set of cards that were pre-loaded with fast passes, one for each member of my family. They were immediate, meaning I could walk up to any ride and immediately go on. They also expired a few days later.

I would love more discounts, but that wouldn't be a reason for me to "buzz" about DVC to others. However, the free internet definitely got me, and some free fast passes would definitely keep the buzzing up.

I like the idea of preferred seating for events. We did the restaurant package for Illuminations (Is that the one at MGM?), and it was GREAT. I felt like a million bucks as I walked around the back to my seat.

 

[Exit 105]

My top 3 incentives:

1. DVC Fastpasses!
2. DVC Fastpasses!
3. DVC Fastpasses!

I would even pay for them like we do at Universal Studios. Makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable.

 

[spiceycat]

fast passes would be nice. but hey that is definitely something I can get on my own.

just get to the parks early!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The first year we owned for F&G, we got bracelets for the Flower Power concerts, for seating up front. It was something for AP holders and DVC members. It was the only time we had that perk. I did feel special, and was disappointed when they never did it again.
Bobbi

 

[bwvBound]

fast passes would be nice. but hey that is definitely something I can get on my own.

just get to the parks early!

LOL! Getting to the parks early is something we no longer do thanks to DVC. On our designated "park days" we tend to sleep in ... might venture out by 10'ish ... but more likely won't get to a gate until early afternoon.

 

[photobob]

Personally I don't like the idea of anyone getting preferential fastpasses, even us DVC'ers. I think it should be the way it is, available to everyone equally. I wouldn't mind seeing a discount similar to the AP discount for any park tickets. I'd like to see more restaurant discounts. Like someone mentioned earlier point trade in value for other WDW resorts isn't good at all. I guess they do that to keep the cash reservations coming in for those resorts which in under$tand their thinking.

As far as whether DVC is worth it or not, it depends upon your perspective. I bought 180 points which i got for $92 per or roughly $16,500. I'm staying in a room for five nights in June which if I were paying cash for would run about $800 per night. My Alabama public education tells me that is $4000 not including taxes. My first stay in a DVC resort as a member was June 2007, after our upcoming trip in June in less than one full year our room costs had we been paying cash is in the $8,000 range. My common sense tells me that it will not take very long for the DVC to pay for itself. I didn't buy DVC for the perks, though I appreciate them and hope they continue, i bought DVC because it makes financial sense to us.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd love to see DVC lounges in the parks, similar to the AP lounges they had a few summers ago.

 

[Dean]

The free park passes to the end of the century certainly fit that bill for those of us that had them. There are a lot of things DVC could do but unless DVC is willing to put pressure on other departments/companies at Disney, I doubt you'll see that much. If DVC were willing to walk away from certain options rather than accept mediocre benefits, I think you'd see a better options.

 

[dnoyes]

Would a Beluga caviar foot bath be asking too much?

You make me look good. All I wanted was for them to close the parks to only DCV members for the month of December.

 

[horselover]

I would also agree that I'd love to see a discount on MYW tix. We live in the northeast & it will be really hard for us to get down there more than once a year for a week or so. APs just don't make sense for us. Discounts on MYW tix PLEASE!!!

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I heard that in 2010 ME would no longer be a free service. If that is still true and Disney does not extend it further, it would be nice for them to make it a permanent perk for DVC members only. There would be free ME service to only the DVC resorts.

A bigger discount at all shops and stores. I believe we currently get 10% for DVC or AP holders but if they went to 15 of 20% that would be great.

How about some complimentary food and drinks in the villas - such as maybe a gallon of water, a six pack of soda, a bag of chips, a package of cookies. This would maybe be a $10 investment on their part, but it would be a wonderful perk.