Thought on new DVC AP Discounts

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the new discount program offered by DVC. I had previously taken those surveys and answered my questions in this direction, but really never got my hopes too high, as WDW already had me (and they knew it, because I bought DVC).

Congrats out to WDW and to DVC management for getting this done. I have not been on this board or the member site in over two weeks, so I must also thank the posters for keeping the topics on the main page.

On to my thought..

DVC and WDW have effectively reduced the discount on the A/P renewal. I think that this will make it easier for some of us not to be tempted to purchase the renewal, as the cost to let our existing passes lapse is not as great.

I do not view this as a negative. I think that it is very positive. WDW & DVC know that we are coming back, and they lessend the penalty for not renewing on time.

Prior to the new discounts, the renewal rate saved you $42.61 for adults and $36.21 for children. For my family of three, that savings was $121.43. Going forward that savings is going to be $45.81.

I think that DVC has done us GREAT favor #1 in obtaining the discount, and in my case cutting the penalty for not renewing right away by 62%!!!!

In the future, if I do not have a trip planned that is going to span my expiration date, I am going to think twice about renewing. I will probably just "move" my next renewal to later date the following year (and pay the DVC discounted AP non-renewal rate)!

Thoughts?

 

[Pa@okw95]

What is this penality you are talking about? Do you mean that if you do not renew by a certain date that the price for getting another AP will be higher than the regular price? Are you saying that? Renewals are not for everyone because of the now infamous anniversary date, where they become effective now as I am sure you know, before they used to become effect when you used them within a year of course. Are you really saying there is a penality or are you just phrasing the discount for renewal in a manner so it sounds like a penality.???

 

[Granny]

Basically what I'm seeing is that the price gap between renewal and new AP's has closed to where the incentive to renew is no longer as great.

I think that's a nice part of it....not feeling pressured to renew and squeeze trips into time frames that might not be the best for our family.

 

[DisneyAngel12]

Originally posted by Granny
Basically what I'm seeing is that the price gap between renewal and new AP's has closed to where the incentive to renew is no longer as great.

I think that's a nice part of it....not feeling pressured to renew and squeeze trips into time frames that might not be the best for our family.

I couldn't have said this better myself! Totally agree!
Charlotte

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Yeah Granny (yep he's I guy) got my point exactly

I did not mean an actual penalty, however there was an inherent penalty of not receiving the discount for the renewal. In effect, WDW & DVC have almost allowed for the old loop-hole to return, buy placing a greater DVC discount on the new annual pass vs. the renewal.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I also think it was great that they closed the gap on renewals.

We can stretch our AP's out longer without having to weigh it against a significant discount.

 

[alsipd]

If you were not going to renew the existing pass, how is there a penalty for not renewing?

Using the example of I activate my pass in January and use it in January and May. I will not be back until June for two weeks in the following year and that will be my only trip. If I renew my pass in January, I can still use my pass in June, or I can wait till June, buy a new pass and have it till June of the following year.

So where is the penalty? I still get a discounted AP; and I still have the same rules as someone who doesn't get the discount!

 

[jekjones1558]

FriendsOfEeyore:
I have been ruminating about this very issue. Our current APs expire just after our January trip ends on Jan. 7. We will be back at Disney on Feb. 2, so I'm trying to decide whether to renew or start over in Feb. I guess the answer would involve figuring out the likelihood of us returning to WDW between Jan. 7 and Feb 2 of 2006. I don't know the answer to that. Or can someone help me think through the math in a different way?

 

[CapeCodFam]

I was thinking about this too!

Before the DVC discount, there was a sizeable difference with the renewal rate. Now it may be better to let them expire and repurchase on the next trip.

It is, IMO, a way to extend your AP's. Since we travel every 6 months, we may only need to buy them every 18 months instead of renewing every 12.

Thanks for bringing this up FriendsOfEeyore!

 

[DebbieB]

I also stretch my passes to about every 18 months. We go May and December and schedule the following year's trip right before it expires. My last pass expired on May 10, we went May 2 to 8. I'm buying a new one on Dec 4. So it would have made no sense to renew and have the new one effective May 10 just to save 10% and not use it for the first 6 months.

 

[Forever a Princess]

I was thinking the same thing. Before we almost felt "obligated" to renew our AP in the window of our anniversary date to get the renewal rate and save a few bucks.

Now with the discount this is not as much of an issue.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Yeah, I was also thinking about this. My DD's AP expires Dec 18th. Obviously I am not going to renew it, because I would not get the new renewal rate (valid after Jan 2nd). Our next trip is Feb 10th so I will just buy her a new one then. For the price difference, it is definately worth it.

Now I just need to decide if I should renew mine on Jan 9 or wait and buy a new one on Feb 10th