Time for DVC to sweeten the deal. Hows this sound

[Roveer]

We are considering DVC purchase at BLT and along with all of the incentives I think the deal should be just a little sweeter. I'm proposing the addition of a certain number of non-expirable fast passes for use at any WDW fast pass location. Very much the same as the ones they give out for doing the DVC tour. I'm thinking somewhere between 500-1000 fast passes. I'm figuring this would give us enough for 5 years of visits to wdw using a bunch each time we visit (we are a family of 6). Since FP don't have a real cost, or if they do, a low cost I would think it's something that DVC should consider. It's a new world economy and instead of asking for more $$$ off, I'm willing to ask for something like FP's.

What's everyone think.

I know DVC will say no, that there is no current promotion that would include FP's, but it's time to get them thinking that they _should_ consider our requests. If you want me to buy DVC and not go resale, than you must think outside the box.

 

[Chuck S]

Don't assume there is no cost associated with such a promotion. DVC Sales & Marketing would have to put contracts in place with Disney Parks to be able to offer something like that. Parks will wonder "What's in it for us?" Remember, though under one Corporate umbrella, each division needs to show justification for promos. It seems cash discounting and promotinal developers points, which is internal to DVC Marketing has worked well for them.

 

[Roveer]

Absolutly. I understand that there most likely is cost, but as things go, it's one that they should probably consider. DVC must already have some agreements in place since we got 18 FP's for doing the DVC tour.

Personally, after our last visit, I'd like to see WDW eliminate FP's all together. It really is slanted towards the early rising types so it's not equally distributed across the entire WDW demographic. We did the late EMH for the first time this year and found ourselves arriving late to the parts in the morning. We couldn't even use our DVC FP's at Epcot because distribution was already closed on Test Track & Sorin, and when we got to Magic Kingdom the next day, splash mountain had already distributed all of theirs. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to FP kiosks just to find out that the return times were already later than 6pm. That being said, on the new continuous loading rides you can absolutly see the effects of FP on the movement of the line. I've been in lines where it was hauling right along untill 20-30 FP's came along and then things ground to a halt. I'd rather just wait my turn and have reduced wait times instead of playing the hit or miss FP game. But since that's not likely to happen, than I want to play the game to my advantage. Cost or no cost.

 

[lark]

It sounds as though sales are going pretty well at BLT right now. I'm not sure they really need such incentives, although I think if they gave that particular promotion, it really would pick up sales. But I just don't think they need to. I wouldn't be that confident about being able to purchase BLT on the resale market right now for much less than current incentives. Perhaps you could get a loaded contract, but with sales being brisk, I bet they will be aggressive about exercising ROFR right now. I wouldn't expect to be able to buy BLT for much less than $95 per point if that.

As I understand it, fastpasses are pretty carefully calibrated. They are actually designed not only to encourage use of fastpasses but also to reduce standby lines. I'm not sure how this works, and it seems counterintuitive, but apparently there is research to support it. Anyway, I think an extra thousand or so fastpasses wouldn't hurt anything, but flooding the market with 500 extra fastpasses to everyone who bought 160 points would likely flood the market. To give you a sense, there are about 2.5 million points left in BLT to sell. That's probably another 12,000 contracts at least. To give everyone 500 fastpasses would be 6,000,000 fastpasses. I think that would not really be feasible for the themepark division.

I also think it might have a negative effect on sales in the long run. 500 fastpasses would probably mean you'd have a lot of people purchasing DVC for one or two stays with the intention of reselling as soon as their vacations are over. If you can buy for $100 per point and sell for $80 per point, it works out the same as cash, and if you get all those fastpasses, why not? But then there will be a glut of resales on the market.

 

[Sandisw]

I was thinking about this the other day as well and thought it would be nice to have something like the DVC card that is given after a tour.

Even if one (with 3 instant FP"s) was sent once a year, at the start of the UY, for each member of the DVC household (you would have to register the people).

Then, members would have a small perk that might be of interest. They did something similar with the birthday FP card this year so they must feel that adding some is not going to overload things too bad.

Granted, not going to happen, but we certainly can dream!!

 

[ransom]

From all available evidence, BLT sales are doing fine and they don't need any new incentives.

What I'd really like is for DVC to have a little more emphasis on the "C". How about some high-quality members-exclusive merchandise? Maybe your idea of a fancy fast-pass, but we pay for it -- and it's only available to DVC members? Things like that.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Weren't there some rumors circulating not too long ago that FP's would only be available to guests staying in certain resort categories? I don't think the general public would go for it -- but maybe Disney has been thinking outside the box.

 

[Anthony1971]

I think EBAY would be flooded with FP sales as it was when they were not cheaking dates on the FP's.
I also think an annual pass would make more money for DVC as they have done in the past as you will than want to go to the parks more and disney itslef which means more food sales and more merchandise for the kids.
I do not see what is in it for Disney with FP's!!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Personally, after our last visit, I'd like to see WDW eliminate FP's all together. It really is slanted towards the early rising types so it's not equally distributed across the entire WDW demographic.

Whether you get up and out to the parks early is a personal choice. WDW shouldn't be held accountable for those who choose to sleep in. If you want FPs for the more popular rides you have to make the choice to get up earlier. Just because a system is ill-fitted to your needs doesn't mean that the whole system should be eliminated. The FP system works well for most people. On the days we want those popular ride FPs our family makes a point to get up early. If we snooze, we lose.

As for the original topic, DVC is never going to offer that many FPs as an incentive. You may get a few, but no more than that. The FP system is designed to give out a certain number of FPs each day. If you suddenly have DVC members with FPs to burn it will throw off the entire system. It's just not going to happen.

 

[TiaMaria]

My Sis and her family recently stayed at Universal prior to a WDW DVC stay. She really liked their "Front of the Line" FP-like perk for guests staying at Universal hotels.

I'm not sure that would be feasible at WDW for every resort guest due to the sheer number of rooms (even if you factored in average occupancy across the board).

That might make the current FP situation even worse.

It might be a nice perk for DVC members and their families though. Wouldn't that be a nice incentive to be a Member?

Any thoughts?

 

[Chuck S]

My Sis and her family recently stayed at Universal prior to a WDW DVC stay. She really liked their "Front of the Line" FP-like perk for guests staying at Universal hotels.

I'm not sure that would be feasible at WDW for every resort guest due to the sheer number of rooms (even if you factored in average occupancy across the board).

That might make the current FP situation even worse.

It might be a nice perk for DVC members and their families though. Wouldn't that be a nice incentive to be a Member?

Any thoughts?

Given that DVC Resorts operate at nearly full capacity most of the year, there is no incentive for Disney to offer FOTL access. Nor do I ever see Disney offering DVC guests in-park attraction perks over their onsite cash guests paying $$$ for rooms. Remember, at the DVC resorts a)rooms are pre-paid and b)maintenace and upkeep costs for Disney to a DVC resort is very nominal - those costs being paid by dues. They NEED the cash guests to go stay onsite. If a DVCer decided not to visit a DVC Resort, Disney isn't out any $$ except for park revenue. If a cash customer felt slighted, and decided not to visit Disney, then who pays for the cash resort upkeep costs?

 

[TiaMaria]

Given that DVC Resorts operate at nearly full capacity most of the year, there is no incentive for Disney to offer FOTL access. Nor do I ever see Disney offering DVC guests in-park attraction perks over their onsite cash guests paying $$$ for rooms. Remember, at the DVC resorts a)rooms are pre-paid and b)maintenace and upkeep costs for Disney to a DVC resort is very nominal - those costs being paid by dues. They NEED the cash guests to go stay onsite. If a DVCer decided not to visit a DVC Resort, Disney isn't out any $$ except for park revenue. If a cash customer felt slighted, and decided not to visit Disney, then who pays for the cash resort upkeep costs?

I quite agree - just looking for some way for Disney to make that kind of perk work - whether it is for DVC or all resort guests.

I'm guessing it works for Universal because they have many, many, many less rooms using this perk than WDW would.

I personally think Disney could come up with something better than the current FP system.

 

[Husurdady]

What's everyone think.

I know DVC will say no, that there is no current promotion that would include FP's, but it's time to get them thinking that they _should_ consider our requests. If you want me to buy DVC and not go resale, than you must think outside the box.

HEY ROOVEER, Forget the FP's , give us some free 10-day "everything" park tickets for buying direct and not R.S.. If they can give out 3-day cruises , why not.

 

[toniosmom]

HEY ROOVEER, Forget the FP's , give us some free 10-day "everything" park tickets for buying direct and not R.S.. If they can give out 3-day cruises , why not.

I like that idea.

By the way, BLT sales are going so well, they are raising the price per point. I doubt they will offer any extra incentives at this point.

 

[Husurdady]

Back in 97, when we bought in, we missed the "cut-off prom' for free park tickets till the year 2000 by about 4 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Back in 97, when we bought in, we missed the "cut-off prom' for free park tickets till the year 2000 by about 4 months.

Yeah, but you bought for about $50 a point like I did -about half what new members are paying now. You've already had 12 years of membership with dues way lower than they will ever see.

 

[vellamint]

Absolutly. I understand that there most likely is cost, but as things go, it's one that they should probably consider. DVC must already have some agreements in place since we got 18 FP's for doing the DVC tour.

Personally, after our last visit, I'd like to see WDW eliminate FP's all together. It really is slanted towards the early rising types so it's not equally distributed across the entire WDW demographic. We did the late EMH for the first time this year and found ourselves arriving late to the parts in the morning. We couldn't even use our DVC FP's at Epcot because distribution was already closed on Test Track & Sorin, and when we got to Magic Kingdom the next day, splash mountain had already distributed all of theirs. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to FP kiosks just to find out that the return times were already later than 6pm. That being said, on the new continuous loading rides you can absolutly see the effects of FP on the movement of the line. I've been in lines where it was hauling right along untill 20-30 FP's came along and then things ground to a halt. I'd rather just wait my turn and have reduced wait times instead of playing the hit or miss FP game. But since that's not likely to happen, than I want to play the game to my advantage. Cost or no cost.

Just to tell you ... we also had that problem with TT and Soarin...... we were quite angry that the dvc saleswoman did not tell us that we were out of luck if we didnt get up early. I mean really, we gave up our morning so we should be able to use them in the afternoon...right? So we read the fineprint on the back and sure enough it says can only be used while there are fastpasses available. Darn...the kids met up with us in Epcot specifically to use these...

The next day we went to the Studios for FP for Toy Story figuring its too late but lets give it a try. So there was an older gentleman cast member that saw our perplexity (is that a word lol) and came over.....and promptly took our FP's and put them in the special "birthday fastpass" machines and out popped our FP's. He is a DVC member for many years and knew how to work those VIP FP's.

Went to Epcot the next day to try again...the Birthday FP machine was down because someone put a regular ticket into it. So while the CM came to fix it he told us absolutely not....cant do it. We ran over to soarin and got the VIP FP from the birthday machine there (WITHOUT asking anyone) and then after riding that ran back over to TT and used the birthday machine there.'

Its a shame all the cast members are not informed of the same thing. I also think this is ONLY because of the birthday machines.....once that promo ends all of the FP machines will be covered and there probably will be no way of using them. Loophole? Maybe but it works right now....

 

[lulukate]

Do you have to ask for them? Are they just for one ride? This is the first I've heard of this - maybe we will do the tour early in our trip to Disneyland - were considering waiting until towards the end.

 

[JimmyJam838]

If your doing the tour at Disneyland, they just give you FPs that can be used at anytime. You don't have to use the FP machines. If I remember correctly, we got 3 fastpasses for each of us. They just gave them to us at the end of the tour, we didn't have to ask.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

... It really is slanted towards the early rising types... I can't tell you how many times I've gone to FP kiosks just to find out that the return times were already later than 6pm...

Dood, you gotta get up before noon.