Unappreciated

[goofy4tink]

And here I thought I was the only one who missed that 'Welcome Home' when I walked into BWVs!! Thanks for letting me know I'm not a complete loon.....

 

[Imhere]

I find loyalty programs everywhere to be highly overrated anyway.

Everyone has a grocery store loyalty card that lets them get sale prices. Well, these were the same prices that used to be available to everyone every day anyway, now you just give them your name and phone number to get them. Some stores give you the ability go get a discount on gas somewhere, but I don't usually value that too much. I drive a lot and it seems I am never near the stations where my gas discount can be used.

We are your typical WDW 'heavy users', we go at least once a year staying a week every time at deluxe or moderate hotels.

We have never even considered DVC because the way we vacation there is just no value to that program. It's an emotional choice more than a wise economical choice.

I don't see a single room with a microwave and styrofoam plates and no housekeeping to be "deluxe" in my book, or at least any more deluxe than I can get by using a code and getting the same room at a great discount if I want it.

I guess the loyalty program we've gotten is Pin Codes that we have received. We have used them and gotten better discounts than available to the general public.

A Loyalty program would be nice, but it would just be icing.....we like the cake just fine though.

I'm also not the kind that gets jealous when someone else is getting something I'm not. There's usually a reason they deserve it and it's my choice whether or not I want to be a part of that club, whatever it is.

 

[HopperFan]

Been going since it opened in 1971. Go at least 4 times a year, spending 4-6 weeks, more than half on property. Two of us who always go have APs, the rest do not. Former Magic Kingdom Club member - discounts.

I really don't see any perks the DVC owners get that I want or don't get. Anything they might get - well they gave Disney a huge amount of money, so I'm okay with that. With AP I get lots of discounts on rooms shopping & food, free parking, DDP w/out tickets, TIW card, tours, recreation and more. I feel I am being rewarded. I know I bought the AP but that brings my daily park cost to around $21 a day plus all of the above.

I've often thought about a reward program but honestly I think it might drive up the cost of the rooms even more with benefits being minimal. We have a Hilton Rewards Amex and DH travels many weeks a year primarily with Hilton. It takes LOTS of points to translate into a free week in Orlando. I'm looking at a week in December and I need 250,000 points and that is not even one of the higher point hotels. I can't imagine how many years of going to Disney it would take to get a free week on property. I'd rather just book with room discount. Honestly over all the years we've been going, even though prices are much higher, the discount options over the last 8 years or so have been much better.

At a fast glance it sounds good but a reward program will drive the costs up to cover the revenue lost. I'm okay without more expenses and control over the discounts I utilize.

 

[RachaelA]

Am I missing all these super cool perks that I'm supposed to be getting as a DVC member?

 

[wdwfreak]

What if Disney feels unappreciated by you because you go multiple times a year but you aren't willing to buy into DVC

I've been reading this site for a long time and always check the forums. The above quote has to be one of the dumbest quotes I've ever read.

Um, pretty sure that was a joke. Relax.

 

[parkluvr]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I found it very interesting to hear from DVC members and to learn that maybe they also feel under appreciated at times. I guess like many people have said, Disney has a good thing going and they really don't need to do much to fill their parks and hotels.

 

[wdwfreak]

Am I missing all these super cool perks that I'm supposed to be getting as a DVC member?

Right. Besides a discount on APs (which we don't use) and some dining/recreation discounts (that you can get as an AP holder, Disney Visa carrier, TIW card holder, etc) what else is there? We don't get free dining, free memory maker, room discounts that you get if you book a special offer cash ressie...and we don't expect it.

 

[parkluvr]

Am I missing all these super cool perks that I'm supposed to be getting as a DVC member?

I was reading some posts and a trip report that seemed to indicate that when the new FantasyLand expansion first opened, it was initially only available to DVC members and that when the Seven Dwarfs mine train opens it may be similar. I realize that DVC members pay a lot of money and they should get some bang for their bucks, but I also was thinking that it would be unfair to others. With the current prices at Disney, no matter how you pay your dues, it is a significant purchase. I was kind of worried after hearing this that Disney's trend was towards giving "special" previews of everything to DVC members. After reading the posts I can see that I was perhaps misinformed. No offense intended to any DVC members.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

What if Disney feels unappreciated by you because you go multiple times a year but you aren't willing to buy into DVC

I've been reading this site for a long time and always check the forums. The above quote has to be one of the dumbest quotes I've ever read.

I thought it was funny!

Never have I felt unappreciated at Disney. Occasional I will find a grumpy CM but everyone has a bad day. I didn't notice if they said "Welcome Home" when I checked in. I am not a DVC member and I think if I was it would probably annoy me that they say it to everyone else, but if they say it to me on my next trip in Sept. I will love it (Sorry) Because I think of it as my 2nd home.

 

[earsaddict]

I think I understand the OP's original question in a way. Maybe DVC-er's aren't feeling perk love but every time a resort gets built it's tied to a DVC lately (art of animation quickly forgotten of course). Especially when tied to the deluxe resorts. And of course, Disney can really market something to make you feel like you want a piece of it. I think they do a good job of making people want to buy in to DVC.

 

[ekendall2]

Disney doesn't owe anyone anything, in my opinion.

Exactly. Every business venture is done to pull in more dollars. Disney doesn't need a loyalty program because people keep coming back without it.

The goal is to make money. Why would disney give something away when they know people like me will come back no matter what because we love it so much.

 

[Planogirl]

Disney does seem to be all about DVC resorts lately but I think that it's because it's easy, quick money for them. I don't think that they somehow like DVC members more.

 

[Bullseye]

I have to admit as a DVC member I can't decide if it's the free dining or the unlimited FP+ that I enjoy the most

 

[Imhere]

I have to admit as a DVC member I can't decide if it's the free dining or the unlimited FP+ that I enjoy the most

Good one!!!!

 

[catherines_mama]

As for DVC, I am an owner and I don't really feel all that appreciated by Disney, so your interpretation may be inaccurate.

I agree here. We bought in 2011 and I love it. But I didn't buy for any "perks" aside from I love the villas, and I love having a place to call home for years to come when on vacation. I don't feel that any of the "perks" help us too much. AP holders and FL residents gets very similar ones and some we get that they don't, don't often work for us or the way we tour. I don't see any advantage or anything unfair.

 

[HopperFan]

I was reading some posts and a trip report that seemed to indicate that when the new FantasyLand expansion first opened, it was initially only available to DVC members and that when the Seven Dwarfs mine train opens it may be similar. I realize that DVC members pay a lot of money and they should get some bang for their bucks, but I also was thinking that it would be unfair to others. With the current prices at Disney, no matter how you pay your dues, it is a significant purchase. I was kind of worried after hearing this that Disney's trend was towards giving "special" previews of everything to DVC members. After reading the posts I can see that I was perhaps misinformed. No offense intended to any DVC members.

As an AP holder I was invited to New Fantasyland before it officially opened. Hadn't thought about Mine Train preview - here's to hoping!

 

[Networth]

IMO - people purchase DVC as an investment first and then look at it as a place to stay. Instead of investing in DVC, I decided to invest in Disney Stocks years ago. NOW!! there is only one primary thing you expect from this investment is to make money. Disney stock hit a few pennies over 80.00 last week... Maybe one day I can buy a house in Orlando. If anyone does not feel appreciated...... Let me say I appreciate everyone visiting Disney and I can honestly say HOME.

This exactly. DVC is not an investment I have heard all their pitches about how it is. If you know anything about investments you know it's not. If your looking for a real investment look else where. As for loyalty no offense to the DVC owners but your "perks" our not worth what you paid and continue to pay yearly. So OP I would stop worrying about any perceived perks. Whatever DVC members do get they deserve for signing those 40-50 year contracts.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I have to admit as a DVC member I can't decide if it's the free dining or the unlimited FP+ that I enjoy the most

Hush!

You know that the agreement we signed with DVC stated that we could never tell non-members about the unlimited FP+!

 

[Murron]

Hush!

You know that the agreement we signed with DVC stated that we could never tell non-members about the unlimited FP+!

 

[disneyfreak33]

As for DVC, I am an owner and I don't really feel all that appreciated by Disney, so your interpretation may be inaccurate.

I am as well so I say ditto to this.