VIP/Tiered Rewards to be released soon

[dianeschlicht]

I bet there will be great rewards for those that own 750+ points since I own 695! I will buy more points to reach the next level if the rewards are enticing enough. Wish they would roll out the program already!

See, I'm not one who would likely add on just for perks. Perks are something that will change frequently over time. I don't figure it's worth the extra dues for MOST perks. Now park passes...that's a different story. Our biggest expense for our current DVC vacations after our dues payments is our park passes.

 

[childsplay]

I gotta believe that the the rewards tier is going to be pretty steep and thereby exclusive. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if 750 barley got you into the lowest tier. With something north of 2000 for the elite upper end.
I hope I'm wrong, I certainly wouldn't mind a bone or two thrown my way, I'm just not going to hold my breath waiting for it.

 

[lugnut33]

I also figure that since we just sold some points that the threshhold will be just above what we now own!

Yes, Jim Lewis has been keeping an eye on you and he's upset you sold those points and it'll be his way of getting back at you!!

 

[disneyfanbcv]

Are they giving us a dead line on when this news is to be released?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, Jim Lewis has been keeping an eye on you and he's upset you sold those points and it'll be his way of getting back at you!!

I knew it!!

 

[Greysword]

I can't see redevelopment being a strong motivating force behind any future ROFR...

To what end? It would leave them with a relatively small plot of land among thousands of acres at WDW...

Other timeshares go for pennies on the dollar via resale and yet they continue to profitably develop and market new destinations.

I was thinking on a more broad scope than just DVC. I'm not convinced that the Walt Disney Company nor Walt Disney World Resort (more specifically) will be willing to let the value of their timeshares drop to this degree. I agree, Tim, that they would not reclaim the land simply for redevelopment, yet I also do not think they will allow their timeshares to be financially worth practically nothing and will reclaim the property rather than let it decay to this level.

If they did allow the DVC resale prices to drop to the level of other timeshares, what would be the ramifications to WDW (as a whole) and the perceptions Disney has always tried to cultivate?

- Chris

 

[dianeschlicht]

I gotta believe that the the rewards tier is going to be pretty steep and thereby exclusive. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if 750 barley got you into the lowest tier. With something north of 2000 for the elite upper end.
I hope I'm wrong, I certainly wouldn't mind a bone or two thrown my way, I'm just not going to hold my breath waiting for it.

So you think they would reward those people who do all the renting instead of the lowly ones who use DVC only for themselves? You might be right, and I don't have a problem with that, because I KNOW I'm not going to pay those kind of maintenance fees just for a few perks. I'm expecting the perks to be pretty nebulous. I'm thinking things like special lounges in the parks and maybe special events etc.

 

[Sammie]

Exactly. And, as more and more people reach the bottom rung, you have to slowly squeeze the bottom-rung perks, and at the same time add a new level.

Make no mistake. Any such VIP-style perk-like substances will be meant to encourage the purchase of new, shiny points. And, the *value* of those perk-like substances will necessarily be lost in the noise of the money you are shelling out for those points. Mickey gives *nothing* away for free.

That is it pretty much in a nutshell.

 

[JimMIA]

If they did allow the DVC resale prices to drop to the level of other timeshares, what would be the ramifications to WDW (as a whole) and the perceptions Disney has always tried to cultivate?

I don't think you'll ever see DVC contracts at WDW resorts selling for $1 plus closing costs on eBay, or owners paying charities to take them. But even if that happened, the effect on DVC/DVD/WDW/the Disney Company would be the same as the effect on all the other brands...zero.

Once a timeshare developer sells an interest in a property, the only thing they care about from that day forward is that someone is paying the annual MFs. As long as somebody is paying the MFs, the property itself will be maintained properly and will not deteriorate.

And, depending on the company, they may not even care about that. Some companies just build, sell, and leave the property to the owners and don't care what happens after that.

From Disney's perspective, as long as someone owns DVC contracts, they'll be using their points at WDW and spending money in the parks.

 

[Dean]

When we bought we felt that getting vacations at 50% was a really great deal. Didn't give a darn about perks or benefits. We've already made our investment back and more. Would we like to see a tiered program, yes! Would have no affect on how I feel about my investment. We still have 30 + years of 50% off vacations. I'm sure people would still complain no matter what DVC does. Believe me I haven't been happy with everything DVC has done, but I still get a great discounted vacation.

In terms of the question in this thread, that may or may not be the case. If they go the way of a fluff program with nice but not essential perks, I doubt it'll make any real difference including encouraging many to add on. However, if they go the route of a true Timeshare VIP program, it's possible they could make every single owner want to add on or sell and get out. We'll see what they end up with, if anything at all.

I gotta believe that the the rewards tier is going to be pretty steep and thereby exclusive. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if 750 barley got you into the lowest tier. With something north of 2000 for the elite upper end.
I hope I'm wrong, I certainly wouldn't mind a bone or two thrown my way, I'm just not going to hold my breath waiting for it.

I think that's unrealistic. For a true VIP program with real benefits, the numbers need to be high but not quite that high. In part it depends on how many divisions. I think 1000 is reasonable as the top and 400-500 as the bottom depending on specifics.

I was thinking on a more broad scope than just DVC. I'm not convinced that the Walt Disney Company nor Walt Disney World Resort (more specifically) will be willing to let the value of their timeshares drop to this degree. I agree, Tim, that they would not reclaim the land simply for redevelopment, yet I also do not think they will allow their timeshares to be financially worth practically nothing and will reclaim the property rather than let it decay to this level.

If they did allow the DVC resale prices to drop to the level of other timeshares, what would be the ramifications to WDW (as a whole) and the perceptions Disney has always tried to cultivate?

- Chris

I don't think the resale value itself has any meaning in this equation other than as it relates to retail sales. Unlikely some others than have gone this route before, they already drawn the line between resale and retail. At least one system I'm aware of also included WHEN the points were purchased as part of the qualification for certain aspects.

 

[childsplay]

I guess I just don't think this VIP program is being created to drive sales (I fully admitt I might be completely wrong on that), but rather to placate some and offer evidence of attempting to enhance our DVC experience. Which is why I placed to levels so high. It gives the "big points" a feeling of exclusivity and doesn't really alienate the masses.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's an interesting discussion, but I'm a wait and see sort of gal!

Bobbi

 

[gkrykewy]

I guess I just don't think this VIP program is being created to drive sales

 

[Brian Noble]

To elaborate on that smiley: what's in it for Mickey "to placate some and offer evidence of attempting to enhance our DVC experience"? Those people have *already* purchased---and it's the *purchase price* that represents the bulk of the profit to DVC. The ongoing maintenance fees (a) largely pay operating costs (though there is some small profit) and (b) you are obligated to pay them whether you "like" DVC or not, until such time as you sell.

I suppose that there is some reason to discourage folks from wanting to sell. But, that's what the post-3/20 restrictions are for.

 

[bakenatj]

So is this "to be released soon" kind of like the "Free Dining to be released soon" ???

I have my suspicions.

p.s. For the record, I wish they would get rid of FD.

 

[n2mm]

I bet there will be great rewards for those that own 750+ points since I own 695! I will buy more points to reach the next level if the rewards are enticing enough. Wish they would roll out the program already!

Guess we are in the same club. I own 710!! Guess it all depends how "sweet" they make the perk at the next level.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So is this "to be released soon" kind of like the "Free Dining to be released soon" ???

I have my suspicions.

p.s. For the record, I wish they would get rid of FD.

Totally off topic, but I agree with you. Free Dining has caused a lot of problems for us.... Like the dumbing down of food offerings and crowds of children in what used to be adult dining establishments. I no longer feel compelled to go to Jiko every trip like I used to, because now more often than not, I can't have a nice relaxing "quiet" dinner with my husband unless I want to dine at 9 PM (which I don't).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Guess we are in the same club. I own 710!! Guess it all depends how "sweet" they make the perk at the next level.

I am surprised that many would add on for perks, where otherwise have no intention. Other than some " lifetime" perk, I can't see where the cost justifies the means.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I guess I just don't think this VIP program is being created to drive sales (I fully admitt I might be completely wrong on that), but rather to placate some and offer evidence of attempting to enhance our DVC experience. Which is why I placed to levels so high. It gives the "big points" a feeling of exclusivity and doesn't really alienate the masses.

Unfortunately, I think you are absolutely correct. The amount of extra sales of points would likely be minimal from a program like this. It would be more of a benefit for those who already have a lot of cash in the race.

My main concern is that they don't cause those of us who are set with where we want to be point wise to have to backslide a lot. I'm thinking mostly of the AP perk. Frankly, I couldn't care less if they create new perks for high point owners. It wont effect me as long as they don't take away what already exists.

 

[disneynutz]

I am surprised that many would add on for perks, where otherwise have no intention. Other than some " lifetime" perk, I can't see where the cost justifies the means.

You would be surprised what people will do for "free" and "food".

People buy items that they don't really need just to get the rewards points and they will go on a Disney vacation just to get "free" dining. They will also buy more DVC points than needed just to get the sales incentive or decide to buy now to get their name on a robe or tile.

Disney knows the psychology of people and they use it very effectively.

Bill