What extra perks should DVC members get?

[KNWVIKING]

ya can just smell it,can't ya !!!

 

[walter]

We are staying at OKW the first week in December before doing a DCL cruise the second week. If there were substantial DVC discounts, we may have invested in a length of stay pass. But since we have been to WDW twice a year since 1997, we are taking a little rest from the parks (due to the extreme extra cost). We will visit Sea World for the first time, for they offer two days for the price of one (if used within the same week). I know that we cannot expect much, but like others have said, if they can offer Florida residents a sunstantial discount, maybe something like a deal on an "off season" annual pass would not be out of line.

 

[living la vida mickey]

They really need to start giving a good discount on park passes. I agree that the los is not the optimum pass. I'd love to have a discount on park hoppers. We have been members since 1993 and were privileged to have the free passes. That was a great perk and a great selling point. My DS is 22. I went down to visit him at school in Orlando with my parents in June. We stayed for 9 days and did not go to the parks at all. We just enjoyed the wonderful resort atmosphere at OKW. We did go to DD but ate all of our meals out off property. We've taken the cruise and are looking to do that again and also go to HH. We've traded for the Plaza and will trade again. Disney will not be my destination every year. My investment paid itself off years ago!!! If they want me spending money in the parks and on the property, they need to start offering me some good discounts. I love OKW and will come back for the resort. They haven't changed enough at the parks to get me back in every trip.

 

[Pinnie]

Another interesting thread.

I, too, see the Disney of the future having to do "something" to entice me and my DH in our "golden yrs" back into the parks. Sure, we bought into the DVC because we loved the parks now, but as we age, we will look at our " DVC investment" as a place to go when the weather gets cold up here.

Having a kitchen in our unit will prevent us from eating out as much, so some discounts or 2 for ones would be nice at the restaurants. It would be an incentive for us to part with our retirement dollars.

I really think that as we get older, we will tend to stay put in our resort a lot more. Right now we are AP holders, but I doubt that as we hit the 70s, we will buy them unless they offer a nice "senior" discount.

It IS nice to dream.......

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCV 2002

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by dvcreg
I'm curious as what benefits other timeshare companies extend to their members?

Marriott generally offers restaurant, activity and service discounts along with a more consistent 25% owners discount for lodging. Comparing to HH DVC, the list for Marriott at HH is far longer. La Cabana in Aruba offers an automatic discount on restaraunts, etc on site plus a few other discounts on local food and activities. The on site discount applies to all of the All Inclussive options as well. Paradise Village in MX provides a significant discount on the All Inclussive but nothing else to my knowledge. The AI is a pretty sweet deal which you can add a drinking option to or get the drink option separately. Members price for AI is $30 per person per day for food and $19.50 for drinks. You can pick and chose days and members to get the AI, you can get the drink option separately. Embassy's in HI give a discount at the on site restaraunts as well as a discount on activities booked through the concierge.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

We will not be buying park passes each year. They are way way way too much money. Disney (not DVC) can keep viewing me as a captive audience, but they will be dead wrong. We bought 175 of our points at HHI for this exact reason: NO park passes needed.

Without realistic discounts, we WILL NOT be visiting the WDW parks every trip. We all like Disney, but DVCers should get the same enticements as FL residents. Since we currently don't, Disney WON'T be seeing as much of my money as they think they will.

Disney's recent track record for treating DVCers is poor....just look at how they stick it to DVCers for the DCL and DC "on points" options.

 

[ncligs]

We feel the same way as Johnnie Fedora. We have only been in the parks 1 time the last 3 trips.That is another reason we bought 200 pts at VB.It is not a "commando type vacation" at VB.
We are going in February to OKW, and the wife and I plan on just relaxing at OKW, enjoy the weather, go to Cique Du Solei, off-site restraunts,etc.
And when we go to VB in July we will hardly leave the resort, except for an occasional dinner out.

 

[StormTigger]

I'd have to agree w/ some of the others and say a discount on tickets and not just the UPH. A discount on the multi-day passes, and resteranuts within the parks. Discounts on rental cars, etc would be nice, but I really think the park passes and resteraunts w/in Disney.. something they have complete control over would be a good showing.

But that's my two cents.

 

[fireplug]

I feel very much like jctwizzer,we bought a timeshare to vacation at WDW and VB. We pick and choose whether we want to go theme parking or not. It is nice to get a discount on tickets but if I went to WDW and paid for a hotel room and wanted to go to the parks we would have to buy passes. Just like everyone else.
I do not feel treated like a "cash cow"or a "captive audience" did anyone read the post about the DC closing, because members wanted too many perks. I do not expect steep discounts nor do I expect cuts in service or standards.

One other large American company comes to mind.
Anyone get any steep discounts on those Harley Davidson trinkets, chrome pieces, and t-shirts, just because they bought a bike? Not too many I bet.

When you buy a product you get a product. Where is it written you should be entitled to discounts just because you own something. Fla. residents recieve discounts because buisness stategies have shown that those closer will come more often.

I agree that it would be nice to be offered a little extra because we are member of DVC.But I am not gonna fret and fume until I do.


Steve

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am not sure we "SHOULD" get any perks just because we happen to own their timeshare. Most timeshares don't give you any perks except reduced cost golf or tennis etc. I think the fact that we own a timeshare in and around an amusement park complex my make it a little different, but I really don't see it as a "right" of ownership.

 

[dianeschlicht]

All right, I posted before reading the whole thread. It looks like others agree with me too. I thouht I would be expressing a lone opinion!

 

[Richyams]

You also have to remember that many were promised "A substantially similar" replacement for the free passes when they ran out. Many were promised this for years.

 

[vernon]

It's banging the same old drum, but I still think Disney would benefit ( and that has to be a given in order for them to offer "perks") if it offered DVC members the Florida residence pass or something similar. It would get , IMHO, more DVC members into the parks spending their vacation $$$$. With no break on Disney tickets the temptation is to either make more use of the hotel facilities ( where it is easy to avoid paying resort charges for food and drinks) or to sample the other parks inthe Orlando area. A decent break on WDW tickets would mean a lot of DVC members would do 1/2 or 3/4 of a day in the parks ( in my case I'd eat at Epcot quite a lot) and the remainder of the day at their resort. IMHO it would lead to DVC members spending at least an extra $80-100 per family per day at WDW parks instead of $200 going to Universal.

Ask yourself not what Disney can do for you, but what you can do for Disney and there may be a guide as to what is a workable "perk"
I don't expect "something for nothing" but I know for a fact if I got a better break on park tickets I'd spend a lot more money at Disney and a lot less off site. It's my belief most vacationers have a figure in mind of how much they will spend on a vacation, the more time a DVC memeber spends on property the more chance Disney has to get their hands on that money. By allowing/encouraging people to visit other parks in not giving a great deal on tickets Disney is allowing that money to drift away from their grasp. IMHO it's a bad and short sighted business decision, but unless enough people show/voice that they have a similar view to mine it's one that's unlikely to change.

To me it's pretty simple, if I'm budgetting $3000 spending money and $800 of that goes on tickets for Universal ( because it's the same cost to visit USF as it is WDW), Disney has to fight even harder for it's share of $2,200 because I'll be spending at least 3 days in Universal's parks eating at Universal's restaurants, drinking at Universal's bars and buying Universal's souvenirs. Or disney can get a free run at $3,000 because I get a deal on entrance.

IMHO it has nothing to do with our "rights as DVC owners" and everything to do with improving Disney's profittability.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... Exactly right. It's no skin off my nose if WDW offers no discounts, I'll go elsewhere. WDW is the one losing money, not me.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by vernon
...(snip).....IMHO it has nothing to do with our "rights as DVC owners" and everything to do with improving Disney's profittability.

I completely agree.

 

[Regina]

Thanks Dean. I'm not familiar with other timeshares, and was curious to see what benefits they offer. It looks as if DVC is competitive.

Rich, we were told that "something" would be offered to replace the free passes. UPH's don't appeal to me, but 10% is a nice discount, one that many members seem to appreciate.

Dianeschlicht, that's precisely what's troubling to me, the "Disney should" do this attitude.

DVC has given me exactly what was originally promised, top-notch onsite accommodations. Anything offered beyond that is always a pleasant surprise, but not an expectation on my part.

 

[tfc3rid]

A few things...

1. Better Pass Discounts for those DVC members in Florida and California. The Florida resident discounts are a good idea. Especially for APs.

2. A friend who owns Marrit Vacation Club has a credit card where they can get added perks and benefits (and resort points) for using the card. I think this would be a good idea. I know we purchase a specific amount of points but so do they but they also can get more through charging.

I think these would be a start.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do you guys want some cheese with that whine?

1) I do not believe DVC owners deserve ANY extra discounts.
2) This creates a two-tier and two-class system.
3) People who can't afford DVC wouldn't get same discounts.
4) Besides, there are ample public discounts available.
5) Discounts such as AMEX, AAA, DC, the Disney Visa Card.
6) Perks such as preferred ressies is another "class" division.
7) What about people who do GF or Poly every year.
8) They actually pay more over the years than the DVC.
9) Are you requesting extra perks/discounts for them?

10) We bought a premium timeshare when we got DVC.
11) This entitled us to a room and any DVC resort activities.
12) We got what we bought, and we had zero complaints.

13) Due to the increase in family size going to WDW, we sold.
14) We needed room for up to (19) people at one time.
15) We sold our DVC and invested in Orange Lake CC.
16) We own permanently, and it doesn't expire in 2042.
17) We bought on the resale market.
18) We bought nothing but 2-bedroom units.
19) Got three timeshares for the price of one DVC.
20) We get discounts to parks and Orlando activities.
21) We get MANY amenities and activities not available at DVC.


22) One must know what one is buying.
23) DVC never promised discounts or other perks.
24) It is selfish to now want them due to status of DVC.

 

[KNWVIKING]

1) I understand
2) What your saying
3) But I don't understand
4) Your style
5) Many of us
6) Are making the point..
7) That while WDW owes us nothing
8) It is in there best interest to offer it...
9) As we will spend elsewhere.
10) As for a "class" system,
11) That's what WDW is all about
12) Pay for GF, get top notch everything.
13) Are ASM/S entitled to the same emmenities.
14) Should they do away with concierge service ...
15) Because many can't afford it.

 

[RealMickey]

If some DVC owners attend the parks less often as the years go by, it probobly will not effect disney much. Because as they build and sell new DVC villas (BCV and Saratoga Springs and what ever is next) they are bringing in owners who will probably visit the parks regularly for a while.
We bought not planning to go in the parks on every visit. Mostly because of ticket prices).
Personally I would love discounts on APs, But the agreement papers clearly state that there are no garanteed perks.