What extra perks should DVC members get?

[WDWalways]

I just think that if AAA members and DC members get discounts on passes than DVC members should also -- we paid thousands of dollars to be a member of the DVC while AAA members get lots of other perks besides Disney discount passes and pay approx $30-$40 per year and DC members get lots of other discounts besides pass discounts and pay $30. per year so why shouldn't we get a discount on passes also?? I think it's not whining or wanting something we don't deserve or we don't have a right to -- I think it's only fair that if it's offered to others it should be offered to us.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper
Do you guys want some cheese with that whine?
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.

May I respectfully point out that calling the people who have posted to this thread selfish, and titling your post "Do you guys want some cheese with that whine?" is probably not a very good way to persuade us that you're right and we're wrong.

The whole premise of this thread is that The Walt Disney Company doesn't owe us any discounts, freebies, or elite benefits, just because we're DVC owners. However, DVC owners represent a sizable business opportunity for The Walt Disney Company. Yes, some people on this thread have simply expressed their wishes for better theme park discounts. But others have pointed out that as they return year after year, they're actually visiting the parks less often and spending less money onsite at WDW.

You don't want a "a two-tier and two-class system." Guess what? There are already far more than two tiers and two classes. For example, Florida residents, AAA members, convention attendees, American Express card holders (though this appears to be ending) and sometimes Canadians are treated differently. Why? Because Disney has determined that it's good business.

Would it be good business to encourage DVC members to frequent WDW restaurants rather than cooking in our kitchens or going offsite?

Would it be good business to make it attractive for DVC members to go to the parks for at least a few hours every day?

Would it be good business to encourage DVC members to buy annual passports (which greatly decrease the chance that DVC members will wander to other attractions, shops and restaurants in Orlando)?

I think the answer to the questions above are all "yes."

 

[Mary Ellen]

Does Disney OWE DVC members discounts - no.

Would it make sense (or cents) for Disney to offer DVC member some perks - yes.

I would like DVC to get the same perks as Florida residents. Last fall WDW offered FL residents an extra few months when buying annual passes. Some 'other' state residents reported they also received this benefit, we did not in early December. So, this year we are spending our points on a 2-br for 1 week and then moving to HRH & Universal for our 2nd week after our annual passes run out.

We've been meaning to try IOA but have always stayed at WDW. This is sending us over there now. WDW would have had an extra week of my souvenir $$$ and restaurant meals - that white 'oven' thingy is purely decorative for us.

 

[madcoco]

Really don't expect nothing in return other then a well run resort.I look at it as another stock purchase that doesn't pay dividends and at least so far it's not going down in value.

A frequent traveler card would be nice. Isn't that what they have in the works.Is that one of the reasons they are dumping the DC card so you have to get one of their credit cards to get discounts?

 

[snarfieca]

I don't think we're asking for too much.

We have a kitchen in the room - if there was a discount at WDW restaurants we would have eaten out more. We went out for a breakfast & a supper. We had snacks for lunch a few times & drove out to other places for a few lunches

Before being a DVC owner, we had come down using package tours - with UMP tickets included. Buying them seperately is quite expensive. We bought 5 day park hopper plus using discount from DC & that will be spread over 2 trips. We will spend less time in the lands & less time shopping & eating. I really liked the UMP pass as it was nice to go to a park for supper or to watch a parade or whatever.

 

[Dean]

In many ways I agree with you. On some I absolutely disagree. There are many classes in life, like it or not. Disney already has perks for various groups, etc. I do no feel WDW owes us anything however, DVC is actually owned by the members and as such is legally obligated to act in their best interest. I'm not convinced they do that consistenly but I must trust in the system I have invested in or try to change it from the inside.

It is not my concern or responsibility about those that can't or chose not to afford DVC. Many here have done so by working extra jobs and sacrificing greatly in other areas because DVC is so important to them. My main point in the past has been that WDW should offer perks it gives to others for free like conventions and FL residents. Since I'm a FL resident, it wouldn't add anything to what I get but it's the fair thing to do IMO.

I think DVC did promise other discounts though it's not in writing and therefore not enforceable. As a fellow timeshare owners I welcome your point of view. As for getting other timeshares in the Orlando area, there are many ways to do so, many far cheaper than the one you chose, even to cover 19 people. As for deeded vs RTU, I think it's a moot point at present. I can't think of anything I'd want to own in 40 years that's 50 years old anyway.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I think a different style of pass would be nice. Since we have been to the parks many times, we really only want to visit in blocks of 4 or less hours. I'd like to see a "swipe your DVC pass in, swipe your DVC pass out" type of admission where you pay for only the time you spend in the parks. It would encourage me to visit the parks each and every time we stay at DVC, without wasting a hopper day. It would be a more reasonable return on our pass investment, and suit our vacation style much better.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

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.

Reg,
Well said!!!!!

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Wonder if any management are following this thread ?

David

 

[walter]

I posted before on this issue and I would just like to add that I do not "expect" that as a DVC member that there is an obligation to provide us (as members) significant discounts. But if Disney can afford off season annual passes to Florida residents, why can't something similar to that be offered to DVC members?

 

[Goofy Fan]

The Member Cruise fiasco is getting replayed somewhat here with this thread. While there are those who will complain and boycott certain opportunities, it leaves the door open for others to enjoy what is being offerred to them.

While anyone would relish a bone or two that is thrown their way, I stop short of insisting or declaring that DVC ownership is owed more that what we are getting. I do, however, am beginning to see that some of your misgivings actually may benefit me as pseudo "perks". For those who spend "more time off site" while at WDW, that may mean shorter lines for me to stand in or possibly getting that dinner PS that otherwise would be booked.

 

[sgtdisney]

Do I think that the DVC owes us, as members, any discounts. Absolutely not. It wasn't in the contract, it wasn't part of the deal. However, I personally do feel that it would be in Disney's better financial interest to offer some incentive to stay on property.

We have been members for 10 years. We have been to Disney World well over 25 times in the past 20 years. Lately, we have been going to the parks and doing Disney things less and less. Why, because we have seen it all, and things are cheaper just about everywhere else in Orlando. If Disney offered me a discount to buy a 4 day pass that similar to the FLA resident pass, I would take it. I would rather spend part of a day in a Disney theme park. We used to do this a lot. Spend part of the day at the resort and head on over to Epcot or Disney/MGM for dinner. Face it, when you are in the park, you are spending money. Money for 2.00 cups of Coke or the souveniers that the little ones just have to have. We don't do this anymore. I am not willing to pay what they are asking for a 4 day pass and only spend part of the day in the park.

What we do now, is plan on one or two park days (out of 6 or more in Orlando) we buy a 4 day pass and save it for the following year or just buy a one day pass and a bounce back pass. What do we do the other days, well we go off property. Hit other Orlando attractions, spend money at other places. We never just head into Epcot in the evening for dinner. Now we go off property. More and more we find places off property that are as good as Disney and cost about 1/2 price.

Does Disney owe me a discount, of course not. However, I don't owe Disney anything either other than the annual dues. And more and more I am finding myself heading off property for much of my trip. I can rest assured, however, that I am coming back to my prepaid Disney resort and staying in an exceptional resort.

 

[twinglefam]

1)Personal visit to my villa by the princess/character of my choice on the day of our choosing during our stay.

2)Free passes like they used to get.

3)Free drinks in my room each night along with a back rub and limo rides to the parks upon request.

I'm just kidding. For now, I'll settle for what I already get from DVC; A great room, magic like no place else, membership in a group with you fine people, and a Mickey bar drippin' down my arm while I walk down Main Street.

 

[TexasAggie]

When we bought in to the BWV five years ago, we did not expect any extra benefits other than a first place home to stay to stay in, and that is what we got. We did not buy because of ticket discounts, free entry to night clubs, discounts at DTD. WE bought because we liked tha better accommodations that it provided.

We have a time share in Hawaii that does not give us anything except what we paid for. We get very few mailing and not even a web site that we can visit. They also don't say "welcome home" when we come visit. This timeshare on the big island is a RCI Crown Resort.

 

[MinnieMe2]

We've been members for a couple of years now. We don't expect any 'perks' from Disney. To us, it's enough of a perk to have a lovely resort where we can spend some time every year or two. We enjoy our visits to WDW, no longer feel that we have to spend every waking minute running thru the parks, and enjoy the flexibility of eating in our room or going out. We knew what we were getting at the time of purchase and are more than satisfied. Or perhaps we simply do not indulge in a strong sense of 'entitlement'? I think the less you expect from life, the more you appear to get from it .

I guess the only way I could enjoy my trips to the World more would be if I could bring my dog !

 

[Tagrel]

Originally posted by twinglefam
1)Personal visit to my villa by the princess/character of my choice on the day of our choosing during our stay.

I pick Jasmine, I pick JASMINE!!!!!

On the 'realistic' side...

DVC owes me nothing beyond great lodging and great support services. I owe them my yearly dues.

Disney owes me nothing, but that works both ways.

If I'm not provided a product I find a good value, I take my business elsewhere. As newer DVC members, we aren't 'tired' of the parks yet, but as 10, 20 and 30 years go by, this will change.

It will take much more enticement to get our entertainment dollars in the future. We already travel offsite, and during 4 trips, that offsite time has increased each year. In the future, I'm sure there will be many trips where the parks aren't included.

We LOVE the parks, and would LOVE to visit for a character meal or go to a restaurant in Epcot, but we aren't willing to drop an extra $50+ per person to do it. Disney has to decide what is best for its business and I'll take advantage of any discounts - from ANY business that is willing to give them.

There is TONS to do in Orlando, and Disney seems to be alone in their reluctance to give discounts, especially to its repeat visitors. I'm sure they won't, until they feel they have to. In the meantime I just look forward to all the other restaurants and forms of entertainment Orlando provides. Kind of opens our horizons, and makes you realize a family of 4 doesn't HAVE to spend $100 to have a great meal!