What have you done for me lately?

[bom_noite]

Almost 2 years ago Jim Miller got the job as "King of DVC". We were told that the job was getting so big that it deserved a dedicated manager. Jim was giddy when talking about the web page, he also talked about finding new ways to enhance our DVC membership.

I have heard from people on this board who met him that Jim is a nice man and a class act. So, I am not complaining - he is trying to earn a living just like the rest of us. But, I guess I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of changes and new benefits!

Sorry, I have not kept up much the last year (I always get on the DVC bandwagon and start getting back in to the spirit 2 or 3 months prior to our vacation). Has anyone seen any upgrades I missed? Was I duped by the promises?

 

[tjkraz]

Actually it's Jim Lewis.

Never met him, but here's my short list of positive changes during his short tenure:

* First and foremost, the best AP pricing available ANYWHERE. Members were collectively asking for this perk for years, and DVC finally delivered under JL

* DVC members eligible for attraction previews (Soarin, Stitch)

* Member Homecoming event May '04

* Member Cruise 2005

* FREE Member Merry Mixers December '04

* Organized attempts to obtain points for members at sold-out resorts

* Only one base price increase, and some nice purchase incentives along the way for current members

Anyone else care to add to the list?

 

[SoCalKDG]

Nice list. AP was enough for me.

 

[KennyK]

That 2 free Ap's with an add on of 130 pts at SSr, was just what I needed to add on there.

DVC incentive perks for current members have been fabulous.

kennyk

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, like the others who have posted before me, I think LOTS of things have changed for the better in that two years. The AP perk would have been enough all by itself! I would add building the OKW slide.

 

[lisareniff]

Maybe.... just maybe.... there is more that is going to happen. We have been clinging on to rumours of a new 'big' offsite resort and a cont. DVC. Maybe there is more happening behind the scenes that we have yet to find out about.

 

[DE38]

I'm new here - what does AP stand for?

thanks.

 

[tjkraz]

AP = Annual Pass (unlimitd admission to 4 theme parks only)

PAP = Premium Annual Pass (unlimited admission to 4 parks + waterparks, DisneyQuest and Pleasure Island)

 

[Mickmse2002]

The AP discount is huge for us.

 

[Daitcher]

That 2 free Ap's with an add on of 130 pts at SSr, was just what I needed to add on there.

DVC incentive perks for current members have been fabulous.

kennyk

Funny how different perks work for different people. I would have passed on that perk. We got $10 off per point. Far more valuable than 2 AP's. Everybody has that perk that gets them excited. Many people have jumped on to the 100 free one time points with a 120 point add on. That one time 100 points is still a mediocre incentive IMHO. Money off per point is still the most appealing to me. That initial savings, especially to those who are financing, are the best incentive hands down. I will say Jim Lewis is offering a more creative approach and I truly think he's listening to the members.

DAVE

 

[tjkraz]

Funny how different perks work for different people. I would have passed on that perk. We got $10 off per point. Far more valuable than 2 AP's.

Actually the perk that kenny referred to was the $10 discount AND two free adult AP vouchers.

Everybody has that perk that gets them excited. Many people have jumped on to the 100 free one time points with a 120 point add on. That one time 100 points is still a mediocre incentive IMHO. Money off per point is still the most appealing to me.

Again, in this case we're talking about a cash discount in addition to the one-time point bonus. The cash discount is down to $8 per point, but there are also no dues until 2006. We have a February Use Year. If I were to add-on 120+ now, my net cash savings would be almost $11 per point ($8 flat discount plus comped dues of $2.87 for the rest of '05.) Then I also get the 100 bonus points and no dues on that either.

Better than a flat $10 discount, eh?

 

[JimC]

Agree that Jim has been a positive addition to the DVC team. The AP discount is the most positive achievement in my view, but I recognize that he has done much more. Some things will take time - new resorts, web site development and the like require planning, funding and resources from other divisions.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Agree that Jim has been a positive addition to the DVC team. The AP discount is the most positive achievement in my view, but I recognize that he has done much more. Some things will take time - new resorts, web site development and the like require planning, funding and resources from other divisions.

ITA re: AP (boy, there's an internet sentence!).

In addition, I do feel that DVC is "headed in the right direction" under Jim; there's the sense that they're working on new and better things, not just milking the JF cash cow.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Jim has been very positive for DVC.

Before Jim, it was safe to say DVC had zero clout with WDW execs. Last May at Member Homecoming which was awesome, you could see how closely he worked with Al Weiss and others and showed them how really fanatical we members really are!

It was like DVC's coming out party and he had all the right people there to take notice of the membership. Since then we have seen the perks and the discounts increase.

As for the incentives, the latest incentives have been unprecedented and far better than the standard $10 off per point no matter what math is used. I just added on 150 points and received 2004, 2005 and the 100 bonus points plus $5 off with no dues payable until January 2006. That's 400 points available for use immediately with no dues.

 

[megrod74]

I haven't been in DVC long enough to have an opinion on this, but I'm really glad to see everyone supporting the head of DVC.

 

[Keggy]

* First and foremost, the best AP pricing available ANYWHERE. Members were collectively asking for this perk for years, and DVC finally delivered under JL

A little OT, my apologies, but we are DVCers that live in Florida - so there is no AP discount for us. I wish we were included in that incentative.

Kelly

 

[Chuck S]

A little OT, my apologies, but we are DVCers that live in Florida - so there is no AP discount for us. I wish we were included in that incentative.

Kelly

Don't FL DVCers get an addition $25 off the already discounted FL AP prices?

 

[JimMIA]

Don't FL DVCers get an addition $25 off the already discounted FL AP prices?

Yes, we do. I think it is $20 off the AP and $25 off the AP Plus. Not much, because the Florida resident discount is so deep to begin with, but hey, it's $20-25!

 

[CarolMN]

Believe the "out of pocket" cost for a new FL AP/PAP is almost exactly the same as the "out of pocket" cost for a new regular AP/PAP.

Perhaps Keggy is referring to the seasonal FL AP -there is not a DVC discount on that. There isn't a discount on FL AP/PAP renewals either. In Disney's words (from Members' website):

Do I receive an additional discount on my Pass renewal if I already have a Florida Resident Annual Pass or Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass?
No. The renewal rate for Florida residents is already a great value.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Better than a flat $10 discount, eh?

TJKRAZ, Canadians are supposed to say "eh" , not Americans!