What's up with all of the promotion of ther CC, II trades and adventures by Disney?

[dumbo71]

Any theories as to why DVC is now promoting these options so much to members?

Maybe it is my imagination but I see tons of advertisemnts for this lately in the Newsletters, etc.

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

It's marketing to sell more DVC points.

Disney makes money when members purchase DVC add-ons — and when DVC members use DVC points for Concierge Collection, II exchanges, and Adventures by Disney, they're likely to want/need more points.

 

[LIFERBABE]

It's also, that DVC pays membership fees for all these outside options and they are rarely used. Right now they are losing money on exchanges. We pay for these affiliations in our dues.

There was a rep from II on the Member Cruise and he said he was there to promote the use of II to DVC Members. Trading is not where they would like it be or anywhere close. He gave away 10 weeks onboard.
IMHO......It's also bad business for II to advertise that you can trade to DVC when DVC members deposit very few weeks to them. Its in DVC and II's best interest for us to trade more.

If we dont use them, then management starts talking about cutting the program back since most members use the majority of their points for DVC, the could summize that we wouldnt really care about the trading options offered by DVC. It's great to have the flexibility, but in reality, most members will not trade out.

 

[docg]

The reason most people don't use the II is that it is extremely difficult to get a trade at the resort or dates of your choice. There really is not a big selection of available resorts to trade out of DVC. I don't think DVC makes money on our exchanges and I am not sure, but don't remeber seeing any fees for II listed on the Resort Budgets. I may be mistaken. In any event, I had a hard time finding a week during the summer in California two years ago, and finally settled for a change of dates after being waitlisted for two months. I also tried for a Carribean or Mexican week exchange with MS and it wasn't available during the winter. Maybe others have had more success. DVC marketing wants everyone to feel that there is a value from exchanges with II and other cruise lines and the Conceirge Hotels. I have been seeing less choices in Conceirge Hotels and people on these boards constantly criticising those people who use points for cruising.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

It's also, that DVC pays membership fees for all these outside options and they are rarely used. Right now they are losing money on exchanges.

Do you actually have inside knowledge that Disney is losing money on exchanges? Or is this just conjecture?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Many DVCers don't necessarily realize the poor value of doing other things on points (cruise, Adventures by Disney, etc.), and thus may think they should buy extra points in order to do this things.

Just a thought...

 

[LIFERBABE]

Do you actually have inside knowledge that Disney is losing money on exchanges? Or is this just conjecture?

I will say that it is conjecture

 

[chainkid]

If you are an experienced traveler then you would probably not buy DVC to trade anywhere....to put it mildly its a poor deal with few exceptions. The Adventures by Disney may be desirable for an all inclusive type of trip for people who like escorted tours and I may use one in the future. I would go because I like Disney quality but I know I can get cheaper tours elsewhere.
If you look at the point costs to go outside the system its just not a good trade. Availability into units as good as DVC is limited and the concierge collection is very expensive and can be done alot cheaper using cash.

Alot of us would like to stay at other non DVC resorts onsite once in awhile but the points required are not worth it. Best value for DVC points is at DVC and until that changes drastically then members by and large will not trade out frequently. While I've never cruised with Disney, I have taken over 12 cruises with alot of different cruise lines in very nice accomodations. Disney is too expensive for what you get in my opinion especially using points.

 

[dumbo71]

Thanks for the replies. Keep em coming.

Why not simply lower the required points to a more reasonable level?

Other timeshares are far more valuable from a trade standpoint. This doesn't make sense to me. You'd think DVC would be an easy trade and more of a value to do so.

 

[Mickmse2002]

Right now we are waitlisted with II for the Spring of 2008 for three different Caribbean properties. We want to use our points to trade out as we have already paid for the darn things and don't want the hassle of renting them out in order to pay cash somewhere else. No luck so far on the waitlist. Promoting programs is a good idea......as long as you can actually do it in a reasonable manner.

 

[kcgirl]

we are also on a waitlist for the Bahamas for summer 2008 - and I mean all summer. I had them search for June, July and August. Nothing so far, but I believe alot of the owners at these other resorts are not able to trade until the 12 month mark. At least that is how it is for the resort we are looking at.

 

[deerh]

I to agree that the point structure for DVC "trade outs" are too high!! Maybe they can read this board and figure out what-3-4% of ALL Dvc'ers trade out???

That is very low in my opinion, and they need to structure the points to reflect more interest in trading-ESPECIALLY on the cruises!!

This, of course is my .02 worth......

DeerH

 

[Dean]

It's only reasonable from a value standpoint to trade for high demand times at top resorts. DVC has promoted the exchange options for some time IMO including at the weekly meetings. I've asked on two occasions if they were given any considerations or benefits to do so and on both occasions was told no. They seem to think it's for the benefit of the members, which is sad since it's such a poor exchange option.