Whats your current view of Disney/DVC?

[boxer]

Thank you for the insight and replies.........like I said, I'll never stop going to Disney--but just might explore other options while down there (rather than staying 'in the bubble' everyday on vacation). Like I said, I like the LL in theory--and the price is not a deal breaker--but I just don't like pre-planning exactly what park I'll be in 7-days. I preferred the old way where you bought the Genie the morning-of.

And yes I have to make Park Reservations ahead of time--but those are WAY more flexible if we wake up and want to change to AK, instead of MK. Obviously if I make that last-minute change with LL, I'm not going to get the top tier rides picking that late.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We've been DVC since 2009 (BLT/BWV) and are still very happy with those purchases. We've stayed at pretty much every DVC and have enjoyed almost all of them. While renting is less of a commitment, we prefer having complete control over our reservations. We just stayed at BWV in a 1BR this week and really liked the refurb....and think we'll enjoy the BLT one as well based on the few pics I've seen.

As far as WDW as a whole, we've had a decent amount of trips every year since Covid. We've also had a pretty loaded schedule recently with a family 7-day trip extended fam trip in November, 4-day just us trip in December, and a hubby/me and my brother and SIL for MLK weekend. We purchased LLMP/LLSP every day for the family trips and a day or two when it was just us. I understand how it adds to the cost. For us it was roughly $1200, $200, and $650 add ons. But I will say we got SO much done. I feel like it made a huge difference in our enjoyment of the trip and was worth the cost. With less people buying LL, the recent tightening of DAS, and a good plan of attack we had extremely successful park days. I admit we had very similar results when we stayed on property and FP was free. But we focus on the relaity of today and going forward LL costs just need to be a line item of our WDW budget.

I will say the one thing I don't like about WDW is that as I get older (46) the run run run type trips are getting less appealing. We've been to DL a few times in recent years and I can see as we get older moving to more DL trips compared to WDW. The ease of staying at DL hotel or GCV and walking to everything is so easy. Plus getting from DL to DCA is so nice. But we'll always be WDW people....it just might be more infrequent as we're older.

 

[Brian Noble]

Oh really? I didn’t realize that.

I'm a Michigan resident, and am not eligible---either as a first-time buyer or in referring someone else. I can make the referral, but I don't get anything for it---and I'm not 100% sure that the person I refer would get the incentive.

 

[boxer]

I will say the one thing I don't like about WDW is that as I get older (46) the run run run type trips are getting less appealing. We've been to DL a few times in recent years and I can see as we get older moving to more DL trips compared to WDW. The ease of staying at DL hotel or GCV and walking to everything is so easy. Plus getting from DL to DCA is so nice. But we'll always be WDW people....it just might be more infrequent as we're older.

I agree 100% about the run-run trips---BUT we have embraced the Rope Drop aspect--as we can wipe out quite a few things in the morning--then go back to OKW and relax poolside until dinner. That is our ideal schedule for vacation, lol.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I agree 100% about the run-run trips---BUT we have embraced the Rope Drop aspect--as we can wipe out quite a few things in the morning--then go back to OKW and relax poolside until dinner. That is our ideal schedule for vacation, lol.

We've started to do this more on our "just us" trips.....with one change that we tend to sleep in and do the pool until around 1pm. We tend to stack a few LL in the afternoon and then grab what we can. We've been so many times that my hubby could literally not ride anything and be happy just enjoying the ambiance. I'm not there yet. But I am okay with not doing everything every time.

But this past Saturday of MLK weekend we had the most successful rope drop/LL experience we've ever had with my brother/SIL in tow:

8:15am walked thru HS gates
8:22am walked into queue of SDD (deluxe early entry) LOVED they let us get in line prior to 8:30am
8:32am on SDD (standby)
8:38am on TSMM (standby)
8:55am on Smugglers run (standby)
9:20am on ROTR (paid LLSP)
9:55am on StarTours (LLMP that we changed from a late TSMM)
10:15am Fuzzy TaunTauns (because why not)
10:55am on Tower of Terror (LLMP)
11:20am on Rockin Rollercoaster (LLMP)
11:45am 50s Prime time Lunch
12:45pm on MMRR (LLMP)

After that grabbed a drink at the Tune in Lounge started stacking some of the easier rides to get at Epcot. Walked back to BWV and took a well earned nap and then headed to Epcot around 5pm. We were able to bang out Figment, Soaring, Living with the Land, and also a paid GotG while also sampling some food and cocktails around World Showcase.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm a Michigan resident, and am not eligible---either as a first-time buyer or in referring someone else. I can make the referral, but I don't get anything for it---and I'm not 100% sure that the person I refer would get the incentive.

Texas doesn't allow the referral rewards. But if we do refer someone, they can get what ever they are offering when they buy.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

After every DVC trip, adding on crosses my mind. We obviously have a great time and the product overall is great. I also appreciate DVC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the membership experience (free ice creams, moonlight magic, etc.)!

However, some of Disney’s maintenance and operational decisions — and how they communicate those decisions — are starting to grind my gears. A few examples:

• Grand Floridian has been under construction for years. We still don’t know when/how the lobby will be renovated, and that’s a very big amenity! Courtyard pool taken offline at very short notice — not great for timeshare owners whose points would go into holding!
• TBA is now apparently shutting down early (for undisclosed reasons) most weeknights. With BTMRR offline, missing out on TBA (for maintenance reasons or operational decisions) would feel like an incomplete day at MK. That day alone would cost me and family about a grand.
• A general backslide that degrades the customer experience. Many very talented performers cut in favor of cheap college interns and screens. Cutbacks at the resorts (e.g., not to beat a dead horse, but again, the orchestra at VGF was a very nice amenity!). Greed that induces risk for the customer (e.g., PIT TPV rooms).

I could go on…

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Texas doesn't allow the referal rewards. But if we do refer someone, they can get what ever they are offering when they buy.

It’s a shame that things are not consistent across all members.

 

[MagicDVC]

It’s a shame that things are not consistent across all members.

Every state has different laws regarding timeshares. We are ineligible for referrals too. Once upon a time, if the property was not registered in the state, we could only purchase if we were physically on property. They could not even talk to us about it when you called.

 

[Leight19]

My general statement on Disney is I still go and enjoy myself with both Disney world and dvc but the product has degraded significantly. To me the cost isn’t an issue but the nickle and diming and drop in quality is; I would rather they double the cost or whatever needed and get rid of all these little add ons and back to how it used to be.

My first trip to Disney was 13 years ago for my honeymoon. I had negative view of Disney then as I hated going to theme parks but my wife wanted to go. That trip I was pleasantly surprised how much different disney was compared to normal theme parks and we’ve gone probably 15 times since then. If todays disney was the experience I had back then I would have never went back but with the nostalgia and investment (we have dvc and condo there) we continue to go and hope it gets back to its roots.

 

[Lumpy1106]

When we bought DVC there was FP+ and anyone staying on property got a significant bonus in booking the FP+ reservations early. There was also DME included. Both are now gone, both would have been deal-breakers had they been included for resort on-property guests but not DVC (would have stuck with just booking on-property resort stays, and frankly would be second-guessing staying on-property at all if booking today).

Add to that, I DETEST all of the pay-for-cuts programs in every theme park, maybe LLMP most of all. Too many people buy it and the stand-by line guests get slammed. LLPP actually gives me hope that they will end LLMP, especially as it is opened up to off-property guests. That would be far better for everyone.

LSS - yes, not happy with the status quo, and we are considering selling. I just hope the resale market improves a bit before that happens, but I don't see that happening until the perks for staying on property improve.

 

[Chuck S]

When we bought DVC there was FP+ and anyone staying on property got a significant bonus in booking the FP+ reservations early. There was also DME included. Both are now gone, both would have been deal-breakers had they been included for resort on-property guests but not DVC (would have stuck with just booking on-property resort stays, and frankly would be second-guessing staying on-property at all if booking today).

Add to that, I DETEST all of the pay-for-cuts programs in every theme park, maybe LLMP most of all. Too many people buy it and the stand-by line guests get slammed. LLPP actually gives me hope that they will end LLMP, especially as it is opened up to off-property guests. That would be far better for everyone.

LSS - yes, not happy with the status quo, and we are considering selling. I just hope the resale market improves a bit before that happens, but I don't see that happening until the perks for staying on property improve.

I think resale prices are tied more to the general economy, just like housing prices, than to onsite perks.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I think resale prices are tied more to the general economy, just like housing prices, than to onsite perks.

Disagree. Just read through this thread - even us die-hards are saying the parks (and really the whole experience) are less fun than they used to be. If you aren't having fun, you aren't returning, and why would you buy DVC if you don't want to come back? No, Chapek and now Iger are maximizing profit at the expense of the guest experience, and now it is showing. The economy has had real crisis that did not cool the DVC market like the current, G+ and beyond era has.

 

[tjkraz]

Disagree. Just read through this thread - even us die-hards are saying the parks (and really the whole experience) are less fun than they used to be.

It's very, very hard to get a read on Average Joe based upon a dozen posters in a forum thread. People becoming disenchanted with the Disney destinations is nothing new. In the 34 year history of DVC, thousands of people have sold their points for a variety of reasons. Is it happening with greater frequency today than in the past? We can only speculate. (There are definitely millions more points in the wild than there were 10 or 20 years ago.)

There are still people buying points, both direct and resale. There are still people queuing up 60-90 minutes for many attractions. With few exceptions, attendance, revenue and profits for the hotel and theme parks continues to inch upward. I'm not saying the experience hasn't changed. And some people undoubtedly reach their tipping point. But I'm not sure there's any great consensus that the world has decided kick the Disney Parks to the curb.

 

[Sandisw]

Careful, thread will be shut down.

You know why those threads got shut down…as we said, when we get some new info, the topics can absolutely be discussed.

 

[boxer]

I was told specifically by DVC store that sale prices are down because the constant extra costs disney is adding. People are getting tired of the extra costs, and ever increasing MF fees (which i.dont necessarily agree with since you know when you buy there will be MFs).

 

[JackosinDIS]

You know why those threads got shut down…as we said, when we get some new info, the topics can absolutely be discussed.

Did they ever provide you with the information you requested for the commercial use policy that is referred to in the POS by the way… or did you have the same result as me (nothing!)

 

[Sandisw]

Did they ever provide you with the information you requested for the commercial use policy that is referred to in the POS by the way… or did you have the same result as me (nothing!)

I am in process with them. Stay tuned

 

[DougEMG]

I still enjoy going to WDW. I enjoy walking around the parks and resorts and just being in the bubble so to speak. I don't like camping or going to the beach or doing driving holidays. WDW is just a very comfortable place for me to go. If I lived in Orlando I would probably be in the parks every week.

Do I wish that Magical Express, FP+, and a host of other things were still in place, sure, but even without them going to WDW is still my favorite type of vacation.

 

[TiszBear]

I just saw this thread and decided to comment.

I have been struggling over the last few years regarding my DVC and Disney. Life changes as does feelings and this has been a struggle; I've been going since I was 5 years old - that is 46 years of my life. I have been a DVC member since February 1999 when I bought into BWV and then VGF and I have loved using my points on many amazing vacations with family and friends; not just at WDW. And going to places that I wouldn't be able to without it. But now, with the changes that have happened and continue to happen I am torn. I will say this, 2 years ago I did sell my lowest DVC contract at the BWV as my needs changed...and that was so hard I cried when I signed the papers. Anyway, the last time I set foot in the parks was September 2019 and I am...okay with that to a point. I remember a time when being a DVC member had perks and now, nothing (in my honest opinion). I feel that the AP holders get more perks, and that is fine but again in my opinion, AP holders are yearly passholders; DVC members have a lengthy commitment to Disney. I have started to use my points for DCL and while many will tell me that is not a good use of points, for me it is. I just last week, for the first time ever, could not use my points at either of my home resorts and I ended up paying cash for 1 night (night before the cruise)...that was hard. So, instead of using my points for WDW vacations as I did pre-2019 I will use them for cruises. To me it is still a vacation. But again, I will reevaluate after my cruise later this year as life changes and no one has a crystal ball to see the future.