Why AP holders get discounts at Downtown Disney and not DVC members

[milachy]

I found it interesting that AP holders get discounts shopping at downtown disney and not DVC members..

Anyone know why?

 

[Tony-NJ]

hmmm - I know we used to get discounts there. Definitely at WOD.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Tony-NJ
hmmm - I know we used to get discounts there. Definitely at WOD.

Nope, not true, EVER. Some members have mistakenly been given the discount plus there previously was a discount if you were staying on AMEX and spent a certain limit.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by milachy
I found it interesting that AP holders get discounts shopping at downtown disney and not DVC members..

Anyone know why?

We'll probably never know why. I just assumed that DVC didn't negotiate one for us.

DVC members do get a 10% discount at TDS and AP holders do not. Perhaps DVC will negotiate a discount at WoD stores for next year - it doesn't look like we will keep the discount at TDS after they are sold.

Best wishes -

 

[las3888]

A friend of mine who works for DVC (and is also an owner) tells me that in the past Disney didn't treat DVC as much of anything, but since DVC has really boomed and taken off ,and there is somebody new in charge who supposedly can negotiate well that we should hope to see some changes...albeit he says that we will never get what we really deserve, so maybe keep expectations in check. This is the rumor I am hearing...I hope we get some good discounts soon - especially on park passes...

 

[carlos1117]

I agree with you guys, but isn't it marketing 101 to keep happy your best customers? It's a fact that it cost more to get a new customer than to keep one. Here Disney has 90,000 plus families who love the place, spend big money buying into DVC, at least they can do is give some real discounts.

I was wondering, isn't there anything we can do collectively, as a DVC community, to pressure DVD on these issues? We have power but don't know it!

Mike

 

[las3888]

I only have a vague understanding of this, but my impression is that DVC and Disney are thought of as 2 separate companies. Disney has no incentive to give DVCers any kind of discount. It's not like Disney sees revenues from DVC sales etc. At least that's the impression I get.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by carlos1117
I agree with you guys, but isn't it marketing 101 to keep happy your best customers?

Seems like getting someone to spend $15,000+ on a product that will put them on WDW property for the next 40-50 years already ensures that they aren't going to lose us as customers. I can't believe that a 10% shopping discount would be the difference between someone keeping and selling their DVC ownership. Even still, demand is such that those who do sell are immediately replaced.

Yes, it is in a company's best interest to keep their customers happy. But you don't throw the kitchen sink at them to do so.

Based upon what I have read here, it sounds like the discount that may truly reap benefits for DVC would be park passes. Many long time members claim that they don't use the parks nearly as extensively as in the past, and I can certainly see where that is true.

I can't see a 10% shopping discount (which I already get as an AP holder) inducing me to spend any more or less money on souvenirs.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by carlos1117
...(snip).....I was wondering, isn't there anything we can do collectively, as a DVC community, to pressure DVD on these issues? ......

Possibly. However, the DIS board guidelines prohibit using the DIS forums as a means to organize this type of collective action.

Best wishes -

 

[Pinnie]

The store BASIN at DTD gives a 10% discount to DVC members with your membership card.

pinnie

 

[carlos1117]

Yes, it is in a company's best interest to keep their customers happy. But you don't throw the kitchen sink at them to do so.

Who's asking for the Kitchen sink!!! How how some nice discounts as a reward for being loyal Disney people. How about a 10% at ALL Disney restuarants or consistent discounts at shops.

Not asking for the world here.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by carlos1117
Who's asking for the Kitchen sink!!! How how some nice discounts as a reward for being loyal Disney people.

In Disney's eyes you've already got some "nice" discounts. Given that their discount obligation is zero, I'd say something is better than nothing.

How about a 10% at ALL Disney restuarants or consistent discounts at shops. Not asking for the world here.

Are you going to sell your points if you don't get it?

The discounts are a DVC sales tool. They represent a nice list of "perks" that salesmen can shove under the nose of potential owners and say "look at what else you get when you buy into DVC."

If DVC were to quit selling points tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised to see that list virtually vanish. The harsh reality of the situation is that once DVC has sold us our points, we're hooked. Yes, there is still a lot of money to be made via theme park admission, souvenirs, dining, etc. But, if Disney thought that a 10% discount would increase profitability in those business units, frankly they'd cut prices by 10% across the board.

I bought into DVC with the expectation that Disney prices are what they are, and they will only continue to increase. As demonstrated by the pricing on the member cruise (and Homecoming last May), DVC isn't really interested in "cutting deals" for DVC members as some sort of a loyalty reward.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally posted by las3888
. . . we will never get what we really deserve . . .

1) You bought a time-share.
2) Actually, you bought an interest in a lease.
3) You are given accommodations when they are available.
4) You were not promised anything else when you bought.
5) Thus, you got everything you bought.
6) Therefore, you got everything you deserve.



PERSONAL OPINION: I still cannot figure out why people get so greedy and expect more than they bought. Just because it is a Disney timeshare does not mean you bought a piece of Disney - at the best you bought a part of a lease from Disney. If Disney thought you would REALLY buy more if you were given discounts, they would give discounts. But, no one can show this, and no one here has presented a case showing how much more they would spend YEAR-AFTER-YEAR. If you want discounts, prepare quantifiable evidence of increased sales and increased profits, then present your case. Get over it.

 

[DebbieB]

I know I look at the discount list when deciding where to eat. Since we always have a rental car, we sometimes go offsite to eat because Disney restaurants are so overpriced. There are many restaurants in the Crossroads/Premium Outlet area that are a quick drive, especially from SSR or OKW.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Everyone enjoys discounts and I am happy with the dining discounts we receive.I would love an AP discount too. But,everything The Rusty Scupper posted is right on,we got what we deserve and what we paid for.

 

[las3888]

If discounts are to be given, they should be given to Disney's best customers...I would say DVCers would qualify for that. The point isn't so much what we aren't getting, but why are others getting discounts that we aren't?

I don't want to make this a bigger deal than it is - I am not going to sell my points, and I am perfectly happy with my purchase, however, we all know Disney offers discounts to certain groups and probably some elite groups that we know nothing about. I agree with the other posters in that we have paid quite a bit, so I would think we would qualify for the higher end of people to get discounts.

If Disney gave nobody discounts, period, end of story, I wouldn't expect any, and I wouldn't be expressing this opinion.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper
But, no one can show this, and no one here has presented a case showing how much more they would spend YEAR-AFTER-YEAR. If you want discounts, prepare quantifiable evidence of increased sales and increased profits, then present your case. Get over it.

Seems kind of silly to expect anyone here to perform cost accounting for the Disney Corp or provide a spreadsheet projection of their Disney spending for the next ten years.

I can tell you from personal experience that the lack of discounts for repeat guests/DVCers has been a real anti-incentive for our family to do extra Disney spending. And, we have stuck to that.

For the most part, we give ourselves the biggest discount by limiting our spending on all the overpriced merchandise at DTD. I'd advise others who feel the same way, to do the same. Disney is a business so you need to treat them like any other business.

Business is business!!

 

[CapeCodFam]

I'm already getting a heck of a discount by being in DVC. Disney knows I'm going to keep coming home and spend lots each time. Why would they take less if they don't have to?

For me, I'm thanking Disney for allowing me to get deluxe accomodations at a value price. IMO, that's the best reward to loyal customers.

 

[Doug7856]

Originally posted by tjkraz
...I can't see a 10% shopping discount (which I already get as an AP holder) inducing me to spend any more or less money on souvenirs.

We have always had a discount for World of Disney when we were members of the Disney Club (and the Magic Kingdom Club before that) and when we used our AMEX. On our last trip, we significantly cut our expenditures at World of Disney because of the lack of discount. I know it is only 10%, but it is difficult to have a benefit removed and not be a tad bit offended LOL. We have certainly reduced the amount of time shopping at the other Downtown Disney locations that also honored the discount.

I know that the loss of a few sales from me won’t change the policy at World of Disney, but I can hope can't I?

 

[NUHuskies#1]

AP Holders aren't the only ones that get at discount at WOD at DTD. If you book a DW pkg through AAA you get a Diamond Card which entitles you to a 10% discount there. I know because I got this last August. It's a nice little perk- I was missing my Disney Club discount. I'd like to see the comparison of people who book their travel to WDW through AAA and get the pass and those who travel to WDW by way of DVC. Im sure AAA must book thousands per year. A special discount priviledge for DVCers would be a nice benefit of membership.

BTW- I am in the process of purchasing at SSR and finding out a lot by reading these boards.- Thank you!