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

[CVW]

I'll stick by what I said earlier. The best way to effect good discounts is to vote with our feet and with our dollars. Do everything in Orlando EXCEPT Disney.

Seriously, why don't the rest of you do that? ALL OF YOU! DON'T SPEND ANY MORE MONEY AT THE DISNEY! LEAVE THE RESORT! STOP BUYING PASSES! DISNEY WILL FINALLY GET THE MESSAGE AND GIVE US SOME DECENT DISCOUNTS!!!!

(Sorry, but I can't join you. We prefer to stay on property and go to their parks. But I'll be thinking about you! And I'll start a really nice "thank you" thread when you get me a discount.)

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by DVCPAT
How has Disney stock performed over the past 5 years? I don’t think Disney always hits the nail on the head.

Cha..Ching!!

Thanks for adding some reality for those who think all Disney's business/marketing strategies are always so successful.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by Dean
Also, I don't know of any DVC discounts that are 20% at Disney owned restaurants, only at the Starwood hotels.

Actually DVC members get 20% off LUNCH at Chefs de France, Restaurant Marrakesh & Nine Dragons at EPCOT.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DVCPAT
How has Disney stock performed over the past 5 years? I don’t think Disney always hits the nail on the head.

I never said they were successful at this, I only quoted what they are doing. Just because I understand how they do things, does not mean I approve of the way they do things.

Until Eisner is gone, you won't see much success.

 

[gjw007]

Originally posted by MisterDisney
Lets try avoid being overly gullible here people. WIth the utmost respect, if you own a business, are you going to invest your marketing dollars giving customers who are already heavily committed over a long time-horizon discounts or spend that same money trying to lure in new paying customers?? Whats so hard to understand here? it : )

You need to consider this question then. How much does it cost to retain customers than it is to attract new customers? Statistics have shown that it is more costly to attract customers than it is to retain customers. For Disney, the question is how much they value the DVC members. It isn't a question of them being captive as they still have options (don't buy Disney products, eat at off-site restaraunts, use the kitchen facilities, etc) but a question of Disney trying to retain customers who have shown that they will spend money on Disney products and to induce them to come back more often and make more purchases.

I go to Orlando 2 or 3 times a year for a week or two at a time but mostly only go to Disney 4 or 5 days total. This year I purchased a annual pass based on the annual pass covering the parking fees and the 10% off at the World of Disney figuring that the difference in savings on my usual purchases at the WOD and parking will help justify going to the park more often. By giving this "perk" to an existing customer, it helps Disney achieve greater revenues as I will be spending more time at the parks and spending more money there. Not giving DVC members the "perk" won't stop DVC members from going to Disney but giving the "perk" will help induce them to go more often in which case you have customers who spend money at Disney spending even more. It also might help add-on-itis to the DVC properties.

 

[gjw007]

 

[gjw007]

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Actually DVC members get 20% off LUNCH at Chefs de France, Restaurant Marrakesh & Nine Dragons at EPCOT.

Thanks for correcting. Since we Mac people can't get into the site now it is making it more difficult. Still, the principle applies that it's still a somewhat limited benefit. Though, as I've said before, I think the dining perks overall are at the highest they've been for DVC members. Hopefully they will keep adding to it.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by MisterDisney
Lets try avoid being overly gullible here people. WIth the utmost respect, if you own a business, are you going to invest your marketing dollars giving customers who are already heavily committed over a long time-horizon discounts or spend that same money trying to lure in new paying customers?? Whats so hard to understand here?

Everyone here presumably already has a great deal with DVC, I cant understand what motive DIsney has to cut its own profits just "because" you would like it. Even funnier is how people are trying to understandably "stretch" their points by staying standard view and forgoing weekends in favor a cheaper DIsney resort - which results in these guests staying even LONGER and putting MORE money into the Disney profit chest. Disney doesnt need to lure DVC people in, they are already lured in...

Also, AP holders are committed for one year. They must be lured back, there is no motive to market much to DVC members because they are under contract for no less than 40 more years !!!

I'll say it again, members already have a good deal, lets not push it : )

I did not get a "great deal" in my purchase of DVC. If it had been a great deal, we would not have considered it for 2 years prior to purchasing. We would not have run the numbers every which-way to be sure that we were doing the right thing. I consider our DVC purchase a fair deal. Between initail outlay and the annual maint costs, it is a pretty expensive vaccation (but we did feel it was something we wanted to do). That was a side issue for me about part of your post. Now, to the subject at hand:

You are making the assumption that all DVC members spend money at Disney. Believe me, they do need to "lure" this DVC member. We do not spend much money at Disney, and IF they offered better discounts, this DVC member would spend more.

Just curious. With your suggestion of us not pushing it, what do you think is going to happen? Take back our membership?

Moo

PS I saw that you had a low post count. Welcome! This is such a heated issue that comes up so often.

 

[MisterDisney]

Originally posted by Dean
Many businesses give a discount to their best customers. They realize that it's the proper thing to do and they will win out in the long run. It costs money to recruit a new customer so they can pass that on to the existing customers. 10-40% discounts are not uncommon in sales whether it be the local parts place, lawn mower sales or appliances. But each situation will be different and there is obviously a break point. Satisfied customers are also your best source of referrals. It just doesn't make sense to nickel and dime larger groups of people that are some of your best customers. But obviously one must balance the books at the end of the year as well.

Again, not an entitlement, just common sense, at least to me.

I'll say it again, Disney has DVC members already committed for the next 40 years +. I dont know of many other businesses whether it be airlines, lawnmower sales, or whatever other businesses you reference which have that kind of committment from the customer that give big perks.

Also, to another poster, all you have to do is read these boards and then decide how many people consider their investment/purchase a great deal ...


And to another poster, "how much does Disney value their customers?", you must reverse this question and honestly ask yourselves "how much do their customers value DIsney"? The answer is quite compelling. For many of the customers, Disney is the only place that gives them the specific product that they want (not many here seem to view US, IOA, SeaWorld as a VIABLE alternative). NOt many businesses can get away with this philosophy, but apparently where DVC members are concerned they can given the demand for their product at this time.

Interesting topic, I suppose we must agree to disagree.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Yes, welcome new poster, MisterDisney! For a newbee, you seem to have some knowledge of Disney and a passion for DVC. And, you have your own opinion on how one should view their DVC membership.
Also, what people post here may not be an accurate representation of the whole DVC member group.
I'm a big Disney fan, but, IMO, that shouldn't stop me from questioning if everything Disney/DVC does is in my best interests. Yes, I like the "product", but there's always room for improvement and change. Why not try to satisfy your long-term customer too? I think good businesses, including Disney, always consider feedback--from all of their customers.
Yes, I've always preferred WDW over other parks--especially now, as I have young children. But, I don't want to be taken for granted. Gosh, just because I'm a fan, (and I guess a "guaranteed"? customer for the next 38 years) I won't stay in silent "awe" over the next few years. We're just expressing opinions here...it doesn't mean that Disney or DVC is going to do anything additional for us.
And with that thought, things can change. Disney needs to remember that all we purchased was a real-estate interest. Disney shouldn't feel entitled to have DVCers as customers of their parks and restaurants.

 

[CVW]

Would meaningful discounts confer a measure of goodwill to their base? Absolutely. Would that goodwill result in more revenue for Disney? Very difficult to say.

Most of us reading these boards drive cars which are worth even more than our DVC membership. I never receive any kind of discount or preferred treatment by the car dealer after my purchase. The only exceptions would be 1) ten free oil changes, but that was used as an enticement BEFORE I purchased, or 2) discount coupons to their service department, but that's because they need the business.

Universal Studios notwithstanding, Disney has no real competition for their product. There are hundreds of ski resort timeshares, Hawaii timeshares, Florida coast timeshares, even Orlando timeshares.

If Universal builds two more theme parks, a couple of waterparks and a couple of golf courses, the DVC discounts might improve.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by MisterDisney
Snip....
For many of the customers, Disney is the only place that gives them the specific product that they want (not many here seem to view US, IOA, SeaWorld as a VIABLE alternative). NOt many businesses can get away with this philosophy, but apparently where DVC members are concerned they can given the demand for their product at this time.

Interesting topic, I suppose we must agree to disagree.

Again, that is a certainly not our circumstance. We hold USF APs (and have for the past 3 years). And we were going to purchase an AP from WDW if they gave us a discount (one that would make me return to buying them), but we will probably buy our first Seaworld AP this year if they do not offer the DVC discount. Yes, there certainly are alternatives to WDW. Food and entertainment.

Yup, I will agree to disagree

 

[Tink03477]

Originally posted by icy-dog
I don't know if anyone has said this because this is a huge thread and I am just too lazy to read it all, but we joined in 1992 and got free passes into all the parks until 1999. We kind of took them for granted and now that I pay my own way, and many times the whole freight for family members, I really understand the value of those passes. We have only rented a studio once so we had four passes at our disposal for 8 years. (A studio got 2 passes but anything larger got 4). I wish we had taken my grandkids more, they only went once then, and didn't waste our time with one bdrms for only the two of us. When we did that, which was all the time, we let two passes go begging. We are talking about a week at a time about three times a year. Yikes, were we ever stupid. Since then we inherited a small house in St Augustine so we now get seasonal annual passes, but even they cost us around $600 for three of us and you can't use them in popular visiting periods like summer,Christmas and Easter.

Well, it looks like DVC did give free passes at one time, and for quite a long time too. I wonder if anyone else was able to enjoy this wonderful perk here on the DISBoards? From what Icy-dog has said, there is hope that something may come our way for Passes. I don't think to this extent of course, but maybe something to encourge me to renew my AP's. As a previous poster said, there are other options besides Disney. I do stay at the US hotels and purchases passes as well. An AP for them generates awesome savings and FOTL as well. I don't mind splitting my stay. SeaWorld and DC are on my list of things to do as well. Disney will always be on my iternary, just not the only destination all the time.

 

[tjkraz]

Well, I've said my peace on this issue. IMO, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that if you get 20 DVC members in a room and question them, you've goint to get 20 different answers as to what is "fair":

Some want more shopping discounts...
...some want more dining discounts...
...some want AP discounts...
...some want PHP discounts...
...some want discounts on all of the above...
...some think the current discounts are adequate...
...some think that Disney is this big, stinking heartless vaccuum that will suck all of the money out of your pockets regardless.

As Winston Churchill said "...you can't please all of the people all of the time."

The only question I have for those who think that the current discount programs are inadequate is this: What are you going to do about it?

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Tink03477
Well, it looks like DVC did give free passes at one time, and for quite a long time too. I wonder if anyone else was able to enjoy this wonderful perk here on the DISBoards? From what Icy-dog has said, there is hope that something may come our way for Passes.

Don't hold your breath. The free APs were only offered for a very short time when sales began in 1992 / 93. The agreement included a clause that the perk would end in 1999.

It would be incorrect to assume that everyone who purchased from 1992 - 1999 received this perk. It didn't take long for DVC to realize that they didn't need to include the free passes in order to sell points, and they removed it from future contracts. In the 11-12 years since, DVC has not offered any discounts on APs to members.

That doesn't mean a discount won't materialize someday, but I don't see the above as necessarily being any indication that DVC is open to the idea.

 

[childsplay]

Originally posted by tjkraz
The only question I have for those who think that the current discount programs are inadequate is this: What are you going to do about it?

The next time I'm at WOD I'm going to add up my total purchases and shop lift an item(s) equal to 10% of the total

Seriously though, I think the discounts are right about where they should be......

 

[CVW]

Originally posted by tjkraz
As Winston Churchill said "...you can't please all of the people all of the time."

Actually it was Lincoln. And it was "fool".
_______________________

"If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens,
you can never regain their respect and esteem.
It is true that you may fool all the people some of the time;
you can even fool some of the people all of the time;
but you can´t fool all of the people all the time."
________________________

To which I will paraphrase:

"If you once forfeit the 20 grand of your bank account,
you can never regain the respect and esteem and Disney.

The may give discounts to all of the members some of the time; and free passes to some of the members all of time; but they'll never give good discounts to all the members all the time."

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the correction, CVW. I've seen the quote attributed to Churchill many times, obviously incorrectly. Add one more time to the list.

 

[CVW]

No problem. As Ronald Reagan said, "To err is human."