Why are we treated so poorly????

[WDWguru]

Okay everybody, let's take a breath here. I'm a newbie to DVC, but not to travel and I think that's what's at the root of this.

Airlines reward frequent flyers with all kinds of bonuses, upgrades, free companion certificates, etc. Hotel chains, car rental agencies and many other travel-related companies do the same. Therefore, I think the expectation of perks has some basis in reality.

Granted, we all knew when we bought in that it was or wasn't part of the deal. However, if Disney were to start any type of frequent visitor reward program, AP holders and DVC owners would be a natural place to start. It certainly couldn't hurt them. Many times over our dozens of visits DH and I (who are both frequent travellers for work and pleasure) have mused as to why Disney does or does not institute more perks for frequent visitors.

Bottom line is, they don't really NEED to. Perhaps with the current economy they'll consider it. I'm perfectly happy without it (as evidenced by the 400 points we purchased this week!) but it sure would be a nice goodwill gesture to those of us who plan to keep coming for 40 more years.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[robinb]

I think it's time to stop crying like selfish individuals.

My, my, my.

I think that the OP has a point. We DVC members bought into the magic for the next 40 years and IMO a discount on park passes is not an unreasonable request. We are frequent visitors and in the travel business frequent visitors often get discounts. Look at airlines and hotels, for instance. I have enough miles on AA to fly to Europe and enough Hilton points to stay there for 6 nights free.

IMO, Disney is really shooting themselves in the foot here by not offering better park pass discounts. I have an AP (bought with my $29 DC card) and I don't think I have even walked into a park without buying something. Maybe it's just a popcorn and a coke, but that's $5.50 from my pocket into the big 3-fingered glove. It's to Disney's advantage to get guests into the parks so they will spend money once they're there. If we go someplace else our money is spent someplace else.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just putting in my "amen" to the statement that we bought a real estate timeshare, not entertainment at WDW. On the other hand, if you stop visiting WDW on your trips, you will be cutting off your nose to spite your face. Fewer people taking part in the WDW activities means less available. Be part of the solution, not add to the problem.

 

[Jimbo]

Gram OKW, the original poster, said:

This is simply the straw breaking the camel's back for me. When I purchases in 97 I felt very special just to be a part of this "magic". Right now I'm feeling very used.

But there wasn't a DVC discount on passes when you purchased in 1997. I know, because that's when we purchased too. In fact there has never been a discount on anything other than length-of-stay/UMP passes. So I truly don't understand how, five years later, this can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Did anyone ever hint that this discount even existed?

More likely, the straw is actually the fact that the Magic Kingdom Club card has been replaced by the Disney Club card. But that's a totally different can of worms, and impacts everyone, not just DVC members.

 

[nuthut]

There has never been a DVC discount for passes. Why would you expect one now? I say if you are so upset about something that never was then sell your membership and go somewhere else to vacation. Why complain about nothing? Take action and sell!!!

 

[mikek]

Most times when this comes up, people compare DVC owners to frequent fliers. In Disney's mind we are far from that.

Frequent fliers, fly alot but might use any one of many airlines. In other words they have competition and the frequent flier programs are a hook to keep you with them. We all vacation alot but for the most part its already at disney since thats the best value for your points. So in there mind they have no compettition for our $$$.

Annual pass holders are more like frequent fliers. THey can jump ship and buy IOA or BG passes at anytime. So there is competition and siney affords AP holders discounts to keep 'em hooked.

As others have posted, the only way to make them realize there is competition is to make it be known we are going to Universal or wherever INSTEAD OF WDW. Unfortunately I think I'm like most, and am basically married to them and they know it. We usually go for more than 8 or 9 days in a 365 day period so its a no- brainer for us to buy AP's as that would be the cheapest. Since we've joined we havent stepped foot in another orlando park because of it. It's hard for me to muster the bucks to go to someplace else when the disney parks are already paid for with the AP.

I'd love for them to 'do the right thing' and spot me a discount, but i dont expect it to happen ever.

I suppose they discount the LOS to get people who only plan on a few days a year to 'upgrade' from hoppers and spend more.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Many companies offer incentives to entice customers, and I think Disney should do the same. I believe Disney views DVC members as a "captive audience". I'm an owner at DVC, but a customer of WDW. Disney should keep that in mind as they offer deep discounts on hotels to entice non-DVC vacationers, they should also try to capture more of my vacation dollars by enticing me to visit their parks. Nothing wrong with hoping for a discount, but it is better to write WDW and let them know you're unhappy. I'm sure they will add your letter to their "captive audience" file.

Personally, I plan on requesting and receiving my park discount by NOT visiting the parks this year. I will vacation at VWL or BCV, but not at the WDW parks. Every other year or so, I will be getting a 100% discount on my annual pass...........After all, as it always gets pointed out to people who like the idea of a better DVC pass discount, I only purchased a real estate interest, not a guarantee for a discounted park pass.

Hope your able to make the best of your situation.

 

[kamgen]

It is real simple...DVC does not NEED to offer us discounts, we go ANYWAY.

By joining DVC, we all told Disney we would keep coming back....and no discounts were involved in that. SO, why should they offer them when they know we'll show up without them??
JMHO.

Kamy

 

[OKW Gram]

Ed T: Just to let you know, I have already cleaned my house! Frankly I don't know what that has to do with my comments about the pricing of park passes. And I also want you to know that I don't treat CM's rudely at all. Quite to the contrary - I treat them with respect. And wherever called for I tip them well. I do not hold them responsible for decisions made by the "corporate Disney".

I also resent being classified as selfish as some others have implied. As none of these people know me at all, other than a few postings here on this board, I find these aqcusations uncalled for. Quite to the contrary, I am a very generous and caring person. I am also a very generous and caring person who is entitled to her opinion. When people on this board talk about various subjects that always seem to get someone's collar up (i.e. pool hopping, elimination of early entry, etc) I just read the posts and go on. I may not agree with their point of view, but it is just that - someone's point of view. And they are entitled to it. I don't understand why some people get upset of the EE going away, but that's
because I've never used it and probably never will. But for those that do use it I guess it is a very important perk. Up until this year I have been able to get a discount on my park passes - for whatever reason. And now that's gone away for me.

I am simply stating my point of view on the subject of discounts on park passes. From the replys it appears that we basically have two schools of thought. One group feels we do not deserve them and the other group feels we should have them in some manner or form. I obviously belong in the second group. That does not make me a selfish person. Others have given examples of various types of perks available to frequent travelers.

And just to clarify something to all - I love my DVC ownership. I love going to WDW and experiencing the magic that happens there. But that has nothing to do with my opinion that we "should" be getting better deals on park passes. As others have stated, it probably won't happen unless Disney really gets crunched in this economy and uses it as a drawing card.

I will not post again on this subject as I feel that some people are misconstruing my point. I have certainly learned one thing - don't suggest that Disney might not be "playing fair". I think park passes should be discounted for ALL of the DVC owners as a goodwill gesture on the part of Disney. I must say it baffles me why someone would NOT think that to be a good idea.

Amen from me.

 

[raidermatt]

There is no "should" or "entitlement" when it comes to discounts on park passes, or discounts at TDS. Just as there is no "should" when it comes to where we spend our vacation dollars.

If us DVC'ers are going to Disney parks without the discounts, there won't be any discounts. Its just that simple.

my reward is that I must ultimately pay more for my pass than a casual visitor to the Kingdom.

Simply not true. We are free to pursue the same discounts as anyone else. We can join the Club, join the military, whatever. Or we can use our 10% LOS discount.

OKW, clearly you purchased DVC with false expectations. While I understand you would be happiest if Disney met those expectations, its just not going to happen right now. If you feel that Disney needs to discount in order for you to get enough value for you $$$, then perhaps you should spend your money somewhere that you feel offers you a better value. If enough DVC'ers do the same, Disney will get the message. Personally, I get better value for a full price Disney ticket than I get from a discounted ticket anywhere else I've been, but that's just me.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Johnnie Fedora: I agree. Our AP expired 12-9-01 after 3 trips. When we go in May, we won't be going to the parks. Over the course of several trips we've compiled a list of things we say we're going to do "next" time,but never do them. Well,this May we're going to hit them all. I doubt very seriously if Disney will get a single $ from us unless we head over for some tonga toast.

 

[PamOKW]

I don't think anyone here would be opposed to getting a discount. More power to folks who want to continue to pursue this with DVC. I've fought the battle too long and now just figure it into the cost of my trip. APs work best and I keep up my DC membership to get that discount

There is a lot of "fine print" involved with DVC and lots of folks don't seem to take the time to read it. Also, sometimes a CM makes a mistakes and gives us a discount DVC doesn't really qualify for.

We are not entitled to a discount at the Disney store on ticket media or gift certificates. We are not entitlted to a discount from the Disney catalog or on-line. We don't get a discount at the World of Disney.

We get a discount on the LOS when staying on points and we can purchase that special 5 year pass (anyone done that?). None of these have ever worked for me. I would actually be happy to receive either the same DC discount and/or a reduced price to purchase the DC membership.

The only thing I didn't understand in this original post was the sudden outrage. If you've been getting the passes on your DVC card then this has been an error....consider yourself lucky. Also, the MKC was never free for many of us. Only if your employer offered the card was it free. Even Disney stockholders only got a discount on membership, not a free card. Nothing has changed from 1997 in terms of the ticket discounts to suddenly create a reason to want out of DVC. I understand wanting/hoping for DVC to come through but I gave up on this pipe dream when AK opened and we had no discount (even though MKC and AP holders were given ways to add on to their tickets). Maybe DVC will add something if they need an incentive for the new ventures....

 

[DeeP]

One thing that always confuses me when this topic comes up over and over again is this: DVC members go to WDW usually several times a year for a lot more than a few days at a time, so why would you even bother with hoppers when you can get so much more for your money with an Annual Pass? Since we have become DVC members, we spend 30-40 days per year at WDW our APs are really a bargain when you break down the cost per day for access into 4 theme parks. Also you get a discount when renewing your AP and if you have a DC you can get a further discount. DVC is giving us our discounts by the great discounts we get on our wonderful accomendations and will continue to get for the next 40 years, DVC is about accomendations not passes. Annual Passes give you a great discount on park passes and renewals because APs are about park passes not accomendations. They are 2 seperate animals and both are fulfilling whatever we were promised/sold when we signed on the dotted line or bought the AP at the ticket window. I have also thought and stated this before, for a DVC member to say they will now only use DVC to stay in and will spend their money at other Orlando attractions, is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. You will still be spending money to get into other Orlando attractions (other than the beach and also many of the other Orlando attractions are not as nice as WDW) and whatever little if any $ you save it will be eaten up in the cost of renting a car to get to these other attractions, gas, tolls, parking etc. To each his own, but it makes no sense to me.

 

[KNWVIKING]

... We plan our trips to get 3 trips on our AP's- basically weeks 1 + 2,weeks 25 + 26 and weeks 51 + 52 of a full 52 week year, and this is the cheapest vacations we can do. However, with our next 52 week cycle beginning in May, we will not be able to get a week 51-52 trip in. So rather then renew our AP's in May and only get two trips, we are going to do all those other things that we don't do when we have the AP's. Sure we're going to spend money on all the things you listed but I still think it's money better spent then only getting two AP trips in, plus we get to do & see new things. I also suspect WDW will offer a water park special in May 2002 like they did in 2001: For the price of a one day pass to TL or BB you got a 14 pass to all 3 water parks. So maybe WDW will get a few more of my $$$'s.

 

[Simba1]

I guess another question to those of you that feel an entitlement should ask yourselves is "why did you become a DVC member to begin with?" It wasn't for the discounts on the passes, was it?

 

[Towncrier]

AP's and how they work (or don't work) for us:

We generally make one trip a year to WDW for 12 nights. We have been trying to adjust our scheduled trip so that we can get two years use out of a single AP. Regardless of whether or not we can do this, the break even point for an AP is around 8 days so we will continue to use this type of pass on our WDW trips.

As far as "freebies" go, I realize that one way or another we have to pay for anything that DVC gives us whether it be cheaper passes or other such discounts. The only way that this might not be the case would be if DVC can negotiate a better pass price for us with Disney based entirely on our numbers (60,000 and growing). I remember once hearing something about "no such thing as a free lunch" or something to that effect.

But I really do miss the days of the free passes. And if you don't ask, the answer is always no. There's no harm in asking, is there?

 

[PamOKW]

Towncrier -- Was there any mention about passes at the Annual Meeting?

 

[jcodespoti]

About this topic. If you read you contract you will see what we as owners have rights to. It looks like some of us did not. As a business owner I must look at the bottom line in my business what makes me the most money now as well as any potential profits. We who own at dvc purchased the "right to use" the accomadations. Thats all, it does not say in the documents that I signed that Joe is entitiled to free passes, discounted passes (except what is currently offered). You must read what you sign and expect to get only what is in writing.


To me the most expensive part of Disney is the room (except for the Allstars resort) the parks are actually cheap IMHO.

BUT SINCE DISNEY READS THESE POSTS: GIVE US FREE PASSES!!!


Joe in CT

 

[Dean]

I've read through this thread and I'm a little confussed. True the MKC is no more and in it's place is a DC which costs $39 ($29 for many) and gives similar discounts. While many have gotten discounts on passes at the Disney Store over the years using DVC, it was by mistake of the personel at the store and never intended as a benefit. I would agree that I believe DVC should offer some type of discount for many reasons, but I won't hold my breath. I'm still trying to figure out why one should be so upset over something that truly never was.

 

[TnRobin]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A reminder to not make this personal. We all are entitled to our opinions on this matter.