Why do I feel like a 2nd class citizen?

[DebbieB]

Another part of the equation is DVC wants to sell new resorts. One way they could "sweeten the deal" would be to offer members more perks, making new members more likely to buy. Problem with that is, they are not having a problem selling new resorts. The price per point is over $100 and they are still selling out everything they build. Why would they throw money back?

 

[hakepb]

I don't see what anyone is complaining about.
Weekend nights in 2011 use 40% less points than 2009. You asked for a discount, you get it!

 

[TagsMissy]

I am very sorry you feel that way; however the deals Disney is offering isn't valid to everybody but DVC owners. As owners we can make the choice to book any of the deals if we want to.

 

[manning]

Chuck, while I agree with you, this is just another way of saying-

"We already got your money, so now we can treat you like second class citizens."

MG

They already have our money that has already been spent, but they don't have our future money.

 

[linney94]

Just browsing this very "lively" debate(as always) regarding DVC or non DVC, and I am amazed at so many abbreviations that I have absolutly no knowledge of!"AP/PAPs discount,MYW , TIW , what are these? and how on earth do you all find out about them? How do they benefit members( I am a member of DVC 16 years now) and have never been made aware of any of this.Would really appreciate some feedback, thank you all. Linney

 

[dmoore22]

Just browsing this very "lively" debate(as always) regarding DVC or non DVC, and I am amazed at so many abbreviations that I have absolutly no knowledge of!"AP/PAPs discount,MYW , TIW , what are these? and how on earth do you all find out about them? How do they benefit members( I am a member of DVC 16 years now) and have never been made aware of any of this.Would really appreciate some feedback, thank you all. Linney

AP/PAP = Annual Pass/Premium Annual Pass
MYW = Magic Your Way tickets
TIW = Tables in Wonderland dining discount card

AP/PAP discount information is provided at dvcmember.com and the "unofficial" Disney sites like wdwinfo.com and allears.net

MYW information can be found at the official disney.go site and, again, the unofficlal sites. MYW discounts can be found at mousesavers.com

Tables in Wonderland (formerly the Disney Dining Experience) can be located at the Annual Passholders website and, again the unofficial sites previously mentioned.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I don't normally use these boards to whine, but today I have to admit I'm feeling a little bit blue. (And that's saying a lot since we're leaving in less than three weeks for WDW and I'm so excited I can barely see straight!)

I was so disappointed to see that Disney is continuing to offer deep discounts to pretty much anyone and everyone, with the exception of us. (Us being DVCers.) We continue to receive less, while others get more. And we're the ones who deserve it!

I know, I know. Disney is a business. They need revenue anywhere they can get it and they already have our money. Yadda yadda yadda. But would it really kill them to take care of their loyal followers - just a little bit?

Thanks for letting me vent. That was all I really needed. Disney, if you're listening, we'd like just a small bit of recognition here if you can muster it.

What kind of discounts are you really looking for? We already paid for our rooms at a price that doesn't go up... so when rooms are at premium prices you are getting a much better deal. Disney has no incentive to give free dining for pre-paid rooms... Besides, if you do the math and rent the points out that you would have used and booked cash for the specials, rarely do you get a better deal for equivalent rooms. I checked during the 4 for 7 deal and DVC points was the best way to go unless I wanted a "lesser" room at a moderate instead of a room at BLT or BCV or BWV. Since I'd rather have the nicer room, it was a no brainer for me.

They have cut and added perks... ultimately, I love the fact that we get such a deep discount on the APs. This is something that disney doesn't have to do, although it is smart business as it helps get DVCers down more often.

Would I love to see DIsney change some things? Sure... A loyalty points program for all Disney customers would be fantastic... points for passes, hotel stays, DVC purchases, etc. I think Disney is extremely shortsighted in not doing this, but I'm not running the show (although my ego and fantasies tell me I'd run it better than the people running it now... ) so its not my call. I'd love for Disney to reign in the ticket increases... yes it does bother me that Disney has doubled Single day tickets in price since 1998, while it took double that team to reach that level before. It really bothers me when many of the new rides lack the innovation that the old ones did and could be so much better.

But that doesn't mean I think they should discount me because I'm DVC. I, like many others, just feel the product is not nearly as good as it used to be, even if I still enjoy it. And ultimately, I'm part of the problem because, despite all the garbage Disney does lately, I still go back and give them my money. THey have no reason to change until a large majority force change. Which I doubt will happen.

 

[yitbos96bb]

They already have our money that has already been spent, but they don't have our future money.

True, but think of it this way... if you don't use those points, they can rent the rooms out. If you trade them away, the person getting the room spends money. If you come, you have to spend money. You may spend less because you are mad, but they will ALWAYS get their ticket money and already have the hotel money. So the biggest elements are already in their pocket.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Another part of the equation is DVC wants to sell new resorts. One way they could "sweeten the deal" would be to offer members more perks, making new members more likely to buy. Problem with that is, they are not having a problem selling new resorts. The price per point is over $100 and they are still selling out everything they build. Why would they throw money back?

Essentially, they are addicts for our money and we gladly enable them... or we are addicts for the product and gladly give them our money. Either way, our actions make it an easy decision for them.

 

[yitbos96bb]

"practically giving away?" I don't think so. The AP discount is a better deal than the "3 for free" promotion. Paying the rack rate to get free dining is a wash. It's a variation of the "loss leader" business concept except there is no "loss leader." DVC has been very good for us. DVC allows us to make two visits to WDW (12 nights each) for just a little more than the "discounted" cost of a 7 day package. Since our ownership has been paid off for some time we are now past the break-even point on the excel analysis. Our costs are now diminishing (just the MFs) which translates into a 79% discount on the rack rate.



We've been DVC owners for nearly 10 years. We remember when the perks were minimal, ie. dining discounts at the parks/resorts and merchandise discounts at select locations in DTD.( It was a sad day when Virgin MegaStore closed.) There are so many more perks now than there were 10 years ago, even 5 years ago. We have certainly gained more than we have lost in the time we've owned DVC. I feel anything but second class.

Off topic... but I'm jealous of the fact you get to take two 12 day trips to Disney per year... Wish I could do that

Oh well, if my lotto ticket pays off...

 

[Nikisha421]

I know everyone just wants an appreciation gift every now and then

 

[manning]

True, but think of it this way... if you don't use those points, they can rent the rooms out. If you trade them away, the person getting the room spends money. If you come, you have to spend money. You may spend less because you are mad, but they will ALWAYS get their ticket money and already have the hotel money. So the biggest elements are already in their pocket.

Not from me. I basically use DVC as lodging now. OKW is a great place to kick back and relax. Now if they want me to spend money there, and I will pay for it, is to give me value for my money. When WDW first open it was expensive but they gave you your moneys worth. Disney didn't give anything away but you came back because they knew how to put on a great show.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We already paid for our rooms at a price that doesn't go up...

Huh?? Over the life of your DVC contract the largest expense by far will be annual dues. They will indeed go up, sometimes faster than a hotel room.

MG

 

[fishermouse]

Keep in mind that any "perk" DVC gives us must be paid for, the only way to do that is through dues. The perks we do get intice us to spend more money, the AP discount is a huge savings and something no one else gets. There is a special resident price but that's to get the locals in. We also get up to 20% at a lot of resturants, the spa and T-times..

We can't judge our value based on what someone else gets, I got what I consider a good deal for me if someone else does better good for them.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Keep in mind that any "perk" DVC gives us must be paid for, the only way to do that is through dues.

I'm not so sure about that..
If we pay for it it's no longer a perk. We get roughly $100 off our AP. That is negotiated, not paid for with dues. Heck, if it was paid for I would be completely hosed ---> Only two people, but 1400 points worth of dues!

MG

 

[Deb & Bill]

The only reason Disney is "giving away the store" is that the rooms aren't filled and they want people to fill them. So they offer discounts.

Why are they offering all the incentives on BTL and AKV? To get people to buy points or buy add-on contracts.

 

[Goofy DVC]

For me I look at the perks differently. When we joined there was only OKW.My greatest perk is the ability to stay at all those other wonderful resorts with my OKW points.I'm not an owner at any other resort but have stayed at BW,BCV,BLT and SSR. When we joined none of this was shared because noone knew. We all know disney could have structured each DVC completely different. What a great perk. Thank You

 

[Slakk]

I now tell people who ask me about buying to forget ANY perk given to DVC - do not assume you get an AP discount because it may be gone tomorrow like Valet Parking.

Instead ask yourself if over the length of contract would you be happy with the worst room at your home resort and maybe even not at the specified date you want and if this would still make you smile then DVC is for you.

If you like short weekend trips and love bargain hunting DVC is probably not for you.

 

[TisBit]

You can also look at the discount times for DVC. Most people don't think of it this way, but the seasons provide a discount, if you are willing to travel off season you can save a ton of points.....same as with cash rooms, off season you can get discounts or free dining. Any time you are booking a room for less than someone does at another time, its a discount.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You can also look at the discount times for DVC. Most people don't think of it this way, but the seasons provide a discount, if you are willing to travel off season you can save a ton of points.....same as with cash rooms, off season you can get discounts or free dining. Any time you are booking a room for less than someone does at another time, its a discount.

Cash ressies through CRO also have seasons.

MG