Why do I feel like a 2nd class citizen?

[wrighter]

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.

 

[Chuck S]

Interesting that you feel we "deserve" perks, discounts or special treatment, as not even stockholders receive discounts and benefits. If "free" dining with rack rate cash reservations, or a 40% lodging discounts (which is nothing unusual) seems like a better deal, go for it. Disney has no vested interest in giving DVCers perks and discounts, the dues (and thus resort operating expenses) are paid one way or another. Cash resorts rely on filling rooms to pay those expenses.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Interesting that you feel we "deserve" perks, discounts or special treatment, as not even stockholders receive discounts and benefits. If "free" dining with rack rate cash reservations, or a 40% lodging discounts (which is nothing unusual) seems like a better deal, go for it. Disney has no vested interest in giving DVCers perks and discounts, the dues (and thus resort operating expenses) are paid one way or another. Cash resorts rely on filling rooms to pay those expenses.

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

 

[mopee3]

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

Hey MG, not to get very far off target but have you received the latest edition of the Vacation Planner?? I know you are looking forward to it because it may pump you up and cause you to send Disney more money? Maybe you can tell me when to look for mine??

Moe

 

[dmoore22]

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.

I felt the same way until I did the math. One of the first laws of economics is "There is no such thing as a free lunch." In considering the incentives that Disney is periodically providing to fill rooms one needs to read the fine print. Whether its free DDP or "Stay for 4 get 3 Free" there are limitations such as travel between specific dates and paying the full rack rate. When one pays the rack rate and receives the "free" DDP the company is actually making up the difference in the nondiscounted room charges. Same with the 3 for free promotion. The savings are an illusion. Usually the AP room discounts are comparable if not better. I could not explain the issue any better than it is described in the following post:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=54

Unfortunately he/she did not factor in additional DVC perks, one example being the free internet access in the room which the non-DVC guest paying rack rate would have to pay.

The only other example that I could add is many DVC owners purchase AP/PAPs with their DVC discount. They can then take advantage of the AP room only discounts, which, depending on the accomodations they choose, can save one up to 45%. Using a 7 night MYW package at Caribbean Beach, for example, will run $3,098.31 for a family of 4. The same accomodations with the AP room only discount will run $909.70. Since we're using the AP discount at least one member of the party will need to be an AP holder. The cost of the AP will be $412.75 (DVC AP discount). The rest of the party is using the 7 day MYW at the discounted rate of $229.11 ($687.33 total). The total cost is then $2,011.32. In addition the AP holder may choose to purchase TIW which provides discounts on all food items, including libations, at select locations. And then there are the additional AP/PAP/DVC merchandise discounts at select sites throughout the "World" and DTD. There is a discount ripple effect that goes beyond the limits of the DDP. The free DDP discount may be the best discount there is for someone who is the occasional WDW visitor but not for the AP/PAP holder and DVC owner. Generally the later group makes multiple trips each year allowing them to benefit from the economies of scale, and in much nicer accommodations. I don't feel like a second class citizen. I feel like a VIP.

 

[ssawka]

Ok, here's the thing! If you were staying at one of the resorts at 40% off, would also expect Disney to give you free dining? Generally you can only take advantage of one dicount at a time. Since over the 50 years of the contract you will be receiving a large discount on the rooms you are staying in, that's the discount you have chosen. I don't understand wanting a discount on top of the discount you are already receiving for being a DVC member.

 

[jbrowna]

I don't get it. Is Disney somehow preventing people from taking advantage of the discounts they are offering? Do they see that someone owns DVC and say, "Sorry, you can't have that discount?" I mean, any one of us here can book a room at the standard rate and receive any discount offered: just call up Disney Reservations and book it!

It's just that some folks want to get the discounts while staying on points.... How could that be done? DVC can't book rooms at 40% off points, as that would violate the whole timeshare contract. So what kind of similar discount could Disney offer that would make OP and other folks happy? DVC folks already get free internet (as noted), dining discounts, discounts on Annual Passes. So what's the complaint? Again, any of us is free to call Disney Reservations and book a room anytime we want, and take advantage of any discount Disney is offering. Just like everyone else. So we have the same privileges as all those "other" people. But more. Don't we?

 

[wrighter]

OP here.

Certainly would never expect a *gasp* DISCOUNT from Disney! I'm not that thick! It's just hard to see them practically giving away Disney vacations to the public, all the while whiddling away our DVC perks on a slow and steady basis. That's all I meant.

 

[cseca]

OP here.

Certainly would never expect a *gasp* DISCOUNT from Disney! I'm not that thick! It's just hard to see them practically giving away Disney vacations to the public, all the while whiddling away our DVC perks on a slow and steady basis. That's all I meant.

I definitely understand...
But think about it this way, I booked my friend a room at Pop for $120/night for April... Yech!
I almost offered them to rent our points. But then realized that we didn't even have enough for ourselves

So yeah, I wish they'd give us some freebies here and there... who doesn't?
Heck, I get excited couponing for groceries! So yeah, one could wish right? Doesn't make it wrong...

 

[alady89]

I do see the points on both side.

I appreciate those whom can use the AP and save money. For those of us who can't, it would be nice to receive a 10% discount on the MYW tickets now that we are no longer buying packages and receining extra discounts.

I am not sure why, as timeshare owners, this discount could not be negotiated.

Instead, I end up finding a conference to attend for the afternoon just to buy conference tickets and save money for the whole family. I go to the conference for a few hours so my family can benefit. Would rather be in the parks but do what I have to in order to recieve my discount.

 

[Chuck S]

alady89 - another option for you may be to buy 10 non-expiring tickets and use them over several trips.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Ok, here's the thing! If you were staying at one of the resorts at 40% off, would also expect Disney to give you free dining? Generally you can only take advantage of one dicount at a time. Since over the 50 years of the contract you will be receiving a large discount on the rooms you are staying in, that's the discount you have chosen. I don't understand wanting a discount on top of the discount you are already receiving for being a DVC member.

I'm not sure what kind of deal you received on your DVC purchase, but we didn't get 40% off..
Just because we pay 40% less than a cash ressie is really irrelevant... That's the price of point, and we paid it in full.
When you book CRO, you pay the price of a room in full.. BUT they sweeten the pot. They don't have to sweeten the pot with DVCers, even though we paid full price. They already have our money.

That said, no I'm not entitled to anything, I knew what I was buying, yada yada yada...
I'm not complaining, and it really doesn't bother me. I'm just pointing out the facts.

MG

 

[DebbieB]

For my stay in early December last year, there was a free dining offer at the same time. So my options were to stay in a BWV boardwalk view 1 bedroom for 180 points for 6 nights or pay over $3,000 for the same room (well actually it would have probably been pool/garden view), buy 1 day tickets (have an AP) and get "free dining". It was me and a friend, so the dining plan would be worth about $500 for 6 nights (we didn't eat that much out of pocket). Comparing "apples to apples" (not including the view difference), which is the better deal?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't get it. Is Disney somehow preventing people from taking advantage of the discounts they are offering? Do they see that someone owns DVC and say, "Sorry, you can't have that discount?" I mean, any one of us here can book a room at the standard rate and receive any discount offered: just call up Disney Reservations and book it!

True... But not practical for many.
We have enough points to visit Disney as much as we would like. To purchase a CRO ressie would be wasting our points, and throwing money in the toilet.

MG

 

[DebbieB]

I'm not sure what kind of deal you received on your DVC purchase, but we didn't get 40% off..
Just because we pay 40% less than a cash ressie is really irrelevant... That's the price of point, and we paid it in full.
When you book CRO, you pay the price of a room in full.. BUT they sweeten the pot. They don't have to sweeten the pot with DVCers, even though we paid full price. They already have our money.

That said, no I'm not entitled to anything, I knew what I was buying, yada yada yada...
I'm not complaining, and it really doesn't bother me. I'm just pointing out the facts.

MG

I disagree that DVCers paid full price. I figure over the life of the contract, it's about a 60% discount vs cash reservations on the same room.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I disagree that DVCers paid full price. I figure over the life of the contract, it's about a 60% discount vs cash reservations on the same room.

We certainly did.
Now, if you do the math over the life of the contract your room will be less expensive when you use DVC vs CRO. That doesn't mean you received a discount on your DVC contract.

In addition, much of he price of the cheaper rooms would be eaten up if we had full cleanings every day.

MG

 

[dmoore22]

OP here.

Certainly would never expect a *gasp* DISCOUNT from Disney! I'm not that thick! It's just hard to see them practically giving away Disney vacations to the public,

"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.

all the while whiddling away our DVC perks on a slow and steady basis. That's all I meant.

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.

 

[DebbieB]

We certainly did.
Now, if you do the math over the life of the contract your room will be less expensive when you use DVC vs CRO. That doesn't mean you received a discount on your DVC contract.

In addition, much of he price of the cheaper rooms would be eaten up if we had full cleanings every day.

MG

I love the 1 bedrooms but I sure wasn't going to put out $5000 each year for the 5 or 6 nights twice a year that I get with my points. I paid $14,500 for 250 points in 1999 and my dues are currently about $1,300 a year. I could care less about full cleanings, don't need it. I just think everyone wants their cake and eat it too. I'd love more discounts or perks but I don't think I'm entitled. I'm already getting a great deal. I knew what I was getting into, not going to whine now.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I have never really felt like a 2nd class citizen being a DVC owner. I got what I paid for and am very happy with my purchase. I don't really pay a whole lot of attention as to what others are getting.

 

[Reddog1134]

I understand what the OP means. It's like when you see the Sports Illustrated commercial with the free Football Phone but you already have a subscription. You think "I've been a loyal customer, where's my phone?"

But it's not about recognizing the loyal customers, it's about bringing in new people so they can make more money to run the operation we all love. People tend to think that if they aren't being rewarded, they are being "punished". I don't believe Disney feels like "they have our money and don't need to give us anything else". I believe they feel that we our satisfied customers because we chose to make a long term investment at their resort.