Would you like Member Lounges?

[DeeP]

I like the idea of lounges in the parks. When they very briefly had the AP lounges at AK and Epcot, I went to both. The one at AK was ok but the one at Epcot was fantastic and I went there several times. It was really nice to have a nice air conditioned place to relax on very comfy chairs, get a drink and even run into some characters! It also gave you a nice feeling of being in a small way part of the inside, behind the scenes etc. I am NOT saying that as DVC members we are entitled to this any more than AP holders are but it is a very nice gesture on Disney's part and it does make you feel the magic a little more so.
The AP lounges had water, soda, coffee, tea and hot chocolate all at no cost. If Disney did something like this for DVC members they could charge for refreshments to offset the cost, the members would most likely really like it and Disney could even set up one of their never ending sales kiosks in each lounge. Sounds like a win-win situation to me! LOL!
I also like the idea of lounges in the DVC resorts but as someone else posted there are already lounges in some of the DVC resorts like Bellvue Room at BWV, Territory Lounge at VWL, Martha's Vineyard at BCV. The lounges already there are hardly ever crowded so I don't know if additional lounges are really necessary.
But, I do think a private lounge just for DVC members would be nice and could very well go over big with members. They have the perfect place at the BWV --the Attic. But obviously Disney thinks otherwise.
I personally, am still pushing for a casino in the Attic!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
PERSONAL EDITORIAL: My apology. but this response is garbage in my opinion, whether it's labeled personal editorial or not. The OP raised a polite question along the lines of "would you like...." and then pseudo poetry is used by a poster to call it greedy. Nobody said anyone "owed" us anything or "promised" anything, it was a simple "would you like...."

ON TOPIC: I doubt I'd use on DVC site lounges beyond what we already use our home resort lounges. The inside the park lounge sounds like a neat idea, don't know how often we'd use it. But I like that your asking the question, seems a nice idea to discuss and hear other people's views.

A big Thank you to Captain Midnight for posting this!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
PERSONAL EDITORIAL: My apology. but this response is garbage in my opinion, whether it's labeled personal editorial or not. The OP raised a polite question along the lines of "would you like...." and then pseudo poetry is used by a poster to call it greedy. Nobody said anyone "owed" us anything or "promised" anything, it was a simple "would you like...."

I too, am in full agreement with the Captain...

 

[The Lost Boy]

The only reason why DVC/Disney would consider offering additional perks to our DVC membership would be based purely on profits. First question they would ask is "Whats in it for us?"

At present DVC sells itself, so why change. However, if park atendances fall or sales of DVC drop then they will of course look at additional perks (based on cost benefit analsys) or facilities to encourage us to spend our dollars at Disney rather than elsewhere.

But the question is would I use a specific DVC lounge if one was available - The answer of course is it all depends. Now if the scenario was that there is a DVC lounge in Magic Kingdom, that was never overly busy, which had A/C and an area for the kids which you could drop into at any time to relax and catch your breath whilst picking up a drink and a snack then the answer would most definately be YES lol

 

[Halle]

I think I may be in the minority but I really don't feel the need for a lounge either in the parks or at the resorts. I'm anxious to see what others think.

 

[Jimmac]

Nope, can't see us using it enough to justify it. We get to meet plenty of DVCers pool side, in restuarants and Gurgling Suitcase type places.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Most of you are down on the idea but having a lounge would be nice to go to after a long day at the parks.But this will never happen.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper
1) Why ask for lounges?
2) We bought an interest in a timeshare, not in Disney.

....blah blah blah blah...

Why do people think we are special. just because we own DVC?

RustyRustyRusty

Bad day huh?

Everyone thinks they're special, just like you. Whether they own at DVC or not.

No one on this board thinks they DESERVE a lounge. I don't think anyone believes we will GET a lounge. We're just ruminating about one. As I said, I would be willing to PAY for access to one.

Disney bills DVC as "own a piece of the magic" or something like that -- something more than just "timeshare ownership." So let us think of it that way, OK???? If Disneyphiles (not just DVC owners) are special it's because of their ability to dream, not because of a deed that will expire in 40 years.


By the way, why did you buy DVC and not another timeshare? One that doesn't expire.

Neil

 

[disneycrazed139]

This whole debate seems, at least in part, to be about whether or not members are or should be entitled to certain privileges and treatment that deluxe resort guests are offered, such as concierge.
I purchased with the impression that DVC was more than just a timeshare--and on par with Disney's deluxe resorts. I think part of it is that we feel (or at least I do) that as committed (or commitable ) Disney visitors, we should receive at least the same treatment as those that visit occassionally or less frequently and stay at deluxes.
I don't see anything wrong with wanting that. To one considering a new purchase, DVC sounds much better than a deluxe resort and than any other timeshare, and I am sure that in most ways it probably is. Why not raise the bar even further? (Although, it doesn't seem Disney really needs to since DVC practically sells itself!)

 

[vernon]

There are already lounges in the DVC resorts, but they don't get used. IMHO putting a couple of vending machines in them won't change that situation. Revamping them will cost money (which few will want to pay), but won't change the overall picture that in general people are too busy doing other things to go looking for a chat when they are bored with the company of their own family. HH's lounge with it's pool table certainly get's a few people in there and Vero has a couple of areas that allow people to mingle. Ultimately as there are already similar facilities that don't get used, I don't think the idea, however noble, is goingto fly.

As far as in the parks, IMHO it's a non starter. There is no way Disney is going to turn over valuable real estate for a little treat to DVC members when Disney already has our money and has no need to offer this as a "perk" in order to attract more customers. For anything like this to be considered it would have to be a money earner. The reality of that would mean that Disney would have to charge even more for any drinks/snacks than they do at their more economical outlets for it to break even. Disney would be reasonably confident, IMHO, that there would be relatively few guests willing to pay double for the "luxury" of a couple of comfy chairs and an air conditioned room.

IMHO to expect consierge level services and amenities without expecting to pay a similar level of cost that are charged within the room charges for those resorts is naieve. The way DVC works (dues) would mean the only way Disney could charge for those facilities would have to be plain and obvious. IMHO if people saw in black and white what rate those type of services are charged at they would be shocked. When it's all hidden in a "total" room charge people don't consider it.

IMHO it would need to include the cost for people to be able to give the idea a true consideration. If you put the question as " would you like an exclusive lounge to sit and have a few drinks and snackies" most people are likely to say "yes sounds a nice idea" If you put it as "would you be prepared to use a lounge where it cost you $10 a soda/coffee and $5 a bag of chips/cookies ( IMHO that would be a minimum for the true cost of laying on those facilities) but you get a soft chair to sit in and aircon" I think few people would take up the idea.

 

[ducklite]

What do we need a lounge for? We can all go to Richyams' HUGE unit at OKW and have a HUGE meet there because we all know that we could never do so in our miniscule units at the other DVC resorts

Anne

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally posted by OneMoreTry
RustyRustyRusty . . . Bad day huh?

Sorry, didn't mean to sound crass or mean.
Only trying to make one point.
We knew what we bought, and can't see asking for more.

By the way, why did you buy DVC and not another timeshare? One that doesn't expire.

Actually, we have both DVC and non-DVC.

 

[timC]

Wow... This thread sure has taken some nasty turns for what is nothing more than a simple question....

My home resorts (VWL & BWV) already have nice places to relax, lounge around and meet people if we wish.

VWL has the Iron Spike lounge area, and I think there's a vending machine down the hall near the laundry room. We always spend a bit of time there to hanging out and play some checkers. It's very comfy area.

I think that's good enough for us... What purpose would yet another area serve?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by timC

VWL has the Iron Spike lounge area, and I think there's a vending machine down the hall near the laundry room. We always spend a bit of time there to hanging out and play some checkers. It's very comfy area.

I think that's good enough for us... What purpose would yet another area serve?

I would like a lounge area similar to a deluxe resort concierge lounge, with food, beverages, etc...
Of course I realize DVC does not "owe" this to us, but as I stated in my earlier post, I would be willing fork over the loot.

 

[floridafam]

Maistre Gracey,

Me too!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
I would like a lounge area similar to a deluxe resort concierge lounge, with food, beverages, etc...
Of course I realize DVC does not "owe" this to us, but as I stated in my earlier post, I would be willing fork over the loot.

This is not a "lounge with a vending machine." This would be a concierge lounge. It would be great but I'm not sure if enough people would pay to use it to cover Disney's cost -- and make them a profit.

But we can dream.

 

[timC]

I would like a lounge area similar to a deluxe resort concierge lounge, with food, beverages, etc...

Do other timeshares offer "concierge" type lounges? It seems to me, it's not in the spirit of the "home-away-from-home" philosophy (or cost model). IMO, in the spirit of the OP, we should talk enhancing basic housekeeping services before we give any thought to adding a concierge service.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by timC
Do other timeshares offer "concierge" type lounges?

I honestly have no idea what other timeshares offer.
That being said, DVC certainly does not have to follow other timeshares.

Originally posted by timC
It seems to me, it's not in the spirit of the "home-away-from-home" philosophy (or cost model). IMO, in the spirit of the OP, we should talk enhancing basic housekeeping services before we give any thought to adding a concierge service.

I agree that we should not force this on all members through dues. I was thinking more of a per day cash option, paid at check-in.
I realize this will not come to be because it would take the majority of members to support the cost.
However, I think a cash option for concierge privileges at the hotel itself, is do-able.

 

[floridafam]

Just to clarify my original post.

I meant a fountain soda machine. Not a lounge with a big soda machine in it. I guess I really meant to ask if you would like a concierge type lounge.

I would, but that's just my opinion. I also would be willing to pay extra for it. I also would be willing to pay extra for housekeeping. Again, just my opinion.

It's been nice to see the different responses.

 

[floridafam]

Maistre Gracey,

Exactly. I would also like to have the option of paying a fee to use the concierge services at a particular hotel.

This could happen at BWV, VWL and BCV. It could even be arranged before check-in. I would pay the $35 upgrade fee for use of WL concierge lounge if I could add it to the stay at the villas.

Just my opinion.