WWYD? offered free upgrade

[dramaticmissy]

never qualify for free DDP



I was told if you were DVC and wanted the free DDP you could get it as long as you brought at least a one day ticket.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

never qualify for free DDP



I was told if you were DVC and wanted the free DDP you could get it as long as you brought at least a one day ticket.

Nope...because in addition to buying a one day ticket, you would also have to pay rack rate for the room. Members using points can only get DDP if they pay full price for it (but there are no ticket purchases required).

PS -- If this is something you were told by a Disney employee, I'm sure every DVC member would want their name and direct extention.

 

[AC7179]

is me. I paid the regular rate (yes, with free dining 8/26-9/1) for a one-bedroom at OKW so that my husband and kids would be comfortable. Now there are people who are staying there for one-third the price I paid. I'm happy for you, but I feel, well......let down, somehow.

Okay. I am going to try not to get flamed here. I don't think Disney owes you anything, but at the same time, for a company that prides itself on its customer service, I'm not sure I wouldn't call and not complain exactly.......but at least say that you just wanted your concern to be heard.

Say that a friend or an acqaintance of yours (hey, we're all friends here at the Dis, right?) had booked and paid for a value resort and was upgraded to OKW for the same dates. Explain that you are happy for your friend, but it leaves a sour taste in your mouth that you are paying 3 times the amount that she is for the same accomodations.

It's like, if at WDW, you spend five dollars on a candy apple. It is delicious and well worth the money, until you find out that next door they are selling the exact same thing for $.99. Now, no matter how good the apple is, human nature will not leave feeling good about that purchase.

Who knows, maybe if you call and say that you just wanted to express your disappointment, they will upgrade you to something like the GF.

 

[lisaviolet]

never qualify for free DDP



I was told if you were DVC and wanted the free DDP you could get it as long as you brought at least a one day ticket.

The only way to get "free dining" at a DVC is to pay for the room in cash and buy at least a one day park ticket. DVC members using points do not qualify.

 

[spiceycat]

Now some questions on OKW...I would love to know more info about the pools...are they all kid friendly? Are there 'splash/spray' areas at all of them or one or none? Where is the boat launch located that goes to DTD?

THANKS!

very kid friendly - see the link.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545

the castle is at the main pool, there are also 3 other pools.

no splash/spray area - but there are the dolphins.

the boat launch is between the front desk area and the main pool. near the HH.

You will pass it on your way to the main pool.

there is a map in the link.

 

[lisaviolet]

The only way to get "free dining" at a DVC is to pay for the room in cash and buy at least a one day park ticket. DVC members using points do not qualify.

Two things I hate about the Disboards and me:

1) I'm so darn slow on my replies. And double post all the time. Fast work Calypso.

2) I'm so darn wordy that a sentence of mine can be highlighted and read totally out of context. And missing the point of my intense rambling. And yes I'm sure I inadvertently do this to others all the time. You read your own words and think, "no no no"


Okay. Finished my therapy. Thanks.

 

[lisaviolet]

IMO, they should've offered DVC people staying at the same time an upgrade from studio to 1 BR or 1 BR to 2 BR, but it sounds like they are only using the rooms that aren't sold yet?

This would never happen. For many reasons. Don't worry about a thing LanaJae. Like I said some people were just simply venting and many DVC issues in general were being discussed.

And as Calypso said it's a totally different inventory. Not our points at all. The CRO has inventory at all DVCs. And had more at SSR because of unsold inventory. And more at OKW because they bought back a lot of contracts, that haven't resold, through their ROFR program on the resale market.

Have a wonderful vacation. You must be thrilled.

 

[scottny]

i would not hesitate and grab that offer and why rent a car they have busses don't they?

I have stayed at OKW and it is very nice. Quiet and peaceful with a boat to DTD if they still have it.

I would say go for it.

 

[Sammie]

if this was the only time it was done - then I would agree.

but last year and the year before it has happened - at least to OKW.

so despite not having prove - I am pretty sure marketing is doing it too.

if the values are overbooked -what would happen is the guest would be placed in another value. if nothing then upgrade to a moderate.

not placed in a DVC. No, this is definitely marketing - might be overflow. but mostly I think it is marketing.

It worked the last two times.

lots of guests don't understand how much more DVC is - until they stay there.

so yes it is a win, win for everyone. So don't let anyone make you feel bad for taking the upgrade.

Placing them in another value resort does not accomplish freeing up value rooms for free dining. The highest percentage of rooms booked during free dining are the value resorts. Not DVC resorts.

These DVC resort rooms were sitting empty and more than likely based on bookings last year during free dining were going to sit empty. However the value resorts were not.

Definitely DVC hopes to gain a few sales in the process but sales is not what prompted the moves.

 

[Lewisc]

I remember reading, but don't remember if the poster was credible, that Disney did some kind of analysis to determine which guests were more likely to purchase DVC and picked those guests to upgrade. The decision to upgrade overbooked value resort guests to DVC wasn't done to sell DVC but the decision on which guests to upgrade might be.

Normally I'd expect a hotel to upgrade guests up to the next category. Upgrade moderate guests to DVC and then upgrade value guests to moderate.

Upgrading value to DVD is simpler, less guests to contact.

Placing them in another value resort does not accomplish freeing up value rooms for free dining. The highest percentage of rooms booked during free dining are the value resorts. Not DVC resorts.

These DVC resort rooms were sitting empty and more than likely based on bookings last year during free dining were going to sit empty. However the value resorts were not.

Definitely DVC hopes to gain a few sales in the process but sales is not what prompted the moves.

 

[lisaviolet]

Placing them in another value resort does not accomplish freeing up value rooms for free dining. The highest percentage of rooms booked during free dining are the value resorts. Not DVC resorts.

These DVC resort rooms were sitting empty and more than likely based on bookings last year during free dining were going to sit empty. However the value resorts were not.

Definitely DVC hopes to gain a few sales in the process but sales is not what prompted the moves.

This would certainly jive with a DVC member being one of the lucky upgrades. Ie. nothing to promote and possibly sell there.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Who knows, maybe if you call and say that you just wanted to express your disappointment, they will upgrade you to something like the GF.

I don't think they would move karenjo to GF...but who knows, they might upgrade the cash paying customers to larger accomodations. It sure seems like an awful lot of people were upgraded to studios/1bdrms -- maybe some of the people that already had that room category reserved will be given upgrades to 2bdrms (I'm sure CRO must have some of those in their inventory as well). Of course, it might depend on the party size too as it wouldn't be very efficient to put two people in a villa that accomodates eight.

 

[nanadeb]

I would feel the same way and wish I didn't know anything about it. I guess the only way to look at it is the same way you would about YOAMD - one family gets picked for the castle stay, some get FPs, some get lanyards, most everyone else gets nothing.

In December, we got our kids and grandkids together and did Disney. 16 people and not one of us got picked for a YOAMD. In May, my DH, DD, and I visited for a week. Not a thing. Oh well, life goes on.
Then Thursday, the magic email arrives---we got an upgrade!!
I guess the third time must be the charm.
We weren't upset that we hadn't been chosen for a dream before, but this upgrade is such a nice surprise.
Thanks, Disney!

 

[lyzziesmom]

nanadeb, that sounds a lot like my story! Went to WDW in February with DD2 and a bunch of DISers, I think 16 of us. We did see and talk to a member of the Dream Squad, but alas he was not giving out any dreams at the moment. What a letdown! Then I went back in May with just me and DD8 - again no dreams. Then my dad got the Magic Email -- hooray!! I'm tellin' ya, I never win anything, this trip is going to be a dream come true!

 

[extremesoccermom]

I am very happy for all of you. Very. As someone who stayed in Values pre-DVC I do know how exciting this might be. We waited for ten years to make sure we could afford DVC. So my first stay at DVC I just couldn't believe it!!


I hope you all enjoy yourselves. And I hope you take advantage of what is best about DVC. Doing absolutely nothing.

Thank you for your wonderful words. I actually added an extra night to our vacation so that we can spend one full day at SSR. We have been looking at DVC for years. Of course DH keeps telling me we should have bought years ago, but we are in a place now where we are looking to buy a resale with cash.
I am very happy to try SSR before we buy it.

 

[dreamn_Disney]

As I read the boards about SSR the one thing that sticks out is how crowded the main pool is. I plan to have a resort only day, something I have never taken the time to do. I planed it for a Sat. since the parks will be packed. Will this be a bad day to try and use the pool. Is their a less crowded time? My ds so wants to splash with Donald. He is only 3 and loved the pic of Donald at the pool so much it is now my computer background. Also how often does the internal bus run or better yet how long is the walk from the rooms farthest away from the main building? I think a quiet out off the way area for the room would be great.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I hope we end up right in the middle of all the action at SSR! When and how can you go about requesting a section to be in, and how likely is that request to be honored? I'd really love to be in the Springs section, but Grandstand looks pretty good too. We plan to use the pool, arcade, Community Hall and Artist Palette a LOT and don't want to have to catch a bus or have a long walk every time, and don't care if it's quiet or not, we are all sound sleepers. The way I see it, we do more than enough walking in the parks (commando-style all the way baby!) and don't want to have to walk a ton at the resort too.

It's funny to see how what is an ideal location for one person might be not right at all for another person.

 

[extremesoccermom]

In December, we got our kids and grandkids together and did Disney. 16 people and not one of us got picked for a YOAMD. In May, my DH, DD, and I visited for a week. Not a thing. Oh well, life goes on.
Then Thursday, the magic email arrives---we got an upgrade!!
I guess the third time must be the charm.
We weren't upset that we hadn't been chosen for a dream before, but this upgrade is such a nice surprise.
Thanks, Disney!

Same here my mother and I went in October and had seen other people getting dreams but nothing for us. Of course we were just enjoying the Food and Wine Festival with out kids so that was fun.
Then DD12, mom and I went to DL for spring break in March and again we saw other people getting fast passes and pins but still nothing for us
Then, I called because I did not see the email and when they checked my name sure enough I got Dreamed We are very happy and really don't need anything else
By the way our resort play day is Sat 9/1 if anyone wants to meet up! We intend to enjoy the pool and participate in some of the activities and games planned at the resort. As well as dinner at the Turf Club.

 

[dreamn_Disney]

By the way our resort play day is Sat 9/1 if anyone wants to meet up! We intend to enjoy the pool and participate in some of the activities and games planned at the resort. As well as dinner at the Turf Club.

That is the same day I was planning on. I just know I will fall in love with this place and then I will be back at value for next trip.

 

[Sammie]

I hope we end up right in the middle of all the action at SSR! When and how can you go about requesting a section to be in, and how likely is that request to be honored? I'd really love to be in the Springs section, but Grandstand looks pretty good too. We plan to use the pool, arcade, Community Hall and Artist Palette a LOT and don't want to have to catch a bus or have a long walk every time, and don't care if it's quiet or not, we are all sound sleepers. The way I see it, we do more than enough walking in the parks (commando-style all the way baby!) and don't want to have to walk a ton at the resort too.

It's funny to see how what is an ideal location for one person might be not right at all for another person.

You can add a request to your reservation but DVC resorts use a Room Ready policy where they fill rooms as you arrive. Your best bet is to arrive early and see what is available and choose from that.

Only 2 buildings in the Grandstand area are close to the main areas, Springs is the closest.

But requests are no guarantee and its a large resort but the buses run often.