WWYD? offered free upgrade

[ldo]

and think it might have been spammed from your computer and could they check your reservation for the free upgrade offer--at least that's what I did. I only knew aobut it b/c of this BB and have never got the email--but we have a bnuch of spyware/sapm stuff.
I did not mention a PIN--they looked and said "yes, you have the offer-you got sent the email."

BUT---everyone is saying that the rooms are all taken now--so don't get your hopes up too much.

 

[M2DD's]

First, let me start by saying that I don't want to start this thread into an argument. It has gone very well so far(lately the boards have gotten vary mean)but, has anyone read on the boards how upset the DVC owners are over people getting upgrades. I can't seem to figure out if they are mad at Disney for giving the upgrades or at the people who took them(my family being one of them) How could you turn down an offer like this?
Laura
I still wake up every morning and can't believe we will be staying OKW.

 

[blessdmommy]

blessdmommy- just saw your response and I was when you mentioned how you felt while talking to the CM. I was the same way. I kept telling her I was going to have a heart attack and she said if I did she would call 911 for me.I just got the bill also yesterday so I wonder if the confo sheet that list the ME and all the other info will come soon. Can you let me know when you get yours. Where are you staying?
also-Can someone explain to me how you quote someone in a thread when you respond I can't seem to figure it out
Laura

That is funny. What would we tell the ER doctors? "I was talking to Disney about a tremedous free upgrade when I had a heartattack"
I will let you know when I get my ME stuff in the mail.
I've been nervous to "chat" about this because it might upset those who didn't get "dusted" But I want to shout it to the high heavens. Yippee!
We picked OKW and I imagine that we will ride the boat to SSR once to see what it is like. We've never been to either property. Might even ride the boat to POR and look at it too since it is in the area. I have so much planning to do and I'm soooooooo looking forward to it. These are some of my favorite moments "The pretrip anticipation" which are of course dwarfed by the TRIP but still I'm enjoying my 80 days of countdown.

 

[ldo]

here you spend $20K+ on DVC and pay annua. fees of $900+ for one week's worth of points and what seems like tons of people just got upgraded from a $79 a night place to your place.
BUT, those people will probably never again get that offer, while, you a DVC member can choose to stay anytime you want.
Also, if it makes them feel better. The week of 8/26 was avail. for other timeshare owners to trade into with much lower quality resorts trhu Interval International---I saw it on a BB which lists DVC availability. So, someone could also staying there for a full week with a timeshare that they bought for much cheaper and pay cheaper fees on.
But this email got me to thinking that for those who go the upgrade (me too)---we might want to keep our good luck to ourselves when at OKW and SSR.

 

[M2DD's]

blessdmommy-These are some of my favorite moments "The pretrip anticipation" which are of course dwarfed by the TRIP but still I'm enjoying my 80 days of countdown. [/QUOTE]
I love the planning as much as the trip and I'm so depressed when I get back till I start for the next yr. I saw that you were there in sep 06' So were we. What were your dates last yr. Also What are your exact dates for this yr? We should try to meet.
Laura
I also feel very bad for the people that didn't get upgrades. I am usually one of them.

 

[DizzyKitten]

and think it might have been spammed from your computer and could they check your reservation for the free upgrade offer--at least that's what I did. I only knew aobut it b/c of this BB and have never got the email--but we have a bnuch of spyware/sapm stuff.
I did not mention a PIN--they looked and said "yes, you have the offer-you got sent the email."

BUT---everyone is saying that the rooms are all taken now--so don't get your hopes up too much.

Oh, see I thought the "PIN" could be for anything, not just for a resort upgrade. Don't worry, I booked our dates with ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE about free dining. I found out about a month after I booked and knew when to call for it. I, in no way expect to get any upgrades whatsoever. I was just wondering if it turns out you have a PIN(for something) will they tell you what that something is.

**on a side note, WDTC if you're listening, I would graciously accept an upgrade offer if given one, thank you**

 

[spiceycat]

Disney is allowing certain guests to stay at OKW or SSR - because they think you might buy DVC.

it is a marketing tool and the last two times they did they got enough guests to buy that they are doing it again.

hope everyone is very, very happy with their upgrades.

any question on OKW just ask!

now DVC will not force you to attend any sales pitch. They go by - if the villa don't sell you - they certainly can't.

 

[M2DD's]

Disney is allowing certain guests to stay at OKW or SSR - because they think you might buy DVC.

it is a marketing tool and the last two times they did they got enough guests to buy that they are doing it again.

hope everyone is very, very happy with their upgrades.

any question on OKW just ask!

now DVC will not force you to attend any sales pitch. They go by - if the villa don't sell you - they certainly can't.

I didn't know that disney has done this before If they have why are people so upset that disney is doing it again.
I have lots of ? about OKW, where do I start.
Laura

 

[tasha99]

I thought the room inventory came from Disney, not DVC rooms (the rooms people pay for with cash rather than points) ??? I can't see people being upset unless they were unable to book their vacation. Some people just have to be exclusive and can't be happy for someone else's good fortune, I guess.

Edit: Well I went and read the thread over on the DVC board about this. I do understand some people's concern about the pool being more crowded and not getting a requested view, but if these are from Disney inventory, then I think Disney can do what they want with them. Knowing how emotionally invested people are in their vacation homes, I'll be sure to take extra good care of the one I'm in. I feel very blessed to have "won" this (it was like winning the lottery, as far as I'm concerned), so I think the idea expressed over there that people don't value "free" isn't true (at least for me.)

 

[Sammie]

Disney is allowing certain guests to stay at OKW or SSR - because they think you might buy DVC.

it is a marketing tool and the last two times they did they got enough guests to buy that they are doing it again.

hope everyone is very, very happy with their upgrades.

any question on OKW just ask!

now DVC will not force you to attend any sales pitch. They go by - if the villa don't sell you - they certainly can't.

Where did you get your info that this was the case? I was told by DRC management that the upgrades are due to the values being full that week due to free dining and SSR and OKW were the only locations with rooms available for overflow.

Now certainly if anyone moved purchases then it is a win/win for Disney but that was not prompted the moves.

If it was strickly a DVC marketing tool, would they not do this at other times too. And not just when the values are over booked.

 

[karenjo]

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.

 

[REL1203]

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.

I can kinda understand this, but at the same time, we didnt ask for it. We all paid, and fully were expecting, and happy, to stay at which ever Value we booked. But of coarse, if Disney is going to pay for me to stay at a nicer place, i am 100% going to accept it.

You set out, and budgeted, to stay at a great place, and you wanted the 100% gurentee of it. Its something like 0.0001% of people are upgraded at disney, so you cant really be mad

 

[lisaviolet]

First, let me start by saying that I don't want to start this thread into an argument. It has gone very well so far(lately the boards have gotten vary mean)but, has anyone read on the boards how upset the DVC owners are over people getting upgrades. I can't seem to figure out if they are mad at Disney for giving the upgrades or at the people who took them(my family being one of them) How could you turn down an offer like this?
Laura
I still wake up every morning and can't believe we will be staying OKW.

You know the DVC thread is varying in its content. Some are simply jealous and just venting. Simply venting. Not at you. Just venting. Some are looking at certain aspects. Ie. DVC members do not get daily housekeeping to keep our maintenance costs down. You do. And as you should b/c you are cash paying guests. However, some are questioning b/c there seems to be so many upgrades are members paying for all the extra maid service through our maintenance in any way. Normally, there are not as many. My thoughts on that are "probably not/I sincerely hope not" just as we don't when regular rooms are rented through the CRO (not upgrades). So why different now? But it's smart of us to discuss this issue. Once again, not about you. That's just one issue that some members are discussing.

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!!

Plus, if you go to the end of the DVC thread some are making it clear that they are expressing viewpoints on issues or that they are just venting and in truth are very happy for you all.

For those of you who got an OKW one bedroom be careful you don't faint. They are huge.

All upgrades will be something. Just a balcony in itself was wonderful for me.

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

 

[lisaviolet]

Edit. Edit. Edit.

 

[spiceycat]

If it was strickly a DVC marketing tool, would they not do this at other times too. And not just when the values are over booked.

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.

 

[spiceycat]

I didn't know that disney has done this before If they have why are people so upset that disney is doing it again.
I have lots of ? about OKW, where do I start.
Laura

because there are a bunch of new members - who weren't members last time.
besides last time the upgrades were only mentioned a few times, not long, and then forgotten.

what do you want to know about OKW?

It is peacefully and quiet! feels like it is thousand miles away, instead of being in the middle of WDW.

 

[Praying Colonel]

FWIW, I got bupkus. I booked through AAA during the early Disney Visa period to stay at Pop 8/25-9/1. Didn't get an email or anything advising of the offer. When I finally got around to reading this thread, I called Disney Reservations to see if a code had been assigned to my reservation in spite of not receiving an email, like it had with some others who posted in this thread. The CM said she couldn't access my reservation since I booked through AAA and I'd have to contact my AAA TA.

After playing phone tag with my TA all day, she contacted WDW Travel and they said there was no code assigned to my ressie and it was a limited offer, so unless I got an email or something in the mail notifying me of the code or PIN I was out of luck.

Oh, well--at least I chased down every avenue to see if it was available. Hope you folks who got my upgrade enjoy yourselves! J/k--I think it's an awesome opportunity for y'all and look forward to hearing reports when you return.

 

[LanaJae]

You know the DVC thread is varying in its content. Some are simply jealous and just venting. Simply venting.

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 2000, we stayed at a 3 BR timeshare villa next to Universal for $79/night. They were just trying to fill rooms and we didn't have advance reservations. We got chewed out by an owner in the hallway (he approached us) and went on a rant about how his yearly dues alone come to more than $79/night when he stays there. I completely understood where he was coming from, but his anger needed to be directed at the management company.

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? I don't know, it really isn't fair so just have to think of it as a lottery draw.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

There are no DVC members that will be unable to get a room due to these upgrades...they are coming from inventory that is completely separate from the villas members draw from.

The issue is really the fact that members invested a huge amount of money upfront for their DVC contracts and pay maintenance fees annually. In addition we have to pay for daily housekeeping and never qualify for free DDP. Also, the fact that the guides really push the "exclusiveness" of the DVC resorts as a selling tool. It kind of creates an "All Others Keep Out" situation.

So don't feel bad because you are taking advantage of an opportunity that was almost given to you on a silver platter. Also, any animosity floating around right now isn't directed at the guests that received the upgrades but more towards the booking policies that allowed it to happen.

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm an owner @ OKW and was also lucky enough to get the upgrade...so I feel like a double agent right now!!!

 

[brymolmom]

because there are a bunch of new members - who weren't members last time.
besides last time the upgrades were only mentioned a few times, not long, and then forgotten.

what do you want to know about OKW?

It is peacefully and quiet! feels like it is thousand miles away, instead of being in the middle of WDW.

Hi - I've read some of the posts on the DVC area and I agree, that most of what I read certainly doesn't sound like anyone is upset with those of us who 'won the lottery' with this upgrade. Definitely more along the lines of wanting/should be getting more perks and things because you are paying more than those of us in Values - and I would definitely agree, especially in your shoes.

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!