Do you think they need to do something extra for DVC Members? About This Page:

[queen2]

When I bought I didn't know they had good perks. A discount on Dining would be great.

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by MichaelF

I wouldn't expect them to give dvc members anything that will cost disney. It the end it will cost the members.

That's a good rule of thumb. In general, don't expect any "perks" to be things that will cost Disney money. The one noteworthy exception to this rule is the Annual Pass discount, which is justified as being a DVC sales incentive--it helps encourage purchases plus DVC members holding APs tends to encourage add-on point sales.

A couple free things I can think of that would be nice is one fast pass per day for each person in the room. Another thing would be an extra 10 day window for ADRs. We would be able to make an ADR at 190 days instead of 180. That would help on some of the hard to get reservations during busy times.

These suggestions unfortunately violate the other cardinal rule of DVC perks--they cannot give members any significant advantage over other classes of guests. One free FASTPASS per day, per villa would add up to more than 20,000 FPs per business day at WDW. Spread over 4 theme parks and dozens of rides it may not seem like it would have much impact but with many guests using them for the same attractions (Toy Story Mania, Soarin, Kilimanjaro Safari / Everest), there would definitely be an impact.

In the end, all non-DVC guests would have their experience negatively impacted in favor of DVC members. That's something the theme park executives won't allow to happen.

Same thing for ADRs. With 20K+ members on property at any given time, members could easily gobble up the prime dinner seatings at popular restaurants on certain nights.

Philosophically, the Disney Parks & Resorts managers aren't going to allow their millions of cash-paying guests to take a back seat to DVC members.

[Tigger25]

Free dining offers would be nice for certain times of the year. I think its kinda unfair to offer free dining at all the resorts during times of the year for "paying"vacationers. I think this should be extended to DVC members or at least letr DVC memebers get a discount on the dining plans when the offers are out there.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by MichaelF

Another thing would be an extra 10 day window for ADRs. We would be able to make an ADR at 190 days instead of 180. That would help on some of the hard to get reservations during busy times.

Hmmm.

I think it'd be nice if you could make a very limited number of reservations - perhaps 1 per week of your stay (minimum 1 per stay) - a full thirty days before the window normally opens up - so, at either 210 or 210+10.

So a "typical" family going for a long weekend or a week, could have a near-guarantee of getting their ONE special must-do ADR in, before anyone other than fellow DVCers had a chance to grab all the available tables.

That would be a benefit Disney could provide that (a) wouldn't be unfair to other guests (since it'd be just 1-per-5-days), and (b) would have a very low cost (essentially zero, if they just have the DVC concierge folks handle it all).

Originally Posted by Tigger25

Free dining offers would be nice for certain times of the year. I think its kinda unfair to offer free dining at all the resorts during times of the year for "paying"vacationers. I think this should be extended to DVC members or at least let DVC members get a discount on the dining plans when the offers are out there.

In fact, they could use offers of Free Dining to take pressure off of popular-amongst-DVCers times of year: more people would be inclined to user their points during otherwise "slower" weeks/months, reducing competition for the "popular" weeks/months.

[kazanimo]

Just curious when they have room at one of the dvc hotels and they sell it at rack rate does that money go back to dvc for operating costs?

[Kynna]

They really do sell it as a "membership" rather than just a time share ownership. Most other time shares aren't profiting from the fact that once you are at their hotel you are going to spend big $ on theme park admission, eat at their restaurants all week, and spend all you souvieners with them. There is a big difference.

There are other things I'd like to see as a member other than discounts. An exclusive photo op like Visa holders have, a member lounge in the park with water a place to sit and a guest services CM, Small resort based member get togethers that aren't sales pitches like an ice cream social or member coffee. Little things go a long way in making people feel appreciated. It's not about getting an edge over the other guests as much as acknowledging that we have committed to spending many years of our time and money with the Disney Company.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by Kynna

They really do sell it as a "membership" rather than just a time share ownership. Most other time shares aren't profiting from the fact that once you are at their hotel you are going to spend big $ on theme park admission, eat at their restaurants all week, and spend all you souvieners with them. There is a big difference.

They get all that from regular resort guests, too.

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by Pax

In fact, they could use offers of Free Dining to take pressure off of popular-amongst-DVCers times of year: more people would be inclined to user their points during otherwise "slower" weeks/months, reducing competition for the "popular" weeks/months.

That's the role of the variable point charts. If there are issues with certain periods being too "popular" among members, the cost to stay those nights should be increased.

With 20,000+ members on property at any given time and dining plans costing over $15-50 per person, I don't expect that Disney will ever agree to give away a half-million dollars--PER DAY--worth of dining plans as a member perk anytime soon.

Originally Posted by kazanimo

Just curious when they have room at one of the dvc hotels and they sell it at rack rate does that money go back to dvc for operating costs?

If the rooms are available on points to DVC members yet nobody has elected to reserve them, yes, the revenues are credited back to members. The total appears on our annual budget as "breakage" income.

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by Kynna

They really do sell it as a "membership" rather than just a time share ownership. Most other time shares aren't profiting from the fact that once you are at their hotel you are going to spend big $ on theme park admission, eat at their restaurants all week, and spend all you souvieners with them. There is a big difference.

But there is no OBLIGATION to do any of the above. There are plenty of members who eat off-site and milk a 10-day non-expiring park ticket for 4-5 years. Meanwhile there are cash guests, locals and others who spend far more than DVC members for park admission, food and souvenirs.

One of the figures Disney execs love to track is average guest spending per day. Average spending includes hotel rates, park tickets, dining, souvenirs, recreation, etc. DVC members are pretty low on the spectrum in that regard.

A family visits WDW every 5 years and spends $4000 for a week at the Poly including park tickets, dining and other incidentals. As a DVC member you may spend $8000 - 10000 over the same time span so yes, you've spent more. But you're also making 8-10 visits over that time period--receiving substantially more return on the money spent.

Here is how DISNEY views DVC member spending:
1. We've already given you deep discounts on hotel rooms--60-70% off for up to 50 years.
2. We've given you the best discount on park tickets (APs) available to non-FL residents.
3. Every single room has a kitchen or kitchenette so you don't spend as much money on restaurant dining as other guests.
4. You don't buy nearly as many souvenirs as the occasional guest.

In the end, yes you may be giving more money to Disney than the average Deluxe resort guest. But you're also receiving many times more entertainment for those dollars.

It's fun to speculate and even more fun to actually receive new perks. DVC may successfully negotiate some nice little perks for members over time. But realize that Disney doesn't feel it owes anything additional to members. They won't go to great lengths or cost to give anything away. And they won't disadvantage other guests at the expense of DVC members.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by tjkraz

In the end, yes you may be giving more money to Disney than the average Deluxe resort guest. But you're also receiving many times more entertainment for those dollars.

It's fun to speculate and even more fun to actually receive new perks. DVC may successfully negotiate some nice little perks for members over time. But realize that Disney doesn't feel it owes anything additional to members. They won't go to great lengths or cost to give anything away. And they won't disadvantage other guests at the expense of DVC members.

As always Tim, very well reasoned and very well said.

[Luvsun]

Here is how DISNEY views DVC member spending:
1. We've already given you deep discounts on hotel rooms--60-70% off for up to 50 years.
2. We've given you the best discount on park tickets (APs) available to non-FL residents.
3. Every single room has a kitchen or kitchenette so you don't spend as much money on restaurant dining as other guests.
4. You don't buy nearly as many souvenirs as the occasional guest.

Hmmm........I am a DVC member and number 4 does not apply to me!
I do my fair share (my husband would say - and then some!) on spending money on Disney items - every time I am there!! And that is usually about 4 times a year!

[trixiedixie]

Originally Posted by tjkraz

But there is no OBLIGATION to do any of the above. There are plenty of members who eat off-site and milk a 10-day non-expiring park ticket for 4-5 years. Meanwhile there are cash guests, locals and others who spend far more than DVC members for park admission, food and souvenirs.

One of the figures Disney execs love to track is average guest spending per day. Average spending includes hotel rates, park tickets, dining, souvenirs, recreation, etc. DVC members are pretty low on the spectrum in that regard.

A family visits WDW every 5 years and spends $4000 for a week at the Poly including park tickets, dining and other incidentals. As a DVC member you may spend $8000 - 10000 over the same time span so yes, you've spent more. But you're also making 8-10 visits over that time period--receiving substantially more return on the money spent.

Here is how DISNEY views DVC member spending:
1. We've already given you deep discounts on hotel rooms--60-70% off for up to 50 years.
2. We've given you the best discount on park tickets (APs) available to non-FL residents.
3. Every single room has a kitchen or kitchenette so you don't spend as much money on restaurant dining as other guests.
4. You don't buy nearly as many souvenirs as the occasional guest.

In the end, yes you may be giving more money to Disney than the average Deluxe resort guest. But you're also receiving many times more entertainment for those dollars.

It's fun to speculate and even more fun to actually receive new perks. DVC may successfully negotiate some nice little perks for members over time. But realize that Disney doesn't feel it owes anything additional to members. They won't go to great lengths or cost to give anything away. And they won't disadvantage other guests at the expense of DVC members.

Thank you well said and putting the mathematical implication on it makes it easier to understand I think. Also I did not realize 20K DVCer's at 1 time - that was enlightening for me. I am thrilled with the AP discount and the occasional really good deals on adding points.

Originally Posted by Luvsun

Here is how DISNEY views DVC member spending:
1. We've already given you deep discounts on hotel rooms--60-70% off for up to 50 years.
2. We've given you the best discount on park tickets (APs) available to non-FL residents.
3. Every single room has a kitchen or kitchenette so you don't spend as much money on restaurant dining as other guests.
4. You don't buy nearly as many souvenirs as the occasional guest.

Hmmm........I am a DVC member and number 4 does not apply to me!
I do my fair share (my husband would say - and then some!) on spending money on Disney items - every time I am there!! And that is usually about 4 times a year!

LOL ME TOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[HakunaMatata]

While I completely understand that DVC membership is it's own reward, I feel that something can be done with regard to DDP. I'm not suggesting "free" DDP, but I think some kind of discount on DDP, just as there is a discount on APs, is appropriate. I don't necessarily think that by virtue of having the kitchen or kitchenette we spend any less on dining. We have purchased DDP on our last few trips. What we have been using the kitchen for primarily is to supplement food for our kids, who seem to have voracious appetites after park touring even with the DDP and to cook things that our DS(4) likes when he sometimes isn't happy with the food at the restaurants.

I don't think there is any question that DVC members, for the most part, consider DVC a good value and are happy with the purchase. But let's face it: many of us travel significantly more often to WDW than other guests and it would be nice to see some new perks reflect that.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by tjkraz

3. Every single room has a kitchen or kitchenette so you don't spend as much money on restaurant dining as other guests.

Not only that, but they provide all the pots, pans, dishes, and flatware you'll need. And what with fairly inevitable breakage, that is an ongoing expense.

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by Luvsun

Hmmm........I am a DVC member and number 4 does not apply to me!
I do my fair share (my husband would say - and then some!) on spending money on Disney items - every time I am there!! And that is usually about 4 times a year!

Originally Posted by trixiedixie

LOL ME TOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Then you represent the outliers.

Not all guests behave identically but we're talking about averages. Occasional guests tend to load-up on t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, photo frames, scrapbooking kits, princess dresses and more. Frequent guests--including DVC members--don't spend nearly as much on average. They will occasionally grab something new which catches the eye but nowhere near the volume of someone who has gone 3+ years between visits.

Infrequent guests aren't experienced at touring the parks and end up buying rain ponchos, autograph books, trading pins, cameras, sun block and other things which frequent guests either have from prior trips or know to buy cheaper at home. Occasional guests spend more on Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique packages, Photopass CDs and on-ride photos, and other trip add-ons which recurring guests shun.

Originally Posted by HakunaMatata

I don't necessarily think that by virtue of having the kitchen or kitchenette we spend any less on dining.

You may not but again that makes you more the exception than the rule. I know members who go out of their way to avoid Disney restaurants, only dining on-site when it cannot be avoided. They'll eat in the room, off-site, etc.

We tend to fall somewhere in the middle--eating 1 or 2 restaurant meals per day.

Compare that to your typical guest at the Poly or Grand Floridian who eats EVERY meal at a Disney venue over the entire trip. DME really helps sustain this revenue stream among cash guests. Grocery store stops are impractical when you're getting free transport to and from the airport. Some know about grocery delivery services...many do not.

And don't ignore the fact that DVC members do get a handful of restaurant discounts which are not available to the general public. Those discounts help lower DVC spending to some degree.

But let's face it: many of us travel significantly more often to WDW than other guests and it would be nice to see some new perks reflect that.

Don't get me wrong--I completely understand that every member would love to have more perks. But my comments represent the current thinking of Disney executives. They just don't believe they owe it to DVC members to throw caution (and profits) to the wind by heaping on added discounts.

They also realize that they are waging something of an unwinable battle. Even when they do offer new perks--like the ability to buy Tables in Wonderland which just started 2 months ago--people will still be clamoring for "more new perks."

I think it is far more likely that Disney would come out with some sort of frequent visitor program in which ALL guests can participate--not just DVC members. But Disney hasn't had anything like that since the Disney Club went away a decade ago and there are no imminent signs of it being resurrected. D23 is about the closest thing we have today and its perks aren't notably better than DVC or Passholder discounts.