Free DDP except for us.... - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

steve2wdw · 03-05-2012, 07:04 PM

I was just looking at the free DDP dates and it seems that everyone in the world can get this offer with the exception of DVC members (when we use our points). It seems to me that WDW should be extending an olive branch to the loyal DVC owner by offering (in limited supply, as they do with the regular resorts) a discount on the cash price to us during these periods when they offer it to the rack paying public free. I understand that TIW is available as an AP-er, which is probably most of us, but this really only covers table serve, and the discount is only 20%. I'd really like to see a 40 to 50% discount on the price of the DDP, offered to us during these periods. As it is now, we're being penalized because we decided to invest decades of vacation dollars with the WDC and DVC. Maybe it's time to start "suggesting" to member services, that they stand up on our behalf and get WDW to start treating us like the loyal "guests" that we are.

5DisneyFans · 03-05-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2wdw

It seems to me that WDW should be extending an olive branch to the loyal DVC owner by offering (in limited supply, as they do with the regular resorts) a discount on the cash price to us during these periods when they offer it to the rack paying public free. As it is now, we're being penalized because we decided to invest decades of vacation dollars with the WDC and DVC. Maybe it's time to start "suggesting" to member services, that they stand up on our behalf and get WDW to start treating us like the loyal "guests" that we are.

You know, I've read posts like this over an over. Every time the arguments comes up that the guests getting free dining are paying rack rate for their rooms. I've always let that information calm me. "That's right! Those dummies are paying rack rate for their rooms!" This most recent post did make me think though, they may be paying rack rates, but so are we! It's not like we're getting any sort of breaks on how many points we're spending. SO yeah! Why can't the DDP be offered at a reduced rate for DVC during the times it's offered to the general public for free? Aren't we the ones spending thousands every year?

lpereira · 03-05-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2wdw

I was just looking at the free DDP dates and it seems that everyone in the world can get this offer with the exception of DVC members (when we use our points). It seems to me that WDW should be extending an olive branch to the loyal DVC owner by offering (in limited supply, as they do with the regular resorts) a discount on the cash price to us during these periods when they offer it to the rack paying public free. I understand that TIW is available as an AP-er, which is probably most of us, but this really only covers table serve, and the discount is only 20%. I'd really like to see a 40 to 50% discount on the price of the DDP, offered to us during these periods. As it is now, we're being penalized because we decided to invest decades of vacation dollars with the WDC and DVC. Maybe it's time to start "suggesting" to member services, that they stand up on our behalf and get WDW to start treating us like the loyal "guests" that we are.

ok I'll bite.
you already do get discounts just for showing your card.
http://allears.net/acc/dvc.htm
You also got a substantial savings off your room rates for the long term.
Do you want to be woo'd some more? People who book into rack rate rooms for free dining haven't committed to Disney- nor I would argue is free dining a good deal.
But then I wish my husband still courted me like he did before we married. Imagine that- once I bought into it for the longterm he didn't have to work as hard.

5DisneyFans · 03-05-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpereira

ok I'll bite.
you already do get discounts just for showing your card.
http://allears.net/acc/dvc.htm
People who book into rack rate rooms for free dining haven't committed to Disney- nor I would argue is free dining a good deal.

I don't know, if the DDP were reduced for DVC at certain times, we might actually try it. I'm still thinking that it might be fun to rent out our points and stay at the Poly sometime during free dining. It's not a villa, but we've always wanted to try it. I also want to try the DDP for a short visit sometime. This may be a viable way for me to do both.

beansprout · 03-05-2012, 07:28 PM

this is a topic that comes up frequently, yet should be discussed to let Disney and potential DVC buyers be aware. I've always been a fan of Member Perks, I feel treating us occasionally to good perks can go a long way in happy members spreading the word. There are pros and cons to owning DVC.

salmoneous · 03-05-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beansprout

I feel treating us occasionally to good perks can go a long way in happy members spreading the word.

Many of us don't feel that being allowed to pay full rack rate in exchange for free dining counts as a "good perk."

Goofygrl · 03-05-2012, 07:54 PM

I also am one that thinks perks for loyal customers are appropriate but I don't think so called "Free" dining or even discounted dining plan is one. Maybe it's because the dining plan doesn't interest me at all but in this day when you can get so many discounts on rooms it isn't really a perk to pay more for the room to get the food. Even in the CRO world 40% off a room and eating as we please compared to full price for a room and having a plan we have to follow in order to get the full value just doesn't compare for me.

And if you stay at a Deluxe resort for the free dining and compare it to DVC and adding on the free dining plan it's still worked out to be a better deal anyway to own DVC. Now that the dining plan is increasing a lot in price I don't know how close it's getting but room prices have been increasing too so I'd expect it to come out to a similar price difference. In the past to make it cost less I'd have had to go to a moderate or value but then the experience would be greatly changed.

"Free Dining isn't free"

beansprout · 03-05-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Many of us don't feel that being allowed to pay full rack rate in exchange for free dining counts as a "good perk."

Add me to the " us " in that comment. When I say perk it doesn't have to be free dining. A good discount towards meals would be a nice perk. Even if it isn't offered to DVC members all of the time it would still be nice to see occasionally. A couple of years ago AP holders were offered 15 months to renew their AP. That was a nice perk for them. Not offered now. But nice to see occasionally.

erikthewise · 03-05-2012, 08:21 PM

(a) We are not excluded. DVC members are perfectly welcome to take advantage of Free Dining promotions when offered, in the same way that everyone else does. We don't get "the best of both worlds" but that is no cause for complaint.
(b) We don't pay anything near rack rates for our rooms.
e.g. 2BR at BCV during March (Magic Season) is 48 pts per night during the week. The rack rate is $910 until March 8, $1150 thereafter.

lpereira · 03-05-2012, 08:23 PM

Clearly folks here are mistaken in thinking that perks are there to reward people. They aren't "perks" are there to fill rooms. When the rooms are full then no enticements are needed.
And with the easing of travel restrictions back to pre 2001 levels Disney will not need to entice people to visit them with discounts. They will be able to charge full prices and suffer no ill consequences.

03-05-2012, 07:04 PM	#1
steve2wdw Waiting to pass ROFR Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 7	Free DDP except for us.... I was just looking at the free DDP dates and it seems that everyone in the world can get this offer with the exception of DVC members (when we use our points). It seems to me that WDW should be extending an olive branch to the loyal DVC owner by offering (in limited supply, as they do with the regular resorts) a discount on the cash price to us during these periods when they offer it to the rack paying public free. I understand that TIW is available as an AP-er, which is probably most of us, but this really only covers table serve, and the discount is only 20%. I'd really like to see a 40 to 50% discount on the price of the DDP, offered to us during these periods. As it is now, we're being penalized because we decided to invest decades of vacation dollars with the WDC and DVC. Maybe it's time to start "suggesting" to member services, that they stand up on our behalf and get WDW to start treating us like the loyal "guests" that we are.

03-05-2012, 07:54 PM	#7
Goofygrl Grand Villa Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,272	I also am one that thinks perks for loyal customers are appropriate but I don't think so called "Free" dining or even discounted dining plan is one. Maybe it's because the dining plan doesn't interest me at all but in this day when you can get so many discounts on rooms it isn't really a perk to pay more for the room to get the food. Even in the CRO world 40% off a room and eating as we please compared to full price for a room and having a plan we have to follow in order to get the full value just doesn't compare for me. And if you stay at a Deluxe resort for the free dining and compare it to DVC and adding on the free dining plan it's still worked out to be a better deal anyway to own DVC. Now that the dining plan is increasing a lot in price I don't know how close it's getting but room prices have been increasing too so I'd expect it to come out to a similar price difference. In the past to make it cost less I'd have had to go to a moderate or value but then the experience would be greatly changed. "Free Dining isn't free" __________________ Three Little Circles

03-05-2012, 08:21 PM	#9
erikthewise Grand Villa Join Date: May 2006 Location: OH Posts: 2,729	(a) We are not excluded. DVC members are perfectly welcome to take advantage of Free Dining promotions when offered, in the same way that everyone else does. We don't get "the best of both worlds" but that is no cause for complaint. (b) We don't pay anything near rack rates for our rooms. e.g. 2BR at BCV during March (Magic Season) is 48 pts per night during the week. The rack rate is $910 until March 8, $1150 thereafter. __________________ MOD 57 and Charter Member of OOO (Order Of the Oval)

03-05-2012, 08:23 PM	#10
lpereira Grand Villa Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,458	Clearly folks here are mistaken in thinking that perks are there to reward people. They aren't "perks" are there to fill rooms. When the rooms are full then no enticements are needed. And with the easing of travel restrictions back to pre 2001 levels Disney will not need to entice people to visit them with discounts. They will be able to charge full prices and suffer no ill consequences. __________________ L Pereira

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-05-2012, 07:28 PM	#5
beansprout Grand Villa Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 2,703	this is a topic that comes up frequently, yet should be discussed to let Disney and potential DVC buyers be aware. I've always been a fan of Member Perks, I feel treating us occasionally to good perks can go a long way in happy members spreading the word. There are pros and cons to owning DVC.