Hm. True, no discounts on park passes back then... because DVC gave FREE park tickets to DVC members who were staying on points at DVC resorts until year 2000. :rofl: Oh how times have changed. Back then, DVC would not even use the word "timeshare" and they marketed the company brilliantly, effectively distancing themselves from the rest of the industry. But that was then.
Also true... and it's good advice to anyone considering any timeshare purchase to only count on what's in writing.
However, the argument that benefits come and go, is not what this is about. The difference here is that those benefits will now only come and go for some members/owners. And because of this... you no longer have points that could potentially be sold in the same way that you had last week. When you bought, you were not informed that you would not be able to resell your membership as an equivalent membership in benefit availability to other DVC memberships. You were simply told that your points could be rented, sold, or willed to heirs... with the implication being that a potential buyer would see equivalent value between your points and DVC's "new" points from the same home resort.
If you never sell, you may not care that DVC has devalued your membership's monetary value and ease of resell. But others here have good reason to see this as a greedy business practice: It exclusively helps Disney's bottom line while it exclusively hurts DVC members' bottom line (when/if they eventually opt to sell their points). Just because so many other timeshare companies have done this same thing in the last decade or so, and Disney is late to the party, doesn't make such practice any less "sleazy".
Perhaps. And that's exactly what Cindy was suggesting... with this business decision, DVC has followed right along in the footsteps of other greedy timeshare companies.When we sold our DVC points, it was not because of any of this. We still enjoy occasional vacations at DVC resorts. We may even buy back in, some day. Who knows?
When Wyndham made our resale points ineligible for some benefits, it made no practical difference to us because we didn't care about those benefits and we don't plan to sell. But we paid a couple thousand dollars for our first resale Wyndham/Fairfield contract back in the 1990's, when they were FairShare Plus points. A couple years after Wyndham pulled benefits from these resale points, we were given a terrific Wyndham points contract for FREE, paying only closing costs. In both cases, we bought contracts from original owners who had paid full developer retail price and lost money when they sold to us. The sellers who resold to us after this policy change, lost thousands more than others! Meanwhile, when this seller was losing so much more, Wyndham was increasing their developer sales and profits.
Now, we do still enjoy our Wyndham resort stays immensely. We may even purchase more resale points because we like the resorts and the system overall very much. But make no mistake, Wyndham devalued ALL of the contracts of Wyndham owners when they pulled benefits from resales. And in the same way, Disney has indeed devalued what you and every other DVC member owns (and could resell). We felt that this decision at Wyndham was greedy, if not outright sleazy. I don't give Disney a pass, either. It's just as bad... maybe worse when considering the kind of image of DVC that they've marketed all these years. Just my opinion.
They are offering the evening upcharge event to DVC Members, but I suspect that's more because the event is not selling well vs. a draw for direct sales.
The hard-ticketed Extra Magic Hours event is now $149 for non-DVC members???
I remember when it was $10. 
The whole family can be happy together for 1 week.. after that they need to all get 2 jobs and start selling blood for another week of happiness a year laterThe hard-ticketed Extra Magic Hours event is now $149 for non-DVC members???
Yeah, I know Disney is a publicly held company that needs to turn a profit. But Walt Disney wanted his theme parks as a place where families could be happy together, not primarily as a profit center. The Disney Corporation is moving further and further from Walt's vision.
What, and you didn't post the rumor online?
Could have saved a lot of resale purchasers some headache, although to be honest, even with a week notice, you wouldn't have time to get a contract submitted for ROFR.Incidental Benefits are required under Florida Statue to be explicitly disclosed. The DVC Membership Extras Acknowledgment and Disclosure describes DVC's Incidental Benefits, including discounted tickets, discounted APs, merchandise discounts, dining discounts, and more nebulous "Special Programs" (which presumably includes things like the free member beach bash, but also could be used to describe almost anything, e.g. the Epcot Member Lounge could be considered a "Special Program").
It was added as a Notification when you log into dvcmember.com on or after April 4. They also mailed a paper copy on April 4 which members received a couple days later. Regardless, it doesn't apply to existing members.
Isn't this par for the course though for Incidental Benefits for other timeshare systems?
The difference in price for family of 4 between a DVC Gold AP (with Christmas/Easter blockout dates) and standard AP is $850 for 4 new APs. See my WDW Ticket Chart for all ticket, ticket options, APs, blockout dates, benefits, and Florida/AP discounts.
Yep, a small one -- almost not worth mentioning
Agree, SoCal City Pass is the best value for 3 Day DLR Hopper + LEGOLAND + SeaWorld :whoopie:Worst case for a WDW resort, the difference between direct and resale for a 25 point contract is going to be $2,000, easily recouped after 2 sets of 4 DVC APs. At up to $850 savings for a set of 4, even if you only plan on receiving that benefit for 20 years, that's a NPV of $17,000 or $680/pt. -- well worth the difference I price (<$85/pt.). I'm not considering the other benefits since you get them with APs as well.
Resale prices did drop in 2011 when the first resale restrictions, but so did the entire housing market due to the recession. Clearly, they have recovered, and then some (almost double in some cases). This too shall pass.
ExactlyJason245..... I have laughed the whole hour after reading your comment....:rofl::rofl:Does that mean, only the few overspenders and the OLD resale owners, will get the "Welcome Home" greeting ... morning, noon and night?
Hello tenant!If you are referring to direct, then yes -- which is the whole goal. Now, first time buyers swept up in the magic at WDW will be less likely to get cold feet or rescind after a timeshare presentation since they will justify buying their first contract direct then adding on resale, given all the benefits -- same day access to membership/points, closing within 2 weeks, available financing, loaded contracts (previous and current UY points with only proportional current UY dues), hotel/cruise benefits, and now Membership Extras. The financially saavy folks will still buy resale, but be more likely to add-on direct. Combined, these will almost certainly boost direct sales.
There is also a new Early Morning Magic as well...and premium parking. You can thank Bob for all these new "opportunities" :ignore:The hard-ticketed Extra Magic Hours event is now $149 for non-DVC members???
Yeah, I know Disney is a publicly held company that needs to turn a profit. But Walt Disney wanted his theme parks as a place where families could be happy together, not primarily as a profit center. The Disney Corporation is moving further and further from Walt's vision.
Helpful post... and I share in your expectation that this move will boost direct sales on both fronts, with first time buyers who don't rescind and with future resale purchasers who will decide add some direct purchase points to their account, ultimately having more points than originally planned. I suspect you intended to say the "financially savvy folks will still buy resale, but be more likely to add-on direct"???
Thanks! Ah, yes -- was referring to buying resale then adding on direct (25 pt. minimum contract) -- corrected
I think the imaginary commentary of trying to explain why you are doing that to a toddler would be even funnier. .
Excellent. .. I have been waiting for this day to come...
I'll take the bet on the side that it won't happen. In reality it'll likely make little difference in the price with the current changes though I do think DVC is overpriced right now so some adjustment is likely in order.
Likely but unknown. They could change it in the future such that contracts wouldn't be combined. But for most perks if you're a qualified owner you should get the benefits regardless of which points are used.
