DVC Snobs

[BillPA]

Taking your shoes off is like changing a baby's diaper in the seat next to you...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I bought back in 2002, and even back then it wasn't like everybody who bought was Thurston Howell III.

 

[Ben E N]

I bought back in 2002, and even back then it wasn't like everybody who bought was Thurston Howell III.

I really don't think that is the sort of buyer disney is even looking to get with DVC. They are looking to hook in frugal people's money.
There will always be those who want to think they are more important than they really are, and desire outside confirmation of their importance. Luckily for them, it looks like Club 33 is coming to Disney World.

 

[ziravan]

I think WDW should treat DVC members special. Not because I’m rich and therefore entitled to catered treatment (I’m not).

Because DVC demonstrates proof that I’m one of their best customers. How many non-DVC members visit them 3-4 times a year from Texas?

 

[Ben E N]

I think WDW should treat DVC members special. Not because I’m rich and therefore entitled to catered treatment (I’m not).

Because DVC demonstrates proof that I’m one of their best customers. How many non-DVC members visit them 3-4 times a year from Texas?

Well you do get 2 special lounges, discounts on just about everything at WDW, special after hours events, exclusive gear, and a special purple light and "welcome home" when going to the parks. What other sorts of perks were you hoping to get?

 

[kittyab]

Now, I don't have any issue with someone saying I want to buy more points. (Heck I do myself). Its my money, when we are ready we will get more points

 

[Dean]

I think WDW should treat DVC members special. Not because I’m rich and therefore entitled to catered treatment (I’m not).

Because DVC demonstrates proof that I’m one of their best customers. How many non-DVC members visit them 3-4 times a year from Texas?

But are DVC members their “best” customers. DVC members tend to spend less per trip in other areas and they already have much of our money. I’d settle for reasonable and CONSISTENT maintenance, resort management and Member services. Plus I’d point out it’s not possible with DVC members as a group to do enough to “make them feel special” on an ongoing basis without blowing up the budget.

 

[ziravan]

Well you do get 2 special lounges, discounts on just about everything at WDW, special after hours events, exclusive gear, and a special purple light and "welcome home" when going to the parks. What other sorts of perks were you hoping to get?

Welcome home seems hollow now. I don’t have to worry about people snooping through my house on a daily basis.

But my point really was that I can understand why someone would think that pointing out that they’re DVC members to staff should mean something for reasons other than being a DVC snob.

For example, part of my job is staffing. When we do favors for people (requests off, schedule changes on the fly, etc), there’s a pecking order. F/T has priority over P/T who has priority over PRN who has priority over temps. People who have a higher level of commitment to the organization are rewarded first.

I wasn’t really talking about perks per se. Is it snobbish to expect your level of commitment to be acknowledged?

 

[Wakey]

Taking your shoes off is like changing a baby's diaper in the seat next to you...

Absolutely true story. I was once on a flight, Jamaica to UK. The Jamaican woman next to me had a cute kid, and of course you say nice baby etc. Suddenly this woman asked me, if she stood up, would I change the babies' nappy for her on the seat. I politely declined. My wife has chuckled about that incident many times over the years.

 

[Ben E N]

Welcome home seems hollow now. I don’t have to worry about people snooping through my house on a daily basis.

But my point really was that I can understand why someone would think that pointing out that they’re DVC members to staff should mean something for reasons other than being a DVC snob.

For example, part of my job is staffing. When we do favors for people (requests off, schedule changes on the fly, etc), there’s a pecking order. F/T has priority over P/T who has priority over PRN who has priority over temps. People who have a higher level of commitment to the organization are rewarded first.

I wasn’t really talking about perks per se. Is it snobbish to expect your level of commitment to be acknowledged?

I have always found the welcome home thing to be annoying, but I am sure there are those who like it.
Maybe it's just me, but I expect to be treated well, and fairly, every time I go to Disney World in any capacity. That's my favorite part about going there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Around 2002, before we bought into DVC, we stayed at WL and when I realized there were DVC Villas there, I cried because I figured we would be priced out of them. We had looked into DVC in 1996, did not like OKW’s location and figured that was that.

I am happy there are so many different resorts, and many have an appeal to me, we own at many of them, and have stayed at them all,

 

[Nigel Reece]

I think WDW should treat DVC members special. Not because I’m rich and therefore entitled to catered treatment (I’m not).

Because DVC demonstrates proof that I’m one of their best customers. How many non-DVC members visit them 3-4 times a year from Texas?

Our last last trip this Christmas would make it 7 times in 1 year flying from MA each time.

 

[glamdring269]

We seem to be off topic - or at least enough to move this thread over to Mouse.

(In that spirit), those of you who have feet that swell during long flights might consider compression socks. I can personally testify that they make a HUGE difference.

Definitely wear those as well!

 

[DVC Sue]

This happens anywhere. My husband grew up in a town like that. In my opinion, these are people who are trying to feel important. I ignore such blowhards.

 

[Dean]

I have always found the welcome home thing to be annoying, but I am sure there are those who like it.
Maybe it's just me, but I expect to be treated well, and fairly, every time I go to Disney World in any capacity. That's my favorite part about going there.

It's always been well ... "Mickey Mouse" if you will IMO. Smoke and mirrors with no substance.

Our last last trip this Christmas would make it 7 times in 1 year flying from MA each time.

But if you are using DVC and someone else used it rather than you they would spend more overall. So this isn't really a plus from a DVC/Disney perspective, just par for the course.

 

[Nigel Reece]

It's always been well ... "Mickey Mouse" if you will IMO. Smoke and mirrors with no substance.

But if you are using DVC and someone else used it rather than you they would spend more overall. So this isn't really a plus from a DVC/Disney perspective, just par for the course.

Good point. 6 of those 7 times were on property and outside of DVC. This year we will probably only go 1-2 times. Thinking about getting more points instead of paying rack.

 

[LAX]

Feet can swell. Granted this can also be countered by getting up and walking around but if you ever fly on a long fight, say east cost to Japan, you’re definitely not going to be up frequently enough to completely avoid it. Airlines know people do this as well otherwise they wouldn’t supply socks and slippers to folks sitting in business/first class.

I think those in premium cabins get enough room and freedom to get up and walk around that they don't have to worry about their legs/feet swell. Besides, on airlines with new seats, laying flat (even at an angle) can significantly decrease the chance of swelling. Thus, that's really not the reason socks/slippers are provided. It's for passengers' comfort. Besides, even an accepted medical condition ("biological reason") shouldn't be used as an excuse to justify acts/behaviors that are often deemed socially undesirable when in public.

LAX

 

[Dean]

Good point. 6 of those 7 times were on property and outside of DVC. This year we will probably only go 1-2 times. Thinking about getting more points instead of paying rack.

If you can afford it, it sounds like this might be a good choice depending on specifics. Of course if you can't afford it, then you likely wouldn't go this much, LOL.

There are 2 issues we sometimes see. One that DVC members are Disney best customers and the other than Disney/DVC should continue to cater to them because they've invested so much into Disney. The first is partly true, they are great customers, they're invested, they're going to go, they'll likely get others to go; however, they will almost certainly spend less per trip and if they didn't go, someone else would go in their place and spend more per trip plus they have our money already. And they create a buffer in low times but likely lose money in good times. The second issue is a bigger problem IMO. The idea that Disney needs to cater to DVC members to make them feel special is simply not feasible. DVC members as a group have proven they can't be made happy within the limitations in place. DVC can only do things that don't cost much or any money or things that the membership pays for. DVD will do some things that are sales oriented like the EPCOT lounge and special events. These are ultimately investments to make sales.

Here's an example, years ago all Disney had free valet parking. At some point this went away for Disney but not for DVC. It was being provided at no cost to DVC but with the outside vender coming on board at some point the contract was up and DVC was going to have to pay full price to keep valet parking free to members. So they ended it which was the obvious choice though they did it poorly with poor notification and some arriving to free valet parking and leaving with a bill. But here on DIS we saw a lot of complaining and some that felt other DVC members should pay for their valet parking, clearly entitlement thinking.

IMO it's not reasonable to think one deserves more than simply a room with good timeshare management. Whether they reach that bar is doubtful at this point.

 

[amccu18007]

If you can afford it, it sounds like this might be a good choice depending on specifics. Of course if you can't afford it, then you likely wouldn't go this much, LOL.

There are 2 issues we sometimes see. One that DVC members are Disney best customers and the other than Disney/DVC should continue to cater to them because they've invested so much into Disney. The first is partly true, they are great customers, they're invested, they're going to go, they'll likely get others to go; however, they will almost certainly spend less per trip and if they didn't go, someone else would go in their place and spend more per trip plus they have our money already. And they create a buffer in low times but likely lose money in good times. The second issue is a bigger problem IMO. The idea that Disney needs to cater to DVC members to make them feel special is simply not feasible. DVC members as a group have proven they can't be made happy within the limitations in place. DVC can only do things that don't cost much or any money or things that the membership pays for. DVD will do some things that are sales oriented like the EPCOT lounge and special events. These are ultimately investments to make sales.

Here's an example, years ago all Disney had free valet parking. At some point this went away for Disney but not for DVC. It was being provided at no cost to DVC but with the outside vender coming on board at some point the contract was up and DVC was going to have to pay full price to keep valet parking free to members. So they ended it which was the obvious choice though they did it poorly with poor notification and some arriving to free valet parking and leaving with a bill. But here on DIS we saw a lot of complaining and some that felt other DVC members should pay for their valet parking, clearly entitlement thinking.

IMO it's not reasonable to think one deserves more than simply a room with good timeshare management. Whether they reach that bar is doubtful at this point.

I think that while DVC owners may spend a little less on certain items, Disney is getting a lot "upfront" payment from its members. Food costs for our family are the same whether we stay DVC or through Disney.We spend more on tickets or upgrade to passes and come more often. I really feel that for our family we spend MORE at Disney since becoming members. I can't imagine that we are the only ones who do. Are you referring to souvenirs?

 

[Dean]

I think that while DVC owners may spend a little less on certain items, Disney is getting a lot "upfront" payment from its members. Food costs for our family are the same whether we stay DVC or through Disney.We spend more on tickets or upgrade to passes and come more often. I really feel that for our family we spend MORE at Disney since becoming members. I can't imagine that we are the only ones who do. Are you referring to souvenirs?

I'm referring to food, tickets per day, souvenirs, etc. The up front payment is already theirs and for the room only. Realize if you weren't in the room that someone else would be so it's per day spending per room.