Pay for priority for room locations?

[havoc315]

My concern is it would go to 90%. The assumption is on Blue card members could buy into the "premier" program, however if the vast majority do, they will not be able to honor 90% of the requests. With a $100-$200 fee, a large number of Blue carder will join, and now that they are "paying" for room requests, more will make special requests.

If it was $100 to $200... then I absolutely would not pay if the only benefit was room requests. And I think I'm not alone.

On the other hand, if the room requests is one of the least meaningful benefits -- and you're paying just to keep the status quo for room requests, that's fine -- As long as there are indeed much more meaningful benefits.

Today, I rarely make a request, if I was paying into this system, I would almost always make a request. This will be like Genie+, with everyone paying the extra $30, the benefit is diluted and they still will only be able to fill 30%-40% of the requests.

And now, I paid for a "preferred" room and didn't get it..... and some white card member that didn't pay into the premier program got a room I like better, or is no different than mine.

I think they would be inviting all the entitled folks to be upset. (I avoided using the K name as to not offend anyone)

 

[CarolMN]

I do not want to see a paid perks offering.

If one is implemented, IMO, it would almost certainly include the DVC annual passes or other discounted ticket options. Many of us would pay for that, even if reluctantly. And if priority room requests are part of he package, I have to believe everyone who paid for the package would make requests. What a nightmare for room assigners and front desk CMs! Sadly, too many of us can turn into entitled jerks when we don't get what we think we deserve. It's been a while, but I have witnessed that behavior myself.

 

[tjkraz]

One thing that comes to mind which would make sense as part of a paid perks offering would be DVC-exclusive extended late night hours. Park capacity isn't a concern and it would be a very meaningful benefit.

Convince 80% of DVC families to pay $100 per year and you've raised about $20 million. What does that buy in terms of late-night park hours? Is it enough for one park per week open 2 hours extra for owners? I honestly don't know.

And what if only 50% end up buying?

They could add in other perks which cost little-to-nothing to provide. But not sure priority room assignments makes sense. That's not something you can accurately provide when you sell to too many.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Sadly, too many of us can turn into entitled jerks when we don't get what we think we deserve. It's been a while, but I have witnessed that behavior myself.

This!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I don’t really care about room requests (which I don’t think will ever be included), but if a paid program for blue card members incentivizes DVC to come up with fun new perks for a relatively reasonable fee, I’m all for it!

 

[hglenn]

Several have noted that the theory of a "paid perks" program would/should only be available to blue card members. I tend to disagree... From an economic standpoint, I only have to buy 150 points (currently) to be a blue card member. Meaning that DVC only makes money off of me one time and it's a finite amount of money. After qualifying, I would be free to buy all of my remaining points resale - which I believe many people do. After that initial qualification, there's really no incentive to continue to buy direct outside of convenience. However, if the "paid perks" program were available to blue and white card holders, DVC would be able to create a revenue stream that goes beyond a one-time direct purchase and now gets my white-card money via another avenue, where they wouldn't have gotten anything further from me if I were only buying resale.

Another thought might be that the "fee" is based on points owned - similar to dues... So you pay a price per point rather than a flat $100/year or whatever.

Thoughts on either of these options?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Several have noted that the theory of a "paid perks" program would/should only be available to blue card members. I tend to disagree... From an economic standpoint, I only have to buy 150 points (currently) to be a blue card member. Meaning that DVC only makes money off of me one time and it's a finite amount of money. After qualifying, I would be free to buy all of my remaining points resale - which I believe many people do. After that initial qualification, there's really no incentive to continue to buy direct outside of convenience. However, if the "paid perks" program were available to blue and white card holders, DVC would be able to create a revenue stream that goes beyond a one-time direct purchase and now gets my white-card money via another avenue, where they wouldn't have gotten anything further from me if I were only buying resale.

Another thought might be that the "fee" is based on points owned - similar to dues... So you pay a price per point rather than a flat $100/year or whatever.

Thoughts on either of these options?

if you can pay for a "perks program" to resale owners, what would be the point of buying direct in the first place?

 

[Unclelude]

There's a blueprint out there where other timeshares have a mandatory fee on resale points (Marriott I think) ... So when you buy they get $x pp... That gets you back into some perks, but not all of them.

I don't think they will ever go to a place where direct doesn't have some advantages over resale. Seems like more tiers coming... Blue+, blue, white... Or whatever they rename it too.

 

[hglenn]

if you can pay for a "perks program" to resale owners, what would be the point of buying direct in the first place?

Yea, valid... However, do you think that limited quantity and convenience would be enough of a reason for many to buy direct? I mean, I only own one resale contract but the process was so dreadful that I will likely buy direct going forward unless I'm buying a large chunk of points that I don't need right away.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Yea, valid... However, do you think that limited quantity and convenience would be enough of a reason for many to buy direct? I mean, I only own one resale contract but the process was so dreadful that I will likely buy direct going forward unless I'm buying a large chunk of points that I don't need right away.

the biggest direct perk going forward will be the ability to stay at Riviera and future resorts. The value of that is subjective and probably not so appealing at the moment since there really isn't anything new. But I think Disney is in the long game, and eventually, that specific perk will become a more powerful incentive than what it is now. Just my opinion.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Several have noted that the theory of a "paid perks" program would/should only be available to blue card members. I tend to disagree... From an economic standpoint, I only have to buy 150 points (currently) to be a blue card member. Meaning that DVC only makes money off of me one time and it's a finite amount of money. After qualifying, I would be free to buy all of my remaining points resale - which I believe many people do. After that initial qualification, there's really no incentive to continue to buy direct outside of convenience. However, if the "paid perks" program were available to blue and white card holders, DVC would be able to create a revenue stream that goes beyond a one-time direct purchase and now gets my white-card money via another avenue, where they wouldn't have gotten anything further from me if I were only buying resale.

Another thought might be that the "fee" is based on points owned - similar to dues... So you pay a price per point rather than a flat $100/year or whatever.

Thoughts on either of these options?

But there is an incentive to continue buying direct past 150, namely, the ability to use those unrestricted points at new resorts like VDH, Poly2, other new resorts announced in the next few years, and all the Epcot resorts past 2042. That’s the main incentive for buying direct, and it certainly doesn’t stop at 150.

Disney’s principal strategy these past few years has been to differentiate the benefits of direct points over resale, so why would they move to equalize them by making these perks available to resale? Resale buyers (I’m one too) knew the drill before purchasing, a lack of benefits is the trade off for a hugely lower price. Rewriting the rules undermines the value of direct contracts, which are far more profitable than whatever extra money on the side Disney would make off a perks program for everyone. And frankly I don’t think it’s fair to direct buyers.

A price per point?? So people who buy more points are penalized for opting into the perks program? Not sure that works.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

the ability to use those unrestricted points at new resorts like VDH, Poly2, other new resorts announced in the next few years, and all the Epcot resorts past 2042. That’s the main incentive for buying direct, and it certainly doesn’t stop at 150.

If the restriction policy continues, I think the 7 month swapping to different resort will become more difficult. Let's be real. Those that buy VDH will probably use their points exclusively at the 11 month window at VDH, similar to what happens at VGC. Poly2's status is still up in the air. And 2042 is still a long way away for those prime Epcot resorts to expire. Even with all that, Disney will continue to capitalize on the effect of FOMO and will continue to get creative with offering new perks to keep direct sales going.

 

[hglenn]

the biggest direct perk going forward will be the ability to stay at Riviera and future resorts.

But there is an incentive to continue buying direct past 150, namely, the ability to use those unrestricted points at new resorts like VDH, Poly2, other new resorts announced in the next few years, and all the Epcot resorts past 2042.

Yea, both great points. I think I was dismissing the ability to use resale points at the newer resorts and I think you're both right on the money there. Definitely the main reason to buy direct, for sure! I guess when I think about a "paid perks" program it's more of the other non-guaranteed ones like TOTWL, discounts, etc...

 

[hglenn]

Disney will continue to capitalize on the effect of FOMO

FOMO is real..... for sure!

 

[Paul Stupin]

Yea, valid... However, do you think that limited quantity and convenience would be enough of a reason for many to buy direct? I mean, I only own one resale contract but the process was so dreadful that I will likely buy direct going forward unless I'm buying a large chunk of points that I don't need right away.

No, I don’t think limited quantity and convenience is enough. But I totally agree about the monumentally difficult resale process. For me, it’s no longer worth it, especially since I don’t want to be locked out of new DVC properties, and also like to book Riviera at 7 months.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

No, I don’t think limited quantity and convenience is enough. But I totally agree about the monumentally difficult resale process. For me, it’s no longer worth it, especially since I don’t want to be locked out of new DVC properties, and also like to book Riviera at 7 months.

I'm really hoping 7 month availability at VDH will be similar to Riviera and Disney declares a whole bunch of rooms ahead of sales numbers.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I'm really hoping 7 month availability at VDH will be similar to Riviera and Disney declares a whole bunch of rooms ahead of sales numbers.

I hope so too! Whatever its 7 month availability is, it can’t be as bad as VGC, can it?

 

[Sandisw]

Yea, both great points. I think I was dismissing the ability to use resale points at the newer resorts and I think you're both right on the money there. Definitely the main reason to buy direct, for sure! I guess when I think about a "paid perks" program it's more of the other non-guaranteed ones like TOTWL, discounts, etc...

Techincally, your right...perks tend to be the incidental benefits. The ability to use your points elsehwere is part of the POS and the DVC resort agreement, which is different.

Given what DVD has done lately, I just don't see them offering any level of paid program from "perks" like discounts, or access to places like TOWTL, to resale buyers. Just the fact that they made TOTWL a membership extras benefit tells you that they want to keep the direct vs. resale differences alive.

Also, any membership extras have to be negotiated with other divisions so I think any level of paid program would then have to guarantee those benefits...now, its not like that.

As I said, I wish they would drop the entire request option, even though it is not guaranteed, and go to a FCFS option instead...though, I know that isn't always the easiest either with room assignments, and being at 100% occupancy...

 

[BeachClub2014]

As I said, I wish they would drop the entire request option, even though it is not guaranteed, and go to a FCFS option instead...though, I know that isn't always the easiest either with room assignments, and being at 100% occupancy...

Agree. Our only "request" for a room is that it be clean and ready at 4:00 PM when check-in begins.

 

[RoseGold]

From an economic standpoint, I only have to buy 150 points (currently) to be a blue card member. Meaning that DVC only makes money off of me one time and it's a finite amount of money. After qualifying, I would be free to buy all of my remaining points resale - which I believe many people do.

Unless the perks themselves make money, like the new TOTW dessert party model.

There's no reason they couldn't SELL blue (or blue and white) perks, like firework spots, or pins. There's plenty left to monetize.