Stopped considering DVC this week. Anyone else?

[Eric Smith]

I really hope for the return of some kind of AP. It can be after 1PM, or weekday only, or tons of blackout dates, or whatever, I'll work with that. But my DVC plans don't work without some kind of annual pass.

I really don't think anything is going to change with WDW APs. They'll start selling new ones again once the capacity limits can be raised.

 

[kimj88]

Basically, yes, except our previous APs were not unused. We cancelled them and requested a refund for the unused portion last summer. You have to call the AP VIP pass holder number. If you meet the criteria, they forward your info to a special team who calls you back to make the purchase. There is a very long thread on this over on Theme Parks.

I might have a case for our APs that lapsed, what is the AP VIP pass holder number? It's worth a try!

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I really don't think anything is going to change with WDW APs. They'll start selling new ones again once the capacity limits can be raised.

I agree. If they were going to squash APs, they would have done so already.

I really think their desire to increase revenue will lead them to reduce regular operating hours and increase special evening events. Also introduce more special paid events during the regular operating hours.

I think AP holders are prime buyers for these events. You start to feel like your admission is "free" at a certain point and become more willing to pay for the extra stuff. Plus, as a frequent visitor, you're likely to be looking for new and unique experiences IMO.

 

[CarolMN]

I might have a case for our APs that lapsed, what is the AP VIP pass holder number? It's worth a try!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/h...nual Passholders, use the form,(407) 939-7277.

 

[tline35]

They really should have continued the service with a charge per person(magical express, luggage when there is a company to use, etc).

Disney never ran MDE, they contracted with Mears. Mears did it before MDE, and says they will continue, for a fee, after MDE. So you still have the same service, same buses, same bus drivers. Or there are a 101 car/limo/shuttle services in Orlando besides Mears, plus Uber and Lyft. All will be glad to take our money.

No word yet on luggage directly to the rooms.

 

[gskywalker]

Disney never ran MDE, they contracted with Mears. Mears did it before MDE, and says they will continue, for a fee, after MDE. So you still have the same service, same buses, same bus drivers. Or there are a 101 car/limo/shuttle services in Orlando besides Mears, plus Uber and Lyft. All will be glad to take our money.

No word yet on luggage directly to the rooms.

Yes they never ran it but you could go to Disney with any problem with the service. Any other service would be difficult for 7 people, luggage and my daughter's wheel chair. Ie we have to rent a van and deal with driving, luggage, checking in to get the vehicle, filling up with gas, etc etc. So much less convenient. Defeats one of the main purposes of being on property for me.... Convience, 1 stop shop. We got a rental one time to try it and it was nice going to the parks but it was not nice for the airport to and from.

 

[GrtDisGuy]

We considered buying until the pandemic hit, to be honest. It became painfully aware after that happened that life and DVC ownership would be different for a long while. The DVC resort closures, the changes in how to use points... and then all the changes with the parks. Cutting DME was the last straw, to be honest.

So glad we did not lock in a purchase that would force us to travel to Disney regularly.

Respect your view on this - but coming from a different perspective. We have traveled into FL and stayed at DVC properties 4 times already during the pandemic. They have done a great job making a safe and fun place for our family to escape our home. Really look forward to Disney getting back to what it was before - and many of the cast members coming back when the world gets back to order.

 

[jimbostacks]

Just my personal thoughts. I know people have different levels of comfort traveling during these times. But working remote in my basement and not much open around my home for the past year has been a challenge. My DVC membership has been "priceless" for a break from reality. 3 trips.... whether I was at CCV walking down to Geyser point for lunch and playing ping pong with a drink lake side, or Spending the day at Stormalong Bay and hopping in the Skyliner to get lunch at Carribean resort (Banana Cabana), or just enjoying the relaxed vibe at OKW....service top notch and for me has helped me weather the storm better. It is definitely different for each of us and I hope fireworks and entertainment come back soon to make it more fun

 

[princesscinderella]

Just my personal thoughts. I know people have different levels of comfort traveling during these times. But working remote in my basement and not much open around my home for the past year has been a challenge. My DVC membership has been "priceless" for a break from reality. 3 trips.... whether I was at CCV walking down to Geyser point for lunch and playing ping pong with a drink lake side, or Spending the day at Stormalong Bay and hopping in the Skyliner to get lunch at Carribean resort (Banana Cabana), or just enjoying the relaxed vibe at OKW....service top notch and for me has helped me weather the storm better. It is definitely different for each of us and I hope fireworks and entertainment come back soon to make it more fun

I agree with this 100%. We have made 5 long weekend getaways and they have done wonders for us. We haven’t gone to the parks and haven’t missed it. We were just remarking at how when we do go back to the parks it’s going to be hard to get the kids up early for rope drop. There’s still so much to do at a resort stay, and it’s much more relaxing. We always joked that we needed a vacation from our Disney trips because they were so busy.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

Respect your view on this - but coming from a different perspective. We have traveled into FL and stayed at DVC properties 4 times already during the pandemic. They have done a great job making a safe and fun place for our family to escape our home. Really look forward to Disney getting back to what it was before - and many of the cast members coming back when the world gets back to order.

I respect your view as well-- we went in July 2020 to a DVC resort because we had already booked a trip for March, during the initial shutdown.

We were disappointed in the limited food options, reduced transportation choices, and lack of curbside check-in and luggage service for our return to the airport. The vacation was certainly more work than our previous three trips at DVC properties, and we still had Magical Express on the trip in July. With two little ones, I'm not willing to spend the kind of money needed to buy into DVC for a long-term purchase when I've been shown that many of the amenities can be removed or reduced at a moments notice by Disney.

 

[TinkB278]

so does anyone have a guess on when they think capacity will be raised enough to start reselling APs for at least DVC members? I understand holding off selling APs for everyone else but this is really rough when you’re basically on the hook for multiple Disney vacations.

 

[Sandisw]

so does anyone have a guess on when they think capacity will be raised enough to start reselling APs for at least DVC members? I understand holding off selling APs for everyone else but this is really rough when you’re basically on the hook for multiple Disney vacations.

My guess...and just a guess...not until summer at the earliest. I also think when they do open up new sales, it will include everyone and not DVC only.

It would be nice to see the DVC part of my guess be wrong. It would be a good move if DVD could get that division to make that happen!

I know that whenever they go on sale again, I will invest in a few extra vouchers so they are there for future trips

 

[bookwormde]

so does anyone have a guess on when they think capacity will be raised enough to start reselling APs for at least DVC members? I understand holding off selling APs for everyone else but this is really rough when you’re basically on the hook for multiple Disney vacations.

I have originally thought that it would move towards 50% around the 1 year anniversary of the reopening, but now given the slower than expected vaccine roll out and new covid strains, I am not even sure it will happen this year

 

[bakerworld]

Our DVC membership is a compromise on DH wanting a 'vacation home' that we'd only use 3 weeks a year. I'm no landlord and neither is he. I watched my parents try to be landlords and I watched them fail. I didn't want a generic TS located just anywhere and have to pay all kinds of extra charges to transfer where I want to stay. I see my sister doing this and it's frustrating to watch. DVC satisfies him and me. We're not buying any more - CV19 or not - because we now have 6 weeks worth and even retired our home situation is such that managing more than a full week away is not enjoyable.

The parks are just a perk - LOL.

 

[DVCcurious]

Disney is the hot girl that ruins your car, sleeps with your friend but you can’t quit her, IMO.

Late at night she knocks on my door
She's drunk again and looking to score
Now I know I should say no
But that's kind of hard when she's ready to go
I may be dumb
But I'm not a dweeb
I'm just a sucker with no self-esteem

When she's saying, oh, that she wants only me
Then I wonder why she sleeps with my friends
When she's saying, oh, that I'm like a disease
Then I wonder how much more I can spend
Well, I guess I should stick up for myself
But I really think it's better this way
The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care
Right?

 

[RhodyKP]

I can't believe it took me this long to realize what happened. It is now clear to me that Disney got rid of DME because the acronym is too close to MDE and created confusion. They're obviously going to start a new free bus service with a more unique acronym. Thanks Disney!

 

[Cabius]

I can't believe it took me this long to realize what happened. It is now clear to me that Disney got rid of DME because the acronym is too close to MDE and created confusion. They're obviously going to start a new free bus service with a more unique acronym. Thanks Disney!

From the geniuses who brought you "no, Early Morning Magic is totally different than Extra Magic Hours"!

(Incidentally, EMM was so wonderful when it debuted in 2017, before they jacked up the capacity.)

 

[lovethesun12]

Yes they never ran it but you could go to Disney with any problem with the service. Any other service would be difficult for 7 people, luggage and my daughter's wheel chair. Ie we have to rent a van and deal with driving, luggage, checking in to get the vehicle, filling up with gas, etc etc. So much less convenient. Defeats one of the main purposes of being on property for me.... Convience, 1 stop shop. We got a rental one time to try it and it was nice going to the parks but it was not nice for the airport to and from.

Yeah I have to agree and I'm wondering how this might all affect their bottom line. The thing we loved about Disney is that with one click on their website, we have an all inclusive vacation. We are guaranteed to get to Disney whether it's 12am at night (we've done that) or leave at 6am in the morning (also had to do that).

So then we look at renting cars/suv's to reduce the risk of being stuck at an airport or not arriving on time. But then that opens us up to all the places we decided not to go to because we preferred an "all-inclusive" type vacation. If we are renting a car anyway, we will be doing a few days at universal for certain. We will be eating off-site frequently for certain. We will be going to walmart/etc for souvenirs/toys/snacks. Not because we are mad at Disney or anything just because those things now make more sense if we have to rent a car anyway.

Maybe there are so few people that vacation like us it won't make a difference though. Who knows.

 

[RhodyKP]

But then that opens us up to all the places we decided not to go to because we preferred an "all-inclusive" type vacation. If we are renting a car anyway, we will be doing a few days at universal for certain. We will be eating off-site frequently for certain. We will be going to walmart/etc for souvenirs/toys/snacks. Not because we are mad at Disney or anything just because those things now make more sense if we have to rent a car anyway.

I think this is a really good point. I am one of the people who loves the "bubble" because I like convenience and having decisions taken out of my hands once I'm there. But now if it's just as convenient for me to hop in the rental car and shoot over to CVS for the sunblock I forgot rather than swing by the gift shop, I'm doing that. And if the ride to Universal is now free since the rental car is paid for anyway, I'm absolutely moving some of my ticket money into the Universal category. And that's just one stop away from, "Well why do I even need to pay a premium to stay on site if I now have my own transportation to and from the parks, anyway?"

 

[wvujeb]

I think this is a really good point. I am one of the people who loves the "bubble" because I like convenience and having decisions taken out of my hands once I'm there. But now if it's just as convenient for me to hop in the rental car and shoot over to CVS for the sunblock I forgot rather than swing by the gift shop, I'm doing that. And if the ride to Universal is now free since the rental car is paid for anyway, I'm absolutely moving some of my ticket money into the Universal category. And that's just one stop away from, "Well why do I even need to pay a premium to stay on site if I now have my own transportation to and from the parks, anyway?"

I think that's probably the reason that Disney started Magical Express. It kept people in the bubble and 'forced' people to stay and spend at Disney. I think with the popularity of Uber and Lyft and possibly other reasons, people aren't staying inside the bubble like they previously did. Disney decided that the costs to run Magical Express weren't worth the returns they were now seeing. Or maybe not. Maybe it was solely a cost cutting decision in tough times.