DVC as launchpad to visiting other attractions and skipping parks

[🍀TwinsMom]

Just curious, I know we're not the first or only ones to skip WDW parks for various reasons; high ticket cost, less bang for the buck, etc., but we burned through a ton of trips since buying in 2019 and taking advantage of those "free" bonus direct points and cheap Covid airfare and now vacation very differently We've really leaned into staying DVC but are now going offsite to do other things, including Universal, Wild Florida, soon Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Epic.

I'm wondering if Disney has thought through in their calculations that DVC die-hard fans may be losing a built-in audience/customer who uses their points now as a crash pad to go other places off site, or do you think they don't care and it's not enough folks to move the needle? I'm a HUGE DVC fan and love staying at different resorts, but the expense and hassle of LLs/virtual queues, and shortened hours with after-hours events/parties has worn the polish off a bit for me.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

DVC is a timeshare and a really nice place to stay. We will spend 90% of our time onsite, but have also enjoyed Universal, SW, Space Coast, and other attractions within a hour or so of WDW. Your list of negatives as you see them can probably be used for other attractions, too. SW isn't anywhere near what it used to be, Universal is a lot of fun but expensive too, and the grass isn't always greener on the other side. We love Disney. We also really enjoy Universal some trips (and are very much looking forward to Epic Universa), and we'll even take longer day trips away from Disney at times. But we still enjoy the Disney bubble very much, and the DVC/WDW combo is very much our happy place.

 

[pinkxray]

We are definitely people who been using our DVC points to explore other options besides just Disney parks. Last spring break we stayed at BLT and did 1 MK day. The rest of the time we had Seaworld/ Discover Cove tickets.

This summer we are staying at Fort Wilderness. Mostly doing Fort stuff but had planned on doing one Disney park. About 10 minutes ago I asked DS if we should skip the Disney park on go to Universal( just looking at all the Epic Universe stuff this morning).

We are also doing a week long trip over Thanksgiving. Really considering doing only 2-3 Disney park days and maybe Universal or Seaworld too. (Might just get Universal Ap’s this summer )

I really think we are the minority though. I’m guessing Disney thinks there aren’t enough people skipping the Disney parks to move the needle.

 

[reddog21]

We always go elsewhere while staying on site. I can't even remember any time we just did Disney and nothing else. There's so much more to do around the Central Florida area. People are missing out that just park themself inside the bubble.

 

[tidefan]

Our last 2 trips have been at CFW and we've done exactly 2 park days out of 12... but we drive every trip, so getting around is easy for us.

 

[Pyxie]

I wouldn't think Disney is overly concerned about DVC members potentially using their points and enjoying attractions outside of Disney. Because otherwise, you'd be staying somewhere else entirely and at least this way you are more likely to buy food, etc. onsite.

 

[Ruttangel]

If you are just using as a base you could just look at SSR or OKW, cheap points, near I4 and parking near to your room

 

[Disdreaming479]

We have vacationed in Florida once or twice a year for 10 years. However, while on wdw property, we don’t visit other theme parks. We always stay on property at US to enjoy their benefits. Sometimes we leave Orlando to head to the gulf for a beach week. Sometimes we skip wdw and just do US and the beach. We’ve been to natural springs and have chartered boats out of Panama City Beach for dolphin cruises. Kennedy Space Center/ Cocoa Beach. There are unlimited fun things to do in Florida.

 

[CarolynFH]

As long as people buy into DVC and therefore cover the cost of building the DVC villas (by paying to buy the points) and cover the cost of maintaining, refurbishing, and operating the resorts (by paying dues), I don’t think Disney cares very much about what those owners do when they’re staying in the DVC resorts. (And as long as Disney can rent unbooked DVC villas for cash, I’m not sure that they care very much whether DVC owners even stay in the resorts or not, as long as they pay their dues.)

 

[Judique]

Just curious, I know we're not the first or only ones to skip WDW parks for various reasons; high ticket cost, less bang for the buck, etc., but we burned through a ton of trips since buying in 2019 and taking advantage of those "free" bonus direct points and cheap Covid airfare and now vacation very differently We've really leaned into staying DVC but are now going offsite to do other things, including Universal, Wild Florida, soon Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Epic.

I'm wondering if Disney has thought through in their calculations that DVC die-hard fans may be losing a built-in audience/customer who uses their points now as a crash pad to go other places off site, or do you think they don't care and it's not enough folks to move the needle? I'm a HUGE DVC fan and love staying at different resorts, but the expense and hassle of LLs/virtual queues, and shortened hours with after-hours events/parties has worn the polish off a bit for me.

My DVC has been a crash pad lots of times in the last 25 years. I always have some sort of ticket and usually it has been an annual pass or 10 day no expiry way back when. I've had trips where I walked into Epcot in the morning to grab something at Sunshine Seasons and that was it, then headed out for the day or even for a night away. Yes, left my stuff in the room and paid for a hotel near Tampa, because that's what I felt like doing.

Our last 2 trips have been at CFW and we've done exactly 2 park days out of 12... but we drive every trip, so getting around is easy for us.

This trip is going to be one of my longer ones and I always drive. Won't stay on Disney the whole time, but mostly as we will be at an offsite hotel for another week so it is more convenient to do Disney stuff while at Disney. Plus I ran down my points total too much this past use year.

I wouldn't think Disney is overly concerned about DVC members potentially using their points and enjoying attractions outside of Disney. Because otherwise, you'd be staying somewhere else entirely and at least this way you are more likely to buy food, etc. onsite.

Disney tries to keep a handle on every penny you spend so they can get most of them.

If you are just using as a base you could just look at SSR or OKW, cheap points, near I4 and parking near to your room

Booking at 11 months I'm going to book where I want to stay and bought, but I've stayed SSR and enjoy it. BWV was by far a cheaper option for me when I bought than SSR was when it was built. It now has cheaper dues, and if I needed more points I'd do it.

As long as people buy into DVC and therefore cover the cost of building the DVC villas (by paying to buy the points) and cover the cost of maintaining, refurbishing, and operating the resorts (by paying dues), I don’t think Disney cares very much about what those owners do when they’re staying in the DVC resorts. (And as long as Disney can rent unbooked DVC villas for cash, I’m not sure that they care very much whether DVC owners even stay in the resorts or not, as long as they pay their dues.)

I think Disney does care but if a member chooses not to give Disney access to their wallet for anything beyond the room, there's not much they can do. When I traveled with my family in the early days, it was Disney everything - ADR's, souvenirs, parks. But with family only occasionally along, I am free to follow my own diet. That can be a trip to Publix for some stuff, or a trip to Flying Fish for dinner last minute (they always find me a seat at the bar) or maybe I'll walk over to Swan/Dolphin/Reserve and get some dinner. Reserve has a bar where I can get a decent burger and fries and a glass of milk, lol, especially when I'm eating late.

My trip last Easter brought me back to those times. Disney got me to spend a lot for me - multiple rooms, dining reservations every day, tickets and 'stuff' for the grands and my pet sitters.

I'll have to do one more of those blowout trips - DS, wife and 2 grands want to go when the last grand is their idea of 'old enough'. I'll be happy I have DVC to offset the cost. DS has been numerous times up til about 21. DDil has done DL but not WDW. This is at my invitation so it's all covered. After that, it's on them other than rooms.

 

[chalee94]

If you are just using as a base you could just look at SSR or OKW, cheap points, near I4 and parking near to your room

SSR and OKW? Dang, if you aren't using the onsite/park-related perks, you might as well stay offsite for a fraction of the cost...

(and I often do...)

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm with @chalee94. There are plenty of perfectly lovely timeshares all over Orlando, that are cheaper to stay in and as nice or nicer than a typical DVC resort. Many of them are available as getaways through Interval as well.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

We’re in a similar boat. Bought early in COVID when my twins were < 3. Had Sorcerer’s passes. Now we have a third child, and will have a newborn soon. Heading to WDW later this summer and we’re staying at CFW to try it (and tool around on the 6 seater golf cart ), then splitting a week at RR and VGF.

We’re going to maximize the free water park days (for whatever they’re worth as we juggle four kids under 8 !).

We’re also heavily contemplating UO APs and here’s why:
- We MUCH prefer UO’s child swap program where my wife and I can stay together! Wait in an indoor air conditioned room while the other rides. I hate splitting up for the big kid rides.
- Their AP’s are half the price.
- We’re HP nerds
- the Jurassic park playground at UO is really fun. Hey Disney, stop destroying your playgrounds!! (I still miss Honey I Shrunk the Kids… and RIP Boneyard)

We’re open to other places too. Between water parks, moonlight magic, UO, pool, maybe a day at EPCOT for the new test track… we’ll fill our time.

 

[Skywalker3]

So far, we've not taken a resort only trip, or trip staying DVC, and not going to the WDW parks some of the time. However, last couple years kids and I haven't had an annual pass, just day passes, so I have spent more time than usual doing non park activities. More time at Disney Springs, eating offsite, some resort hopping, etc.
But when I visit other theme parks like Universal, I want to be in their bubble. Love their resorts. I don't really plan on staying DVC and driving over. Even this past October, the kids and I did Halloween Horror nights, and stayed one night, mid-week/mid-BWV stay, at Royal Pacific, DH spent that night at BWV. I do have a Universal AP, and plan to keep it, esp with Epic coming.
Maybe one day we'd just do a resort only if we just had tons of extra points to burn up. We're using a year's worth to try Aulani, dream trip, in a few weeks. I can't believe that! so there's always the non-Orlando resorts as options too.

 

[Mouseforward]

I will only do universal if I’m staying at one of the deluxe resorts so I get the included pass. The cost of universal plus buying the pass makes it much more expensive than Disney I’ve considered using my points at Saratoga Springs resort but the front of the line pass makes it not worth it compared to just staying at universal for a few days.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Agreed on EP. Problem for us is UO villas are extremely pricey for a fam of 6. Any other suggestions there? Maybe adjoining rooms?

 

[ThatCubT]

This is definitely how we're planning on using our membership - we feel there is so much to do in a two week stay from the UK, so it's a great place to set up camp for the week whilst we explore the area!