Define "frequent" guest.
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Should Disney offer " Frequent Guest" Perks?
- Thread starter Iteachwood
- Start date
Define "frequent" guest.
sbkline
Well-Known Member
We can all have our own idea of what a "frequent guest" would be, and many of us would probably define it based on how many trips WE have made. :lol:
But even if we can't all agree on what should define a "frequent guest", ultimately, that would be for Disney to decide. We just think it would be a good gesture, a good business practice, and a good incentive to return. At such time that Disney would agree, and implement such a policy, then naturally, it would be them who would decide the terms of the policy, as to whether it is 10 visits, 15 visits, 20 visits, etc.
hurricanepat
Member
For the amount of time I have vacationed there I believe I am owed a compensation of $45,857 or just a lot of free alcohol.
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
unless there's some other area, I've been registered on the WDW since I became a legal adult. That's how I book rooms.
I wouldn't do a skip pass or whatever. I suggested things that would be a small little thank you to the guests. Like getting a Gold Keys to the World card. That doesn't get you anything special except that the CMs sliding your card at the register will know you aren't the avg. tourist and any knowledgable other guests would see it and know you were a frequent flyer, too. Just small incentives
10 visits- candy in your room
25 visits- free small mickey plush or merch. disc. of 25%
40 visits- 10% off hotel stay
50 visits- Gold key card/ collector's pin
etc.
etc.
100 visits- grand marshall parade of choice
just an i.e.
I wouldn't do a skip pass or whatever. I suggested things that would be a small little thank you to the guests. Like getting a Gold Keys to the World card. That doesn't get you anything special except that the CMs sliding your card at the register will know you aren't the avg. tourist and any knowledgable other guests would see it and know you were a frequent flyer, too. Just small incentives
10 visits- candy in your room
25 visits- free small mickey plush or merch. disc. of 25%
40 visits- 10% off hotel stay
50 visits- Gold key card/ collector's pin
etc.
etc.
100 visits- grand marshall parade of choice
just an i.e.
CamiLyn227
Well-Known Member
Las Vegas does this sort of thing. The more you stay and play the more offers you get in the mail. Like free meals, show tickets or 1 or more nights free. Too bad they couldnt come up with some sort of frequent visitors card that you could use to accumulate points on.
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
I still wanna know how those people get VIP escorts lol
juniorthomas
Well-Known Member
I've heard rumors of them starting a premier fastpass level that you'd have to pay for. Not a fan, and I doubt Walt would be either.
(Your signature about Charlie Sheen is hilarious. Just wanted to say that.)
Tinkerbell 8
Well-Known Member
I think this would be a good idea to have special perks for those that vacation to disney a lot. Besides going to disney often, we go on a lot of Princess cruises. They have special perks for returning guests and it goes by two things, how many cruises you've been on and/or how many days you've sailed with them. The have different categories depending on how many days/cruises and each category has different perks. I think this would work well for Disney as well.
jmani56
Member
Well when I stay at the Swan and Dolphin, I get points to a Preferred Guest account (free to join). After a certain number of points, you can redeem them for things like a free night, half off rack rates, etc. It does take a ton of points to get anything substantial, but it does work. It would be great if Disney had something like this, with resorts or tickets.... even restaurants. I don't think it would be bias at all if they keep the perks to things like that.
Chape19714
Well-Known Member
They book them through VIP tours. It's quite expensive, but if you have the money, you can have a private tour guide. But note: You do not get front of line access or any perks above regular guests besides having a personalized guide.
Now, to answer the question about "Frequent guests", I am going to say no. I don't think it should be offered. It creates too much of a power complex of "I've stayed here XXX times so I am entitled to it." It could create many issues. One of the things I really do love about Disney is the fact that once at WDW the hierarchies of the world do not apply. We all buy the same tickets, have the same choices of hotels, wait in the same lines, eat the same foods, have the same access to features such as Fastpass and transportation, etc. Nobody is above anyone else, and it works. The hierarchies that exist in the outside world do not matter inside the park, it is truly an escape from reality. How would Disney offering special benefits make them different than the rest of the world.....it may start to feel like an airport, with separate places for frequent travelers, etc...bringing the outside world in....which none of us want.
C.FERNIE
Well-Known Member
We probs go to wdw once very two years as a groupd (10 of us!) and my parents go every year out with that! When we all go as a group and its booked under their name (same family names and addresses the last couple of years), we are also DVC members and we have NEVER been acknowleged as a returning guest! It doesnt really bother me as such but no nothing about pin codes and were all registered on the website and if its all of us we spend nearly 6 grand at least on everything! and no acnkowlegment! wasnt bothered before but now i know they can and should i think there should be some kind of gift or acknowlegment! Even if it is just a pin! Even with housekeeping we never get special towl presentations even when we have the kids and we tip well! It didnt use to bother me but it has started to mount up! DVC discounts suck like the florida residents ones its just a gimmick but i agree disney is discounting a lot for everyone lately. Not asking much just a hi! this is your 54th trip welcome home and heres is ur unique pin to say thanks... costs nothing to disney! :wave:
sbkline
Well-Known Member
I understand what you're saying, and agree up to a point. But even on a small level, Disney already does give special perks. Last year when we went, we were recognizing our son's birthday, and at more than one restaraunt, he got a free dessert. He got a first visit pin, and we got anniversary pins. So even on the smallest level, there is still a certain degree of inequality.
Now, I can't speak for everyone else who agrees with perks for frequent visitors, but speaking for myself, I would not be in favor of unlimited fastpasses, or other extreme perks like that. But I would be in favor of some discounts, a free dinner at a restaraunt, or other things like that. Ultimately, of course, Disney would draw the line of what a reasonable perk would be, but if we really want to argue about making everyone totally equal and not giving any kind of special privileges, then lets get rid of the free birthday desserts, the buttons, etc.
I guess what I am saying is that there is a happy medium to be found between the one extreme of not recognizing anything in any way (birthdays, frequent visits, anniversaries, etc) and the other extreme of giving people free valet service all week, universal fastpasses all week, etc.
Mammymouse
Well-Known Member
As a DVC owner and a Fl resident I agree!
maybe, but I an registered for ages and have never gotten one
Premium pass is $500 a years and it goes up every year... WHERE DO I SIGN UP? Would break even in probably 13 years!
Same story for me puntagordabob, Ive been DVC since 1997 and never even heard of a pin code. Also Ive been registered forever, too. I'm thinking about buying the Tables in Wonderland so we can save some money on dining. Food is always the dilema when we go to WDW.
anc33
Member
I probably qualify as someone who would be a frequent visitor as I stay on property 6-10 times per year. I am fairly certain that I have been the recipient of some frequent visitor perks (either that or I'm just lucky). We just stayed at the Poly this past weekend for my daughter's 3rd birthday (I did not tell them this when I booked the room). We booked the cheapest room on property and ended up being upgraded to a club level theme park view room. We usually get upgraded (without asking) about 2-3 times per year.
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
But there is a division except the division is based on money. Those who pay more, get better. Those who are at some of the deluxe hotels get monorail service. Those who can afford more get in hotel restaurants, no QS. Those who are in the know get better deals while everyone else pays higher rates. People who stay at their hotels get to stay in the park longer. Deluxe and Mod hotels have faster bus rotation.
People there for anniversaries or honeymoons get special things. Birthdays get better things. And those are all publicly seen things. IMO a perk system would be nice for little thank you touches. Like I said, things like earning a merc. discount, candies in your room. SOMETHING that says "We see you come here alot and spend your vacation money on us consistently so we want to say thank you."
PHSCoach
Member
Not really sure that any monetary reward would be something Disney would do. There are a lot of us out there that are frequent visitors. I have made over 50 trips since 1981 and spent 45 days in the world last year. I do think that some kind of acknowledgement would be nice besides the welcome home we always get. I also have never received a pin code of any kind, and the bus service at the deluxe resorts is not any better than that at the value.
NYwdwfan
Well-Known Member
Better put than I tried to say earlier. Not saying I think it's a good idea or agree in any way - just that I have a sneaking suspicion this is the line of thought by the suits on this topic.
ewensell3
Well-Known Member
...and I suppose I should qualify my particular situation.
We go every other year or so. Family and co-workers would consider me a "frequent" visitor only because most of them are in the "once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime, if at all" crowd. I have gone twice in one year, but I doubt I'll be repeating that.
So now that I think about it's probably my lack of frequency that gets notice. My name gets flagged as "hey, this family has visited a few times, but hasn't visited lately. Let's send them something". I also wonder if the unused days on my non-expire park tickets factor into it.
All pure speculation of course. Probably just dumb luck.
Aren't there discounts associated with season passes? I mean, if you're going often enough in a single year to justify seasons passes, wouldn't the discounts associated with be consider a frequent visitor perk? I know it's not the same as a rewards system, but there it is.