You pay more you get more. Is it so wrong?

[horizons8283]

My parents were both at opening day as kids with their families. I was their with my parents at 3 for the opening of Epcot. I have been going to the world every year since the beginning. Sometimes twice a year. when my family could not keep up with the room rates they were some of the first investors in the Disney Vacation club. I would definitely say we are a Disney World family. We are my no means wealthy we just go to one place and put all we save to Disney and ways to afford doing it in style. I continued the tradition by bringing my college girlfriend (now wife) the first year we met as it would not work if she didn't like it. 8 years later we were married their in our perfect idea of a disneyworld wedding. We started a internet sales business in college again all proceeds going to Disney. As soon as we both joined our family business and could no longer afford to save enough cash to go so we signed up for the disney card for all business expenses bringing us a ton of disney points and continuing to allow us to keep up our level of disney vacations. This has continued to today where we can afford to take our children with us which is still a huge stress but doable each year.
This brings me to my point. All these years Disney has treated us well we got special offers when we were young and Amex was the official card of Disney. We get some benefits from visa chase but not much. i'm not looking for a red carpet but at least some type of rating program something along the lines of Universals policies. If you stay at the least expensive hotel you get the lowest amount of benefits. Stay at the nicest much more benefits. How would it not be fair for us to receive a little better dinning reservation choices closer to trip. A few more fast past selections a day. A few free Minnie Van rides not that much that it costs them tons but enough that encourages us to stay heavily devoted. I know I will take flack from this post but have been holding this back for some ideas negative or positive. I can take it. I'm not spoiled n\but when you give a company so much of your hard earned money . Is it wrong to expect more?

 

[spacemtnfanatic]

Sadly you have done what many of us have done over the years. You have spent your life loving Disney and realize now Disney doesn't give a you know what about you to return the favor. For the prices of the deluxe resorts - perks like that should almost be a given. But they aren't. And why? Because Disney knows you will come and drop money anyway. And that is all they care about. And that is why I haven't been in two years and won't go back.

 

[Chef Mickey]

There are many, many people like you. You think you spend a lot there and deserve a rewards program, but there is limited availability and a line all the way to MCO airport.

Short answer, they don’t really need loyalty programs. If you want special perks, get an annual pass or become a DVC member.

It’s not that they don’t want your business or want you to come back...they do. It’s just really popular and too small.

I’ve been to WDW probably more than 80 times. I really expect nothing except the typical Disney experience when I’m there. When the money stops flowing, so does the Disney Magic. I’m ok with that and you need to be too.

 

[horizons8283]

There are many, many people like you. You think you spend a lot there and deserve a rewards program, but there is limited availability and a line all the way to MCO airport.

Short answer, they don’t really need loyalty programs. If you want special perks, get an annual pass or become a DVC member.

It’s not that they don’t want your business or want you to come back...they do. It’s just really popular and too small.

I’ve been to WDW probably more than 80 times. I really expect nothing except the typical Disney experience when I’m there. When the money stops flowing, so does the Disney Magic. I’m ok with that and you need to be too.

I'm not asking for much at all, I have stayed on my parents points and am an annual pass holder but its just as good as my disney visa. Universal is definitely smaller but they automatically offer rewards based on dollars spent.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Unfortunately like all businesses they have to be hurt it the pocket books to be woken up. I predict that it will happen and when the public sours on Disney they will respond appealing to their true supporters over the years to come back. They will make offers and hope the fans respond. .with all that said if the crowds keep coming and willing to wait in 200 minute lines it won't happen anytime soon. Side story I used to love when I would call Disney reservations and get greeted with my first visit date and recognized as a long time customer.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I'm not asking for much at all, I have stayed on my parents points and am an annual pass holder but its just as good as my disney visa. Universal is definitely smaller but they automatically offer rewards based on dollars spent.

Sounds like you’ve made your choice then.

 

[horizons8283]

Sounds like you’ve made your choice then.

What is that?

 

[21stamps]

What loyalty program does Universal have? I didn’t know about it.

 

[horizons8283]

What loyalty program does Universal have? I didn’t know about it.

Just the more expensive of a hotel you stay at the more the benefits. You stay at one of their "value" and you get basics at the "deluxe" walk on passes for all rides.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

Sadly you have done what many of us have done over the years. You have spent your life loving Disney and realize now Disney doesn't give a you know what about you to return the favor. For the prices of the deluxe resorts - perks like that should almost be a given. But they aren't. And why? Because Disney knows you will come and drop money anyway. And that is all they care about. And that is why I haven't been in two years and won't go back.

Why continue to post on this site? That's an honest question. If I had enough with WDW, coming on this site to post would drive me bonkers.

But, suffice to say I agree with you about the cost and associated perks. I usually stay at value resorts, but stayed a moderate recently for the first time. After that moderate stay I returned to a value, and can confidently say I will never stay at a value resort again. There are a number of reasons why, but I don't really feel like typing them out, and they relate nothing to the thread. Anyways, it would be REALLY nice to get a little more kickback for the extra money.

Regardless, with or without the extra perks, I'll still come back. I love the place so much. Maybe I'm a little high on the pixie dust, but I don't see myself ever not returning to WDW.

 

[TXDisney]

I do think disney does need to start a point system to reward people who go often. You shouldn’t have to be a DVC member to get perks. Every other big hotel companies do a point system. Disney should as well. Maybe an upgraded room or discounted tickets etc. for people who have points bc they visit often.

 

[flynnibus]

Why continue to post on this site? That's an honest question.

Are you going to keep asking this in every thread until you "save someone"?

Maybe try following along and learning some before questioning everyone's motives who have far more cycles with Disney and the site than you.

 

[ford91exploder]

Are you going to keep asking this in every thread until you "save someone"?

Maybe try following along and learning some before questioning everyone's motives who have far more cycles with Disney and the site than you.

The referenced poster probably works for Disney as 'social media analyst' whose job it is to 'shape' the perception of Disney by eliminating negative opinions.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Why give anything away for free if theres no return? It would be nice if Disney gave some kind of perk tied to number of days on a trip or to those guests that are spending at a certain level on their trips. Even if it was throwing a few FP+ in which would cost them nothing to do but go a long way to show appreciation for those who continue to go back. But like others have pointed out, they dont need to do anything to get your business. Rewards and offers are handed out to keep you away from competitors and Disney hasnt experienced anyone really taking guests away from them where it hurts enough. Uni has given them some concern but not enough to put them into a panic.

 

[21stamps]

Just the more expensive of a hotel you stay at the more the benefits. You stay at one of their "value" and you get basics at the "deluxe" walk on passes for all rides.

I’d be happy if Disney just made the resort monorail for resort guests only.

Joking aside..The thing is, they don’t need a loyalty program.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm not asking for much at all, I have stayed on my parents points and am an annual pass holder but its just as good as my disney visa. Universal is definitely smaller but they automatically offer rewards based on dollars spent.

Just the more expensive of a hotel you stay at the more the benefits. You stay at one of their "value" and you get basics at the "deluxe" walk on passes for all rides.

Like others have said Disney doesn’t need a loyalty program. People keep going. It’s crowded almost all the time.

Universal has grown a lot since the pre-Harry Potter days, but still relies heavily on AP holders and local visitors. They still need more of a loyalty program. They can also offer the front of the line passes to their deluxe hotel guests because they are a small portion of total guests. Uni has 2,400 deluxe rooms vs nearly 10,000 deluxe and DVC rooms at WDW. The other issue with this is that people at the moderate and value resorts start to feel like 2nd class citizens. I think we will start to see some of those gripes at Universal as they build additional resorts that don’t get the benefits. I have already seen some online reviews complaining about it.

I did think with FP+ we would see a system where the number of FP reservations would be based on the hotel level but that hasn’t happened. Something like 5 for deluxe, 4 for moderate and 3 for value with offsite guests limited to same day FP reservations. Part of the problem is availability. If the people in those 10,000 deluxe and DVC rooms got 2 extra FP reservations there would be none left for day guests. Maybe after all the additions coming in the next 5 years legit FP capacity will be high enough to offer that kind of program.

Another problem Disney has is people gaming the system. We already saw a lot of abuse during the Avatar openings with locals booking hotel rooms and then canceling but using a print out of their reservation to get into morning openings available only to onsite guests. Anything Disney does would need to be more easily enforced. They could and should use the magic bands but they tend to be hit or miss. I like the idea of giving on-site guests an extra advantage when booking ADRs (which they get currently) but it’s too easy for people to game the system by booking and canceling a reservation. One simple solution is that all FP and ADR reservations are linked directly to your hotel reservation so if you cancel the hotel they automatically cancel your ADRs and FP reservations.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Are you going to keep asking this in every thread until you "save someone"?

Maybe try following along and learning some before questioning everyone's motives who have far more cycles with Disney and the site than you.

YES YES YESFlynnibus: I was just going to say that. He seems to come here and repeat that other people have no right to express their opinions, whether negative or positive, and should just stay off the site.
I, for one, am getting tired of hearing that every time he disagrees with someone.
This, once again, is a DISCUSSION board, and we all respect other's opinions without the snark.
OP, I can understand your frustration, but like others have said. Disney doesn't care because they don't need to. They have more than enough visitors than they need, so we have overcrowding and long waits, and they can go happily to the bank.
Until that situation changes, I don't see any perks for anyone, no matter how faithful we have been.

 

[21stamps]

Like others have said Disney doesn’t need a loyalty program. People keep going. It’s crowded almost all the time.

Universal has grown a lot since the pre-Harry Potter days, but still relies heavily on AP holders and local visitors. They still need more of a loyalty program. They can also offer the front of the line passes to their deluxe hotel guests because they are a small portion of total guests. Uni has 2,400 deluxe rooms vs nearly 10,000 deluxe and DVC rooms at WDW. The other issue with this is that people at the moderate and value resorts start to feel like 2nd class citizens. I think we will start to see some of those gripes at Universal as they build additional resorts that don’t get the benefits. I have already seen some online reviews complaining about it.

I did think with FP+ we would see a system where the number of FP reservations would be based on the hotel level but that hasn’t happened. Something like 5 for deluxe, 4 for moderate and 3 for value with offsite guests limited to same day FP reservations. Part of the problem is availability. If the people in those 10,000 deluxe and DVC rooms got 2 extra FP reservations there would be none left for day guests. Maybe after all the additions coming in the next 5 years legit FP capacity will be high enough to offer that kind of program.

Another problem Disney has is people gaming the system. We already saw a lot of abuse during the Avatar openings with locals booking hotel rooms and then canceling but using a print out of their reservation to get into morning openings available only to onsite guests. Anything Disney does would need to be more easily enforced. They could and should use the magic bands but they tend to be hit or miss. I like the idea of giving on-site guests an extra advantage when booking ADRs (which they get currently) but it’s too easy for people to game the system by booking and canceling a reservation. One simple solution is that all FP and ADR reservations are linked directly to your hotel reservation so if you cancel the hotel they automatically cancel your ADRs and FP reservations.

You made a good point. The 180+10 and 60 day windows are perks that resort guests receive.

As far as breaking down by value/mod/deluxe.. that would be more difficult. Universal hotels do not have such a great difference in price between their 3 “upper resorts” as Disney deluxe resorts do.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

Are you going to keep asking this in every thread until you "save someone"?

Maybe try following along and learning some before questioning everyone's motives who have far more cycles with Disney and the site than you.

Sheesh excuse me. It was an innocent question. I appreciate the advice though.

 

[GoofGoof]

You made a good point. The 180+10 and 60 day windows are perks that resort guests receive.

As far as breaking down by value/mod/deluxe.. that would be more difficult. Universal hotels do not have such a great difference in price between their 3 “upper resorts” as Disney deluxe resorts do.

When you add DVC into the mix too it’s really hard to do.

I think if they actually closed the loophole on canceling resort reservations the 180+10 ADR and 60 day FP+ windows would be huge advantages for onsite guests and they could possibly make it more of an advantage for deluxe hotels. Right now it’s still hard to get a handful of really popular reservations due to the number of people cheating the system.