Disney Vacation Club Eliminates Perks/Benefits for New Resale Purchases

Disney Vacation Club is taking away discounts and perks for new buyers who purchase on the resale market rather than through the company directly.

Starting today, “members who do not purchase an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras,” the company says on its website.

The change only applies to new owners starting today. Current owners are grandfathered in.

“We see this policy change as a very positive step to ensure that, going forward, our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club receive a premium advantage – in addition to all the magic that Disney has to offer,” DVC said on its website.

Disney Vacation Club includes time-share resorts in Walt Disney World, Vero Beach and Hawaii.

Membership extras include discounts on merchandise, annual passes and restaurants. They also include access to a lounge opening soon at Epcot, a sweepstakes, and special events such as movie screenings, a member cruise and a recent party at the Magic Kingdom.

In 2011, DVC stopped allowing resale buyers to use their points for Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and the Concierge Collection, a group of luxury hotels.

“I think they always do things that protect their ability to sell for the full retail price,” said Chris Skeldon, vice president of sales at Fidelity Resales, which handles contracts from time-share resorts including Disney’s. “Why would people pay that retail amount if they’re not getting extra benefits?”

Disney Vacation Club properties are known for their high resale value. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in purchasing DVC memberships through another resale route: foreclosure auctions. Disney is now using nonjudicial foreclosures, which move more quickly and require people to bid in person.

“Frankly I am surprised it has taken Disney so long to make this move,” said Tim Krasniewski, editor of the DVCNews.com website, in an email.

“While resale purchases are clearly beneficial to the consumer, they undoubtedly cause Disney to lose direct sales. I’m sure it’s difficult to sell points at $168 each when a very similar product can be had for just $70-80 per point. Blocking resale buyers from the accessing some of the most beneficial perks like the Annual Pass savings and merchandise discounts can only have a positive effect on sales. However it may also cause a decrease in demand for resale contracts and an overall downturn in prices.”

The decision will affect current owners, because “when that person wants to sell the membership, the membership has a little less horsepower,” said Brad Shaffer, with Monera Financial, a company that provides financing for Disney Vacation Club resales.

From the Orlando Sentinel

Author: Ray

I am a lifelong fan of everything Disney. My first trip to a a Disney park was to Disneyland as a child in 1970, but didn't make to Walt Disney World until I went with my wife and first child in 1990. A year doesn't go by with out at least one trip to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. My wife and I are Disney Vacation Club members and also Charter Members of D23. View all posts by Ray

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