[mickey]

The Walt Disney Company has announced that it will discountinue the popular Disney Club effective December 31, 2003. All memberships and benefits will expire on that date.

Disney has also announced, in conjunction with the closing of the Disney Club, there will now be a Disney Visa card announced. Holders of the new Disney Visa wil be able to earn points and discounts good on Disney items. No other specifics are available concerning the Visa card.

Orlando Sentinel Article

Disney Club's demise dismays the Mouse's devotees
By Richard Verrier

LOS ANGELES -- Die-hard Disney fans say they are being short-changed by the company's decision this week to shut down a discount club inspired by the company's founder.

The latest dispute between fans and Disney's corporate managers centers on the Burbank entertainment company's decision to shut down the Disney Club by next year. The club, which at its peak a year ago had a half million members, gives 10-percent to 20-percent discounts off Disney Store merchandise, theme-park admissions, car rentals and hotel packages at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Members also get special privileges, including a subscription to Disney Magazine and invitations to advance screenings of movies.

Disney said Monday it will replace the Disney Club with a "co-branded" Disney/Visa credit card in which customers will be able to accumulate points that can be redeemed toward discounts on Disney merchandise and vacations.

Although Disney would not comment on the financial terms, such corporate alliances are lucrative and important for Disney as its seeks to shore up its bottom line.

Even so, the decision has incensed the typically passionate Disney fans, who think the company is relentlessly pursuing the bottom line at their expense.

For them, the club carries special significance because it was a successor to the original Magic Kingdom Club, the group Walt Disney created in 1958 to promote Disneyland to Southern California businesses and their employees. And fans are still smarting over Disney's decision two years to shut down the Magic Kingdom Club and replace it with a similar discount service charging a $39.95 annual subscription fee.

"It's just one more thing they are taking away from guests," said Arlen Miller of Orlando, noting the company's recent decision to raise admission prices at its Walt Disney World theme parks. "Disney used to set themselves as a standard above everyone else by offering extra services to their guests."

Raymond Locke, of Saddlebrook, N.J., has headed the local Disney Club for 15 years at United Parcel Service, where he works as a clerk.

"I'm disappointed," said Locke, 47, "It was one of the only ways that the general public could get any type of discounts or benefits from the company. As little as they were, they were at least something."

As for the credit card, he said, "you still have to spend the dollar to get the points and get the benefits that before were totally free."

Although Disney wouldn't discuss details of the planned card, customers will get more and better services and discounts, said company spokesman Gary Foster. Disney does not expect to charge an annual fee for the card, which will be introduced next year. Points will be accumulated based on general credit card purchases.

"We have not forgotten these club members," Foster said. "We do feel like we're developing a program that is going to be much better than the Disney Club."

Disney informed club members this week that the club will be disbanded Dec. 31 of next year. The company will stop taking memberships by year's end.

The feud is just the latest clash between Disney fans and the company.

Last month, a seemingly mundane programming change at the Disney Channel to replace Vault Disney -- which showed classic Disney programs from decades ago -- with newer teen and preteen dramas such as Lizzie McGuire and Kim Possible created an uproar among older Disney fans, who saw the decisions as another affront to the Disney heritage.

[Cinderellafifi]

While I like the idea of an incentive based Disney Visa, I am very disappointed to know that the Disney Club will be discontinued. I still remember the days it was free to be a member, but even for the fee I was happy to be a part of the Club.

Too bad.

[qltingrl]

I am very disappointed by this! I had a membership to MKC and now have DC but probably won't go for the Dis/Visa card. It will also mean we won't take an annual trip because we won't be able to get the discounts anymore. Last January they closed our local Disney Store in a dispute with Westfield Shoppingtown so we don't shop there anymore either. Seems like whoever is in charge of these decisions has no clue what the Disney vision was or should be. It's going to be their loss. :(

[$pincher]

I'm wondering if they have some sort of power line hooked-up to Walt in his grave...with as much spinning as he's been doing in the past decade, it's probably generated enough electricity to run Disney World!

:madmad

[jgriff2388]

This stinks.:madmad
Just what everyone does not need - another credit card.

[smallworld]

I certainly don't need another credit card! Why do they just keep taking away things from the most loyal fans? I don't get it! Disney will make money off each card issued---that's how Visa works. It will take quite a while to earn enough points to benefit from it I bet! How sad!!!! Smallworld PS Business isn't everything you know Are you listening management?????

[Linda]

I am not believing this new move. I am due to renew at the end of November this year. I guess I should since my reservation is for the end of November and on the Disney DISCOUNT!

:devil

A lot of people could afford the annual or biannual dues for the card, but not everyone can live with a credit card. And I suppose the interest rate will be around 21% to counter those points we are supposed to be earning.



I am one step away from getting into the Disney Vacation Club, but now it really makes me scared. What will be next, up the points to stay at the villas so that you have to buy more points!



In business, when things are failing, you don't do stupid things like turn everyone against you. If Disney would only realize that their best support is from all of us. Not corporate.



HELLO!!

[mickey]

Originally posted by Linda
I am one step away from getting into the Disney Vacation Club, but now it really makes me scared. What will be next, up the points to stay at the villas so that you have to buy more points!

Linda, this kind of change will never come to the DVC. It is written in every contract that the number of points will never change. They can not legally alter the point structure. Granted, they can move points around, but it has to balance out. Each room has a certain amount of points each year, including some that don't really exist, for maintenance and such, as required by law. If they alter the amount the room costs during one period of time (i.e. Christmas) they must lower it the same amount during another time so that it balances out.

The only changes you will ever see is the increase in the price of the points, which is nice, since the value of your points you own also increases, and the increase in the annual maintenance fees, which are very reasonable as they are now.

Please don't let this sway your decision making on the DVC, they are two totally different things.

[Linda]

Thanks mickey for being so level-headed. This is encouraging information.

I just sometimes wonder if my buying at the current rate is going to be the "peak" of the plan offerings. I did see where someone had written that they thought the price was going up in December. Maybe that should show me that this is still a viable deal. It is so inviting!

[wdwjeff]

Sorry to buck the trend, but I like the idea. So, how and when can I get the CC?:D :)

[PiratesFan]

I certainly don't like the idea of a credit card, nor will I get one. Linda has it right in stating that the interest rates will be high while the benefits low. I can only see this as a cheap and easy way for Disney to reap some extra cash from consumer spending. Do they really think that by dangling a different spending incentive in front of loyal fans that we all will adopt it again as Gospel. To me, cash is King, and I'm OK with parting with it, but not with interest rates!! :devil :devil

[smallworld]

Someone in the thread said that they are due for renewal soon. I am due this month to expire and have not been sent by snail mail nor email any further renewal info. I think that pretty much shows that they are not going on with this. So sad.

As far as the DVC, I never joined myself but I remember when it started about 10 yrs or so ago. They may not have changed the points system, but I remember other discussions on Prodigy's bulletin boards about how they did change the benefits of ownership in otherways, prompting many owners to try to bail out and had trouble doing so.

I have always been interested in the DVC, but with my hubby being an accountant, he looks at all the monetary side of things alone, and wouldn't let me opt for it. We don't go often enough to benefit, but then again, maybe we would if we had a place like the DVC. I envy those who are able to benefit by ownership. I hope you can hang on to all the benefits. :) Smallworld

[mickey]

Originally posted by smallworld
As far as the DVC, I never joined myself but I remember when it started about 10 yrs or so ago. They may not have changed the points system, but I remember other discussions on Prodigy's bulletin boards about how they did change the benefits of ownership in otherways, prompting many owners to try to bail out and had trouble doing so.

During the existance of the DVC, there are only two benefit changes that I am aware of, and I am assuming it is the first that you are speaking of. When the original Disney Vacation Club opened, which is now renamed Old Key West, all members who purchased were given free park tickets during their stays. Disney soon realized that this couldn't continue, and then ended the program after a couple of years. Of course, it was written in the contracts that they could end it at any time, and I think they intended it to end sooner or later, but many members didn't realize that it was going to end, and just though that was part of the package. That is what you get for not reading your contract.

The only other change has been the limitation of pool hopping. Members are now not allowed to pool hop at the Beach and Yacht Club, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Small change, but Stormalong Bay is the nicest pool on property.

Oh, and it is actually very easy to get out. There is a very active resale market, most people are able to get out in a matter of weeks, and if they have had it for a couple of years, most of them get out with more money than they started with.

By the way, y'all, right now I find it very difficult to judge something we don't know anything about. All we know is that the Disney Club is ending, and it is being replaced by something Disney describes as "better". I'll take their word for it until I see what they actually introduce.

[smallworld]

Ohhhh. I see. They are replacing it. I didn't get that part. I just thought they were doing away with the club and instead offerring a Visa card with point system. I will wait and see then. Smallworld

[CP17]

I truly miss the Magic Kingdom Club card. The Disney Club card has never equaled it. Since the announcement of the new park ticket prices and plans, I was planning on dropping the card anyway at the end of January. I always can find better deals not using the card. The only time I would really get a deal was when buying park tickets, but so much for that. I do look forward to the Visa card taking it's place. I use a Hilton rewards visa right now to buy everything and pay it off each month. It works out great with free rooms and travel. I plan on the reward visa card from Disney, to reward me much more than the Disney Club card ever did. If you can exhibit personal control in the use of the credit card it could mean huge pay backs for you. Only question to be answered is if there will be an annual fee.