News Round Up 2018

[rteetz]

Today in Disney History

101 Dalmations is released in 1961

(I am going to try and do more of this as I can)

 

[Moliphino]

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Yes RAC is being recommended and I'm sure most would take them up on that recommendation and that would require 3 hrs before flight time just like DME so I guess there's sorta a timeline imposed if you're going to use both Minnie Vans and RAC combined.

RAC has no impact on DME pickup times, though. We always drop off bags in the morning and don't fly until the evening.

The only RAC issues I've seen were people with hyphenated names or juniors (two people with the same name on one airline reservation).

 

[skier_pete]

Disneyland is $25,000 initially and $10,000 ever year.

It includes the following...

Sorry @rteetz but this isn't correct - some things are, such as the Lily Belle, but others are not. I know first hand from a member. For one, it's more Fastpasses per visit (24 per day - though maybe that's 6 per day for up to 4 guests?), and it's less complimentary park passes than that It's around 20 per year from what I've been told. There are also different levels of membership, so maybe the 50 park passes a year are the business membership. There's other perks you don't list, such as reserve seating for fireworks and parades and other things that I feel I can't mention. There's a lot of private events too.

Also, it's more than $10,000 a year now - last I heard around $15,000. I think buy-in is higher too. Really, it's within the price category of "If you have to ask you can't afford it."

It's crazy, I guess, but not as crazy as I would have thought! Is this for a household? IF it is, when you figure 4 platinum plus annual passes costs $3,500, if "Ability to enter the parks without purchasing a ticket" means not buying passes (assuming same would apply to WDW), there's 1/3+ of the annual amount. Not saying we would do it (!!!!!!), just that it isn't as crazy as I thought. I imagine they get plenty of takers, as high as this is.

So - for one his numbers are way low, but also "ability to enter the parks without purchasing a ticket" does mean that you get two Annual Passes with your membership, but not for the whole "household". But you are right that the price doesn't stop people from wanting to be members, there's a waiting list a mile long. Honestly for the level of exclusivity that's involved you are right that it's "not that bad".

The other thing to point out is that once you are in the Club, you STILL have to pay for any food and drinks,and it's not cheap. Lunch was I think $75 / $95 prix fixe in 2016 when we went depending on if you got the 4 course or 5 course, and dinner I think was $125/$145 - we didn't do dinner. Everyone pays that, members and guests.

As far as the Florida one goes, I am not surprised they are keeping it on the downlow. In the end, information will trickle out, but it's not like they have to advertise to get people to join.

Ah... I see... I'm so curious to hear more... is there a secret handshake... do you have to promise your firstborn... that sort of thing...

No secret handshake - not even a secret password. If you are on the guest list, they have your name, just ID will get you in.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Some people don't support the Uber/Lyft business model, some have heard some horror stories (or experienced them), some just "trust" Disney more, some enjoy all the peolysyaring at them as they get out of the car with the polka dots, lot's of non-monetary reasons

It does feel a bit high - even like $99 would seem more realistic but to each their own

But this is Lyft, sanctioned by Disney. I take your point for sure -- some will just trust Disney. This just seems high enough that some may consider it and then look elsewhere when they find out the cost. But hey -- they survey the heck out of everything so must think this price point will work!

 

[rteetz]

Sorry @rteetz but this isn't correct - some things are, such as the Lily Belle, but others are not. I know first hand from a member. For one, it's more Fastpasses per visit (24 per day - though maybe that's 6 per day for up to 4 guests?), and it's less complimentary park passes than that It's around 20 per year from what I've been told. There are also different levels of membership, so maybe the 50 park passes a year are the business membership. There's other perks you don't list, such as reserve seating for fireworks and parades and other things that I feel I can't mention. There's a lot of private events too.

Also, it's more than $10,000 a year now - last I heard around $15,000. I think buy-in is higher too. Really, it's within the price category of "If you have to ask you can't afford it."

Ok then the website I got it from was wrong.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

RAC has no impact on DME pickup times, though. We always drop off bags in the morning and don't fly until the evening.

The only RAC issues I've seen were people with hyphenated names or juniors (two people with the same name on one airline reservation).

Since conversation was moved to a dedicated thread I'll answer your post on this thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/minnie-vans-expand-service-to-orlando-international.3660377/

 

[skier_pete]

Ok then the website I got it from was wrong.

I think I know what website you looked at - it hasn't been updated in a good while. They changed a lot of the perks in the last few years. I've heard some things I can't repeat, but this is an VERY interesting article about what transpired and led to some of the perks being slashed from Club 33 memberships.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11078/The_Man_Who_Turned_Club_33_Upside_Down

 

[rteetz]

I think I know what website you looked at - it hasn't been updated in a good while. They changed a lot of the perks in the last few years. I've heard some things I can't repeat, but this is an VERY interesting article about what transpired and led to some of the perks being slashed from Club 33 memberships.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11078/The_Man_Who_Turned_Club_33_Upside_Down

Thanks, I do remember discussions about perks changing a while back.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think I know what website you looked at - it hasn't been updated in a good while. They changed a lot of the perks in the last few years. I've heard some things I can't repeat, but this is an VERY interesting article about what transpired and led to some of the perks being slashed from Club 33 memberships.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11078/The_Man_Who_Turned_Club_33_Upside_Down

That's crazy!! Wonder why they didn't deny renewal to Cosgrove years ago?!

 

[closetmickey]

The other thing to point out is that once you are in the Club, you STILL have to pay for any food and drinks,and it's not cheap. Lunch was I think $75 / $95 prix fixe in 2016 when we went depending on if you got the 4 course or 5 course, and dinner I think was $125/$145 - we didn't do dinner. Everyone pays that, members and guests.

When I was at Club 33, 8 years ago, the meal price was the same as a one day PH. So essentially you were still paying to get in the parks, but receiving a free meal. Things certainly may have changed since then!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've never heard of any of these nightmare stories actually. Is there a thread or something where these are discussed? And why specifically Southwest?

We've used RAC on Southwest I believe 8 or 9 times since since they began to offer the service (back in 2010 I believe?) and never had any issues with our bags.

Since conversation was moved to a dedicated thread I'll answer your post on this thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/minnie-vans-expand-service-to-orlando-international.3660377/

 

[skier_pete]

When I was at Club 33, 8 years ago, the meal price was the same as a one day PH. So essentially you are still paying to get in the parks, but receiving a free meal. Things certainly may have changed since then!

When I went, I still had to pay to get into the parks in addition to the Club 33 price, so not a "free" meal in this case> That said, I had a party of 4 and it was probably the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, and I would do it again if I ever get the chance. It's worth it for the experience.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

When I went, I still had to pay to get into the parks in addition to the Club 33 price, so not a "free" meal in this case> That said, I had a party of 4 and it was probably the most expensive meal I've ever paid for, and I would do it again if I ever get the chance. It's worth it for the experience.

Just thought of this... in the first year, the $25K to join plus $12K for the year puts it at about 1 year of private school tuition for one child (I'm talking K-12) where I live. I know some people paying that times three kids. This would be in their budgets... or they could take one kid out of school... or curb their annual giving to the NPO they're on the Board of...

 

[rteetz]

News

Savor the Savanna Experience Doubles Member Discount for a Limited Time

 

[MissGina5]

I guess you could say that they could deploy the bus traffic that would otherwise have carried gondola resorts to the monorail line, but not sure if that was what the OP meant or not

It is! That was my thinking

 

[writerguyfl]

It does feel a bit high - even like $99 would seem more realistic but to each their own

For comparison, here are rates for Mears Transportation private sedans from various points at Disney World to the airport.

Disney's Contemporary Resort: $105
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: $104
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: $99
Disney's Beach Club Resort: $94

But this is Lyft, sanctioned by Disney. I take your point for sure -- some will just trust Disney. This just seems high enough that some may consider it and then look elsewhere when they find out the cost. But hey -- they survey the heck out of everything so must think this price point will work!

This is not correct. Disney is only using Lyft's technology. Lyft uses independent contractors who use their private vehicles as temporary taxi cabs. Disney's Minnie Van service uses Disney-owned vehicles driven by Disney Cast Members.

That is a very important difference.

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney has put some new images of Toy Story Land online

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/hollywood-studios/slinky-dog-dash/

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think I know what website you looked at - it hasn't been updated in a good while. They changed a lot of the perks in the last few years. I've heard some things I can't repeat, but this is an VERY interesting article about what transpired and led to some of the perks being slashed from Club 33 memberships.

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11078/The_Man_Who_Turned_Club_33_Upside_Down

Can I just say wow that is quite the scandal no matter which 'side' you feel for. But you know what they say one bad apple spoils the bunch.

I didn't quite like the comment given for the lawsuit of "....But after having his contractual and personal rights trammeled by a new generation of millennials trying to convert Club 33 into a billionaires-exclusive domain—file this suit he must." Throwing in 'millennials' makes me have a different viewpoint on the personality of the mid-80 year old and his actions.

I do agree though with a PP about the renewal part. I'm sorta wondering why they chose to renew and allow upgrading from Gold to Platinum (and from the comments without an additional initiation fee) of a person who gives the impression they were abusing (or using it for reasons that were not the original intent) the system to the point where so many rules and perks were changed?

Either way it's quite an interesting look into the Club 33 world lol

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

This is not correct. Disney is only using Lyft's technology. Lyft uses independent contractors who use their private vehicles as temporary taxi cabs. Disney's Minnie Van service uses Disney-owned vehicles driven by Disney Cast Members.

That is a very important difference.

Gotcha'. Definitely not even close to worth an extra $90 as compared to my $60 Uber XL, but I am sure that will make a difference to enough people -- as I said, I assume Disney has put thought into that price point.

 

[rteetz]

News

More details on Club 33 from Len.

$25000 initially with annual dues at $15000.

Comes with set number of annual passes and no strings attached Fastpasses.

Golden Oak residents given first dibs with an expected opening in April.