Disney Vacation Club has published updated Membership Magic perks booklets for all resort destinations, and in doing so leaked the first details regarding special events planned for the timeshare program's 25th anniversary.
Additionally, rumors are swirling about a potential members-only lounge within the Epcot theme park and other unannounced perks.
Updated lists of owner perks have been published to DVCMember.com in PDF format. Following are links to each of the documents detailing member benefits for the 2016 calendar year.
Walt Disney World
Disneyland
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Among the items revealed on the documents are several of the special events that DVC Vice President and General Manger Ken Potrock alluded to during the 2015 Condominium Association Meeting. Amontg the events are:
Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond Bash - Kick off this year's 25th anniversary celebration with an exclusive, after-hours event at the Magic Kingdom! Guest can enjoy select attractions and complimentary snacks. (No dates or prices provided.)
Disney Vacation Club Neighborhood Beach Bash - Members will have exclusive, after-hours access to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, where they can experience most of Typhoon Lagoon's attractions and beach party entertainment, as well as enjoy complimentary treats and refreshments. Dates: 6/23, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13
Disney Vacation Club Safari Spectacular - Go wil with fellow Members during this exclusive event at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park! When the sun goes down, Members and the Guests will revel in an after-dark look at some of the park's star inhabitants and enjoy access to select attractions. Dates: 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27
The Neighborhood Beach Bash was introduced in 2015 and was warmly received by most members. Evening park access was provided at no charge to DVC members.
Disney Vacation Club last experimented with exclusive theme park access more than 10 years ago. A May 2004 "Member Homecoming" with exclusive access to the Magic Kingdom was presented to coincide with the opening of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The event was mismanaged in several ways; it was announced less than 6 months in advance and the price initially included theme park tickets while many owners were already annual passholders. The event was lightly attended--Saratoga Springs had only one of its eighteen buildings open at the time, and four subsequent Florida DVC resorts were still on the drawing board.
In other 2016 perk news, Disney has confirmed a return of the Member Merry Mixer to Epcot with no dates revealed. Disneyland perks list the Member Movie Nights as running only through March 2016.
Most other member perks appear to have returned unchanged. The Disney Vacation Club Annual Pass discounts remain in effect, sadly with only the $20 discount offered at Disneyland. Top of the World Lounge access is still offered to all members staying at Walt Disney World with blackout dates on 7/3, 7/4, 12/30 and 12/31.
The 10% shopping discounts are still available at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and most resort hotels. Owners will save 10% at most Disneyland restaurants, while select restaurants at Walt Disney World and elsewhere offer varying discounts to owners.
Click on the links above for complete details. Note that all member perks are subject to change. Members should be prepared with their Disney Vacation Club Member ID card and photo ID in order to receive perks and discounts. Blackout dates include, but are not limited to Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Meanwhile, website Orlando Theme Park News claims that a members-only lounge will open this spring inside the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot, and that a variety of exclusive photo opportunities will be offered at Walt Disney World resorts, Disneyland and Aulani. The site also lists February 25 and March 3 as dates for the Magic Kingdom "25 and Beyond Bash" with reservations starting on January 12.
Further details are expected to be released by Disney Vacation Club in the coming days.
Hat tip to dvcinfo.com!
