RobDoc
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 14, 1998
- Messages
- 34,194
The meeting began at 2:00pm with music by the Main Street Band followed by introductory comments byClaire Bilby, the new head of DVC. There was a small army of DVC CMs in the room before the meeting who were mingling with members. Claire Bilby went up and down the rows introducing herself and shaking hands. The enthusiasm of Claire and the other CMs was impressive and contagious. She told a little about her past including her favorite quote from Eleanor Roosevelt - "Do one thing each day that scares you".
Opening remarks for the DVC Board meeting began at 2:10pm followed immediately by the meeting itself - called to order at 2:12 where Board members Yvonne Chang, James Dawn, John McGowan, Leigh Ann Neiman and James Keirstad were introduced by Claire. She assumed control of the meeting. Minutes of the 2010 meeting were approved as well as the 2012 Budget proposal. Treasurer James Keirstad got lost in his script (he had the wrong script in front of him). The meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm.
At 2:15, the member's meeting was called to order and the member representatives were introduced along with the other Board members. Member voting reps are Jeanette Green (for all resorts except GCV) and Lorraine Roe and Terry Furr were introduced for GCV. Aulani was not represented at this meeting since they have their own meeting. The 2010 minutes were approved as well as the election of Directors - unanimously.
Comments about the annual fees included that about 2/3 are related to employee costs (mostly related to double digit increase in health care costs). The dues are as already described and viewable in the DVC Resource Center (link at the top of the DVC Forums). Increases were mostly explained as increased employee costs and increses in Property Taxes.
The auditor explained that process and the fact that DVC was given a clean rating.
There was a brief question/answer session for budget related concerns only. Questions included RCI exchange expenses and also Property Tax concerns. Keirstad explained that Property Taxes are set by the county and based on the purchase price recorded on deeds. This accounts for the double-digit increases for some resorts and far smaller increases for other resorts due to variances in sales pricing at each resort.
The 2012 Budget was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 2:48.
Immediately following was a performance by the Dapper Dans from Main Street at the MK. For the first time in 30 years 2 quartets performed together.
Bilby introduced Carl Holz, Pres of DCL who gave a visual overview of the new Disney Fantasy coming online next year along with a thorough explaination and description of the differences between the Dream and Fantasy.
Mark Kohl, Imagineer and project manager, gave a lively description and tour of the new Fantasy Land project which will double the size of the MK. Mark was the architect who designed and built the Hilton Head Resort. There will be 2nd Dumbo Attraction as well as new restaurants and other ride attractions.
The trailer for the upcoming movie "John Carter" (3/2012) was shown as well as the trailer for "The Avengers" (5/2012).
Sonja Deese-Byrnes (DVC Resort Manager) gave a brief overview of improvements made at all DVC resorts as well as changes for 2012. She reported an industry leading 89% Member Satisfaction rating for DVC (industry average is 57%), 93% satisfaction with MS and 89% for Member Accounting.
The 2012 Member Planner is being mailed tomorrow but those in attendance received their copy today.
The 2013 Point Charts will be mailed in February, but will be posted on the member site in mid-January. There WILL BE some changes in the point charts again this year, but no details were offered.
She indicated that DVC Members indicated a preference to continue Member Cruise reservations to be handled by phone instead of online. (???)
There will be 2 ABD offerings for DVC Members - one for familes in Wyoming and one for adults to Machi Picchu, Peru.
*** January 19, 2012 - Online Reservation System for DVC will make it's debut on a limited basis until the demand load needs can be met.
*** Point reservations at the Grand Californian will again be allowed.
*** New TV channels at WDW DVC resorts will include History Channel, Food Network and Fox News.
*** DVC Members will be able to purchase the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) card without the need for an AP.
Claire Bilby promised more involvement with the membership, including advance notice of changes that will affect the membership. She then proceeded to mention DVC resorts when she was interrupted by 2 "characters" - Victoria and Albert - who announced that there will be a new DVC resort at the Grand Floridian (opening in late 2014).
This session continued with Q&A from members in attendance and in CA. Questions included:
Transportation ? (this is continuously being monitored by DVC)
Booking windows being reduced from the current "6" months to 9 months? Actual window is currently 7 months and other options are always under consideration based on member utilization.
DVC income from cash reservations at 2%? Actual is 2.5% added to the Capital Reserve fund.
BLT - open lounge to all DVC members? Under consideration
Conerns about DVC? Send to Claire Bilby (at DVC office Celebration, FL)
AP monthly payment plan like FL residents? Will consider
Thanks to DVC CMs Appreciated
Fantasy - Member cruise? Will consider.
Sheer drapes for BLT? Unaware of concern - will look into that
DVC Logo - consider member input for such changes in future? (applause from audience]
AKV lamp switched? Will look into that.
King Bed in studios so members won't need to spend so mant points? No consideration at this time, but sleeper chair is under consideration.
Valet Parking? No real consideration.
Simulcast of Annual Meeting? Will consider.
Change to minimum stay? No anticipated change at this time.
DVC discounts for F&W better recognized by CMs?
Member perks - FastPass? Will consider.
Extend MS hours? Will consider benefits vs cost after online booking is available.
Other DDP options for DVC?
Consider partnering with other exchange options (Shell)? RCI has exclusive contract. Member utilization is up 20% this year.
Meeting adjourned.
We we very impressed with the vitality and energy brought by CLaire Bilby. The meeting was NOT about her at all even though she moderated it. It was about DVC Members and that point was brought home by her enthusiasm. This year's meeting had a different feel to it due, to a large extent, to the energy delivered by Claire Bilby. Even with the minor slip-ups (James Keirstad losing his place in the meeting script and Claire twice misstakenly urging members to "go to the Member Mixer tonight" when it was already held on Tuesday) - the meeting was entertaining and refreshing.
So far, so good!
Opening remarks for the DVC Board meeting began at 2:10pm followed immediately by the meeting itself - called to order at 2:12 where Board members Yvonne Chang, James Dawn, John McGowan, Leigh Ann Neiman and James Keirstad were introduced by Claire. She assumed control of the meeting. Minutes of the 2010 meeting were approved as well as the 2012 Budget proposal. Treasurer James Keirstad got lost in his script (he had the wrong script in front of him). The meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm.
At 2:15, the member's meeting was called to order and the member representatives were introduced along with the other Board members. Member voting reps are Jeanette Green (for all resorts except GCV) and Lorraine Roe and Terry Furr were introduced for GCV. Aulani was not represented at this meeting since they have their own meeting. The 2010 minutes were approved as well as the election of Directors - unanimously.
Comments about the annual fees included that about 2/3 are related to employee costs (mostly related to double digit increase in health care costs). The dues are as already described and viewable in the DVC Resource Center (link at the top of the DVC Forums). Increases were mostly explained as increased employee costs and increses in Property Taxes.
The auditor explained that process and the fact that DVC was given a clean rating.
There was a brief question/answer session for budget related concerns only. Questions included RCI exchange expenses and also Property Tax concerns. Keirstad explained that Property Taxes are set by the county and based on the purchase price recorded on deeds. This accounts for the double-digit increases for some resorts and far smaller increases for other resorts due to variances in sales pricing at each resort.
The 2012 Budget was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned at 2:48.
Immediately following was a performance by the Dapper Dans from Main Street at the MK. For the first time in 30 years 2 quartets performed together.
Bilby introduced Carl Holz, Pres of DCL who gave a visual overview of the new Disney Fantasy coming online next year along with a thorough explaination and description of the differences between the Dream and Fantasy.
Mark Kohl, Imagineer and project manager, gave a lively description and tour of the new Fantasy Land project which will double the size of the MK. Mark was the architect who designed and built the Hilton Head Resort. There will be 2nd Dumbo Attraction as well as new restaurants and other ride attractions.
The trailer for the upcoming movie "John Carter" (3/2012) was shown as well as the trailer for "The Avengers" (5/2012).
Sonja Deese-Byrnes (DVC Resort Manager) gave a brief overview of improvements made at all DVC resorts as well as changes for 2012. She reported an industry leading 89% Member Satisfaction rating for DVC (industry average is 57%), 93% satisfaction with MS and 89% for Member Accounting.
The 2012 Member Planner is being mailed tomorrow but those in attendance received their copy today.
The 2013 Point Charts will be mailed in February, but will be posted on the member site in mid-January. There WILL BE some changes in the point charts again this year, but no details were offered.
She indicated that DVC Members indicated a preference to continue Member Cruise reservations to be handled by phone instead of online. (???)
There will be 2 ABD offerings for DVC Members - one for familes in Wyoming and one for adults to Machi Picchu, Peru.
*** January 19, 2012 - Online Reservation System for DVC will make it's debut on a limited basis until the demand load needs can be met.
*** Point reservations at the Grand Californian will again be allowed.
*** New TV channels at WDW DVC resorts will include History Channel, Food Network and Fox News.
*** DVC Members will be able to purchase the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) card without the need for an AP.
Claire Bilby promised more involvement with the membership, including advance notice of changes that will affect the membership. She then proceeded to mention DVC resorts when she was interrupted by 2 "characters" - Victoria and Albert - who announced that there will be a new DVC resort at the Grand Floridian (opening in late 2014).
This session continued with Q&A from members in attendance and in CA. Questions included:
Transportation ? (this is continuously being monitored by DVC)
Booking windows being reduced from the current "6" months to 9 months? Actual window is currently 7 months and other options are always under consideration based on member utilization.
DVC income from cash reservations at 2%? Actual is 2.5% added to the Capital Reserve fund.
BLT - open lounge to all DVC members? Under consideration
Conerns about DVC? Send to Claire Bilby (at DVC office Celebration, FL)
AP monthly payment plan like FL residents? Will consider
Thanks to DVC CMs Appreciated
Fantasy - Member cruise? Will consider.
Sheer drapes for BLT? Unaware of concern - will look into that
DVC Logo - consider member input for such changes in future? (applause from audience]
AKV lamp switched? Will look into that.
King Bed in studios so members won't need to spend so mant points? No consideration at this time, but sleeper chair is under consideration.
Valet Parking? No real consideration.
Simulcast of Annual Meeting? Will consider.
Change to minimum stay? No anticipated change at this time.
DVC discounts for F&W better recognized by CMs?
Member perks - FastPass? Will consider.
Extend MS hours? Will consider benefits vs cost after online booking is available.
Other DDP options for DVC?
Consider partnering with other exchange options (Shell)? RCI has exclusive contract. Member utilization is up 20% this year.
Meeting adjourned.
We we very impressed with the vitality and energy brought by CLaire Bilby. The meeting was NOT about her at all even though she moderated it. It was about DVC Members and that point was brought home by her enthusiasm. This year's meeting had a different feel to it due, to a large extent, to the energy delivered by Claire Bilby. Even with the minor slip-ups (James Keirstad losing his place in the meeting script and Claire twice misstakenly urging members to "go to the Member Mixer tonight" when it was already held on Tuesday) - the meeting was entertaining and refreshing.
So far, so good!
With no other DVC options at DL and such a small DVC component it's just more difficult than when they decided to place those restrictions on WDW resorts with DVC sections. And I'd guess that DL resorts has the room availability and doesn't mind having them filled. The point costs may be rather high though but I'm glad we'll have that option back.
