A list for Claire . . . .

[VWL2001]

A lot of great ideas here. I agree about the resort specific merchandise and the Christmas ornaments. Even the value resorts used to have specific t-shirts back in the day. Now you can't find it many places at all.

The post(s) about the cleanliness are the most important. I don't want to see mold in the bathroom, and when I pick up the TV remote I don't want it to be sticky.

On the design side, PLEASE go back to the split bathrooms! All the Disney hotel rooms have the sink separate from the shower and toilet. This allows someone to be brushing teeth, shaving, drying hair in a bathroom that is not occupied and steamed up from a shower. Why anyone thought having it all in one place was a good idea is beyond me. I know they can't retrofit Kidani and Aulani, but let's not make the same mistake in the future.

I don't need any new perks, just keep the AP discount.

 

[CMOORE185]

That was your choice not DVCs. Surely you do not think that is a realistic wish.

Those not receiving emails, check you spam, make sure DVC address is added to your email receiving list and if you still do not get mail, talk to Member Services.

All I want is what I paid for a room that is clean and is well maintained.

Surely you can't believe I was serious.

 

[tjkraz]

Lots of "shallow" lists for Ms Bilby on this thread. I think we have to leave the "perks" behind and think of the things that make or made DVC the best in the past and put those things back in place.

I'm thinking well themed resorts that are maintained to perfection and give you and your guests a feeling of owning a "piece of the Magic" would about cover it. That was the real reason we purchased in the first place nearly 15 years ago, and if it still had that "wow" factor, I'd be happy.

Agree!

Lots of pet-peeve level things. Sorry but folks need to look beyond logos and Dee Vee See. Those don't (or shouldn't) impact your enjoyment of the product.

Things like cable TV channels, in-room coffee service and availability of wi-fi are beyond her scope. Those decisions are made on a resort-wide basis.

If folks really intend to judge her effectiveness as DVC leader based upon logo merchandise, instant FastPasses and dining discounts....oy vey.

Best we can hope for (IMO) is gradual improvement in critical areas. It's not going to be an overnight process. People who think she can walk in, snap her fingers and make instant improvements in housekeeping and overall Cast quality are kidding themselves. It takes time and money (!) to weed-out the bad apples, re-train those who need it and hire + train additional Cast. Given the current 60K workforce and union wages, hiring good people is easier said than done.

 

[Sammie]

Surely you can't believe I was serious.

Well I hope not, but I thought from the list the OP posted this was a realistic thread

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Surely you can't believe I was serious.

Of course you weren't serious, and don't call us Shirley!



I'm sorry. It was just too good!!

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

Several good comments in this thread -- I particularly hope Ms. Bilby read SgtDisney and Horace Horsecollar's posts closely.

To distill things down to a simple positive/negative dichotomy, the two useful messages that this thread has for Ms. Bilby are...

MAGIC -- Nearly all of us purchased a timeshare interest and keep coming back not necessarily because we like Central Florida or amusement parks in general, but for the Disney level of customer service and care. Many feel that both in the parks and at the resorts, that level of customer service has faded to merely good, with some patchiness. Many also feel that the Lewis administration was more interested in making pennies watching the bottom line, while also expecting the dollars that the Disney MAGIC provided in the past to continue without continued attention to providing top-notch service.

vs.

EMBARRASSMENT -- I think this is the emotion that led to Jim Lewis, Deevy See (whose character I find benign, and occasionally amusing), and "Disney Files" becoming such lightning rods in this thread and on these boards. Embarrassment is the emotion one experiences when after spending tens of thousands of $$$ up front, and hundreds each year in maintenance fees, one arrives to a room that has not been properly cleaned. Embarrassment is the emotion an owner gets looking at a room in BLT with worn furnishings after less than two years. Further embarrassment occurs when problems such as these are not addresses quickly and convincingly. Embarrassment is deciding to purchase a timeshare in Hawaii and finding documents deeded for Animal Kingdom in their place. And certainly having a nearly finished resort with timeshare interests that have been held up for weeks is quite embarrassing.

A family that we helped introduce to DVC stayed at their home resort, BLT, for the second time this summer. They booked a 2-BR as they were bringing two grandparents along. On returning from the first night, they found an overpowering odor and found that their items had been moved in the room. A crew had been lacquering the furniture.

Family claims that they talked to THREE castmembers to finally resolve the situation by moving into two 1-BRs. The only way to describe this situation is EMBARRASSING -- particularly not having the situation resolved quickly and without fanfare.

Disney management has evidently come to the conclusion that the Lewis administrations actions were indeed embarrassing -- I'm assuming that BLT's issues and the Aulani suspension and possibly budgeting issues were at the forefront. I hope that some of the other concerns regarding housekeeping and "second-class" membership for resale contracts expressed on these board factored in as well.

If you're reading this Ms. Bilby, these are the two words -- MAGIC and EMBARRASSMENT -- that I think some of DVC's most interested members would have you keep in the back of your mind with all of the decisions that you need to make.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Hi Claire, hope you manage to plow your way through this thread, there are some really good suggestions.

Could I just ask you to bring back the Magic - you don't need to be told what it is because you used to do it (very well) !

thanks

David

 

[granmaz]

I think there are a lot of tongue in cheek ideas on this thread so try not to get too upset with people for having dream lists. They know they aren't going to happen. I find them quite funny and a great insight into what DVC members are thinking.

I'm with the majority who want clean, well maintained rooms and good CM's. We dealt with a downright rude one last year at the BWV. Mostly though we have had a wonderful experience with them.

 

[Scott H]

I do all that and even bring along a small screw driver to tighten little things (like cabinet knobs and those old blinds on OKW balcony doors) just because they drive me nuts and I don't want to take up maintenance's time for something I can do in 5 minutes. When I check into a villa, I feel it's my home (for however long I am there) and treat it as such.

I agree with most of the "wish lists" that have been posted. I don't want more, I just don't want less than what I had when I bought.

Good to hear, I keep multi tools etc in our owners locker for just that reason.

 

[CMOORE185]

Well I hope not, but I thought from the list the OP posted this was a realistic thread

My attempt at subtle humor; take a unrealistic wish and make it more unrealistic. I guess it didn't hit home with you. If you read the original poster that came up with the idea, that person even hinted that it was unrealistic.

 

[CMOORE185]

Of course you weren't serious, and don't call us Shirley!



I'm sorry. It was just too good!!

I was wondering if someone would write that, it was too good to pass up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Agree!

Lots of pet-peeve level things. Sorry but folks need to look beyond logos and Dee Vee See. Those don't (or shouldn't) impact your enjoyment of the product.

Things like cable TV channels, in-room coffee service and availability of wi-fi are beyond her scope. Those decisions are made on a resort-wide basis.

If folks really intend to judge her effectiveness as DVC leader based upon logo merchandise, instant FastPasses and dining discounts....oy vey.

Best we can hope for (IMO) is gradual improvement in critical areas. It's not going to be an overnight process. People who think she can walk in, snap her fingers and make instant improvements in housekeeping and overall Cast quality are kidding themselves. It takes time and money (!) to weed-out the bad apples, re-train those who need it and hire + train additional Cast. Given the current 60K workforce and union wages, hiring good people is easier said than done.

Good post! That highlighted part makes me think maybe JL was right in his assessment of DVC owners!

 

[sweetinmaine]

We've been fortunate I guess. We haven't dealt with gross or dirty rooms and we almost always feel the Disney magic once we are on-site. What I would offer as suggestions would be:

1) separating the gift shop and the Artist Palette restaurant at SSR. Both are too small for such a large resort.

2) It annoys me when I can't make an ADR anywhere because the people who got Disney Free Dining took all of the spots. I think that if you get "free dining" then you shouldn't get to make ADR's...

3) Because I've spent $$$ on Disney, I'd like to feel appreciated. A discount ticket to the parks would be nice. It isn't feasible for us to buy an AP but certainly a discount would work.

4) I've referred 5 people to DVC, who all bought memberships. Because I live where I live, I can't get "rewarded" for the referral. OK...don't pay me cash or give me discounts on my dues, but you could throw me a Disney gift card (that will be spent at Disney parks) It doesn't have to be more than $50...just something...I mean, 5 new contracts for them...$$$$

 

[maburke]

4) I've referred 5 people to DVC, who all bought memberships. Because I live where I live, I can't get "rewarded" for the referral. OK...don't pay me cash or give me discounts on my dues, but you could throw me a Disney gift card (that will be spent at Disney parks) It doesn't have to be more than $50...just something...I mean, 5 new contracts for them...$$$$

That's just not legal in your state. So sorry for you, but you should talk to your legislature, not Disney.

I agree with the "Magic" and "embarrassment" statements. When we bring guests, they need to be impressed from the moment they arrive if they're going to even consider buying.

Oh, and here's another vote for letting DVC members buy a TIW card -- I promise, food services will make money from us on that!

 

[psac]

On the design side, PLEASE go back to the split bathrooms! All the Disney hotel rooms have the sink separate from the shower and toilet. This allows someone to be brushing teeth, shaving, drying hair in a bathroom that is not occupied and steamed up from a shower.

I couldn't disagree more. Having the sink separate leads to a breeding ground for nasty germs. Hands should be washed after using the bathroom before opening any doors!!!

 

[ppiew]

More than two puny shampoo bottles in a two bedroom suite. Two just doesn't cut it with 8 or 9 people! Gift shop should be well stocked with swim suits (hello Vero Beach!!) especially when resort is on the ocean

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

That's just not legal in your state. So sorry for you, but you should talk to your legislature, not Disney.

I agree with the "Magic" and "embarrassment" statements. When we bring guests, they need to be impressed from the moment they arrive if they're going to even consider buying.

Oh, and here's another vote for letting DVC members buy a TIW card -- I promise, food services will make money from us on that!

I agree as well. I've brought both of my sisters families with us to WDW, and travelled with an old family friend. I was so embarrassed to have to wait until nearly 5pm with my sisters, and was embarassed with how a guide treated my friend. DVC could have done a number of things that would have made a sale a slam dunk...but didn't.

I would love, I mean love for DVC to offer regular ticket discounts to our guests. Talking about that slam dunk...I think $100 off each of my guests tickets would have gone a long way. How about $50?

I think it didn't really dawn on me about how much DH and I were spending on trips until I realized how much inviting my sisters and their children was still not a cheap vacation for them even with free rooms. Ticket discounts for my guests would make both me and them happy.

I know we are talking money here...and this isn't a low cost perk...but think about it...How happy would your travelling companions be if they could have a hefty discount just because they stayed with you? My thinking is that you would limit it to room occupancy. So...if DH and I invited 6 people to stay with us in a 2 bedroom...we could get up to 6 discounted tickets.

That would do one of two things...1) our friends would become the biggest leeches there have ever been... or 2) our friends would become our best referrals. I think as we naturally limit their becoming leeches, they would naturally become our referrals.

I'd kind of like a ticket discount for members too, but am ok with the AP discount.

Just a thought.

 

[wildernessDad]

1. Clean rooms
2. Happy CMs

Those are my requests.

 

[wendydarling826]

Claire's background in in sales, and I'm sure her primary focus is going to be sales, so I'm not sure how much she's going to care about wishlists from current owners, but for the record, the only perk I really care about is keeping the AP discount. That makes it possible for us to make the most use of our points and was a tipping point when we decided to add on. Don't tell my DH, but I'm having thoughts of adding on again!

 

[px57chevy]

1. Discount on MYW tickets

2. Meal Plan Discount....20%????

3. The ability to book DVC rooms that are available for $$ with points....nothing more frustrating than that.....