Any benefit to using a "local" DVC guide?

[OffToDWD]

We're considering the new DVC that's coming up in Disneyland. Our current guide is in HI (due to Aulani). We had stopped by the DVC office at Disneyland last week and the guide was saying that it's better to switch to a DVC guide that's based in Disneyland because he can keep us posted on the current progress of the build/construction. Any thoughts on that? Is there truly a benefit?

 

[erionm]

We're considering the new DVC that's coming up in Disneyland. Our current guide is in HI (due to Aulani). We had stopped by the DVC office at Disneyland last week and the guide was saying that it's better to switch to a DVC guide that's based in Disneyland because he can keep us posted on the current progress of the build/construction. Any thoughts on that? Is there truly a benefit?

If you go with a "local" guide you should be able to visit them in person (if necessary) and they would be in your same timezone.

 

[jkips]

We're considering the new DVC that's coming up in Disneyland. Our current guide is in HI (due to Aulani). We had stopped by the DVC office at Disneyland last week and the guide was saying that it's better to switch to a DVC guide that's based in Disneyland because he can keep us posted on the current progress of the build/construction. Any thoughts on that? Is there truly a benefit?

I think it depends on your relationship with your existing guide as well - if you have a close/good one, no reason to switch. If not, then switching to a more local guide makes more sense.

 

[RoseGold]

There are a lot of state-specific timeshare laws. It wouldn't surprise me if a HI guide isn't allowed to tell you things about the CA properties. It might even vary depending on where you live as well.

 

[RivShore]

There are a lot of state-specific timeshare laws. It wouldn't surprise me if a HI guide isn't allowed to tell you things about the CA properties. It might even vary depending on where you live as well.

They must be cross trained because we bought in FL and during covid got switched to a HI guide.

 

[Best Aunt]

We're considering the new DVC that's coming up in Disneyland. Our current guide is in HI (due to Aulani). We had stopped by the DVC office at Disneyland last week and the guide was saying that it's better to switch to a DVC guide that's based in Disneyland because he can keep us posted on the current progress of the build/construction. Any thoughts on that? Is there truly a benefit?

I wonder if the guide in the DVC office at Disneyland was thinking, "It's better for me if these people switch to a DVC guide based in Disneyland because then I will get a commission when they buy."

I don't know how guides are compensated, but perhaps that factored into what the guide said to you.

I think many people who have home resorts at Disney World properties have never met their guide.

I wonder if any DVC owner has ever had a guide update them on progress of build/construction. I wonder if guides are even allowed to do that. It seems like the company likes to keep things quiet until they are ready to make announcements.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I don't know that ins and outs of how Disney manages the guides, but based on our experience if you have a guide that you like and have worked with, I would stick with them because you know that they will provide good service. Our guide had moved on, so when we added on at VGF last month we were assigned a guide who was onsite. Worst experience ever. I won't bother with a long string of details but the short version is that this guide messed up the contract (despite several questions and checkpoints of clarification by us) to the point that we have spent three weeks and several iterations of the contract (including multiple calls with sales leaders etc.) trying to straighten out the botched contract. As one leader put it quite frankly: "this is a cash deal, it doesn't get any simpler for us in terms of paperwork." Exactly. I have requested this guide be removed from our file and shared a rare cast un-compliment. We have already been assigned a new guide who reached out and seems good and attentive. So for us, if we have a good guide who provides good and accurate service, we would not switch.

 

[RKS03]

I also got a new guide assigned to us when we visited the Grand Floridian and he showed us around (I guess the old one left). W must have lucked out because he was fantastic and had no issues with the contracts and we even pushed our payment over 3 months.

 

[OffToDWD]

I wonder if the guide in the DVC office at Disneyland was thinking, "It's better for me if these people switch to a DVC guide based in Disneyland because then I will get a commission when they buy."

I don't know how guides are compensated, but perhaps that factored into what the guide said to you.

I think many people who have home resorts at Disney World properties have never met their guide.

I wonder if any DVC owner has ever had a guide update them on progress of build/construction. I wonder if guides are even allowed to do that. It seems like the company likes to keep things quiet until they are ready to make announcements.

I was wondering that too... that's why I decided to ask the fine folks here! Our current agent is good. We've bought Aulani and Cooper Creek with him and the process both times went smoothly.

 

[OffToDWD]

I don't know that ins and outs of how Disney manages the guides, but based on our experience if you have a guide that you like and have worked with, I would stick with them because you know that they will provide good service. Our guide had moved on, so when we added on at VGF last month we were assigned a guide who was onsite. Worst experience ever. I won't bother with a long string of details but the short version is that this guide messed up the contract (despite several questions and checkpoints of clarification by us) to the point that we have spent three weeks and several iterations of the contract (including multiple calls with sales leaders etc.) trying to straighten out the botched contract. As one leader put it quite frankly: "this is a cash deal, it doesn't get any simpler for us in terms of paperwork." Exactly. I have requested this guide be removed from our file and shared a rare cast un-compliment. We have already been assigned a new guide who reached out and seems good and attentive. So for us, if we have a good guide who provides good and accurate service, we would not switch.

Yikes! Sounds like it's luck of the draw with the guide assignments. Think we'll just stick with our current guide and let him know we're interested in the new Disneyland property so he is aware.

 

[OffToDWD]

Thanks, everyone, for your input/thoughts!

 

[PalmettoPath]

Yikes! Sounds like it's luck of the draw with the guide assignments. Think we'll just stick with our current guide and let him know we're interested in the new Disneyland property so he is aware.

Yep. We drew the short straw. But it's all straightened now, so all's well that ends well. Good luck with it!

 

[KPeterso]

I have always had Disneyland based guides. I bought my original SSR contract at Disneyland and am a Disneyland local. I am on my 3rd guide but all were Disneyland. My current one relocated from Disneyland to WDW sometime last year I would guess. Not a big deal at all. As a matter of fact, I have chatted with him twice in the last 6 months or so which is probably more than I have in the previous 4-5 years total (except maybe when I bought my AKV add on through him in 2018). He knows my interest in DLT and has put me on his list to call when it becomes available.

 

[MagicForMePlus3]

I was wondering that too... that's why I decided to ask the fine folks here! Our current agent is good. We've bought Aulani and Cooper Creek with him and the process both times went smoothly.

I’m looking for a good guide to buy Aulani direct. Can you send me your guides info please!

 

[OffToDWD]

I’m looking for a good guide to buy Aulani direct. Can you send me your guides info please!

I tried to send you a private message but wasn't able to... think you need a few more posts in order to do so.

 

[CarolMN]

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