anybody else not crazy about the newest members guide?

[lodgelady]

No offense to the family that is featured through out the guide, but I do not find this years' issue as appealing as the original paperback of last year.

What happened to interior photos of the various DVC accomodations? I want to have all of my reference photos in one place, not have to go back and look at past materials to find what I am looking for!

I also love New photos of the resorts and a WIDE Variety of DVC members. Heck. the way they cut and pasted the photos of the featured family it looks as though they weren't even at a DVC resort! Are they even members?

I DO like the pull-out calender in the back and the Banking/borrowing record sheet....

 

[Jimbo]

Boy, I was just going to start a similar thread. We're planning our first HHI stay next year, and I was hoping to see some pictures of the resort, the beach, the rooms, etc. There's one picture of the pool, and another aerial picture of the resort, and I think that was it. I was pretty disappointed.

All this other stuff is nice, but we bought a piece of the resorts and it seems like they should show them.

 

[kem330]

I agree, too many pasted in photos- it looks fake- just like you said- its like there not even there. This book should be about info not cutesy photos of people, thats what the VM is for

 

[ncligs]

This years issue is very "rinky dink", doesn't even compare to last years issue.The pictures they "pasted' in are very "childish" and nice if you are a 10 yr old!!

 

[anniet]

Well I knew it was going to happen and it did. When DBF saw the photos he freaked. (he's a photojournalist) I thought he would freak over them being superimposed (which he wasn't happy with) but another thing he pointed out was that the father and MICKEYMOUSE on the cover aren't even facing forward in the shot! He couldn't believe that Disney would actually put out a member guidebook for DVC and have Mickey's back practically to the camera!

It does have the information we need, but as far as making the photos exciting they fell way short. And while the chart to track your points is nice, why is it in the CENTER of the book? They should have put it right in the back to make it easily accessible.

I enjoy the vacation photos from our DVC friends far more than anything Disney put in there on their own. Maybe we should all just flood them with our vacation shots- let's take some of our rooms and resorts too and maybe they'll use ours next year instead of giving us low quality, uninspiring, photoshopped junk.

 

[ZerasPride]

But I thought last year's book had the name of the members and the year they joined DVC under the member photos. I really miss that. I keep thinking to myself when I look at the pictures - who are these people? Are they really DVC members? I really miss that feature the most. The guidebook does seem to be a little more sturdy than last year's book but I think I'll still have it three-hole punched and put in a binder.

 

[anniet]

I think last year, as well as this year, they have the DVC members name and hometown listed on the back cover along with the page number on which their picture appears.

 

[AZKathy]

I am not crazy about it because I have not received mine yet!!!!

 

[MollysNeeNee]

I was disappointed with the new guide also! The room layouts and charts smaller and difficult to read. I miss the actual pictures of the rooms and the "family" pictures did not seem "Disney quality "to me! I was going to bring my new guide into work to show someone considering a purchase....but will bring the old one instead.....much more appealing!

 

[Dean]

I'll post a dissenting opinion. While I understand what is being said, I think this years book has more real information than last years.

 

[Doctor P]

There IS more information in this year's guidebook, but the layout and design is not as friendly for me. BTW, what is in the back are the photo credits (who TOOK the picture), not the list of people in the picture. Could it be an effort to protect people's privacy a bit more? I could understand if it was (though it would be a change from even recent past practices).

 

[edith76]

I may be a minority - but I'm still hoping for the return of the binder. It lays flat, could be organized the way I wanted and was more up to date.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I prefer the binder myself. The fact that the family looks like they were shot on a bluescreen startled me. This IS a media company after all. If you are going to give me a fake shot at least make it so it's difficult to tell its fake.

And yes...I really want more pictures of the resorts. Disney has managed to fall down on this....not just in this year's but last year's issue as well.

 

[edith76]

I couldn't believe interior pictures of the resorts weren't included. I wanted to check out WLV - but, too bad...no picture.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by edith76
I couldn't believe interior pictures of the resorts weren't included. I wanted to check out WLV - but, too bad...no picture.

There are always the online sights including the Disney site.

 

[donald@home]

As a graphic designer I feel the layout and typography present the information in a clear and attractive way (not innovative or great design, but it is fine). I have always disliked the way Disney has such posed and stiff pictures in their marketing materials, but the photos of the "DVC Family" in this issue is particularly bad. I found it almost insulting. I also miss the photos of the various DVC resorts. But other than those two issues, the book works fine.

Did you notice how they mention adding on points about 3 times in the text.

 

[Ms. WDW]

If I ever get mine I'll let you know what I think about it!! I'm still waiting for it here in New York City.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Dean
There are always the online sights including the Disney site.

Dean,
That is true......if you have a PC and internet access, what about for the DVC members that don't have a PC?

 

[Dumbo]

My problem with the new guide book, or even the old guide book, is that not enough people read it. Probably over 90 % of the questions asked in this forum are answered in the guide book.

How many times in this forum have I read a question such as :

Hi, Ive been a DVC member since 1998. I have a February use year. When can I bank my points?


Dumbo

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I think it looks just fine.
I am not into picture books, I am into information.
I do find it difficult to believe that there are a lot of members that are without a computer. And, for those that are, what a lovely suprise the decor will be when they get there.
I do agree with the poster who mentioned spiral bound books, they are a bit easier.
Mrs. WDW, hang in there, I just received mine late last week.


Dumbo, GREAT POINT!!!!!!!!