Crsppy, cruddy, near useless new guidebook

[Richyams]

I have a theory.

DVC's move to that big, new, expensive annual guidebook a few years ago had to do with them changing rules and removing benefits. The original binder had all the rules in it. As they changed something, there was always the evidence on the old rule right there.

RUles, CC, II, RCI destinations, etc. They are constantly changing things and wanted the evidence to be a little more remote.

While that new book worked well for that, it was very expensive to put together, produce and mail....still, these expenses were worth them not getting their feet held to any fire.

Ostensibely, this new guidebook was intended to save money.....wasn't their original method of simply updating pages to add to you binder much cheaper? Wasn't it a much more pleasent thing to work with?

1 hour till I leave, just got this piece of crap guidebook yesterday and wanted to express my opinion.

 

[anniet]

Since I just joined in 2002, I never saw the old guidebook but I can imagine it worked better and was more cost effective than the second version.

As far as the new version goes, I don't mind it. It's a planner NOT a guidebook. I think with access to a lot of that information on the website (which everyone here has access to) a thick guidebook is unneccessary.

The ones who should complain are those who don't have access to the internet and website. I'm sure they rely more heavily on the guidebook.

JMHO

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[kweaver]

Interesting theory, Richyams. I worked as a technical writer for a number of years, and updating pages/sections was definitely the norm. As for the binders...well...the documentation I created for the last company I worked for had 23 manuals...each in their own separate binder. I'm a big fan of binders!

I haven't seen this new "book" yet. I really don't want DVC to spend a bunch of my dues on member guidebooks each year, though. Honestly, all I really need are the updated points charts and updated information if a resort changes in some way (new restaurants, new procedures, etc.). Yes, Disney changes rules, perks and lots of other things. I think they'll always change what they think they can get away with if it makes business sense.

When we signed up for DVC last month, I was disappointed to see how the materials were packaged! There's a lot of information there, and it came in what is basically a flimsy folder made from glossy printed card stock with a velcro closure. The information is printed on looseleaf paper, but are much smaller than the "folder". Long skinny pieces of styrofoam were added so that the package wouldn't be a mess by the time it was shipped to us.

I am NOT impressed. The materials need to be in a 2 inch binder, with inside pockets for the small booklets.

Hope you have a great trip! Enjoy your GV!

 

[Pig Pen]

Most of the info is on the website anyway. I find it easier just to go there than hunt around for my book. I generally just need the points charts, reservation timelines, and cancellations policies!

Everything else, I rely on the DIS!

 

[Dean]

One of the stated goals with the change was to provide a guidebook yearly. Two years and they've already gone back on that promise. I sure hope their ready to send out new full guidebooks for those that have used them and they're faling apart.

 

[lenshanem]

I sure hope their ready to send out new full guidebooks for those that have used them and they're faling apart.

Wonder how much they'll charge for that?!?

 

[jctwizzer]

Basically, they've deleted all the material we considered extraneous and never read anyway; and I suspect that most members, except for the beancounter-types feel the same way.

 

[paults]

looks fine to me.
Thank you DVC

 

[crisi]

I suspect the problem with the binders was this....

People got the new pages and didn't put them in the binder. Or they didn't take the old ones out. Then they'd call member services and want to book something from the Conceirge Collection based off three year old point information and when MS would say "oh that's XX a night" they'd say "no it isn't, its XX a night and it says so right here in my guidebook."

So they went to the perfect bound books. And people complained that the bindings didn't hold up. And perfect bound is expensive and paper has gotten more expensive and they were expensive to mail.

So they have issued a thin "Vacation Planner" this year. Saves a little money on printing and mailing costs - which come out of our dues, after all. Drives people to use the web site (which is cheaper to update and can be updated on a much more timely basis).

So in their minds they have the best of all worlds. A cost effective solution - the vacation planner and the web - that they don't have to depend on their members updating and putting new pages in.

 

[MJTinNH]

Originally posted by anniet
The ones who should complain are those who don't have access to the internet and website. I'm sure they rely more heavily on the guidebook.

JMHO

I agree with this poster. Let's see if this eventually has an impact on the "condensed" Guide Book.

And Richyams, have a great vacation!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by anniet
As far as the new version goes, I don't mind it. It's a planner NOT a guidebook. I think with access to a lot of that information on the website (which everyone here has access to) a thick guidebook is unneccessary.

You hit the nail on the head. This is really just a hard copy update on points charts. The points are just elaborately presented. I think DVC is trying to move everyone towards the Internet as their source of information. I'm not offended by the planner. I prefered updating the binder but it was getting messy after so many years and I'm fine with the new system.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are brand new, as of Oct., DVC'ers. I certainly had no problem with the guidebook/member book that was sent to me. And I did just get the new 'planning book'. Don't have a problem with that one either. I think that most of us just love having something new to read where Disney is concerned. But I wouldn't want my dues to be paying for the 'same old, same old' in each publication. Just give me anything that has changed, or been added or deleted from the main book. Now, then again, I haven't had my member book long enough to start it falling apart yet either. So maybe I shouldn't be opening my big mouth .

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Rich

I hope you don't go over the occupancy limit

in your GV.

P.S. I like the new planner.

 

[timC]

I rarely use the guidebook. When I need info, the first place I go is the internet.

The less they spend on it the better IMO.

 

[ralphd]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
Basically, they've deleted all the material we considered extraneous and never read anyway; and I suspect that most members, except for the beancounter-types feel the same way.

I agree! The book cost comes out of our annual dues, not Disney's pockets, so they are saving our money.

ralphd

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I joined in 2001 and received the big, gray binder. The next year, I received the new paperback quidebook which I really liked. The second version seemed much easier to use. This last version was just a fancy point chart.

Do the rest of you use your quidebooks?

I don't mind the new version as long as that is not what new members are receiving. If I had just bought, I would be very disappointed.

 

[SOBDOSNV]

New members get the hard bound guide book and the vacation planner. We added on at SSR and gave the guide book back. We already have it. We got the vacation planner after we got back, otherwise I'd have given that back to. It is our money they are saving. Now with the vacation planner, I will only use the guide book to show the layout of the room. I think this is a great idea, it's alot easier to use, without alot of fluff.

 

[wdwstar]

one thing its good for, since its flimsy,slimsy,planner you can put it in your carrie on and when housekeeping says on your t,t &t day, you have to pay extra for the coffee/sugar/creamer, or you dont get t,t & t on your fourth day because your staying on members cash discount, you can whip out your handy dandy flimsy slimsy planner and say : not so true breath,

according to my flimsy slimsy planner it states we do get t,t & t even if we are paying members cash discount and it does state we get coffee/suger/creamer on t,t & t day.

and its good for when your waiting for bell service to drop off your luggage or pick up your luggage, you can whip out your handy dandy flimsy slimy planner and start planning your next trip with your handy dandy flimsy slimsy planner

 

[JimB.]

It works fine for me. No problem with it at all.

 

[pwoodham]

I'm one of those flaky members who got the binder and never updated the pages. I like the new "planner" just fine. I used my guidebook a lot, but the planner has all the information I'm usually looking for.