DISNEY FILES MAGAZINE = junk mail?

[JimMIA]

Every day, our mailbox is stuffed full of unsolicited junk mail, virtually all of which gets thrown in the trash without being looked at. I'm sure yours is too.

After a review of the latest issue of Disney Files -- purportedly a DVC Members magazine -- I've decided to add it to the list of stuff that never makes it inside our house. One of the things that made me look at the magazine more closely this time was DIS complaints about the lack of DVC content in what is supposed to be our magazine.

Here are the results of my down and dirty analysis of the contents of the newest Disney Files:

Page 1 - "This page intentionally left blank" would be an improvement. This page is primarily intended to let us know the editor's name is Ryan March. It tells you what is in the magazine, for those too challenged to turn pages.

Page 2 - DVC CONTENT! Jim Lewis' news and perspective. Good info for most owners. Some of it old news for DIS DVC boards readers, but we can't fault him for that.

Pages 3 through 14 - "Story-ads" for various Disney products: F&G, Segway tours, DL Dining, England tour, F&G again, DL again, DCL, Tokyo, Disney Channel, movies, books, etc, ad nauseum. 12 consecutive pages without one ounce of DVC content -- nothing but ads.

Page 15 - Interesting story on the Nature Conservancy Wilderness Preserve. Nice, but nothing to do with DVC.

Page 16 - Directions to the Wilderness Preserve (must not have had any more story-ads ready to go!)

Pages 17-18 - Story-ad for California Adventure

Pages 19-20 - Story on Disney history...zzzzzzzzz. Nothing to do with DVC.

Page 21 - [EDIT: DVC CONTENT!!! Story on VWL sign]

Page 22 - Human interest story about ABC's "Extreme Makeover." Very nice story; nothing to do with DVC.

Pages 23-24 - DVC CONTENT!!! Story about artistic development for AKV.

Page 25 - Story ad for DDP, with a recipe.

Page 26 - DVC CONTENT!!! Two DVC member pictures

Page 27 - Story on Tommy Lasorda - baseball legend and all-round nice guy; nothing to do with DVC.

Page 28 - Miscellaneous advertising and notes. 10 items, 2 related to DVC.

Pages 29 & 30 - DVC CONTENT!!! Seven DVC member pictures

So, in 30 pages, there were six pages which contained DVC content. FIFTEEN pages were unabashed story-ads for Disney products. The rest were stories which had nothing to do with DVC.

I don't know how this magazine is funded, but if our dues are paying for it, we're paying for something that is at least 50% free advertising for Disney products that have absolutely nothing to do with DVC.

To me, that's junk mail.

 

[TisBit]

Completely agree Jim. I just mentioned in the thread about the changes to studios, how the Disney Failes newsletter made no mention of this upcoming change. Either DVC is so knee jerk reaction, they never plan anything in advance, or they just don't talk to the people at DVC Files. There were no answers to the always asked questions here on the boards or among members! When will free internet start (more than generic spring/summer, what will the process be, etc). What is coming in the ways of treehouse villas or CR.....why does it have to be announced public, before it its owners? I think the Disney Files should be an insiders publication, with insiders information, not just a bunch of adds!

 

[kerickson]

I'm disappointed too. I had read that there would be GCV floorplans (and was hoping for other updates), but no updates on that or the Hawaii expansion...

 

[JimMIA]

I guess the main thing that I object to in this new format is the overwhelming emphasis on marketing Disney merchandise and products. It seems to typify DVC's approach to us more as a marketing targets than owners.

If the magazine were 50% DVC stories and member pix, 25% Disney-related stories of general interest (like the Wilderness Preserve and Extreme Makeover stories, not story-ads), and 25% advertising of DVC-discounted products, I wouldn't mind.

But DVC's almost single-minded interest recently seems to be to sell us, rather than serve us.

 

[LIFERBABE]

But DVC's almost single-minded interest recently seems to be to sell us, rather than serve us.

I completely agree!

I felt like that on the member cruise 2006. I will never go on another one again. They even made fun of how "fanatical" we were and they treated us like checkbooks, not members.

 

[mrsR123]

I guess the main thing that I object to in this new format is the overwhelming emphasis on marketing Disney merchandise and products. It seems to typify DVC's approach to us more as a marketing targets than owners.

If the magazine were 50% DVC stories and member pix, 25% Disney-related stories of general interest (like the Wilderness Preserve and Extreme Makeover stories, not story-ads), and 25% advertising of DVC-discounted products, I wouldn't mind.

But DVC's almost single-minded interest recently seems to be to sell us, rather than serve us.

The overwhelming sentiment from DVC seems to be that if they got our money once, surely they can get it again. Being an owner and being a target are certainly not mutually exclusive where any Disney corporation segment is concerned.

Personally, I found myself wondering whether anyone at Disney besides the copy editor read or will read Marty Sklar's guest piece. They have strayed sooo far from Mickey's Ten Commandments.

 

[Caskbill]

I agree completely. Received my copy several days ago but didn't even open it until now just to see what Jim was talking about.

I remember the early days of "Vacation Magic", and how I would sit down and read it immediately the day it arrived. Membership use to be magical.

There is so much going on with DVC and not one iota of really new information can be found in DF.

I'd rather have a magazine that was only 10 pages long, but 100% DVC related, than this 30 page so called "Members" magazine.

 

[tomandrobin]

The book read like a promo book in a waiting room somewhere.

Where was all the DVC content? Where was all the stories about DVC events and resorts? It was filled with mostly old news and Ads posing as interest stories.

 

[disissue]

I can't agree with you more Jim, I open it finger through the pages and throw it out. I miss the days of my "Vacation Magic" where I had updates on all the resorts; my thoughts now are stop wasting money on this and promos for me to invite other members and give me another place to buy chicken strips on the boardwalk!

 

[JimMIA]

I can't agree with you more Jim, I open it finger through the pages and throw it out. I miss the days of my "Vacation Magic" where I had updates on all the resorts; my toughts now are stop wasting money on this and promos for me to invite other members and give me another place to buy chicken strips on the boardwalk!

Now, that's what I like! Someone with their priorities straight! Keeping their eye on the prize! Let's hear it for more chicken strips!

 

[Muushka]

Page 21 - Story on Wilderness Lodge sign (WL, not VWL) - nothing to do with DVC

Actually, if it is the article that I am thinking of, that sign "Carolwood Pacific" is at VWL. Kind of interesting to those who own there and wondered why they changed the name from Iron Spike Room to the new one. Other than that, I agree, just more junk mail!

 

[JimMIA]

Actually, if it is the article that I am thinking of, that sign "Carolwood Pacific" is at VWL. Kind of interesting to those who own there and wondered why they changed the name from Iron Spike Room to the new one. Other than that, I agree, just more junk mail!

You're right -- my bad. I didn't realize that was in the Villas.

So that makes 7 pages out of 30 DVC related (unless you count the front and back covers, in which case it's 7 out of 32).

 

[jamaka66]

I agree completely. I was so excited to get the magazine and it's now in the trash. No useful DVC information at all. What a waste.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What's even worse is we got two separate issues, one addressed to each of us. At least we didn't get that generic bumpersticker this time. I haven't seen any on any of the cars around here. Anyone use that stupid thing?

 

[dbprimeaux]

I totally agree.....the magazine was so disappointing ! Being a fairly new owner at SSR - I was really looking forward to our 2nd issue...boy what a surprise . or not??

 

[Sammie]

Just one of several changes lately with DVC that seem to focus more on Disney and less on Vacation Club. I am disappointed.

 

[Kathi OD]

What's even worse is we got two separate issues, one addressed to each of us. At least we didn't get that generic bumpersticker this time. I haven't seen any on any of the cars around here. Anyone use that stupid thing?

That bumper sticker went straight into the trash. I've NEVER, EVER, seen anything less creative in my life! And this from a company that prides itself on creativity.

What a total waste of money!

 

[DVCKennyD]

But DVC's almost single-minded interest recently seems to be to sell us, rather than serve us.

Exactly my sentiments as well... Preaching to the choir my friend

Nicely done

Kenny D

 

[Kurby]

Page 1 - "This page intentionally left blank" would be an improvement. This page is primarily intended to let us know the editor's name is Ryan March. It tells you what is in the magazine, for those too challenged to turn pages.

if he puts his email address and or mailing address it gives us a great place to send letters of disappointment and request (demand) change of something that is supposed to be DVC related and probably being paid for through some of our dues therefore gives us the right to demand change.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I used to really look forward to the "Vacation Magic" issues but this new format is a total disapointment. I can only hope that with so much group disaproval it will be short lived and go to an early grave. What a bummer, what were they thinking! It's a dud.