DISNEY FILES MAGAZINE = junk mail?

[Island Mouse]

I finally just received my new issue yesterday and after reading it I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the stories were good, even if it wasn't 100% about DVC. I can't wait for the next issue.

 

[dan and scott]

This is our "Decade of DVC" and I have kept every issue since we bought in---But I have to say that "The Disney-Files" magazine is J-U-N-K mail!!!!
Let go back to Vacation Magic and it's stale content-at least you heard about the DVC resorts and it's non Coochy Coo member's photos in the back!!

Scott

 

[DisFamily2006]

Junk....YES. Like the Disney File Magazine....NO.

 

[profdsny]

I posted the following a week ago on another thread similar to this.


This is very interesting because not long after I got the previous issue I emailed them about how disappointed I was at the changes. I don't visit here often on this board so I didn't know that many others have not been crazy about the new and improved magazine.
I thought this one was worse than the last issue. But, maybe if we all complain, nothing will happen, as usual.

 

[Basser]

We agree, we want the old magzine back.

 

[Sammie]

As a magazine promoting Disney and its product, it is fine. As a DVC member magazine replacing Member Magic, it stinks.

 

[disney54us]

I believe "we" the DVC owners fund the junk mail. At least they have left the recipe corner in. Though, I do take issue with funding such junk!!!!

 

[disneymom8589]

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.

Amen, brother!! I received my copy a week or so ago, thumbed through it, put it on a table in the family room and haven't picked it up again yet. I so miss the "Vacation Magic." It was much more personal to DVC members and I also miss the little tidbits about each DVC resort. Like many others, I've been waiting to read more information about the GCV and the Hawaiian DVC.

 

[Coach81]

Agree, very disappointed

 

[BCV23]

I think it is well written. Criticizing it because there is no new DVC info in it is shooting the messenger IMO. If management doesn't give them anything new to disseminate, what can they do?

 

[Kurby]

having only received the 1 vacation mag when it came in our package and this being the 2nd DF we've received it's hard for me to compare but i can see where being a DVC mag is lacking in DVC articles - especially with all the new things that have been announced in the past few months.

at the very least they need to stop preaching to the choir - people who have bought dvc already are hooked on disney and dvc no need to continue to advertise disney to us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with the masses here. I used to LOVE to get the Vacation Magic magazine, and looked forward to it. Then it started to change, and I wasn't quite so interested. Now the new Disney FILEs shows up, and I totally agre....JUNK MAIL! I opened this edition and paged through it. Didn't see anything I wanted to look at or read, so it went in the garbage. I have ALL of the Vacation Magic magazines from our first 10 years of membership. Disney Files, is going to be circular filed from now on!

 

[Sully]

I found interesting things in the magazine like the nature preserve and the dolls, but I do agree this is just disney stuff, not DVC information. Disney does not want to give out too much factual information, like when the free internet service willl start.

 

[Sammie]

I think it is well written. Criticizing it because there is no new DVC info in it is shooting the messenger IMO. If management doesn't give them anything new to disseminate, what can they do?

That was the point I made, as a Disney magazine promoting Disney products it is fine.

But DVC messed up giving this magazine to members as a replacement for Vacation Magic, which was a DVC based magazine.

 

[BCV23]

That was the point I made, as a Disney magazine promoting Disney products it is fine.

But DVC messed up giving this magazine to members as a replacement for Vacation Magic, which was a DVC based magazine.

I don't think of it as promoting Disney products as much as providing more detail than most of us know. They really don't need to promote WDW to most of us. We're hooked.

Like Sully, I was intrigued with the article on the nature preserve. I knew of its existence because our eldest did a backstage tour there many years ago when it was still Disney property and when WDW offered tours to kids. But I didn't know any of the details provided in that article.

The magazine reminds me of the quarterly magazine sent to DL APers. We were only in that group for one year but received that magazine faithfully. It is a completely different animal than the the little AP mailing we receive once in a blue moon as WDW APers. It has some info for DL APers in particular but lots of info that Disneyphiles would appreciate. Like APers, DVC members are presumably in that group hence the name. I thought it was pretty sad that the name had to be explained though.

I do wish that all DVC discounts for that season were listed in the magazine. I'd rather plan ahead than try to fit something in once we receive portable perks. I don't always even take the time to read PP while at WDW. More than once, I've read of a new discount on the way home.

Of course, given the moaning on this board whenever any discount is changed, that might be asking for trouble.

We've only been members since 2002 but I don't remember thinking the previous magazine was all that different other than this one has more fun with all things Disney. What specifically is missing?

 

[disney54us]

I don't think of it as promoting Disney products as much as providing more detail than most of us know. They really don't need to promote WDW to most of us. We're hooked.

Like Sully, I was intrigued with the article on the nature preserve. I knew of its existence because our eldest did a backstage tour there many years ago when it was still Disney property and when WDW offered tours to kids. But I didn't know any of the details provided in that article.

The magazine reminds me of the quarterly magazine sent to DL APers. We were only in that group for one year but received that magazine faithfully. It is a completely different animal than the the little AP mailing we receive once in a blue moon as WDW APers. It has some info for DL APers in particular but lots of info that Disneyphiles would appreciate. Like APers, DVC members are presumably in that group hence the name. I thought it was pretty sad that the name had to be explained though.

I do wish that all DVC discounts for that season were listed in the magazine. I'd rather plan ahead than try to fit something in once we receive portable perks. I don't always even take the time to read PP while at WDW. More than once, I've read of a new discount on the way home.

Of course, given the moaning on this board whenever any discount is changed, that might be asking for trouble.

We've only been members since 2002 but I don't remember thinking the previous magazine was all that different other than this one has more fun with all things Disney. What specifically is missing?

Vacation Magic focused on what was going on at the DVC resorts. I don't mean the next 1000+ rooms they are trying to sell. It was almost a mini chapter book page 3 & 4 about everything going on at OKW, 5 & 6 BWV, and so on and so on. Holiday happenings at each home resort for those planning on being their, knew in advance. For me I couldn't wait for it to come and waited for the kids to be in bed so I could relax and read every page. The Dis Files comes I glance, thank god they kept the recipe page and thats it, done! It is Disney/DVC marketing tool which we are paying for.
As far as 'the moaning' if I could grant every member who is starry eyed and never knew DVC in the earlier years, (when if I met a stranger I would talk there ear off and have them calling the next day to join), I would. Then we would see if you would call it moaning. For the money, my DH and I have spent and do spend for 5 contracts I expect quality and luxury! That is what they sold me. I am not sure of the exact dates but I believe you were not a member pre Mr. Lewis days. Oh those were the days, if so many of these 'great descisions' are not his I am sorry, but when you bare the title President the buck stops with you. If you read the forums, you have to wonder when you see original owners w/1000+ points, selling and "moaning", they were happy enough to keep adding points that most would love to have. It has to make you think.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Vacation Magic focused on what was going on at the DVC resorts. I don't mean the next 1000+ rooms they are trying to sell. It was almost a mini chapter book page 3 & 4 about everything going on at OKW, 5 & 6 BWV, and so on and so on. Holiday happenings at each home resort for those planning on being their, knew in advance. For me I couldn't wait for it to come and waited for the kids to be in bed so I could relax and read every page. The Dis Files comes I glance, thank god they kept the recipe page and thats it, done! It is Disney/DVC marketing tool which we are paying for.
As far as 'the moaning' if I could grant every member who is starry eyed and never knew DVC in the earlier years, (when if I met a stranger I would talk there ear off and have them calling the next day to join), I would. Then we would see if you would call it moaning. For the money, my DH and I have spent and do spend for 5 contracts I expect quality and luxury! That is what they sold me. I am not sure of the exact dates but I believe you were not a member pre Mr. Lewis days. Oh those were the days, if so many of these 'great descisions' are not his I am sorry, but when you bare the title President the buck stops with you. If you read the forums, you have to wonder when you see original owners w/1000+ points, selling and "moaning", they were happy enough to keep adding points that most would love to have. It has to make you think.

Yes, yes, yes. When the talk about Contemporary DVC first came out, I was thinking, maybe we might buy a few points there, probably not, but still, maybe. Now, no way. We've already sold two contracts, the third is on the market. Every once in a while, we talk about selling them all.

 

[BCV23]

Vacation Magic focused on what was going on at the DVC resorts. I don't mean the next 1000+ rooms they are trying to sell. It was almost a mini chapter book page 3 & 4 about everything going on at OKW, 5 & 6 BWV, and so on and so on. Holiday happenings at each home resort for those planning on being their, knew in advance. For me I couldn't wait for it to come and waited for the kids to be in bed so I could relax and read every page. The Dis Files comes I glance, thank god they kept the recipe page and thats it, done! It is Disney/DVC marketing tool which we are paying for.
As far as 'the moaning' if I could grant every member who is starry eyed and never knew DVC in the earlier years, (when if I met a stranger I would talk there ear off and have them calling the next day to join), I would. Then we would see if you would call it moaning. For the money, my DH and I have spent and do spend for 5 contracts I expect quality and luxury! That is what they sold me. I am not sure of the exact dates but I believe you were not a member pre Mr. Lewis days. Oh those were the days, if so many of these 'great descisions' are not his I am sorry, but when you bare the title President the buck stops with you. If you read the forums, you have to wonder when you see original owners w/1000+ points, selling and "moaning", they were happy enough to keep adding points that most would love to have. It has to make you think.

Thanks for more details on what some of you are missing.

Trust me, I'm not starry eyed. We've been frequent WDW visitors since the early 80s and there are many changes that I bemoan. I remember when every single CM would know the answer to simple questions about WDW. I remember when there was never a single gum smear anywhere to be seen. I remember when every bed was triple sheeted not just concierge level ones. Of course, we paid more in real dollars for those experiences.

I didn't mean to belittle disappointments about some changes in DVC. I was referring specifically to publishing members perks in the magazine. I would find that helpful. But there was a long thread not too long ago with people claiming there were no longer any dining discounts which is nonsense. For each of us who miss one particular restaurant's discount, there's another who gets their favorite added.

Oh, and our membership did precede Mr. Lewis' present position.

 

[disney54us]

Yes, yes, yes. When the talk about Contemporary DVC first came out, I was thinking, maybe we might buy a few points there, probably not, but still, maybe. Now, no way. We've already sold two contracts, the third is on the market. Every once in a while, we talk about selling them all.

I think it's just in us, ooh and ahh, new place more pts. We have been the same way, lets add and add. I will say we are at a holding pattern, just not as please with what has been going on that I want to invest further. Don't sell all your contracts. Need to keep people who know the real DVC.

 

[disney54us]

Thanks for more details on what some of you are missing.

Trust me, I'm not starry eyed. We've been frequent WDW visitors since the early 80s and there are many changes that I bemoan. I remember when every single CM would know the answer to simple questions about WDW. I remember when there was never a single gum smear anywhere to be seen. I remember when every bed was triple sheeted not just concierge level ones. Of course, we paid more in real dollars for those experiences.

I didn't mean to belittle disappointments about some changes in DVC. I was referring specifically to publishing members perks in the magazine. I would find that helpful. But there was a long thread not too long ago with people claiming there were no longer any dining discounts which is nonsense. For each of us who miss one particular restaurant's discount, there's another who gets their favorite added.

Oh, and our membership did precede Mr. Lewis' present position.

No problem. As many of us have been going to the world for many years. What I never get is when and why, do I see people b/c DVC owners and act as if they should expect less? Oh don't complain, what's the big deal? Some post I have read you would think DVC was a free gift and that one should not question. Just feel special being a DVC member. If you have your old issues and compare, there is a vast difference. Business Marketing 101, Disney Files screams marketing 101 to the masses not DVC members. When you are marketing to people and asking them to hand over money you need to focus on what they are buying. Add a few outside interest. As far as the member perks, what you say is true. What interest one member, will disinterest another. For me the 10% off dining may be nice, but I would take the quality and true sense of family and home of how it use to be and call it a day. Nobody is saying that their may not be a story of interest, but when the vast majority is so disappointed, it is saying something about the new Disney Files and I don't think that is moaning.