DISNEY FILES MAGAZINE = junk mail?

[BCV23]

Again, I think you missed my points. The moaning I referred to was about the dining discounts.

This thread was about Disney Files not general disappointment with changes in DVC. I don't see any possible connection to "expecting less." Certainly the current form of the magazine can't cost less to produce than the old one. And for every member complaining on this thread (hardly the vast majority of membership), there could be many more enjoying the added details in the magazine. I can appreciate enjoying the details on the DVC resorts. After you wrote that, I do remember it from our early years as members. But how often do you want to read the same thing?

Personally, I enjoy a mix of DVC and general Disney detail.

Of course, I would love some info about a potential Polynesian DVC. But I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, and I have never felt special about being a DVC member. We probably spent as much in 3 WDW vacations as we did on our first and largest purchase. It just made sense financially for us to join.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd rather read in DisneyFiles that they weren't building any more DVC resorts and just going to work on keeping the ones they have as the best resorts of all. I have no interest in future DVC resorts at this points because it just continues to water down the product.

It strikes me kind of like the small town on the outskirts of a big city. People start to move to the small town because of the "small town" atmosphere. But the first thing they do is try to change the small town into what they had in the big town. It's not too much time later and the residents who lived there when it was a small town and made it the great place to live are moving away. This happened to my hometown and really makes me sad.

 

[disney54us]

Again, I think you missed my points. The moaning I referred to was about the dining discounts.

This thread was about Disney Files not general disappointment with changes in DVC. I don't see any possible connection to "expecting less." Certainly the current form of the magazine can't cost less to produce than the old one. And for every member complaining on this thread (hardly the vast majority of membership), there could be many more enjoying the added details in the magazine. I can appreciate enjoying the details on the DVC resorts. After you wrote that, I do remember it from our early years as members. But how often do you want to read the same thing?

Personally, I enjoy a mix of DVC and general Disney detail.

Of course, I would love some info about a potential Polynesian DVC. But I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, and I have never felt special about being a DVC member. We probably spent as much in 3 WDW vacations as we did on our first and largest purchase. It just made sense financially for us to join.

Point not miss, you made reference to members 'moaning', and if it was about dinning discounts, then you missed your own point. This thread is about Disney Files. What will happen as I'm sure you realize, when members see changes or 'downgrades' they will start comparing what other 'downgrades' they have seen happen in recent years.
My reference to the vast majority is base on the replies on this thread, that is the only info I can go by. So, I will stand behind the statement that the vast majority of members who have posted on this thread and a earlier thread, when the Disney Files was first introduced do not care for the change. Though I don't consider it "complaining", just stating their opinion and or disappointment.
As far as the same old articles, In all the years I do not recall the same old, same old. Something new and exciting was always going on. The Disney Files has been compared to the old defunct Disney Magazine, except that was sold for profit. DVC has a advertising budget for selling DVC and I would prefer, they use their money for the Walmart-zation of DVC. As with any thread their are varying opinions, which is fine, others have posted they do like DF.

As much as I love the Poly, have to agree w/post below. They need to get a handle on managing what they have.

We and many other members, who made a few trips b/f joining. My point, years prior you may have felt that 'special feeling'.

I'd rather read in DisneyFiles that they weren't building any more DVC resorts and just going to work on keeping the ones they have as the best resorts of all. I have no interest in future DVC resorts at this points because it just continues to water down the product.

It strikes me kind of like the small town on the outskirts of a big city. People start to move to the small town because of the "small town" atmosphere. But the first thing they do is try to change the small town into what they had in the big town. It's not too much time later and the residents who lived there when it was a small town and made it the great place to live are moving away. This happened to my hometown and really makes me sad.

 

[BCV23]

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.

I'm taking the goofy step of quoting myself to try to help you see my point. The only moaning I referred to was about discounts!

The magazine has changed but I'm hardpressed to understand how it can be considered a downgrade in terms of how much money DVC spends on it. Some don't like it, some undoubtedly do.

Truly, it's a huge reach to claim a huge majority from one thread on the DIS.

Perhaps the difference is that we had made dozens of trips to WDW before joining DVC. WDW is a very special place for us. DVC is a nice way of staying while we're there. I don't feel special being a member and doubt I would have if we joined day one. What year did you join?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I haven't had a chance to read more than the original post to this thread, but I have to echo his sentiments. I've been more and more disappointed in this magazine with each new issue. It was BORING, IMO, and holds almost no interest to me anymore.

I'm very disappointed. I like the old style so much more. The stories were more interesting as was the format.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I figure just about the only way they could make it worse would be to rename it J magazine and have Jim Lewis on every cover with his family enjoying different DVC resorts.

 

[disney54us]

I'm taking the goofy step of quoting myself to try to help you see my point. The only moaning I referred to was about discounts!

The magazine has changed but I'm hardpressed to understand how it can be considered a downgrade in terms of how much money DVC spends on it. Some don't like it, some undoubtedly do.

Truly, it's a huge reach to claim a huge majority from one thread on the DIS.

Perhaps the difference is that we had made dozens of trips to WDW before joining DVC. WDW is a very special place for us. DVC is a nice way of staying while we're there. I don't feel special being a member and doubt I would have if we joined day one. What year did you join?

Not how much they spend but the quality of the mag they are spending it on. You are right, some like it and most don't. As I said prior it is everyones right to have a opinion. Debating why, makes no sense. So I guess we will agree to disagree about Disney Files.
BTW, 96 use yr began in 97, so not a founding father but long enough to know the old DVC.

I figure just about the only way they could make it worse would be to rename it J magazine and have Jim Lewis on every cover with his family enjoying different DVC resorts.

 

[BCV23]

BTW, 96 use yr began in 97, so not a founding father but long enough to know the old DVC.

So 5 years before us...not all that long. I wonder if the difference is our respective families experiences. By the time we joined our kids were in high school and college. Our emotional attachment is to WDW and the Polynesian. We've had wonderful stays at the GF and BCV. BCV does feel like a second home now but will never hold the same memories as the resort where we saw our children grow up.

Yep, we'll have to disagree about DisneyFiles. I do like reading about DVC and the resorts but also like the other articles.

 

[Mickeysduck]

From what I understand, none of the cost of the Disney Files is NOT coming out of our dues. You can email the staff at disneyfiles@disneyvacationclub.com.

So I guess you can look at it as a Disney paid ad with a little DVC thrown in.

 

[gingermouse17]

This was only my 2nd magazine. The first one was ok. While the others that I was able to view online last year (not accessible anymore) seemed more fun and personal. This magazine did not give me a warm fuzy feeling inside instead it just seemed like ads that I could give much attention to.

I was hoping that we would find out more info about Kingdom Towers, Hawaii, GCV, the actual date the internet is free, Treehouse Villas, etc.

 

[JimMIA]

You can email the staff at disneyfiles@disneyvacationclub.com.

You could, but this is the response you'll get from them:
*****
"Thank you for contacting Disney Files. We always enjoy hearing from our
Disney Vacation Club Members, and we appreciate your taking the time to
contact us. Please note that, the large volume of messages we receive
prevents us from responding personally to your message.

Thank you again for your e-mail. We look forward to welcoming you home
again soon.

Best wishes,
The Disney Files Cast"
*****
To me, that says they don't even read their emails. If you want a response, email MS or Member Satisfaction.

 

[JimMIA]

From what I understand, none of the cost of the Disney Files is NOT coming out of our dues...

...So I guess you can look at it as a Disney paid ad with a little DVC thrown in.

I haven't heard anything authoritative one way or the other on the funding.

From all indications I've seen, Disney Files is an integral part of DVC -- not the Disney advertising department -- and since it's supposed to be a member magazine, I assume we are paying for it. But that's just an assumption and we all know what happens when we assume.

 

[disney54us]

So 5 years before us...not all that long. I wonder if the difference is our respective families experiences. By the time we joined our kids were in high school and college. Our emotional attachment is to WDW and the Polynesian. We've had wonderful stays at the GF and BCV. BCV does feel like a second home now but will never hold the same memories as the resort where we saw our children grow up.

Yep, we'll have to disagree about DisneyFiles. I do like reading about DVC and the resorts but also like the other articles.

Ah see, here we agree. We spend our first 2 trips at the Poly, and still have a attachment to it, actually many times we will split our stay and spend a couple of days their. It's my 2nd home, or first if you go by where we stayed first. Emotional attachment and experiences, account for much of how we all feel about WDW or our 'home' resorts. Though I have add on contracts at VB and SSR our first 2 are at OKW. For us OKW is home and I have no attachment to SSR (no flames SSR lovers).
The five year difference is not much, but in those 5 years DVC changed quite a bit as I'm sure you can see differences from 02 to now. I too, enjoy reading articles about things going on at WDW and VM wasn't just about the DVC resorts. I think it was a better quality magazine with info about everything at least what interested me, but thats just my opinion.
We will all agree sometimes and disagree others

I haven't heard anything authoritative one way or the other on the funding.

From all indications I've seen, Disney Files is an integral part of DVC -- not the Disney advertising department -- and since it's supposed to be a member magazine, I assume we are paying for it. But that's just an assumption and we all know what happens when we assume.

I believe I was told we do pay for it, can't swear by it b/c the Files and something else came up in the conversation.