Disney Files Magazine: What's Going On?

[carlbarry]

I posted a while ago about the "missing" Winter 2023 edition. The answer from Disney was that they are "resetting" the publishing, and future issues will come on time.
Well, now it's summer and the last edition was "Spring." And even more mystifying is that on-line, the last issue posted is Fall 2023!
What the heck is going on? It seems to me that Disney is moving to eliminate the magazine.

 

[cgard87]

I posted a while ago about the "missing" Winter 2023 edition. The answer from Disney was that they are "resetting" the publishing, and future issues will come on time.
Well, now it's summer and the last edition was "Spring." And even more mystifying is that on-line, the last issue posted is Fall 2023!
What the heck is going on? It seems to me that Disney is moving to eliminate the magazine.

Magazine publishing is getting VERY expensive. The USPS has greatly increased costs on periodical postage this past year. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney stopped sending out and moved to a digital product only. I would be more than happy to keep getting the product in just digital form

 

[NYCgrrl]

I didn’t even know there was a magazine until I stumbled on an article via Google.

 

[BayTower2010]

I guess I am in the minority, but they could ditch the magazine altogether. When I get it, I thumb thru to see the content. It has to be several years since I actually read an article. My wife does not even bother with a cursory review. Save the money and spend it on better refurbs, or reduce HOA fees a small amount.

 

[kilik64]

I think to a certain section of, lets say more advanced in years, DVC members, the magazine is a big way they find out about new things with DVC I bet.

They don't always do 4 issues a year either, I think last year or the one before it was only 3 that we got. So might be there wont be a summer issue this year, just a fall and winter.

 

[zavandor]

I guess I am in the minority, but they could ditch the magazine altogether. When I get it, I thumb thru to see the content. It has to be several years since I actually read an article. My wife does not even bother with a cursory review. Save the money and spend it on better refurbs, or reduce HOA fees a small amount.

I agree with this. Save the money and give us Mickey bars or Dole Whip in the DVC lounge.

 

[Micca]

Disney Files contains many words, little useful info.

 

[carlbarry]

I think to a certain section of, lets say more advanced in years, DVC members, the magazine is a big way they find out about new things with DVC I bet.

They don't always do 4 issues a year either, I think last year or the one before it was only 3 that we got. So might be there wont be a summer issue this year, just a fall and winter.

I've been an owner since 2009. Last year was the first year that they didn't publish 4 issues. Judging by the responses here, I'm guessing that they did a study and found that a lot of people just don't care about the magazine. I know as also a Wyndham owner, that they stopped both the Wyndham and RCI magazines a few years ago.

 

[J-Dog]

On one hand, I agree that most of the content is useless fluff.

But on the other hand, I kind of like that they still do an actual magazine, instead of just another one of a thousand emails I get every day.

I'll be sad if they stop the physical magazine. (And I'm in my 40's, so not sure if that counts as "more advanced in years" or not).

 

[joyjoy]

. (And I'm in my 40's, so not sure if that counts as "more advanced in years" or not).

If you are "more advanced in years" then I'm dead and decaying. And even old, dusty me can navigate a digital magazine.

 

[tjkraz]

I don't know the exact date but I'm pretty sure the last issue arrived right around the start of May. So if we get another issue in the next 1-2 weeks, it's probably staying roughly on target. If not...

Up until Covid, the mag was actually pretty good about breaking news. I think section called "Around the Neighborhood" had pretty thorough update of things changing at resorts.

But that disappeared in 2020 and hasn't been resurrected. Other than having some glossy photos to look at, it's pretty worthless these days.

 

[LAX]

If the magazine does get canned, I seriously doubt any savings would make its way back to the members.

LAX

 

[zavandor]

If the magazine does get canned, I seriously doubt any savings would make its way back to the members.

LAX

I think the magazine is published using DVD marketing budget, but I might be wrong.
If true, then they could use the money for some other promotion. It mustn't be cheap to print and ship it to 250k+ members, including many abroad.

 

[tjkraz]

If the magazine does get canned, I seriously doubt any savings would make its way back to the members.

LAX

I think the magazine is published using DVD marketing budget, but I might be wrong.
If true, then they could use the money for some other promotion. It mustn't be cheap to print and ship it to 250k+ members, including many abroad.

Even if it's part of member dues, with the cost being shared by something like 80 million DVC points, it's not like there would be a noticeable reduction in dues. Five cents per point would collectively total $4 million. CM wage increases and other rising costs would more than fill the gap.

Still, a savings is a savings. Regardless of whether it jumps off the page.

 

[DisTravels]

I think the magazine is published using DVD marketing budget, but I might be wrong.
If true, then they could use the money for some other promotion. It mustn't be cheap to print and ship it to 250k+ members, including many abroad.

Do they send them abroad?

 

[zavandor]

Do they send them abroad?

I live in London and I get it (a few weeks later).

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I get most of my DVC news online these days, but I still really love the magazine and would be sad to see it discontinued. I love the photos and appreciate the history based articles as well (wish they would start consistently including refurb concept art, because that's something all members care about it and we always have to wait for something to leak online.) With the amount of $ we've all invested, I hate to see them remove another perk, even something minor like this. I'm crossing my fingers we get a summer issue in the next week or so...

 

[CPBv2]

I am one of those of the "more advanced in years" variety (I learned how to use computers using punched cards, back in the day. Lets just say I identify with some scenes in Spaceship Earth and the Carousel of Progress that are not that near the end...). I do prefer getting that glossy magazine in my hands, as opposed to on my IPad screen.

 

[jimim]

I agree with this. Save the money and give us Mickey bars or Dole Whip in the DVC lounge.

Better yet let us just go to a stand and show our blue card to get them. I don’t want to take the time to go to the lounge. Don’t you have to check into them also?

 

[Cfabar1]

Better yet let us just go to a stand and show our blue card to get them. I don’t want to take the time to go to the lounge. Don’t you have to check into them also?

yes, and many times it is full especially when it is raining or hot... That said, I think the DVC lounges are only going to continue, as they are the single best visible reminder to an owner as to whether they are a "legitimate" owner in DVC's mind or not...