Disney FILES Magazine

[Caskbill]

Just received the first issue today. Appears this magazine replaces the "Vacation Magic" magazine that we've received since the first issue.

Interesting name, playing off the phrase Disneyphiles, a name which, as DVC owners, we all qualify...

It appears the magazine is now a little more Disney oriented, and not so much mostly DVC. This issue has basically nothing about the current DVC resorts as they use to in the past. Nothing about AKV at all.

It does cover the GC, and a little bit of Hawaii.

Lots of pictures of members, and stuff on non-DVC resorts, especially Adventures by Disney this month.

Personally I'm a little disappointed. No matter what they call it, it's not the same as "Vacation Magic" which did a lot better job of reporting and updating about the DVC resorts.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

The member on the front cover is my guide!

I have never met her as I have done everything over the phone. Nice to put a face with a voice.

I agree that is is more Disney centered rather than DVC.

Debbie

 

[disneymom8589]

I miss the section of the Vacation Magic that had little tidbits about the different resorts. I'm not sure I am too keen on the new name. I'm a little puzzled (albeit, appreciative) re: the bumper sticker they enclosed in the envelope.

 

[simzac]

Already put bumper sticker on my van, anything to advertise that I am a DVC member I will show off. As far as the magazine, agree that I miss the info on the different resorts. Did like the info on the parks around the world though.

 

[jekjones1558]

Disney Files is a blatant disney advertising magazine, much more obvious than the old Vacation Magic. I count this as the latest lessening of the DVC magic.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

hmmmm

sure hope its better than it sounds
the reason I liked it was because it focused on DVC, which, besides a couple websites, you dont see alot of inof about

I can find general info about disney just about anywhere

this sounds more like it could apply to any Disney traveler not necessarily a dvc member

 

[tomandrobin]

I hope Disney didn't generalize and water down the magazine. I really looked forward to getting each issue. We get enough Disney propagana already.

 

[DVC Mike]

If things go as they typically do, I can expect to receive my copy 2-3 weeks after someone reports receiving it on the DIS boards...

 

[athenna]

I wasn't even aware this change was coming (where have I been? ) Doesn't sound too promising...Isn't the whole point of having a magazine just for DVC'ers, to have DVC information????
Why can't they just leave well enough alone sometimes?

 

[ADP]

There was mention of the construction timeline for AKV.

Jambo House is way ahead of schedule and should be finished by Jan 2008 instead of May 2008. I'm saying this off of memory so forgive me if I'm wrong.

Also, the Kidani Village structure is very visable now and making great progress.

 

[tjkraz]

I think we may need to see another issue or two to fully grasp whether there are changes or not.

I held the mag side-by-side with an issue of Vacation Magic, and all of the sections are the same. Disney Files still has Jim Lewis' comments, Member Perks, Member Getaways, Disney Destinations, Around the Neighborhood, and so on. Those are all features from VM.

I do agree that there isn't much DVC resort-specific content, but that may just be coincidental. Perhaps there just wasn't anything happening at the DVC resorts on that they felt was worth noting.

VM has been leaning toward resort-wide coverage for some time. That doesn't bother me. In fact, I was one of the folks disappointed when the Disney Magazine ceased publication and VM/DF has helped fill some of that void.

Personally I felt that the last issue of VM (fall '07) was the best one they had put out. This Winter issue of Disney Files isn't as good, but I tend to think it has more to do with the content (or lack thereof) than any editorial changes associated with its renaming.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm not a Disneyphile, but I enjoyed the magazine. Read it cover to cover and smiled lots
Bobbi

 

[disney54us]

I wasn't even aware this change was coming (where have I been? ) Doesn't sound too promising...Isn't the whole point of having a magazine just for DVC'ers, to have DVC information????
Why can't they just leave well enough alone sometimes?

Have not received it yet. Just one more change we didn't ask for! I would like to know who makes these 'magical' decisions? Is it all coming from Jim Lewis and team? I am slowly realizing that since he has become President there have been many changes to DVC (before anyone starts) some positive perks, but IMO too many negatives. To much (or to little) to soon.

With the Christmas holidays coming, this is usually the most fun filled issue and there is so much going on at the resorts that I can't believe, they didn't have enough to fill "VACATION MAGIC". I hope they didn't pull the recipe section, always looked forward to that.

BUSINESS 101: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT! Improve, yes. take things away, constant change, makes unhappy customers.

 

[mla973]

Hmmm.. I must have missed the bumper sticker... good thing I still have the envelope.

 

[ransom]

Didn't seem much different than the previous incarnation to me.

It brought to mind other house organs I've read over the years, dating back to "Atari Age Magazine" circa 1982.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I do agree that there isn't much DVC resort-specific content, but that may just be coincidental. Perhaps there just wasn't anything happening at the DVC resorts on that they felt was worth noting.

.

i agree maybe a bigger sampling may be necessary before nay opinions are finalized

but, I cant imagine there isnt enough dvc resort content to fill that magazine 5 times over.

BTW, Is their any blurbs about GCV or Hawaii in there?

 

[sjdisneywedding]

BUSINESS 101: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT! Improve, yes. take things away, constant change, makes unhappy customers.

you know its amazing how many times you see this ignored.

Can you imagine that anyone, even 1 person, was complaining about the content of the VM? I would be highly surprised if there was 1.

 

[Granny]

Okay, I guess I'm missing the big deal. Here's the content:

Letter from Editor: DVC related
"From the Desk of Jim Lewis": DVC related about Grand California DVC and Hawaii property
"Member Perks": All DVC related
"Member Getaways": All DVC related
"Disney Destinations": WDW, Tokyo Disney and DL resort & park info...not DVC related
"Holiday Dates around the World": Various parks holiday information around the world...not DVC related
"Disney Diversions": Movies, Home Entertainment, Books and Television...not DVC
"Grand Plans": Grand Californian expansion (incl DVC) and Hawaii DVC....DVC related
"Adventures by Disney": DVC exclusive Southwest Splendors trip
"Vault Disney": Historical Disney info not DVC related
"Around the Neighborhood": All about a DVC member family visiting various Disney parks around the world. Also a story about the member cruise. And a DVC connection to the Extreme Makeover home edition. All with a DVC tie-in, though not primarily about DVC.
"Behind the Name Tag": CMs who work on Adventures by Disney vacations. Mentioned DVC members only trip but that wasn't the main focus.
"Domestic Disney": Recipe for Egg Nog cheesecake...not DVC related
"Fridge-O-Fame": Member photos...DVC related
"Friendly Chatter": Interview with Roy Disney about a movie...not DVC related.
"Noteworthy": Information about Member Merry Mixer and other park events. Some DVC content.
"Photo Files": All DVC member photos.
"Back Files": Story about Walt's plan for an apartment in Disneyland. Not DVC related.

Articles primarily about DVC are colored blue above. I think that's a pretty good list.

So...what else would we want to really read about pertaining to DVC? Frankly, I like having a little more information about Disney aspects beyond DVC. I guess I'm in the minority but I liked the new magazine.

YMMV

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Okay, I guess I'm missing the big deal. Here's the content:

Letter from Editor: DVC related
"From the Desk of Jim Lewis": DVC related about Grand California DVC and Hawaii property
"Member Perks": All DVC related
"Member Getaways": All DVC related
"Disney Destinations": WDW, Tokyo Disney and DL resort & park info...not DVC related
"Holiday Dates around the World": Various parks holiday information around the world...not DVC related
"Disney Diversions": Movies, Home Entertainment, Books and Television...not DVC
"Grand Plans": Grand Californian expansion (incl DVC) and Hawaii DVC....DVC related
"Adventures by Disney": DVC exclusive Southwest Splendors trip
"Vault Disney": Historical Disney info not DVC related
"Around the Neighborhood": All about a DVC member family visiting various Disney parks around the world. Also a story about the member cruise. And a DVC connection to the Extreme Makeover home edition. All with a DVC tie-in, though not primarily about DVC.
"Behind the Name Tag": CMs who work on Adventures by Disney vacations. Mentioned DVC members only trip but that wasn't the main focus.
"Domestic Disney": Recipe for Egg Nog cheesecake...not DVC related
"Fridge-O-Fame": Member photos...DVC related
"Friendly Chatter": Interview with Roy Disney about a movie...not DVC related.
"Noteworthy": Information about Member Merry Mixer and other park events. Some DVC content.
"Photo Files": All DVC member photos.
"Back Files": Story about Walt's plan for an apartment in Disneyland. Not DVC related.

Articles primarily about DVC are colored blue above. I think that's a pretty good list.

So...what else would we want to really read about pertaining to DVC? Frankly, I like having a little more information about Disney aspects beyond DVC. I guess I'm in the minority but I liked the new magazine.

YMMV

lol, you've got 7 out of about 18 selected, what kind of a dvc member magazine is that?

Im sure the articles are all good, but like I said earlier you can read basic disney stories anywhere. you dont have to be a dvc member to already know about most of those topics.

give me dvc stuff, important stuff, worthless stuff, exciting stuff, boring stuff
I dont care what it is as long as its dvc related

 

[KandiB47]

I personally like the new magazine and found it very similar to VM. I wonder if anyone would have noticed the change if the title of the magazine was still "Vacation Magic." IMO the title is the only big change.