Disney Vacation Club adjusts 2010 Vacation Points charts

[T-i-double-g-err]

I have my doubts that sales quotas were up to expectations before the reallocation announcement, and they probably aren't having a bumper week.

It actually may have been a pretty good week for DVC sales with the opening of GCV for purchase by founding members.

A first I didn't like the change for 2010. We would go 2x a year with our points. In 2010, that wont be possible...BUT with the reallocation of points we will have enough points to stay for a 7 nights (1 week) in a villa, plus 1 additional weekend night (Saturday-Sunday). That just wouldn't be possible for us this year with our points. So instead of (2) 5 night stays we will be taking just (1) 8-night stay. In the end we will save money because of this. We won't be spending the extra money on Annual Passes, less expenses on meals, souveniers,etc.

This is money that Disney won't be making off me because of their decision.

All in all, we'll benefit from the trip savings per year, so it wont be bad at all.

Then, if enough members take the same approach as you and out-of-whack weekday demand was truly the reason for the change, the reallocation may actually accomplish the goal to balance demand. DVC's mandate is to balance demand across the year for the membership. I'm not saying that DVC would not like to drive revenue higher for the theme park division of its sister company; however, the obligation to balance demand for DVC exists irrespective of the impact of actions taken to balance demand on its sister company's revenue.

 

[DisFlan]

It actually may have been a pretty good week for DVC sales with the opening of GCV for purchase by founding members.

Honestly, I hope it does sell well. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Anyone have an idea how BLT and AKV sales are doing?


DisFlan

 

[Sammie]

A very important part of DVC's response to everyone is

Vacation Club Members have expressed

.

So contact them and complain and see if they are truly listening or is this the canned response for every change they make.

 

[tjkraz]

So contact them and complain and see if they are truly listening or is this the canned response for every change they make.

So what would be your barometer for deciding whether they are (in your words) listening or not? We will never know if DVC is contacted by 10% of the membership or 1% or .01%.

Members should absolutely contact DVC to share concerns or suggestions regarding the program. But remember each of us only represents one voice. I would hope that DVC does NOT base its policy decisions on 10 emails or 100 emails or 1000 emails.

 

[bobbiwoz]

A very important part of DVC's response to everyone is .

So contact them and complain and see if they are truly listening or is this the canned response for every change they make.

I have expressed much disatisfaction with high weekend rates. However, it seems from what people "in the know" are saying, the change is also due to members usage. I don't know if they've listened to me or they're doing what they are required to do. If I was starting all over again, buying into DVC, I would still do it.

Bobbi

 

[hellerjw]

I would hope that DVC does NOT base its policy decisions on 10 emails or 100 emails or 1000 emails.

I suspect this is exactly how they gauge "member interest" since only a very small portion of us (my guess is 1000 or less) attend the meetings and/or bother to send correspondence. The vocal minority will drive the silent majority in any feedback type situation.

 

[tjkraz]

I suspect this is exactly how they gauge "member interest" since only a very small portion of us (my guess is 1000 or less) attend the meetings and/or bother to send correspondence. The vocal minority will drive the silent majority in any feedback type situation.

In this case, the high weekend rates have been around for 18 years. I suspect the number of folks who complained about them is quite significant.

 

[hellerjw]

In this case, the high weekend rates have been around for 18 years. I suspect the number of folks who complained about them is quite significant.

That's assuming this is truly member driven and not simply a correction that's long overdue. I tend to believe the latter, but the DVC spin machine wants us to believe members actually had some say in the reallocation

 

[tjkraz]

That's assuming this is truly member driven and not simply a correction that's long overdue. I tend to believe the latter, but the DVC spin machine wants us to believe members actually had some say in the reallocation

Exactly. I'm sure there were elements of both in the decision, but Public Relations 101 says to try and project the change in the most favorable light. In this case it's the "members requested it" approach.

I will say this: I think the one aspect of this change that members may have some ability to influence is the add-on threshold for BLT.

I do understand business reasons for limiting small add-ons. However, even if DVC isn't willing to globally retreat to the 25-pt level for all members, it seems reasonable to allow those who already own at BLT to add 25 more if warranted by the reallocation. It seems like that would be a relatively small conceit on DVC's part.

So far DVC is saying they won't do that. But if member requests are substantial perhaps they would re-examine the topic.

Just a suggestion...
Tim

 

[mopee3]

I have expressed much disatisfaction with high weekend rates. However, it seems from what people "in the know" are saying, the change is also due to members usage. I don't know if they've listened to me or they're doing what they are required to do. If I was starting all over again, buying into DVC, I would still do it.

Bobbi

I am right there with you Bobbie.

Something I don't see in all this complaining and squabbling about the ability of DVC to change as they see fit , is the Magic of being at the World. We arrive in just a few days with our 38 and 34 year old daughters and they/us can hardly breath we want to be there so badly. This will be our 3rd trip in the last 15 months.

I know some planned for one thing and are now disappointed, others are happy with the change because they stay mostly over weekends.

Well I guess I would say if you aren't happy, don't let the door hit you in the rear end on the way out of DVC.


Moe

 

[bethy]

I've read a lot of this thread and it's helped me take a hard look at the specific risks of buying into VGC which is a good thing.

Anyway, I don't think DVC is trying to get rid of small add ons necessarily because it's just become apparent that though the minimum buy in to VGC is 100 pts, the total can be broken down into multiple smaller contracts. Forgive me if someone has already mentioned this - this is a hefty thread!

 

[tamclan]

when you aren't looking at reality - you will never acknowledge that you are wrong.

dvc management these days is not looking at reality.

DVC management really, really needs a woman at the head. when women make mistake they admit to them and try to fix it. Men seem to think it will go away if they ignored it.

Leadership is making tough decisions, not popular decisions regardless of gender.

This change makes my vacation days more expensive. However if your able to be objective and honest I think one should realize the model as it was was not sustainable. Too many points chasing the bargain Sun - Thur night stays myself included.

To continue in the 2009 and prior year model people would gripe DVC **^%$&()^&*(( because I can't get a room when I want unless I book (and I hope you bought at the resort you wanted) at exactly 11 months out and pray that you don't need to change because very little if anything else is available.

So while I am disappointed in the lack of communication the message is the same, weekdays will cost more. The changes are not incenting me to buying any more points, too much change to absorb in a short amount of time.

You can certainly excercise your rights as a consumer and take your business elsewhere but to think everything was perfect the way it was is a little misguided.

You may not agree with me and my approach. Just my 2 cents.

So we can agree to disagree.

Respectfully,

 

[toocherie]

I've read a lot of this thread and it's helped me take a hard look at the specific risks of buying into VGC which is a good thing.

Anyway, I don't think DVC is trying to get rid of small add ons necessarily because it's just become apparent that though the minimum buy in to VGC is 100 pts, the total can be broken down into multiple smaller contracts. Forgive me if someone has already mentioned this - this is a hefty thread!

bethy: I am wondering--however--if the breaking into smaller contracts for new resorts is going to be unique to VGC or will be continued in the new Florida resorts, since most people don't tend to stay as long as DLR as WDW? Do we know if for BLT and AKV that if people buy a total of 100 or more as an add-on if they are able to break up into smaller contracts?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

bethy: I am wondering--however--if the breaking into smaller contracts for new resorts is going to be unique to VGC or will be continued in the new Florida resorts, since most people don't tend to stay as long as DLR as WDW? Do we know if for BLT and AKV that if people buy a total of 100 or more as an add-on if they are able to break up into smaller contracts?

BLT...100 minimum contract, no multiples equaling 100. AKV, yes, you can buy a 25 pt. contract.

 

[Sammie]

So what would be your barometer for deciding whether they are (in your words) listening or not? We will never know if DVC is contacted by 10% of the membership or 1% or .01%.

Members should absolutely contact DVC to share concerns or suggestions regarding the program. But remember each of us only represents one voice. I would hope that DVC does NOT base its policy decisions on 10 emails or 100 emails or 1000 emails.

See TJ, this truly is my greatest complaint about the current management at DVC. I can appreciate that change has to happen and I can accept that not all changes will appeal to me, I am fine with that.

What I and many others have a very hard time accepting is that with the current management, when they make a change it is blamed on "member feedback".

I think that is alot of PR, BS and I ain't buying into it. I think they do what they feel is best for them, and blame it on us wanting it. And maybe sometimes, they do make a decision based on what is best for DVC in general.

I just want them to state the truth, I can handle that. I always feel when they change something and use the canned response (member feedback) when questioned why, they feel we are not capable of understanding the real reason for change.

 

[keishashadow]

I think this is a bit harsh and condescending. I am a woman and I don't think that any of DVC's problems are all because of Jim Lewis nor have anything to do with him being a man.

he is @ the helm

and has or should have signed off on every single change under his watch he is 'the man'.

as long as his measures cut expenses/r profitable as a whole, he has no worries and probably will receive a great bonus for his work, least they're not getting TARP money

condescending is the responses that r being given particularly as to the BLT situation re add on points. especially now that those short due to new allocation would be forced to purchase another 100 pts in order to make it work or curtail the plans they so carefully crafted. Never did i think i would be happy about deciding not to add on there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

FWIW...I indicated my disatisfaction with every after villa stay that I've filled out after going to WDW for a long weekend. They ask if you are satisfied with the "value." I say, no, weekend points are too high.

Bobbi

 

[mnra]

ok I have tried to find it but I can;t so here is my question a one bedroom with mkv and lake view in july at blt how many points was it before and how many now.

also 2 bedroom in the summer at okw and bwv

all these would be for 7 days
thanks

 

[bevis]

Because i'm somewhat on the fence with this issue I think i'll kind of play the "devil's advocate" here. I have to admit, though, that there is something that I keep seeing repeated over and over again that I can't quite get my mind around.
Could some of you folks please give your definition of "flexibility", with respect to your DVC ownership specifically? In other words, when you purchased, what exactly were you drawn to when you saw or heard about the flexibility of the system?

 

[mnra]

I think I found what I am looking for and find this totally hard to believe. I own at 3 places and each one I am point short for a 2 bedroom for the magic season. I bought 350 and okw figuring 8 night and am 7 points short their. At bwv bought 350 figuring 7 nights and 2 points their. and the worst just bought at blt and am 3 points short for two 1 bedroom units at magic season and I just bought this. I start to wonder if management has any clue or they think we are just blind and will buy anything disney. Yes they might have a right to do something but you have to question the ethical nature of doing it. Do we really think that members aren;t their best sales person. Maybe we can all hope that they would sell each a few points if we needed it to complete our weeks since my feeling of them saying borrow from next year will turn out to be a huge mistake. I would think that resale of small contracts would increase in price with disney move like this. Sorry for the long rant and rave.