disney vacation (club) leaves me feeling a little dirty

[Rock'n Robin]

I was just thinking that about Tony's, why would they shut it down for a DVC presentation or have some back room we aren't aware of?
I did a cruise in 04 and went to the DVC meeting but it was voluntary, and on an at-sea day.
When we first bought in 2000, they were closing in on 60,000 members. Now according to the "secrets revealed" dvd, they have 350,000--all with low-pressure tactics. I doubt they'd start using Vegas type practices in sales now.
Robin M.

 

[La2kw]

I would be bothered by this (if it truly happened the way the op says it did). I think this type of thing is inexcusable and tacky, as someone else posted. Let's hope this isn't a new DVC tactic.

 

[nonzerosum]

Okay, call be dumb. Let's assume that the OP made up this garbage. What would be the motivation for posting it here? My naive self doesn't get the point of the original post. What did this person hope to gain/stir up?

 

[Jillpie]

Okay, call be dumb. Let's assume that the OP made up this garbage. What would be the motivation for posting it here? My naive self doesn't get the point of the original post. What did this person hope to gain/stir up?

The OP may be from another timeshare company. Probably trying a lame attempt at preventing further DVC sales and coming here, they are trying to talk to thousands of lurkers who are just learning about DVC.

Since the OP hasn't returned, I think its a done deal. Moderators, time to close?

 

[nonzerosum]

Thanks Jillpie. I hadn't thought of another timeshare company. This is a very lame attempt and is consistent with the shenanigans (sp?) of other timeshare companies. Sad and desperate. I agree, time to close on such silliness.

 

[eporter66]

I have never encountered anything like that at Disney - it does seem a little odd.

But, they were not pushy, you could have left anytime you wanted, so overall I would say it is no big deal.

 

[Laxmom]

Thanks Jillpie. I hadn't thought of another timeshare company. This is a very lame attempt and is consistent with the shenanigans (sp?) of other timeshare companies. Sad and desperate. I agree, time to close on such silliness.

That's why some have the nickname of "slimeshare."

 

[jana]

well
1) DVD does a group presentation at the Magic Kingdom
2) it's held in a theatre behind Tony's restaurant
3) it was at 1:00 when we went
4) they give fast passes for attending

Don't know about the other stuff but at least the above holds up.

 

[jakenjess]

well
1) DVD does a group presentation at the Magic Kingdom
2) it's held in a theatre behind Tony's restaurant
3) it was at 1:00 when we went
4) they give fast passes for attending

Don't know about the other stuff but at least the above holds up.

Did you attend this? Can you tell us more about it and how you learned of it? Thanks!

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour in two weeks. I'll be asking about a theater behind Tony's.

 

[nunzia]

I think you are justified and that is not something you expect at Disney. DVC has never conducted recruiting like this before and to me it is tacky and low class and has no place at Disney.

I would definitely complain and let your resort and DVC know how you feel. For all we know, this castmember overstepped their boundaries (and probably works on commission).

DVC does have a legal obligation to tell you that their marketing is for timeshare purposes. It is on the back of all their promotion material.

I would complain. Disney should not subject its guest to this type of tactic.

What's next? Porn Slappers at DTD? They gotta eat too!

Very unmagical and they would definitely be hearing from me.

No one should blame you especially since this is the YOAMD and guests are looking out for castmembers to approach them with special offerings.
Disney puts on all kinds of shows. Maybe they needed a pre-screen audience for a new show. Disney does these things all the time and we trust them.

To sell DVC in this manner is despicable and further evidence of the sheer lack of marketing skills the new regime has. Plastering billboards from WDW to New York and tricking guests is not marketing! On the member cruise, they held us hostage on the ship (docked at Castaway Cay) until they finished their "show" NEVER AGAIN will I pay to go on another DVC member event.

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!!!!!!

I agree with this. I don't know if the CM had DVC stuff on or not, but with the YOAMD campaign who knows when a CM will stop you for a prize. I think prizes are given away by well identified Dream CMs, but I haven't been to the parks in this campaign so how do I know? I would have probably thought I was getting a treat at a show of some sort and then FP on top and would have been upset to find it was a timeshare presentation. Of course you could walk out, but that would be embarassing to me.
To me the point is that DVC CMs are supposed to be upfront about the whole thing and present it in a very low pressure way. Deception to get someone to the presentation is not low pressure.
The CM probably got points on how many people she brought in, was frustrated by all the "no I don't want a timeshare" voices and skewed the message to get people in the seats.
Wrong

 

[Chuck S]

I'm doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour in two weeks. I'll be asking about a theater behind Tony's.

Actually, there were two theaters behind Tony's. How much of them actually are intact is questionable. I know that one was modified and had some trivia machines and photo ops (where you stood behind character cutouts) for awhile.

The theaters used to house "The Walt Disney Story." I have heard of one of them being used for DVC presentations from time to time. As to how often it is used, is anyones guess.

You can see the roof lines of the theaters in this Google Earth photo.

 

[Chester's Mum]

well
1) DVD does a group presentation at the Magic Kingdom
2) it's held in a theatre behind Tony's restaurant
3) it was at 1:00 when we went
4) they give fast passes for attending

QUOTE]

I have never been approached to attend anything like this and I stayed at moderates before I bought DVC.

I wouldn't mind going to see what this is all about. I'd do it for fast passes. Are they those all ride fast passes? I could do it when I'm planning an add on.

I do think it's a little weird, given that the guides don't have to really sell the points. DVC members usually call up and beg to be sold them (BCV waiting list??) Although you are talking about non members, not current members.

Tell us more. Do they let current members go?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Guides do have to sell DVC. We are in the minority. My guide told us (before she quit) that about half those that tour buy. This was a few years ago and with the economy, things have probably gotten worse. Many of the old guides are leaving because the business model is changing and becoming more aggressive in sales.

I dont see how anyone can say that DVC has not become more aggressive in their marketing. They dont want word of mouth sales anymore. That is too much like work. You have to keep your current membership very happy in order to get them to go out and sing your praises.

DVC has turned their focus to sales and less on member satisfaction in the last 2 years, that is fact.

They are out to get their own sales, drum up their own business and that way when something negative is said on the boards or by a member, it does not stifle sales. Look at WestGate. Slimiest in the industry, but you know what, they keep selling. They treat their membership horrible, give them the oldest rooms and badger them constantly to upgrade, but they keep selling. It's the "Fresh Meat" approach to marketing.

Im sure this is a new approach and we should not all act so surprised. The writing is on wall, you just have to take off those rose colored glasses to see it

 

[tgropp]

I agree. I'm not buying this story, as I've never heard of DVC operating this way. The whole story sounds "fishy" to me. Anyone else heard of this taking place?

The only time I was ever offered a free fast pass was when the monster Inc show was just starting up (02/07) and they were looking for people to view the show. It sounds fishy to me also but I have learned in life that anything is possible

 

[tjkraz]

The only time I was ever offered a free fast pass was when the monster Inc show was just starting up (02/07) and they were looking for people to view the show. It sounds fishy to me also but I have learned in life that anything is possible

DVC has been using fastpasses to encourage folks to attend sales presentations for years now.

I don't know for certain whether these MK presentations are occurring or not. wouldn't surprise me though. DVC is always trying new things. I do tnk it's possible something was lost in translation, though.

and just because OP didn't immediately return to follow-up doesn't mean a whole lot, imo. She might not have even had a chance to come back immediately, and within a few hours the sharks were already circling.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm having problems with a few things.

For one thing, first post, plus drama. Feeling "dirty"??

Second, no one at the bus stop asked what the "show" was?

Third...IF that did occur, how far into the "show" did they find out it was a timeshare presentation? I'm assuming no one was held hostage and had a right to leave at any time. Unless, the draw of a "VIP fastpass" (which is what...one ride? more than one ride? all day?) kept people there, which is still by choice. Tell me it's all day, and I'll go too.

The more I read it, and some posts, the more I could believe that perhaps this, or some version of it, did happen. However, I don't see the drama of "feeling dirty" nor feeling misled; it's up to the big grown up guests to decide how much information to give out, how to spend their time at the parks, when to leave something they didn't want to attend, etc.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I think you should have found out what kind of show you were being invited to. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck then its a duck. I avoid those types of "shows" no matter what the incentive is. Now, I own DVC and have signed up for the "show" knowing what I was getting into, if they in anyway hid what they were going to "show" you, then I have a problem with that. I bet you enjoyed the fastpasses.

 

[Y-ASK]

After 60-90 minutes wait times at just about all the rides at MK last week, I'd jump at the chance to sit in on a DVC presentation for 60 minutes to get that all day fastpass (if that is what they were giving away). I was very envious of those that had them while there. We will probably not be going to WDW again during Easter, and I thought Christmas time was bad .

Y-ASK

 

[BankBunny]

DVC has been using fastpasses to encourage folks to attend sales presentations for years now.

After speaking with a couple of DVC CMs at a kiosk in AK DH and I decided to take the tour. We were offered Fast Passes, but it was near the end of our trip and we didn't really need them so they offered us each a $15.00 gift card to use for dinner. We were certainly happy (and ended up buying resale a couple of months later).