Do we expect too much? WWYD?

[Disney Dreams]

Hi All,

Apologies up front for the length. I've tried to edit it, but alas, here it is....

So we used our DVC points for the very first time. We used them on a cruise, which I know some people have issue with, but we were perfectly happy doing so with all other factors involved. Since that is not the point of my question, I'm going to just leave the cruise / use of points discussion right there. We were completely happy with our use of points, the process, accounting, etc. Everything went perfectly in that regard.

Then our cruise started.

We arrived to our stateroom with no "Welcome Home" magnet on the door. Not a big deal, but a small detail that is somewhat fun and exciting to see. We also did not receive a DVC welcome gift, which we were anticipating, not because of the gift, but just the idea that we were going to get a little something special, like someone knew we were there.

We later found out that there was a DVC member reception which we *should* have received an invite to, but did not.

We dropped by the DVC desk and mentioned the above. We made it clear it was not about the "stuff," but about somehow being forgotten/overlooked.

Apologies were given, free gifts were offered. We accepted the apology and made it clear it was not about the "stuff," but just about being recognized as members. We were handed a magnet and asked if it could be placed on our door for us as we were not going to our stateroom and didn't want to carry it around with us. Our stateroom was noted and we were told, "Of course."

Care to guess what's next?
Yeah, the magnet never got there. Again, it's not about the magnet. It's about that feeling when you come back to your stateroom and see "Welcome Home" on other people's staterooms. This time we knew that would be us. But... nope.

A few days later while at lunch we were sitting with people we had not met before. They had a classic Walt Disney lithograph. I mentioned that it was nice and asked if it was from the shops. They said - wait for it - that they were DVC members and that during the last few days they received random phone calls in their stateroom with recorded trivia questions. If they went to the DVC desk with the right answer, they were given a gift. The litho was one such gift.

Anyone want to guess many trivia phone calls we got? Right! Zero. The look on my DH's face when he heard about these calls was just awful. He was so angry. He knows me. He knows I love little games and trivia and getting those calls would have been fun. (Again, not about the prizes, honest. Yes, the litho was cool, but that's not the core point.) This was AFTER we were apologized to for "slipping through the lists" on day two of the cruise.

We then decided to drop in on a DVC sales presentation figuring the "big wigs" would be there. We spoke with someone who apologized and offered us all sorts of giveaways. We explained it was not about the gifts, but about the fact that we paid upwards of $10,000 to be members of DVC and to have a tiny bit of recognition (magnet? trivia calls? mixer invite?) would not seem like too much to expect.We were told, "Yes, yes, of course, sorry," and so forth, but of course, never heard another thing from any aspect of DVC the rest of the entire cruise - except when the sales meeting invites were left on our bed by housekeeping a few nights, as is done for every passenger on the ship.

We believed all the "special" talk, now we feel like nothing more than a monthly check. We feel unappreciated. We feel like all the "Welcome Home," "member perks," "special member events" is just lip service. We saw others receiving it, but It's the first time we used our membership and no matter how many chances we gave those involved, they just didn't seem to care enough to make sure we were included on the next "whatever" happened for members over the course of seven days.

Are we just expecting too much? Is there someone we could write to? Call? What would you do? DH is still irritated and these things usually roll right off of him. Appreciate your thoughts.

- Dreams

 

[Splashboat]

As new members, giving you a very honest answer, we don't expect anything other than being able to use our points for rooms that are available when we call to make our reservation. Any perks/extras would be a huge bonus but we really don't expect any. I felt very bad for you as I was reading your post. It is terrible to spend so much money and end up aggravated and disappointed. I hope the rest of the trip was positive.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC Members are just people who Disney sold timeshares to. There really isn't a club and Guides are sales people. Any perk or event is offered by the DVD marketing department to make you warm up to the idea of buying. This is a business and nothing more.

A mistake was made and the OP was left off of the member list for the cruse and as a result all of the marketing activities for them didn't happen.

Bill

 

[rock_doctor]

You can send a letter to member services and say you were disappointed that you were not treated as members during the cruise in-spite of touching base with the DVC personal several time through out the trip. The real problem is that nobody bothered to add you to the list, which they should have done ASAP. I would leave off the part about spending nearly 10k... I think you have the right to let them know you were disappointed that they never got their stuff together...which imho is the real issue.

How did you buy in? Was it direct of resale? (my curiosity)

 

[MdmMim]

We have been DVC members since 2000 and purchased directly from Disney. We have taken 6 Disney cruises and never once were we on the list. We always have fallen through the cracks. I did stop by the DVC desk--we were handed some of the goodies, and given apologies, but we are always overlooked.

 

[PhantomBlot]

That is annoying but I wouldn't let it get to you. Probably the result of a bad/old database - and it sounds like the CMs you notified about it at least tried to rectify it in the only way they could, i.e. 'stuff'.

I admit I like it when I feel like I'm being treated as a "Member" but ultimately I'm a member for the points, not to feel special.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Are we just expecting too much? Is there someone we could write to? Call? What would you do? DH is still irritated and these things usually roll right off of him. Appreciate your thoughts.

I don't think you are expecting too much as far as your cruise goes, but I do think you may have unrealistic expectations about your DVC membership. Yes, you should have received the extras on the cruise. It's a shame, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. You weren't slighted as a personal attack. It was a mistake. It has happened to others on this board. If it were me I would let it go. I would not contact DVC as there is nothing they can do about it at this point. If you sail again just make sure to stop by the DVC desk on the first night and let them know you are DVC members.

As for DVC, it is a timeshare. Period. Yes, Disney is Disney and there are "warm fuzzies" that go along with it, but at it's core it is a timeshare and you should expect nothing more from it. We have been members since 1997. Back then there were more perks and DVC was nowhere near as big as it is now. We honestly have never felt let down by DVC...not when they took away perks...not when they restructured the points...never. We know that perks can be taken away, points schedules can change (within limits) and things change. What hasn't changed is the fact that we get to use our points for great vacations. That is what we purchased and we are still so glad that we did.

I'm sorry that you didn't get the special DVC gifts/attention on your cruise. I do agree that it is a nice extra. Please don't let it spoil your opinion of DVC or DCL. Try to see what you do have and enjoy your many trips to come.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Welcome to the joys of being a DVC member. Pixie dust doesn't exist. There is no magic. It's just a timeshare.

 

[booklady]

I'm sorry your experience didn't live up to your expectations. When we traveled with friends before we purchased, they would get a welcome home phone call and tell us about free gifts etc. Since we have joined and traveled 4x on our points, we have never gotten a "welcome home" phone call, etc. It's become a joke with my husband and me. Not to make light of your situation, but we just laugh it off. I figure all I have to do is join something and it completely changes...

 

[DVCconvert]

I wouldn't do anything. I'm not sure your perspective was right.
It "sucks"...but it's not important.

If you want to feel badly, wait untill someone you love develops Stage 4 cancer, wait until you lose your job, wait until a distant family member is killed in service to our nation overseas, wait until you get food posioning at home, wait until you have a minor aged child who gets pregnant , wait until your cruise ship is floundering and you need to be evac'd by the coast guard, wait until you lose your spouse ..... I'd suggest you keep all vacation related things in perspective.

I don't really intend to be overly "heavy" here...but like I said....perspective.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Mistakes happen. We're Platinum members on RCCL and didn't get invited to the special brunch for members of our level on our September cruise. We had been on this same cruise before and that little brunch was one of the highlights of the cruise for us. By the time I thought of asking, the guest services person basically said, "it's in such and such, going on now." Not the best response in my opinion. I've complained but nothing is going to rectify the situation. It will NOT be my last RCCL cruise, but it was a disappointment.

 

[Disney Dreams]

To (almost) everyone who replied,

Thank you.

Being the first time we have used our membership, we only know what we saw around us and heard from others, which is why I wanted to post here and find out from others what you have experienced. I appreciate the first-hand experiences many of you have shared.

To collectively address some points made:

- I don't think we "expected" anything, other than maybe the magnet, so much as learned of things as the week went on - member-related things in which we were not included.

- While we fully understand it's a timeshare and salespeople and a business, if there are perks that all members cruising are included in, then ALL should be included. Nothing to do with "magic." We were not wearing our Disney-tainted glasses (well, on this aspect anyway).

- To those who summarized it as we were simply left off the list, yeah, that's what we realized after the first day. Not a problem. Simple mistake. So we brought it to their attention to let them fix it from there out. To no avail. That's when we began to get irritated.

- To those who shared that they have also been left off in the past, thank you for sharing your experience.

- Not really sure why/if it matters, but we bought direct.

- And yes, ultimately, it's about the points --- and our points got us a wonderful week that at this time we cannot possibly afford to pay for in cash. We had a great vacation, enjoyed our cruise immensely, and still love DCL as much (if not more) as always. Just a bit - eh - towards those who could have corrected things related to DVC when given the chance on the first morning when it was brought to their attention --- and didn't. DH much moreso than I.

And again, just to be clear, it has NOTHING to do with the gifts. They attempted to throw more of those at us than we can count when we spoke with someone the second time. We didn't want (or need) the stuff. It was the principle of it all, which I know from the above replies, some of you understand.

I wouldn't do anything. I'm not sure your perspective was right.
It "sucks"...but it's not important.

If you want to feel badly, wait untill someone you love develops Stage 4 cancer, wait until you lose your job, wait until a distant family member is killed in service to our nation overseas, wait until you get food posioning at home, wait until you have a minor aged child who gets pregnant , wait until your cruise ship is floundering and you need to be evac'd by the coast guard, wait until you lose your spouse ..... I'd suggest you keep all vacation related things in perspective.

I don't really intend to be overly "heavy" here...but like I said....perspective.

I will address your comment directly. Your comment is completely inappropriate beyond the first three sentences. You have ABSOLUTELY no idea about my and my husband's life, what we deal with on a daily basis, or what has been thrown our way. I assure you we have things in complete perspective. Again, your comment was inappropriate, callous, and verging on cruel. I'd suggest you think about that when posting in response to people you know nothing about.

- Dreams

 

[DebbieB]

I can understand your disappointment. If no members were recognized, then I would say you expected too much, it's just a timeshare. But when you see other members receiving gifts & special treatment and you not, then I can understand feeling slighted. It was most likely another example of DVC's poor technical capabilities, they can't get a complete list of members on the ship correct. Especially after you pointed it out and they still could not get you on the list.

 

[Brian Noble]

Did you expect too much? Probably.

What would I do? Nothing.

My experience with all things Disney---the parks, the cruise ships, the resorts, and even DVC---is that pixie dust only happens when it is not expected. Yes, it would have been nice if "the list" could have been updated mid-cruise, but apparently it wasn't. That's a shame, but in my book would not have elicited nearly the same reaction.

Luckily, the Drink of the Day is always on sale!

 

[Disney Dreams]

....

...

Thank you both for your replies (while I was posting the above.

DebbieB, you made me laugh.

Brian Noble, cruise-wise, we certainly got our share of pixie dust. It was a great cruise. We just didn't feel welcomed home by DVC at all and were curious on others' opinions/experiences.

And cheers to the drink of the day being on sale. They taste even better when enjoyed at sunset in Palo!

- Dreams

 

[SassyLassy]

I wouldn't do anything. I'm not sure your perspective was right.
It "sucks"...but it's not important.

If you want to feel badly, wait untill someone you love develops Stage 4 cancer, wait until you lose your job, wait until a distant family member is killed in service to our nation overseas, wait until you get food posioning at home, wait until you have a minor aged child who gets pregnant , wait until your cruise ship is floundering and you need to be evac'd by the coast guard, wait until you lose your spouse ..... I'd suggest you keep all vacation related things in perspective.

I don't really intend to be overly "heavy" here...but like I said....perspective.

This was grossly uncalled for. She was honestly asking as a new member about the additional fun that Disney has been known to add albeit a member or not. I don't know what you have going on to add such a sullen tone but shame on you for trying to make her seemingly light question seem like she doesn't have perspective in life.


OP: You sadly seem to slip through the cracks and as a future DVC'er I would also love to be "WOW'd" that first time but it seems as though this was not your experience. My first trip we were upgraded to a wonderful view, my you it was at the park and not on a ship, and we definitely felt the magic from that little "extra". I hope future trips give a little of that magical feeling back!

 

[quentina]

We never told that we were DVC, somehow they just knew. Now, I will say....the gifts the second cruise are the same as the first thus, I have an influx of jewelry boxes and lanyards. You are more than welcome to one if they did not provide one to you.

There once was a thread that Disney is just supposed to know who is DVC. I am not sure how however; I would like to ask, as a new member, did you buy direct or resale? I am wondering if this is one of the downgrades for resale purchase.

 

[DVCconvert]

Dreams - I apologize for coming across as offensive to you. My 'examples' weren't truely intended as to compare (or guess) what is/has been going on your life - they were intended to speak to the larger issue of how it is important for anyone and everyone to keep disappointments in their proper perspective - in general for all things in life. Again, I'm sorry I failed to frame my comments in a way so that you didn't think I was specifically addressing you.

 

[mj2vacation]

It is a miss in the reservation system. The best thing to do is to stop in at the DVC desk at the port terminal if possible, or the desk on deck 4 midship once aboard on the first evening The Dream member celebrations are held before boat drill on the day of embarkation, we have attended 2 and they were both at 230pm in Evolution.

On the Magic, they are usually on the first morning.

Not sure on the Wonder.

 

[Disney Dreams]

This was grossly uncalled for. She was honestly asking as a new member about the additional fun that Disney has been known to add albeit a member or not. I don't know what you have going on to add such a sullen tone but shame on you for trying to make her seemingly light question seem like she doesn't have perspective in life.


OP: You sadly seem to slip through the cracks and as a future DVC'er I would also love to be "WOW'd" that first time but it seems as though this was not your experience. My first trip we were upgraded to a wonderful view, my you it was at the park and not on a ship, and we definitely felt the magic from that little "extra". I hope future trips give a little of that magical feeling back!

Thank you.

And how wonderful for your DVC experience. We were WOW'd (I like that term!) from DCL staff every day. From DVC, we were completely forgotten, even though we cruised on points, stopped by the desk the first morning, AND a presentation to mention it again a few days later. Simply put, no one seemed to care enough to make sure the error (which understandably can happen initially) was fixed.

We never told that we were DVC, somehow they just knew. Now, I will say....the gifts the second cruise are the same as the first thus, I have an influx of jewelry boxes and lanyards. You are more than welcome to one if they did not provide one to you.

There once was a thread that Disney is just supposed to know who is DVC. I am not sure how however; I would like to ask, as a new member, did you buy direct or resale? I am wondering if this is one of the downgrades for resale purchase.

Aww, thanks for the offer. It truly is not about the stuff, though. Someone else asked above about how we joined. We bought direct. On a cruise.

It is a miss in the reservation system. The best thing to do is to stop in at the DVC desk at the port terminal if possible, or the desk on deck 4 midship once aboard on the first evening The Dream member celebrations are held before boat drill on the day of embarkation, we have attended 2 and they were both at 230pm in Evolution.

On the Magic, they are usually on the first morning.

Not sure on the Wonder.

Yep, dropped by the desk. And again. And a sales presentation to talk to someone who might take an interest simply from a sales viewpoint. Still did not get any inclusion all cruise long.

Didn't find out about the member celebration until too late, because we didnt get an invite. And would have loved to have mingled with fellow DVC members.

- Dreams