DVC Annual Meeting

[DizMagic]

any previous attendees out there? my partner and I will be at the world during that time frame this year and didnt know if it would be worth it to make time. anything special happen?

 

[OKW Lover]

I've attended a few of the annual meetings. There will be some swag (think pins) and some refreshments (think lemonade and perhaps cookies). The meeting itself will appear comical since its all scripted and the actual members have no part. Afterwards there will be a Q&A period that can sometimes be informative/amusing.

 

[DizMagic]

do you know if the meeting is normally in the day time or in the evening? we were thinking of going to MVMCP on the 13th but could go earlier in the week if the annual meeting will be a nighttime activity.

thanks.

 

[disneynutz]

Usually 2:00 - 5:00. I call it a dog and pony show, a required formal meeting with restricted owner participation.

Bill

 

[cbnsoul]

I went last year. It is scripted as a pp mentioned but is somewhat interesting. If I were there that time of year again I'd probably make it a point to go.

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone to a couple and to be honest I wouldn't miss out on something else because of it. The times I went it was in the morning and then we headed to the parks. Now that it's in the afternoon, it just doesn't seem convenient. Most of the answers to member's questions are "fluff".

 

[relspeak]

We went last December and were glad we went. We got to talk personally to Karl Holz after the meeting with our concerns of gluten free food on our last Disney cruise. We received great food service on the cruise that followed this past February after emailing our concerns to him. Also talked personally to the DVC accountant about the large increase in BLT dues. I felt those issues made it most worthwhile to go.

 

[RobDoc]

While I would not urge DVC members to make a special trip just for the Annual Meeting, IMO, it is worthwhile if you will already be there. The actual BOD meeting(s) are tightly scripted and typically last only a short while. They involve the Board members approving the annual dues and any other proposals. Regular members are not allowed to ask questions or vote since we have already ceded that right to the voting representatives for each DVC resort (sort of like the Electoral College).

There has usually been a theme for the meeting, often with entertainment (last year the MK "Dapper Dans" entertained - the first time so many had performed at one time ever). After the board meetings, resort managers are introduced and each offers a brief overview of the past year at their resort(s) along with what is scheduled for the coming year. There is normally a Disney corporate presentation with what's new at Disney followed by an invitation for those in attendance to ask questions and make comments.

Some years the event has dragged on especially with the questions but the board and resort managers will stay around afterwards for individual questions.

Well worth attending if you are already there. We have been to about 12 meetings over the past 19 years.

 

[dvc at last !]

I have Thursday, December 13, 2012 on my calendar.
Is that correct ?
Time of day ?
Where ?
Thanks.

 

[disneynutz]

I have Thursday, December 13, 2012 on my calendar.
Is that correct ?
Time of day ?
Where ?
Thanks.

They don't announce the location until a few weeks before the meeting.

At past meetings I have discussed issues with the old President Jim Lewis and last year I talked to several of the resort Managers. They all promised to follow up with me later and none did. That tells me that it is all show and they seemingly could care less about our concerns. I used to believe that maybe they just don't know about the issues and I could bring it to there attention and they could fix some of the problems like dirty rooms or broken clothes washers. Now I realize that they are aware of the problems and it just isn't important to them.

Bill

 

[disneydreaming92701]

They don't announce the location until a few weeks before the meeting.

At past meetings I have discussed issues with the old President Jim Lewis and last year I talked to several of the resort Managers. They all promised to follow up with me later and none did. That tells me that it is all show and they seemingly could care less about our concerns. I used to believe that maybe they just don't know about the issues and I could bring it to there attention and they could fix some of the problems like dirty rooms or broken clothes washers. Now I realize that they are aware of the problems and it just isn't important to them.

Bill

This just makes me sad. I so hope its not true. Isnt someone new in charge?

 

[dianeschlicht]

While I would not urge DVC members to make a special trip just for the Annual Meeting, IMO, it is worthwhile if you will already be there. The actual BOD meeting(s) are tightly scripted and typically last only a short while. They involve the Board members approving the annual dues and any other proposals. Regular members are not allowed to ask questions or vote since we have already ceded that right to the voting representatives for each DVC resort (sort of like the Electoral College).

There has usually been a theme for the meeting, often with entertainment (last year the MK "Dapper Dans" entertained - the first time so many had performed at one time ever). After the board meetings, resort managers are introduced and each offers a brief overview of the past year at their resort(s) along with what is scheduled for the coming year. There is normally a Disney corporate presentation with what's new at Disney followed by an invitation for those in attendance to ask questions and make comments.

Some years the event has dragged on especially with the questions but the board and resort managers will stay around afterwards for individual questions.

Well worth attending if you are already there. We have been to about 12 meetings over the past 19 years.

I agree with Doc about these meetings. I must say I thought last year's introduction of Claire Bilby was excellent, and I was impressed with her. It was certainly a nice departure from the Jim Lewis days.

 

[Jousey]

I would love to go some year, maybe we will look at going to WDW for Christmas some year and catch the meeting.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Another nice thing about the meetings is just getting to meet so many other members. I saw a lot of familiar faces last year (including webmasterdoc).

 

[dvc at last !]

Attending this year is not in our plans...but I can see going in the future...seeing the Christmas decor on the same visit. I always enjoy reading what others have to say about the Meeting !

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Usually 2:00 - 5:00. I call it a dog and pony show, a required formal meeting with restricted owner participation.

Bill

Of course it's a "dog and pony" show. The documents we signed give them the only vote that counts LOL!

 

[DVC Mike]

I'll be attending this year's meeting. I think last year's was the most enjoyable, since they made the formal VGF announcement.

 

[FigmentLady]

I would like to try to attend this year since it will likely be my last December visit for a few years. I have a plane to catch at 8pm though and will be using DME. I guess we will see if I can make it work.

 

[tjkraz]

I enjoy attending the meetings if only because it attracts such a wide spectrum of DVC members. On-line, a sort of hive mind tends to take over. Owners with similar feelings on topics congregate and there is often not a wide variety of varying opinions.

At the meeting during the Q&A, you never know what may come up.

My favorite is still the VIP club concept Jim Lewis floated a couple years ago (which has never come to be.) It started with a member claiming to have (IIRC) 1600 points who wanted to know why DVC did not do more specifically for owners like her.

The idea of any sort of VIP perks was thoroughly lambasted on every Internet forum I've visited. At the meeting not only was the question asked--by a member who came just short of demanding added perks due to her high dollar investment in DVC--but others in the audience applauded the query.

Last year one member was practically red-faced with anger while asking if there was any truth to the Internet rumors of a minimum stay being implemented. The DVC reps seemed to be holding back laughter while stating that there were no plans to enforce a minimum stay.

It's an interesting look at the topics which members feel passionately about.

And, IMO, DVC has done a pretty good job spicing it up with new announcements, entertainment, etc.

I wouldn't recommend the average member structure a trip around it. But if you happen to be at WDW on the meeting date, personally I'd devote 2-3 hours to the meeting before taking yet another spin on ISAW or POTC.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have attended a handful of Annual Meetings over the years, and I have to agree that last year's was the best so far. I'm kind of sorry we are going to miss it this year, but to get the most out of our APs, we have to leave on Dec. 6th. Maybe next year. Or maybe not. We are thinking of a family Christmas trip, and that means the meeting will be before we get there.