DVC DVD - Waste O' money

[Caskbill]

I just ordered one and the read this post. I have an OLD DVC VHS tape from years ago when I wanted to buy in and DH wasn't interested. I want to understand how it all works. Does the DVD at least explain that?

The DVD actually explains very little about how the program actually works, or about the resorts themselves. Look at it as a straight forward sales promotional video intended to tweak your interest in DVC and to contact the sales staff to get the detail information.

 

[crisi]

And putting the DVD together isn't that expensive. My husband used to create that sort of DVD - using primarily existing material, would cost less than $50,000 to produce. And that would be if you brought in an agency. It could be done cheaper in house. I've seen some websites Disney members have put up that are nearly as nice, that they've done in their spare time with their own PCs (Tagrel's slideshows, for instance). Add some menus and voila.

Duplication and packaging for that thing was less that $1 per - including postage.

So maybe they spent $150,000 on it - creating it, duplicating it, mailing it out to 90,000 people.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

What do you all think about the new DVD? I just played it and what a waste. I guess if you are new to the whole DVC thing it is enlightening, but for us current members....? Everyone I mention DVC to nowadays says it is way to expensive to purchase direct from Disney. I tell them to buy resale instead if they want in, save a few bucks.

I'd rather see Disney give us DVCers more discounts rather than spending millions sending out these stupid DVDs

Just my opinion.

Hanname a good night y'all

I, too, thought it was a huge waste of money. It seems more appropriate for those who want to know more about DVC, not for someone who already owns DVC. What did I get out of it that I didn't know before??? Why did I even get the DVD? We were so psyched when we got it in the mail and were excited to view it and then BAM. Disappointment at its finest.

 

[grimgrinnin]

I, too, thought it was a huge waste of money. It seems more appropriate for those who want to know more about DVC, not for someone who already owns DVC. What did I get out of it that I didn't know before??? Why did I even get the DVD? We were so psyched when we got it in the mail and were excited to view it and then BAM. Disappointment at its finest.

Did you read the enclosed materials with the DVD? It wasn't meant for you, it was meant for your SIL, the Mail Man, Crazy Cousin Larry, and anyone else you can get to watch it. Disney wants YOU to be their sales-person.



grim

 

[CarolMN]

(snip).... It's a sure bet that none of the Sales' departments advertising funds are ever used to give more general benefits to existing members.......

Didn't they pay for the free park tickets that went with the early sales of OKW? I wouldn't mind if they did that again, LOL! Might be the one thing that finally makes an add on irresistable.

Best wishes -

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I missed the Whalen family from Troy, NY outside the TOT. "It became the value we couldn't have imagined"

Glad to see the Farina family is still planning on bring her mother and father down for next years visit.

Some new clips, but a lot of rehashed shots used in many of the promos.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Reading the comments about the DVD (haven't watched it yet), it just reminds me again, that I don't understand why something like this isn't previewed with a focus group of DVCers before they release it. Who better? Remember the "new and improved" DVC website?

Nancy

 

[ddave]

Reading the comments about the DVD (haven't watched it yet), it just reminds me again, that I don't understand why something like this isn't previewed with a focus group of DVCers before they release it. Who better? Remember the "new and improved" DVC website?

Nancy

Well it isn't for DVCers like us. It's to spark interest from non owners. You are correct, I think we could have done a better job

As someone stated, they reused a lot of video over and over again when they could have used more footage of something other than the lady taking the bowl off the counter !

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I liked the DVD in geneal, but it was lacking some vital information. When we were interested in joining DVC, nothing was more infomation that our good friends the Bakers - DVC owners! By the time I even got here, Suz had taught me all I needed to know.

It really did need some better pics and information for each resort. I also wish the history had some real history: tell me when it all started, wha the first resort was and which ones followed, how membership numbers have increased over the years...

They never explain the points system well, but they are trying to get you interested enough to come to a showing - that's all.

D4D

 

[Beach_Bound9]

I think the expense would be in the production. Duplication and mailing probably isn't any more than the quarterly newsletter we get.

As a sales tactic, to send out a sales tool to members already sold and who've made a large investment to share with other is probably a good approach. I haven't reviewed mine yet, but I frequently tell others about DVC. If someone was interested, I'd easily pass along the DVD. I would presume the medium and postage is cheaper than the Video one used to be able to call and request.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I just got mine in the mail today. After reading this thread...I don't think I'll bother with watching it. I get all the DVC info. I need right here!

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Being on a DVD, you would think that they would have used more video. I realize that video production is a lot more expensive but look how great the WDW website has become.

I agree with you Bugeye. I would have liked more footage of each of the individual resorts, including a representative walkthrough of each of the unit types, some footage on representative activites for members staying at the resorts (I'm thinking of HHI and VB on this one), and other information like that.

I've been looking for more info on HHI for my upcoming trip and am finding it quite difficult to locate more than what's here and on the member website.

Guess I'll take some more pix and post on my trip report when I return.

 

[Tiger926]

I would have to agree as well that this DVD wasn't very good at all. Although my DD2 was excited to see "my castle!" that was the highlight of our viewing experience. Here are our criticisms:

1. Our DVD had many technical glitches: slow, freezes up, terrible graphic enhancements (could see spots on the black between segments)

2. Many of the same old families were in there as someone has already mentioned

3. We were most impressed that it gives the current DVC membership figure as "Currently over 85,000 people are enjoying Disney Vacation Club ownership." As we all know, that figure is incorrect!

4. As a teacher, I didn't find it to be very knowledgeable at all. In fact, it only gave 2 point examples, and they were both over 200 points per year - what about families who are interested in less than that? This might very well turn families away as they may not think that it's within their budget.

5. I promote DVC to people all of the time in verbal ways, Internet links, photos, etc... But, I wouldn't give anyone this DVD necessarily as I think it leaves unanswered questions - it seems as if it was put together very quickly (and sloppily I might add) and you can totally see that upon viewing.

All in all, we found it to be very disappointing. I do have to agree as well with some of the other posters who commented on the amount of advertising stuff that comes to our house. My DH is constantly commenting on how much wasted funds are spent on different mailings and I would have to agree. It doesn't matter if the money comes from the Sales/Marketing Dept. or out of dues, in our opinion, DVC sends out way too many mailings - put stuff on the Internet or send out emails - better for environment, and much cheaper!

Tiger

 

[Caskbill]

Didn't they pay for the free park tickets that went with the early sales of OKW? I wouldn't mind if they did that again, LOL! Might be the one thing that finally makes an add on irresistable.

Best wishes -

Carol, my understanding is that the free park passes way back came out of the Developer's funds. That DVD paid for that promotion, not DVC Sales.

Basically DVD (Disney Vacation Development) cut their profits to kick-start the program by giving passes in the form of a 'rebate'.

Of course in the end, it all works back to Disney in general.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Did you read the enclosed materials with the DVD? It wasn't meant for you, it was meant for your SIL, the Mail Man, Crazy Cousin Larry, and anyone else you can get to watch it. Disney wants YOU to be their sales-person.



grim

Hmmmmmm...a 'pass-it-along' type of thing. Sneaky!

 

[CarolMN]

Carol, my understanding is that the free park passes way back came out of the Developer's funds. That DVD paid for that promotion, not DVC Sales.

Basically DVD (Disney Vacation Development) cut their profits to kick-start the program by giving passes in the form of a 'rebate'.

Of course in the end, it all works back to Disney in general.

Thanks for the additonal info - I always thought that DVC Sales/Advertising was just part of DVD. Guess I better go re-read some POS stuff. Anyway, as you say - it does all end up on Disney's financial reports

Best wishes -

 

[barb45]

I was using it for a Disney fix before I give it away. Was I the only one who thought that it's not good advertising to have some family say that their kids were screaming off the balcony and 2 or 3 in the morning??? Sounds like some of the complaints that we get right here on these boards are actually encouraged by Disney! Also I wasn't impressed with the family that says "we all pile onto a bike at BWV and go really fast down the hill scaring people". What's with that? Maybe it's just me but I don't look forward to either of these things while on vacation.

I still enjoyed watching the video and would have liked some new footage for my Disney fix.

 

[softballguy]

Was told by my sales agent that the DVD was for Members to share with friends if they wish. Given legal constraints by certain states - that Disney must abide by- they can't send the DVD out to all Members in all states/countries. Amazing how quick people are to judge with little knowledge... let's give DVC a break people -- do we have to complain about everything?

 

[Princeton Charming1]

We actually borrowed the DVD from a friend (we went online and requested one be sent to us in NJ but we never received it).

So we reviewed it and without being too redundant, I agree that the information and design is really poor. Disney is supposed to be a leader in entertainment, but this DVD was one of the worst I've ever seen. Lots of fluff and Disney stuff, but light on meaningful information. If it's by design to withhold pertinent information to get someone to buy, that's a little sneaky, and frankly not what our family expects from Disney.

Also, the member testimonials seemed a little rehersed.

And when it was all over, I didn't know what they wanted me to do.

 

[lllovell]

lol - they want you to send them money!

Actually, when we first called for the info packet, what we got wasn't all that valuable either as far as the movie was concerned. I learned MUCH more by reading the written info that accompanied the video.

I doubt this one is much more than a "IF you want info, call us." kinda DVD just like the old one we got last year when we called wanting to possibly buy in.