Has anyone beside Enna heard of this $95 nonsense?

[LIFERBABE]

I think it is more a head of DVC situation and less about the entire corporation. Several that work for DVC are not happy about recent changes either. When Mr. Lewis first came to DVC, I got the immediate impression he was all for the members and I was very impressed.

Lately I am beginning to feel it is more about making a name for himself within the company and using DVC as the stepping stone to get there.

What happens in the wake of that will be left for someone else to clean up and all of us to deal with.

I agree Sammie, and if we want any semblance of what DVC used to be, we all better put the pixie-dust-pipes down and start fighting!!

DVC Member Satisfaction ratings need to go DOWN! We need to stop recommending people buy DVC until they get their act together. DVC is getting downright bold in their actions, because we dont step up and let them know. Jim thinks we are jokes. We are fanatics that will drop money on anything DVC and we prove that time and time again. (I certainly am guilty, but no more) We love DVC so much, that they will continue to push and try to take every cent we have until we start pushing back. The Member Cruise, I felt like a lamb being led to slaughter. Everyone there treated us like jokes with lots of money. Even the guest speakers got in on the act. Then when they held us captive on the ship on Castaway Cay Day, to ensure we would attend their sales show, I was done!

If you dont know, now you know. PA@OKW saw it years ago and I have to give him credit for taking notice.

The people Jim has hired, take no prisoners. A bunch of overpaid 30 somethings that were too busy partying to plan anything special during the cruise. If it werent for DCL, I would have jumped overboard.

Anyone ever wonder why most of the really great guides have left in the last 2 years? They are being replaced with people that have worked for some of the most despicable timeshares out there. (Can u say WestGate?)

And yes, I am angry and I dont care what the POS says.

 

[jodifla]

I think it is more a head of DVC situation and less about the entire corporation. Several that work for DVC are not happy about recent changes either. When Mr. Lewis first came to DVC, I got the immediate impression he was all for the members and I was very impressed.

Lately I am beginning to feel it is more about making a name for himself within the company and using DVC as the stepping stone to get there.

What happens in the wake of that will be left for someone else to clean up and all of us to deal with.

Yikes!!!!!!!!!!

What's the best way to proceed?

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

I'd like to know what the justification is other that making it a lot simplier for me to pay them $95 than it is for me not to pay them $95. If we pay the fees to cover Member Services then why do I need to pay again for their services? Are there any Florida Timeshare laws that prevent or limit DVC from imposing all kinds of additional fees for individual services that were not charged before we signed on the dotted line? One way to raise the maintenance fees outside the legal limit is to not call it a maintenance fee. Think of how creative those Imagineer Accountants can get with fees if these changes are not met with an uproar and putting our "money" where our mouth is and start telling our Friends and Family to hold onto your wallet if you are considering DVC.

 

[Sammie]

Yikes!!!!!!!!!!

What's the best way to proceed?

I wish I knew. Anyone that knows me, knows it takes alot for me to turn against anything Disney. But this situation with DVC really concerns me. I feel like Liferbabe, that we are, or at least our money is, being used to payroll his way to the top.

I don't truly know enough about how the DVC organization is set up to even say who is above him. I guess no one but Eiger, and with the money that DVC is bringing in right now, I am not sure they will listen.

 

[DVC Mike]

Are there any Florida Timeshare laws that prevent or limit DVC from imposing all kinds of additional fees for individual services that were not charged before we signed on the dotted line? One way to raise the maintenance fees outside the legal limit is to not call it a maintenance fee. Think of how creative those Imagineer Accountants can get with fees if these changes are not met with an uproar and putting our "money" where our mouth is and start telling our Friends and Family to hold onto your wallet if you are considering DVC.

Any service, feature, perk, or discount that is not in the POS is subject to change, and there isn't a lot anyone can do about it.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is no different than any other company. They are here to make money, and lots of it. The difference is that we all have an emotional attachment to Disney because Disney makes us feel better and we wish that that world was a better place like Disney used to be.

I think that we can all agree that in the past few years Disney has lost some of it's luster. People actually believe that the policies, programs, and products are designed to benefit us. Wake up people, they only benefit Disney. We learn how to work the system to make best use of them.

Anything, and I mean anything that Disney does is done for a reason. They are very good at knowing how to make change in small bites that we will accept without much complaining. A good example is the new DDP. They cut the program and at the same time increase our cost by removing the tip. They know how people think and they are masters at it. Why do you think that the didn't just increase the price to $50 per adult, because that's what they really did. They didn't increase the price because we would stop using the DDP. Instead they remove the appetizer and people think, "well I can live with that". Then they exclude the tip. People think, "well the poor wait staff deserves a good tip and I tip everywhere else because it's expected of me, so that's OK". Now here is the best part. They lower the price by $1 and people think, what a great company, the lowered the price.

The reason for my ramble is that DVC is the same. Everything is done for a reason. We love Disney Parks, Resorts and DVC and until they push things too far we will continue to be customers. If we as Members don't speak up and make our feelings known, the changes will continue to take place and we have only ourselves to blame.

 

[gkrykewy]

IThen when they held us captive on the ship on Castaway Cay Day, to ensure we would attend their sales show, I was done!

Wow, that's awful. I'm new to DVC, just joined in May. Is there any mechanism for member dialogue with management? Regular polls for which the results are shared with all members? Anything?

 

[smjj]

Its a money grab folks and no more. I am still trying to see how adding a $95.00 fee is going to make it easier on me. Its like the man who put the blindfold on the man to be excuted and then telling him is OK because he will no longer need to worry about his headaches. It simply a money grap to make the bottom line look better and help Jim Lewis climb the corporate ladder on our backs. But DVC knows all that. They know us better than we do. They know we will squak about it for a few weeks and then it will all quite down and threads like this will disappear. Other still believe that whatever DVC or Disney does is OK with them and are wondering what all the stink is about. Disney gets to many passes because we just have to have our Disney fix and they know it....smjj

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

There's no direct mention that the fee is being added to the WDW resorts. Ole Jim kinda side-stepped that issue, eh?

I think it was addressed as these resorts are part of The Disney Collection, and it states "a consistent fee for all non-Disney Vacation Club Resorts including those in the Disney and World Passport Collection." The only ones that had a fee in Disney Collection before was DCL and Adventures by Disney. Both were $75.

I had always thought there was a fee for the Disney Collection anyway...l

I did, too, but looking at the Vacation Planner more closely, they did not.

Is there any mechanism for member dialogue with management?

There is a way. I'll reiterate what I said on the other related thread to this one. We need to do both email and snail mail to the DVC Customer Satisfaction Team. For whatever reason, emails get blown off a bit - they respond, but with the usual "corporate line" of "we appreciate your input, blah blah". But if everyone followed up with a snail mail letter as well, I think it would have an impact as it is a PHYSICAL presence and takes more time to construct a reply. I know that when I was a CM (not at DVC, but in sales), that an email or phone call had little impact - we did what we could to the best of our ability to make the situation correct and fix it, but when it was over, out of mind and on to the next client/crisis. However, having something written was something more serious as it meant that depite our best efforts, things did not go well. It was used as betterment and justification for helping us get our clients what they needed/wanted. It could be passed up the chain easily,too. It showed us that a customer cared enough to take the time, and we took it seriously.

If we as Members don't speak up and make our feelings known, the changes will continue to take place and we have only ourselves to blame.

Very well said disneynutz!

I will research how to contact the Satisfaction Team and post their contact information appropriately.

Just my .02

PS - Thank you so much Enna, for putting this out here for us and even taking the time to get the picture on this thread and others. It's good to have great DIS people who are willing to help each other out!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Any service, feature, perk, or discount that is not in the POS is subject to change, and there isn't a lot anyone can do about it.

Sorry Mike, but I totally disagree. There is plenty that can be done and if DVC starts getting the bad press it deserves, they wont care what the POS says either.

I sit here $400 richer because although DCL reserved the right to charge additional fees on our Cruise next year and did, many wrote in and Dreams Unlimited even increased their booking credit and miraculously, DCL reversed their decision.

Their customer satisfaction numbers take a hit, and I bet they see the light. Jim Lewis was very proud of those numbers "as the highest in the timeshare industry" last year on the cruise. Come to think of it, last year was the first time I heard any DVC person refer to DVC as a timeshare and not a vacation club or ownership interest.

And Sammie I agree, it takes alot for me to turn on Disney too, although I have been quite vocal the past 6 months, because time and time again, DVC is showing they value the new members over the older ones. I guess Im just reaching my limit of what I can take. But we have a huge amount of points and I am not willing to be nickel and dimed like I opted for a value package when I did not. And if DVC wants to function like a Value package, then I will take my money elsewhere that gives me what I want.

Anyone own Four Seasons and willing to share some of the details of ownership?

 

[disneynutz]

There is a way. I'll reiterate what I said on the other related thread to this one. We need to do both email and snail mail to the DVC Customer Satisfaction Team. For whatever reason, emails get blown off a bit - they respond, but with the usual "corporate line" of "we appreciate your input, blah blah". But if everyone followed up with a snail mail letter as well, I think it would have an impact as it is a PHYSICAL presence and takes more time to construct a reply. I know that when I was a CM (not at DVC, but in sales), that an email or phone call had little impact - we did what we could to the best of our ability to make the situation correct and fix it, but when it was over, out of mind and on to the next client/crisis. However, having something written was something more serious as it meant that depite our best efforts, things did not go well. It was used as betterment and justification for helping us get our clients what they needed/wanted. It could be passed up the chain easily,too. It showed us that a customer cared enough to take the time, and we took it seriously.

Very well said disneynutz!

I will research how to contact the Satisfaction Team and post their contact information appropriately.

Wouldn't it be better to contact Jim Lewis's boss. The DVC Customer Satisfaction Team works for Jim Lewis. If anyone does write, we need the greatest result for our effort. I contacted his boss once and the next day Jim Lewis called me and assigned a Senior Adviser to fix my problem. He contacted me again later to make sure that my problem was taken care of.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Wouldn't it be better to contact Jim Lewis's boss. The DVC Customer Satisfaction Team works for Jim Lewis. If anyone does write, we need the greatest result for our effort. I contacted his boss once and the next day Jim Lewis called me and assigned a Senior Adviser to fix my problem. He contacted me again later to make sure that my problem was taken care of.

My God.. how does Jim Lewis keep up with the members... surely he can't address every situation... Please don't write to him unless it is really a problem left unaddressed by staff.... No, I'm not a staffer.... Not really.

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Wouldn't it be better to contact Jim Lewis's boss. The DVC Customer Satisfaction Team works for Jim Lewis. If anyone does write, we need the greatest result for our effort. I contacted his boss once and the next day Jim Lewis called me and assigned a Senior Adviser to fix my problem. He contacted me again later to make sure that my problem was taken care of.

I agree. I guess I would want to give him a chance to fix it first before going over his head. Sort of a warning shot off the bow!

Trust me that will be my next step if/when I get no response.

PS. Plus then we would be able to tell his boss that we did try addressing these issues through Jim's team and got no response/action.

 

[Doug7856]

There has been lots of disappointing news lately. The changes to the dining plan, significant price increase of the 10 day no expiration park hopper, the change in the banking deadline, and now the $95 fee to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel. The option to stay at Port Orleans Riverside was a major selling point for my wife.

To me this new charge doesn't "keep it simple" but only diminishes the value of DVC. The point add on that I've been seriously considering is becoming a lot less likely with these changes.

Disney needs to remember that there are many choice for my vacation dollars. Recently they have gotten a significant portion, but it may be time to consider the shrinking value of what Disney is offering.

 

[Sammie]

Wouldn't it be better to contact Jim Lewis's boss. The DVC Customer Satisfaction Team works for Jim Lewis. If anyone does write, we need the greatest result for our effort. I contacted his boss once and the next day Jim Lewis called me and assigned a Senior Adviser to fix my problem. He contacted me again later to make sure that my problem was taken care of.

Well whoever you contacted then, seems the person to contact now.

However I think Jim has been promoted to DVC Emperor so not sure who is over him now.

the email address is:

DVCMemberSatisfactionTeam@disneyvacationclub.com

the mailing address for DVC Inc. is
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747

or you can call 321-939-4489 and ask for the Manager on duty

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

However I think Jim has been promoted to DVC Emperor so not sure who is over him now.

Thanks, Sammie - I needed the laugh!

I know a GREAT tailor that makes clothes REAL CHEAP for emperors!

Thanks for posting the contact information - I PM'd the mods to make sure it was OK, but hadn't heard back yet or I would have posted it.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks, Sammie - I needed the laugh!

I know a GREAT tailor that makes clothes REAL CHEAP for emperors!

Would that be the Brave Little Tailor,

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Would that be the Brave Little Tailor,

YES! Although I'd never consider him a "cheap mouse"!

 

[disneynutz]

My God.. how does Jim Lewis keep up with the members... surely he can't address every situation... Please don't write to him unless it is really a problem left unaddressed by staff.... No, I'm not a staffer.... Not really.

In my case I made several contacts with MS over several months to fix my problem to no avail. They had plenty of oppertunity to make things right and they didn't. That's why I went over his head.

In the current situation, this is a policy change. Mr. Lewis is aware of the change because he made it. He is in favor of the policies or else he wouldn't of made them. I don't think that going over his head is out of line in this case.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I haven't been as happy with DVC the past few years as I was the first few as a member. I'm still a little excited about my upcoming stay at the AKV, but I'm kinda regretting my add on there.

I have a bunch of friends going down to WDW in Nov. for the F&W fest who have been very interested in DVC. I have been telling them for the past year how the program works and the benefits, etc. I WAS going to give all of the ones who were serious Referral Cards. I've decided I can't do that any more. I'm going to tell them they'd prob. be better off just renting points from a current owner when they need them for the near future and take a wait and see attitude.

I'm going to write a letter to the Member Satisfaction Team, and I'm thinking of changing my Sig here on the DIS to something along the lines of "I'm a current DVC member. I've enjoyed it for years. Sadly, at the current time I can't recommend to anyone purchasing a contract due to the direction the company seems to be going. PM me if you'd like more information."