If ever there were a year to attend the annual meetings,

[DisFlan]

A web cast of the meeting, shown on the DVC members site, seems like a reasonable alternative to me. However, this may be too technical for DVC's crack IT staff.

LOL! Yup, that's probably a little too much to expect. Great idea, though. From discussion to implementation, we'd be looking at what? A couple of years?

We'd be more likely to see it on the Family Channel. They don't use it for much else.


DisFlan

 

[DebbieB]

I've attended the BWV annual meetings twice (2000 & 2004) and found them to be mostly "fluff". Both times a woman (member) got up and spent 5 minutes talking about how wonderful the DVC staff is. The total time is only 60 minutes including the official business and the members presentation (where they talk about changes for the next year like perks, renovations, etc), so there really wasn't time for alot of questions and most of the questions they had canned answers for. It really never got "juicy". If you really want to question something and can't attend the meeting, send an e-mail and pursue it until you have an answer.

 

[Donna]

When did BW get dedicated buses? I was there in May and we stopped at the BC/YC.

I would love it if they did get dedicated buses.

There in early november. Every time we took a bus, we stopped at swan and dolphin. not yacht and beach. seemed to take forever to get anywhere, other than epcot, lol.

 

[PKS44]

..and those stops at the swan and dolphin--they are a stop at the swan AND a separate stop at the dolphin....two stops to BW's one stop....and yet they probably charge BW guests 50% of the costs and BWV 58% of that or 29% of the total even though BWV guests probably make up less than half that percent...I used to have the numbers on the sizes of the three resorts around Epcot...but now those threads have been lost in the ether....

 

[JudithM]

I've attended the BWV annual meetings twice (2000 & 2004) and found them to be mostly "fluff". Both times a woman (member) got up and spent 5 minutes talking about how wonderful the DVC staff is. The total time is only 60 minutes including the official business and the members presentation (where they talk about changes for the next year like perks, renovations, etc), so there really wasn't time for alot of questions and most of the questions they had canned answers for. It really never got "juicy".

I think your idea of "fluff" is part of what I think of as the legal aspect of the meetings - the parts they have to have/say/do by law. In more recent years the meetings might try to stay at 60 minutes, but few OKW meetings in the past were that short - have to love OKW members . We have had a few juicy meetings like the years the guy from NC stirred things up.

 

[DebbieB]

I think your idea of "fluff" is part of what I think of as the legal aspect of the meetings - the parts they have to have/say/do by law. In more recent years the meetings might try to stay at 60 minutes, but few OKW meetings in the past were that short - have to love OKW members . We have had a few juicy meetings like the years the guy from NC stirred things up.

No, I was talking about the member question part. The 2 meetings I was at no one really stirred things up. People asked questions, they gave canned answers, and there were no followup questions in response to their answers.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DVC must know that all members are not going to make it down there to attend the meetings.
As owners, we have the right to know what is being discussed and to be able to ask questions.

A web cast of the meeting, shown on the DVC members site, seems like a reasonable alternative to me.
However, this may be too technical for DVC's crack IT staff.


The Prophet

DH asked me if this would be possible. I suppose it's not in the cards.

Bobbi

 

[Beca]

No, I was talking about the member question part. The 2 meetings I was at no one really stirred things up. People asked questions, they gave canned answers, and there were no followup questions in response to their answers.

That makes me so sad!! Now, I am questions whether or not I should waste my time going. I hate "canned" answers. I really do want to go. My big issue is guaranteeing home-resort guests the requests they want, and giving people whose names on the ressie match the names on the contract their requests granted before those who do not.

I guess my issue is this....we are 96% of the ownership, and yet the management company that WE pay for makes changes, says that we ask for them....and, no one remembers being asked....and, the changes benefit no one but DVC...specifically here, the room-ready policy. DVC says they changed it due to "members' requests"....well, here's one member that has never received a room upon arrival, and never received a request for views. I have always received non-smoking, non-HA (which, I know is more than some of you have received)...but, I would really like to have a great view sometime....not all the time, just SOMETIME!!

I tend to think DVC is being "sneaky", and pre-assigning those great views to people whose name do not match the ressie to try entice "renters" to buy into DVC. I see SOO many posts of renters saying they got a WONDERFUL view, when I have never had one myself! Maybe it is potluck....but, I tend to think it is a bigger part of DVC's "marketing strategy". And, when those people are "staying deluxe at value prices", why should they get the best views?

I think DVC is capable of doing a LOT more than they say they can.



Beca

 

[Sammie]

That makes me so sad!! Now, I am questions whether or not I should waste my time going. I hate "canned" answers. I really do want to go. My big issue is guaranteeing home-resort guests the requests they want, and giving people whose names on the ressie match the names on the contract their requests granted before those who do not.

I guess my issue is this....we are 96% of the ownership, and yet the management company that WE pay for makes changes, says that we ask for them....and, no one remembers being asked....and, the changes benefit no one but DVC...specifically here, the room-ready policy. DVC says they changed it due to "members' requests"....well, here's one member that has never received a room upon arrival, and never received a request for views. I have always received non-smoking, non-HA (which, I know is more than some of you have received)...but, I would really like to have a great view sometime....not all the time, just SOMETIME!!

I tend to think DVC is being "sneaky", and pre-assigning those great views to people whose name do not match the ressie to try entice "renters" to buy into DVC. I see SOO many posts of renters saying they got a WONDERFUL view, when I have never had one myself! Maybe it is potluck....but, I tend to think it is a bigger part of DVC's "marketing strategy". And, when those people are "staying deluxe at value prices", why should they get the best views?
I think DVC is capable of doing a LOT more than they say they can.



Beca

If a renter is staying deluxe at value prices, that is certainly not Disney's fault, the renter sets the price.

I would say if anything that person is taking money out of Disney's pocket in 2 ways, one being able to rent so cheaply does not encourage them to buy DVC and it does not encourage them to pay cash to Disney for a reservation.

If giving good views to a certain market for the purpose of selling DVC; then those that book cash ressies through Reservations would be the target audience.

 

[Beca]

I would say if anything that person is taking money out of Disney's pocket in 2 ways, one being able to rent so cheaply does not encourage them to buy DVC and it does not encourage them to pay cash to Disney for a reservation.

Actually, this is happening a lot. I have read many posts where people say they are considering DVC, so they are renting one trip to see how they like it. I have also read many posts of renters who liked DVC so much that they bought on their trip. Many of theses poster talk about the great views they received.

I think DVC realizes this is happening as well.



Beca

 

[Sammie]

Actually, this is happening a lot. I have read many posts where people say they are considering DVC, so they are renting one trip to see how they like it. I have also read many posts of renters who liked DVC so much that they bought on their trip. Many of theses poster talk about the great views they received.

I think DVC realizes this is happening as well.



Beca

I had not seen these, thanks for bringing that to my attention. I certainly hope that is the case that renters are not just using the facilities to get a bargain and have no intention of even considering buying in.

 

[DebbieB]

That makes me so sad!! Now, I am questions whether or not I should waste my time going. I hate "canned" answers. I really do want to go. My big issue is guaranteeing home-resort guests the requests they want, and giving people whose names on the ressie match the names on the contract their requests granted before those who do not.

I guess my issue is this....we are 96% of the ownership, and yet the management company that WE pay for makes changes, says that we ask for them....and, no one remembers being asked....and, the changes benefit no one but DVC...specifically here, the room-ready policy. DVC says they changed it due to "members' requests"....well, here's one member that has never received a room upon arrival, and never received a request for views. I have always received non-smoking, non-HA (which, I know is more than some of you have received)...but, I would really like to have a great view sometime....not all the time, just SOMETIME!!

I tend to think DVC is being "sneaky", and pre-assigning those great views to people whose name do not match the ressie to try entice "renters" to buy into DVC. I see SOO many posts of renters saying they got a WONDERFUL view, when I have never had one myself! Maybe it is potluck....but, I tend to think it is a bigger part of DVC's "marketing strategy". And, when those people are "staying deluxe at value prices", why should they get the best views?

I think DVC is capable of doing a LOT more than they say they can.



Beca

Beca,

If you have the opportunity to go, please go. Stand up and ask your questions and if you don't like the answers, speak up. I just made my comments because I didn't want people to expect more than it is, like it's so big it should be webcast. I had to cancel my trip but if I was still going, I would be at the BWV meeting.

 

[Beca]

Beca,

If you have the opportunity to go, please go. Stand up and ask your questions and if you don't like the answers, speak up. I just made my comments because I didn't want people to expect more than it is, like it's so big it should be webcast. I had to cancel my trip but if I was still going, I would be at the BWV meeting.

Debbie,

Thanks....I am going to give it a try, but if it seems like DVC doesn't want to "deal" with questions....ooohhh....I'll be so mad!!! Thanks for the heads up....I think I will be less disappointed now if it is a bust (but, I'll still be mad



Beca

 

[CarolMN]

Debbie,

Thanks....I am going to give it a try, but if it seems like DVC doesn't want to "deal" with questions....ooohhh....I'll be so mad!!! Thanks for the heads up....I think I will be less disappointed now if it is a bust (but, I'll still be mad



Beca

If you get a chance to ask a question, you will be treated and answered respectfully. Just keep in mind that you may not like the answer you get. Disney doesn't like to say no - but that doesn't mean they aren't a business!

I remember hearing someone ask about better ticket discounts and something besides LOS (at a BWV mtg pre AP discount). The answer was that their focus was to encourage members to do things other than the 4 major parks. And they were offering discounts for those things. They knew DVC members were repeat visitors and etc. etc. etc. If you read between the lines (or have ever been part of a coporate bureaucracy, you knew: No new ticket discounts were forthcoming for the 4 major parks in the forseeable future.

I also remember someone asking about a food court for BWV. Can't remember the exact answer but it was something to the effect that they were planning to expand the offerings at the BW Bakery (which did happen soon after that) but that a full food court wasn't in the picture.

Someone complained about the lack of self parking problem at the BW (due to people parking there to go to EPCOT) - the answer was to valet since it was free to members.

Someone complained that the dates for the annual meetings weren't set soon enough (member wanted to book at 11 month window). Meeting dates have been announced much sooner this year than in the past.

Many of the managers /staff stay after the meeting - specifically to talk with members. Feel free to stay and ask questions at that time.

Looking forward to your impressions of the meeting - as well as any info you think worth sharing.

Best wishes -

 

[TiggerFreak]

Could the lower percentage of transportation assesed YC/BC be related to the convention center? I believe a significant portion of the rooms at S/D and YC/BC are occupied by conventioneers who would probably not utilize the transportion at the same level as a lesuire guest.

 

[Beca]

Could the lower percentage of transportation assesed YC/BC be related to the convention center? I believe a significant portion of the rooms at S/D and YC/BC are occupied by conventioneers who would probably not utilize the transportion at the same level as a lesuire guest.

I'm not sure about that....BW has a convention center, too. I don't know how much of a difference that would make since they both have them.

Personally, I think things are just "divided" a little funky. I think the percentage a hotel pays ought to be divided by the number of rooms in that establishment. I am not sure that is happening.



Beca

 

[manning]

For my amusement (and a lack of something else to do) I have put together a spreadsheet comparing the price increases of the deluxe room rates for 2006.

Except for a few room catagories, and these are high price, the vast majority of rates increased in the little over 2% to a little over 3% range. Nothing like the increases DVC got.

Taking into account the past room discounts and latest DVC increases it looks like our break even point is going to be longer than we think or suggested by some.