If you ran DVC....spinoff from Theme Park Board

[disneychic]

OK, so there is a thread on the Theme Park Attractions & Strategies Board - "If you ran WDW"....so that got me thinking about DVC and what changes I would make if I ran our beloved Vacation Club.

1. Implement discount on DDP for DVC members

2. Allow one time use points for purchase of 50 points (instead of the current amount of 24)

3. Poly DVC



Those are the top 3 that come to mind right now. I'd love to hear some other great ideas!

 

[cbnsoul]

1. Offer extensions at the remaining older resorts. I know the OKW extension wasn't very popular but would like to own BWV and, eventually BCV, til at least 2057.

2. Have a somewhat discounted dining plan for DVC members.

3. TRY to negotiate better rates for cruises as it currently takes a ton of points to go on even a short cruise.

4. Offer at least some resort-specific DVC merchandise.

5. As has been discussed in other recent threads, drop DeeVeeCee, Disney Files and paper member guides/point charts - all are a waste of money.

6. Poly DVC - thankfully it won't be for awhile, I've added on enough as it is lately!

 

[DMKEDM]

If we ran DVC, we would (presumably) need to make money, right? So why oh why would we discount DDP? It just makes no sense. Will more people buy points if DDP is discounted? (If so, then discounting could be a good idea; if not, I see no reason in the world--if I'm responsible for the financial health of DVC--why I would discount DDP!)

Anyway...I would allow day-by-day wait lists, even if the finances of running MS justify a limit on the number of wait lists. And I'd create an "any villa if the required size" and an "any villa of the required size at any resort" category for the waitlists. (For example, if I need a studio and am willing to stay at any WDW resort and don't care about the view; or I'd take any studio, regardless of view, within one specific resort)...not sure it would cost DVC anything to do this--if it does, same logic applies as to discounting DDP...if it doesn't, it would make for happier members (at least one happier member--me!)

And if somehow changing the terms of the DDP would help contribute to DVC's bottom line, I'd let DDP buyers choose between an appetizer and a desert!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

1. Return the previous banking process that allowed for banking based on calendar quarters to use year.
2. Open up the TOWL to all DVC members.
3. Bring back resort specific merchandise.

 

[com_op_2000]

Upgrade the TV choices at the WDW Resorts to at least basic cable.
Find a way to bundle different non-parks things (IE: putt-putt, movie, and a boat rental) into one discounted ticket. You get the guests to spend extra monies at the world including almost everyone would by drinks, popcorn, and additional items.

 

[Kidanifan08]

1. 20% merchandise discount at parks.
2. Max 10 minute wait for buses.
3. TIW for $50 annually.
4. Allow 10 day reservation at 11 months.
5. Wi-fi at the DVC resorts.
6. 200 day ADR. (I know I'm dreaming, but this is a fantasy list, right?)
7. 2 daily free fastpasses per guest per stay (still dreaming)
8. One trip to a grocery store using a DVC provided limousine service (Dreaming. . .)
9. Every other day towel service.

This is fun!

 

[Breyean]

2. Allow one time use points for purchase of 50 points (instead of the current amount of 24)

More important than the number of points, I think they should allow you to use these at the 11 month window for your home resort.

 

[disneynutz]

Provide clean and well maintained rooms and schedule room ready times based on the Guests arrival time. Offer early arrivals a early room ready for a fee that covers the cost of extra Mousekeepers.

I would be honest with my members and not take away perks or privileges or change the rules or policies and tell them that it was due to requests by the Members.

Bill

 

[dianeschlicht]

First order of business if I owned DVC.....Find a new COO!
Second....Do away with free dining completely (I know this is a Disney thing, but as Disney's top grossing portion of the guest business, I'd put pressure on them to do this).
Third....Keep the theme when the older resorts are refurbished, and make sure there are good quality furnishing and fixtures so they don't look beat up and worn after just one year.
Fourth...Enforce all rules by charging those who break them. I don't care if that is something as simple as smoking in the room or as complex as self extending a stay, but it is only fair to do that. Then I would make sure that money went directly to the upkeep of the resort to help defray cost for the members.

 

[hakepb]

If we ran DVC, we would (presumably) need to make money, right? So why oh why would we discount DDP? It just makes no sense. Will more people buy points if DDP is discounted? (If so, then discounting could be a good idea; if not, I see no reason in the world--if I'm responsible for the financial health of DVC--why I would discount DDP!)

Anyway...I would allow day-by-day wait lists, even if the finances of running MS justify a limit on the number of wait lists. And I'd create an "any villa if the required size" and an "any villa of the required size at any resort" category for the waitlists. (For example, if I need a studio and am willing to stay at any WDW resort and don't care about the view; or I'd take any studio, regardless of view, within one specific resort)...not sure it would cost DVC anything to do this--if it does, same logic applies as to discounting DDP...if it doesn't, it would make for happier members (at least one happier member--me!)

And if somehow changing the terms of the DDP would help contribute to DVC's bottom line, I'd let DDP buyers choose between an appetizer and a desert!

Huh? DVC and Disney Dining are on completely separate books.

As DVC, I would want Disney Dining to offer DDP discounts (they'd sell more plans to get Dining more total $) at least as a minor token for my members that are tired of hearing about "free dining"

Although the best option would be a reasonably priced ala-carte plan (ie build you own number of total credits: appetizer, entree, desert, QS, QS no desert, snacks...)

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I don't know what the answer is but I have just a couple of thoughts:

I'm tired of reading of all the discounts for rooms, free dining for non-members, kids sail free etc. When I bought in the push was to "lock your vacation room rate in now" type of thing. Then the economy tanked and there were even more discounts.

While it's nice to hear "Welcome Home!" that's NOT enough! I just gave you a pile of money! I NEED to feel as if I'm part of an elite group! Roll that red carpet out, have something for me other than a hat to advertise FOR YOU!

And even on cruises of today, cruising on points is pushed as a big sailing point. "Don't you wish you could cruise any time you want? Buy points and you CAN!" really? What we're not told is that it take a gazillion points to cruise and it is restricted beyond belief! By that I mean just cancel due to illness or whatever and see what happens.

Do I have the answer, no. I truly hope someone on here does. I just don't feel "exclusive" and I think that as DVC members we should.

Annual passes, free dining. Give us something worth having.

Sorry and I hope I haven't offended anyone. Just my opinion and I really wish I had the answer!

 

[dianeschlicht]

This thread has deteriorated into a "perks" thread. Since there is already one of those somewhere else on the board, I'm assuming the OP didn't intend that. The question was, "What you would do if you ran DVC"...NOT what perks do you want. Remember, this has to be a successful business venture too.

 

[disneynutz]

First order of business if I owned DVC.....Find a new COO!
Second....Do away with free dining completely (I know this is a Disney thing, but as Disney's top grossing portion of the guest business, I'd put pressure on them to do this).
Third....Keep the theme when the older resorts are refurbished, and make sure there are good quality furnishing and fixtures so they don't look beat up and worn after just one year.
Fourth...Enforce all rules by charging those who break them. I don't care if that is something as simple as smoking in the room or as complex as self extending a stay, but it is only fair to do that. Then I would make sure that money went directly to the upkeep of the resort to help defray cost for the members.

The COO is doing what the new Disney is paying him to do. That's what happens to a company when it's run by bean counters who are more interested in a profit than repeat customer satisfaction.

Bill

 

[Granny]

I would fix the wait list system to give rooms to those on the wait list as soon as they become available. That would eliminate the MS call "Oh, I'm glad you called because you just happened to get the room before someone else who has been wait listed for months."

I would also fix the "walking reservation" system, probably with the solutions Dean has mentioned.

If possible, and fair, I would get reservations on-line.

I would create view classifications at every resort (without re-distributing points) or give resort owners priority on requests regardless of when they booked or check in.

 

[ssawka]

1. Provide "real" online booking that directly links to the inventory system in realtime.
2. Provide a feature to remind members of their banking deadline.
3. Provide WiFi in all DVC resorts
4. Create a special DVC account where members can donate some of their points for charity. Something like give kids the world.

Can you tell I'm a computer geek?

 

[Snurk71]

The COO is doing what the new Disney is paying him to do. That's what happens to a company when it's run by bean counters who are more interested in a profit than repeat customer satisfaction.

Bill

Sidebar...

Hate to break it to you, but the overriding goal of any successful company is to maximize shareholder value/wealth. Some state it directly, others hide behind a veiled mission. But in the boardroom, believe me that it's all about shareholder value.

Good bean counters understand the balance between expenses and customer satisfaction/renewal. Acquisition cost is more expensive than retention in most cases. And no bean counters want to spend more money than they have to.

You would call me a "bean counter". I consider myself a business analyst/consultant that understands how all things in a business convert into dollars and cents.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would fix the wait list system to give rooms to those on the wait list as soon as they become available. That would eliminate the MS call "Oh, I'm glad you called because you just happened to get the room before someone else has been wait listed for months."

I would also fix the "walking reservation" system, probably with the solutions Dean has mentioned.

If possible, and fair, I would get reservations on-line.

I would create view classifications at every resort (without re-distributing points) or give resort owners priority on requests regardless of when they booked or check in.

I like all your ideas, Granny, and all are certainly (or should be) within the realm of very easy to implement. It never ceases to amaze me that those above mentioned "loopholes" haven't been plugged yet.

 

[hakepb]

I would review the allocations of rooms / trade out points to CRO. (It may be fair but no owner actually sees real numbers)
Find out status of resort extension negotiations.
Mandate Disney Resorts provide 12+ months notice for any room-closing renovations (so inventory can be blocked instead of later calling owners, "sorry...")

 

[Sammie]

1. Return the previous banking process that allowed for banking based on calendar quarters to use year.
2. Open up the TOWL to all DVC members.
3. Bring back resort specific merchandise.

I would agree with all of these. The change to banking really messed us up as we have an Oct use year and go in the summer.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Get rid of Dee Vee Cee and the Dis files rag that isn't even worthy of bathroom reading. Save money by stop sending expensive adverts for the new resorts to members. We are a smart group and if we want to buy we will. Don't send out shiny, expensive adverts that I just throw in the trash. Save the money and fix the furniture and room conditions.