Jim Lewis Fired from WDWCo

[disneynutz]

Ironically, that is some of what I am talking about. Why should any member have any input on who or what DVC does with this position? Of course we are the ultimate customer, but we are only that, customers. We are not board members or active voters.

Almost like saying, I would have input into who Reebok hires as VP because I wear Reebok shoes.

I would rather DVC takes their time and hires an interim, then does a thorough search for a replacement.

Because we are a CLUB!

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

If JL receives a severance, how would that be paid?
Isn't employee wages figured into our MF's, thus including JL's salary and severance?

He was an employee of Disney and his salary and benefits are not paid by the members. We do pay a set fee to the company that manages the DVC for us but we wouldn't directly pay him anything.

Bill

 

[sgtdisney]

Ding dong, the witch is dead? Sorry, but this is good news to me. I am a long time owner, since 1992. In my opinion too many things have changed since JL's tenure, and most were not for the better. While I suppose it could get worse, I really am hoping it will get better.

Now, my question is this. Will we get our peach bath towels and placemats and cloth napkins back?

 

[Oglet]

He was an employee of Disney and his salary and benefits are not paid by the members. We do pay a set fee to the company that manages the DVC for us but we wouldn't directly pay him anything.

Bill

Are you really sure about that, reason I ask is because of something I experienced while working as a store manager for a large company.

My Salary was paid by corporate office however It was also classified as labor on my P&L reports which my store had to absorb and factor in each month.

Would it not be fair to say that although Disney is technically paying him it is a possibility that DVC had allocated his salary into their operating expenses? If that is the case then a good argument could be made that DVC members did fund his paycheck.

Now, my question is this. Will we get our peach bath towels and placemats and cloth napkins back?

Nope, they are going on the new Monorail Peach Party train.

 

[quirty30]

Darn. I was really hoping to see Jim Lewis on a future episode of "Undercover Boss."

 

[Shadeaux]

Ding dong, the witch is dead?

LOL, that was the exact thing that went through my mind when I first read the news. We've been members since '94 and have been seriously thinking about selling our points due to some of the "enhancements" that have been put in place since JL came into the picture. I think for now we're going to hold off and see what happens.

We can blame a lot of stuff on Jim Lewis, but I think he's off the hook for the disappearance of the peach towels, placemats & cloth napkins.

 

[Sammie]

Very good post. You will never please anyone and any changes will be met with resistance. And if you don't change things, than they will complain that you aren't doing anything new.

As for everyone that is trying to figure out why JL was fired, you also have to remember it might have NOTHING to do with Hawaii, Member feedback or even HR issues. He might have had a serious conflict of interest with another timeshare company, he may have embezzled a million dollars, he could have had an affair with someone in the office. Point being, while so many here on the DIS hate him and thing he was the worst thing in the world.....WDW very well may have been forced to fire him for some offense that we will never know, but would have rather kept him around.

But if he did any of those things then he is not the best leader for DVC. I for one could care less about perks, even valet parking, discounted APs, free internet, which is not really free, we pay for it. etc, etc.

When I bought; I bought a time share I felt would be managed as well as Disney resorts or I would not have bought. I did not buy anything else and don't care if I don't get more.

But recently Disney resorts have looked alot better in housekeeping and maintenance than DVC. And I personally really feel that JL was more interested in the bottom line and how good it made him look than the product.

He cut costs at BLT, he cut costs at OKW and he was not concerned that it would last because he knew the members would be the ones to eventually have to pay for it. I can assure you, that you will never see repainted furniture at the Yacht Club. I don't buy that dues would have gone up, they went up anyway. I think he was obsessed with being the worst kind of penny pencher. One who is willing to throw the product under the bus to make himself look good. He wanted to get the President position at Disneyland.

He ridiculed us and his employees and lost touch with those that worked for him and the membership.

He lost his focus and it happened about the time he asked us to support his membership to the Timeshare Association.

I know that everyone will never agree to all the changes DVC makes; it would be impossible. But those changes will be received better if delivered with the respect we deserve instead of the canned, based on Member Feedback and talked down to like we are simple minded.

I have been a member since the 90s and not once have I been polled about anything.

And yes for a long time I have been disppointed in JL and much of it was based on the fact that I was privvy to what was going on behind the scenes.

Unless the format changes for Disney Files we should hear from the new President in the next issue.

Considering I am sure the new President is already on the job, I think a nice move would be to announce it on the member site instead of waiting for Disney Files.

 

[sznk]

I think Dee Vee Cee is how Jim Lewis views us. He sees us as middle age, overweight, load mouth, low IQ, happy folks. Rather insulting really.
Would rather be the old guy from the movie "UP". At least he was an adventurer...

wow, seriously? all that hate for Dee Vee? I couldn't agree LESS.

 

[Spencerfamilynj]

I guess this is why I can't log onto the DVC website. Since I couldn't do that, I came to DIS (my next stop anyway). Very surprised to read the news. Was out of touch since we were traveling back from HHI. Hope this isn't like The Who - "meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

 

[DaveH]

From what I have read the mess in Hawaii is enough for him to go. My guess the fines go to the sales side of DVD. I know there are issues at the resorts. I suspect some of them were done to keep the dues down. Was it wise? It seems not. I met the man once. I was asking things about DVC and he only wanted to talk about the newest resort to be sold. He seemed to talk down to us. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All smart organizations have succession planning, so if they lose someone in the chain, there is someone to take that person's place. I'm sure Disney had someone in mind to step up to the position. Even if it is an interim person to take over until the position is filled.

 

[aan1701]

wow, seriously? all that hate for Dee Vee? I couldn't agree LESS.

Yup, I have nothing but hate for Dee Vee Cee. I never want to see a person lose a job, especially in this economy, but I hope she goes too. I can't stand her.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yup, I have nothing but hate for Dee Vee Cee. I never want to see a person lose a job, especially in this economy, but I hope she goes too. I can't stand her.

She's probably a very lovely person in real life and I'm sure they will find a spot somewhere for her that doesn't require her to resume her Deevy Cee persona. Lose the wig, the screech and the accent and she could still help sell DVC.

 

[RobDoc]

Dee Vee Cee is a character - and the CM who plays her also has multiple other roles within Disney. Dee Vee Cee is a pretty minor role in the daily activities at WDW.

You can see the same actress on Main Street and also on Hollywood Blvd playing other roles - so rest assured that she still has a role at WDW whether some DVC members like the character or not.

 

[rutgers1]

A few thoughts:
1) Someone mentioned that they had never been polled about DVC. I was just at BWV a few weeks ago, and there was a woman polling people in the lobby. I am not sure what she was asking, but she was there. Also, don't they ask you to take a poll at the end of Member Services calls? Once again, I have never taken it, but I do recall it being there.

2) I don't like Deeveecee. Like others, I feel she reflects poorly on DVC and the people who are members. Although there are a few people here and there who like her, I would guess that the vast majority of members can't stand her. I can see why members would feel that Jim was out of touch by keeping her employed.

3) I don't like reading his columns in the Disney Files. I feel like I am reading something penned by a slickster politician. He doesn't have to sell anything to us or talk to us in a fake cheery condescending tone.

4) With all that said, I think that the people who complain about the condition of the DVC resorts are the same types who have been complaining that Disney overall has been doing downhill since the day it opened its doors. The resorts are high traffic resorts catering to families, so there are always going to be some bumps in the road. I have always found the DVC staff to be very attentive. Furthermore, I have never had a bad vacation. On top of that, members have long clamored for more vacationing options, so how can anyone be upset with the fact that new resorts have been going up right and left?

5) I'm all for some constructive criticism. Like many of you, I paid money that I didn't necessarily have to DVC, and I often feel that I should get some extra perks in exchange for guaranteeing them a lifelong Disney visitor. Yet I feel that we should temper some of our criticisms. I think that some people tend to idealize the past, look at the present under a microscope, and get too upset when things don't meet their heightened Disney expectations.

 

[Sammie]

A few thoughts:
1) Someone mentioned that they had never been polled about DVC. I was just at BWV a few weeks ago, and there was a woman polling people in the lobby. I am not sure what she was asking, but she was there. Also, don't they ask you to take a poll at the end of Member Services calls? Once again, I have never taken it, but I do recall it being there.

2) I don't like Deeveecee. Like others, I feel she reflects poorly on DVC and the people who are members. Although there are a few people here and there who like her, I would guess that the vast majority of members can't stand her. I can see why members would feel that Jim was out of touch by keeping her employed.

3) I don't like reading his columns in the Disney Files. I feel like I am reading something penned by a slickster politician. He doesn't have to sell anything to us or talk to us in a fake cheery condescending tone.

4) With all that said, I think that the people who complain about the condition of the DVC resorts are the same types who have been complaining that Disney overall has been doing downhill since the day it opened its doors. The resorts are high traffic resorts catering to families, so there are always going to be some bumps in the road. I have always found the DVC staff to be very attentive. Furthermore, I have never had a bad vacation. On top of that, members have long clamored for more vacationing options, so how can anyone be upset with the fact that new resorts have been going up right and left?

5) I'm all for some constructive criticism. Like many of you, I paid money that I didn't necessarily have to DVC, and I often feel that I should get some extra perks in exchange for guaranteeing them a lifelong Disney visitor. Yet I feel that we should temper some of our criticisms. I think that some people tend to idealize the past, look at the present under a microscope, and get too upset when things don't meet their heightened Disney expectations.

So if you got a dirty room that had multiple items broken you would be ok with that. Or are you saying because you have been lucky enough not to experience it, it does not exist.

 

[Donna DeVil]

I took one of those polls at Boardwalk in July. I was pleased that they asked for my opinions, but I really didn't expect any action beyond that. I will be thrilled with the departure of JL if our customer service levels return to those of years past & we again are treated with a bit of respect instead of always getting lame excuses & attitude.

Things I complained about in that survey:
1. messed up bill at checkout
2. broken table in room
3. getting kicked out of the pool for not having a room key on me (Hubby was taking a nap in the room. my teenage daughter & I went for a quick dip before dinner. We gave the lifeguard our names & room number, but he made us leave because we didn't have a room key & proceeded to give us lip--"Just how do you intend to get back in your room?"!
4. no one said "Welcome Home"...the entire stay

I was a cast member back in 94 under Eisner. I know a lot of people hate him, but a cast member would have never gotten away with displaying the attitude of the lifeguard to guests. Period. I think Disney would do well to remember a bit of that. Here's hoping!

 

[disneychic]

I can't believe I missed this MAJOR news! I am 1/2 tempted to wake my husband up and tell him that JL is finally gone from our beloved DVC! Here's hoping we start to see some positive changes real soon!

 

[sissy_ib]

A few thoughts:
1) Someone mentioned that they had never been polled about DVC. I was just at BWV a few weeks ago, and there was a woman polling people in the lobby. I am not sure what she was asking, but she was there. Also, don't they ask you to take a poll at the end of Member Services calls? Once again, I have never taken it, but I do recall it being there.

I have never been polled in a resort so I don't know what kinds of questions are asked. Every time I am stopped in the parks it is demographic research. As for the surveys at the end of the calls, they are about the actual call not DVC in general. Generic questions like "was this the first time you called about this issue?" or "was your issue resolved today" and some questions about the CM you talked to.

After I stayed at Vero beach I got an email survey to fill out. That was over a year ago so I don't remember what the questions were but some were resort specific.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Corporate errors costing big $$$ demand a sacrificial lamb.

Jim Lewis is that sacrifice.


I don't believe that he would be let go for saving money by being cheap with things like furniture and a lack of valet. The corporation would reward him for these moves.

Now that he is gone, they have a convenient scapegoat for said cuts.