Jim Lewis has a new boss...

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've had a thought for awhile that Disney could sell off property with some kind of deal that they would have off-property points and on-property points. I'm not sure exactly how it would work points wise in terms of banking and borrowing.

The premise would be that there would be a resort somewhere maybe on the Gulf Coast lor wherever that would be there home resort...but half of their points would be at a WDW resort that is yet to be built.

It would allow them to own at whatever destination, and have a chance at WDW as well without gumming up the system. They might would be required to stay at this new Disney resort when staying on property, or get a chance at the other DVC resorts at the 4 month mark or something.

It goes back to the idea that some people are happy just to be in Lake Buena Vista on Disney property!!

 

[Disneycouple99]

But DCL and ABD are already outside the berms of the theme park. Why would he reference expanding outside the theme parks if he was talking about two areas that only exist currently outside the theme parks?

The part that reads "president of Disney Cruise Line and the Adventures By Disney tour business" is written as an independent clause in a compound sentence. So take it out of the sentence and it's not supposed to change the integrity of the sentence. It would then read:

At the same time, Staggs tapped Karl Holz to take on oversight of Disney Vacation Club, the company's time-share business. Holz will also join Staggs' executive committee.

"Karl will be responsible for creating consistent and engaging guest experiences as they expand to new markets and destinations outside the berms of our theme parks," Staggs wrote in his memo. "These operations are an important driver of growth in our segment and a critical part of our efforts to build upon and broaden Disney's reputation for delivering magical experiences to our guests, both inside and outside the berm."


Written this way, there is no doubt what they are referring to. However, the writer might have misappropriated a comma.

I am not trying to be combative and appreciate your position, but would like to know what I'm missing.

After reading the full memo it seems that the Sentinel edited it. I am going to revise my view and say that it is more likley now refering to DVC,

 

[disneynutz]

What ever Staggs meant, you can be sure that the growth will be good for Disney and not necessarily good for DVC Members. Booking at 7 months at WDW will become like a contest with family members speed dialing to make a reservation before the computers crash, and waiting in a 1 hour phone que if you can get past the fast busies.

Disney knows that most of their outside the berm buyers will be staying at WDW and that's where the money is to be made. How many times do you try to book at one of the 500 destinations before you give up and go to WDW where there is more to offer. Will people really buy a DC or NY membership with the intention for going there every year for vacation?

The real down side is that the more sales the Disney makes, the more members end up selling their ownership. The more resales on the market, the lower the prices. Great if you are a resale buyer, not so great if you are a seller.

Bill

 

[BeesKnees]

What ever Staggs meant, you can be sure that the growth will be good for Disney and not necessarily good for DVC Members. Booking at 7 months at WDW will become like a contest with family members speed dialing to make a reservation before the computers crash, and waiting in a 1 hour phone que if you can get past the fast busies.

Disney did not make VB, HI, or Hawaii desirable vacation spots. They were that way when DVC arrived. As long as they continue to build in similiar vacation hot spots I see no reason to be alarmed. The variety might be nice.

 

[crisi]

I'd rather see offsite expansion than onsite expansion. I think DVC is overbuilt on site. To attract new members to DVC, Disney needs a product that appeals to people who want to vacation more places than Disney - they've gotten almost all the Disneyphiles - you see that in their current marketing.

And I'd like to see international DVC offerings. Mexico or the Carribean first off.

 

[CMOORE185]

Disney did not make VB, HI, or Hawaii desirable vacation spots. They were that way when DVC arrived. As long as they continue to build in similiar vacation hot spots I see no reason to be alarmed. The variety might be nice.

I agree with this. I think as long as outside destinations are desirable it will make very little difference in booking at WDW.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Personally, I'm all for expansion. The more options the better. If we don't like a location, we won't stay there. If we want to stay somewhere most of the time, we'll own there.

With approximately 45 million WDW DVC points and plenty of room to expand, I don't see WDW points being that big an issue. If it becomes more difficult to book all WDW properties at 7 months, DVD will be happy to build a new WDW DVC property and sell millions more points.

I'd rather see offsite expansion than onsite expansion. I think DVC is overbuilt on site. To attract new members to DVC, Disney needs a product that appeals to people who want to vacation more places than Disney - they've gotten almost all the Disneyphiles - you see that in their current marketing.

And I'd like to see international DVC offerings. Mexico or the Carribean first off.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on it. I love going to WDW, but I fully plan to visit HH, VB and Hawaii over the arc of my time with DVC as well, so the more options, the better. Would love to see a DVC property in the Caribbean, or Colorado.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Is it just me or is "outside the berm" an odd phrase.

I'm fairly educated, but NEVER hear this term. Is the word "berm" used much in other parts of the U.S.? (I'm in the Deep South.)

Please do not make jokes about ill educated Southerners.

 

[Brian Noble]

Is it just me or is "outside the berm" an odd phrase.

It comes from Disneyland's original design. The park is surrounded by an earthen wall, (a "berm"), to prevent guests inside the park from being able to see the "outside world".

So, in the usage here, "outside the berm" roughly means "not associated with a theme park." So, Aulani, HHI, and VB are "outside the berm". GCV and the WDW resorts are not.

 

[Hunclemarco]

I was just signing on to post this... it's also located here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_executives_receive_promotions.htm

 

[crisi]

Is it just me or is "outside the berm" an odd phrase.

I'm fairly educated, but NEVER hear this term. Is the word "berm" used much in other parts of the U.S.? (I'm in the Deep South.)

Please do not make jokes about ill educated Southerners.

We use the word "berm" in my house all Winter. Its that end of the driveway snowplow created ridge. (As in "@$%!, I have to go shovel the berm!") However, we are a strange family that has been known to actually USE the word antidisestablishmentarist in a sentence. I don't think berm is a common word for the snowplow ridge outside my house.

 

[marynvince]

I'm for DVC expansion wherever it occurs. New GF DVC, looking forward to trying it. DVC in Arizona or Colorado, sounds good to me. Bought for WDW and ended up adding on at HHI. If they can establish other locations ilke that which i have become accustom to with current locations inside and outside the Berm, then I'll have more choices and Disney will get more or even all of our vacation dollars.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We use the word "berm" in my house all Winter. Its that end of the driveway snowplow created ridge. (As in "@$%!, I have to go shovel the berm!") However, we are a strange family that has been known to actually USE the word antidisestablishmentarist in a sentence. I don't think berm is a common word for the snowplow ridge outside my house.

I've always been caught having to change my words for others. A few years ago during discussions for a large construction project at church, several people presented the plans and referred to the porte cochere. I had heard the term on a few other occasions and then added it to my vocabulary...until...I used the word with people outside the church. I got blank stares, and confused looks. Whatever. Now,unless I'm talking to someone really educated or an architect, its a porch. Sad.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

this will be very interesting here we go again

 

[wildernessDad]

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[tjkraz]

What ever Staggs meant, you can be sure that the growth will be good for Disney and not necessarily good for DVC Members. Booking at 7 months at WDW will become like a contest with family members speed dialing to make a reservation before the computers crash, and waiting in a 1 hour phone que if you can get past the fast busies.

Honestly even if there is a negative impact on 7 month bookings at the theme park resorts, this sort of result would be decades away from manifesting itself.

Disney knows that most of their outside the berm buyers will be staying at WDW and that's where the money is to be made. How many times do you try to book at one of the 500 destinations before you give up and go to WDW where there is more to offer. Will people really buy a DC or NY membership with the intention for going there every year for vacation?

That's a pretty narrow view of other people's vacation habits. Marriott Vacation Club has over 50 different destinations and their customer base doesn't flock exclusively to the Orlando area.

If Disney does continue to build outside the parks, they will undoubtedly attract buyers who are interested in those destinations. And any new destinations will also appeal to existing owners, which frees-up theme park resort availability.

Look at Aulani. Even when complete, Aulani will only represent about 10% of all DVC accommodations. To oversimplify, that means if each owner takes one trip to Aulani every 10 years, the resort will essentially be full year-round. And every point from SSR, AKV, BLT, etc. which is used at Aulani frees-up WDW accommodations.

The real down side is that the more sales the Disney makes, the more members end up selling their ownership. The more resales on the market, the lower the prices. Great if you are a resale buyer, not so great if you are a seller.

Bill

You're ignoring the reasons behind selling in the first place. One of the primary reasons for people to get rid of their DVC ownership is loss of interest in the theme parks. Adding more non-park destinations will improve the quality of the program for existing owners who no longer have a desire to visit WDW or DL.

 

[lisareniff]

So who did Jim Lewis report to before? Are they adding another layer?

I can see this as a good thing. It seems that DCL and ABD are doing things right, DVC could use a little more of that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So who did Jim Lewis report to before? Are they adding another layer?

I can see this as a good thing. It seems that DCL and ABD are doing things right, DVC could use a little more of that.

I was thinking something similar. Does Jim think of this as a downgrade for himself or upgrade. I could see him wanting to be the big boss over DCL and ABD as well as DVC.

 

[tjkraz]

So who did Jim Lewis report to before? Are they adding another layer?

I can see this as a good thing. It seems that DCL and ABD are doing things right, DVC could use a little more of that.

Lewis reported to Al Weiss, who was president of domestic parks and resorts (WDW and DL.)

Weiss retired. They put Meg Crofton (WDW president) in charge of WDW, DL AND DL Paris, and basically removed DVC from that grouping and gave it to Karl Holz who also oversees DCL and AbD.

In some ways DVC seems like a better fit with such ancillary, non-park products as DCL and AbD. However, there may not be as much cynergy with the parks anymore.

When Weiss oversaw all of the WDW and DL resorts and parks, in theory Lewis could lobby his boss for member perks, trade values, etc. Weiss would have had the authority to address such things personally. Now you'll have an extra layer with Lewis/Holz on one side and Crofton on the other.

 

[ToddyLu]

Just as many people complain of SSR or AKV messing up the system, it is just one more group that will be competing for rooms at the 7 month mark.

Every time this comes up it just frosts my grits and burns my BERM. DH and I own points at AKV, we have only stayed at AKV and will continue to only stay at AKV--DH is a DVC resort purist. We are using our membership as outlined in the purchase agreement. I realize this wasn't a personal attack and was illustrating the point at hand--"messing up the system was inappropriate." Just saying.....