Member Day, go or not?

[lenshanem]

Hello! We'll be at AKL in a couple weeks. I'm wondering if I should cnahge our plans and go over to the Member Day festivities? I was planning on possibly taking my Mom and Dad over to BCV Thursday to show them the resort and hopefully the model there since this is our home and we just bought there last May. My Dad is only coming down for a few days so if we go Tuesday he'll miss out.
Anyone been to oen yet? Worth moving around our plans to go to thsi, or no? Thansk for any heads up!
(Wondering if AKL can get me the Member Day schedule? I woudl think one of the DVC resorts could fax it to them? We aren't staying at AKL on points, but thru FTP.))

 

[Cruelladeville]

At Member Day at BW I got a nifty lanyard that says "DVC member" and a pin, so I thought that was worthwhile. Go to BW on Tuesday during your stay, around 5:30 or so, and you can get one. They were out on the green the day we went. At BCV they had the BBQ and lanyardd thing out by the pool.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks. Do you know what time the bCV fesitivites were at?

 

[KNWVIKING]

I'm sure you'll have a fo'nominal' time;-)

 

[lenshanem]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
I'm sure you'll have a fo'nominal' time;-)

Very funny.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
At Member Day at BW I got a nifty lanyard that says "DVC member" and a pin, so I thought that was worthwhile. Go to BW on Tuesday during your stay, around 5:30 or so, and you can get one. They were out on the green the day we went. At BCV they had the BBQ and lanyardd thing out by the pool.

Thanks for the info. Has anyone found out what the "nominal cost" for this is?

 

[MI mom of 3]

We went to the one on July 1st. By the time we made it over for the BBQ they were packing it all up and everyone was coming indoors because of rain. DM and my mom saw that it was $4.00 each for hamburgers and hot dogs. Don't know if that included anything else. If not that seems a little more than 'nominal' to me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by MI mom of 3
We went to the one on July 1st. By the time we made it over for the BBQ they were packing it all up and everyone was coming indoors because of rain. DM and my mom saw that it was $4.00 each for hamburgers and hot dogs. Don't know if that included anything else. If not that seems a little more than 'nominal' to me.

I guess for Disney that is "nominal". Gone forever, I fear are the really great member get togethers, where they served beer, wine, soda and really nice food.

 

[karebear1]

I've been reading on the boards and seeing everyone talk about member days. Can someone please explain it to me, and should we go while we're there?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I guess for Disney that is "nominal". Gone forever, I fear are the really great member get togethers, where they served beer, wine, soda and really nice food.

Disney has not used the term "nominal" for this event, but some have chosen to attribute the quote to DVC and then offer criticism of the event based on the quote. One poster did use the word in a post about the event. Perhaps that poster felt that the charges were nominal.

The "good old days" were also a time when the membership was small and the get togethers were offered by the sales staff (and thus free to those attending) to encourage the program further. At this time, the sales staff has found other means to encourage sales and any cost for such a program would have to come from dues. Apparently DVC has decided to offer the food at "additional charge" (which is the real quote used by DVC) to avoid forcing all members to cover the expense. There is no cost to attend the activities- the "additional charge" is only for those who choose to eat at the BBQ. If the cost is more than you can justify, there is no need to partake in that portion of the evening. Just enjoy the other activities!

From the DVC Member's Site:

Tuesday is Member Day!

Disney Vacation Club has created something special for your family to enjoy this summer at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Member Day, held each Tuesday from July 1 through September 2, 2003, features exciting events, activities, and surprises arranged just for Members like you!
Member Day kicks off with fun-filled activities and special offers at the Disney Vacation Club Resorts. For a detailed list, consult the Member Day flyer and the article in Perk Pages located in your check-in folder.

In the evening, join us at Disney's BoardWalk Resort for our Member Day Celebration.* The festivities begin at Disney's BoardWalk Resort with our Member Day Dedication Ceremony, hosted by a special Disney guest. Join us on the Village Green at 5:30 pm SHARP.

Back along the boardwalk, there's even more magic:
(click here to view event map)

Disney Character Meet & Greets
The latest Disney Vacation Club Membership Information and Model Room Tours
Member Day Guest Speaker
Fun at our Kids' Korner
Member Dance Party at Atlantic Dance Hall
Pin trading opportunities
Member Day merchandise
Then we're lighting the grill (and one candle) because it's time for the Member Day Barbecue, celebrating the first anniversary of Disney's Beach Club Villas. Head over to Dunes Cove Pool area for hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, soda, beer, wine, and the Member Day Drink Special (all for an additional charge). Music and kids' games are also on the menu. Members who attend the barbecue will be eligible for a chance to win a magical prize.

Plus, receive a special souvenir for participating in our Member Challenge! See the Member Day packet in your check-in folder for details. You'll also learn how to invite family and friends to experience the magic.

 

[DeeP]

I think it sounds like a lot of fun and I am glad the cost of the food is not being absorbed by DVC dues and as Doc said, the sales dept does not need this promotion since sales are doing just fine without this additional expense. DVC is doing this mostly as a very nice thing for the members, I wish it was being extended beyond the beginning of Sept. I will just miss it by 12 days Also $4 is not a lot for a hamburger or hot dog when compared to park prices and in the big picture of WDW expenses it is a drop in the bucket! LOL!

 

[BCV23]

Ditto to what Doc said.

We were at BCV 6/29-7/4 but didn't attend any of the Member Day activities. At checkin we received a packet with admission tickets, questions to fill out for the challenge and a list of the activites at all the DVC locations. The BBQ was supposed to be 6-8 weather permitting. In case of rain, the event was to be moved into the Breezeway with specialty drinks offered at an additional cost rather than the burgers, etc.. Nominal wasn't used anywhere.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Disney has not used the term "nominal" for this event, but some have chosen to attribute the quote to DVC and then offer criticism of the event based on the quote. One poster did use the word in a post about the event. Perhaps that poster felt that the charges were nominal.

The "good old days" were also a time when the membership was small and the get togethers were offered by the sales staff (and thus free to those attending) to encourage the program further. At this time, the sales staff has found other means to encourage sales and any cost for such a program would have to come from dues. Apparently DVC has decided to offer the food at "additional charge" (which is the real quote used by DVC) to avoid forcing all members to cover the expense. There is no cost to attend the activities- the "additional charge" is only for those who choose to eat at the BBQ. If the cost is more than you can justify, there is no need to partake in that portion of the evening. Just enjoy the other activities!

From the DVC Member's Site:

Tuesday is Member Day!

Disney Vacation Club has created something special for your family to enjoy this summer at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Member Day, held each Tuesday from July 1 through September 2, 2003, features exciting events, activities, and surprises arranged just for Members like you!
Member Day kicks off with fun-filled activities and special offers at the Disney Vacation Club Resorts. For a detailed list, consult the Member Day flyer and the article in Perk Pages located in your check-in folder.

In the evening, join us at Disney's BoardWalk Resort for our Member Day Celebration.* The festivities begin at Disney's BoardWalk Resort with our Member Day Dedication Ceremony, hosted by a special Disney guest. Join us on the Village Green at 5:30 pm SHARP.

Back along the boardwalk, there's even more magic:
(click here to view event map)

Disney Character Meet & Greets
The latest Disney Vacation Club Membership Information and Model Room Tours
Member Day Guest Speaker
Fun at our Kids' Korner
Member Dance Party at Atlantic Dance Hall
Pin trading opportunities
Member Day merchandise
Then we're lighting the grill (and one candle) because it's time for the Member Day Barbecue, celebrating the first anniversary of Disney's Beach Club Villas. Head over to Dunes Cove Pool area for hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, soda, beer, wine, and the Member Day Drink Special (all for an additional charge). Music and kids' games are also on the menu. Members who attend the barbecue will be eligible for a chance to win a magical prize.

Plus, receive a special souvenir for participating in our Member Challenge! See the Member Day packet in your check-in folder for details. You'll also learn how to invite family and friends to experience the magic.

I don't have a problem with this, Doc. And, the cost really is not important and I don't have a problem with it, I was just wondering. I also understand that the good ole days were a sales tool and the cost would be outrageous at this point.
Frankly, I am glad they are not using member money to fund this event. It would be terribly unfair to expect all members to cover the cost for the folks that attend.
My response: re: nominal, was that a burger at Disney for 4.00 is nominal compared to other things there.

 

[PamOKW]

The member site has pictures and a write-up about the first event. They have a character, "Deevey See", on the porch at BWV. LOL!

I think there may be a bit of "salemanship" involved with this. They seem to be making a big splash that non-members will see and maybe get them curious. SSR is going to be a tougher sell since it's not on the main drag where people will run into by accident, a la Boardwalk DVC. Time to start drumming up interest.

 

[nops]

We just got back from BWV and was there for Member Day. After filling out the card that we received on check-in, all of us recieved a lanyard and pin. We all got different pins, that worked out well for the kids, they got to choose. Also, there were some activitities for the kids along the Boardwalk that they enjoyed. There was coloring, scrapbook pages to make.
Make sure to take advantage of the free Pal Mickey rental that you got in your folder.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I think there may be a bit of "salemanship" involved with this. They seem to be making a big splash that non-members will see and maybe get them curious. SSR is going to be a tougher sell since it's not on the main drag where people will run into by accident, a la Boardwalk DVC. Time to start drumming up interest. [/B]

Oh excellent point Pam.

 

[lenshanem]

Originally posted by nops
We just got back from BWV and was there for Member Day. After filling out the card that we received on check-in, all of us recieved a lanyard and pin. We all got different pins, that worked out well for the kids, they got to choose. Also, there were some activitities for the kids along the Boardwalk that they enjoyed. There was coloring, scrapbook pages to make.
Make sure to take advantage of the free Pal Mickey rental that you got in your folder.

So I guess that even though I'm a member, but staying at AKL thsi trip on cash instead of points that I can't get the member lanyard?

 

[Carlnne]

So I guess that even though I'm a member, but staying at AKL thsi trip on cash instead of points that I can't get the member lanyard?

If you check in with cash just ask for the member packet or stop by the dvc desk and ask. It will include the card to fill out for the lanyard. The cards were laying all over at the beach club. You need to write your member number on the form so make sure you have it. The for needs to be complete or they will not take it (some of the questions are a pain).

Member day at boardwalk is only worth it if you are staying at BW or BC. Other resorts get cheated- they should offer the lanyards at any resort! I went by myself because it was too hard to travel from OKW with little ones at 5:30 and the rude dvc young workers would only give me ONE lanyard because my 2 children were not with me. I was too tired to complain and did not get upset until I had to return to the room.

 

[DeeP]

After reading this thread I wonder if maybe responses such as this are not the reason why DVC doesn't do more events like this! Jeez.......it is too expensive, they are not giving away free lanyards/pins in fair locations, it is an underlying sales pitch, etc., etc.!!
Come on! They probably are holding the member's BBQ at BWV and BCV for 2 big reasons: BCV is still available for sale and both resorts are conducive to handling this type of event and both are in central, easy locations for DVC members to get to.
The cost is only if you wish to purchase food or drink. The cost of both are very reasonable and are being handled the way they should........if individuals attending these events do not pay for their food and drink then who do you thing should absorb the cost? I know I don't want to unless I am one of the DVC members at one of these member BBQ's!!!
Is not a small part of the member days for the promotion of selling off BCV and promoting SS??? Yes, I am sure it is. But I think another large part of these events are results of the DVC focus groups they have been very actively holding for the past 6 months. I attended a focus group in Dec and another in May and both had a large focus on member benefits and how members felt about our benefits/treatment as DVC members. Maybe I look at everything at WDW with Mickey colored glasses, but I believe a big part of the member days is just DVC doing something nice for their members!!!!
As far as the lanyards not being given out in fair locations or someone not being able to get more than one lanyard & pin for absent children, come on..... the giving of a gift is just supposed to be an additional extra nice thing for attendees and not the reason for attending the member days BBQ! Also as a Disney pin collector who has attended many WDW pin events......Disney pins are very collectible to many people including many DVC members and if they were freely giving out LE DVC member day pins and lanyards to nonexistent people they would have had a riot on their hands! LOL!!
Why can't we just look at the member days BBQ as what it is........a nice event for members to go and socialize with other members, enjoy some entertainment, get a bite to eat if you desire and even get a nice gift?????

 

[lenshanem]

Originally posted by DeeP

Come on! They probably are holding the member's BBQ at BWV and BCV for 2 big reasons: BCV is still available for sale and both resorts are conducive to handling this type of event and both are in central, easy locations for DVC members to get to.
The cost is only if you wish to purchase food or drink. The cost of both are very reasonable and are being handled the way they should........if individuals attending these events do not pay for their food and drink then who do you thing should absorb the cost? I know I don't want to unless I am one of the DVC members at one of these member BBQ's!!!
Is not a small part of the member days for the promotion of selling off BCV and promoting SS??? Yes, I am sure it is.

Here's another way to look at it, though...
Since this will probably entice members to add on or gaining people's interest to join that happen to come across these events by chance then why doesn't the cost of some cheap hotdogs and buns come out of the DVC advertising budget, not DVC members dues? (That is what the argument is about here, right? Worrying about paying for something like this out of your dues?) True, I'm a sucker any day when it comes to WDW, but let's face it. WDW, DVC...they are making money off us. It is fun to think that as DVC members we are special, but the reality is it is all about more money. Isn't it always? Do most companies do things extra to please their customers out of the kindness of their hearts? I doubt it, but if they are that great they are still probably hoping you'll spend some more money while enjoying the festivities! LOL