Member Day, go or not?

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by lenshanem
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?)

You are assuming that this is a sales event but it has been promoted by DVC as a member's social event - thus the need to fill out membership information in order to get the lanyards and pins intended for members.

As for the food, if it were a sales event, why would it be held in a casual setting like around a pool and how many "cheap hotdogs and buns" (no one who's gone has described the food options in that fashion, but perhaps you have some other information) should they have available for the thousands of guests at WDW every Tuesday in the summer who might "happen to come across" free food?

DVC has found many other ways to attract potential owners than with "cheap hotdogs". This doesn't come out of the advertising budget, since it's not intended as advertising. Their prime focus on advertising recently has been the kiosks in all resorts, parks and DD - followed by word-of-mouth referral by existing members.

Just think of it as a recreational expense- like the children's programs held at each resort. This one is intended for all DVC members who are interested in socializing with other members- if someone wants information about an add-on, I'm sure there will be opportunity to have that provided at the event, but that is NOT the reason for the event. There are children's activities and family activities and some give-aways (I'll assume those do come from the sales staff and not from dues), but the main focus is on providing a means for members to get together in one place at one time (that was one of the most consistent praises for the Member Cruise last winter).

If anyone feels that this is just a sales promotion, by all means avoid it- or just go and pick up the freebies being offered and then leave. It is not a required activity by any means.

 

[lenshanem]

FYI - Just went to DVC member website. There is now a map of the festivities, althoght it says more info on reverse side (using acrobat), but you can't get to it! Anyway, at leats it gives you an idea as to what they are having. I particulary like #5 - Add-On 101. LOl Not a sales ploy?
Regardless, we still might go to at least BCV so I can show my Mom the place. Any idea as to how late the modles will be open on a Member day?

 

[KNWVIKING]

**** "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........ " ****

Someone posted $4.00 for a burger, $1.50 bag of chips, $2.50 soda- I'll assume a 20 oz bottle. I'm sorry, but for the type of event they are advertising, I don't think these prices are very reasonable. They are park prices and park prices are heavy on profit. I'm not saying they should give the food away or pay for it thru our dues, but IMO these prices are twice as high as I think they should be. I know I'm in the minority here, and I usually have semi-rose colored glasses on for most things Disney and DVC, but I think DVC could do better.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by 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?????

Great post DeeP!!!! I totally agree and I am so sorry I even brought up cost in my post.

Handing out lanyards to people not there should not be an issue.
If you want one, be there. Your rationale might be legit, but, how many others are there just to get extras to sell on EBAY? Just expanding on your thoughts.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by lenshanem
FYI - Just went to DVC member website. There is now a map of the festivities, althoght it says more info on reverse side (using acrobat), but you can't get to it! Anyway, at leats it gives you an idea as to what they are having. I particulary like #5 - Add-On 101. LOl Not a sales ploy?

If you read the description of the "Add-On 101" activity you would have found this:

"Discover how to enjoy even more magic during our informal, informative session with a special guest from Interval International."

Call it a sales ploy if you wish (and avoid that activity at all costs) or plan to see what they may have to say about the exchange option of your membership. It is your choice- no one is required to attend the activity. There is also an activity where you can sign up for model tours and get any information you'd like about your DVC membership. Again, be sure to avoid it if you don't want to be subjected to a sales ploy.

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
Someone posted $4.00 for a burger, $1.50 bag of chips, $2.50 soda- I'll assume a 20 oz bottle. I'm sorry, but for the type of event they are advertising, I don't think these prices are very reasonable. They are park prices and park prices are heavy on profit.

If the food is too expensive for your tastes, just stay away from that portion of the Member's Day activity. Eating there is not required! (Heaven forbid that the food service contracted by DVC should make a profit.)

 

[FredS]

and generally it was a positive experience. I got lanyards for all four members of my family even though they weren't standing with me when I checked in with my card. The CM's working the event were very, very nice and seemed excited and a bit nervous. They let me check in early since we had reservations for the Fantasmic dinner package and didn't plan to hang around long. We did mix and mingle a bit with other DVC owners and I liked that part of it.

BTW, the Member Day pins are NOT the pins which are given out with the lanyards. The Member Day pins are available for purchase, but the pins distributed by DVC to members were just miscellaneous Disney pins intended for trading with others -- part of the social interaction they were aiming for, I would imagine.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

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.

Good point. Someone has to pay for it. Might be worth checking out. Heck, it might be a darn good burger.

 

[Carlnne]

Some of you are twisting what I said- I only got one lanyard but did not make a federal case of it- it simply bothered me that there were several people( and if you were there FredS you saw them) walking around with dozens of layards around their necks! I only wanted 2 and have NO intention of selling them on ebay! My point was MAINLY that the difficulty of traveling from OKW to BW for the event might not be worth it to everybody.

I pay dues just like everyone else here and had my membership card with me- I do not expect a free ride. I loved everything about our trip whether or not member day exists at all.

 

[FredS]

Carlnne -- I wasn't disputing or disagreeing with what you said.. I would have been ticked if they had refused to give me more than one lanyard, particularly if I had made that trek and had to go back with only one. I didn't stay long enough to see people with several, but that obviously was not appropriate, either. Your complaint was certainly reasonable and you should feel free to make that comment without anyone twisting your words. Sounds like your feelings were similar to mine -- decent enough event, but not worth a lot of effort or change of plans to attend, but that is okay becuase I don't feel that DVC is required to put on a major soiree for me to appreciate my membership, though.

We also made the trip from Ft. Wilderness and it was a bit of a hassle. (We had to get the info packet from VWL.) Transportation to and from BW/BC is not particularly easy or convenient unless you are at Epcot or MGM.

Glad we went though, because I do like the lanyards! We also bought pins and shirts which are pretty cool. Of course, that just did that much more damage to our souvenir "budget"

 

[CaptainMidnight]

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......

.....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?????

Good points DeeP. After all, while maybe not the only true DVC resort, BCV has been called the "Grand Floridian of the Crecent Lake area."

 

[HHGuy]

Originally posted by 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 looked at that photo too and saw a red-headed woman with the beehive hairdo, but didn't know who she was. To put it mildly, she looks a little odd.

Anyone who's been at Member Day care to offer an opinion?

 

[burnsoc]

Can anyone tell me what condiments are offered for the burgers and hot dogs?

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by burnsoc
Can anyone tell me what condiments are offered for the burgers and hot dogs?

 

[MI mom of 3]

<<I looked at that photo too and saw a red-headed woman with the beehive hairdo, but didn't know who she was. To put it mildly, she looks a little odd.

Anyone who's been at Member Day care to offer an opinion?>>

She was a rip. Talked in this loud over the top voice. When they moved indoors for the first one she had to stand on a stool. Apparently they had a contest for a ride on Breathless; not the Illuminations cruise. And she had to draw the winning number out of a drum.

All I could think of when I was looking at her was Tammy Faye

They gave away 2 of the cruises, I think, one from BCV and one from BWV.

Goofy and Donald were also there for the celebration. The kids had a ball. We would have stayed longer if not for the rain.

 

[lenshanem]

Michele, what time did you go? Were you arat BWV or BCv?