Member Lounge announcement!

[robinb]

Lou Mongello just posted a lengthy FB stream of the lounge, including the general questions and answers sessions with DVC reps, on his FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/loumongello

ETA, That's him on the right foreground with the brown shorts and black tee with his phone in the air doing his selfie live stream .

 

[lovin'fl]

Crap perk. We went in Chase lounge for F&W and it's a joke. After walking up several flights of stairs, you get little tiny cups and freestyle machine with line at it. Crap! I don't drink soda (drink iced tea). Would like beer and wine, now that would be a perk!

 

[Kaigler]

Crap perk? Crap attitude. You're not entitled to any perks. And have you seen the lounge? It's gorgeous.

 

[robinb]

FWIW, someone asked (I think it might have been Deb Wills) who was eligible for the lounge and only direct DVC members and grandfathered in resale members. No new resale members.

 

[lovin'fl]

Crap perk? Crap attitude. You're not entitled to any perks. And have you seen the lounge? It's gorgeous.

Okay...how about this, let me put it this way. It's not a 'perk' that I care about. It would not sway me to buy DVC direct. I already have direct points and resale points and didn't buy for ANY perks (bought to stay in 1/2BR villas with a W/D and door to master bedroom to separate us from kids...but I digress). But if I were newly buying today, this lounge would not sway me to buy direct (not even the slightest). It looks nice. We will check it out. Like the Ipads on the tables to use for switching/making ADRs or FP+...if they work and the apps work.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Attractions Magazine has posted a picture of the inside of the DVC Lounge to instagram.

I have always liked that space - it's been a standout in my memory from back when it used to be open. Yes, stupid Disney, you've done a lot of that at Epcot - left the space as a memory and not using it for anything else. So it's nice to have it being used again although I think it really ought to be part of the pavilion attraction not a lounge even if it's one I can visit. IMO a use for everyone would be nicer. One thing from my memory is that it was warm up there. The air is going to have to be cranked to keep it comfortable!

Okay...how about this, let me put it this way. It's not a 'perk' that I care about. It would not sway me to buy DVC direct. I already have direct points and resale points and didn't buy for ANY perks (bought to stay in 1/2BR villas with a W/D and door to master bedroom to separate us from kids...but I digress). But if I were newly buying today, this lounge would not sway me to buy direct (not even the slightest). It looks nice. We will check it out. Like the Ipads on the tables to use for switching/making ADRs or FP+...if they work and the apps work.

That's the thing about the perks. The events and special spaces are new and will likely go away as DVC sees fit. And the events - well, you really have to just happen to be visiting during the time of one. I'd hope nobody buys direct based on the perks.

 

[glvsav37]

I don't think the overall intention of this lounge that is going to get people to buy? Yes, will sales guys be there to help talk you into it. But I don't think anyone is walking in there and going "Ya know honey, NOW This is what DVC is all about, get someone over here quick so I can buy more points!!!"

Take it for what it is, a spot to chill and cool down away from the general guest areas. Will they ask you if you are interested in adding on, prob, but they are not throwing you out if you say "not at this time"

Or...just don't go. If its not something you care about, then it won't affect you. But why would you call it crap, but then go there just to play with the iPads?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't think the overall intention of this lounge that is going to get people to buy? Yes, will sales guys be there to help talk you into it. But I don't think anyone is walking in there and going "Ya know honey, NOW This is what DVC is all about, get someone over here quick so I can buy more points!!!"

Take it for what it is, a spot to chill and cool down away from the general guest areas. Will they ask you if you are interested in adding on, prob, but they are not throwing you out if you say "not at this time"

Or...just don't go. If its not something you care about, then it won't affect you. But why would you call it crap, but then go there just to play with the iPads?

I think it's main intention with DVC is to be a perk that is an example to use in direct sales. Not so much that people will buy there but guides can reference it as "well, if you buy direct from DVC you can use this cool lounge but if you go for the less expensive resale then you'll have your nose pressed to the glass looking in".

 

[mousestruck]

I am looking forward to using this on July 4th, too!!!

 

[glvsav37]

One question, they mentioned a few times in the live feed (basically the press event) and on line "Concierge Service"

to me, that term "Concierge" means a type of personal assistant who can get me hard to get experiences b/c they have some pull. So do they mean that if I walk in there at 10am, and say, "Hey, can you get me a ADR for O'Hanna tonight?" that they will try? Or, "I couldn't make a FP for Frozen Ever After 60 days ago, but can you convert this one for me for today....thanks." Just seems like that is a bit unrealistic given the way WDW handles their FP and ADRs. But yet they kept using the term, without backing up what the service really was.

thoughts?

 

[glvsav37]

I think it's main intention with DVC is to be a perk that is an example to use in direct sales. Not so much that people will buy there but guides can reference it as "well, if you buy direct from DVC you can use this cool lounge but if you go for the less expensive resale then you'll have your nose pressed to the glass looking in".

I get it...everything is a tactic in one form or another. There needs to be some ROI on it. But in this instance, it is only for DVC members, so at most you will only be attracting the 'add-on' buyer which I'm sure makes up a small fraction of members. And if you are already in the lounge, even if you left and added on resale tom,borrow, you can still go back in the lounge.

They are not letting recent resale or non-member/DVC interested guests into the lounge (not to say they won't give a tour of it).

The rest of it will be members content with their plans and looking to take advantage of some free soda and AC.

Either way...I'm looking forward to it and have no plans on adding on.

 

[erionm]

Yes, will sales guys be there to help talk you into it.

According to who?

From the Member website:

Member Services Advisors will be available in the lounge daily to assist with dining reservations, future resort stays and more, while an RCI advisor will be available in the lounge on weekdays to help Members navigate exchange options for upcoming vacations. You’ll even find displays of the latest Member merchandise available in stores and online.

Nothing says there will be Sales Advisors.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am looking forward to using this on July 4th, too!!!

Me too! We'll be at BCV, and Storm along Bay for most of the day! We'll enter Epcot for FPs to Soarin, then enjoy the lounge and Fireworks. Great 4th of July.

Bobbi

 

[supersnoop]

One question, they mentioned a few times in the live feed (basically the press event) and on line "Concierge Service"

to me, that term "Concierge" means a type of personal assistant who can get me hard to get experiences b/c they have some pull. So do they mean that if I walk in there at 10am, and say, "Hey, can you get me a ADR for O'Hanna tonight?" that they will try? Or, "I couldn't make a FP for Frozen Ever After 60 days ago, but can you convert this one for me for today....thanks." Just seems like that is a bit unrealistic given the way WDW handles their FP and ADRs. But yet they kept using the term, without backing up what the service really was.

thoughts?

O'Hanna? Is there a new Irish bar I don't know about?

The term "concierge" is widely used across Disney. I imagine this will be no different than stopping at the concierge desk at your resort.

 

[circhead]

I have always liked that space - it's been a standout in my memory from back when it used to be open. Yes, stupid Disney, you've done a lot of that at Epcot - left the space as a memory and not using it for anything else. So it's nice to have it being used again although I think it really ought to be part of the pavilion attraction not a lounge even if it's one I can visit. IMO a use for everyone would be nicer. One thing from my memory is that it was warm up there. The air is going to have to be cranked to keep it comfortable!

I remember when this was a playarea for the kids after the great Journey into the Imagination ride with Dreamfinder and Figment. My kids would spend hours playing in here. I miss it, my kids still talk about how much fun it was, and we all wish they would return it to it's original glory. I have survived years in the parks without a member lounge - never had it don't miss it. I know what was there and that's what should come back - something for everyone that's worth taking the time to enjoy - not the stupidity that is there now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I get it...everything is a tactic in one form or another. There needs to be some ROI on it. But in this instance, it is only for DVC members, so at most you will only be attracting the 'add-on' buyer which I'm sure makes up a small fraction of members. And if you are already in the lounge, even if you left and added on resale tom,borrow, you can still go back in the lounge.

They are not letting recent resale or non-member/DVC interested guests into the lounge (not to say they won't give a tour of it).

The rest of it will be members content with their plans and looking to take advantage of some free soda and AC.

Either way...I'm looking forward to it and have no plans on adding on.

It's for the sales people outside of the lounge, not any that might be in. They will have new prospects or members who don't qualify talking to them and they have it as a talking point. Buy from me and you're in! The fact that they can't get in is the point.

 

[pmaurer74]

I plan to be there at 10am on June 6. If it is packed though I will not bother but I hope to spend a few minutes in it on June 6 or 7.

 

[OneOftheB's]

I sitting in the new lounge as I type. We were lucky to catch the soft opening. It's nice, very comfy. Lots of room to sit (I can see it being crowded but for now the guests are pretty sparse). Like advertised there are the freestyle Coke machines, snacks, charging stations, a couple of Infinity stations and a kids tv area. I'm pretty sure DH is about to fall asleep.

 

[disneynutz]

If we are in the area we will check it out, not a big deal IMO.

Bill

 

[beer dave]

I sitting in the new lounge as I type. We were lucky to catch the soft opening. It's nice, very comfy. Lots of room to sit (I can see it being crowded but for now the guests are pretty sparse). Like advertised there are the freestyle Coke machines, snacks, charging stations, a couple of Infinity stations and a kids tv area. I'm pretty sure DH is about to fall asleep.

DW and I were probably there with you today-- Very nice-- I like the keurig-- We don't drink soda...had a nice espresso...