Not thrilled with the latest Members meeting at Atlantic Dance

[JoEllen]

Teenage DD and I spent a wonderful week last week at BWV and agree with everyone else that the weather has never been better for this time of year!

I decided to go to the Wednesday 4:00 Member meeting at Atlantic Dance while DD sunned by the Clown pool. I attended the member meeting last year that was held at SSR and enjoyed the presentation and all the information provided to the members. That meeting was concluded with a raffle and door prizes. This meeting started by 4 names being drawn for a Jeapardy type game that lasted for almost 45 minutes. Then more names were drawn until all the door prizes were given out. We never had anyone talk about the latest DVC news or have a question/answer time.

Anyway, unless I just hit an "off" week, I wouldn't waste my valuable vacation time watching strangers play Jeapardy over Disney trivia questions.

 

[dznymom1]

We encountered the same thing in October when we took time out from our F&W trip. We actually thought it was an embarassing display and left early. I won't waste my time again unless I hear something has changed. It's too bad because I have fond memories of Members Meetings in the past where you could chat with members, ask questions and get a general overview of what's new.

 

[smjj]

We encountered the same thing in October when we took time out from our F&W trip. We actually thought it was an embarassing display and left early. I won't waste my time again unless I hear something has changed. It's too bad because I have fond memories of Members Meetings in the past where you could chat with members, ask questions and get a general overview of what's new.

Having never attended one, could it be that they changed the format to discourage people from voicing complaints about say smoking, or the upkeep of the DVC resorts. There is a very active hread currently underway about OKW and its upkeep. Just guessing now, just guessing...smjj

 

[Lady V]

yes-I went this past summer and that isexactly how it was then. Aside from the free hat, which you get when you enter, it was such a waste of time. I kept thinking it would get better but it really was a total waste of time.

 

[profdsny]

I thought it was just us. We went in July, and it was pretty bad. As it was, I don't even think they had anything to drink buy ice water. Could be wrong. But as someone else mentioned, it was a lonnngggg slowwww jeopardy type show with no real entertainment, or new information, value. One of the constestants was a child, and another knew nothing about DVC and very little about WDW. We left after about 30 mins. It was nothing like the ones they used to have in the mornings. Very strongly recommend against it.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. I always want to go to one of these, but then end up forgetting. I guess I won't waste my time.

 

[Dean]

I've said this before. I've always found the DVC member meetings to be more fluff than substance. In past years it was usually a mini sales hype and a rah rah II session. Now it's even less than that IMO. It was fun the first time and I got a nice hat. The second time it was boring and all I got was an Art of DVC spiral calendar book which I'll likely throw away at some point. Personally I'd rather sit for an hour and a half talking to resort managers, etc about maint schedules, reservation problems and other nuts and bolts issues. That's what I'm used to with other resorts I've stayed and owned at, esp Marriott.

 

[Doctor P]

Note that these are not really billed as Member Updates anymore. They are billed as a game show and opportunity to meet people. They do mention learning what's new, but the ads are clear about this being a game show fun type of thing.

 

[pklein09]

This is how it was on our 11/04/06 cruise. We walked in, got a really nice hat, and waited for our name to be drawn out of a bag for a trivia question. I was able to answer every one, and even gave the answer to someone in the front row who had no idea. His question was "What was Donald Duck's middle name?" He had no idea and they opened it up to the entire room. DH and I were the only ones with the answer (Fauntleroy) and they gave the prize to guy who had no clue! I don't mind not winning the prize, but geeze. If they're going to give a prize to the person whose name was drawn, then elimintate the trivia part. DH and I left part way through the presentation too. I didn't know what to expect, but I wasn't impressed. Oh yes, one other thing. They didn't check to see if you were members. My mom (non-member) walked in after the presentation started (she knew we were there) and they handed her 2 hats and lanyards!!! I guess they were happy to fill the room.

 

[dumbo71]

Really I am more surprised that people are surprised by this.

Member meetings are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Those little signs posted everywhere advertising the meetings are just a way of making DVC sem like some exclusive club thus enticing new owners to taske a look through a DVC tour.

As Dean stated it should be more of a "nuts and bolts" sessioin. It simply isn't because DVC doesn't care what you or I have to say. What they do care about is sending out Giclees, postcards, refer a friend info. and hyping DVC.

 

[keishashadow]

We've skipped it in the past, figured it was just a meet 'n greet/discreet sales pitch.

Don't think it's the place to address a particular concern, would write instead.

As TS agents go, DVC has the most genteel I've encountered; this must be their way of locking you in a room & sweating out an add-on.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Actually, I didn't mind the Member Update before, since they served a nice breakfast. I don't mind the new version, either, since I have gotten hats, lanyards, key chains, ink pens, and so forth, as gifts. I like the gifts, and it's a relaxing 35 minutes, so it's no big deal. We got lots of free water, cookies, chips, and cider when we were there. At $2.00 per bottle of water, I thought the meeting was a real bonanza with all that water just sitting there!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We went in October and thought it was okay...wouldn't go again unless they were giving away something different than the hats we already received. The one thing I really didn't like was the way everyone was herded in the foyer like cattle and forced to wait there until they opened the inner doors...I was feeling a bit trapped!

 

[perdidobay]

I'll never attend one again.. my vacation time is worth more than a couple of cheap hats and trinkets.

 

[smjj]

As Dean stated it should be more of a "nuts and bolts" sessioin. It simply isn't because DVC doesn't care what you or I have to say. What they do care about is sending out Giclees, postcards, refer a friend info. and hyping DVC.

We are still very happy DVC members but I am beginning to see that this seems to be the way it is going and that is very sad and not what we thought we were getting into. When we first bought in we were more than eager to tell our friends and family. Now we don't push it and never mention it to friends who keep asking why we go so often. We are just afraid if we did and they bought, they would feel the same way in a year or two and blame us.. As for the Members Cruise, we were so excited and happy until we got onboard. We did enjoy ourselfs and got a lot of "trinkets" but the entire time we felt we were being pushed and shoved into an add-on. For the number of points we used, it was not the bargain we had hopped for. To them, we were just a captive audiance for three days of sales pitches..smjj