So, are these paid Member Gatherings what Members wanted?

[bobbiwoz]

Mardi Gras at Veto, Brunch at Jambo....come at a price!

I enjoyed the Welcome Home Wednesdays, Member Mixers and other free things...there was something at Pleasure Island a few years back. Sunset Mingle at Jambo was fun. Now they want to charge us for everything!

I have paid to lunch with Imagineers and Animal Specialists and Characters. I do not want to pay to eat with my Sales people!

I wonder if the free meetings on the cruise line will be going the same way as Welcome Home Wednesdays.

Bobbi

 

[Chuck S]

I guess it would depend upon what they entail. If they were to give true info of upcoming changes and sort of recap the annual meeting, maybe. But that would be more have having brunch with someone from Member Services. If they are just a way to get some promotional stuff I'd never use or an offer to buy points, not really worth my time. I remember way back when they'd give a little logo promo item (magnet, photo album, etc.) and housekeepers would leave it in your room. I liked that, and probably worked just about as well for them as far as new garnering new sales. Of course DVC really sold itself back the. Existing members were adding on until they got the number of points that was right for their families. We old, established member probably reached that point a long time ago.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Not what we want. I liked the Welcome Home Wednesdays. If they would offer the events at a "member" discount then I would be interested but why would I want to pay an inflated price for a meal that I can get earlier or later in the day for less money. I would not pay the extra money just to have a meal with other DVC members (although I do like DVC members ).

Kate

 

[disneynutz]

The mingles, Wednesdays, and non-sales events like the association meeting were paid for with dues.

The new SVP Ken Potrock apparently feels that he would rather increase his units profit so he dropped the referral rewards and came up with Membership Magic pay for profit events.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

The Mardi Gras and AKV brunch are not replacements for Welcome Home Wednesdays, Merry Mixer or any other event.

 

[supersnoop]

The mingles, Wednesdays, and non-sales events like the association meeting were paid for with dues.

The new SVP Ken Potrock apparently feels that he would rather increase his units profit so he dropped the referral rewards and came up with Membership Magic pay for profit events.

Bill

But who actually gets the money from those events? Are they hosted by DVC, DVD, DVCMC, or WDC?

 

[Micca]

Let's start a "Drinks with DVC Members" event. We'll charge CMs to buy us drinks and we'll give them some real quality feedback. The Happiest Hour on Earth!

 

[disneynutz]

But who actually gets the money from those events? Are they hosted by DVC, DVD, DVCMC, or WDC?

I was told by someone working in the DVC executive offices that membership magic is not DVC funded so the cost and profit goes to Disney. The events are marketed to DVC members just like the TOTWL currently is. IMO it's a way for Disney to make some extra money while making DVC members feel special. Most of the membership magic type events I have found can be less expensive if you plan it yourself plus you aren't added to a group like the bowling events.

The same marketing is in place when a DVC member uses points for a cruise, it isn't always cheaper but members do it anyways due to different reasons and Disney loves it.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

All DVC Members are invited to the Member Gathering on DCL cruise. There are drinks, alcohol and non, prizes, music and games. There are many more cruises than Wednesdays, and they never provided alcohol at Welcome Home Wednesdays. I am disappointed that they discontinued the free Member Gathetings at WDW. If as tjkraz says, the paid things are not replacing the free gatherings, I will be happy, but I do not see any free gatherings being offered, except the Member Meeting on the cruise ships.

I am not talking about the sales meetings on the cruise ships, I do not go to those.

 

[tjkraz]

If as tjkraz says, the paid things are not replacing the free gatherings, I will be happy, but I do not see any free gatherings being offered, except the Member Meeting on the cruise ships.

The (free) weekly member meetings at Aulani and Disneyland are still occurring.

A few weeks ago DVC announced that Welcome Home Wednesdays were discontinued but some member get-together(s) would return soon in a new format. Details on that are still being worked out.

The types of "free" meetings noted above are funded by member dues. Most of the cruise ship meets and activities are funded by DVD as a sales expense. "Membership Magic" offerings are standard for-profit events hosted by Disney with no dues impact.