The Impact of DVC on WDW Operations and Plans

[Stitch 03]

Interesting article on Miceage:

http://miceage.com/kevinyee/ky110706c.htm

"DVC = WDW's AP

Don't let the acronyms above fool you. It's a simple formula: Disney Vacation Club is equal to Walt Disney World's version of the discriminating Annual Passholders you often see at Disneyland. Just what do I mean by this? I mean that the DVC'ers are increasingly the "watchdogs" of WDW, just as the APs are the watchdogs at Disneyland. Because Orlando lacks the base of locals (and thus regular visitors) that Disneyland has, the AP population here is much smaller, and certainly much less vocal.

But the DVC population is positively booming. There are multiple projects underway (the biggest among them is the build-out of Saratoga Springs), and rumored expansions to both Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contemporary Resort with "DVC Wings" added to each hotel. Business for DVC is as brisk as always. The company likes this because it infuses short-term cash onto the bottom line, and "guarantees" that people will return to Disney World each year (rather than go to places like Las Vegas). If there's a downside, it's that these same people will now not make reservations at "regular" Disney World hotels. Long-term, I have to wonder if this might become an issue. Surely there's a magical point at which they start losing money, taken in aggregate, because people aren't paying the higher daily rate of the hotels?


Logo © Disney

But here's another thought: assuming the DVC'ers return every year to Disney World (and most of them do), they become the frequent visitors that Disney World has seemingly lacked all these decades. In his recent review of WDW, Al noted that some show elements are musty, dusty, and stale. He's right. Part of the reason current management thinks they can get away with it is that the roster of tourists is ever changing, and as long as they keep coming, doesn't it behoove management to keep costs down? That's all fine and dandy, but what of these DVC folks? They've bought what amounts to a multi-decade commitment to return to WDW each year, like swallows to San Juan Capistrano, and over time they will become unhappy with the current state of things (indeed, some already have).

For now, I mean only to single out the DVC group as a force to watch for. Soon they will be a political force to be reckoned with. Disney risks alienating them with short-sighted maintenance policies, and to alienate this, their most-core audience ever, would be nothing sort of disastrous for the brand"

Any thoughts?

 

[Chuck S]

Because Orlando lacks the base of locals (and thus regular visitors) that Disneyland has, the AP population here is much smaller, and certainly much less vocal.

I don't believe it. It was the locals AND the DVCers that kept Disney operating semi-normally after 9-11.

I haven't noticed a "lack of maintenance" at WDW. Remember, it was the locals that truly led to the improvement (at the time) in Disney food services years ago, as there was no DVC back then. And the locals that brought about the DDE program to help keep the restaurants full.

 

[burnsoc]

The one thing I don't necessarily agree with is the loss of hotel reservations. I see a lot of people on these boards who have changed vacation habits as we have. Previously, I would have gone to WDW every three years. With DVC I have gone at least twice a year. I think they're getting people to make more frequent trips. The money they get from me in extra passes, food, souveniers, etc. is a lot better than booking a hotel every few years. The article was right in that DVC members will be a watchdog group of sorts for WDW.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The Pool Temp issue comes to mind.

How many of us DVCers complained and they increased the temps.

Many will keep track of the temps this holiday season also.

If they want us to come back and continue to sing the praises of DVC, then they will listen.

Many people do not trust timeshare salespeople. Many get the info and then seek out additional info from owners. I know there is no way I would have purchased DVC without all the positive reviews.

Disney is revitalizing with other people's money. They cannot take that lightly.

 

[Entropy]

PRAY that DVC owners don't end up like the APs at Disneyland.
I have never met a more self-congratulating, obnoxious bunch in all of my life than the Disneyland APs. Many of them seem to have acquired an entitlement mentality, that they are the keeper's of Walt's legacy and that it's up to to them to preserve it from the demons that are Disneyland management.
I watched them ***** and complain about every little thing that they considered wrong in the park. They would even complain about things that they speculated would go wrong. Some would take photos of spots of rust or peeling paint and post them on Internet sites. When they got repaired, the poster would take credit for "getting DL management to do something about it." Paul Pressler took a jab at them before he left when he commented that at Disneyland, you can't so much as move a bench without getting angry letters about it.
Read some of the "updates" on Miceage and old stuff on Mouseplanet to see what I mean.

 

[simzac]

PRAY that DVC owners don't end up like the APs at Disneyland.
I have never met a more self-congratulating, obnoxious bunch in all of my life than the Disneyland APs. Many of them seem to have acquired an entitlement mentality, that they are the keeper's of Walt's legacy and that it's up to to them to preserve it from the demons that are Disneyland management.
I watched them ***** and complain about every little thing that they considered wrong in the park. They would even complain about things that they speculated would go wrong. Some would take photos of spots of rust or peeling paint and post them on Internet sites. When they got repaired, the poster would take credit for "getting DL management to do something about it." Paul Pressler took a jab at them before he left when he commented that at Disneyland, you can't so much as move a bench without getting angry letters about it.
Read some of the "updates" on Miceage and old stuff on Mouseplanet to see what I mean.

I believe some of these DL experts also reside on our Rumor board.

 

[gtrist4life]

FYI - There's always room for improvement and given the expansion plans of DVC, our group will continue to grow into a significant choir of opinion.

DVC members as a political force? Yesterday was Election day....
Coincidence?

Agendas?? - Camps? - Nominees???

Hmmmm this could be interesting...