This site, and how it pertains to the masses

[rutgers1]

Every so often when I am reading a complaint on here --- or posting one of my own --- I read responses from people suggesting that there is great dissatisfaction with one thing or another. Those conclusions are generally reached due to what people read on this board.

Yet does this board represent the DVC membership as a whole?

I would say no. I say this because, every time I have met a DVC member who is not a DVC freak (like the rest of us here), they are always much happier with things than those here who complain. I am including myself in the complainer group, as I have had a few issues over the past few years. For example, when I was staying at SSR and thinking that it was the worst resort in the Disney family, I met two families whose home resort was SSR that LOVED it. Neither family had ever stayed anywhere else, and it seemed like that they didn't really ever think about staying anywhere else.

Likewise, a friend stopped by today who also owns DVC. I mentioned that Jim Lewis was fired. He had no clue who that was. I mentioned that many members online were unhappy with the upkeep of the resorts, customer service and more, his response was something like "Any time I have ever had a problem, it was taken care of right away. I'm not sure what they are complaining about."

So, what's my point? I guess my point is that this group represents the most die-hard of the die-hard DVC members. It might be a vocal group, but I think the thoughts and opinions here represent only a small fraction of the actual DVC member base. It would be interesting to find out what the "rest" think.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I have always said that the DIS DVC posters make up a very tiny fraction of the DVC Membership overall.

As with anything, people like to be vocal and complain when things are not "right". On the other hand, the same people voice their pleasure when things are "right" far less often. The old squeaky wheel getting heard..

DIS'ers are knowledgeable about things such as renting, transferring, buying resale, when there are multitudes of members out there who have no knowledge of any of those.

That being said, if taken with a grain of salt, one can derive some sort of sense of what many members may be feeling who are not part of this internet community. Keep it all in perspective...

 

[JimMIA]

I think Carol hit it right on the head.

To me, the knowledge -- and, more importantly, the UNDERSTANDING -- of DVC, is what really sets the DIS DVC boards apart. For financial considerations, insights into what is really important in considering a purchase, the mechanical ins-and-outs of using your account -- the DIS is wonderful.

The other great aspect of the DIS DVC boards is that there really IS a community here. If you look carefully, with a discriminating eye, you will see that community all over the place -- from the Christmas Tree sharing thread to best wishes and condolences when someone is hurting.

But for many "customer service" areas, I think we tend more toward the famous "lumpy pillow" rule. If any little thing is less than beyond perfect, you will read it here first.

For that reason, I read various threads carefully (or not at all) and I evaluate the content of what is said with a very critical eye. Many times (almost all of the venting threads), that critical eye tells me the thread is irrelevant to me and I move on.

 

[photobob]

I would agree with your assessment, the DVC members I talk to while on property all are very happy with DVC. I think too though that you tend to hear more on these boards from those who have gripes. There are many, many more who are perfectly happy with DVC but keep their thoughts too themselves. One other point being that I work for a newspaper, all I hear from people is that all you print is bad news. My stock answer which is very true is that you only remember the bad news!

 

[Goofy DVC]

I could not agree with you more. I am a regular lurker on the boards and an occasional poster. My DW on the other hand has never been to the disboards. I love to watch her non response to most of the issues mentioned on these boards. For example, we only stayed at OKW for years and were thrilled. Now that we are trying the other resorts I look and see certain issues, likes, and dislikes about each resort from the "masses" on the boards. By the way, I never share those opinions with her. I just listen to see if my DW identifies with any of the views without ever prompting her. I don't think that she has ever made an observation consistent with an opinion from a subgroup on these boards. For example, during our last visit she commented on how clean the room was and that it was probably the cleanest room we've had. When we stayed at BLT after it opened she did not notice any of the usual issues related to that resort mentioned on these boards often, and yes I know that it doesn't mean they're not true. And, sometimes she will make an observation that is never mentioned here on the boards. I really value her view as it is untainted and not contaminated in any way as it is solely based on her experience. Because I also feel that we disers don't represent the average DVC member, I too try to judge DVC solely on our experiences only. On another note, I greatly value these boards and the expertise that is here. We been members since 93 and it amazes me how some people who have only been members since 2005 know 1000 Xs more about DVC than I do. Their knowledge has helped us save thousands of $$$ and take advantage of numerous DVC progam aspects. To all of them I am grateful.

 

[DeeCee735]

We are very happy members and have been for almost 12 years. Matter of fact, we added on beginning of the year.....again

I agree with Carol, it's sort of human nature to voice stronger opinions when there's some negative going on. When everything goes as expected or above expectations, people just talk about having a great trip, and don't get too involved in all the little details. It's good to hear the negative sometimes though, so we know what to look out for or who to go to or how to handle certain situations.

We've never had any problems with DVC, worth noting, at least nothing specific I remember. I always find our home resorts, the WDW resorts and the DVC resorts in general, to be at least as clean, but usually cleaner, than other places we've stayed, and we find it to be top notch with customer service, friendly and helpful always!

As a matter of fact, I just can't wait to get back!

 

[Brian Noble]

Yet does this board represent the DVC membership as a whole?

Not even close.

 

[Hunclemarco]

I joined the DIS when i became a DVC Member. Never knew that the site existed beforehand. i'd have to say that while many of the comments here represent a small percentage of DVC as a whole, You will also find the most accurate information, most up to date information, and the most general disney information.
Many DVC'ers here go many times per year, and due to costs associated with each vacation, and the regularity of vacationing at Disney due to DVC, it's only reasonable that DVC members here will have a viable interest in what goes on there, and the most efficient way of vacationing there.
While there may be it's gripes and soforth, that has allowed for all of us to have a proper perspective and view of DVC and also Disney itself, and not necessarily looking at Disney with the rose colored glasses.
I've gained a lot of insight on the DVC Boards, as well as the DIS in general...I'm unable to be on as much as i used to...(many times a day), but it's still a regular when checking out the net.

While my status says "VET", i can only attribute that to the many long time "VETS" and "MODS" that have given insight to me, then me to others.

So, our small group here might not sum up the whole feeling of the masses, but this small group in my opinion has definitely changed or given ear to Disney, hence some changes being made for the masses.

I tend to get wordy, but i hope you get my point

 

[Halle]

I could not agree with you more. I am a regular lurker on the boards and an occasional poster. My DW on the other hand has never been to the disboards. I love to watch her non response to most of the issues mentioned on these boards. For example, we only stayed at OKW for years and were thrilled. Now that we are trying the other resorts I look and see certain issues, likes, and dislikes about each resort from the "masses" on the boards. By the way, I never share those opinions with her. I just listen to see if my DW identifies with any of the views without ever prompting her. I don't think that she has ever made an observation consistent with an opinion from a subgroup on these boards. For example, during our last visit she commented on how clean the room was and that it was probably the cleanest room we've had. When we stayed at BLT after it opened she did not notice any of the usual issues related to that resort mentioned on these boards often, and yes I know that it doesn't mean they're not true. And, sometimes she will make an observation that is never mentioned here on the boards. I really value her view as it is untainted and not contaminated in any way as it is solely based on her experience. Because I also feel that we disers don't represent the average DVC member, I too try to judge DVC solely on our experiences only. On another note, I greatly value these boards and the expertise that is here. We been members since 93 and it amazes me how some people who have only been members since 2005 know 1000 Xs more about DVC than I do. Their knowledge has helped us save thousands of $$$ and take advantage of numerous DVC progam aspects. To all of them I am grateful.

Wow, your DW sounds like my DH. He too doesn't participate on the boards and sees things through 'virgin' eyes. It's great!!

 

[JWG]

This forum, at best, represents less than .5 of a percent of DVC owners. It is nit a representative sample of ownership in any way. Besides being way too small of a sample size, it is also far from a random sampling. It is a specific owner type that finds their way here.

I would argue those here are the most knowledgeable owners who are best able to navigate their membership to it's full potential. After that, nothing representative other than we all "remember when".

 

[disneynutz]

A couple of things come to mind.

Ignorance is bliss. Most members don't have a clue about the DVC other than they bought into a club that lets then use points to get a room. For the most part they are happy because they don't know any better. Talking to members at WDW is a eye opener, some don't know about banking and borrowing, we met one couple who didn't know that they could stay anywhere other than their home resort, another couple told us that they have been owners since OKW opened, they use to vacation at WDW every couple of years but lately it's been more like every five years. They said that they don't know anything about renting and they would never do it.

Most members don't want to be bothered with reporting problems and many have the "we're on vacation" or "it's Disney" mentality. The DVC Satisfaction Team isn't publicized as a group that you can contact if you have a problem or commendation so the number of contacts are very limited. They only have 6 CM's on staff for 250,000 memberships.

I get a sense from the CM's that they don't like dealing with knowledgeable members because we know the way things should be and we hold them accountable. In June we had a discussion with the management at SSR about room cleaning schedules. Soon there were 6 or so CM's joining in the conversation. Only 2 agreed with us that we should get a full cleaning on day 4 of a 10 day stay, the others said that TT is always on day 4. The manager wanted to know when the policy was changed.

Lastly, the more you visit WDW, the more you see behind the curtain. If you visit once every couple of years and you have a room issue once in 6 years you don't pay attention, but if you visit WDW 4 times a year and 3 of the times you have room problems, you take notice.

Bill

 

[drysdaleo]

If you visit once every couple of years and you have a room issue once in 6 years you don't pay attention, but if you visit WDW 4 times a year and 3 of the times you have room problems, you take notice.

Bill [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

 

[Joey7295]

Wow, your DW sounds like my DH. He too doesn't participate on the boards and sees things through 'virgin' eyes. It's great!!

My DW doesn't even want to hear about anything on the boards. I guess I talk about Disney too much.

 

[SusieBea]

 

[eliza61]

Not even close.

I think the dis as a whole is a small sampling of visitors

 

[eliza61]

Lastly, the more you visit WDW, the more you see behind the curtain. If you visit once every couple of years and you have a room issue once in 6 years you don't pay attention, but if you visit WDW 4 times a year and 3 of the times you have room problems, you take notice.

Bill

Also I find people on these boards take criticism as almost the equivelent to an attack on their heritage or some thing.

I'm one of those weird people who like to hear the "good, the bad and the ugly" when I research any vacation destination so if my friends here say they notice an uptick on the shabbiness of a particular resort, I want to know. Does it mean I have bad vacations, no but it may give me information that helps with my planning.

I don't think criticsm equals dissatisfaction. I love my dvc membership but I have noticed a stunning free fall in quality. Also as Bill mentioned time of ownership and rate of visits also factors into the equation. If you've owned for 20 years when perks were rampant and quality was through the roof, it's only natural that you comment on that.

Don't even get me started on the food issue.

 

[kamik86]

I have never had a major issue at a DVC resort. However I do know we had a broken shower on our first visit, but since it wasn't the Master bedroom I didn't know about it until 2 days in when other family mentioned it. Then when I asked if anyone called no one had. I called down maintenance said they would look at it that day. I assumed they had. Never found out for a few more days that it still didn't work.

I would have made a bigger deal about it but no one else seemed to care and the one I was using worked. (In my family we had about half night and half morning showerers and still had 2 fully working showers. so it never really became an issue)

I think those that go more often and switch resorts more when they go are more likely to run into a big problem. I mean if you go 50 times you will probably hit one of the problems even if it only happens 2% of the time.

 

[Granny]

Just chiming in to say that I agree wholeheartedly with all comments on this topic...starting with Carol's excellent response.

I agree with Eliza that I welcome hearing the good, bad and ugly about DVC from recent visits. And I know that positive threads move quickly off page 1 while the negative ones linger for a long time. So I can take it in, and see if there are longer term patterns at work.

My concern is more with the newbies who post that they are considering cancelling a trip to a resort because of a bad report on it. Or not wanting to buy into DVC because of all the complaints. Since the negative comments seem to hang around longer, it's no wonder that they think DVC is a crummy option.

So I agree that these boards represent a small percentage of DVC membership.

And I agree with disneynutz that for most DVC owners, ignorance is bliss. They happily go to WDW, stay in deluxe accommodations, and never know they shouldn't think so highly of their DVC purchase.