Very Frustrated: Changes in F&W Activity Dates

[starbox]

I called DVC today to express my frustration with Disney changing the dates of F&W activities. I think it was last year that they moved opening weekend back and messed up some DVCers. This year there are very few special events opening weekend. No 3D party, no wine seminars, no Party for the Senses, no Grand Marnier class, no signature dining events - pretty much NADA other than the marathon.

I would really like DVC to advocate on behalf of members for advance notice of the dates of events (like F&G, F&W, SWW - and even MVMCP and MNSSHP). Since we have to make reservations so far in advance, we really need more than 3 or 4 months notice so that we can plan. I have a hard time believing that the folks at Disney have NO IDEA 11-7 months prior what the dates will be for major events.

Grrrrrrr.

 

[cmwade77]

This is not DVC's fault though, Disneyland never announces things that far out, why should WDW?

We simply plan to go when it is best for us and then make the best out of whatever is going on. I really think this is the best thing to do.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

This is not DVC's fault though, Disneyland never announces things that far out, why should WDW?

We simply plan to go when it is best for us and then make the best out of whatever is going on. I really think this is the best thing to do.

We do the same.

D23 is getting a little better at announcing its events many months in advance. However, you still won't know whether you can actually get tickets until a month or 2 prior. The great thing is that, as DVC pwenrs, we know we will be back -- Suzanne

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I think it would be great if they would - but I wouldn't expect it.

 

[Starr W.]

This is not DVC's fault though, Disneyland never announces things that far out, why should WDW?

We simply plan to go when it is best for us and then make the best out of whatever is going on. I really think this is the best thing to do.

That's what I did on my 1st F&W trip, picked the dates that worked for me and then looked to see what I could book(not much during the week but did a food&wine pairing and some demos).

 

[starbox]

This is not DVC's fault though, Disneyland never announces things that far out, why should WDW?

We simply plan to go when it is best for us and then make the best out of whatever is going on. I really think this is the best thing to do.

No. I don't think it is DVC's 'fault" - but I do think it would be nice if Disney could communicate with their beloved cash cow {DVC} and help members be able to plan for events (like marathons, ticketed parties, etc) As membership continually grows, it becomes harder for DVC owners to travel without using the 11/7 month windows, and it seems like Disney could communicate dates if they wanted to.

I know we developed a taste for the special events/parties/etc only after we became members. We actually travel 4x a year now just for the special events. We used to just do summer.

Lack of ability to plan and reserve around events has definitely been a factor keeping us from adding on again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

No. I don't think it is DVC's 'fault" - but I do think it would be nice if Disney could communicate with their beloved cash cow {DVC} and help members be able to plan for events (like marathons, ticketed parties, etc) ....

If you think anyone at Disney cares about DVC members, you're not correct. All they want is our money, for us to buy more real estate and for us to tell all our friends to buy real estate.

 

[GEB@okw]

Make a reservation at the BWV for the entire six weeks of the F&W and then modify it to fit your wants when the events are announced. That is what I do. Besides, why waste our dues money complaining to DVC? Is that like complaining to Burger King that the Big Mac tasted like crap?

 

[starbox]

If you think anyone at Disney cares about DVC members, you're not correct. All they want is our money, for us to buy more real estate and for us to tell all our friends to buy real estate.

Right - but that's the thing. I do think a key to member satisfaction is taking into consideration the need to let a member's membership evolve with them.
For us, and I'm sure for many others, we bought when the kids were early elementary school and all we did was parks. Parks in summer. Give us a pool and any property on site and we were good.

But now I've got a high schooler - in a few years we'll be empty nesters. And I've got a bazillion park trips under my belt. We are much more interested in the unique and seasonal events that Disney offers now, but with so many members, it's really necessary to reserve as soon as booking windows open. I always thought I'd keep DVC and really, really enjoy it once the kids were gone, but now I'm just not sure.

I mean, come on. I work in public education - and public education does NOT have its act together. But even we can manage a school-year calendar that we post at the beginning of each year with all test dates/show dates/PTA meetings/breaks/open houses/homecoming/report cards etc. That's all I want from Disney.

SWW - these dates
F&G - these dates (with Concerts these dates)
Holidays - these dates (decorations go up/come down - parades start - CP nights)
SWW - these dates
Marathons - these dates
MVMCP - these dates
MNSSHP - these dates
F&W - these dates (PfTS these dates)

Let's say Disney announces in October, for example, that they are cutting their Christmas time by a week. All the DVC members that reserved that first week with low points at 11 months will be stuck - no way can they get another reservation for December at that point.

This is potentially a huge problem. We've seen it done twice now with F&W dates.

 

[Starr W.]

First of all you are dealing with 2 divisions of Disney, DVC and Park/Resorts. In all big companies and I have experience with working with 2 Fortune 500 companies, divisions usually don't play well together. In fact they may have each have agendas that run against what an outsider(customer or supplier) would think be common sense.

Also you are dealing with trying to book a timeshare product to match up with an event. I've been watching for years the dates of the Vail Dance Festival, same date range for years until this year. I want to exchange for next year and they don't announce dates until January. So I've set up a request so I hope I'll be able to catch a performance or 2 for 2012.

Now I have lucked out, booked my Wyndham Old Town Alexandria for Cherry Blossom Festival and our spring break(1yr+ out) For laughs I looked on Kennedy Center's calendar and surprise! New York City Ballet is there that week.

Dealing with annual events and timeshares can sometimes be a real PITA. Events change over the years and can not be counted on to remain the same year in and year out, be it dates or offerings.

 

[dizfan]

F&W - these dates (PfTS these dates)

A few years back, someone posted F&W always starts the Friday in the Sept 25-Oct 1 range and it's 45 days long.

It would be nice if Disney would publish the dates 11 months out.

 

[erionm]

A few years back, someone posted F&W always starts the Friday in the Sept 25-Oct 1 range and it's 45 days long.

It would be nice if Disney would publish the dates 11 months out.

Over the last several years, the dates for the following years F&W Festival have been printed on the back of the current years guide. This also has been the case for the F&G Festival.

All dates are subject to change.

 

[erionm]

A few years back, someone posted F&W always starts the Friday in the Sept 25-Oct 1 range and it's 45 days long.

It would be nice if Disney would publish the dates 11 months out.

The OP wants Disney to release the entire schedule of events occuring during F&W a year before the event starts.

 

[sweetdana]

Though a whole sched of events, wouldn't happen a time frame for making ressies.. is not way out in left field. I think it would be a much better thing.. Also for MNSSH IE from 09-10 - 11-05 and not give nights. I do not think this is unreasonable.

 

[starbox]

The OP wants Disney to release the entire schedule of events occuring during F&W a year before the event starts.

Nope - I am the OP and I do NOT want this. That would be ridiculous, just like it would be ridiculous to have a list of CP narrators in advance - but you COULD know the CP DATES.

I said more than once in this thread that I'd just like the dates of MAJOR festivals/hard ticket events/parties throughout the year. Not details of them, just the dates so that owners could book using their booking windows.

In this case, we won't get to do PftS and I wouldn't change it because we will be there for Disney's 40th anniversary, which is pretty cool by itself. If it was a deal breaker, I'd just cancel and do the following weekend paying Priceline rates to stay at Gaylord Palms or Grand Cypress. We are lucky to not have to fly or anything, so I can be flexible enough to make it work for me.

BUT, I do think that it's got the potential to really hurt members to not know dates in advance - especially if Disney keeps moving towards cutting back on the holiday events/programs.

DVC owners do plan ahead - lots of us plan a year in advance or more for a trip. It's completely possible that someone could bank and borrow and think they planned a great trip (Thanksgiving to first week of December) taking extended family and etc - because this is what DVC owners do. And then find out a few months in advance that none of the events they wanted to do will be offered until later.

 

[Sammie]

I agree it would be nice. Is it likely to happen, no. Sorry but do understand.

 

[disneynutz]

Not releasing schedules in advance is Disney's way of balancing attendance. Imagine if Guests only came to WDW on the "best" days?

Bill

 

[SamSam]

Not releasing schedules in advance is Disney's way of balancing attendance. Imagine if Guests only came to WDW on the "best" days?

Bill

You know, that actually makes sense....I don't like it, but it makes sense.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Disney continues to "assume" that "regardless of what we do folks will pay" and so far they are right

When they can't sell out those events due to their failure to plan then things will change, but I don't see that happening!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I called DVC today to express my frustration with Disney changing the dates of F&W activities. I think it was last year that they moved opening weekend back and messed up some DVCers. This year there are very few special events opening weekend. No 3D party, no wine seminars, no Party for the Senses, no Grand Marnier class, no signature dining events - pretty much NADA other than the marathon.

I would really like DVC to advocate on behalf of members for advance notice of the dates of events (like F&G, F&W, SWW - and even MVMCP and MNSSHP). Since we have to make reservations so far in advance, we really need more than 3 or 4 months notice so that we can plan. I have a hard time believing that the folks at Disney have NO IDEA 11-7 months prior what the dates will be for major events.

Grrrrrrr.

Not only that but they published dates in last year's festival catalog of when the dates were going to be this year, then later they changed it. Once you publish dates like that, it should mean it's kind of definite. If you might change the dates, don't publish them.