What Is Missing From Disney Files?

[nickspace]

I just finished reading the new edition of Disney Files and it just seems like it needs additional features to make it a better publication. I look forward to getting Disney Files but they need more articles and the articles that are there are weak. They need to stop writing it as an advertising tool and consider that the readers have already purchased the product.

What do you think? What can be done to make Disney Files better?

 

[bwvBound]

Off the top of my head, things I'd like to see in an Owner's Mag:

• Calendar of events happening at each property. Ideally, I'd like to see a "big picture" plan printed annually (example: F&W, D23 Expo, StarWars Weekend, etc) with web listings of individual resort activities (movies on the beach/pool, story telling, crafts, etc).
• Specials offered to owners. These could include DVC sales incentives, perk-type discounts, etc.
• Tips'n'Tricks for maximizing your ownership. (Could be a sales-related column.)
• Owner's Education page. Start with frequently asked questions from Member Services or perhaps this site?? (Not sales-related content.)
• Highlight of Community Service Project or special Employee Story. (Give the membership an opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference.)
• Background stories from new Resort Development.
• Communication of Board Meetings, Financials, etc.
• Highlight of partnerships: DCL, ABD, Club Intrawest, RCI, etc.
• Contests we might participate in: photos, stories, miles walked, ...
• Polls and their results. (Visit dvcmembers.com to participate in this month's poll, see results in the magazine.)
• Demographics of DVC ownership: location, year purchased, etc.
• Sales performance over the years; related trends?
• Industry trends and how to prepare for them.
• Feedback from Owner Services: How did this team respond to owner comments this month? (Could be one short story on a specific situation ... or a table showing results from refurbishment project. What request do they have of us, as owners, that might reduce costs/noise/waste, increase soft-good lifespan, etc?)

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

My favorite page [not]

was page 10 that described the new IT program called Wishes.

"It's worth noting, however, that Wishes will require Members to pay for their Disney Dining Plan upon booking (rather than upon check-in), and members making cash reservations must pay for one night plus tax upon booking Call member services for more details.

Finally, in what may be the biggest news of all, leaders tell Disney Files Magazine that the enhancements set the stage for a variety of future offerings, including the ability to reserve Disney's Vacation Club Resort accommodations online. Stay tuned."

Don't you just love it when they "enhance" the system.

 

[nickspace]

Off the top of my head, things I'd like to see in an Owner's Mag:

• Calendar of events happening at each property. Ideally, I'd like to see a "big picture" plan printed annually (example: F&W, D23 Expo, StarWars Weekend, etc) with web listings of individual resort activities (movies on the beach/pool, story telling, crafts, etc).
• Specials offered to owners. These could include DVC sales incentives, perk-type discounts, etc.
• Tips'n'Tricks for maximizing your ownership. (Could be a sales-related column.)
• Owner's Education page. Start with frequently asked questions from Member Services or perhaps this site?? (Not sales-related content.)
• Highlight of Community Service Project or special Employee Story. (Give the membership an opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference.)
• Background stories from new Resort Development.
• Communication of Board Meetings, Financials, etc.
• Highlight of partnerships: DCL, ABD, Club Intrawest, RCI, etc.
• Contests we might participate in: photos, stories, miles walked, ...
• Polls and their results. (Visit dvcmembers.com to participate in this month's poll, see results in the magazine.)
• Demographics of DVC ownership: location, year purchased, etc.
• Sales performance over the years; related trends?
• Industry trends and how to prepare for them.
• Feedback from Owner Services: How did this team respond to owner comments this month? (Could be one short story on a specific situation ... or a table showing results from refurbishment project. What request do they have of us, as owners, that might reduce costs/noise/waste, increase soft-good lifespan, etc?)

Awesome Ideas!!!

 

[bbluvsdis]

Mine still hasn't come yet. When did yours arrive?

 

[tjkraz]

The one thing I'm surprised they don't address in greater detail is projects scheduled or under way at the DVC resorts. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't publish more info about pool closures, resort rehabs (OKW, BWV) and so on.

That's my one major gripe.

Having more stats and information about membership would interest me personally, but I don't see Disney doing that for competitive reasons. Anything they publish will get into the hands of the competition, so they will fiercely protect any meaningful data.

Overall I think there's a lot of value to the general park information they publish. Only a fraction of members actively follow websites like this and I'm sure many find it valuable to get a rundown on new attractions, park celebrations, events like the Flower & Garden Fest, etc.

Such content may seem like advertising to those who follow Disney closely, but for others it's a valuable resource for vacation planning. Believe it or not, there really are members who don't mark their calendar for 180 day dining reservations or turn to Tour Guide Mike for advice on which days to visit each park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

As the official Member publication for Disney Vacation Club, there is very little DVC information in the magazine. It's mostly generic Disney information.

For example the cover photo and main article is about GAD, not a DVC promotion at all.

So out of 32 pages, 9.5 pages were DVC specific pages, but of those three were just member photos. And one page was all Deevy See -yuck.

That leaves just 5.5 pages of true DVC info. And some of those pages had large photos on them, too.

If that is all they can manage each quarter, why bother at all?

 

[5forDiz]

Haven't received latest DF as of yet but do hope that there's less content from that guy who inserts "funnies" into everything he writes & then he adds LOLs often at his (attempt at) humor it just gets to me.

 

[WDWMom]

I was disappoint with DF also. I like the ideas the a pp supplied. I too would like to see more DVC info.

 

[loveswdw]

I haven't been thrilled with Disney Files since they had the big overhaul a couple of years ago. Used to be I'd look through it each month cover to cover and really enjoy it. After the changes, it just seemed more "Disney" and less DVC. Most of the info they have in there now I can get elsewhere, sooner. The last couple of issues haven't even made it out of the big envelope. We got one 2 days ago and it still sits exactly where it was laid when brought in from the mailbox.

 

[nickspace]

Mine still hasn't come yet. When did yours arrive?

Mine came a few days ago.

 

[Tiger926]

Haven't received our mag either, but each issue, hubby and I notice is less and less about DVC. We would love to see an exclusive DVC mag, with some Disney park stuff, but that's about it. Advertising upcoming movies, shows, etc. is silly. Most of us already know that - DVC members are Disney junkies, so no need to tell us when Toy Story 3 is coming out!

I would like to see: refurbs/rehabs, DVC resort tips, FAQs, discussions about DVC activities such as kids' clubs, etc., more mention of member perks and info about the parks that is relevant to our vacations.

It seriously is just a Disney marketing mag, IMHO, and so I'm not sure why DVC is paying for that?

Tiger

 

[dianeschlicht]

Off the top of my head, things I'd like to see in an Owner's Mag:

• Calendar of events happening at each property. Ideally, I'd like to see a "big picture" plan printed annually (example: F&W, D23 Expo, StarWars Weekend, etc) with web listings of individual resort activities (movies on the beach/pool, story telling, crafts, etc).
• Specials offered to owners. These could include DVC sales incentives, perk-type discounts, etc.
• Tips'n'Tricks for maximizing your ownership. (Could be a sales-related column.)
• Owner's Education page. Start with frequently asked questions from Member Services or perhaps this site?? (Not sales-related content.)
• Highlight of Community Service Project or special Employee Story. (Give the membership an opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference.)
• Background stories from new Resort Development.
• Communication of Board Meetings, Financials, etc.
• Highlight of partnerships: DCL, ABD, Club Intrawest, RCI, etc.
• Contests we might participate in: photos, stories, miles walked, ...
• Polls and their results. (Visit dvcmembers.com to participate in this month's poll, see results in the magazine.)
• Demographics of DVC ownership: location, year purchased, etc.
• Sales performance over the years; related trends?
• Industry trends and how to prepare for them.
• Feedback from Owner Services: How did this team respond to owner comments this month? (Could be one short story on a specific situation ... or a table showing results from refurbishment project. What request do they have of us, as owners, that might reduce costs/noise/waste, increase soft-good lifespan, etc?)

Interestingly, most of those things USED to be in the member magazine! Each DVC resort also had their own "update" page as well. That was when the name of the magazine was "Vacation Magic".

 

[Deb & Bill]

It would be nice if they could have an article on what Member Satisfaction does for members. Put some photos to the names. They could discuss some of the issues they hear about from members and give us some info.

 

[Tiger926]

It would be nice if they could have an article on what Member Satisfaction does for members. Put some photos to the names. They could discuss some of the issues they hear about from members and give us some info.

That's a great idea! They could use first names only, of course, but it would be a great way for us to read about the people who give us great service. We have had some absolutely incredible CMs, and it would be great to read about them a little bit, and then they could do an FAQ section from these CMs as well.

What a great idea! Tiger

 

[Scotch]

We got one 2 days ago and it still sits exactly where it was laid when brought in from the mailbox.

You may as well just recycle it. As you can probably tell, you are missing nothing by not opening that envelope.

 

[Scotch]

Uh, a thought just occurred to me. I hope we are not paying for this publication out of our m/fs. I, too, would love to see much of what others have suggested here that is more DVC oriented. I could get all the other Disney news elsewhere. And I'm pretty sick of Deevy See; I wish she'd just go away.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It would be nice if they could have an article on what Member Satisfaction does for members. Put some photos to the names. They could discuss some of the issues they hear about from members and give us some info.

I like that idea! They might do the same with the DVC resort managers...head housekeepers etc. etc. Kind of a "get to know the neighborhood" type of article.

Sad to say, but I rarely read DF. It just doesn't have any NEWS in it.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

Haven't received our mag either, but each issue, hubby and I notice is less and less about DVC. We would love to see an exclusive DVC mag, with some Disney park stuff, but that's about it. Advertising upcoming movies, shows, etc. is silly. Most of us already know that - DVC members are Disney junkies, so no need to tell us when Toy Story 3 is coming out!

I'm exactly the opposite.

I've a DVC junkie, and pretty much know all the DVC news. I'd think most anyone on these boards would be the same. I enjoy all the news about what's going on in the greater Disney world, much of which I don't know about. And I especially like the "historical" articles.

It's a magazine. It's supposed to be fluffy and full of pictures. If you just want the facts about DVC, that's what dvcmember.com is for.

 

[photobob]

I'm always excited to get the magazine but it doesn't much more for me when I read it. I'd really like it to have more substance to it, it is little more than a fluff PR piece.