What would you change?

[Tigger031266]

So after spending the week at BCV. This place is pretty close to perfect. However if you were put in charge of DVC what would you change? One last thing, you can't spend significant amounts of $$$.

1. I would put hammocks on the beach at BCV and VWL. Lots of them
2. I would bring back the appetizers in the dinning plan and drop deserts
3. I would have the ability to check availability on line
4. Dump Welcome home wednesdays and schedule BBQ's weekly at OKW instead
5. Member only nights at SSR when we get to check out the models and free ice cream
6. A DVC that allows doggies in a few rooms (extra points of course)
7. My next DVC would be a cruise boat.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

There is a scary clown that I really think could be re-imagineered.

 

[december14disney]

So after spending the week at BCV. This place is pretty close to perfect. However if you were put in charge of DVC what would you change? One last thing, you can't spend significant amounts of $$$.

1. I would put hammocks on the beach at BCV and VWL. Lots of them
2. I would bring back the appetizers in the dinning plan and drop deserts
3. I would have the ability to check availability on line
4. Dump Welcome home wednesdays and schedule BBQ's weekly at OKW instead
5. Member only nights at SSR when we get to check out the models and free ice cream
6. A DVC that allows doggies in a few rooms (extra points of course)
7. My next DVC would be a cruise boat.

Fun!
1. I would bring back apps and tips to the dining plan.
2. I would put little grass bucket thing-ies on the balconys so the giraffes would come eat off your balcony at AKV
3. I LOVE the bbq idea!
4. Points for the cruise would be lower
5. The special safari's at AKV would be welcome to anyone who has bought into AKV not just concierge. If you were staying as an AKL guest...it would still have to be concierge.
6. Housekeeping everyday.
7. A coupon for the free grocery essentials when you get into the room. Like you just check off the list: milk, bread, lunchmeat...etc

I guess mine are out there. Oh well!

 

[CarolA]

So after spending the week at BCV. This place is pretty close to perfect. However if you were put in charge of DVC what would you change? One last thing, you can't spend significant amounts of $$$.

1. I would put hammocks on the beach at BCV and VWL. Lots of them
2. I would bring back the appetizers in the dinning plan and drop deserts
3. I would have the ability to check availability on line
4. Dump Welcome home wednesdays and schedule BBQ's weekly at OKW instead
5. Member only nights at SSR when we get to check out the models and free ice cream
6. A DVC that allows doggies in a few rooms (extra points of course)
7. My next DVC would be a cruise boat.

Well, you need to be put in charge of the entire park system. Since Dining and hammocks would be a Disney thing. I mean I don't want to pay for hammocks that anyone can use we at least have to share the cost. I do like the hammock idea.

However, my first move when I get put in charge. FIRE the ENTIRE IT shop, hire someone who knows what they are DOING!

 

[Cricket2]

Allow user-choice room booking like airline seats.

 

[Dean]

You asked but you know you're going to get me in trouble. A few things listed already are not under DVC's control such as the DDP reference, I won't touch anything I already know is outside DVC/DVD, no point in it.

• Under unit parking much like at VB
• High quality gas grills
• real dishes, cooking items for microwave and silverware in the studios
• A weekly meeting with the resort managers or DVC management to get nuts and bolts of the resort.
• Ice Makers in all units with a regular size fridge.
• More and better on site activities.
• The ability to stay in one room till the next is ready (even if changing resorts).
• Better resort pools, I find them all lacking for the DVC resorts themselves.
• A Towel exchange system for pool towels only with colored towels to distinguish them.
• A wrist band system that you get at check in such like those elastic ones we see for everything else. Then have them check for bands and kick anyone out who doesn't have theirs or make them go back and get it.
• Ask each person that checks in and is not a member, if they want to take a DVC tour.
• Actually pay attention to requests and putting an effort into fulfilling them. Prioritizing them by member first (at that resort) then by date of reservation.
• The ability to change UY without having to buy and resell, even if tied to buying more points.
• book to specific rooms rather than number of rooms. That way those that booked earlier would get the better rooms as a rule and it would remove much of the request issue.
• Getting a backbone to get lower points for all cash type exchanges.
• Allowing members to join II and/or RCI directly with all the perks involved.
• allow points to pay for dues and park tickets.
• Have more concierge, possible with an add on option for extra points.

Other things I'd likely consider would be a lot less popular for the current DVC members but good for the majority of them overall and certainly good for the system in many ways. Some would be aimed at reducing admin and housekeeping costs and thus dues, which are far too high, IMO.

• Minimum stays or at least a differential where you can only book a week out at 11 months but shorter stays at 7 months.
• Have developer only perks such as PH, member discounts, free valet, or cash type exchanges for those that buy retail. Do not allow resale buyers to have those perks, but allow them to convert over with the minimum retail purchase or add on.
• Tiered benefits so that the more points you own the earlier you can book, etc. I'd likely tie this to small cancellation fees that would be waived for those with more points.

I'm sure I could come up with many more, esp in the second group, some to DVC's advantage and some to the members advantage. I suspect almost everyone else will only post issues that are to the members advantage, mostly the things they want.

 

[permavac]

Lots of suggestions I agree with! But the biggest, most important, to me is totally revamp the Mousekeeping system. Training needs to be provided to the Mousekeepers as to what constitutes a "dirty" room. So many things are overlooked in my opinion - like dust, splatters on the walls, unmentionables on the toilet, I could go on and on... I don't want the "luck of the draw" when someone cleans the room I am checking into next - I want every one of the Mousekeepers to be trained to look for the same things and (more importantly) to address them. I would also organize a team of 3 Mousekeepers to clean recently departed rooms to ensure that nothing is overlooked (while only one needs to "spruce up" rooms that have the same tenants still occupying). Obviously, cleanliness is very important to me

Terri

 

[JasonDVC]

6. Housekeeping everyday.
:

Great idea.

The cruise ship sounds very intriguing as well

 

[Tigger031266]

Allow user-choice room booking like airline seats.

This is a good one. I totally agree but only if it is available. So you would need to see availability by room for every day. Very possible

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any of these, but with the same current year dues.

 

[Tigger031266]

I would also have special locations at the parks for fireworks and parades for DVC members

 

[SamSam]

Requests honored by date of transaction. For example, if I book at 11 months and request 4th floor, Epcot (woods view), then I should get that before someone who booked at 5 months, but happened to check-in earlier than I did.

 

[Cricket2]

[*]High quality gas grills...

[*]The ability to stay in one room till the next is ready (even if changing resorts).

I've seen a live demo of what a 30 lb propane tank can do if exhausted in a confined area and while it might sound like a good idea, I'd have to say a big "no" to that one

I LOVE the other staying in the room thing though and I think it has to be the best Idea I've heard yet!

 

[brookelizabeth]

However, my first move when I get put in charge. FIRE the ENTIRE IT shop, hire someone who knows what they are DOING!

I SO AGREE WITH YOU!!!!

Including the webmasters! Disney's sites are AWFUL.


We haven't stayed DVC yet, 11 days away! But, from what I know about DVC, I second these ideas:

-if you reserve earlier, you have a higher chance of your requests being met
-normal silverware in the Studios
-an ice maker in the fridge
-at least towel and trash housekeeping everyday (i like fresh towels without having to wash them myself! )
-change the UY without having to sell/rebuy
-use points for park tickets and dues

I also like the idea of a few more member perks - like priority seating during the fireworks. Simple things like these that just make vacation a teensy bit more magical.

And, my own - I would like more than 1 box of detergent for a week long stay. I know they are only $1.00 each, but that means it wouldnt' be too expensive either for them to give us 2 boxes when you book more than 5 days. Maybe include another box on Trash & Towel day?

 

[mamaprincess]

Give DVC members discounts on all park tickets, not just AP's.

At SSR eventually make the theater an actual movie theater with free viewings of Disney Movies.

Allow DVC members to participate in the premium and platinum plans.

 

[Starr W.]

You asked but you know you're going to get me in trouble. A few things listed already are not under DVC's control such as the DDP reference, I won't touch anything I already know is outside DVC/DVD, no point in it.

• Under unit parking much like at VB
• High quality gas grills
• real dishes, cooking items for microwave and silverware in the studios
• A weekly meeting with the resort managers or DVC management to get nuts and bolts of the resort.
• Ice Makers in all units with a regular size fridge.
• More and better on site activities.
• The ability to stay in one room till the next is ready (even if changing resorts).
• Better resort pools, I find them all lacking for the DVC resorts themselves.
• A Towel exchange system for pool towels only with colored towels to distinguish them.
• A wrist band system that you get at check in such like those elastic ones we see for everything else. Then have them check for bands and kick anyone out who doesn't have theirs or make them go back and get it.
• Ask each person that checks in and is not a member, if they want to take a DVC tour.
• Actually pay attention to requests and putting an effort into fulfilling them. Prioritizing them by member first (at that resort) then by date of reservation.
• The ability to change UY without having to buy and resell, even if tied to buying more points.
• book to specific rooms rather than number of rooms. That way those that booked earlier would get the better rooms as a rule and it would remove much of the request issue.
• Getting a backbone to get lower points for all cash type exchanges.
• Allowing members to join II and/or RCI directly with all the perks involved.
• allow points to pay for dues and park tickets.
• Have more concierge, possible with an add on option for extra points.

Other things I'd likely consider would be a lot less popular for the current DVC members but good for the majority of them overall and certainly good for the system in many ways. Some would be aimed at reducing admin and housekeeping costs and thus dues, which are far too high, IMO.

• Minimum stays or at least a differential where you can only book a week out at 11 months but shorter stays at 7 months.
• Have developer only perks such as PH, member discounts, free valet, or cash type exchanges for those that buy retail. Do not allow resale buyers to have those perks, but allow them to convert over with the minimum retail purchase or add on.
• Tiered benefits so that the more points you own the earlier you can book, etc. I'd likely tie this to small cancellation fees that would be waived for those with more points.

I'm sure I could come up with many more, esp in the second group, some to DVC's advantage and some to the members advantage. I suspect almost everyone else will only post issues that are to the members advantage, mostly the things they want.

Agree with you on most points, Dean. What I really liked about my Marriott visits were the evening activities for older kids/teens. For $15 they could watch a movie and eat pizza. They do something like that at VB but it's for smaller kids.

to giving members full membership to the exchange companies, in the DVC case more for the extra vacations etc. But I do enjoy poking around II/RCI myself. You never know what you might find. especially if you are not set on a location.

I don't need daily housekeeping. I like the fact I don't have a maid banging on the door every morning, l'm with Diane on that. Plus you can pay cash for that right now if you want it. I certainly think our dues are high enough now.

 

[ead79]

Mine are pretty simple...

--Expand the DVC member merchandise selection
--Eliminate the ability to "walk" reservations
--Ensure very thorough housekeeping (though I must say our room in December at AKV was absolutely spotless!)

 

[dvcdisney]

I would like to keep the Mousekeeping schedule as is. I actually never did like daily housekeeping. But I second (or third) the motion that they should do a better job. I do think that they need housekeeping management to step up their inspection of the room before releasing it to the next guest. Sometimes I think they don't even bother checking.

I like the idea of improvements, but I would prefer not to increase my annual fees. But I all very much in favour of making sure everything is up to standards.

One thing I would like to see is a reward system. In which bonus points are automatically rewarded to those for their years of membership. For instance, on the fifth anniversary of a member, they would receive 25 bonus points for that year. And on their 10th, they would get 50 bonus points and so on. Now these points are only for the year (similar to developer's points), but can be banked. Just a thought.

 

[Dean]

I've seen a live demo of what a 30 lb propane tank can do if exhausted in a confined area and while it might sound like a good idea, I'd have to say a big "no" to that one

I LOVE the other staying in the room thing though and I think it has to be the best Idea I've heard yet!

So you don't have a gas grill at home I take it? And since we're talking in an open area, would that apply. Most use either natural gas or a larger tank in a central location, some use 5 gal tanks enclosed in the unit. From a safety standpoint gas is likely MUCH safer than charcoal but I'd agree that from a freak accident standpoint, gas would have the more potential for a large disaster. Marriott and other places we've been tend to use either Ducane or Broilmaster grills and I much prefer those over the current setup. I've seen what a large oxygen tank can do when the value is broken off. Through a cement wall and about 100 foot out into a children's play ground. Glad I wasn't the culprit.

 

[Dean]

I don't need daily housekeeping. I like the fact I don't have a maid banging on the door every morning, l'm with Diane on that. Plus you can pay cash for that right now if you want it. I certainly think our dues are high enough now.

I too prefer no maid service. We were at the Marriott Aruba Surfclub until today which had a mid week exchange much like DVC. However, on 3 additional days they knocked on our door to give us additional towels, after the first time I just said no thanks. They did have a towel exhange options which we've seen at many resorts and really like. We checked in today to a resort that has daily maid service. I plan to not allow that to happen other than possible a towel exchange ONE day since there are no W/D in the units and there is a cost. Basically everything I posted above I've seen one place or another.