Dvc annual meeting

A forthright answer is that "As one of the most profitable divisions within The Walt Disney Company, we have only one objective: to create a marketable product that continues to generate the most profit possible without damaging the brand and affecting sales." But I'm not naive enough to expect that answer, of course.

So we’re in agreement that it’s unrealistic to expect that sort of reply.

The reason this particular member's expression of frustration with the decision making process resonated so much with the audience, and why it received the uproarious applause it did, was that a lot of members out there share that frustration; perhaps not the particular issue with pool shading, but the nature of the organizations decision making; bulk shampoo, conditioner, and body soap; an OKW redesign that seems to have killed the charm, character, and appeal of it's previous incarnation; or the active decision to continue selling small contracts at higher per point costs at small resorts that could not possibly accommodate the ratio of planned studio usage; are all motivated by one thing only: bottom line. Full stop.

That sounds charming but again, it’s impractical. Or perhaps unrealistic. We already listed a number venues available for members to share input. I don’t expect the process will ever be significantly more inclusive.

Specifically, the change regarding bath products was made higher in the food chain. The DVC executives in the room had no say in the decision, and could only try to “spin” the move in as favorable a light as possible.

The OKW refurb was one of the first where members were given the opportunity to stay in model rooms and provide feedback. In fact, the construction work was delayed about a year as Disney revised the design in response to this feedback. But I expect people will draw their own conclusions as to whether or not DVC strongarmed an unpopular refurb design.

Where this all becomes hard to digest is when they do the lip service of talking about how important we are as members, when the reality is we are only as important as our ability and willingness to proselytize about the virtues of DVC ownership. For almost two hours, they celebrated how great they've been as an organization (yes, collective bargaining is messy, but it's insulting to turn around and exult about how important it is to the organization to take care of it's most vulnerable employees), and how happy we've been as members. Couched in addressing our interests, were decisions being made serve the bottom line.

We could take every decision that DVC makes and spin it as a profit-driven move. Ticket discounts, member lounges, theme park events, wine tastings, website features...all are designed to ultimately improve DVC’s financial health. But every single one of them also provides tangible benefits to DVC members.

Member satisfaction and DVC financial health are not mutually exclusive.
 
We could take every decision that DVC makes and spin it as a profit-driven move.
This suggests to me that you don’t believe every move DVC makes is profit driven. That’s charming.

I will contend decisions are driven by profit, and that in fact, it would be more accurate to use the word “spin” in that context; that “We could take every decision that DVC makes and spin it as a membership benefit.”

You were there, Tim. That annual DVC Condo meeting was exactly that.
 
I would contend that DVC decisions are not driven solely by profit, nor a desire to improve things for members. Decisions for any large corporation are multi-faceted, based upon MANY different components, including the ones mentioned. Back to Bing Showei's example of the decision to remove the bridge over the pool at OKW...it was structurally sound, it cost money to remove, it was a poplar design feature, and a great place for taking pool photos of family and friends...there was no immediate financial gain in removing it. What there was at the time, was both a concern for guest safety, as guests ignored warnings NOT to jump from it into the pool, as well as a liability issue for the resort/members/Disney from injuries.

Does DVC care what we, the members, think...of course they do, no business wants unhappy customers bad mouthing them. But they also have other responsibilities including, but not limited to, safety, liability, profitability, legal responsibility and a general fiduciary responsibility to DVC Membership.

That said, please try to keep this thread related to announcements, dues and events at the Annual meeting. Thanks.
 
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The decision to retrofit studios in sold out properties with a 5th sleep surface could actually have been detrimental to direct sales. Members had asked for this for years and if the only option for a 5th person in a studio was with the currently selling resorts, this might have tipped the balance from resale to direct. Though I can certainly be as cynical as anyone, I believe DVC does attempt to achieve "member satisfaction" when it's feasible and possible. But when it's not, they are definitely going to put the smiley face on the decision and I don't find this to be either unusual or dishonest in the corporate world.
 


This suggests to me that you don’t believe every move DVC makes is profit driven. That’s charming.

I will contend decisions are driven by profit, and that in fact, it would be more accurate to use the word “spin” in that context; that “We could take every decision that DVC makes and spin it as a membership benefit.”

You were there, Tim. That annual DVC Condo meeting was exactly that.

I’ve been to 9 or 10 of these meetings and it’s the same every time. Let’s not pretend that Walt built an amusement park 63 years ago for any reason other than to turn a profit. Cherished memories and pixie dust are just a fortunate byproduct of profiting off park tickets, character meals, Memory Makers and DVC points.
 
I’ve been to 9 or 10 of these meetings and it’s the same every time. Let’s not pretend that Walt built an amusement park 63 years ago for any reason other than to turn a profit. Cherished memories and pixie dust are just a fortunate byproduct of profiting off park tickets, character meals, Memory Makers and DVC points.

Can things (whether crafted by Walt, or contemporary company leadership) not be both magical and profitable? Artists charge for the paintings, not as some part of some clever scam, but because even creative geniuses need to eat. I don’t think that the magic & memories are a byproduct, they are the point. Absent profit, the magic must end, but I don’t doubt even the most cold and club footed executive within the Walt Disney Company knows that absent the magic, there is no profit.
 
Putting the small under TV Murphy in 1 beds for 5 sleep surfaces would be a huge plus for SSR. I don't think they'll do it though, not sure why they put more sleep surfaces on studios than 1 beds.

From the picture posted of the pull down for the 1 bedroom, there could be room for 3 in the living room with the chaise at the end of the couch. May not be the final design.
 


Interesting point on the toiletries. I watched the entire DVC meeting last year as someone live streamed it on Facebook. Then I watched it again so I understoid various issues (for example it was pretty obvious they misspoke regards the Platinum pass discount).
On the toiletries they clearly said they were introducing larger individual bottles and even showed a photo. These were like 4+ times larger than what we've had .
But they never appeared anywhere to my knowledge. Suspect they were told to drop the plan for the plastic saving pumps.
 
Interesting point on the toiletries. I watched the entire DVC meeting last year as someone live streamed it on Facebook. Then I watched it again so I understoid various issues (for example it was pretty obvious they misspoke regards the Platinum pass discount).
On the toiletries they clearly said they were introducing larger individual bottles and even showed a photo. These were like 4+ times larger than what we've had .
But they never appeared anywhere to my knowledge. Suspect they were told to drop the plan for the plastic saving pumps.

I think they were in the SSR test rooms so not that it was dropped but rather just delayed or never was planned to be an immediate mass roll out.
 
TBH, I have a very hard time getting super-upset about the elimination of any single-use plastics. It also deals with all the "oh, I just take extras from the housekeeping carts in the hallways!" that you see so much of when people ask about DVC toiletries.

While it won't reduce dues in any respect, it's consistent and it's environmentally less terrible.
 
If it wasn't for the limited liquid size for carry-on luggage for things like shampoo or other liquids, I really wouldn't care about bringing my own shampoo on vacation. Just really sucks to only have 3 oz of shampoo or contact solution when flying. But I'm glad that Disney along with other large corporations are looking at there waste streams and trying to make reductions.
 
Comparing conditioners.jpg
Interesting point on the toiletries. I watched the entire DVC meeting last year as someone live streamed it on Facebook. Then I watched it again so I understoid various issues (for example it was pretty obvious they misspoke regards the Platinum pass discount).
On the toiletries they clearly said they were introducing larger individual bottles and even showed a photo. These were like 4+ times larger than what we've had .
But they never appeared anywhere to my knowledge. Suspect they were told to drop the plan for the plastic saving pumps.
They increased the size of the bottles from 1.25 oz to 2 oz bottles. So they last a bit longer. So the hotels that get daily housekeeping still were getting the 1.25 oz bottles, but DVC with limited housekeeping was getting 2 oz bottles.

But now they are going even further.
 
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This suggests to me that you don’t believe every move DVC makes is profit driven. That’s charming.

I will contend decisions are driven by profit, and that in fact, it would be more accurate to use the word “spin” in that context; that “We could take every decision that DVC makes and spin it as a membership benefit.”

You were there, Tim. That annual DVC Condo meeting was exactly that.

@Bing Showei, you're disenchanted by the condo meeting because you're not cynical enough. ;)

I'm in full agreement that every decision DVC makes is profit driven. However, don't let it tarnish your enjoyment of the parks! The decision making structure, with members able to voice suggestions but having no voting rights, is more equitable and better for the majority of owners than the alternatives.

I don't believe a select few members (with the time, means and inclination to run for office) can represent or please everyone any more than DVC management can. Realistically, condo representatives consist of people hoping to prove a track record so they can gain chairs on other boards (in which case they drive profits harder than paid execs) or people with strong convictions (better hope your interests align with their agenda). What about ballots? One word. BREXIT. Our annual dues would double because referendums are expensive to run, nothing would ever get decided on, they'd still be sending memorandums back and forth on whether they should serve any cookies at the condo meeting.

As far as our rights go, the most important power, to walk away freely, is protected better with DVC than most other purchases. It doesn't matter that my selling out would cause no punitive damage to the Mouse's bottom line. What matters is that I can; with negligible financial impact. Everything else is trimming.
 
While it won't reduce dues in any respect, it's consistent and it's environmentally less terrible.
I have no problem getting behind this change personally, and while that environmental impact was mentioned, Terri made it a point to talk about the long term cost savings that will benefit members' dues. How impactful that will be on dues is left to be seen, but like others, the cynic in me doubts there will be any savings as a result. Even looking at the budget breakdown, it would be hard to track that specific impact (which Terri also acknowledged). Again, it was the celebration of the change as a member benefit that was irksome.
@Bing Showei, you're disenchanted by the condo meeting because you're not cynical enough. ;)
I, admittedly, got caught up in it all. I'm normally the first to acknowledge that Disney is a corporation that is out to get as much of your money as you are willing to part with. Your job is to play along with the 'magic' as long as it's still fun for you... and I managed to forget that. I blame the fake castle they had on stage. Gets me every time.
 

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