DVCNews Debates: Bilby advice

[DVCNews]

Disney VP Claire Bilby has been named the new head of Disney Vacation Club and will soon find herself subject to the lofty expectations of hundreds-of-thousands of owners.? If you had a moment to bend her ear, what is the one suggestion or bit of advice that you would give her with regard to the DVC program?


Topic:? What advice would you give Claire Bilby as she takes over as head of DVC?

Read full article

[wdrl]

I would advise Ms. Bilby to be more open with the Members about changes in the Vacation Club. More specifically, to give Members as much lead time on changes as possible.

For example: The decision to reallocate the point charges for 2010 and 2011 was probably made months earlier. However, DVD waited until almost the last moment to publish the revised point charts and to inform the Members about the change. I have no trouble understanding why DVD made the reallocations, but I've never understood why DVD seemed to delay making the announcements until the very last moment.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Ms Bilby,

If you believe Commercial Renters are hurting the system, GO AFTER THEM and leave me alone.

Instruct the CM's to enforce the RULES that are on the books and quit looking the other way. You don't need RFID chips in soda cups to prevent theft, you need to hire a few Vikings from the Northeast to introduce Big Gulp Mugs to the proper bodily orifice.

Keep DVC Disney. Don't even consider spinning us off.

Stop using DVC to bail out failed / failing resorts.

[Presley]

I suggest looking at every decision as a member before it is finalized. Pretend you are a DVC customer and that you have very high expectations.

[DizDays]

First, seek to understand, then timely communicate, Communicate, COMMUNICATE with a clear explanation of "why" (beyond "based on member's feedback..."). Most people will be OK with almost anything as long as there is a sound reason "why" associated with it.

[Minne's Friend]

I agree with others that Communications is very very important. Please remember we do spend money also and that the DVC owners should not be forgotten once they sign the contract. We are your repreat visitors, we bring family and friends, we are your best marketing to sell more DVC. Guess the point is that DVC owners are just as important to the bottom line.

[gilpohl]

Do away with the two class system - One for those that buy points from DVC and the others that buy them on the resell market. I do not plan to sell my points, but if something should happen and I have to, I want to get as much value as I can. I was planning on buying additional points (maybe 100) last year, but will not buy from DVC knowing that they have taken away my resell value.

[disneyadic]

I agree that communications with the membership is most important-and the communication needs to come from DVC - many times we are hearing of the changes, rumors, etc from elsewhere on the net. Accurate information directly from DVC in timely fashion!

Enforcing rules already in place-enough said.

And remember that we bought with the intention of staying in it for the long haul-we are your best marketers! We bought into the "best program" around, and we want it to remain that way! I will still pay more for better, AND be happy doing so!

[tinkerbell101]

I would have to ask that they bring back the option of selling your DVC with all the old benefits we had before March 2011, as I believe the changes have decreased the overall value of the DVC timeshare. I think more perks would be welcome, as well as more communication with the owners.

[DisneyGeek]

I think Viking has a good list. Disney SHOULD do the communications, but I'm OK personally with getting my information here like I do now. One thing that is important to me:

Don't do away with Banking & Borrowing, and always have some time window that I can do so 100% for that Use Year. I have several small contracts for resorts I don't visit every year and that would kill their usefulness to me.

For my parents:

Don't implement minimum stays! This would hurt their typical 3 night trips and also make split stays a lot for difficult for everyone. Usually this won't impact DW & myself much @ WDW & DL, but at the non-park resorts or some specific trips I'm considering it might...