Walt Disney World alone is home to literally hundreds of restaurants serving thousands of entrees, snacks, desserts, beverages and more. Disneyland has its own unique roster of dining establishments and menu items. And through all that, few guests can say that they've sampled all restaurants and menu offerings at the Disney theme parks and resorts.
From time to time Disney Vacation Club has arranged exclusive events and experiences for members--some complimentary and some for an added fee. Several years ago DVC held a "member homecoming" event which included, among other things, late-night park hours exclusively for DVC owners. Members-only cruises have become an annual tradition. Holiday parties are typically offered over several weeks in December, as well as luxury suite visits during select Atlanta Braves Spring Training games.
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?
The last few years have brought a number of controversial changes to the Disney Vacation Club product under former head Jim Lewis. Examples include point reallocations, booking window changes, banking deadline changes, among others.
Jim Lewis joined Disney Vacation Club as general manager in 2003 and was promoted to President in 2006. He guided the program through the most prosperous period of its history--adding over 2000 units to the including 400+ at the about-to-open Aulani resort in Hawaii. Lewis was instrumental in popular members perks such as free Internet service, deep disocunts on Walt Disney World Annual Passes and annual members-only cruises.
But member complaints also plagued his regieme, often bringing to light poor housekeeping, poor villa maintenance and unpopular policy changes.
