Which aspects of the DVC program do you feel need improvement? What would you suggest to make membership even better?

Image: DisneyPaul: The benefits of ownership are huge. Discounted accommodations and dining are nothing to sneeze at. With that being said, I'd like to see Disney increase the small benefits of membership that make the DVC member feel special after the purchase. These types of benefits do not necessarily save the guest or cost Disney a tremendous amount of money. A welcome gift such as a special edition popcorn bucket awaiting a member in the villa at arrival might be an example. Of course, an argument could be made that any benefit offered by DVC increases the dues of the owners. This may be true, but a lot of cool things can be offered at minimal cost.

Melissa: I think that DVC has a pretty good program. They do quite a bit for their members. I find that members will always want more for their money and I can't blame them. However, when Ken Potrock became the senior VP, he added Moonlight Magic, Season Pass specials, and the DVC Lounges. I believe that the extras that have been done for members are satisfactory. Some think that the cost of their Membership helps pay for these events. However, the Disney Vacation Development funds these events/perks. As an enticement to become an owner, Disney Vacation Development has restricted the use of some of these perks to those owners who have purchased directly through The Disney Vacation Development.

Image: DisneyKristen: Disney has really listened to their owners' concerns over the last few years and has implemented improvements based on their feedback — adding the murphy beds, improving the website and member services, refurbishing the units more often, etc. The feedback we are hearing from current owners tends to be booking issues with staying at the Polynesian. Having only studio units and the point-heavy bungalows leads to a lack of availability that could easily be solved if Disney offered one- and two-bedroom villas at that resort. We want more DVC resorts! 

Marissa Vallotton, DVC Resale Market:  Availability always seems to be in discussion with members.  DVC upgraded their website about a year ago to start providing members with a 60 day out last minute booking option.  I know many members have loved this, as it gives a snapshot of what is available last minute. 

Since visibility to availability is always a hot topic among members, it would be awesome if Disney could develop that even more and possibly offer last minute promotions such as discounted point rates on last minute bookings seven to 30 days out.  I am not an expert in logistics, but I think there is definitely something there that would really help with overall member satisfaction.

Where would you like to see a DVC resort added and why?

Image: Disney

Kristen: We actually posed this question on our Facebook page a couple of years ago, and the top request was a DVC resort in the Caribbean with the allure of Aulani but closer travel for the east-coasters. 

Melissa: I would love to see a DVC resort added to the Yacht Club. I love the area around Crescent Lake, and I think that it just needs one more DVC Resort. The Yacht Club is close enough to the Beach Club that I think it would only make sense, right? Also, I'm a huge fan of the Food and Wine Festival, so if there is a third DVC booking option that allows me to walk to Epcot, I would be all in!!!

Marissa: I would love to see another Disneyland option (especially being from California). Obviously, there is the demand for it. As you can tell with our listings, we sell most of our Grand Californian contracts same day they are listed. 

Also, working on the cruise ships for years and seeing the Disney guests’ love for Castaway Cay, I have always thought it would be really cool to see something on a private Island like Castaway Cay.

Image: DisneyDerek: I would love to see a DVC ski resort somewhere in Colorado or Canada.  Of course, being Disney, it would be so much more than just a “ski resort.” It would be a true mountain/lake destination that families could enjoy not just in the winter but during the warmer months as well.  Since I live 20 min away from WDW, we tend to use our points at the “non theme park” DVC resorts like Vero Beach several times a year (my all-time favorite DVC resort!).

Paul: I would love to see a resort with an entrance into the Magic Kingdom in the manner that the Villas at the Grand Californian have an entrance into Disney's California Adventure Park in California. The points/price to book would be sky high, but the premium experience of staying there would be unparalleled. For strictly selfish reasons, I'd love DVC to build a resort in North Carolina or Virginia so that I would have one available to me close to home.