Save the Adventurer's Club Strategies
1. Letter Writing
Write a letter to voice your concerns. Emails are great, and should be written, but because of their electronic nature, they can also be easily ignored. A form letter is fine, but writing from the heart is the best way to go. It shows that you are willing to take the time to physically write a letter and apply postage to make sure your concerns are heard. The addresses of the right people can be found here:
http://kungalooshforever.com/addresses.html
Be respectful, but firm. Let them know that you won't be spending your money, or as much money at WDW, especially at DTD as a whole. Be sure to specifically mention the good times and unique experiences you've had. Also, include photos of you enjoying the club(s). Some have even suggested sending in old maps or (paper) tribal masks.
2. Sales Slowdown
There is really no reason to purchase things at DTD necessarily. The vast majority of items at downtown Disney can be purchased at numerous other locations on Disney Property. Avoid spending money down there (Except PI and the AC). If you must purchase something, this is the suggested protocol:
Me: "Mr./Ms. CM, I'd love to purchase this. Could I speak to someone in charge? I'd like a few moments of their time."
CM: "Sure."
Me: "Mr./Ms. Manager, I would love to purchase this. However, given the current situation with PI/CW/AC, I refuse to spend another dollar at DTD until the situation is resolved. Could you assist me in locating this item elsewhere on the resort? I will go and purchase this item from the other location directly. Could you also convey to your management and Kevin Landsberry that you have customers that are directly refusing to spend their money at DTD because of the current PI/CW/AC situation? In return, I would be happy to phone call or e-mail whoever you'd like to let them know of the outstanding service I've received from you today."
Be respectful, but firm. They will be happy to assist you, because guest satisfaction is a huge concern of all DTD managers. This will also have the added benefit of tying up their time as well as hitting DTD where it hurts: The Bottom Line ($)
3. Phone Calls
There are two different types of phone calls that need to be made. The first type can be made by anyone.
3-1. Call Kevin Lansberry at (407) 828 - 4591 and leave him a message. This is his private and secure voicemail number. If you leave a phone number, they will most surely call you back and try to "sell" you off of your concerns using copious amounts of pixie dust and doublespeak. Tell them that this is unacceptable, again being respectful but firm. Mentioning a declining level of satisfaction with your Disney World trips couldn't hurt either.
3-2. When you are at the resort, call guest services from your room telephone and voice your concerns. Ask to recieve a call back from Kevin Lansberry or Meg Crofton personally. They may not actually return your call, but rest assured someone will. This not only shows them our resolve, but it also ties up their time and office staff doing rudamenary tasks that are usually shoved onto Guest Services cast members.
4. Resarchers / Guest Services
While on Disney property actively seek out Disney Research cast members and ask to take their survey. This is especially important when at Downtown Disney. Be sure to always rate your experience as poor, and for the reason, state the closing of the AC/CW/PI. These are the surveys Disney uses when they use the "Our Guests Say they want...." excuses.
In addition, stop at every Guest Services location you pass to lodge a formal complaint there. The cast members who work there are there to rectify problems and keep guests happy. A flood of upset guests regarding an issue will get it noiced. It is important to do this every time you go, many many times per trip. The more of their time we waste, and the more they hear us complain, the more high profile our cause becomes.
5. Anouncements / Busses and Guerilla Marketing
While on our trips to WDW, it is imperative that we spread the word to other guests we encounter on our stay. It is important to note that this does not mean we need to harass other guests and ruin their experience, but during a day in the parks most people strike up casual conversations with other guests during which the subject of the AC closing and what they can do about it can be brought up. You don't need to lecture them, but a quick mention of something they can do about it will help. Grow our numbers.
Disney's bus system is a great resource. Thousands of people traveling, very little going on and for the most part, quiet. One could simply make an anouncement that the AC/PI/CW is closing on Sept. 27th and that a great piece of what makes Disney, Disney will be lost. Make it clear we are not asking for money, simply a moment of their time to tell them what they can do to help our (and now hopefully their) cause.
Wear a pin, shirt, sticker, etc. supporting the AC/CW/PI. Not only will it strike up conversations about our efforts, but you'll clearly be one of the most dapper individuals around.
6. DVC Members and serious prospective Members
The first step is to have all current DVC Members call the DVC Member Services line at 1-800-800-9800 and let them know that you are not happy about this decision as a member, and that it will affect your decision to buy more points and/or reccomend the DVC to friends. They may mention that your real complaint it with Disney, and not the DVC. Do not accept this. Tell them that WDW and the DVC are the same company and that company is not treating is doing its best customers a HUGE disservice by closing down PI/AC/CW. They will list your name and tell you that your concerns have been heard. Also, be sure to contact your Sales Guide and DVC president Jim Lewis.
The CMs manning the DVC kiosks across the resort can't do anything to help our cause. Their job is to get potential customer's information into the DVC computer system & to get potential customers over to Saratoga Springs for a sales presentation. What prospective members can do is to go on a sales presentation, listen to what the guide has to say and then tell them something like this:
"I could be interested in what you have to offer. I want to think about it for a while. However, there is one thing I do want to make clear to DVC: For such an expensive purchase (current entry price is around $16K), I have an expectation that Disney will provide some sort of (evening) adult entertainment area as part of the resort that is not an additional shopping venue. I am watching the problems over at the Downtown Disney area carefully & if I see adult entertainment venues such as the CW & AC being eliminated, it will directly impact my decision to purchase a DVC ownership interest. Could you convey this message back to DVC management by e-mail & copy Kevin Landsberry on the e-mail?"
With the summer vacation season, Disney is now into one of their peak DVC selling periods. There are a limited number of DVC sales presentations each day. If you start cutting into these presentations with people who won't buy due to Mr. Landsberry's new strip mall project, it will get their attention. Remember, DVC is the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Remember, if we do all this our impact will be felt.
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