Disney Vacation Club continues to experiment with an initiative designed to help larger groups with their vacation planning needs.
Disney's Riviera Resort Grand Villa
For about a year, Disney Vacation Club has been quietly testing a program it refers to as the Member Experience Specialist Team. Approximately 90 days prior to their scheduled arrival, select DVC members are contacted by a Cast Member offering to assist with vacation planning needs. The areas serviced by the team include:
- Dining reservations when available
- Search for recreation availabilities
- Organize your special events
- Setting up your My Disney Experience app
- Disney Magic Mobile Digital Wallet Pass for membership benefits,
- Park tickets
- Park reservations
- Resort reservation requests
- General questions
Initial contact is made via email, with members invited to communicate their needs in any of the above areas via email or phone. Perhaps most valuable is the dining reservation assistance, eliminating the need for the member to book via the Walt Disney World app or website.
The correspondence includes a deadline for responding, which is typically 3-4 days before Advance Dining Reserations can be made for the trip. In the event that they are unable to secure a specific dining reservation when the window first opens, the group promises to "continuously search on your behalf."
One member who reached out to DVCNews was pleased with the dining reservations obtained by the Member Experience Specialist Team. Four requests were made for a party of up to 11 diners, including some locations which tend to be more difficult to book like breakfast at Topolino's Terrace and dinner at 'Ohana. All four reservations were secured on the date and timeframes requested.
While the team is able to hold the ADRs on behalf of the member, finalizing the transaction requires a phone call in order to link a credit card to each dining reservation.
The team is also able to assist with booking behind the scenes tours, poolside cabanas, provide information and guidance regarding other obscure Disney services like family photo sessions and resort activities.
This program is available by invitation only. There is currently no charge, and it appears to be exclusively targeted at guests staying in larger Disney Vacation Club accomodations. This includes three bedroom Grand Villas, Cascade Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins and the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. There is no word on whether DVC plans to expand it to additional members.
