Jim Lewis Head of DVC Fired

[DVC2004]

I heard from a reliable source Jim Lewis has been fired. That's all I know.

[seanyred]

I wonder why? Hopefully there will be some solid news about this soon.

[Aurora]

Ugh. I guess the writing was on the wall for this one. I was wondering how all this was going to go after he was basically demoted.

I had an opportunity to hear him speak at the 2007 DVC meeting and was impressed. I'm sure he'll land on his feet.

[restorethemagic]

This is 100% true. I work for DVC. Believe me this is a step in the right direction. Jim will land on his feet somewhere, he is a smart guy. DVC is better without him though.

[restorethemagic]

http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...d.php?t=184698

Since this is not a rumor, and is in fact true, I thought it should be mentioned here.

[Maleficent's Dad]

It's in today's paper.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,6823618.story

[Maleficent's Dad]

Today's paper:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,6823618.story

[seanyred]

The only problem I have with this article is that the Sentinel says that Aulani is Disney first major resort outside of the theme parks, do they not count Hilton Head or Vero Beach?

[Joannelet]

Wow....thats a bit shocking.

[buzznwoodysmom]

The only problem I have with this article is that the Sentinel says that Aulani is Disney first major resort outside of the theme parks, do they not count Hilton Head or Vero Beach?

I've noticed this statement in several different places. Apparently they don't count HHI or VB. I've always wondered why as well.

[Melanie]

Would someone please kindly fill me in. I claim to know very little about DVC, but with all the expansion, selling out existing locations, etc., I thought DVC was booming and making Disney lots of $$$. No? Why this firing?

[DVC2004]

Would someone please kindly fill me in. I claim to know very little about DVC, but with all the expansion, selling out existing locations, etc., I thought DVC was booming and making Disney lots of $$$. No? Why this firing?

Sales are down. It is my understanding they've been declining for a few years now. There are no truly "sold out" resorts. There is inventory available to buy at ll of them. The price increases are just there to create a false sense of urgency to buy now, as are the warnings of selling out. In 2008 supposedly BLT was going to sell out in 3 months. 3 years later it's still not sold out. Sales of Aulani were booming- in Japan mostly- until the quake/Tsunami. Then $8 mill in contracts got cancelled by the Japanese buyers. There's tons of inventory and lots of people who foreclosed or gave up their membership due to the current economic situation. DVC is a major cash cow, but even it has not escaped unscathed from the current reality.

I personally think this has been a long time coming. I have my reasons but I'm not going to go into it. Hopefully the new person can turn it around.

[DizneyRox]

Lies always have a habit of catching up to you... The rest, as they say, is history...

While I don't think anyone can compete against the current economic downturn, there's a lot of other reasons this is a long time coming.

[Basket Mommy]

I don't know much about this situation, but I was shocked to see that BLT points are now $150 each. Seems ridiculous to keep raising the prices when there is no demand and plenty available on the resale market (not necessarily BLT points, but other points that can be bought for about a third of what the current Disney price point is). The economy is bad, and raising prices when people cannot afford luxuries at any price right now seems to me to be a bad move.

[Maleficent's Dad]

Jim Lewis is gone for a variety of reasons, but what pushed things over the edge was the Aulani debacle. He knew all along about the licensing snafu and didn't get it cleared up.

[bouncer]

Forgive me for being out of the loop...what Aulani debacle?
As far as corporate restructuring...I have seen it many times, but what is Disney doing here? Are these people (last month's pink slips included) casualties of the economy or Disney deciding to "go in a different direction?" How are they looking to be situated once they are done restructuring?

I am afraid that with decreasing amount of "Magic" that the Corporate ones who are left will be forced to worry about only the $$$ and not the consumer...or maybe...the consumers' message is becoming clear: "Please put the Disney Magic back."

Question really is: has Disney interpreted that message yet? hmmm

[Maleficent's Dad]

DVC is not currently selling timeshare interests in Aulani at this time; in fact they were stopped in July when it was discovered that Disney was illegally selling their timeshare units as they had not obtained the proper (and legal) licensing documents. This could potentially cost the company (rumored) millions of dollars in fines. Additionally, after the devastation in Japan, Disney lost almost all sales from that nation (completely understandable). JL was at the helm for all of this - and that, coupled with his growing reputation for arrogance and ignoring member concerns, apparently led to his demise.

[Ian]

DVC is not currently selling timeshare interests in Aulani at this time; in fact they were stopped in July when it was discovered that Disney was illegally selling their timeshare units as they had not obtained the proper (and legal) licensing documents.

I'm not at all disputing what you say, but I am completely shocked if it's true that there appears to be absolutely nothing in the mainstream media about it. I couldn't find a single article from a credible news source reporting this.

Do you have any more info on where you heard this and maybe a link to a story about it from a true news outlet? Google searches turned up nothing.

[seanyred]

Being a DVC owner I wonder what this will all mean for us owners. I have read on various blogs that Jim Lewis was not a customer service friendly towards the owners. Is he the reason perks have been slashed year after year?

However, from what others are saying it doesn't sound like he was well liked. Lets hope his replacement is a good one.

Also for the sales debacle at Aulani if its true I would think there would newspaper articles at very least in Hawaii. With all the lawyers they have this seems like a simple step that shouldn't have missed, if its true.

[Maleficent's Dad]

I'm not at all disputing what you say, but I am completely shocked if it's true that there appears to be absolutely nothing in the mainstream media about it. I couldn't find a single article from a credible news source reporting this.

Do you have any more info on where you heard this and maybe a link to a story about it from a true news outlet? Google searches turned up nothing.

Ian,
I know it sounds pretty nuts - but it's true. Call your guide and ask about purchasing at Aulani. You'll get a run-around. It's been discussed at nauseam on other boards online (not too difficult to find). Disney is pulling their hair out on this one - It seems DVC has had major troubles on the Aulani "issue." I just sent you a PM on the issue.