Aimfair Gathering
January 25, 2017
The January 25, 2017 Aimfair Gathering. A very lively event, and many attendees were not Aimfair members.
It was a lively enent! Approximately 100 attendees. Too many to be a social mixer for Aimfair members. In fact, more than half were "Pool Attendees", who were not affiliated with Aimfair.
That said, questions and discussions were concentratred on similar themes as past Gatherings. What this event showed is the high interest by members of Vida Vacations in having communicate with management.
The main issues remain the same as those that were discussed in November, 2016:
- Members want to be able to leave and enter the property by foot - Management has security concerns.
- Members want the north bound exit from the property and entrance to Highway 200 opened - Management claims property ownership issues prohibit opening that entrance for now. It appears there may be other reasons, which are not public. Other plans for the center median?
This architect's rendering was released to ThemeParkUniversity.com and is the most recent release of images by Grupo Vidanta. It shows the currently closed north bound access to Highway 200 lighted to attract passersby. But it is not clear if the north bound lanes of Highway 200 merge with a cloverleaf from the Vidanta property. Stay tuned....all is subject to change....
A recent aerial view of the new entrance shows construction of some type in the median between the north and south bound lanes. We have no idea what this might be, but in the center there is the Vidanta symbol. (Please tap the photo to enlarge, and tap your browser's back arrow to return.)
- Members continue to be frustrated over the lack of an online reservation system and getting reservations they want - Management is working to solve this very complex issue, and there is no estimated completion date yet.
- Members want the ability to know their room assignments before they arrive - Assigning rooms is a complex process that involves consideration of many factors, however, Brett Estes will present the suggestion to management.
In all there are 32 discussion points, some of which are points Brett will take up with management. That said, it is clear members want the ability to express themselves, and, more importantly, they want to see progress in resolving their issues.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE MINUTES TO THE JANUARY 25, 2017 AIMFAIR GATHERING. TAP AGAIN TO CLOSE.
Aimfair Gathering – January 25, 2017
- Question: Addressed to Brett: Are you working solely in Nuevo Vallarta?
- Answer: Yes. Brett has a counter part in Riviera Maya.
- Question: Can you make it easier to walk off the resort? This is a major concern for contract owners.
- Answer: There is no answer yet, but Brett knows it is an issue.
- Brett suggests that we make our wishes clear via email to corporate.
- Entrances were closed for Security reasons.
- Question: What about opening the Northbound exit from the property?
- Answer: Vidanta is constructing a turnaround to cross the highway just across the bridge to Jalisco.
- This route will be used as the official turnaround instead of the ad hoc loop around the Starbucks coffee shop on the Jalisco side of the Ameca River bridge.
- Question: Music is too loud everywhere on the property.
- Answer: This issue should be directed to the Hotel Manager – Mr. Ernesto Medina.
- Question: Could you put a “Stair Only” symbol on some of the walkways or a “ramp available” sign for people with walking issues? It would be a good thing to know before setting out for walks.
- Answer: Brett will make a note of that concern and suggestion.
- Question: Vidanta has overcharged on the 5% annual increases in Usage Fees. What can we do about that?
- Answer: It is best to address your individual contract concerns with Member Services.
- Question: What is being done to improve the “Disrespectful” reservation system? Can’t reserve a unit even when calling on the first hour of the first day of reservations. Calls are disconnected or don’t go through. Wait times are very long when one finally gets through. Sales people are said to be making reservations for clients before owners can reserve. Result: space is committed before owners have a chance to submit their requests.
- Answer: There is no timetable for the return of the online reservation system.
- The online reservation system cannot process all the variables that are associated with members’ contracts and addenda.
- High demand for reservations during high season creates shortages. Example: There are only 16 one-bedroom lofts available for use at any given time.
- Eighty percent of contract owners want access in January, February and March.
- Booking during other months will improve odds of getting desired reservations.
- Salespeople can make reservations for the next year if you upgrade your ownership.
- Question: Is there a plan to better manage the reservation process?
- Answer: The online reservation system is not operating now and there is no estimated completion date.
- The call-in system is over taxed.
- February 1st is the busiest call day with 25,000 calls on that day alone.
- The plan is to add call center agents in the reservations department, and this should smooth out the troubled reservation process.
- Question: What is being done about transportation for people with disabilities? There are long waits for the handicap shuttle.
- Answer: Resort management recognizes the issue.
- Six more handicap carts are on order.
- Some may have already arrived.
- Question: What can be done to restore shuttle service to the Grand Mayan Front Entrance? Enjoyed walking through the dramatic front lobby. Shuttle now lets riders off at a station along the road to the beach.
- Answer: The shuttle service stops are part of management’s attempt to improve shuttle service.
- Brett was unaware that shuttles no longer stop at the Grand Mayan entrance.
- Question: Can we have a Bridge Group?
- Answer: Brett will bring that up with Hotel Management
- Question: What can the resort do about providing handicapped access into the pools (ramp, lift, etc.) for those who are in wheel chairs or disabled? Example: Member’s daughter who has MS cannot use the pools because of access problems.
- Answer: Will bring that up with management.
- Question: What can be done about allowing turtles to get out of the lagoons? One person was concerned the turtles in lagoons could not reach land.
- Question: How will use of the Convention Center impact room availability?
- Answer: Convention rooms are booked only during the off-season.
- The Convention Center may be used for meetings in High Season, but not the hotel rooms.
- Some uses are local and day-use, which do not use hotel rooms.
- Conventions generally cannot afford the high season rates for rooms.
- There has been no impact on room availability during High Season resulting from the use of Convention Center facilities.
- Question: What is happening with the development in Argentina?
- Answer: Argentina is a political mess.
- Do not expect to see a property there.
- Question: What is the status of the East Cape development?
- Answer: There is work being done to build infrastructure, which includes roads, water, sewer and electricity.
- There is no estimated completion date set yet.
- It will be built, however.
- Question: How are room assignments made?
- Answer: The simple answer is….It depends.
- The level of investment is considered.
- The product owned is considered.
- The number of weeks owned is considered.
- Question: What will happen to the empty top floors of the Punta Tower?
- Answer: At one time there was a rumor that it would become a beach club.
- There are no specific plans now.
- Question: Construction noise continues to be irritating. When will it stop?
- Answer: The vast majority of construction is now complete.
- The last two towers are being built.
- After they are open, construction will move to the entertainment area.
- The Executive Golf Course is also nearly complete, which will reduce construction noise as well.
- Question: When will the Cirque Theme Park be completed?
- Answer: Late 2018 for the first part of the Park.
- Question: What can be done about poolside Chaise and Towel wars? Employees do not take towels away even when Chaises are empty. The rules against saving chaises without occupying them are not enforced.
- Answer: Brett will include in his notes to management.
- Question: What about the Train?
- Answer: The train remains parked in the Santuario and it is functional.
- It will ultimately be used to transport people to and from the entertainment area.
- There is talk about boats returning to the lagoons, but there is nothing planned at this time.
- Question: When will Sales stop if there are only two more buildings to complete?
- Answer: Sales will continue to sell if there is capacity at other locations.
- They will not oversell the overall capacity.
- Question: Why can’t new arrivals know their room assignment before they arrive? How can we keep from being assigned a room we do not want or like and have to complain/argue/wait to change rooms when we arrive? It is not a great way to start a vacation.
- Answer: That’s a good idea.
- Room assignments begin on Tuesday before arrival.
- It is a complex process that takes into consideration factors such as investment, expected checkouts, special requests, and other factors.
- That said, unit numbers should be known.
- Brett will pass the suggestion along to the Hotel Manager.
- Question: Why don’t the Hotel Managers and managers of other services walk around and talk to members to see how they are doing?
- Answer: The manager of the Luxxe Hotels is Ernesto Medina.
- Question: What is going to be done about the decrease in service level in spite of an increase in the number of guests?
- Answer: Resort management has recently addressed this issue.
- The budget for more improved service is $4 Million.
- Hiring is underway to increase the level of service to owners.
- Question: Is there any plan for Vidanta to buy back weeks?
- Are there plans to build on the other side of the Ameca River?
- Answer: Yes, the Norman course is open and operating there.
- That said, construction would be more limited.
- Question: Would the resort consider offering a dinner-only meal plan and rentable storage space for owners?
- Answer: Brett will pass along the Dinner-Only Meal plan.
- Administrative and legal issues may keep management from offering storage units.
- That said, there might be storage areas in upcoming ownership levels.
- Question: What can be done about replacing the Punta Pool chaises and cushions?
- Answer: Chaises and cushions are routinely repaired and replaced when necessary.
- That said, it is not likely they will be replaced during high season.
- Question: Can stairs to the beach in front of the Punta Pools be built to improve access?
- Answer: Brett will include the question in his notes.
- Question: Is Aimfair part related to or part of Vidanta?
- Answer: Aimfair is independent from Vidanta.
- Brett came as a courtesy to answer questions from owners.
- He did a great job
In conclusion, it was a good meeting. However, there were too many people – almost 100. Many of the attendees did not know it was an invitation only gathering. Although it was a large group, it proves that owners want more communication from Vidanta. The preferred group size is 20 to 30, which is what future gatherings will be.
Tap here to view minutes for the November, 2016 Gatherings
We all extend a huge thank you to Brett for sharing his time and thoughts with us, and a huge thank you goes out to Stan, JoAnn and Linda for providing minutes and other help. We could not do any of this without your generous and continuing participation.
We will all.....Stay Tuned....!!