Getting to Know the DVCR Team – Part 2
Get ready for the second installment of our Getting to Know the DVCR Team blog series! I’m so excited to introduce five more fantastic team members: Cassandra, Lesley, Elyse, Cassie, and Meagan!
In the eternal words of Peter Pan, “Come on, everybody! Here we go!”
Cassandra Conley
Recruitment & Lead Vacation Coordinator
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” – Walt Disney
Cassandra and I started at DVCR in October 2019 as part of the same hire group. With her love of horror movies, tremendous wit, and desire to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party one day, I just knew we’d be friends. She also made me vegan banana bread, which is honestly the fastest way to my heart. We were actually able to take our first research trip to Walt Disney World together and tour the DVC resorts for the first time this year, which was absolutely magical!
Shortly after I met her, Cassandra adopted her rescue puppy Ripley (named after Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise, of course). The two of them have built such a special bond. Cassandra always includes Ripley in our annual office “Yacht Day” and makes her a special Barckcuterie board.
Cassandra has a diploma in special effects makeup and prosthetics, worked in theatre and television in Toronto, and is a certified custom picture framer. She loves framing Disney memorabilia and trip mementos, such as Minnie ears and Magic Bands.
Watching Cassandra’s creative gears in action is impressive. I brought a puzzle to her, and she immediately suggested using a frame reminiscent of sewer pipes, which perfectly complimented the image of Pennywise, the clown from Stephen King’s It.
Here are a few of Cassandra’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Restaurant: Sanaa! Seeing a giraffe casually stroll by while you enjoy the famous bread service? You will always find me right by the window!
Disney Movie: Hocus Pocus! Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to have a great Halloween adventure. I make an effort to make Halloween special and memorable each year!
Character: Mary Sanderson because “she is a perfect contrast to Winnie’s wickedness and has some of the best and most hilarious scenes in the movie.”
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
I love the teamwork! Reservations will typically pass through 3-5 hands before being secured, making sure that every detail has been accounted for and triple checked! This is a great benefit to each guest, DVC Owner, and our whole team!
Cassandra’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Our team wants to chat about your stay and offer any tips! So if you have a question or are feeling confused, join us on Live Chat, give us a call, or send us an e-mail! We can walk you through the entire process!
Lesley Berry
Vacation Coordinator
“How do you spell love?”
“You don’t spell it. You feel it!”
– Piglet & Pooh, Winnie the Pooh
The first thing I noticed when I met Lesley when she joined the DVCR team in May 2022 was her smile. She is so radiant and genuine in person and over the phone with our guests and DVC Owners! As someone who has worked in the travel industry as a flight attendant and who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Parks Management, Lesley is passionate when it comes to helping make dream Disney vacations come true. She loves traveling herself but also treasures being home and close to her family.
Lesley’s 15 minutes of fame came at the Black Carpet premiere of The Woman In Black in Toronto, where she interviewed Daniel Radcliffe! This experience was made extra special as her two boys are major Harry Potter fans, and she now has such a unique story to share with them.
Experiencing new things with her family, including her honorary nieces and nephews, is a life goal for Lesley. She loves all things adventure, new places, and always saying “Yes to fun!” From seeing Ed Sheeran perform in Dublin, Ireland, to watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Lesley cherishes time spent with her family making these magical memories.
Here are a few of Lesley’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Restaurant: Cape May Cafe and Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney Movie: Tangled! The boat scene with Flynn/Eugene makes me cry happy tears every time!
Character: Sleeping Beauty, aka Aurora, aka Briar Rose, because “when I was a little girl, I wanted my dress to magically change from blue to pink!”
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
The team! I am so interested in how we all work cohesively. We can assist any guest that calls, sends us an e-mail, or reaches out on Live Chat on our website. It’s amazing how many pieces are in the puzzle, and I think that’s what makes renting with David’s such a smooth process for our guests and DVC Owners!
Lesley’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Ask all the questions, as it is a unique process! Also, while we can secure reservations on a shorter timeline, the earlier you submit your reservation request form, the better!
Elyse Moore
Senior Vacation Coordinator
“Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.” – Aladdin
Elyse joined DVCR one year ago (as of October 4) and has brought with her such spunk and personality. When it comes to her friends and family, Elyse is very passionate and loves spending time with them and her family dog Doogie. She’s been on a Billboard in Times Square twice and has a degree in history; her final paper was actually a study on Walt Disney and the Development of Disneyland!
Move over, Gordon Ramsay, because Elyse’s Kitchen is open! Elyse began her adventure into cooking and baking a few years ago and has already successfully tackled the infamous Beef Wellington from Hell’s Kitchen. Elyse absolutely adores Christmas (seriously, I think she started listening to holiday jingles back in July) and is one of the best Secret Santas you will ever have.
While many team members are frequent visitors to Walt Disney World, Elyse offers a unique perspective as someone who has not yet traveled there herself. Her genuine wonder and curiosity about Disney shine through whenever she discusses the DVC resorts with our guests, and I cannot wait for her to experience the magic firsthand one day.
Here are a few of Elyse’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: I can’t wait to visit Disney’s BoardWalk Villas & Disney’s Riviera Resort
Restaurant: Beaches and Cream! I want to try and tackle the Kitchen Sink when I visit; it just looks unbelievable, and I have a huge sweet tooth!
Disney Movie: Aladdin, hands down!
Character: Mary Poppins – “I was always upset with my parents when any babysitters we had were nothing like her.”
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
I absolutely love the work culture and the team! When I first started, I, of course, had the new job jitters. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and continues to lend a helping hand at the drop of a hat. It’s a really supportive team, and I’ve loved every second of it so far!
Elyse’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Get your requests in early! One of the things that surprised me the most when I first started working at David’s was how quickly the Disney Vacation Club Inventory moves. If you have a specific room or resort in mind, it’s better to book sooner to give yourself the best chance. Also, patience is key!
Cassie Britton
Cruise Specialist & Lead Vacation Coordinator
“Unity isn’t about being the same. It’s about working together. What you can’t calculate, Ultron, is that our differences are our greatest strength.”
– Tony Stark/Iron Man, Avengers Assemble
As a member of our Cruise Department, Cassie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things cruising and has been a part of DVCR since May 2016. She is energetic, passionate, and cares so much about the people and pets closest to her. She has two adorable Labradors named Gojo and Jarvis, as well as a savvy swashbuckling kitty cat named Captain Jack.
I had the pleasure of sailing with Cassie on the Disney Dream this year, and we made sure to chat and reminisce about our furbabies back home to keep from missing them too much.
Cassie is also a skilled photographer and runs her own business for portraits and weddings. Whether it’s photography, archery, soccer, or pin collecting, I truly admire Cassie’s drive and passion for what is important to her. In preparing for this blog, Cassie really considered her answers, which further shows her dedication and thoughtfulness.
Here are a few of Cassie’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and the Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney Movie: “This is too hard!”
Top Comfort Movie: Lilo & Stitch | Top Princess Movie: Brave | Top Childhood Favorite: Peter Pan Top Action: Iron Man and Big Hero 6
Character: Stitch, because “as a kid that had ADHD and was a bit quirky herself, Stitch was a fun, cute, relatable character that could bring me joy at any time.”
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
The coworkers I have met and being able to help guests experience the DVC Resorts who may not have been able to otherwise. Also, after four years as part of the Cruise Department, I love seeing how the Cruise Swap Program can help DVC Owners go on cruises, Adventures By Disney, or experience the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. It is truly rewarding!
Cassie’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Submit your reservation request form as far in advance as possible (up to 12 months), as that will give you the best chance of being secured. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call for advice. It’s what we are here for, and we are happy to help provide some insight.
&
Meagan Cleveland
Senior Vacation Coordinator
“First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare.” – Walt Disney
Meagan joined the DVCR team in September 2019. She is extremely kind, soft-spoken, and the absolute best person to go to when you need a good book recommendation. She is also quite well-versed when it comes to eating gluten-free at Walt Disney World and has some savory suggestions when it comes to dining; for instance, Erin McKenna’s Bakery in Disney Springs is a must-stop for her.
As a Classicist, an expert on the history, literature, and languages of Ancient Greece and Rome, Meagan has actually lectured at Mansfield College in Oxford, England! Her novel, which she is working on publishing, is also set in Ancient Greece. When initially interviewing for her job at David’s, Meagan mentioned her novel and explained how she found inspiration from different Disney movies. Meagan brings this passion to her position as a Senior Vacation Coordinator each day as she ardently assists our guests and DVC Owners.
Here are a few of Meagan’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Restaurant: Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles from Roaring Fork at the Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney Movie: Alice in Wonderland and Hercules, which has a special place in Meagan’s heart due to her love of Ancient Greece and Rome!
Character: Alice, because “she is always curious and up for new adventures.”
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
At David’s, we are not just working at a job. We are sharing our love and enthusiasm for Disney and using our exceptional customer service to help our guests book their dream trips and establish relationships with our DVC Owners. David’s is a family company, and we love how guests and Owners we have worked with over the years keep coming back to our service as a part of the David’s family!
Meagan’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Don’t stress! We understand that our process can be new to a lot of people and that there is so much information out there about DVC Resorts. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have before you submit a reservation request form with us.
It is such a pleasure to learn and write about our team at David’s Vacation Club Rentals. I cannot wait to introduce you to more of my amazing teammates in part three of our Getting to Know the DVCR Team series!
~Kristen
