Getting to Know the DVCR Team – Part 4
Hello everyone! It is time for the final entry (at least for now) in our Getting to Know the DVCR Team blog series! Today, you’ll meet 6 more of our amazing and dynamic team members, who all play a part in assisting the countless guests and DVC owners we work with and share the magic of Disney through their various roles.
Please join Kristen and Stacy in introducing Cassidy, Stacy, Emma M., Stephanie H., and Kristen!
Cassidy Kowalski
Senior Vacation Coordinator
Cassidy joined us here at David’s in May 2021 and has been such a sweet addition to our team! She may be on the quieter side, but anytime we’re in the office together, she’s always smiling. She is kind, helpful, and has a big heart. Coming from a big family, blending in with our family-like team was easy for her!
One of the things I have learned about Cassidy in the time we’ve worked together at DVCR is that she loves to be by the water. From pictures of her loved ones at the beach to her desire to stay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas; her favorite Disney movie (The Little Mermaid) even takes place by the ocean!
Cassidy is someone that you can always count on to lend a helping hand without even needing to ask. As she has grown in her role on the team, she has developed a wealth of knowledge that she happily shares with guests and teammates alike. Not to mention, she is a fantastic Secret Santa and gifted me a lovely present last year, precisely comprised of things she knew I would love – a prime example of how thoughtful she is!
Here are a few of Cassidy’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Top of my list to stay at would be either the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Restaurant/Snack: Dole Whip!
Disney Movie: The Little Mermaid
Character: As the youngest of 4 sisters, I related to Ariel growing up
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
I enjoy the team environment and helping people plan their dream vacation for a fraction of the price they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
Cassidy’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Start planning as far in advance as possible! Also, if you’re flexible on dates, be sure to keep an eye on our Confirmed Reservations page on our website, where DVC Owners can list secured reservations; sometimes discounted rates pop up here, too!
Stacy Revell
Cruise Specialist & Social Media Specialist
“There’s a great big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day!“
– Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Kristen here! While Stacy and I co-wrote this blog, I insisted on penning this section. Stacy is incredibly humble and wouldn’t say so herself, yet she is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Having joined DVCR in July 2016 and blossomed into her current dual role as Cruise and Social Media Specialist, she is very knowledgeable and supportive of her team members. She is always looking for ways to help, which is so appreciated!
A proud auntie, Stacy’s always ready with a story (often hilarious) about her beautiful nieces and nephews. She adores film – her favorites are Mary Poppins, The Shining, and Scream – and is always up for a movie date. It’s a privilege to know Stacy and spend time with her when she’s in her element and so passionate, even when the movies aren’t exactly what we expected.
Stacy has a refined pallet, chicken fingers being her preferred Disney dinner. According to Stacy, Disney Cruise Line has the best offerings regarding deep-fried poultry, so remember that for your next sailing! An avid traveler, when Stacy isn’t at Disney (or dreaming of being there), she’s likely planning her next cruise.
Here are a few of Stacy’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Restaurant: The Chocolate Ice Cream Soda from Beaches & Cream is my all-time favorite Disney treat!
Disney Movie: Mary Poppins! It is my all-time favorite movie as it is full of great characters, a fun story, iconic imagery, legendary performances, and an INCREDIBLE soundtrack! It’s also uplifting and has a great message to never forget to have fun and use your imagination, even in day-to-day tasks, no matter how old you are.
Character: Mary Poppins again! I love that she is confident in herself and her abilities to nurture those around her and is always full of surprises!
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
Mary Poppins once said, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun,” and we have a lot of fun at David’s! We get to talk about Disney all day and assist countless people with their dream vacations! What’s not to love?! When you can sense a smile and excitement when speaking with a guest or DVC Owner, it is the most incredible feeling in the world! We also have a wonderfully fun and supportive team, making for the best working environment ever!
Stacy’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Plan as far in advance as possible for the best chance at availability, particularly for popular times to travel, such as holidays or school breaks. Additionally, I always suggest checking out the virtual tours and room photos on our website to help you get a first-person look at the different room types and see which resort might best fit your family’s needs.
Joanne Carlos
Vacation Coordinator
“It all started with a mouse.“
– Walt Disney
When I think of Joanne, “bubbly” is the first word that comes to mind! After joining us in May 2022, she quickly started learning a lot about all things Disney and has become an enthusiastic and helpful member of our DVCR team!
Joanne loves to share sweet, funny stories about her adorable daughter and family and is always one of the first to volunteer when a task needs to be covered or a teammate needs a hand in the office. Her smile is contagious, and she can be counted on to recommend a new show or movie she thinks you might enjoy.
Another recommendation you can always get from Joanne is a new dish or recipe to try. She is a super foodie and loves to chat about everything she’s cooking up! Beyond kitchen concoctions, she definitely whips up some great customer service, and is always receiving compliments from guests and DVC owners alike for her helpfulness and sunny attitude.
Here are a few of Joanne’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, is definitely on my bucket list!
Restaurant: I’d love to try a restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, as eating African-inspired fare is a rare opportunity for me!
Disney Movie: Hercules. The art style is different, and it has great music, too! I’ve also moved a lot, so “Go the Distance” always pulls my heartstrings.
Character: I don’t really have one!
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
It’s like working with a family of Disney lovers! It also combines my passion for traveling with work; can it really get any better than that?
Joanne’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Book as early as you can, and if you have any questions, reach out! We’re always happy to help!
Emma Morden
Vacation Coordinator
“Keep moving forward.“
– Walt Disney/Meet the Robinsons
Emma joined our team in May 2022, and we all learned quickly that she can be relied on for consistently excellent customer service, as well as a helping hand with the tasks our team undertakes during the rental process.
Emma is knowledgeable and has a real love for Disney that she shares with others any chance she gets. When asked which DVC resort is her favorite, she may have trouble narrowing it down to just one and will happily tell you why she loves each and every one of them! She is friendly, incredibly witty, and very easy to talk to, not to mention that she has one of the coolest Toy Story Spirit Jerseys I’ve ever seen!
With a creative spirit, Emma is an aspiring author, avid reader, and a skilled artist! She can often be found jotting down notes, story ideas, and working on pieces in our office breakroom over lunchtime. I love hearing about the fantastical works she conjures up, and just know she’ll have a bestseller someday!
Here are a few of Emma’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Old Key West, and the Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge.
Restaurant/Snack: Dole Whip and Mickey Waffles
Disney Movie: Toy Story, though there are so many good ones!
Character: Goofy, because I’ve always had the best interactions with him at the Parks!
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
The environment: everyone is so nice and welcoming! Also, how much everyone enjoys working here. We get to talk about Disney every day, and we really care about our guests and DVC Owners.
Emma’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Reach out with all the questions! We are always happy to chat about our process and the DVC resorts and even check your travel dates for availability in the DVC Inventory!
Stephanie Hughes
Team Leader
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.“
– Walt Disney
Stephanie joined our team in February 2018, and her love for all things Disney shone brightly from day one! In the years I’ve known her, I’ve learned that she also loves her family, paintball, football, and is not one to be taken lightly as a boardgame or trivia competitor! Though she loves some fierce competition, she is also one of the sweetest people you could hope to meet.
Stephanie loves traveling to Walt Disney World as often as she can, especially with her daughters and family, and when she’s not on a trip, she still finds ways to incorporate her love of the parks and resorts into her daily life. Whether it’s her signature Mickey stud earrings, Dooney & Burke handbag, or an outfit featuring one of her favorite characters, there’s always a magical touch to her style!
In her years with DVCR, Stephanie has grown from a fledging Vacation Coordinator into a successful Team Leader and is known for being easy to talk to, friendly, and helpful. She is filled to the brim with DVC and Disney Parks knowledge, is quick to lend a shoulder to lean on, and is someone who never fails to make me laugh (especially when her cat, Loki, decides to prance along her keyboard when she’s working from home and writes us some special, silly messages!)
Here are a few of Stephanie’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Restaurant: Bar Riva at Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney Movie: Tangled, because Rapunzel and Flynn are everything
Character: Rapunzel, Gaston, and Hades
What do you like most about working at DVCR?
It feels like a family working here. Plus, I get to discuss Disney all day long!
Stephanie’s #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Be flexible! Your original resort selection may not be available, but we will do everything possible to assist you and find an alternative that works for you and your family.
Kristen Allison
Joint Head of Social Media
“You are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life.“
– Queen Iduna, Frozen II
Since joining our DVCR team in October 2019, Kristen has accomplished a lot, growing from a Vacation Coordinator to the Co-Head of our Social Media team. She has an immense love of all things Disney and vast knowledge of the best vegan dining options at the resorts and parks, and she enjoys getting the chance to share those both on our social platforms and in-office with our team.
One of the things Kristen and I bonded over almost immediately was our shared love for all things spooky and pop culture fandoms. She is an avid Swiftie, who can often be found eagerly discussing her favorite moments from movies and TV shows she loves (especially the Disney ones) while sipping on her beloved Diet Coke!
Kristen has a sharp sense of humor and never fails to make me laugh. She is one of the most caring and generous people I know, goes out of her way to help her teammates, and has an extensive and impressive pin collection. It’s not often she doesn’t have a Disney trip in the works, and when she doesn’t, she’s dreaming up plans for the future!
Here are a few of Kristen’s favorite things:
DVC Resort: Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas, Disney’s Riviera Resort, & Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Restaurant: I sometimes struggle to find unique and enjoyable plant-based alternatives at Walt Disney World. I mean, a girl can only eat so many Beyond sausages! That said, Disney has progressively become more vegan-friendly, and here are 3 of the best items I’ve had on my Disney adventures so far:
- The Vegetable Wellington at Steakhouse 71 (a great place to dine when staying at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower)
- The Kaldolmar entree (made with plant-based “beef,” savoy cabbage, brown rice, carrots, celery, and a dill yogurt drizzle) at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure aboard the Disney Wish
- The IMPOSSIBLE Korean Short Rib at the Trowel & Trellis booth at EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival (this item has been available for the last two years, and I hope it sticks around because it’s delicious!)
Disney Movie: Beauty & the Beast. Honorable mentions include A Goofy Movie, Luca, The Rescuers Down Under, Frozen II, Fun and Fancy Free, and Inside Out. Having now answered this myself, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my teammates for asking them an impossible question.
Character: Belle and Elsa. Like Belle, I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and her bravery and selfless nature are so admirable. Elsa’s journey of self-acceptance as she embraces the things that make her different from everyone else and becomes the most authentic version of herself is absolutely inspiring and definitely something I can identify with.
What do I like most about working at DVCR?
One of the best things about working here is that we don’t work on commission or have any sales goals. The people you’re speaking with (whether over the phone, via email, Live Chat, or on our social media platforms) are authentic, present, and genuinely interested in helping you book your next dream stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort. We also want to hear all about your trip when you return, so please feel free to share your stories and photos with us on social media or write a Google Review!
My #1 Tip for Renting DVC Points:
Know that we love Disney as much as you do. We still feel that familiar yet magical flutter in our tummies when we glimpse Cinderella’s Castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. We have resort bucket lists, dream vacations, and favorite rides and attractions. Our team is incredibly knowledgeable, and it’s our relatability and true passion for what we do in creating excellent customer service that sets us apart.
Thank you so much for joining us for this blog series! Much like the parks and resorts at Walt Disney World, our company and team continue to grow and change, but one thing remains the same – we will always love helping you make some vacation magic!
~Stacy & Kristen
