Other people's suprising reactions to your DVC membership?

[DVCJEN]

We purchased DVC last year after a couple years of weighing our options. We didn't really talk a whole lot about it to people as we knew WDW isn't everyone's "thing". Well it was brought up at a family gathering over the Lobor Day weekend and several relatives were just appalled by it. (Not that is any of their business of course :rolleyes: ) The one that suprised me the most was a cousing of mine, who is very much a spender, who went on and on about how we were "throwing away money" and "it must be nice to have money to burn". It was weird. I mean, it doesn't bother me when someone else spends their own money.
Anyone else have family with strange reactions to DVC?

[dtauer]

We get that reaction every time we mention that it is similar to a timeshare. The "timeshare" word puts people off almost every time. Now we simply call it the Disney Vacation Club and that gets a better response.

Also, remember that many, if not most, people in this country think they are doing well financially if they can make their house, car and credit card payments every month. As long as they make the payment, things are going well. I think that spending 10-15K or more for something that doesn't reap immediate rewards is a tough concept for some to grasp. You buy a car, you park it in the driveway, you buy a house you move in. Spending this much money and being able to say that my lodging is paid for my trip next year doesn't give the same immediate satisfaction some people crave.

[vascubaguy]

Well... my family had mixed reactions.
My mom and brothers were all like.. COOL! now we can go every year!!! (and I was thinking... umm... yea... no!) My mom even mentioned giving me some money to buy her some points. I told my cousin that live in FL and she said that she tried the timeshare thing and it was a ripoff... but when I explained how DVC works she agreed it was better than what she had had.... BUT she had to throw in... "Why can't you just stay with me? We only live 30 minutes from WDW!" :confused3

My partners family was the same about being able to go with us ever year too... except they added... "how much did you pay for that, $1500?". This was after I told them I had just bought 110 add-on pts at SSR. After I stopped laughing I asked how much they thought a week at POR would cost... they had no idea. So, when I told them how much I actually paid, they changed their tone and were like, "You are crazy!" Then I had to explain how we go every year and the money it will save in the long haul and being able to stay in nicer places (and on-site) etc etc etc. And they also said something about it being "nice to have money" etc etc...

I don't think they've ever stayed on-site so we'll definately have to take them with us one time.

Some folks just don't understand we are a different type of people! :crazy:

[CharlesTD]

We purchased DVC last year after a couple years of weighing our options. We didn't really talk a whole lot about it to people as we knew WDW isn't everyone's "thing". Well it was brought up at a family gathering over the Lobor Day weekend and several relatives were just appalled by it. (Not that is any of their business of course :rolleyes: ) The one that suprised me the most was a cousing of mine, who is very much a spender, who went on and on about how we were "throwing away money" and "it must be nice to have money to burn". It was weird. I mean, it doesn't bother me when someone else spends their own money.
Anyone else have family with strange reactions to DVC?

My father is exactly like your cousin so we don't tell him we own it we tell him my in laws do LOL.

[jarestel]

Vacations are at the bottom of the priority list for many people I know. So they definitely don't see why anyone in their right mind would buy a "timeshare" and go on vacation every year. They think we're mad!

[dianeschlicht]

My sister in law feels the same way about both timeshares AND Disney. She went to WDW once, and that means "she has seen that already". Of course, they were there with their 4 children between Christmas and New Years 10 years ago. Believe me, they hardly saw anything! We were there the last couple days of their trip, and they had hardly scratched the surface, because they wouldn't listen to how to do it.

[mark&sue]

no one understands here in UK. When I say I am going to Disneyworld they ask if I am visiting Paris!! I would not even to try explain why I bought into DVC.

I have told a couple of my close friends as I want them to come with us but mostly I keep it to myself.


Susan

[rocketriter]

Replies seem to fall into the following categories:

Great! Now I can take advantage of you!
Now you'll never be able to go anywhere interesting!
I'm jealous that you can afford that!
You're stupid! All timeshares lose half their value the day after you buy them.
How nice for you. Have a wonderful time.

I figure people must pass around the list and choose which one they'll use, right before I tell them.

[ilovefh]

I've had the same reactions from many friends and family members! My parents thought I was nuts....until they decided to take a last minute trip and they are using my points! I agree that most people do not consider vacations as a necessity, but it has always been a priority for our family. This way I can make sure it stays a priority.

[keishashadow]

I keep hearing the word "obsessed"; afraid it's true :banana: :banana: :banana:

[oldkeywestfan]

Same general reactions here. The one that tickled me the most was a certain relative (no too much detail) who owns 2 different timeshares (not DVC) told us what a ripoff it was. These are the same people who go to the same place the same time every year, yipee. I actually went with them once and we literally sat in the condo 90% of the time and watched TV. Why drive 8 hours (they will not fly, waste of money, etc) to do the same thing I could do at home. Funny thing is, we have owned since June 04 and made 5 trips home, guess who has been with us on 3 of those trips! 'Nuff said.

[AlaskaMOM]

Funny you should ask:
my father was the one who first "helped" us get to WDW, he let us use one of his "Vail weeks" that he traded for a "Kissimmee week" for a gift, way back when......
Now that we have a little money we wanted to buy in and he has said " I know you LOVE Disney" and this (it just blows me away) "of the 4 of you [1 sis and 2 stepbros] I think you and your DH have done the most responsible things financially speaking" and that was after I told him we bought! He also intimated that he'd love to spend time there with us. :love:
It's great they all think we're a little over the top with our obsession with WDW, but are non judgemental w/ what we do w/ our money (especially since we would not finance vacations, this was a small purchase, but a purchase made w/ cash, and they respected that)
As for my mom and step they are already planning on joining us on our first trip as DVC owners! :teeth:
Outside the family I don't mention much other than I really like going to disney World and trying to go frequently!

Lastly DVCJEN: who cares what they say YOU KNOW how much it means to you! and you can "throw your money" anywhere you want!

[mamatojon]

My father is exactly like your cousin so we don't tell him we own it we tell him my in laws do LOL.

And my dad is the same way, except he lives in Ocala - a 2 hr drive! I think not. We haven't told him either, he would be crushed that we were in FL and didn't go to see him but there is *no way on earth* that I could see him that often and keep my sanity. :crazy:

[Shawn]

We are brand new members from blue collar families.

We definitely won't be bringing up our purchase into the DVC with our family and friends. The word "Time Share" has such a bad reputation that you first have to overcome that, and then explain how it really works. Then you have to explain that we've bought a contract that's good for the next 37 years, so they can understand the value, then you talk points and the different resorts. They have to realize how much we have been spending on vacations in the past (for us, about $2500 per 5 or 6 day trip -- excluding air fare!). You have to go into so much detail about your finances that it's just a can of worms, and in the end I'm afraid they'd either think we were bragging about money or being foolish with our money -- neither of which is true obviously.

The person who said their friend mentioned "How much did you spend for that -- $1500?", hit home with me.

Hey, we drive our cars til they die (our youngest car is 10 years old, our oldest is 20). I have family who trade in for a new car every 2 years!, yet wouldn't dream of spending $3000 for a week family vacation. We all have different senses of what is good value for your money.

-

[JimC]

Most know we are Disney fans. Few say much about it one way or the other. I suspect they know we are DVC members -- we have DVC member license plates on the front of our cars.

[MrsNick]

Most know we are Disney fans. Few say much about it one way or the other. I suspect they know we are DVC members -- we have DVC member license plates on the front of our cars.


:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Thanks for the laugh. Now I can go to sleep with pleasant thoughts. G'night!

[Divamomto3]

I get various reactions....the in laws have never acknowledged it except to ask me once with a concerned face if we were happy with it. I suspect they think "buying a timeshare" is a poor investment. However, we don't see it as an investment, we see it as a luxury that we used disposable income for. We have family members with expensive cars, boats, and campers and no one blinks about those things. However, our DVC has 49 more years on it...I want to see my sister's boat last that long.

My BIL likes to tell us how they can't stand Disney due to crowds, heat, etc. How their daughter was "overwhelmed" in the Magic Kingdom and how they prefer bird watching in Maine. I'd rather have a root canal then spend a week with binoculars over my eyes watching birds.

Others like to say, "How could you go to Disney every year???" (It's actually at least 2, if not 3 times a year, but I digress.)

Most have no idea how DVC works and think I'm locked into a certain week at a condo every year. When we got home last month my mother asked me, "So now will someone else stay "in YOUR unit." As if Rm 4310 at SSR was waiting for me to check back in whenever I decided to. :confused3

[momtosydneyntodd]

I must admit that we considered DVC a thing that only the rich could afford--until I seriously looked into it. I requested and watched the DVD without ever mentioning it to my DH. After I figured out the numbers-I approached my DH about buying. I knew the homework needed to be done before going to DH.

As for the family--they tease us for being financially conservative--I think it was a shock to them when we told them about our purchase. We got mixed reviews. Like others have said--I have relatives with other luxuries and nobody questions them. :hourglass THREE DAYS AND COUNTING---BWV here we come!!!!!!!

[JimC]

....Others like to say, "How could you go to Disney every year???" (It's actually at least 2, if not 3 times a year, but I digress.)
....


Ask those folks if they have a favorite vacation destination that they visit regularly. Most often they will say the beach, the mountains, the lake, etc. And then I ask don't they get bored looking at the same sand, trees, water, etc. year after year. That usually stops them in their tracks!

[OnMedic]

Shawn,

You hit it on the head. It all lies with priorities and what feeds each of our needs and ego's on an individual basis.

We mention to pleople that we own a couple of timeshares, but don't expand too much. I am lucky that both my parents and my inlaws own timeshares and understand, as they have bought into the concept.

Actually, it was my parents that feel it was the best move I have made in a while, as it forces me to pull away from work and take a vacation or two annually! Someting many people are missing... Vacations and/or time off!

I only mention what I paid for my Hilton Grand Vacation Club, as we were able to buy it for less then 1/2 what the developer was asking!

Cheers,

[KelNottAt]

My BIL doesn't care that we made the purchase (he's considered a Marriott for himself in the past). But, he is TOTALLY agast at the idea that we don't have one set week every year. To him, the certainty and predictability of the same week, same size unit, every year is far more more appealling than date and resort flexibility.

But his point makes no sense to me cuz it sounds like a contradiction: "I'd never want to book 7 - 11 months in advance. I can't know what I'm doing that far ahead. Just give me week 32 every year. Then I'll know what I'm doing forever." :confused3 Don't even get him started on flaws of banking and borrowing (which is not unique to DVC, as I understand it).

OK. Whatever.

[solgent]

Interesting thread. We are new members at SSR (sent our documents back by FedEx on Tuesday) and haven't told people. I'm afraid of the reactions. Probably not related to the money, but to Disney. There is a definite elitist view of Disney among some people I know. Like if you read books and go to museums, Disney is not for you. Have you encountered this attitude?

All I can say is, we've had a great time there, we are eager to return regularly, and I don't criticize where other people go on vacation!

[Disneyrsh]

My mother in law thinks we're idiots for buying DVC.

We think she's an idiot for thinking that Disney is "tacky".

So I think we're even.

[kmc33]

This is an interesting thread. I am not officially a DVC member yet – waiting for Disney to process the small contract we just bought.

DH and I haven’t mentioned to anyone yet, but I already wondering what the reaction would be because I don’t think any of our family even knows what DVC is. And our families already think that we are over the top because we like to vacation several times a year. It is what we enjoy most – more than fancy cars, clothes, jewelry, etc.

I have family who trade in for a new car every 2 years!, yet wouldn't dream of spending $3000 for a week family vacation. We all have different senses of what is good value for your money. I had to laugh at this -- this sums up some of our extended family members.

The funny thing is DH and I both are celebrating turning 40 within the next few months and then our 15th anniversary early next year. This is our gift to celebrate. So it will be interesting if someone asks me what I got for my bday or anniversary. I am not sure what I will tell them.

"How could you go to Disney every year???" (It's actually at least 2, if not 3 times a year, but I digress.) :rotfl: DS was 4 on our first trip to WDW and I had a cousin who couldn't believe we would take him so young because he wouldn't remember it. When I told her that it wasn't like it would be his only trip to WDW. She said that WDW is a once in a lifetime trip for a kid. :rolleyes1 That's when I knew we wouldn't see eye to eye on it, so no point discussing it further.

It is so WONDERFUL to have a place like this to come where I know others understand my Disney passion. :disrocks:

[WolfpackFan]

My mother and brothers think we're rich since we've bought not one BUT two timeshares (VWL and HHI). They will never come right out and say it, but I'm sure behind our backs we get talked about alot because of our joining DVC. But I'm way too old to be concerned at all about what they think or say. Everytime we go on a DVC trip I'm sure they are very envious though. IMO it's all in how you choose to spend your money. Both my brothers live in much nicer houses than we do (not that there is anything wrong with ours, it's just a 30 year old house that has 30 year old house type problems :) ). One brother just bought a brand new Lexus and thinks nothing about dropping $250 for a new golf club periodically. The other brother recently bought a new boat. His boat cost about the same thing as our two DVC contracts. Which do you think will still be in use in 20 years? We prefer to spend our money on things that will last and provide continuing enjoyment year after year.

[1000th happy haunt]

My friends basically have very little interest in visiting Disney parks. Their reaction was:
ohthat'sveryniceforyouyou'llgetalotofuseoutofit. :rolleyes1

I haven't told my family, except for my brother. He's in his 60s, but has taken in his three grandchildren in as foster children (long story, don't ask). As a result, he bought a timeshare and will be taking them down to WDW every year. When I mentioned DVC he said that whole point thing was too complicated :confused3

[spiceycat]

I first was considering cash only but in 93 - but it would take me 5 years to get enough cash (at the time).

so I financed it. no regrets - got a promotion in 94 and was able to pay it off earlier.

the reason I brought then instead of later was the 'free tickets'.

they mean alot of my brother who couldn't afford to go without them. I, my mother and my friends also enjoyed them!!!

Anyway alot of people, who make much more money than I do, can't understand how I can afford DVC.

It depends upon what you spend it on. I own a condo not a house. (okay there are other reasons for not buying a house). I brought a Honda (which is now paid off) instead of a van or RV (jeep type).

if you spend your money wisely then DVC is a great value.

I also have other timeshares - but on the whole I brought them cheap - they are a great value for my non-disney trip or even my Orlando trips.

[bavaria]

I bought a small resale as a gift to myself after reaching some goals in life earlier this year.

I only told a few friends that I was considering it, and they know my approximate income as they work with me. They felt that it was a good investment, considering that I pay to stay at WDW resorts rather than take advantage of free/almost free nights offsite.

As for family, I have only told my grandparents, as I still remember my father years ago lecturing me never to get 'sucked into' a timeshare purchase. My grandparents reaction?

'That's great! You should always make time to enjoy yourself. Can we go to WDW with you this year in December?' :rotfl:

I am blessed by them - they made room for travel early in life, and fostered my love for travel and experiencing new things. Sounds like they will now need to add WDW to their Germany-Canada-Hawaii travel pattern!

[momtosydneyntodd]

I just get tired of having to justify my DVC purchase. I shouldn't care what others say, but I do. I know my family is thinking that I got "sucked" into a bad financial investment. I'm not using this as a financial investment, mom. My DVC purchase is an investment in my mental health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spiceycat]

have hope, momtosydneyntodd - my mother say the same things - until her 2nd visit to OKW (DVC then).

she shortly changed her tune. "to that is the best investment you have ever made."

it is not an investment in money - but time your and your family.

we have definitely enjoy DVC and will continue too.

[ILPHIL]

When we told them about our DVC purchase since we have always been very conservative with our $$. We were prepared to hear the usual anti-timeshare arguments, especially from my family. Instead all we heard was "well since you guys go there every year anyway it's probably a good idea"
Right now we are working out the logistics for a family get-together in 2007. Can't wait to check-out those GVs at OKW. :banana:

[maxsdaddy]

DW and I got similar reactions most others got when telling parents. Did you REALLY check into it? Are you sure you want to do that? Are you sure you have the money?
Well, yes we did REALLY check into it, we did want to do it, and we do have the money.

I read on another thread what I thought sums up the attitude of DVC members. Its not just about vacations. Its a lifestlye.

Most of the people who are DVC members would be going to vacation at Disney even if they didnt have point to use. They would just pay cash. They are NOT the type that would save for the BIG FAMILY VACATION they would take every 2 or 3 years.

Before we bought DVC and took yearly vacations to Disney, people would say "How can you afford that, isnt it expensive?"

I've tried to explain to people how inexpensive a trip to Disney can be, we even got my parents and inlaws to go with us on different occasions, and both of them can be so tight, they squeak.

I guess it is just hard to get people to understand the way we feel about Disney. If I could be at any spot at any given time, it would be at the end of Main Street Looking up toward Cinerella's Castle. At that point I know I am in Disney World, the rest of the world just doesn't seem to matter as much.

[dianeschlicht]

I think the words "timeshare purchase" scare some folks.

[vascubaguy]

I think the words "timeshare purchase" scare some folks.

That's why I always tell them I bought into a Vacation Club. Then they are like... what's that? As I mentioned before, I get the "not a good financial investment" things... but then I show them the pics of the resorts and those same people ask when "WE" (as in including them) are going...

[dianeschlicht]

That's why I always tell them I bought into a Vacation Club. Then they are like... what's that? As I mentioned before, I get the "not a good financial investment" things... but then I show them the pics of the resorts and those same people ask when "WE" (as in including them) are going...
LOL, yep, it's only a good idea if they can participate! :teeth:

[justKim]

I sort of justified adding on to our DVC by telling myself "Won't it be fun to bring family and friends with us somethimes!" So, how come when the cousins ask when are they going to Disney with us, my first thought is "keep your dirty hands off my DVC points..."

sigh

[Shawn]

It is so WONDERFUL to have a place like this to come where I know others understand my Disney passion.

I feel exactly the same way! None of my off-line friends feel the same about Disney as we do!

[TammyAlphabet]

I don't know because it is a closely guarded secret. :rotfl: I quit telling people about my trips to disney because of the same old reactions.

"Going to Disney again!!!"
"Doesn't that get boring?"

etc.

So I just enjoy my points and keep my big mouth shut! :cool1:

[Pumbaa_]

My Dad started off by saying he was too old to buy a timeshare, and then after staying at DVC with us he bought my Mom 70 points (on my contract). We meet my parents there every January for a week :cool1:

FOr others, they have gotten so used to our going so frequently, they ask when is the next trip and for planning advice when they get ready to go :wizard:

[Disney Fanatic]

This is hilarious...

A friend came back several years ago from Disney and said she was thinking about buying into DVC.

Of course, I told her she was crazy and timeshares are a big rip off.

Well now we are proud owners of DVC ourselves and really should learn to listen before I speak! Could have save ourselves quite a bit of money if we had of bought then!!!

Very valuable lesson learned!

[Muushka]

We had friends visit us at VWL a few years back. I think my reaction to one of the friends comments was more interesting.

:rotfl2: She asked if the room remained empty all year when we were not using it. :rotfl2:

[NMW]

My in-laws have that "timeshares are a rip-off" attitude but don't say anything to us. We didn't even tell them we bought DVC until they mentioned maybe meeting us on our Dec trip. Their reaction was "oh, you bought a timeshare" followed by looks of disaproval.

My mother dislikes Disney for so many reasons-it's a theme park, too many children, etc. She knows we love it though, and was supportive. Although she did make a comment about "going year after year and getting sick of it"

My 2 brothers and 1 brother in law all thinks it's nice for us "since we have kids." None of them do. My one brother and sister-in-law (a lawyer and a doctor respectively) always go to exotic and/or expensive places-Figi Islands, Hawaii, Tahiti. We mentioned them going with us some time and they were like " um, yeah, well maybe" :rotfl: Oh well, at least they won't be asking us to use our points! My other brother still tells this "horror story" about the time a flight he was on was re-routed and he had to fly out of Orlando at like 7:00 at night. According to him, the flight was filled with what seemed like "hundreds" of crying children in Disney shirts and Mickey ears. Just mentioning DVC makes him bring up this flight. :rotfl: I don't think he and his wife will be coming any time soon either!

[Purrrrfecta]

I keep hearing the word "obsessed"; afraid it's true :banana: :banana: :banana:


LOL!!!!! :rotfl:
I hear that too - along with "mentally ill" and "cazy"

[iankh]

I haven't told very many people that we bought DVC. It isn't any of their business. They were always surprised that our vacations to WDW were as frequent as they were.

There are some people where it has come up in conversation. The thing that surprises me it that I seem to have just one standard conversation that happens over and over again:

Them: "How many kids do you have?"
Me: "None."
Them: "You don't have kids and you go to Disney World? Why would you want to go to Disney World?"
Me: "Because I'm emotionally retarded."

The odd thing is that the conversation sort of ends there.

[dianeschlicht]

The real surpise is when we take skeptics with us, and they end up buying! :rotfl:

[stenogoddess]

Them: "How many kids do you have?"
Me: "None."
Them: "You don't have kids and you go to Disney World? Why would you want to go to Disney World?"
Me: "Because I'm emotionally retarded."

The odd thing is that the conversation sort of ends there.

That is SO what I say! LOL I'm glad it's not just me that's emotionally retarded. My family acts like it's required to have a kid to go to WDW so they keep trying to hand over one of theirs. I keep saying, but if I take YOUR kid, it won't be a vaction for ME! Selfish, maybe. Don't care! LOL :rotfl:

[MommaluvsDis]

My DH was the one that would never consider buying into DVC. The first time we went to Disneyworld, he said, "Just ignore those timeshare people and keep walking." After 2 more trips and $$$$ out the wazoo, we spent $8,000 on a Disney cruise, 7 day for 4 of us.

He was so impressed with the Disney ship that HE made the appointment with a guide and told ME, "We need to meet with this guy Thurday." Totally shocked me!

We bought onboard but then came home, cancelled and bought thru The Timeshare Store.... More points, less money.

But my mother is like, "Are y'all (yes I'm from the south) going to Disney again? Don't you get tired of it? "


She's clueless!

[goofy4tink]

Like everyone else, I get those same looks and comments about owning at WDW. But, over this past week-end I had a really refreshing experience. I was with my dd at a community theater audition. She was auditioning for a children's theater production. I was waiting outside and the subject of WDW came up. I started talking about our many trips and a mother said to me.."You go so often you should own DVC!" My mouth dropped and I told her that we did own DVC. She asked where and I replied at BWV..she says...OMG...so do we!! It was hysterical. There were 3 of us moms sitting there extolling the virtues of DVC. Our kids have decided a joint trip is definatly in order!!! It is so nice to have someone that actually 'gets' it!!

[cinderminnie]

Love this thread!
We also get the comments and looks of eyes rolling. :rolleyes2 Dh took the tour of BCV back in 2003 while we were there with my family. I thought he was nuts and no way we could afford it. Then Feb 2004 came and after he got an inherience from his grandfather's estate, he decided that he wanted to buy into DVC. He has good memories of his grandfather taking his whole family to WDW as a child. We got the comments on "well nice to afford it now" , "should invest in something long term" ,"Disney every year?". My brother said : I could not do Disney cause we do not have kids yet? He does not get Disney at all. HUH? :earseek:
Now we are doing Christmas with entire family members and hotel is paid for. BTW, a grand villa in December is not CHEAP if you paid cash! But we have the points! Our "timeshare" will be almost paid for in 1.5 years! :teeth:
You should see the looks we get when we say it is a Vacation home in Florida! LOL :rotfl:

[dsneygirl]

Just got this from one of my friends this weekend. "Don't you get tired of going there?" It's really hard to explain to people that don't get it. I said we were going for the different seasonal events F&W etc and that we spend lots of time relaxing at the resorts not being command. But DH and I love it and that's what really matters.

[littlestar]

We tell people that we go a lot because we like unreality. "Have a magical day" is so much better than hearing "up yours" in the real world. :rotfl2:

[Lesley]

We must be pretty lucky because we haven't gotten any really awful reactions. Well, okay, I think my mom might have said something if she didn't know any better....but she knows I'm an obsessive planner and researcher.

Actually when we joined we had been given a large monetary gift from a relative....we first told my mom we were thinking of buying a car. She said something to the effect of "it would be a shame to put such a large gift towards something that will be gone so quickly" LOL....We thought about it and bought DVC. I really think my mom was thinking more along the lines of a downpayment on a house. 5 years later we have a house too....at the time we didn't know where we wanted to live, but we knew where we wanted to vacation!

The actual worst reaction we've gotten was not when we first purchased. My bil and his fiancee had started planning a trip to Disney and inquired about using our points....dh said "hmmm...we don't have a whole lot available right now but we could get you a studio for 5 nights during the week..." to which bil responded that they needed enough room for the two of them, plus his fiancee's kids and grandkids. LOL For a whole week. ROTFLMAO. I think they ended up staying at an off site rental home.

I'm really happy to share my points but to ask for more than we're able to have for ourselves is taking it a bit far! We're a family of 5 with 200 points...full weeks in a grand villa just aren't going to happen for us and most certainly aren't going to happen on our points without us!

[married@wdw]

My family thought we were a little nuts at first and really surprised that two 20-somethings would spend so much (from the sister who has 10 cars -- her husband restores them -- that was a hoot to listen to). But we've since taken them twice -- once in four studios and once in a GV. After the studios trip, my parents did a 75 point add-on to our DVC and I'm their "travel agent" now for their annual January OKW trip -- they've added on more since then. After the GV trip, the sister with the 10 cars starting asking details about pricing and such, too, but they'd probably have to sell some cars and I don't see that happening.

[SueOKW]

I try not to talk about it at all - only a few members of our family know about it.. the rest would either criticize or take advantage of us..

Work is a whole other problem... for some reason they MUST know where we go for vacations - boss, staff, everyone... after about our 5th trip i think they were wondering how in the world could we afford that?

I've made up this whole story about DH's uncle owning a condo "down there" and he lets us stay there for free.....