Any owners out there whose BETTER HALF isnt a Disney NUT?

[FutureWasYesterday]

Ive asked alot of questions recently because Im tetering on a decision to buy into DVC, Im pretty well sold on the idea

Only problem now is convincing fiance to go along with the whole idea. We have had 2 Diz trips together, both of which were pretty fun from both of our perspectives but neither was really the best of times because of family difficulties (I wont get into that) ...

Have any of you had to "sell" DVC to your better half who may like Disney but isnt necessarily a DIZ-NUT? Or should I just go ahead and fork out the $12k before getting married while I still have a chance?? I know most of you cant really give me advice on this since everyone is a bit different, but there MUST be some of you who have gone through this ...

Thanks
M

 

[bbowers]

IMHO - someone who isn't a Disney nut could not, technically, be classified as one's "BETTER" HALF...

I am fortunate to have a DH who loves Disney almost as much as I and who can't wait for his trip to HH and his first cruise (on DCL, of course) in September. However, he was a bit reluctant re DVC when I first mentioned it to him. I really don't know what I said to convince him, although I know the part about being able to resell it fairly easily (as least from what I've seen on the resale boards, our 150 VWL wouldn't be too hard to unload) was a big plus.

For us, the best part of DVC is that we are now forcing ourselves to take vacations - never did that before. But you might want to check out HH or VB, if that's something your BH might also like, or even the II trades. They'll be your points and you can use them however you'd like - we've "wasted" points on weekend stays, AKL Concierge stays, etc, etc. As long as we've got the points, it's great to not have to worry about a hotel bill!

(And did you see the thread re paying your dues with Disney Visa dollars? I am SOOO excited!)

 

[Simba's Mom]

My DH was just "Disney-tolerant" when we bought-he didn't even have any interest in going on the DVC tour, it was "whatever you want to do is fine with me, dear" (anyone else have a DH like that? Drives me crazy!) He agreed to buy because he was a bit of a workaholic who never took all his vacation, and saw this as an something that might force him to change. Well, it did MUCH more than that! DVC has truly given me a new (dare I say? Just don't tell him I said..)I think he's turning into a Disney-lover. He's not only forced to take vacations (true, at WDW always), he actually looks forward to them! At WDW, he loves OKW, just sitting on our balcony, sitting around "Gurgling Suitcase" listening to people on their soapbox about the pool slide, doing the Illuminations cruise, he even volunteered to go to a character meal! And the last time we went to HH, he bought a "Members are...[what's that word say, dear?]"jacket which he proudly wears. Does your fiance oppose buying DVC? Mine opposed an add-on we did-the only recommendation I have for that, I sat down with a piece of paper with all the facts and figures.

 

[Patty3]

My DH is definitely not a Disney nut. But, he was the one who got the ball rolling on buying into DVC. He was at a conference in Orlando and a group of guys went to the Boardwalk for dinner. He came home and was saying how nice the BWV's were. Well, he opened up a can of worms and I hooked him. He will only go once a year and stays by the pool and reads a book while I go into the parks. Needless to say, I always bring a Disney Nut with me for the parks. At night, he does like to walk around Epcot. What does he like? The theming of the resorts and the fine dining that Disney now has to offer. That is how I get him there. I leave him alone during the day and we both do what we want.
The resorts are some of the nicest around and Disney has something for everyone. Maybe, he will just find his nitch at DW.

 

[Candace]

My husband is certainly not a fan of Disney or traveling in general. He is a workaholic who loves what he does. He never minded our children traveling with me, however. He went once with us to Disney in 1989 and hated the heat, crowds, etc. So, I continued to go without him. I bought DVC without telling him and continued to travel with the kids and occasionally with other family members. He went back with us for Thanksgiving, 1999, and even went to EPCOT one day with us. (That was his token park visit). I had joined OKW in '94 and that is where we stayed in '99. He was blown away by the place, so I told him what I had done. He doesn't know what it cost me, just that it was a lot. And he doesn't know how the point system works, or how many I have. He just knows it's paid for and he doesn't have to kick in so it's okay! He's been back once since '99. That time, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge, just the two of us. He enjoyed that, but we didn't do any parks. It works for us!

 

[pwoodham]

My dh is only Disney-tolerant. Frankly, I wouldn't advise you to spend $12K before you're married unless you are totally convinced you would use DVC and love it with or without your intended spouse. Honestly, however, if the $$ is a concern (and it certainly is for me!!) and you're planning to spend the rest of your life with this person, why would you consider obligating them in advance to a debt you will be forced to honor as a couple without their full agreement? You'll have the obligation of yearly maintenance even if you don't finance your purchase.
I wouldn't advise you to spend $12K after you're married unless you both want to do it and there's no significant opportunity cost (that could really bite you in the b*tt if your intended really wants to use the $$ for something else).
We had the money to do this without sacrificing too much in other areas. My dh understood how much I love WDW and we have 5 smallish (2-13 yo) boys that love to go to WDW. I think he realized by agreeing that I would be VERY happy and our kids would enjoy it as well. He's still just a bi-annual WDW kind of guy.
My dh gets what he wants out of DVC - a happy dw and excited children, but he's just not a disney fanatic.
I'm a little sensitive to making big investments prior to marriage because I rented points to a couple planning to have their wedding at WDW in September. The wedding is now off.
I just think making this kind of financial investment at this season of your life is unwise, even when the investment is as wonderful as DVC.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Another thing to consider if you are not married is whose name will the contract be in? Hate to throw cold water, but before you are married anything could happen. If you are both on the contract, that could get messy.

OK, now that doom and gloom is over my DH likes Disney. He is enjoying it more, but his first love is our boat. Which is ok, because I like the boat, but love Disney.

We are so glad we have bought into DVC. I love the flexibility of DVC. I go 1 or 2 times a year with DH and usually 1 trip to meet DIS friends (yes, i meet people I met on the Internet
) I would not be traveling this often or staying in such nice accomodations without my DVC and my AP!

Good luck on your decision. It is a large purchase to be making and an exciting time for you planning a wedding and all.

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

WOW very interesting feedback from a lot of different perspectives .... the most interesting thing is the dynamics of people's vacation "negotiating" regarding who decides what, for what reasons, and at what cost.


Anyway, if she got mad at my new purchase, I could always just call off the engagement and move to Disney ...

 

[RuthnPaul]

I would have bet money that you were a "she" who was trying to convince her future husband about DVC -- then I read your last post! OOPS!

 

[bjakmom]

My wonderful DH is barely Disney-tolerant. Let's see, he hates heat, crowds, loud noise, constant stimulation, etc - but he loves me !! - and I was in love with WDW long before I fell in love with him. He has gone on several vacations over the years with the kids and I - and we have gone without him at other times - our first stay at a 'deluxe' was at BWI before the cruise in 2000. He really liked the resort, so when our first grandchild came along last year and I immediately started planning her first trip to WDW (and looking in DVC) I think he finally saw the handwriting on the wall (read:$$$) and supported my DVC decision all the way !!

First we rented points to stay in a 1 br at BWV and fell in love with the place - last trip we used our points for a 2 br - he really likes having a nice 'villa' to sneak off to when he gets overwhelmed with the heat, crowds, etc. . . (and he likes having his own bedroom with a door he can close )- the jacuzzi rates a few points of it's own, too !!

Unless your fiance actually objects (we personally never make any major decisions that one or the other of us completely objects to or disagrees with- you might as well practice discussing and compromising now - they are great tools to have in a long marriage!), I say do it now and Enjoy !!!

 

[colleen costello]

My hubby gripes but he sure has fun once we are there. My problem is with "frequency." I want to add extra trips, even if it means staying for cash. Scott thinks "live within your means" in terms of points. UGH! This man tells me I need "A Disney intervention" although he wants every new electronic item developed. Also pulls the Mickey ears off the antenna when he has to drive my minivan -- imagine! He is lucky I love him so much!

 

[starwood]

Same problem here. DH was on the fence for years over buying in. When he realized he could use it for vacations AND sell it for almost what we paid for it IF (and that's a big IF) we didn't use it. That was the point that sold him on it. Now he can't wait to get our membership number so he can go to the DVC website.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I'd say that my wife isn't the "Disney Nut" that I am. I could go to WDW every year and stay several weeks; but I think I'll be doing good to get her there every 2-3 years. She keeps saying she wants to go to "different" places. Oh well, what are you going to do, after 32 years it's too late to trade her in .

 

[AJKMOM]

First, I am the "better half" of this relationship! I would then say that since his family never went on vacation as kids, he is much more the DIZ-NUT than me. He wants to move to Orlando and drive the train around the Magic Kingdom. He convinced me it was IK to by into BWV, and then add-on at VB so we can go to spring training baseball until we are old and gray. I am just along for the ride.

 

[debloco]

My DH is Disney-tolerant. He's not willing to go as often as I am, but he does enjoy how happy going to Disney makes me. We have debated for four years now about buying into the DVC ( I would have bought VWL back in 2000 if he would have agreed) and he surprised me recently when he suggested we look at buying again. I am so happy I could cry because we made an offer on a VWL resale this week and got the contract to sign yesterday! I hope we pass ROFR. We actually offered a bit more than the asking price, because I didn't think it would pass at $66 a point. But back to your question--IMHO I don't think it would be the best route to buy without him agreeing. Even though you aren't married quite yet, you have committed to a future with this person. My DH and I have found that it's better to have "buy in" on both sides of a big decision ($$ or otherwise). If we don't have that it can lead to resentment and blaming. Best Wishes on the upcoming nupitals!

CLC Tiger Pom Mom

 

[vacationman]

As part of the apparent minority of men who are the "Disney Nut" of the marriage, here is my reasoning for DVC (and vacations in general): You have a limited amount of time to vacation each year and as each year passes, vaction opportunities become more and more precious. As children are added to the family mix, you start to realize that there are only so many vacation opportunities left before the kids are off to college and their own lives. Given that, vacations must be treated as something special.

This is where DVC comes in. First, owning DVC makes you at least consider one vacation each year. Second, you will be staying at a resort where the hassles of travel are minimized due to Disney's attention to detail, by the helpfulness of cast members, and the great, clean lodging options. Third, the variety of parks makes them appropriate for any age group - and I am constantly surprized at the different parts of the parks my kids find interesting as they grow older.

Last, but certainly not least, I find that traveling together as a family brings us a closness we never get at home due to the various schedules we each keep. On the "road" we depend on each other and interact at a level not possible during "normal" day-to-day life. Also, once you factor in the savings of being able to eat at least two of your meals in your DVC lodging kitchen, the cost of DVC is clearly equal to, or better than, what you would pay anywhere else.

While both husband and wife may not both be Disney Nuts, they both should be open to laying the foundation for family vacations because, like anything else, if you don't plan for them, they never happen.

 

[Laurabearz]

I am the Disney freak of our family, but my husband is a DVC nut. He only wants to go on vacation where we can have a 2 bedroom villa.

So it works for us.

BTW it was a trip in an OKW 2 bedroom that put DH over the top.

 

[anniet]

I bought DVC prior to getting married- but he gave me the down payment--that was for the first contract...

Last year we had a big fight and I was ready to call it quits with him-the next day my guide called and said she had add-on points for me. The timing was perfect so I added another 50 points figuring if I was going with friends instead of just him I needed a bigger room.

I added-on, the argument blew over within a week, but it took me 3 months before I told him what I did. When I did he just shook his head. But to this day, he still says DVC was the best purchase I ever made.

Until you say "I do" you decide what to do with your money.

I say go for it....your better half will come around...mine did.

BTW-DVC was, is and will remain in my name...(he's an associate who can make or change ressies) I told him if we ever get divorced he can have the kids if we have any, but I'm keeping my DVC...

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

LOL Anniet !!!!!

 

[JCW]

I used to think my DH was not into Disney (I am the Disney-nut case). He enjoyed our vacations to WDW, but was never as excited as I would be. Because he is such a wonderful DH, and he knew how much I enjoyed Disney (at least this is what I was led to believe lol) he agreed last year to buy into DVC. He saw "the value in buying and the money it could save us in the long run".

However, the last few months I have began to discover he is a closet Disney-holic. Whenever a Disney commercial comes on he says "look hunny, Disney World" all happy. Also, he now fights with me over who gets to read the Vacation Magic first. (Yes my friends, he has been "outed" LOL). And when I am on the net reading the Disboards, he will now sit down and read with me.

I now know the real reason he was so agreeable to buying into DVC. He likes Disney just as much as I do, my friends.

So don't be discouraged because your other half won't admit to being a Disney-holic. Eventually, it all comes out.