Attitudes from family about your trips...

[Laurabearz]

People we know roll there eyes.... My responce... the difference between tatto'ed people and non tatto'ed people is... tatto'ed people dont care if your not tatto'ed

 

[off to neverland]

Well, here's what I'm doing to combat the negativeness!

First of all, I only speak of my dvc membership as being in a "vacation club." I NEVER call it a timeshare. Not sure why people react differently to the two approaches, but they do. I had to laugh at a conversation I had several months ago with my girlfriend. When I first told her we bought a timeshare, she started to laugh and sarcasically said, "You did what?" So I backtracked, and said, "Well, it's not really a timeshare. It's a vacation club to disney." Her mood suddenly changed. By the time I was done, she was asking me for more info on how she could buy. Go figure.

Second, I'm planning to take my negative family a year from December. I am going to have them absolutely head over heals for Disney before I'm through! I'm working now on a funny itinerary to send everyone, including funny, exaggerated details of things like of how my husband and I are going to try to dress sexy to get the cm's at the check-in desk to upgrade us. I'm adding much humor like that to the whole itinerary, adding pictures of the places we'll go to the itinerary, etc. The itinerary, along with all the other info, will be put together in a binder and will be in a homemade mickey envelope/box. By the time they get done reading it, I'm hoping they'll be excited about where we are going. And mostly, I hope they'll be laughing, because if they are laughing, they'll be more open minded about having a good time.

Over the course of the next 14 months, I plan on having Mickey send them other little things in the mail: group T shirts to wear, fun little chocolates, reminders about stuff, etc.

The trip should go well; I am planning a couple surprises. I'm hoping to show them the highlights... the things that would appeal to them, vs. what my husband I would do if they weren't there.

Yes, I'm trying very, very hard to sell this. This will be the one and only time I do this; if it doesn't fly, then so be it. But we're new members, and I'm hoping to have years of good family trips with NO GUILT.

Wish me luck!!!!!!

 

[DavidRoss]

My parents were both people who hated the idea of a timeshare. I heard so many times that it was a waste of my money and how I shouldn't not take on any sort of debt if I don't have to and so on.

This past January I finally was able to take my father. This was after more than a year of arm twisting. We decided to do a father an son trip and leave the wives at home. Well guess what, my dad is going with me again next month. He can hardly wait. He is almost leeping out of his skin like a kid at Christmastime. And now, the biggest critic of them all, my mother, is planning on going with me a year from now.

My mother has bad legs so now her complaining has gone from, "Why would you ever waste your money on DVC?" to "If I need to bring a wheelchair along, how will I ever get on Body Wars or Tower of Terror?" Needless to say, she doesn't believe me when I tell her that most things at Disney are handicap accessible and they are very ADA compliant.

I can just see, after we go, it will then be: "Why would you bring me down here for such a short time?"

Oh well, whatever happens, I love my family and it will give me the opportunity to spend more time and build memories with them.

 

[gtrist4life]

This is a good thread. Love the responses, especially from Disney Doll and Goldilocks.

We've told family/friends that understand our healthy obsession with Disney and they've mostly been supportive, even if they don't quite fully understand what we've bought.

Other family members we've not told, because they would not understand or be too jealous.

Everyone should understand (most probably do) that as owners we're part of a group of approx. 85,000 that is extremely fortunate to basically have the flexibility of going to WDW every year or two for the next 38-50 years. That just doesn't fit into most of the planet's comprehension.

Many folks think timeshares are a bad deal, for they mostly were until Disney changed the model successfully (for those that truly love Disney - It's not truly flexible/cost effective IMO for world-US travel-but for WDW and/or your home resort it can't be beat). It just takes time for perceptions to change

We're blessed and happily plan to share our points every other year for multi family/friend get-togethers and thanks again Disney Doll for your comeback, that most certainly will be used if anyone tries to give me "constructive criticisim"

Peace,
G4L

 

[kathleena]

I don't get any hassles from my family. My dad owned a boat for 30 years - and he put a lot of money into that over time. I was just telling him a few weeks ago when we were out on it, that I wish we could buy it from him (he's 81) but we don't have time. Our relaxing splurge is DVC - his was the boat. He understands. It's a hobby.

I'm sure my DHs sister would have a lot to say about it (if she wasn't so annoying that I never want to spend any time with her)................and if his mother ever knew how much we spend she would be clucking away - but she has always been as poor as a church mouse so I could excuse her. My SIL is very wealthy and has no excuse, she's just a snob who can't keep her opinions to herself.

 

[Tink03477]

Lenshanem, if you want to check out some of the awesome, helpful and ever so ready replies, I posted this similar issue last week under "Telling Family Quandry". I really liked a suggestion by raewhid to call it a "vacation club". There are lots of suggestions, all of them good. I don't feel guilty going to WDW as much as I can, I just hate having to "explain myself" to my negative family members. I mostly try to just stay away from that conversation entirely. If that doesn't work, I just ask them why they are going to the same place they always go to (Jersey Shore for 1 family). Actually, it's mostly my next youngest sister who gives me the most problems. She has 3 horrible children, which I blame on her and her husband. They only behave that way when their parents are around not when they are with me alone. (Thank goodness) Plus they have loads of money and can vacation where ever they want. I wish she'd fall in love with Disney and I'm hoping to get that to happen next year.
Raewhid - good luck and lots of Pixie Dust on your plans. Sounds like lots of fun!
Kim

 

[btass]

I am not at this point a DVC owner but I just had to let you know that my MIL just called with an attitude because I am leaving this
Wednesday morning with my DS for 3 nights at the POP! I told her I only spent $49 a night and she had the nerve to say that I would only be losing $160, I should cancel! I saved all year so that I could go for my birthday (which is Wednesday) and I am going as long as the airports and WDW are open!!!!!!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We do get some attitude---mostly from DH's family who NEVER travel or vacation; their idea of vacation is taking a day to drive to see family out of town. It's not that they can't afford to travel, they just don't. They don't like hotels, eating out, or being away from home. Strange but true.

At least my family did the annual trip somewhere when I was growing up, although never to Disney. So they understand it more than DH's family.

 

[MagikMom]

Many of my family members and friends think that I am "throwing my money away". I'm so sick of hearing it! This is how my husband and I choose to spend OUR money for OUR family . I agree DVC is not for everyone but for those of us who are DVC members, we are members because we love Disney and this is where we choose to vacation. Funny how the relatives don't seem to mind it as much when you take them along with you though!


Oct 2004 SSR (soon!)
Aug. 2003 BWV
Oct. 2002 All Star Sports/BCV
March 2001 All Star Sports

 

[OneMoreTry]

Based on the posts here, DVC makes Amway look popular.

Actually, I don't care if anyone knows that we own DVC. My wife makes fun of it as much as anyone else and she's told all our friends. So, the h... with it. When it comes time for our next trip, if she doesn't want to go I'll get a 2BR and find some people that do want to go and I'll take the master suite all to myself.

And I'll do it till 2042.

 

[off to neverland]

Thanks for the laugh, onemoretry.

 

[MAC3]

We are ALWAYS reminded of how there is more to see out there than just Disney but these are the same people that are foaming at the mouth for an invite.

I wish I never told anyone that we bought (then I wouldn't have people asking me to go!)

 

[sleepydog25]

I have a very funny story to relate re: purchasing in DVC. My DW and I decided to buy in after our trip to WDW last month. When we got home, we explained to my in-laws about what we had decided. They were fine with the decision (I mean, we are older adults with a kid), but my mother-in-law kept having a quizzical look on her face. And every time we mentioned SSR, she couldn't quite hide the disappointed look on her face. She even asked us a couple of times if there was enough there to keep us busy. It seemed like an odd question, but we told her both times there was plenty to do nearby and that the rooms were quite deluxe.

Finally, at one point we mentioned the highlights of our tour of SSR, and ma-in-law said, "How did you get a tour?!" We were staying at VWL, we said, and simply arranged one. She really looked confused, and said "how did you take a tour of Saratoga Springs when you were in Florida?" At that very moment we realized she thought we had bought a timeshare at some place in the REAL Saratoga Springs in New York! She knows the area and couldn't figure out how come we thought it was so much fun when the main offering is horse racing! Now, this is a very sharp woman but whose brain simply hadn't engaged before the caffeine kick that morning, I guess. What a hoot! You should have seen the huge light bulb dawn over her head when we explained that SSR was the latest DVC resort. We laughed hard for a good ten minutes.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I have found that the people who have a "comment" about how often we visit Disney are other Disney fans who can't/won't go as often as we do. One lady is a huge penny-pincher, not poor by a long shot, just does not like to let go of her money, and she will say how much they WANT to stay on Disney propery, but can't afford it! She can afford it, she just won't pay Disney prices when she can get cheaper down the road. anyway, I chalk it up to JEALOUSY! Funny, how people who are not into Disney that much are happy for us, but go to "their" places..they never have a nasty comment, or an observation as to how many trips we take, they go their way and are happy we enjoy Disney so much, it is just not their cup-o-tea. It is the other Disney fans that make the comment, it has to be jealousy.

 

[sheryl0521]

We already have the APs, already have the DVC points to use, we are a half day's drive away... Seemed easy enough, just needed to put aside spending money - but the guilt I'm getting. Geez... putting a damper on things.

We are exactly the same except for the half day drive.

But when I came across the $148 round trip fare with SWA, I even added days on to our trip coming up next week!

When people ask what we are doing for our vacation, I just say "going to Florida" if they continue to prod I will add "heading back to Disney to play" and if they roll their eyes I just say - "Hey - you asked!"

 

[adriannabannana]

On my side of the family, there were enough people who go to conferences on property, and who had brought their kids on vacation there, that they were on board as soon as they heard the details.

On DH's side, there were some questions, but mostly about whether we'd ever get board of doing to Disney World than the cost. The break-down is fairly straight forward on the money end, so we haven't really caught any flack.

I get more 'eye rolling' action when family comes to visit my house and sees all the Disney merchandise peppered through the house!

 

[wintergreen]

Our in-laws have actually been very supportive, and are going with us for the second time at Thanksgiving. They own a motor home, and do most of their vacationing on the road, but I think that they have enjoyed visiting WDW with us (other than my FIL's grousing about how much the food costs). My siblings really don't know about it, and I have not said much, b/c most of them couldn't afford even one trip to WDW, let alone DVC. Hopefully we will get to share this with them over time as well.

Also, I know that we may be in the minority here, but we have used DVC to visit other places than WDW that we might not otherwise have visited, and plan to continue to do so in the future!

 

[mom2rb]

We got attitude when we went to DW for our honeymoon. They left us alone about taking the kids when they were 5. We are getting attitude about going back this year and the cruise next year. We haven't told them about DVC. But as I sit here with my two sick kids and my husband that is still at work for his 11th 12 hour day in a row, I know that I will learn something new today to do on my next trip. I also know that when I post this I will look at my counter and smile as it has gone down just a little bit more and I don't care what people think about my Disney trips.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I used to get gentle teasing from my family about going to wdw. Buying into dvc was just the next step in the progression of my obsession so my parents don't think anything of it. A lot of people I know for some reason own a timeshare so they totally get it. It might not necessarily be one at wdw, but they get the idea of it. My dad doesn't tease me about it anymore since him and my mom went on this trip in July. I think now they get IT. They even asked how much it cost and all that. We're a pretty close family so now that we own dvc, we can afford to take my parents down with us. They insist on paying for the tickets, food, everything, but we don't let them. It has become a true family vacation for us all.

 

[brivers222]

My parents were against the whole purchase as well. They totally frowned on the entire "timeshare" idea and after Jim Baker and the PTL fiasco 'stole' all their money they were even more skeptical.

It took a lot to get them to understand this wasn't a typical timeshare and we get to pick when we go each and every time.

Needless to say, we are having a magical gathering in one year and unfortuantly, they are not invited... Just friends and relatives on my DW's side.

YOu put a damper on the trip, you don't go.