Ayone else get comments for being DVC members??

[thelionqueen]

We're in the same boat (Mark Twain or Columbia? ) Anyway...Disney and DVC are our only real splurge also. Well, staying at the Grand Californian used to be, but when I found out there'd be a DVC there it was a no brainer. So I have my little second job, I shop thrift stores and keep stuff until it literally drops dead (yes, I'd love a big screen TV but that has to wait until that darn great running old set we have dies), I do alot of ebay and if I had time I'd do Etsy. Our house and cars are modest, and if we go out to eat it's fast food or with gift cards. People really do wonder how we can vacation so well..it's becasue we live small and frugal and I'm really lucky to have a DH who goes along so happily

WOW, it sounds like we could be long lost sisters
My husband loves Disney as much as I do now, and he supports anything we need to do to have our DVC contracts and pay for them comfortably. He just told me the other night (which I thought was the coolest comment) "you act and look just like a little girl when you're looking through your DVC stuff" (planner, doc's, mailers, etc). I just had to laugh because once he said it I realized I FELT like one too. There is nothing in this world I want more than my DVC (monetarily of course). It gives me a smile 100 times a day.

Our cars are paid for, and are modest as well. We have very little other debt, and DVC truly is our only "real splurge."

I see you're just south of me in NM!! Same "neck of the woods" too

 

[PSU]

Haven't told many yet about DVC.....honestly, not having kids makes it odd at my age (mid 40s)...friends without kids are often perplexed..."Disney...argh too many kids" ...they don't see the magic....And those that have kids can't understand that with the "freedom" we have why in the "xell we'd want to go to a theme park"...we've been around the world on many different vacation experiences and the thing that Disney excels at is the escape factor....I was at the Poly a few month ago and for a few days felt like I was in Hawaii....then could go to AK and see the animals....no stress..all is good....not to say a Safari in Kenya wouldn't be different but to know that I can easily create an experience in a few days is pretty cool....

 

[Anal Annie]

Living in the DC suburbs we live about 3-3 1/2 hours from the Maryland / Delaware shore and there are a LOT of people here who have 2nd homes or condos at the beach where they spend a majority of their summers "commuting" on weekends. I also know people who summer in Avalon, NJ which is just slightly further. We have other friends with cabins in the mountains of Western Maryland or WV where they go to all the time... If any of them have the slightest nerve to say something about us going to Disney 2 or 3 times a year I just remind them that "this is our place" just as they have their places where they go all the time. There is no difference IMO. It just has to be pointed out to them to look at it from a different point of view.

After running into one friend at the store after our most recent long weekend at Disney (over Memorial Day) she said "that's really worked out well for you guys hasn't it?" I was like YES! It really has!!!

 

[KateB]

So last August my DF and I went to WDW for the first time (me 25 and DF 32), yeah can you believe it!? Not that I didn't try to get in a visit since I was old enough to know that WDW existed.

Anywho, we bought in to DVC in May and are thrilled. I find that many people (especially family) don't understand our purchase. I try to explain that we are going to be able to take our children (someday) and truly enjoy this world while we are here. My parents think that we are totally nuts. I am a school teacher and other co-workers just look at me like we are rolling in money. But truth be told we are no better off. We just find vacations a priority in life. Who doesn't want to enjoy life, you only get one. Thankfully I have another DVC member at work and we spenhours (yes literally HOURS) talking about Disney.

Only DVC members understand or true love and passion from Disney!

Might I say WE ROCK!!!!!

 

[Poopachino]

Last week I got the "nice to have so much money" reaction from someone at work when they asked me about going to Disney so often.

This thread has been very therapeutic - I vow that will be the last time that reaction bothers me ever again!

Thank's fellow DVCers!

 

[Goofy DVC]

During the early years as members,when it really was a secret, I spent way to much time and energy explaining DVC. It took me WAY TOO LONG to realize that certian "comments" really weren't my problem. Since then, I don't realy share it with many people and any negative comments just go in one ear and out the other.

 

[SusieBea]

The really funny thing is many rich people would laugh at you because they consider Disney to be so common that it is beneath them. Some of my friends that do quite well in life refer to Disney as a trailer trash vacation.

This really stunned me. I believe many wealthy people are DVCers, plus it ain't cheap to pay full price to spend a week at Poly or GF or at the moderates or value resorts.

 

[Mouse511]

We love, love, love our DVC membership! DH and I constantly say it was one of the best purchases we've made.

However, we do receive a lot of mixed comments. From people who love disney, they think it's great and want more information about DVC. From non-disney lovers, the most common thing we hear is "ya know, there are plenty of other places to vacation other than Disney". But, these same people also say they have no interest in a WDW vacation. One of my co-workers said last week that you couldn't pay her to go to WDW.... I've stopped justifying our purchase and just ignore their comments.

We love DVC and are looking forward to many years of great vacations

 

[thelionqueen]

I just had to share something that happened to me at our "all staff" quarterly meeting, it is SO ironic I just have to post it.

Every quarter, our entire organization (from 3 states) convene for an all staff meeting. At this meeting, one person is singled out as a kind of "get to know you" kind of Q&A session. You guessed it, it was ME!!!

Once it was announced, I got to stand up in front of everyone, and tell them something they don't know about me as well as answer any questions. At the end of this debacle people are encouraged to say something they like or admire about the "spotlight" person. Keep in mind I am the HR person at my company so I needed to be very selective on what I shared... So here it goes.

First of all, I divulged the fact that I am a DVC owner...strike that...I am a PROUD DVC owner. I then followed that fact with an EXTREMELY brief explanation of DVC. Most people looked kinda like this

One of my co-workers said "I knew it had to be something about Disney" as they see my office everyday. I have 2 full size (poster sized) Disney prints/quotes on one wall, and every other nook and cranny is tastefully decorated with all things Disney. Anyway I digress..back to the story.

After a few "business type" responses and Q & A's (mostly about my love of Disney and where it came from) people were TRULY amazed at how deep my love of Disney goes, and since I took great time to explain it, now understand it and subsequently, ME better. I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED this exercise and it REALLY opened my co-workers eyes about my love of Disney and, particularly DVC.

The CEO of the company closed this exercise by saying, (and this is what almost brought tears to my eyes) "I always love going by Lionqueen's office (used my real name btw ) and seeing all the color and life it brings to our office ." "I know understand why she goes to Disney twice a year, and the joy it gives her. And although I doubt I will ever "get it" (meaning get the magic or something to that nature) I can see the joy it brings to her and by association to everyone else she works with..so thanks Walt!"

I just LOVE my job and the way they embrace everyone and their passions. I can honestly say I think that some people who thought maybe I was juvenile in some way, now see Disney and my vacations as my source of joy. I can't believe I'm happy I was picked and how everything turned out; just had to share. Thanks for listening (reading..whatever )

 

[WolfpackFan]

I got a reaction today that surprised me and actually did kind of bother me. We went out to lunch with our Sunday School class (about 20 folks went out to eat). Everyone in the class knows we are going to be out of town week after next (mainly because I'm supposed to be teaching this month and had to get someone to cover for me). Well while eating this lady sitting across from me said "where are you all going next week" and I replied Walt Disney World. She came back with a very strong "what again!!!' (we were just there two months ago). It really did kind of bother me at the time and I changed the subject quickly. Why is it okay for some folks to go to the beach week after week or even spend the entire summer at the beach; but we're looked down upon because we like to go to WDW so often. I usually don't let these things bother me. I'm 58 years old and can do what I want. But the fact this lady (who we hardly know) made this comment made me wonder what our real friends think.

 

[flatzkids]

My wife often comments that I must have a second job in DVC sales. I take just about any opportunity there is to tell friends about DVC and WDW in general. As I have seen posted on here several times.....it takes a DVCer to know DVC.

 

[JenSop]

Honestly, the people who know me really aren't surprised that we own DVC. I've been obsessed with Disney since my first trip as a kid in 1984. And I'm lucky that even though DH hasn't gone as many times as I have, he loves it too.

No one ever makes comments that we must be rich since DH and I are musicians (I sing and DH is a music teacher) and everyone knows we don't make lots of money.

We don't have kids, but love to have fun. To me, that means escaping to special places that let you be a kid again. (And we just really love rides.) Also, I tend to get mistaken for being much younger than I am, so the whole "kid at heart" thing really rings true for me. Like i said, anyone who remotely knows me, sees the perfect fit between myself and going to WDW.

I also have lots of friends who like WDW too. So I'm rarely in company of people who are puzzled by it.

I do get the occasional comment from my younger sister, as she married a Disney-hater. (Maybe Disney-disliker is a better description?) This makes me very sad, as it has clouded her opinions about the World. She was there on all those childhood trips with our grandparents; which are some of the fondest memories I'll ever have. sigh. At least I can work the Disney magic on HER kids. We're going to do a BIG family trip in 2012 in a grand villa. My oldest niece is already talking about it and she just turned four! And last year we took my parents and grandmother so they could experience an adult style Disney vacation. They loved it! So for us, DVC has given us the opportunity to make family memories we wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

We love DVC and if anyone wanted to make a comment, I'd PROUDLY put them in their place!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Do you all ever get the question "are you going to ride the rides"? This happens to me a lot. Like being 58 makes me too old to ride any rides. Kind of bugs me really. Yes, I'm going to ride the rides; I'm not dead and in the ground yet .

I also get the comments, have they added anything new down there for you to do? Yes "Toy Story Mania" .

Like someone previously said, I'm getting so we just don't tell folks where we're going anymore. I wouldn't have told the lady in my Sunday School class except it doesn't seem quite right to lie to someone at Church . I just don't want to hear the same inane comments over and over. In fact as far as I know very few folks know we're heading down on Sunday. DS knows of course plus the friend who is taking care of DD's cats (they are DVC members also - so understand). I'm not even telling my brothers we're going to be out of town (two of them live about 10 minutes away). Cell phones work just fine at WDW and they have no way of knowing where we're at. Plus we don't get together with them enough so that they would actually miss us being out of town.

 

[Greysword]

This is a great thread!

I usually don't tell people unless they mention DVC first. rarely will I offer that we are members if they go into it, so I don't steal their excitement about telling someone (but I will usually back them up, strangers or friends, if they catch flack or need some support).

Co-workers (and friends) think I'm a bit goofy anyway, so they understand the Disney thing with me. Usually they smile and ask if I work for Disney, because I end up telling them how affordable a WDW vacation actually is.

Personally, I see our ownership as a sense of pride. Growing up, we had very very few vacations, mostly to visit relatives in other states occasionally (mostly grandparents), and very rarely fun or exotic like WDW. Although DVC has the upfront cost, the overall cost advantage is easy to explain (given the number f trips we've taken since initial ownership), and I love being able to proudly inform naysayers that I can and will afford an annual or semi-annual vacation for my family! Most guys can relate to that and the info that it can act as a standard timeshare.

If they ask about us going to Disney too often or without the little one, I explain the level of world famous service Disney is known for and a few of the non-park related activities we could do (spa, golf, boating, horseback riding, and visit other Orlando attractions) instead of the parks if we wanted. Usually they understand a little and surprised by all the non-kid stuff available.

We just returned from OKW, where we hosted my friends (family of 5) part-time and my mom and sister the rest of the stay. All were astounded at the size of the 2BR (including us) and I was so proud to have shared the DVC experience with them. It was not their normal WDW accommodations, and their positive comments were fantastic!

 

[Anal Annie]

I got a reaction today that surprised me and actually did kind of bother me. We went out to lunch with our Sunday School class (about 20 folks went out to eat). Everyone in the class knows we are going to be out of town week after next (mainly because I'm supposed to be teaching this month and had to get someone to cover for me). Well while eating this lady sitting across from me said "where are you all going next week" and I replied Walt Disney World. She came back with a very strong "what again!!!' (we were just there two months ago). It really did kind of bother me at the time and I changed the subject quickly. Why is it okay for some folks to go to the beach week after week or even spend the entire summer at the beach; but we're looked down upon because we like to go to WDW so often. I usually don't let these things bother me. I'm 58 years old and can do what I want. But the fact this lady (who we hardly know) made this comment made me wonder what our real friends think.

That's what I was saying in my previous post...our next door neighbors have a place at Bethany Beach, DE and spend the majority of their summers there. Well, she goes down with the kids for weeks on end and HE "commutes" for the weekends. THEY have no interest in amusement parks of any sort and really have not even exposed their kids to them to know if they would like them or not. They went to Disney once when their oldest was like 2 or 3 & their younger son was an infant so they really don't have a recent experience to compare it to (their kids are 15 & 12 now). They never, ever, EVER go anyplace like Six Flags or Hershey Park or Kings Dominion (all within a reasonable day trip from here). They just don't "get it" either... Now, I would love to have a place to go to at the beach for like a couple of weekends sometimes....and I love the beach....but I really don't have an interest in having a "second home" there.

Another thing I think they don't understand is that we're able to make each trip a little different by staying someplace different each time we go. They don't understand that each property is different either since they never go themselves. ANYWAY....we all have something we enjoy and Disney is our vice!!

 

[PMDR59]

We are PROUD DVC owners, our only regret is not buying in years ago when we first wanted to.

We purchased last August while bringing the Magic home from LA (we hear DISNEY AGAIN, about DCL as well) Have not made it home yet, but will be in SSR 8/15 on our Developer points and will be home at AKV in December and banked our leftover points. Already planning for 2010 since we decided to try the Wonder (doing a 3night) and just have to see if I can get HHI or VB for 4 days before our cruise.


IMO I have found that the DVC owners I know are just so much more family orientated then other friends/families we know. Always doing things with our kids/for our kids (for ourselves as well, since we truly enjoy spending time as a family) We are very involved with the scouts (I only have boys) and that is where I met most of my DVC friends.

I have vacationed elsewhere and just dont get that HAPPY feeling I get when doing something Disney (cruise or parks). If you ask anyone who knows me I vent (I call it venting, everyone else calls it complaining) about EVERYTHING. But can truly say so far I have not had to vent about any of my Disney Cruises or any of our vistis to DL/WDW.

I dont even bother trying to explain my Happy Place to anyone. Non Dis Freaks just dont get it!!!!

 

[bonrea]

But...I have that rare ability to not give a #@i^ what others think. If I want to spend MY money on MY family, having great, lasting memories...then thats what I'll do.

DH works for, what is now, Wells Fargo and is in an office with nothing but thousands of cubicles. DD calls it his “Box”. The people he works with say; “It must be nice to have a bigger paycheck than us” or some stupid comments like that. He just laughs and walks away. We are not rich monetarily by any stretch of the imagination but we don’t have 10,000 dogs or cats and have no debt other than our house. So we can afford some DVC points, and we don’t have a lot of them.

When my DH is asked; “Why would anyone want to spend their hard earned money and vacation time at Disney?” He replies; “I cannot get that quality of comfort, fun, entertainment, enjoyment, food, service, time with my family AND friends, anywhere else in the world for such a simple cost.”

For me (DW), it is the one place that I have seen that BIG MAN with tears in his eyes when he sees her (DD) laughing and loving every moment of it. When she turns and hugs him and says; “I love you daddy!” the site is overwhelming to me!

So when (not if) you find the non-believers out there just say a prayer for them and keep believing.

 

[Inkmahm]

I hate to tell you this but the only people that will truly understand you as a DVC member are other DVC members. My own family thinks were nuts. It has been said a thousand times. Most people don't get it. Just be happy there is DIS where you are understood.

Amen.

 

[flipflopmom]

For me (DW), it is the one place that I have seen that BIG MAN with tears in his eyes when he sees her (DD) laughing and loving every moment of it. When she turns and hugs him and says; “I love you daddy!” the site is overwhelming to me!

So when (not if) you find the non-believers out there just say a prayer for them and keep believing.

That is exactly why we bought this week at BLT. No other week other than this past at WDW has brought as many memories, or happy tears for us! I love your signature. Either you get it or you don't!

 

[Disneypirate85]

A friend of mine asked about how we go to Disney so much last week. I explained briefly about our DVC and how it makes it easier on us. Well about 8 hours later I get a call at home from him and asking about the web link to watch the DVC video online and "What was the name of that resell place" DW and I ended up driving over there to try to explain it little more in depth to him and his DW we made them a little DVC gift bag, even in a DVC white bag we got at BLT presentation we went to in July, BLT info a Dream Book and a "Perks" book, 5 MINUTES no kidding 5 minutes she was one of us and wanted him to call Timeshare Store.
Come to find out they were in Vero last year and "snuck" into VB resort and loved it! Gave them the "Buy where you REALLY want to stay" speach and now they are buying in......FINALLY someone close to be able to Share DVC stuff with. Shawn