Being selfish when buying DVC?

[brittbrat63]

I'm wondering if anyone took their extended families into consideration when buying DVC. As it stands now, we're a family of 2 who are more than happy with 10 night stays in a studio every other year. We've figured that we could stay comfortably with 125 points per year for just us, however we have many family members who we'd love to eventually travel with us who have shown serious interest in heading to the World. If we were to take my parents or my husband's parent's, a studio wouldn't work.

My emotional side says there's never too many points but then my logical financial side says there is. Is it crazy to buy more points to be able to afford larger accommodations to accommodate family? We're at a point where my husband's siblings are starting to be "too cool" for Disney but within the next several years we'll have kids of our own as well.

The monetary commitment isn't a huge deal - we could afford points for just us or for the whole family - it's just the number of trips we'd be taking would remain the same. Making it every year just isn't feasible for us now, let alone multiple times a year. WWYD?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We do enjoy bringing family along and own enough points that allow us to do that when we wish but it isn't the only way. And I'll state that DH and I normally do 1BR's just for us so getting different villa sizes or configs isn't that difficult - ie, we can do 2 studios for the same that we normally would use or getting up to a 2BR isn't as big of a difference either from a 1br. You could do point transfers for the times that the family wanted to go or even have them rent a reservation or you could book part of the reservation for a larger villa and rent the remainder and have the reservations linked.

But being selfish doesn't figure into it at all if we didn't. Each family should do for their own families as they wish - there is no obligation to own on behalf of others.

 

[cruisingtwins]

You can always rent points for bigger acomodations when you are traveling with family.

 

[Dean]

I'm wondering if anyone took their extended families into consideration when buying DVC. As it stands now, we're a family of 2 who are more than happy with 10 night stays in a studio every other year. We've figured that we could stay comfortably with 125 points per year for just us, however we have many family members who we'd love to eventually travel with us who have shown serious interest in heading to the World. If we were to take my parents or my husband's parent's, a studio wouldn't work.

My emotional side says there's never too many points but then my logical financial side says there is. Is it crazy to buy more points to be able to afford larger accommodations to accommodate family? We're at a point where my husband's siblings are starting to be "too cool" for Disney but within the next several years we'll have kids of our own as well.

The monetary commitment isn't a huge deal - we could afford points for just us or for the whole family - it's just the number of trips we'd be taking would remain the same. Making it every year just isn't feasible for us now, let alone multiple times a year. WWYD?

It's not being selfish. Only you know your situation and family but in general I wouldn't buy planning to take family initially. What I would do in this situation is buy enough points to give you options for a larger trip every few years but not a lot extra. I normally recommend against less than 150 points contracts as the initially one anyway which would fit in with this situation. Maybe 150-170 or so if 125 seems to be the core current need. That'll give you options of more expensive choices including higher resorts, 1 BR or even that occasional 2 BR for family. You can always add on later if you see it works for you. Just be careful about family trips because those who tend to change their mind last minute or bring drama are usually a lot worse where Disney is concerned.

 

[com_op_2000]

What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.
If your family wants you to go on a vacation and they are willing to pay for it, go and have a great time on them. If you are paying for the trip you go where and when you choose to go. If you want to take family members, do so and let them have a good time on you.

 

[crisi]

You have to be careful when thinking about friends and family. Sometimes, they start seeing your timeshare as their entitlement. Sometimes they make plans, then decide airfare and park tickets are too expensive - sticking you with too much room. Sometimes their lives just change.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy what works for you, what you can afford. If you have extra points you can rent them out, if you are short, you can help your family rent from someone else.

Bill

 

[ldo]

the wisest (IMHO) financial decision is to buy what fit your needs now, and what you can reasonably see in the near future. The good thing about DVC is it is very easy to either rent or transfer points into your account. you can easily get a points transfer (1X per year) for a larger family trip, which either you pay for, or your family pays for. Transferred points are then your points, to book, cancel, rebook, etc. We have transferred points 2X when we needed larger units and it worked out great. If, in a few years, you find you really do need more points, you can always add on later.

 

[CarolMN]

If you don't buy DVC, would you even be considering paying for other people when they travel with you?

Keep in mind that even if you provide lodging (which is NOT free for you), a Disney vacation is expensive - tickets, transportation, dining out, souvenirs, etc. If you invite others, be sure to be very clear who is paying for what.

 

[suebeelin]

You have to be careful when thinking about friends and family. Sometimes, they start seeing your timeshare as their entitlement. Sometimes they make plans, then decide airfare and park tickets are too expensive - sticking you with too much room. Sometimes their lives just change.

Yup. My older sister owns BLT but prefers bwv. She uses her dvc once once every 2/3 years.

A few years ago I booked her a 2bd std at bwv on jersey week. I booked it at 8am on the 11mo mark. She almost always goes on jersey week. She backed out 2 months before bc I asked her to compensate me (below market too) for the points. She claimed airfare was too high. I had to cancel. Someone on the Waitlist was probably pretty happy.

But.... she went the years before and the subsequent years after. She happily pays yatch club cash. I had to book an emergency trip for myself a few months later bc I would have lost some banked points. It left a very bad taste in my mouth. Stayed on property and room sizes that we didn't want or need (think huge 2bd akl for just me, hubby and 3yr old).

Just be careful booking for or bringing friends or family. I've also read of many similar situations on this board.

 

[Dean]

Yup. My older sister owns BLT but prefers bwv. She uses her dvc once once every 2/3 years.

A few years ago I booked her a 2bd std at bwv on jersey week. I booked it at 8am on the 11mo mark. She almost always goes on jersey week. She backed out 2 months before bc I asked her to compensate me (below market too) for the points. She claimed airfare was too high. I had to cancel. Someone on the Waitlist was probably pretty happy.

But.... she went the years before and the subsequent years after. She happily pays yatch club cash. I had to book an emergency trip for myself a few months later bc I would have lost some banked points. It left a very bad taste in my mouth. Stayed on property and room sizes that we didn't want or need (think huge 2bd akl for just me, hubby and 3yr old).

Just be careful booking for or bringing friends or family. I've also read of many similar situations on this board.

People often don't understand where timeshares are concerned. They often think it's free once you own it and even a reimbursement of fees of often overcharging them in their mind. Generally a DVC trip is not the first indication they're squirrelly but where Disney is concerned they seem to be far worse and those planning assume it won't be an issue because it's well a "Disney Trip".

 

[DougEMG]

I would not be buying points just so family/friends could have easy access to them. If family/friends want to go I'd let them buy points from someone else to transfer to my account. Then the points are paid for by them and they can use them however they want. If they jam out, it is their loss, not mine.

In the past I've arranged trips to take friends, booked a large room to accommodate everyone and then had people back out at the last minute leaving me stuck with the higher costs room. Learned my lesson after doing this once, now no more.

 

[DizBub]

We took our immediate family into consideration when we bought. Immediate meaning our kids and their spouses and kids. We alternate families once a year and they know the special circumstances of DVC so they won't ever leave us on the hook by cancelling, etc. Always get a 2 bedroom for family trips.

DH thinks they are starting to feel entitled to the trips and I keep reminding him we always intended to use our points this way. We go alone a couple of times a year besides the family trip but usually always in a studio. He really would like to get 1 bedrooms and I told him we needed more points for that. We are at an impasse.

 

[ToddyLu]

DVC isn't for everyone. DH and I love treating my parents, and his MIL/BIL alternating years. We get a studio and they get a studio...usually value at AKV. There is a no cancellation understanding. I am 47 and DH is 51...luckily we still have 3 of our 4 parents and love treating them. I have a brother and SIL with five children. we will never offer DVC to them becasue they always plan last minute trips. The last time they went to WDW my brother decided the week before President's day to go for a long weekend. He finally found a camp site and took our father's camper...that compltely creeps me out since I am an uber planner when it comes to Disney. So DVC is our luxury and I am not willing to risk it for just anyone. He doesn't typically invite DH and I on their cruises and other trips but takes our parents....so it is even. Only you know your family.

It sounds like ya'll are still very young. I would buy a 100 point contract and a 50 point contract, same resort, same UY. I would enjoy it for a couple of years and see where it takes you. Do not underestimate the changes it will make on your trips. You will end up relaxing more, enjoying resort amenities and spend less time in the parks around year 3 of ownership. DVC will seem like "Home". You will go for the Disney bubble and vibe and to relax....similar to your family that goes to the same beach or mountai cottage every year. In our late 30s and 40s that is what we were looking for..to slow down. We decide to do that at Disney.

Taking our parents is a treat. They are all retired, love the deluxe feel and know that it is a relaxed trip, not commando. They never refuse...ever. But I love that. We have simply not been able to take anyone else including my brother's family becasue of the schedules with kids and work....and our reservations are made 11 months out. The problem with that kinda eliminates the problem.

 

[Sammie]

I love my family but we vacationed with them twice to WDW before we bought. They have not been back with us since. I don't consider it selfish at all I consider it being realistic that it does not work. I did take my Mom in early Dec. in 2011 but will not do that again either. My days of trips with them are over. As to my spouse's family, they can't get along for 5 mins, no way I would travel with them.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I have found it difficult to include extended family, because I make reservations 11 months out, and they may not know their plans that far out. If we have space and my children cannot go, I will ask them, but it rarely works out because my dates are fixed.

 

[darly2004]

I'm wondering if anyone took their extended families into consideration when buying DVC. As it stands now, we're a family of 2 who are more than happy with 10 night stays in a studio every other year. We've figured that we could stay comfortably with 125 points per year for just us, however we have many family members who we'd love to eventually travel with us who have shown serious interest in heading to the World. If we were to take my parents or my husband's parent's, a studio wouldn't work.

My emotional side says there's never too many points but then my logical financial side says there is. Is it crazy to buy more points to be able to afford larger accommodations to accommodate family? We're at a point where my husband's siblings are starting to be "too cool" for Disney but within the next several years we'll have kids of our own as well.

The monetary commitment isn't a huge deal - we could afford points for just us or for the whole family - it's just the number of trips we'd be taking would remain the same. Making it every year just isn't feasible for us now, let alone multiple times a year. WWYD?

I would not buy with the consideration of bringing extended families or friends. As others have said, unless you are 100% sure that others will be reliable, you will run into someone who will back out. Also, only do so if you are ok with possibly ending up with unused room at the last minute or seeming like a cheapskate when you ask them for money to pay for the room (even if it's less than 50% rack rate).

Like others said, most don't understand the concept of timeshares. They don't know that it's worth money and not free. We don't own DVC yet (just made an offer), but own at Marriott in Hawaii. We own a 2 bedroom with possible lock off. Invited my sister to go with us with the intention of her sleeping on the couch in the living room and renting out the studio portion. She has been going on and on about wanting to go to Hawaii, but really does not have $$$ to go. We made it clear she will be sleeping on the couch in the living room. So, we invited her. Well, she got back with ex and got engaged. One day, she was telling me that he will be coming along and they were hoping to use it for their honeymoon. Ummm... I guess if he is ok on couch? Oh, I thought we had a bedroom she said. I would have gifted it to them as their wedding present, but did not like that she expected it. Long story short, they cannot plan a wedding in time, so they had to pay for the room. We are conservative and do not want our girls to see them rooming together when not married. Also, I don't feel I need to foot the bill for the room for their non-honeymoon vacation when the initial trip was so she can spend time with my family. Well, he paid for the room and tried to back out of it a couple times, but we said no refund. My mom has also backed out on a previous Hawaii trip after I got a bigger hotel room to accommodate her and gave her my airline miles to get there. I would love to take my family, especially my parents, on nice vacations but not if they treat the money I spend like it could be thrown away.

I do like the idea of vacationing with family, but I don't want to have to consider them and pay for parts of trips all the time. It is expensive enough for our family of 5. I don't think you need to feel guilty that you are only thinking of yourself. It is your money. You can do what you want with it.

 

[TheGecko]

When I bought DVC, my sister-in-law got upset that we didn't ask her to buy in with us. I may ask her and her family to come down with us on a future trip but they will need to have their own accommodations. It is not my thing to be crammed up in the same living quarters with another family and their quirks.

Also you have to figure out if vacations habits/spending are similar. I look at my trips to Disney or elsewhere as my time to decompress and get away from the regular routine of cooking/cleaning/etc with the wife and kids. We both work full time jobs all year and need time to get our minds straight, and feel relaxed. We like eating out and having a good time. My sister in law is very budget conscience and not into eating out, and when we do she worries about every last dime. It was the reason my wife (her sister) and me stopped going out to dinner with them much prior to having kids.

Just some points to ponder.

 

[dd08]

Whether you may be independently wealthy with money to burn or not, it's still your money. So no, it's not being selfish.

This comes from someone who has taken his in-laws on two separate trips and invited sis-in-law for this summer trip.

 

[darly2004]

Also you have to figure out if vacations habits/spending are similar.

Just some points to ponder.

Agree with this as well. We took MIL and FIL to Hawaii the last time. We paid for the accommodations obviously, but MIL was trying to split everything else down to very last dime. I don't ever expect them to pay for us, but is it so bad for her to pay more for something if they already had their room paid for by us? She was getting worked up over $1 parking at Hanauma Bay. Drove me crazy! In the end, we ended up paying for most of the shared stuff to be nice.