Convincing a Spouse

[arthur06]

How did everybody convince a spouse that wasn't sure if buying DVC was the right thing to do? Stories of things that worked and things that didn't.

 

[abner1776]

I took my DW to the WL and we had a great time. I then researched DVC to the "N" th degree and had the answer to all of her questions. I also purchased the minimum # of points so even when we have a year in which we will not visit WDW, we do not lose out on the points.

I will say it was easier to convince the wife back in 2006 when the stock market was higher and our portfolios were looking better.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I showed my wife that DVC would allow for more vacations and with our children getting older, we would have a place for family gatherings for life I painted the future of us, our children and someday our grandchildren enjoying our DVC for many many years to come...DVC better deliver or I am screwed... Good luck....oh yea..nobody, especially my wife wants to see a 43 year old man, mope, pout and whine....eventually she gave in

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm never a big fan of "convincing" a spouse of anything. Don't convince. Explain.

If it's right for your family, the explanations will make that clear. If it's not, then perhaps you're the one who needs convincing...

 

[wdwnut]

Hi: When we first looked at DVC in 93, I was the one who said "no". Our kids were younger and we loved to stay at the CR; OKW seemed a bit too far out of the way. Once BWV came along and a larger (15people) family trip was planned in 2000, I simply showed DH the dollars and cents of it. Plus, we have been doing the larger trips (19 last October) and love it. Yes, now we also have grandkids to enjoy Disney with us too. See Malaguti Ball Clan it does work that way sometimes.

 

[rcmsfeb04]

My husband was sold after I told him how much I was planning to spend on lodging next February. We've gone to Disney 3 times and stayed in a villa on a cash reservation so we know we love it and want to stay no where else.

We now own 185 at BLT!

 

[Sandisw]

I have been heavily researching DVC since BLT became a reality in the Fall. I wanted to jump in full force then, but my DH was apprehensive about the investment.

As I researched and shared the information, I explained to him that we could maybe buy in with a small resale contract and then when we went on our annual trip in August (at the Contemporary on cash), we could look at BLT to see if we should add on more points. The initial investment ($4500) was small enough that he was comfortable.

Of course, once we closed and I started looking at some of the incentives we could get by adding on now, especially the DP's that would cover the vacation we were going to pay cash for, he realized we could put that money ($2000) toward the purchase of 115 BLT points. That was enough for him! Lucky me!!!!

 

[stopher1]

I'm never a big fan of "convincing" a spouse of anything. Don't convince. Explain.

If it's right for your family, the explanations will make that clear. If it's not, then perhaps you're the one who needs convincing...

I agree. I tried the convincing approach in the first couple of years we were looking at DVC (more than a dozen years ago)...it didn't work - she just dug her heels in more that we did NOT need to do it. Over time the more casual explanations and subtle informational highlights worked much better, especially with many months of silence about the whole topic on my part. Finally she was the one who one day turned to me and said we should join based on xy&z information that I had explained to her many months prior. That way it was more on her timetable than mine, and she was fully vetted, comfortable with it and ready to go on her own vs. being drug along for the ride unhappily.

 

[clombardi]

I booked a room at OKW through MS. Once DH stayed in a 2 bedroom, he knew he would never be able to go back to a regular room...even the large rooms at the Poly.

I also explained the whole "take the grandkids" when we have them thing.

The most convincing piece of information was the breakdown of how much we had already spent on Dsney trips, how much we would spend in the future without DVC, and how much with DVC.

 

[arthur06]

One of my battles may be that we have never stayed at a deluxe! We have always pinched our pennies! We have 3 sons 8, 2, and 5 months! And I just don't think that studios will work for us very much longer! I just want to make the commitment to family vacations! I don't want to be cramped and want vacations to be enjoyable!

We will be at Disney at the end of April (adults only)! We watched the DVC show on the Travel Channel and she was really curious, but got confused about banking, borrowing, UY and all that! Then tonight she says that she can't wait to take our boys next, year and says "Now if your dad had those Disney point thingys we could go", but when I ask, she says NO! I know she is weakening!

 

[maburke]

One of my battles may be that we have never stayed at a deluxe! We have always pinched our pennies! We have 3 sons 8, 2, and 5 months! And I just don't think that studios will work for us very much longer! I just want to make the commitment to family vacations! I don't want to be cramped and want vacations to be enjoyable!

We will be at Disney at the end of April (adults only)! We watched the DVC show on the Travel Channel and she was really curious, but got confused about banking, borrowing, UY and all that! Then tonight she says that she can't wait to take our boys next, year and says "Now if your dad had those Disney point thingys we could go", but when I ask, she says NO! I know she is weakening!

If you have an adults only trip coming up, then absolutely take the time to tour the models. Both AKV and BLT can sleep 5 in a 1BR, which is KEY for those of us who have 3 kids. (Not that I don't love the 2BRs, but it's nice to have options.) Do your homework ahead of time, so that you can answer any questions she has at the time, but I would let the models do the talking for you -- they are fabulous! And your guide should spend all the time you need to explain banking, borrowing, UY, etc. Of course, you will have done your homework, so you'll know the answers, but sometimes it's better coming from someone else.

Keep us posted!

 

[Kid_@_50]

It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.

Rather than convincing your spouse to buy DVC, ask them if they want their name included on the deed.

 

[arthur06]

It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.

Rather than convincing your spouse to buy DVC, ask them if they want their name included on the deed.

BY FAR!!! the best answer!

 

[oakmanner]

Kid @ 50 I love your approach!

 

[dis-happy]

One of my battles may be that we have never stayed at a deluxe! We have always pinched our pennies! We have 3 sons 8, 2, and 5 months! And I just don't think that studios will work for us very much longer! I just want to make the commitment to family vacations! I don't want to be cramped and want vacations to be enjoyable!

We will be at Disney at the end of April (adults only)! We watched the DVC show on the Travel Channel and she was really curious, but got confused about banking, borrowing, UY and all that! Then tonight she says that she can't wait to take our boys next, year and says "Now if your dad had those Disney point thingys we could go", but when I ask, she says NO! I know she is weakening!

Sounds like you're a guy. I don't think my methods of persuasion would work as well for you!!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Tell her it's that car you've always wanted!!! Actually, it's less than you'd pay for a car. That was my "justification," as I had a more difficult time convincing me than him!

I was lucky, though. Both of us were on the same page at the same time. We researched it for the first time when VWL was being built. It just wasn't the right time for us personally or financially. I wasn't drinking the Disney Kool-Aid yet! A few years and a few trips later, I was downing the Kool-Aid! We were in a 1-BR at OKW over Christmas, and decided to take the tour at SSR. Why not, right (before AKV)? We came home, and purchased two SSR contracts through resale. Since then, we've added on at VB.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I am afraid my FINAL tactic was a bit more extreme than I would have liked, but the psychiatrist says she will get better....I did not know that water boarding really WAS torture.....just hope the redcross doesnt find out

 

[Spacemonkaay]

...

 

[Crystal_27]

DH and I had been debating on whether or not to buy into DVC for a couple of years. However, we have previously stayed at the Poly (on the monorail) and DH never liked the thought of giving up that convenience if we bought into DVC. So, when BLT was officially announced that it was indeed going to be a DVC resort, we knew that it would be the perfect fit for us. Although we've probably spent about $5,000 in hotel stays that we could have been putting toward DVC, I'm so glad we waited for BLT because it is perfect for our family. Also, it helps that DH loves Disney as much (well, almost as much) and he thinks spending the majority of our vacations at Disney is as great as I do (plus, we also have the option of Vero Beach or Hilton Head for the years that we don't want to go to the parks - which sounds like blasphemy now but I'm sure will happen one day). Anyway, to answer your question, there wasn't any convincing I had to do - DVC sold itself to us.

 

[arthur06]

I'm 28 and DW is 23. I convinced her (one tour and two Doorway to Dreams schpeels later) by painting pictures in her head of having babies and taking them to the Magic Kingdom, staying at BLT, and being able to ride the monorail over, come back for naps, then walk back to the park with less grumpy children . . . granted, I have no plans of actually having children any time soon. But she fell for it. Oh, and the cruise incentive helped. I told her she could take two of her female friends (her choice). I also ran all the numbers and had answers ready for every question she could think of asking. She likes the pools and restaurants, so I pointed out the pool hopping privileges.

Now I'm the proud owner of 160 pts at BLT! But I had to make a deal that I would limit my park visits to NO MORE than once every 3 days. (Yeah right.) I didn't sign anything to that effect, so I think I'm good to go. She can lay by the pool while I get my rides on.

We will be in Flordia at the end of April and we also live about 6 hours from Chicago. Are the incentives the same??? Or do you get better incentives at WDW? Also, do you only need to buy the 100 points at AKL, smaller buy in if you ask!, to get a 3 night cruise, or do you have to buy the 160? Also, who gets the cruise? Would it just be for me and DW, or would the kids be able to go at no charge, or is there a per child charge?