Do your friends/family assume you got to be a DVC member for FREE?!?

[Cruelladeville]

I am lucky that all my brothers and sisters own timeshares at Disney and Marriott, so they don't ask to use mine! One sister did stay with us a few years ago, and loved it, but bought Marriott. She bought resale, and there was a significant price difference between Marriott and disney. She kind of regrets that purchase, though!

My kids do come for free. They are grown, and invite themselves along, and I wouldn't have that any other way. I pick the dates, and location, and they decide if they want to come or not. We had bought DVC for ourselves when they were going off to college, because we thought we were going to be vacationing alone..

We have had several of the kids' friends along on our trips. Next week DD's friend, DVC Matt(that's what we call him) is coming down to visit for three days. His parents own DVC too, but his family isn't the invite yourself along type, so, although his mom will be there at the same time, he is coming with us! He is beside himself with joy over the invite, and to "pay" for the trip has recorded for us 3 full CD's of Disney music off the internet, including music from the rides! Don't know WHERE he found all of that, but I think we were more than paid in full for his lodging

 

[crisi]

Response to low life - "no"

If your friends and relatives take advantage of you to that extent, you learn to grow a backbone, or you stop seeing them (or you learn how to be a doormat). I mean, what do your relatives do, call Member Services and book themselves a room?

I really think most of us don't have low life relatives, just clueless ones. And it doesn't help when we play up what a "great deal" we have, or that we can go to Disney all the time because the "room is paid for." Then we go on to tout the flexibility "we can get a Grand Villa if we want, or we can stay for three weeks in a studio" makes it sound like we can do whatever we want and the rooms are infinately flexible - we aren't limited by points (which are confusing anyway).

Add to that the notion a lot of people have of timeshares. They hear from their neighbor "oh, we used to own a timeshare in Mexico, but we never used it." It makes it sound like these timeshare rooms sit empty without owners in them - not the case with DVC.

 

[Snowgod]

Sorcerer1.com has the music from Live365 internet radio. We invite people and have a hard time getting them to come with us because we like to go when school is in session. We also find that people will commit at 11 months out and then start to waffle as the dates get near. We had to stay in a 2 bedroom on our first trip home because everyone cancelled at the last minute. We really enjoyed the space but felt like we wasted all those points.

 

[SharonS]

JLPooh, I also bought into DVC myself. I have taken 4 different people. Only once did I ask for the person to share the cost. We had travelled together prior to DVC and always split the cost. In determining the cost, I figured out my actual cost per point (original buy in per point / 42 years) + the maintenance fee per point and then multiplied that cost by the total points required for the stay. I then divided that in half. If I remember correctly, at the time, the cost came to around 5.80 per point. The person was quite upset that I expected her to pay her share. We went on the trip, but that person will never be invited again. Her attitute was that DVC was like my second 'home' and I was inviting her to my home for a stay!

Of the 3 other folks I have taken, 2 were very appreciative and paid for a meal or something. The other person was completely ungrateful and never said thank you. That person will never receive an invitation again!

I personally don't see a problem with asking someone to pay part of the accomodations. The way I calculated they were still getting a bargain. In my instance, the person travelling was only a friend and not family. I would not charge family if they went with me.

 

[wisbucky]

I can't believe the amount of people who ask or just say "next time you go let us know and we will come along". These are not relatives these are friends and co-workers. It is like they are unknown relatives coming out of the woodwork. It appears that they have a mental block when it comes to hearing that DVC cost money. All they hear is we have a free DVC logding. The majority of the time I dont take any of them seriously but now we have a few peopel who are calling us and wanting to know when we are going next. I began telling them that they could make their own reservations at the same resort we are staying at and here is the number. They are then stunned and say cant we stay with you. Simple response is " No, DH and I have our own room". They have a tendancy to say isn't lodging expensive. Our respone back is "Big time" For some odd reason they decide they cant go. I am shocked at the nerve of some of these people who are not friends but co-workers thinking we would allow them to stay in the same room with us. Maybe I am becoming snotty towards these phone calls and requests but after all we dont ask them to take us on thier family vacations or up north excursions. DH and I plan on taking my parents next year. They understand the costs and would not be the type to say take me take me every year.

 

[STEVEMED]

we brought some friends of ours and I would not take any money from them but they did pay for the groceries for the week.I thought that was a nice idea.

 

[AJKMOM]

We invited my SIL and friend along, not asking them to pay since we are going anyway. They will help with our son. Anyway, friend says that perhaps they should help pay for the "room", SIL tells her how much it would be a night for a 2 BR at BWV, and she sort of gulps and turns white! I think they will be VERY appreciative and we will enjoy the company.

 

[rocketriter]

On the other hand, our family has invited my wife's brother and his partner to join us and they were very grateful. Some members of our extended family have been slow to accept them, so the invitation had special warmth and significance. For us it was a no-brainer, since our kids love their two uncles. Anyway, they took responsibility for their own transportation and food as well as a "surprise" dinner in our honor. Good feelings all around.

 

[Pa@okw95]

This subject comes up a lot here. I for one think that relatives do not listen or care about DVC point system. They figure you have the room every year and it does not matter how many people are in it. They just don't get the point thing nor do they care. They just do not understand that this is not like most timeshares.

 

[mickeymouse710]

Do your friends/family assume you got to be a DVC member for FREE?!?

Yep, my father REALLY thinks this! He has always given us a hard time about the amount of money/time/etc., that we spend at WDW, year after year. So we just let him think that because we are such "good customers" we get these "free" rooms. Makes everyone's life much easier, believe me! LOL!
BTW, he came to this conclusion on his own after we started staying in DVC units and when he asked why the difference in accommendations--we said we are Disney Vacation Club Members , and left it at that! LOL!!

 

[panfan]

Most of my family and friends do not even know about DVC as we catch enough "guff" just because we go annually to WDW. The ones that do know about it know the financial details or at least that it is not "free". I have a co-worker that goes to WDW about every 2 years and after taking the tour last year she understands the ramifications of it all. We squeeze all we can out of our 150 pts. believe me. Now , in the future, as we get older and our children grow, we would like to add on and invite guests. I'm sure that is where some of you are now and can understand what you may be dealing with. I guess we might run into more problems in the future.

Recently, by the way, I did allow another co-worker to use pts for just a 2 night stay at OKW in a studio. It was a small amount of pts and didn't interfere with our vacation plans for next year by "giving" her the pts. While I did not ask for any $$, it was a little awkward. She is a Mary Kay consultant and ended up giving me $160.00 worth of product in exchange for the two nites. I think it worked out well for both of us!

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by msdis
Since it is such a fun and exciting purchase you feel like you want to shout it to the whole world. My experience has been the less you say the better off you are.

I've told exactly ONE person that I have a timeshare. I've invited two friends to go with me in November after the election. I explained that I had just bought a timeshare and had extra time to use "this year" - which is true I have 230 extra points to use which is why I booked a 2BR to share. That was only to explain why she didn't need to pay anything. The other one hasn't asked the details yet.

I haven't mentioned DVC to them - I don't think they even know that we are staying on property. One of my friends has stage III ovarian cancer and the other has just been diagnosed with MS and I just wanted to do something nice for them.

I have another friend who has a condo in W. Palm Beach. I don't pay her anything when I go to visit so I will invite her to come stay with me some during my December trip. Again I haven't mentioned any details about where I am staying or DVC.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

While I have yet to use any of my points on just myself, I have a very large family with many nieces and nephews so every trip includes a combination of several family members...alway book a 2-Bedroom Villa and sometimes a studio for overflow. This eats up my points and I have started to resent using so many points...Yet I love to bring everyone with me, I am the one that started this so I have noone to else to blame but myself....I LOVE to share the MAGIC but I wish someone else in my family would join DVC.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

We brought my parents on our first DVC trip (2 bedroom OKW) and then my husband's parents on our second trip (2 bedroom OKW). We've since taken a couple of trips with just our little family.

Each trip with parents, the parents paid for our (nice, sit down) dinner each night, and my parents also bought the bulk of the groceries needed for breakfasts. Good trade I'd say.

We've begged my sister and her husband to come with us sometime. They will have enough vacation in October 2005, so we are semi-planning that trip now. Actually, my parents have asked if they could come too. Which would be great, as my sister and I both have toddlers, and mom would rather watch them than ride rides!!

The one requirement I make is that my hubby and I get the master bedroom and the kids stay with the in-laws in the second bedroom. We don't have a king sized bed or jacuzzi in our house, and both sets of our parents do, so it is a resonable request. My MIL and FIL didn't like this arrangement and moved into the master bedroom. Needless to say, they will NOT be invited back!

Also, we added 270 points on a couple of months ago to give us a round number - 500 - love it!!! Anyway, NO ONE knows about the add on. We are going to use the extra points for a GV in October 2005. After that, it's two full weeks a year in a 2 bedroom for us, and maybe a side trip to HHI every now and then.

 

[wtpclc]

Originally posted by MAGICinMYHEART
....I LOVE to share the MAGIC but I wish someone else in my family would join DVC.

As my grandmother used to say, "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free." Not exactly the situation she used to apply it to (insert wink here) but it still works.

I'm a recent purchaser and I'd love to take my family, DM, DD, DB's family of 5, but reciprocity with my ILs (~10 people who would ruin my vacation) makes me not want to share with anyone. Bummer.

Good luck with getting another family member to go DVC!

 

[lillasmom]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Not many people know about my DVC "castle". My family is respectful and I have offered reservations to friends who deserved it. As far as moochers, haven't had any yet, but I'm sure they are coming!

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by wanna-b-Tink
The one requirement I make is that my hubby and I get the master bedroom and the kids stay with the in-laws in the second bedroom. We don't have a king sized bed or jacuzzi in our house, and both sets of our parents do, so it is a resonable request. My MIL and FIL didn't like this arrangement and moved into the master bedroom. Needless to say, they will NOT be invited back!

Wow - that's pretty nervy on their part I would say! My parents have gone with us 3X in a 2BR & never once did they even expect to be in the master suite. They always come in & start to unpack their things in the 2nd bedroom with my 3 DD's.

 

[SimbaCub]

wann-b-Tink,
I had some people on my last trip try to tell me I should let them have the 1 bedroom side of the 2 bedroom I had reserved because they were guests and I go "all the time. . ." To say it was a little gutsy--not my exact thought but I'm being polite here--considering they didn't pay for anything nor did they offer to take me out to eat. I did remind them that I pay the dues, I paid the mortgage, and the deed has MY name on it so I decide where I am going to sleep!!

Needless to say, these people won't be invited again!! I do state up front that if I have guests with a 2 bedroom, they have the studio side to themselves. Nobody else has asked for the 1 bedroom side as they are always so happy to be at Disney!!

SimbaCub
VWL/SSR Nov/Dec 04

 

[snoopyandpooh]

Wow, some people just like to cream off the others. Even if DVC is free, but if they are inviting themselves along, don't they think should at least pay for something? My DVC resale just closed last week and I am planning to go home for early Sept, my DS, who is a full time student with little income voluntary offer to pay for the food during our trip! On the other hand, I always my mouth shout about any trips in front of my co-workers. Years ago, when I had to make an emergency trip to Asia with my 2 young kids, they had the nerve to ask me to bring back one FULL suitcase of cosmetics and liquors! Last time I went to WDW, the same person wanted me to buy her perfumes! Imagine what she will do if she finds out I bought DVC! I learned my lesson, nowadays, I just say I am camping when I go off on holidays.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Then we joined DVC, so we could go whenever they invite us along, and we use our points.

I'll probably give them some points for XMAS present, as opposed to more "junk" (their house is full), at some point in the future.

and when I took my Mom and Dad, gave them the Master, but because Mom smokes and wanted her to have easy access to the porch, and not have to go into living room where DD sleeps on foldout.

Hubby and I then hog a double bed each!

Goldi