Embarrased to tell friends/family that I'm buying a timeshare in Florida

[corpcomp]

We told no one. We learned after we bought a vacation home in the Outer Banks and although we kept it quiet for a year, my wife finally told her family. Within a day, another of her sisters asked to stay there free for a week in the summer (we rent it out to help cover the mortgage) I told her sorry - no. She stopped talking to me. This past Christmas her whole family tried to convince us to let them have it for Christmas week.

So no, no one knows about DVC - not even my family which is in Florida.

 

[MommaX03]

My DH wondered why I did not tell my friends about our recent DVC purchase. I really did not feel like going through the whole explanation, and to hear people say "Disney again?!!!"

Then my friend who had been to Disney off site recently said to me, "I just purchased at this thing called DVC. Do you know what that is?" Then off we went to discuss point comparisons, these boards, etc.

 

[rogerram]

Fair enough. I'm not suggesting anyone shout it from the rafters. I'm also not suggesting that anyone who doesn't tell is wrong either. I can see the mentality behind that.

I just keep my family in the loop for the big things and yes I'd say DVC is a big thing. Never told anyone how many points I had, just that I owned DVC. Everyone has limits I guess.

I only see the point in telling my Family anything that would affect them on a personnal level. DVC does not. It is my business and not theirs. If it was a medical issue or something that needed to be told, then, yes, you tell them. My personnal purchases for my vacations is not their business and is not dishonest to keep it to my immediate family who lives in my home. Kinda in the same line as telling them how much money I make or my investments. Not their business unless I feel like I want to share it.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

We have not kept our owning DVC a secret, but have not told all of our family, especially the ones who would expect to use our points. If anyone asks about DVC, I talk about it and our experience, but I do not bring DVC up at all. I do have a few cousins who own other timeshares (not the big ones - Marriott, Hilton, etc) and they have all said that they wish they could have bought into DVC but felt they never could afford to purchase there. One cousin & his wife who both love Disney bought into some small timeshare in Massachusetts and thought they made a mistake, but still bought another week at the same place a few years later!!! (I guess they are a salesmans dream) All he talks about with his timeshare is how he can trade into DVC.

 

[DVCconvert]

[/(Thank goodness, they're all computer illeterate. <==== Hey am I illiterate if I can't spell illeterate?)

-Tony

quite possibly -- but Tony -- we love ya...so don't worry about it!

 

[Halle]

Love this thread, bought into OKW in '93 (I was 40 then) and my parents could not believe what we saw in Disney. This past Friday my Mom (85 yrs old) told me that we need to travel more...not just to Disney (disgust in her voice), got home and there was my email from TSS with the closing documents for our new BW resale!!! love my Mom to death but ... Nah, not telling anyone about our new purchase.

 

[Daggett]

I'd be more concerned about telling people how many Tivo's you have.

1 HD TiVo, 1 Series 1 Tivo, 2 Hauppage SD Encoder cards and 1 Plextor USB SD/Divx Encoder!!!!

 

[Boston5602]

The reluctance to share the news about DVC ownership with family and friends (for whatever reason) is one of the reasons why the DVC boards are so popular. This is one place we can talk freely about DVC, share our joy at passing ROFR or adding on, share our excitement about upcoming trips and speculate endlessly about where and when the next DVC might be built and whether the new shampoo will be kinder to our hair than the old one was! So even if your current friends don't "get" why you would want to buy a timeshare at Disney, your new friends here on the DVC boards do get it and anxiously await hearing every detail of your first trip as members!

You SAID IT !!!! And Aint it the Truth

 

[chainkid]

I guess I'm a big mouth because I've told the world I own a piece of the mouse at least until I'm 92 . There are people who say Disney again but also many who have asked me to adopt them after hearing from my brothers and sisters about how wonderful my DVC is. I usually take my whole family once every three years and don't ask for compensation. It is the best thing I've ever done. My family is now very close. We spend alot more time together and the memories we have shared are priceless to me. My Mom and Dad are now both in Nursing homes and can't go with us anymore and it makes me so happy that we shared several trips together before they got sick. I sometimes take short trips with my DH for long weekends but we both agree its alot more fun sharing the fun. Some members of our family have never been because they are offsite people and just don't get it. If they would stay once they might see the difference but I only offer once. I never have enough points. Each year I invite someone else. This year we have 25-29 if no one drops out. So I say be proud of your membership and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for not inviting them. I only invite who I want, when i want. I'm also 56 and I have never cared what the neighbors think. My mother did enough of that for both of us. LOL Welcome Home it is the best thing you could have done for your family. Enjoy.

 

[kathleena]

How do you tell people you own a timeshare without them thinking you're an idiot.

You don't tell them. There is no reason to, it's really none of their business. If you think they won't understand, then just don't. Talk to us instead. We understand.

 

[LisaS]

Lisa, This has nothing to do with your response... and I have meant on other occasions to tell you this, but every time I read one of your posts I hear the voice of Lisa Simpson. Every time.

It's funny you should mention that. I was just thinking earlier today that before I go to another DIS meet, I really should get myself a red dress, red shoes and a string of pearls. Not sure what I can do about my hair, though. I'm too old for the spikey look.

 

[OneMoreTry]

The reluctance to share the news about DVC ownership with family and friends (for whatever reason) is one of the reasons why the DVC boards are so popular. This is one place we can talk freely about DVC, share our joy at passing ROFR or adding on, share our excitement about upcoming trips and speculate endlessly about where and when the next DVC might be built and whether the new shampoo will be kinder to our hair than the old one was! So even if your current friends don't "get" why you would want to buy a timeshare at Disney, your new friends here on the DVC boards do get it and anxiously await hearing every detail of your first trip as members!

Do these all look like Mickey to everyone else here?

 

[PinkTink63]

They all think it's strange we go to WDW year after year, but I think it strange that they go back to the same beach resort year after year for their vacation. Anyway, the great thing about being 56 years old is I really don't give a hoot what anyone thinks about what I do.

Exactly!!!!! We get asked that all the time too! These are the same people, mind you, that go to the same Hawaii, Mexico, and quad riding destinations every year! What's the difference!?

Stephanie

 

[eliza61]

Okay. I've done the research. I'm convinced DVC is a good deal for my family. Even convinced DH. Now, how do I break the news to my friends and family? I never thought I would buy a timeshare. But, this is so different. How do you tell people you own a timeshare without them thinking you're an idiot or going through a 30 minute DVC sales presentation to explain to them why this is such a wonderful thing? Maybe I should just keep this a secret.

As other posters have said, usually you get 2 negative comments.
1. You're going to Disney AGAIN??
2. Every financial guru and any one with an opinion on spending your money will tell you how buying a timeshare makes you a complete moron.

In my case I should have kept quiet because now my family treats me as "the family free vacation spot". Once a year I get a darling sibling inquiring if I'm going to go to Disney and can they come along (for free, of course)

 

[Disney1fan2002]

First of all, you need to understand that DVC is not a "timeshare". Yeah, sure the legal definition of it may be "timeshare", but it so much better than a timeshare.

Typical timeshares, you are buying a week. ONE week. Your unit is assigned to 51 other people who "share" it.

DVC, you can go as often as your points allow you to in a year.

Also, in general, timeshares have come a long way from embarrassment. You buying any timeshare, not just Disney, is no need to be embarrassed.

9 years ago, we bought a timeshare on the cape, because DVC's price scared us, and the Cape resort told us we could trade to Disney anytime (yeah, RIGHT). Anyway, my dad was all over us. He thought we wasted our money, timeshares are rip-offs, ect. Well, our 1st visit, we invited dad and his wife down for a day, and he was very impressed with the resort, and almost shocked. Then a couple of years later when we traded out, and they came with us, he couldn't believe the place we could go.

Don't be embarrassed. Be PROUD that you are one of the people who have figured out Disney's "secret".

 

[lisaviolet]

I guess I'm a big mouth because I've told the world I own a piece of the mouse at least until I'm 92 . There are people who say Disney again but also many who have asked me to adopt them after hearing from my brothers and sisters about how wonderful my DVC is. I usually take my whole family once every three years and don't ask for compensation. It is the best thing I've ever done. My family is now very close. We spend alot more time together and the memories we have shared are priceless to me. My Mom and Dad are now both in Nursing homes and can't go with us anymore and it makes me so happy that we shared several trips together before they got sick. I sometimes take short trips with my DH for long weekends but we both agree its alot more fun sharing the fun. Some members of our family have never been because they are offsite people and just don't get it. If they would stay once they might see the difference but I only offer once. I never have enough points. Each year I invite someone else. This year we have 25-29 if no one drops out. So I say be proud of your membership and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for not inviting them. I only invite who I want, when i want. I'm also 56 and I have never cared what the neighbors think. My mother did enough of that for both of us. LOL Welcome Home it is the best thing you could have done for your family. Enjoy.

Yes!!! I guess I want to reiterate that I know there are some valid stories about friends and family. A given. However, I have never had so much joy as bringing family and friends with us (often in their own suites) for free. Eight DVC trips...four of which we treated other people. One was two sides of our family....13. And yes I'm out of points this UY and some next!!!!! But those points keep on coming. That's the great thing about points and DVC. It really is a lovely lovely thing. I feel like a millionaire. Watch a friend watch "Wishes" for the first time. Priceless.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Mt family knows b/c they understand and are supportive. My closest friends know as well. DH's family...not a peep to them, and we don't mention it to our casual friends.

 

[unixadm]

1 HD TiVo, 1 Series 1 Tivo, 2 Hauppage SD Encoder cards and 1 Plextor USB SD/Divx Encoder!!!!

2 HD Tivos (HR10-250's)...one expanded to 1/2 TB, 3 Standard Def (2 Sony T-60's..one expanded to 278 hours, another one 128 hours and 1 R10..) and the piece of junk Non TiVo DVR HR20

Need all that space to record shows on Disney!!!

Not to mention some disassembled T60's and Phillips DSR6000's....Guess I should put hard drives into them and ebay them!

(PS...I'm a Mod on the TiVocommunity.com forums)

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Do these all look like Mickey to everyone else here?

Mickey, I thought they were the great tiki gods. Oh how I love the tiki room.

 

[jazzmanmgt]

All my friends and family know. The way I look at it is its a very good deal "for me" and thats all that matters in the end. I have managed to take a few of them with us for a visit and after they see how we vacation the Disney way....usually they hint at going back etc. Sorry only one trip per friend/relative. If its good enough to go with me for free its good enough to buy in for yourself.