Free Lodging for Family

[rowbear]

Ok, I admit it, I am stingy with my points also. Actually, at this point, the only people even aware that we own DVC are just DH and I. (No flames please.) This is for two reasons - 1) we are verrrry private about our financial decisions and 2) it would cause a world of issues on both sides of our family.

My DMIL owns 12, yes 12, weeks in another timeshare in Orlando that we have no interest in. She is very proud of her purchase and sees it as a legacy for her kids and grandkids. She would be extremely hurt that we chose to purchase elsewhere. We have learned on several occasions that we and DBIL do NOT travel well together as well.

Family pettiness on my side would make it a nightmare of "you invited them but not us" or "you invited them first you must love them the most." It is just not worth going there. We purchased enough points to stay in a 1-BR for a week each year, so there is not a whole lot to share anyways.

Now, I may repent and invite someone in the future, but for now I am enjoying every point that I can use.

Again. Nothing wrong with that. If taking family causes problems or hinders your enjoyment then don't take them. I have family I would never dream of taking. My father's new wife is a very rude and crude person that I would strangle if I had to be exposed to her for extended periods of time.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Add us to the "other" camp. We are new to DVC, and haven't yet made our first trip "home".

Our first TWO trips "home" will be with two other families, staying in a 2BR lock-off. We ended up buying enough points to to be able to do two trips to DLR each year, each with another family (either freinds or family).

We are charging each family for the nights, but less than the point rental cost. That way, we get some relief on our yearly maintanance fees, and they get a very nice room with a kitchen, on DLR property, at a greatly reduced rate...win-win for all involved.

And, when it's time to seperate the two families, there's the lock-off!

At least that's the theory, we'll see how well that works in practice come late September!

In addition, we bought additional points, enough so that we could (potentially) donate two studio nights at the GCVs to our elementary school's yearly fundraising auction.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Family and friends are expected to buy their own park tickets, pick up their own restaurant checks, and split the grocery order. We don't charge them anything for their rooms, though. We added extra points to allow us to invite friends and family to join us. It's part of what makes the vacation fun.

Now, if someone staying with us feels inclined to pick up a dinner check or buy a round of drinks, we don't put up an argument. Some recent guests bought us a souvineer from World of Disney, and that was cool, too.

 

[KodakFigment]

OH NO! After reading all of this I'm wondering of we committed a really big faux pas. BIL & SIL invited us to go with them to BCV this year. It never crossed our minds that they would treat. When we brought up paying them for the points they looked at us like we were crazy. I bulldozed on and insisted on buying the airfare, a special Hoop De Doo dinner and a Segway tour for all of us. They went along, but sounded disappointed that we wouldn't let them treat. I guess I never thought of it the way you are all presenting it. Do you think we pushed too hard? Would your feelings have been hurt? We're so excited about the joint trip, I don't want to start out on a bad note.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We've given our developers points to family to use, but that was a one time thing and only because we had already stayed at Saratoga and didn't have a burning desire to go back. Now we just try to convince family and friends to buy into DVC on their own. As it is I try and stretch our points to the max and eek out as many trips as possible for us each year. We're always happy to have family at WDW with us, but we leave them on their own for their accomodations. We do have timeshares off property, which I basically will allow anyone to use that asks me...but I hoarde my DVC.

 

[christa112]

We are new owners and I am not sure what we will do. I am thinking I will ask for a small amount of $ at least to pay for some our monthly payments. Our kids our still young, so I wont be needing to let them use it for at least 15 yrs.

 

[ILuvTigger]

We do not charge our family or friends. We are taking dh's family this year for christmas (AKV Kidani). We (dh, dd, ds and I) are staying in a 2 bedroom dedicated savanna view, fil, mil, gramil, sil, her dh, and their 3 kids are staying in a 2 bedroom dedicated standard, and bil, his dh, and their 2 kids are staying in a standard studio. If you invite, you should take care of the lodging (of course all other costs are on them), but if it is their idea, that is a different story....I wouldn't take money, but they should do something nice for you.

 

[jpeka65844]

Now that we have DVC, we can't imagine NOT going with friends or family. We have the points to get the room, why not give that out?

When push comes to shove, we just ask the people for "what sounds fair" If it's $50, fine, if it's $500, fine. Therefore I voted for "give lodging away"

We're taking a family in January who typically stay at Values. It's getting difficult for them, especially now that their family is getting larger and they have to (ahem) FIB to get everyone in one room. They're very excited!!!

Of all the trips we've taken (and the ones we have planned), there's only been ONE trip that's been entirely on our own. All the others have included family and/or friends. And we LIKE it that way!!!

 

[Disney_Mama]

I voted "just for us" because that is what our vacations have been so far. My DH did take some of his friends for a golf weekend and they did not pay for the room. We are always asking my parent to come along but so far they have not come. When they do we will use our points to get a bigger room. As for the rest of our family...... Don't want to vacation with them

 

[theww228]

My DMIL watches our DD 2 days a week and doesn't want paid for her help, so we decided to get enough points that DIL's can always go when we do. We pay for their AP's and their lodging, so they are on the hook for their food and airfare. Best of all everyone thinks this works out great. My in-laws love Disney (they have been going for 30+ years), so they think they are making out like a bandit and I feel like we can give them a small token of our appreciation for their help.

For everyone else... my points are my points! We only have enough points for 2 rooms for a little over a week every year.

 

[Pig Pen]

We sometimes invite others and have also given points for gifts ($200 WDW gift card and 24 points for 3 nights in an OKW studio to DS and his wife). We have done everything from sharing a studio with DD28, to renting a 2br for a party of 8.

Everyone is always impressed with the accomodations.

HOWEVER, too much togetherness gets old after awhile. For our upcoming trip we are inviting NO ONE, and visiting NO ONE while in FL. We are fibbing a little...telling people we are going on a cruise (we are, but just 3 nights on the Wonder) since we know that most of the relatives do not have passports. What they don't know is that we are also staying 8 nights at BLT...

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Since I have purchased my DVC home, I have taken family or friends every year, and plan on continuing to do so for as long as I can. I never charge anyone for the accomodations but everyone has always ponied up for at least one meal during our trip... I also have another motive.. I am single and don't like to travel alone. PLUS I love to be the giver and watch everyone's faces light up at the sight of the villas!

 

[toniosmom]

When I purchased my DVC membership last year, I had the intention of inviting people to come with us every time. This past spring it worked out that we went alone - just me and my 4 year old son. It was the BEST vacation ever. We did whatever we wanted to do when we wanted to do it. We did nothing by the clock. It was wonderful.

Next spring, we will be traveling with my parents, niece 18 + BF, niece 9. I am not asking for any money from them for the lodging. On the money issue, however, if I were in a financial position where I could use the extra money to help pay for MFs (or risk losing my DVC), I would take it if offered.

After saying all of that, I want to reiterate that I do not feel obligated to take anyone with us on future vacations. It is OUR vacation to do with as we wish. I'm sure we will have future trips where we will have others with us and many where we don't. The most important thing is that we create great (stress-free) memories.....which is why I will never invite specific people to join us.

 

[toniosmom]

Our points are just for us. My sister is the "Trip Killer" and no way would DH even consider taking his sister's family.

Your sister might be related to MY sister.

 

[bobbiwoz]

OH NO! After reading all of this I'm wondering of we committed a really big faux pas. BIL & SIL invited us to go with them to BCV this year. It never crossed our minds that they would treat. When we brought up paying them for the points they looked at us like we were crazy. I bulldozed on and insisted on buying the airfare, a special Hoop De Doo dinner and a Segway tour for all of us. They went along, but sounded disappointed that we wouldn't let them treat. I guess I never thought of it the way you are all presenting it. Do you think we pushed too hard? Would your feelings have been hurt? We're so excited about the joint trip, I don't want to start out on a bad note.

Wow! I've never charged or expected anything from friends/family whom we invite. However, if in the end, we accepted your generous offers, I wouldn't feel bulldozed, but looking forward to this vacations with generous family members. Maybe you'll like DVC enough to buy into it yourselves!

Bobbi

 

[TreesyB]

Normally we just get the kind of room we want. It's just DS (9) and I so, studio or 1 br would do for us. I like the 1 BR for the kitchen space.

But this coming trip, I've invited my family just so I can justify the THV stay, which is going to be a treat. It just seemed decadent to stay at a THV which accomodates 9 when it's just the two of us. And I also want to treat my parents to Disney, as they have a place in Ft.Myers, and never go to Orlando. And my dad has never been to Disney.

But if they don't come, I'd still go with just DS and I I just want to stay at THV.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

I voted that they can come, but have to rent points, but that is only partially true.

My BIL's and our friends always insist on paying for the points used, which I charge them per point.
My parents and two brothers, on the trips we supplied the room, they didn't pay us for the room.
Doesn't much matter now though, since my parents bought their own points.

 

[Donald is #1]

Normally we just get the kind of room we want. It's just DS (9) and I so, studio or 1 br would do for us. I like the 1 BR for the kitchen space.

But this coming trip, I've invited my family just so I can justify the THV stay, which is going to be a treat. It just seemed decadent to stay at a THV which accomodates 9 when it's just the two of us. And I also want to treat my parents to Disney, as they have a place in Ft.Myers, and never go to Orlando. And my dad has never been to Disney.

But if they don't come, I'd still go with just DS and I I just want to stay at THV.

LOL... I know who you feel except that I haven't figured out a way to get the numbers to work for me. In my case, I would love to stay in a GV sometime (particularly AKV), but I can't find a way to justify it. Even of my youngest sister and her family come, all I need is a 2 bedroom. My other sister isn't that interested in WDW and neither is her son.

But one of these days I'll figure out a way to justify it.

 

[Anal Annie]

We offered to plan a trip for extended family this summer but nobody would commit to the date back in January when we were booking it. So I voted OTHER simply bcuz we WOULD but haven't YET...

 

[justloveit]

We have taken extended family with us and stayed in a 2 BR. When we take family, we pay for food also, they just have to pay for airfare and park tickets. DD has had friends come along, and we do the same for them. That's why we enjoy DVC so much, the flexibility of accomodations and the ability to share the magic make priceless memories!