How to "sell" DVC to our relatives

[FriendsOfEeyore]

My mom has timeshares / non-disney vacation clubs that she and dad purchased before he passed away. She knows and understands. My DW's family knows, but do not understand. After my DW's father passed away last spring, her mother (her parents divorced many, many years ago) told us it was time to sell DVC. My FIL lived in Avon Park, Florida (about 40 miles south of WDW). My MIL thought that the only reason we had DVC was because he was in Florida.

Now, she and her husband have no idea how much DVC can cost. She has some ideas, because my DW may have given some signals. But then again, it is none of my MIL's business. My MIL is constantly asking my DW how much money I make. Her family is from a small town in the middle of Iowa. They have been retired for like 15 years or so. They always want to know 'how does he think that he can afford this or that?'.

I will never say how much $$$ I make, but it is enough that I can provide for my family and my DW can choose to be a SAHM. Of course, it could be more, but we are happy.

Don't Tell the Family, if you do not think that they will understand. Just one DVCer's advice....

Edward

 

[Dean]

I have a couple of coworkers that think I should go into the travel planning business. They figure since I seem to do so well overall that this must be a good deal also. I also have 3 coworkers that are DVC members. Since we usually treat family to a free trip about EOY, I suspect they'd be afraid to criticize our timeshares, not that I'd care one way or another other than they might get left off the guest list next time.

 

[BroganMc]

These questions always make me wonder why someone feels they must or mustn't tell. Is there some hidden guilt or doubt hanging behind that decision.

The only ones who need to know (or can have an opinion matter) are those directly involved with the exchange of funds. Your creditors, debtors and you are the only ones important here. Family and friends should have nothing to do with your purchasing decisions. What does it matter to them?

 

[mb168]

Not that we're hiding it but we haven't really told our family unless they got to talking about how we stayed. There's no one in my family a candidate for DVC so I don't even try and explaing but I've recommended it to friends over the years and we don't hide the fact that we go to Disney many times a year. If you visit my website in my signature, you'll see I've devoted a growing number of pages to it. I just feel that it's more opening a view into my wallet with my family, inevitably the "wel what did that cost ya" question will come out of someone's mouth.

Just enjoy it and come to the boards to get your Disney fix and talk to the rest of us addicts. DVC is a drug you know???

 

[edk35]

Memories are what life is all about. I think your kids will remember all of the great vacations vs. the new bathroom or new carpet or new paint. We have friends that probably think we are NUTS when it comes to our Disney trips. They just don't get it. If you go once why keep going every year...that type of thinking. They think why not try something different. I have another set of friends that spend BIG BUCKS....DOING STUFF TO THEIR NEW HOUSE (buying the latest and greatest in technology aka they have three huge screen t.v's). They rarely have extra money for eating out, doing special things with their kids, vacations, letting their kids be involved in after school stuff because of the money factor and personally I think I would rather my kids have these Disney memories than "oh wow we had three wide screen tv's growing up". You see what I mean???? We would much rather hang out and MAKE MEMORIES...whether at Disney or being involved in all of their crazy activity schedules. I TELL YOU......IT IS A GOOD THING WE HAVE THIS DVC AND DIS BOARD FAMILY so we truly understand EACH OTHER'S DISNEY NEEDS. LOL

 

[gortman65]

Memories are what life is all about. I think your kids will remember all of the great vacations vs. the new bathroom or new carpet or new paint. We have friends that probably think we are NUTS when it comes to our Disney trips. They just don't get it. If you go once why keep going every year...that type of thinking. They think why not try something different. I have another set of friends that spend BIG BUCKS....DOING STUFF TO THEIR NEW HOUSE (buying the latest and greatest in technology aka they have three huge screen t.v's). They rarely have extra money for eating out, doing special things with their kids, vacations, letting their kids be involved in after school stuff because of the money factor and personally I think I would rather my kids have these Disney memories than "oh wow we had three wide screen tv's growing up". You see what I mean???? We would much rather hang out and MAKE MEMORIES...whether at Disney or being involved in all of their crazy activity schedules. I TELL YOU......IT IS A GOOD THING WE HAVE THIS DVC AND DIS BOARD FAMILY so we truly understand EACH OTHER'S DISNEY NEEDS. LOL

Thanks for your words of encouragement -- what you and everyone else has been saying are much appreciated. I have to admit my wife was a little worried when we joined DVC and started making more frequent trips to Disneyland and WDW that our friends would think we were a bit loopy (I think she used the word "Disneyholics"). I told her if anyone started thinking that about us, she could just blame me for the whole thing!

Just as an aside, what really tipped the balance for me in deciding to become a DVC member was our recent trip, where we spent a few days at WDW and then took our first Disney cruise. Our now almost 11-month old daughter absolutely loved everything. I know she won't remember the trip, but seeing the joy on her face when she'd meet a character or see a fountain in the parks was priceless to me. I want many more experiences like that, both for her and for me and my wife, and I think DVC will allow us that opportunity.

Again, thanks so much to everyone who has responded!

 

[KristiKelly]

Don't tell them.

We didn't tell our family for awhile. This past year we told my Mom because she and my brother were going with us and staying in a 2 bedroom. Once she was in the room and had that wonderful Boardwalk view - 'nuf said. She went home bragging to her sisters, now they all want to go down and stay at BWV.

My Mom is sending in her YOMD post cards daily now trying to win the 220 SSR points.

If you're really worried, I just wouldn't tell them. It's really none of their business.

 

[edk35]

Thanks for your words of encouragement -- what you and everyone else has been saying are much appreciated. I have to admit my wife was a little worried when we joined DVC and started making more frequent trips to Disneyland and WDW that our friends would think we were a bit loopy (I think she used the word "Disneyholics"). I told her if anyone started thinking that about us, she could just blame me for the whole thing!

Just as an aside, what really tipped the balance for me in deciding to become a DVC member was our recent trip, where we spent a few days at WDW and then took our first Disney cruise. Our now almost 11-month old daughter absolutely loved everything. I know she won't remember the trip, but seeing the joy on her face when she'd meet a character or see a fountain in the parks was priceless to me. I want many more experiences like that, both for her and for me and my wife, and I think DVC will allow us that opportunity.

Again, thanks so much to everyone who has responded!

You are very welcome. I am sure most of us have family members or friends that think we are "loopy". LOL I have friends that are die hard Dis'ers like me....matter of fact...I met one on these boards. There will always be people that will understand your addiction. COME HERE OFTEN. So you have been given one life.....you choose your own destiny....and we choose to make Disney a part of that Disney. I THINK THAT IS GREAT. My dd who is now 16 loves Disney.....we started going when she was 22 months old. She has some great memories of WDW. Matter of fact.....(start saving your bucks now too since you have a dd) she wants to get married at WDW. I told her that her honeymoon is taken care of. I said "when you meet that someone special...you better make sure they love Disney".

 

[cruiseletters]

When we bought our first contract we were with friends that already owned DVC property, that was fun, to be able to share your enthusiasm for your new purchase with someone who understood. When we came home from our trip we were very quiet about it. Over the last few years we've told a few family members, but certainly not everyone, for the same reasons that others have given. There would be some that would criticize without knowing what they were talking about, and those same ones would then want access to a vacation room regularly. So live your life share with those that will be happy for you, instead of begrudge you some success. and welcome home!

 

[Disney_Mama]

My In-Laws don't know because we don't want to hear about how much money we blow on big things. We can't hide our cars or our house unfortunately. Plus I know they would try to scam trips for my BIL and Nephew because they don't have much. After we had bought my parents insisted on giving us $$ so that they could come with us every once and a while. They have yet to join us! Do what is best for you.

 

[jimmytammy]

I know how you feel. We went awhile before sharing it with others. And even now, Im selective about who hears it. My DW and I felt it best to not let others in on it, for the simple reason, its our business.

I was bursting at the seams to let my parents know. But knew my dad wouldnt see the need in it. So I broke it to them by inviting them on a trip. They went for 1 night and stayed at OKW, just long enough to see a Braves spring training game. We did commando their 1st trip and they wanted no part of that again.

So next trip, we got them to come for 3 nights. We stayed at VWL. They enjoyed it. My dad was insistent he pay for his room. I then let him in on the secret. He has never said a word negative about it. I think he understood the value of it.

So maybe you can share it with your relatives smoothly, ease them into it

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Hi all,

My wife and I just became DVC members and my wife has some concerns about how our membership will be perceived by her family.

So I'm wondering if any of you have any thoughts about how we can "sell" DVC to my mother-in-law and other in-laws.

Thanks!

Y'know, the best schools don't recruit, and the best religions don't proselytize. (flame suit:engaged!)

Seriously, your evident happiness at Disney will speak louder than any arguments you could present.

 

[solgent]

Y'know, the best schools don't recruit, and the best religions don't proselytize. (flame suit:engaged!)

Seriously, your evident happiness at Disney will speak louder than any arguments you could present.

I went to a university widely acknowledged as one of our nation's finest. I just want to say that they do recruit. They knock themselves out to attract applicants and to convince admitted students to enroll. They also work hard to hire faculty and staff. They do not take anything for granted. They know they have competition that will gladly step up if their efforts falter. They know that along with the good part of their reputation, they have to contend with negative perceptions such as "elitist," "mind-bogglingly expensive," "only for ultra-geniuses." With a good reputation come high expectations, and it's all too easy to disappoint and turn off your target audience. Just stop caring.

The same is true for Disney, which is why I admire them and I was willing to plunk down a sizable (for us) amount of money based on the proposition that we would want to visit for decades to come. I believe they're going to keep working hard to deserve their good reputation. The marketing department seems pretty dedicated to getting the word out about what Disney has to offer.

All that said, that is their job. The OP, on the other hand, could choose to engage in convincing his in-laws that DVC was a good purchase for them, or he could opt out of that discussion. My advice would be to keep it quiet for a while. You can always open up and explain everything later if the moment is right. I also think that the grandchild, less than a year old, is going to be the ace in the hole. Just say how much your DD loves it-- share pictures of her joy and wonder-- and I'd expect grandparents to be unable to counter you.