Just had a crazy DVC conversation!

[Ellester]

I don't think the OP was trying to give him a hard time, but trying to help him despite the "I know more than you, I bought on property" attitude the new buyer was giving. (And I can't believe that anyone would rather stay ignorant of banking and lose points.) And he can stay at the Grand Floridian if he wants, but he can't save up 5 years' worth of points! If he doesn't find that out before the time comes to make that reservation, he'll be mighty disappointed.

Totally agree, especially with the bolded above.

 

[edk35]

My husband is not the PLANNER in our family HOWEVER...I think he would be able to handle a conversation about DVC and relay enough information to a coworker...... at least sound like he knows DVC. This cracked me up.

 

[edk35]

You do NOT have to be on the DIS to know how to use your DVC. I didn't find the DIS for the first 4 years of membership in DVC, and I learned how to use it just fine.

The problem is that DVC does not do a tutorial, and if folks aren't willing to read and learn on their own, then they WILL be a FOOL parted with their money AND points.

Our guide told us of someone who owned for 12 years and paid dues for 12 years and never once booked a trip! My guess is that one thought they were paying for "one trip" and never even realized they could travel every year.

Sorry, but folks who aren't smart enough to own DVC will learn the hard way what they can and can't do. My guess is your co-worker will be coming to you in a year or two to find out "what he did wrong". Either that, or he'll be complaining about how worthless it is to him!

12 years???????????????????????

 

[disneynutz]

I guess I am going to be the dissenter here. I figure if someone is happy with their purchase it is their business how much they know or how little.

Everyone is different and many would think most of us are overly obsessive about Disney, DVC and all the planning.

I don't give them a hard time about how they do things and they don't give me a hard time either. There is no one way to do this.

As to the Grand Floridian comment, sorry I don't get what is wrong with that at all. I use my points anywhere I want to and I can certainly understand saving them to use for something special like that.

Some think it is foolish to use points on weekends but I personally don't.

I guess it's a DIS Family thing.

If someone is here to learn and share their experiences, then many of us feel obligated to share information to keep the newbie from making the same mistakes that we did.

Bill

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I had the most insane conversation with a coworker today regarding DVC. He knows how much of a Disney fan I am, so he mentioned today that he and his wife just bought DVC at AKL. I congratulated him, and the conversation went downhill from there:

Me: "Congratulations...Animal Kingdom is really cool! You'll love it there!
Him: "We bought enough points to have a scenic view." (Savannah view?)
Me: "Nice! We own at Old Key West."
Him: "Oh, we own right at Disney"
Me: "Um, yeah, OKW is also at Disney. It was the first Vacation Club Resort."
Him: "Oh. Well, I guess you can stay at the other Vacation Club Resorts too, right? I know there's some kind of Music resort, and one named Coronado."
Me: "No, those aren't DVC Resorts," (I named a few) "but once you start staying DVC, you'll really get spoiled."
Him: "I know! I'm paying $250 a month for 10 years and then I'll have 50 years of vacations for free."

At this point, I'm flabbergasted and realize I need to just shut up and nod my head a few times. He's really clueless. Then the conversation ends with this gem:

Him: "My wife and I going to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 5 years, so I'm planning on saving up a few years' points and booking at the Grand Floridian."

Oh god. How can someone spend $14,000 (what he told me he paid) and not have a CLUE???? Did Disney see this guy coming or what?

I know not everyone is as informed at the people on this board, but really! If you're going to make a signficant purchase like this, shouldn't you do a little more research?

I haven't read all the responses but I bet this is someone who will be calling The Timeshare Store, Inc.® in a few years to sell. That is crazy.

You probably want to spend time educating him but sounds like he thinks he has it all figured out.

Jason

 

[tinkerfan1]

Oh how I'd love to get these people who are just letting their points expire give them to me!!! Might as well let somebody enjoy them, right??? I can't imagine ever letting a single point go wasted.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

DH and I bought a DVC membership last summer at AKL, and I am in my early 60's while he soon will be. Far from being clueless, we researched the offer very carefully, paid cash for it, and have 2 vacations booked for this year. I frequently read the Dis for information and entertainment, and we have been to Disney World too many times to count. Don't make fun of us old people. Most of the people I know in their 60's are about like us....retired, receive a good pension, still work at least part-time since we have too much energy to sit in our rocking chairs and enjoy spending money too much not to continue earning more of it. Our brains still work okay, our bodies still work well enough to get around DW, we have 5 computers in our house for the 2 of us, and life is good....especially when we are on vacation. Last year we took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean, spent a week at AKL, spent a week at the beach, and took several shorter trips. There are advantages to being "old"!

You go girl!!!

 

[Sammie]

I just figure if people want advice they will ask for it. I did not know near as much about DVC and how it worked when we first bought as I do now.

But you know it did not hurt anyone, we went, we learned and we had great trips without all the obsessive planning and such.

Maybe I took everyone's comments the wrong way and if I did, I apologize but it appeared to me that he was being made fun of. He will learn, maybe the hard way but sometimes that is the best way.

If someone is discussing having surgery and you realize that they are making a huge mistake due to lack of knowledge I figure you owe it to them to try and help out and educate them.

But its a Disney vacation, I think we might need to remember that sometimes is all.

 

[Sammy]

I just figure if people want advice they will ask for it. I did not know near as much about DVC and how it worked when we first bought as I do now.

But you know it did not hurt anyone, we went, we learned and we had great trips without all the obsessive planning and such.

Maybe I took everyone's comments the wrong way and if I did, I apologize but it appeared to me that he was being made fun of. He will learn, maybe the hard way but sometimes that is the best way.

If someone is discussing having surgery and you realize that they are making a huge mistake due to lack of knowledge I figure you owe it to them to try and help out and educate them.

But its a Disney vacation, I think we might need to remember that sometimes is all.

Hi Sammie:

I appreciate your point of view, thanks! Just want to clarify that in no way was I making fun of my co-worker. I truly was shocked at how uninformed he seemed to be. I tried to discreetly correct a few things he said in the conversation, but I got the impression he was not interested. He thinks he "knows" what's going on, and that is certainly his right to do so. As another poster said above, I would really hate for him to think he could save 3 or 4 years worth of points in order to get his Grand Floridian vacation, and end up losing them all.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Unfortunately a great many people (men, in general, flame away!) don't/won't follow directions/instructions. I wonder in DVC households who really manages the points, the men or woman.

I'm the obsessive/compulsive that plans all of our trips. I'll gather all the information, and mention it all to my wife.
I manage all of the points, but my wife fully understands the program too.
Oh... we're 43 and 41

When we're at the mouse, we'll get in conversations with "neighbors" from time to time. I always direct their attention to the DIS Boards. I have also had conversations where the "newly purchased neighbors" didn't fully understand the point system, the realocation, and other policy's. They tell me what their guide said, and when there's a "misunderstanding", i'll tactfully state the reality, and ask them to contact their guide for further understanding.

 

[ACDSNY]

My husband is not the PLANNER in our family HOWEVER...I think he would be able to handle a conversation about DVC and relay enough information to a coworker...... at least sound like he knows DVC. This cracked me up.

I'm not so sure my DH would know enough about DVC and we've been members since 2005. Can you guess who takes care of all our travel arrangements in our house?

 

[Sammie]

Hi Sammie:

I appreciate your point of view, thanks! Just want to clarify that in no way was I making fun of my co-worker. I truly was shocked at how uninformed he seemed to be. I tried to discreetly correct a few things he said in the conversation, but I got the impression he was not interested. He thinks he "knows" what's going on, and that is certainly his right to do so. As another poster said above, I would really hate for him to think he could save 3 or 4 years worth of points in order to get his Grand Floridian vacation, and end up losing them all.

Actually the comments that followed were what I was referencing. He will learn, possibly the hard way, about all you can do is simply say something to the affect that it can all be very confusing at times and if he ever needs some assistance please ask. After that he is on his own.

Honestly though when we bought I did not know about this website and websites such as this were not that common when we bought.

We learned as we went along and did fine. If I lost a point or two along the way truly its not that big a deal. We possibly might have made some silly comments at the beginning but we caught on fast and started reading the guidebook and asking questions. I don't think it's necessary to be an expert
right at the beginning.

We use our points our way which at times means getting a two bedroom for 2 people. I am sure some would think that is ridiculous but they are mine to use as I choose.

 

[TROSELL14843]

Our guide was great on the cruise (Dave K) but our friends were better - I am certain he knew more and looking back he explained it very well but the simple basics came easy from the friends. It took a little time to get the "point" system but when you can rent points for about $10 per point it gets pretty easy to understand.

I spent the last 20 mins watching the BCS game (go Bama!) and reading the whole thread. I think I know the bank, borrow, current year - can't it be a max of three years of points being used at a single time?? my 220 from last year that i banked(if i did) - my current year 220 an my next year 220 for a toltal of 660 at one time??

I will be reading entire threads now that we are "in" DVC to learn even more. I just knew a few basics:
we have 7 and 10 year old children
i love the disney movies/themes
i wanta be warm in some winter days
she loves the warm weather
we will be going to disney places for the next bunch of years with the kids
non-DVC places were opening up as options
you could "loan" them out
we could afford it
how couldn't we do it - it would "force" us to vacation if we were paying each month for the points

I think you could look at it from a ton of angles but pay for 10 years in the financing plan and get 40 years "free" - paying the points maintenance is all after the financing could be a very simple view of the system. I am I wrong?

WE are 42 and 41 and I "the man" look like I will be doing the planning

I took the kids down for two separate long weekends on the developer points we had to use before Oct 3 last year and brought my 72 yr old father along for one of them - it's been priceless so far.

Tim

ps it's darn cold here in western NY in Dec and Feb

SSR 9/09(twice!!)

"Friends let friends buy DVC" is my slogan - you guys can use it if you like

 

[kristenrice]

I wonder how one finds out what the "value" category at AKV is without these boards? There is no mention of them in the planning book and no definition of "value" on the points chart. I think most people just assume that they are a view of the compost heap from the grazing savanna animals.

It seems that CM's at both MS and the resort itself are unclear as to what makes a value a value.

I hope they stay a "secret" since those value 1BR's with a savanna view are my new favorite!

 

[El&Asmom]

LOL, the bolded part of the quote above made me laugh out loud! I'm going to guess El&Asmom is younger than my children! We are in our 60's and I know for a fact we are not the ONLY ones on this board who are!

Sorry, in no way did I intend to suggest that 60 year olds can't do online research, only that my 60 year old parents don't.

 

[alamode]

I wonder how one finds out what the "value" category at AKV is without these boards? There is no mention of them in the planning book and no definition of "value" on the points chart. I think most people just assume that they are a view of the compost heap from the grazing savanna animals.

It seems that CM's at both MS and the resort itself are unclear as to what makes a value a value.

I hope they stay a "secret" since those value 1BR's with a savanna view are my new favorite!

So just how hard is it to get a value savanna view? I have a 2 bedroom booked for May 27th to June 4th. It will be our first ever DVC trip!!!

 

[Pootle]

I think the big issue is that they are in their 60s, and are not good at researching on line.

I'm also amused by this - at 59 and 60 we both try to limit ourselves to no more than a couple of hours on line each day, and it's hard As a generalization it's probably true that the older you are the less likelihood you have embraced the Internet but, anecdotally, my best friend's 25 year old graduate daughter is just hopeless with IT

Back on topic, the OP made me sigh too, but then my DH wouldn't be great at DVC specifics either

 

[Tiger926]

I wonder how one finds out what the "value" category at AKV is without these boards? There is no mention of them in the planning book and no definition of "value" on the points chart. I think most people just assume that they are a view of the compost heap from the grazing savanna animals.

It seems that CM's at both MS and the resort itself are unclear as to what makes a value a value.

I hope they stay a "secret" since those value 1BR's with a savanna view are my new favorite!

We are doing the value 1bed this July for 13 days - we think it's a great best kept secret! But seriously, we've never had issues with figuring out ourselves (our guess was a smaller room configuration and we were right) and then being told we were correct by a CM. More than one CM we've spoken to has known that they are smaller room configurations. I agree that it would be good to have better descriptions in the planner, but I'm guessing that many people use the web, and when you click on room layouts, it says that the Value rooms are smaller.

We are hoping to get a savannah view this year too! Have a great trip, Tiger

 

[christa112]

Oh - if someone spoke to my spouse about DVC there would probably be a thread about that conversation!

 

[dianeschlicht]

While I do all the booking and planning, I do know that DH could do it if he had to. He'd have a hard time the first time he tried it, but he does understand the basics, just not the details! Well, I guess that's not exactly true either, but he's never actually done it!