Me verses the DH... DVC

[twinklebug]

Not a member (yet, working on it...) however I've promised myself & the kids we'd go to WDW this year and was planning a time of year DH can tolerate the heat (Christmas) & we'd get to see my parents.

The plan *I* had was to buy into DVC and book the points. That didn't happen. The plan DH has is to wait until the last moment to make a plan. To make a room reservation at any of the resorts is a waste of $ that we should put into our (inevitable) DVC purchase. Renting points would be better as at least we'd be in a DVC unit, but again, it's $ that would be better spent AND a HUGE tease!

I'm sure VWL and BWV are completely booked for the third week of Dec. already & our trip will have to be August again. I don't mind August, the park hours are longer, the weather is tropical (say flip flops!) and no need to worry about missing school, but DH will *NOT* come (if he does he's guarenteed to turn into Grumpy's nasty uncle), and hence, once again, I cannot show him DVC.

I'm a techie, great with equations, but bad with statistics. I need some stats people here... what are my odds of persuading DH to join DVC site unseen? What are the chances that even if we did join in the next 30 days there will be ANYTHING in the whole WDW DVC system available for December of this year?

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I see you've already stayed at OKW and BWV, so it's not really sight unseen. Did that have any effect on him?

There's probably still availability at OKW and SSR, which are the largest DVC resorts. I booked VWL a few weeks ago for Dec 8-15, but I've now heard there's nothing available in December (which may change at the seven month mark). I'm sure BCV is also booked, since it's a smaller DVC resort. You may still have some luck at a BWV, depending on what type of room you're looking for (I was able to move a two-bedroom ressie from OKW to BWV for F&W at the seven months).

 

[twinklebug]

I see you've already stayed at OKW and BWV, so it's not really sight unseen. Did that have any effect on him?

There's probably still availability at OKW and SSR, which are the largest DVC resorts. I booked VWL a few weeks ago for Dec 8-15, but I've now heard there's nothing available in December (which may change at the seven month mark). I'm sure BCV is also booked, since it's a smaller DVC resort. You may still have some luck at a BWV, depending on what type of room you're looking for (I was able to move a two-bedroom ressie from OKW to BWV for F&W at the seven months).

He hasn't seen any of the DVC properties other than in pictures. His first trip to WDW was in 2004 (hurricane Charlie). His experience was the Ft. Wilderness cabins (which he loves) for 2 nights followed by being evacuated to POR for another few nights & a trip to stay at my parents. A lot of heat, humidity, hustle & bustle. Last year I went alone with the kids & a girlfriend with her kids as he wouldn't even consider the trip.

My heart is telling me Dec. is off-limits at this point unless I was ready to wait-list. The 7 month window is June. I'm setting that as my new goal for DVC membership in hopes that something may come free.

 

[anniet]

Do what I did. Take your DH to a DIFFERENT timeshare pitch first. DVC will look tame by comparison and he won't be able to help but want to buy out of fear that you might take him to another one!!!!!

 

[twinklebug]

Do what I did. Take your DH to a DIFFERENT timeshare pitch first. DVC will look tame by comparison and he won't be able to help but want to buy out of fear that you might take him to another one!!!!!

It might work... I could even do this up here
... but what if he ENJOYS going to these presentations?
(he's a talker and loves to befriend everyone even if their only goal is to take his money)

 

[1000th happy haunt]

He hasn't seen any of the DVC properties other than in pictures. His first trip to WDW was in 2004 (hurricane Charlie). His experience was the Ft. Wilderness cabins (which he loves) for 2 nights followed by being evacuated to POR for another few nights & a trip to stay at my parents. A lot of heat, humidity, hustle & bustle. Last year I went alone with the kids & a girlfriend with her kids as he wouldn't even consider the trip.

My heart is telling me Dec. is off-limits at this point unless I was ready to wait-list. The 7 month window is June. I'm setting that as my new goal for DVC membership in hopes that something may come free.

It sounds to me like he's either not a Disney fan, or not a fan of the hot weather. How did he enjoy his one and only trip to DisneyWorld? And how does he feel about the Christmas season in general?

DisneyWorld in December is awsome. All the resorts are decorated, there are some extremely mind-blowing gingerbread and candy creations on display at the Deluxe Resorts, the Osbourne Family Lights, Candlelight Processional, MVMCP. Not to mention the weather is fantastic.

 

[mikesmom]

Try for OKW. It is larger, so the rooms don't book up quite as fast for December. Also the rooms are enormous! He would have to be impressed.

 

[twinklebug]

It sounds to me like he's either not a Disney fan, or not a fan of the hot weather. How did he enjoy his one and only trip to DisneyWorld? And how does he feel about the Christmas season in general?

DisneyWorld in December is awsome. All the resorts are decorated, there are some extremely mind-blowing gingerbread and candy creations on display at the Deluxe Resorts, the Osbourne Family Lights, Candlelight Processional, MVMCP. Not to mention the weather is fantastic.

Disney in Dec. is something I've never experienced and think if anything would be the one thing that makes DH say "YES" to DVC. He has a bit of ADHD... he has to keep moving. So his experience with Disney was hustle & bustle of his own creation combined with that of the hurricane, closed parks & attractions & changing living accomodations 3 times. (That experience was interesting to say the least)

DH is a Disney fan, but is a bit hard to plan for. On the other hand it is my intention to take my kids on vacation, with or without him, every year. Disney is the choice of preference (and so DVC makes a lot of sense). DH just doesn't get this.

 

[TheBeast]

As a former reluctant DH, it is possible to be convinced to buy DVC sight unseen. While I normally do not help wives conive against their husbands, I feel it is justified in this case since DVC is great (see, I'm a convert).

My one concern is that he loved Fort Wilderness. Did he love the Disney aspect of it, or the wilderness aspect of it? If he likes camping more than luxury, then DVC is less of a draw.

Anyway, DW successfully used multiple tactics on me:
- made it clear we WILL be going to Disney on a regular basis. I thought the first trip was one of few, but by the fifth, I realized this wasn't going away
- highlighted the disadvantages of frugality (that is, my cheapness). After several stays at All-Stars and Pop, anyone will start considering better accomodations
- showed me the benefits of luxury. Primarily with visits to the luxury resorts everytime we went to Disney, "just to see them", but also with brochures.
- pointed out the cost of luxury (again, appealing to my cheapness). She talked several times about cost of moderate and luxury resorts at Disney - no way was I paying those prices!
- wore me down with regular discussions about DVC, how great it is, how much she'd love to join, etc (inspired by disboard readings)
- duped me with urgency. the final coup de grace was "there's a BCV listing on TTS site, we need to buy it right away, they never show up. (picks up phone and calls), to them: 'is the BCV listing still available?', then to me 'it is, can we buy it? or we'll never have another chance!' ... me: 'uh, ok'

And that's how it's done...

 

[twinklebug]

- made it clear we WILL be going to Disney on a regular basis. I thought the first trip was one of few, but by the fifth, I realized this wasn't going away

by the 5th? you think?

Ft. Wilderness brought together enough activities for DH to be happy while allowing me time to "just sit around and waste my vacation" as DH calls it. He found fishing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boat rentals, the ability to have your own food there and ready when you need it all appealed to his can't-sit-still nature. Since he and I vacation our own way there's three solutions: 1) we buy DVC 2) divorce 3) we take our own vacations #2's not bad, but does have issues with sharing the kids... I'm leaning toward #1

BTW - I'm taking mental notes of all the suggestions... might even add a few to my PDA for reference when on the road.

 

[linzbear]

Have you tried showing him pictures of VWL? It seems he would probably like that one the best - and he'd get his "you can make food" with the 1 bedrooms as well. The amenities are almost completely the same, with the added bonus of a really nice pool. There's also a walkway to FW, so he can do stuff he likes there without having to chase down busses or anything.

And I can tell you that I recently bought in directly to VWL through disney. It took less than 24 hours and then we could start booking vacations!

This far out you will have to waitlist, but if you get in before the 7 month window, you'll probably easily get a reservation regardless (and if you convince him to stay in a 1br, you'll have a better chance... those are the least booked)

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

I know this isn't what you are asking about...but my suggestion is to take him when the heat isn't an issue. I took my DH back in January of this year - the lines were short, if at all, the weather was nice/cool/no humidity. Parks were a pleasure to be in! He and I agreed that going during off season was "our time" because neither one of us likes the intense heat (don't ask why I'm going again in August of this year, I'm nuts), and we couldn't take the crowds that Christmas or Spring Break will always have!

DH loved that time of year...and we purchased our points before leaving for the airport. Today we are adding-on another 130 points!!!

But if you don't plan to travel to Disney with him, just do what it takes to get him to sign so you can at least save the $ when YOU and the kids go! If you are going every year anyway, it makes sense.

I thought twice a year when we bought, but this year will go 4 times if you count the January trip (non DVC), and I'm looking at three trips next year!

 

[flechette]

Do what I did. Take your DH to a DIFFERENT timeshare pitch first. DVC will look tame by comparison and he won't be able to help but want to buy out of fear that you might take him to another one!!!!!

Sheer Brillance!



To be fair to my hubby - I recently asked him how he felt about DVC now that he's had time to think about it (I pretty well told him he could agree or we could argue for 2 years). His main reason for agreeing is that I have never asked for a large dollar item before - every other one we bought, house, SUV, camcorder, computers etc have been his choice not mine - so he views this as leveling an imbalance. He likes the flexibility of scheduling, and the potential for II exchanges tho he understands this is not the best financial use of points.

He likes the lists of other activities that can be done, and between wanting to treat his parents and hoping to have a family reunion with mine we figure 5-6 years worth of points are already spent once we do buy in

Try logic first, when that fails pure stubborness usually works

 

[pb4ugo]

*DH is a Disney fan, but is a bit hard to plan for. On the other hand it is my intention to take my kids on vacation, with or without him, every year. Disney is the choice of preference (and so DVC makes a lot of sense). DH just doesn't get this.*

if your husband accepts that you and the kids are doing annual wdw vacations, my strategy would be to prepare the 5-yr plan for his review: identify your choice of vacations for 5 yrs out, indicating choice of resort, choice of accomodations, travel expenses, dining choices/plans, etc - being sure to increase each year's expenses by some anticipated inflation factor. and then do the same plan by contrasting the cost of dvc vacations and membership/maintenance fees [4% annual inflation in fees might be right]. that would be the financial presentation.

then i'd make sure to identify the pleasure that the trip will bring to you and the children and let him know that you will be happy to include him in the pleasure should he decide to take part. that should be the emotional presentation.

then i'd tell him that i have requested the contract papers from dvc and tell him he can make up his mind just how many points he wants to purchase until they arrive. that would just be me being stubborn.

if he caves and agrees to the deal, then you can call dvc and finalize the buy-in details..being sure to buy where you want to stay...even if it means that you have to waitlist with dvc to get the resort you know that you want - it is so important that you have the 11 month booking window so you can be better assured to get the resort you know your husband will enjoy.

then you can make whatever reservation you can get for this year's vacation - and tell the kids that it may not be their first choice but they always have the option of not going at all this year.

my husband ran numbers for two days to convince himself that it would be a worthwhile purchase - and i supported his decision since i knew that it meant one or two weeks out of the frozen wasteland of n.j. every year! - i didn't give a flip how much it cost!

hope this helps ya! good luck!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

if your husband accepts that you and the kids are doing annual wdw vacations, my strategy would be to prepare the 5-yr plan for his review: identify your choice of vacations for 5 yrs out, indicating choice of resort, choice of accomodations, travel expenses, dining choices/plans, etc - being sure to increase each year's expenses by some anticipated inflation factor. and then do the same plan by contrasting the cost of dvc vacations and membership/maintenance fees [4% annual inflation in fees might be right]. that would be the financial presentation.

I agree that this is the way to present it. Once you buy into DVC, that's it--you're done (no need to mention add-on-itis at this point). Maintenance fees may go up 4% each year, but that's nothing compared to the cost of a hotel room at WDW. And the point cost at DVC resorts will not change. If OKW costs you 98 points for a certain week next year, that same room will still cost 98 points for that same week in 2012, 2020, and 2036.

And the best thing for him is that he doesn't have to vacation with you, unless he really wants to.

 

[JimMIA]

Since he and I vacation our own way there's three solutions: 1) we buy DVC 2) divorce 3) we take our own vacations #2's not bad, but does have issues with sharing the kids... I'm leaning toward #1.

The other obvious solution is to do nothing -- the alternative DH seems to have chosen...and that's not always the wrong choice. Based on your previous visit patterns and inability to plan ahead, I'm not sure DVC is a good fit for your family.

Personally, my choice would be #3, but I wouldn't buy DVC for you to do that. I'd suggest an annual dollar amount the family can afford each year, split it in half, and give half to you and half to DH. You do what you want with the kids, and he does what he wants with the other half of the money -- and neither criticizes the other's decision. You're happy, he's happy and neither of you has to put up with a vacation they don't enjoy...or whatever the problem is.

 

[twinklebug]

... Based on your previous visit patterns and inability to plan ahead...

OUCH!

Jim, I thank you for your input and up until this point I thought well of you. That little comment however was harsh and uncalled for.

Obviously you don't know me as I plan things to death.

 

[JimMIA]

OUCH!

Jim, I thank you for your input and up until this point I thought well of you. That little comment however was harsh and uncalled for.

Obviously you don't know me as I plan things to death.

Actually...I was not talking about your planning. I was talking about the comments you posted about your DH's plan to put everything off until the last minute, and the other comments you made about him being hard to plan for (or with?).

To me, that indicated that he probably has one of those jobs where planning vacations months ahead of time is impossible. A lot of people have work obligations which make it difficult to plan very far ahead. Although they may be able to get DVC ressies on shorter notice if they're flexible, DVC really works a lot better for those who can plan farther out.

Also, your signature indicates that you have been to WDW the last two years, but the most recent visit prior to those two was 16 years ago. At first blush, that doesn't look like a visitation pattern that would benefit from DVC. I know you've decided that you are now going to take the kids every year, with or without DH, but he doesn't seem to share your enthusiasm. I hate to see folks try to force a fit for DVC, when in fact it doesn't seem to fit.

I guess my overall concern was that you sounded like you were more concerned with "winning" than anything else. None of us know anything about your family, of course, so we can hardly evaluate whether DVC would be right for your family or not -- but it does look like you are having to scale a much higher mountain than most of us have faced to get into DVC.

I'm sorry if you took offense; none was intended.