Perception of DVC members as losers

[dvcdudes]

There is another thread about DVC members being "snobs".
It got me thinking. I really don't get that I am a snob from people. When I tell people we're going to WDW to stay at our DVC resort again, I kind of get that look that people have when they are at the pet store looking in at the puppies in the cages. Like I'm some sort of pathetic loser trapped into going to the same place over and over again... That (I feel sorry for you) look.
When we first bought DVC, I got a few snobish reactions. But now that we're going on our 4th trip to WDW in just over a year, it has changed to pitty.
Pitty us all you want... We know where we want to be.
I have been to The Bahamas twice (two different islands) and Aruba and I never understood the atraction to "beach resorts" or "island resorts". Could it be that my skin tone is akin to mayonnaise? Maybe. But it just seems there is nothing to do there but lay on the beach. Oh I know you have parasailing, jet skis, shows, etc. but these are all things you could do at WDW too (jet skis at VB). I don't think people realize this. They just think "theme park".
Oh well... Feel SAD GLAD or MAD about me. I really don't care. I found a place that I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to be. It's just another added bonus that we (DVC members) call it "HOME".

OK NOW... Let's here your feelings. Anyone else get the "looser" look???

 

[bicker]

That's exactly the way I've cased it for my brother. "Didn't you go to Aruba every year? What's with that?" More power to folks who find their place-of-comfort. That's where we go to vacation, i.e., rest. Occasionally, (when we have the money,) we go "touring" which is something different than vacationing.

 

[Lisa F]

I think I get the "loser" look way more than I get the "snob" look also. Sometimes even from people AT wdw. I remember once standing around waiting for illuminations to start and striking up a conversation with the people next to us. They couldn't believe that we come to WDW as often as we do! The woman just about told me that I must be crazy and gave me the speech about how there are so many wonderful places to see in the world and listed a whole bunch of things she'd rather see and do than WDW all the time. She told me that my world must be very narrow because I spend so much time at WDW and don't I ever want to see the "real thing?" rather than the fakes all over WDW?

My only response was to give her my "the difference between a trip and a vacation" speech. The , 6 weeks I spent in Bourges, France and 4 weeks I spent in Italy doing archaeology stuff were "trips." I got to see some amazing stuff and I worked my butt off at the time. Nothing like going from 5am til midnight every day for a month! When I got home, boy did I need a vacation! I (politely as I could) explained to her that I was not "stupid" or "uncultured" because I chose WDW as my vacation destination, but that going to WDW WAS a choice based on the way that I relax.

We also get teased almost constantly at family gatherings because of how much we go to WDW but at least that is somewhat "good natured" teasing (at least they're not insulting our intelligence)... although since we brought my inlaws on a week long trip with us in a 2 br at the BW, they don't chime in nearly as much anymore! I doubt they will be buying into DVC anytime soon BUT they don't think we're nuts anymore. Baby steps I guess!

Lisa

 

[LauraS]

We definitely get the "loser" treatment more than the "snob" treatment from people we know. And we usually go "someplace else" besides Disney every now and then too. Doesn't matter, when we tell friends that we're heading back to Disney we get that, "again??" look. And we get the "look" more than the average Disney family gets it because we don't have kids yet. We get those questions like, "Is there anything for adults to do there?" and "Wow, haven't you been on all the rides there by now?". Now we just say, "yeah, there's plenty for adults to do, and sure we've ridden most of the rides, but it's a resort, like Grand Cayman or Aruba or the Bahamas". And GC, Aruba and the Bahamas don't even have any rides!! Heh.

It used to bother me awhile back, but then we got married at WDW and invited our families, well then they all finally *got* it. And so now we just get those looks from our friends. Honestly, we don't care anymore. We know what we like and where we want to be and have found zillions of people on-line just like us!! I agree with the people who say...."shhhhh....let's not tell them how great it is". The less people who find out, the better for the rest of us!!

Laura

 

[Towncrier]

I often get the loser treatment until I explain how DVC works. And how I took my entire family on a 7-day Caribbean cruise for $75. And how our annual trips to WDW will cost about the same until I'm too old to care. And how nice the DVC rooms are. And how we aren't fixed to any one time of year or any one location. That ususally has the effect of shutting them up.

 

[baileybrad]

I could really care less what label someone puts on me. I live and let live. My brother joined in 93. We never gave it a second thought in terms of whether he was a "snob or loser". It was his family's choice and money. We have way too much going on in our lives to care what, in most cases, some uninformed, jealous individuals care about what we choose to do with our vacation habits. It is no concern of theirs. And we could care less. Not being hateful, just don't let others chips affect us in the least.

 

[prncssjas]

Hey there! Are you making fun of my thread on snobs?! LOL!! Gosh, when I first posted it, I was only wondering if anyone else experienced it! Never meant to stir up trouble.

But actually--this post touches a big point! I get the "loser" look from some people. They do think we are kinda silly going often but I don't really care. And for the record, I didn't care about being a "snob" either. It was just question...hope no one got their feathers ruffled.

DVC is the BEST and we all think so--the opinions of others who don't care are just that--opinions.

 

[SOBDOSNV]

Since most of the posts are from the East Coast, how about some from the West Coasts DVCer's. I have never been looked at funny or with pity. Most of our family and friends admire us for getting away to Florida every year. We usually go in Nov or Dec when it's snowing and cold out here, so we hear alot of "can you put us in your suitcase and take us with you". Anyway we take people with us any chance we get. And we don't have children with us, but we've taken nephews and nieces when their parents didn't want to go. So I think it's probally just plain old jealousy!

 

[invalid_char]

Definitley viewed more as losers than snobs. My stepson, who LOVES Disney, thinks it's crazy to go every year. Other members of my family think it's really foolish to cough up that kind of money when you can easily stay off park. And yet others think that there must be some unstated, deep psychological reason for an adult to really like Disney.

Then there are the REAL snobs who think that if you REALLY had money you'd buy a place outright, instead of doing a timeshare.

So, I don't view this as a prestige thing, you just do it if you like it and are comfortable with it yourself.

 

[AZKathy]

That is pretty true with the West Coast thing. Most people ask why we just don't do the California thing and what is so different with DL and WDW???

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

The only test that needs to be made is to take the person that questions your vacation plans with you to WDW and stay at a DVC resort. Thats what we do and it is amazing how the attitudes change. It will go from why do you always go there to how can I do the same. Weather you think of yourself as a snob or a loser you are enjoying WDW the best way and that is all that counts.
I just can't wait till our next trip in Jan., it seems so far away but it is worth the wait.

 

[Gail Reale]

Some family and most friends think we are crazy to keep going back to WDW. Who cares? We had our honeymoon there in 1974 and have never missed a year since, sometimes going twice a year. That, of course, was pre-DVC! We bought OKW in 2/95 and in '99 we went 5 times (just couldn't "waste" those "free" passes!). Most back off after they make a trip with us and finally understand what's it all about. We are near (2 hours) the Jersey shore resorts, and I could never understand spending 1500-3000 for ONE week's rental and to do that over and over every year. Whatever floats your boat, and again, who cares what others think. Oh yeah- to top it off I also work in the Disney Store near home - you just can't get enough Disney is the way we feel!!

 

[disneyokw]

Back in 1992 my friends and I were staying at the Treehouse. Back then (or at least on my trip) the buses picked up people both at the Treehouse and at Old Key West. I still vividly remember people standing on the balcony and watching someone play golf. As we left I saw the name Disney Vacation Club and thought oh that is for those rich snobs that could afford the good life. Just like the country clubs back home. Then in 1996 I get a call from my parents at WDW to let me know that they just bought into Old Key West. The name did not mean anything to me until they said it use to be called the Disney Vacation Club. I laughed and thought hey we are now one of those snobs. That was my perception of DVC at first. Now when friends and family give that old tired talk on how can we go to WDW again I tell them the benefits and kid co-workers who say they cannot afford to go on vacation this year. A perfect time to rub it in. Another benefit of DVC is being able to communicate with other DVC members on these boards that feel the same way. Then you know you are not alone. inkbounc inkbounc

 

[Richyams]

I have certainly seen this more often than looked at as snobs. It has actually decraesed greatly since moving to Florida and finding so many people that were already familisr with the program. In New York, it was just another rip off timeshare to most people.

 

[wahoo]

the "loser" sentiments may be partly directed to timeshares in general, and not just your ownership in DV. Timeshares have had some pretty bad press and it's only recently that they have taken on more respectability, as companies like Disney got involved.

 

[msdis]

We get NO sympathy or pity. A lot of weird looks and a lot of " you guys are really hooked on Disney, aren't you" maybe, but no pity. Any one we know who has been to Disney and had the "full experience" will say "good for you guys" or "you guys really know how to live". Most people respect and admire us for it, esp. when you explain the whole thing to them. The "snob" thing we get are from those who are jealous so we blow it off because we realize the sources. Hey, after all it's not our responsibility for the happiness of others. They gotta make their own kind of sunshine. Look around you. There's a lot of unhappy people. A lot of people who build their whole lives around not being able to keep up with Smith's and Jone's instead of finding their own happiness. Sad! We joined DVC for us and anyone around us who wants to be a part of it and will continue until it is no longer right for us. I'm sure no-one here is denying food, shelter, or other essentials from their family to have DVC. So, I see no crime for ANYONE to feel guilty about.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

People wonder how we can afford to go to such an expensive place all the time. Thanks DVC, wouldn't be able to afford it without you.

 

[Margie J]

I get the "loser", "stupid", "waste of money" and "immature" look from some people when they find out I'm going "back there again". Of course, they conveniently forget about my trips through ALL of the Caribbean, to Mexico, Canada, California, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, D.C., Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Hilton Head SC, New Orleans, Las Vegas, New Jersey and other parts of Florida.

Do I care? Not anymore. To each his own I say.

 

[normr]

Just today as we were boating up government cut by the port of Miami, we passed 3 cruise ships that we're leaving port, my daughter had 2 of her friends with us and I asked them if they had ever been on a cruise, both said no, I then asked if they've ever been out of the country, again the answer was no, It then struck me that DVC has helped make our family pretty fortunate. My kids have been on 3 cruises and another one is scheduled towards the end of the year, they traveled to London & Paris and DLP with us on points plus they go to WDW twice a year, and a few of my kids friends have NEVER been to WDW, let alone some of the trips they've experienced.

Not trying to sound snobbish, but I think DVC has spoiled us.
We get looks from all our friends and family when they find out we're going on vacation again.

 

[Pat Marlton NJ]

We use to get the loser look from our friends and people that I worked with when I told them we were going on vacation. I would get the "going back to Disney World again!!!!" or "don't you get tired of going to Disney". Now several of our friends have taken are advise and gone and viewed the DVC and one couple has bought in, their only regret that they didn't listen to us and buy earlier! We have traveled around the world, seen alot of nice places, but for us a stay in the USA at WDW is the best!!