Perception of DVC members as snobs...

[prncssjas]

Perhaps I read too much into comments or am simply paranoid (LOL!), but sometimes I feel that other people view DVC members as elitist snobs who visit WDW often and only stay a luxury resorts. I find this assessment unfair and also untrue. Has anyone else here ever felt that they were perceived as snobs because of their DVC membership? I am curious to hear the experiences of other DVC members.

 

[jimh13432]

I've never had that perception. There's really no way anyone would know if you were a DVC member anyway.

 

[prncssjas]

I didn't necessarily mean while visiting WDW in person but more on discussion boards or in conversations with other people. Or maybe it's just me and I am off! That wouldn't be the first time!!

 

[MikeBW]

I haven't really noticed, but I don't pay any heed to peons!!

 

[TnRobin]

I really haven't experienced that either. Most people just think I must be rich or something, until I explain how DVC works.

 

[Ed T]

I haven't noticed that DVC members or at least our family has been treated differently while at WDW or around OKW our home resort. However in reading some of the threads I sometimes come away with the feeling that because people have purchased into the DVC they are owed something. They feel like it's a membership at a country club and they are owed something for the money they have spent to be members. As far as I can see you have made a decision to purchase into DVC in order to secure some vacation time at a locked in rate for the next 40 years or so. While you have to pay dues each year and you may have something to say about that, thinking you have special consideration coming to you while you are at WDW or at your home resort is a little unreal I would think.

Ed

 

[RweTHEREyet]

O.K., prncssjas, I know what you saying. I work at TDS, and I have to say that anytime a guest tells me they are heading to WDW, I always ask where are they staying. Those staying at DVC do kind of say it with a different tone. I am an owner myself, but I notice it more from the members than I notice it from anyone elses response to an owner. Not looking for flames, but that is honestly my perception.

I probably do the same thing myself, but when I do, I am meaning it to sound like I am very "prideful" to be an owner, if you know what I mean. There are a lot of folks with a lot more money than I will ever have that choose not to own DVC, so owning does not make me any better than anyone else. Maybe I am just prideful that I am smart enough to own and won't have a hotel bill at the end of my stay.

 

[dvcdudes]

Good one MikeBW

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Yes and by my own family.

Our perceptions of other people and their property/lives are formed in our subconscious and are part of being human. My own family thinks I'm a bit on the snobbish side - their opinion based on my house, car and yes, my DVC ownership. My sister talked about it first when I bought my house. Bigger and nicer than hers - but I worked multiple jobs for years and saved in order to buy it. Next came the car, a Lincoln - second hand, 4 years old. It didn't matter that I saved a long time, which I still drive after 6 years - am I a snob! When we brought DVC, my parents couldn't understand why so much money when they had purchased the year before a timeshare in Mexico for half the price. I don't feel snobbish - just lucky. I've worked hard for everything I own it's what makes me happy. As long as I don't criticize anyone's choices or think I'm better because of my choices, I am not a snob.

Last year I took my sister and her family to WDW. She fell in love with OKW, and said what a wise choice we had made. She even said how jealous she was of our good fortune.

Now I just smile my secret smile when ever I hear a those kinds of comments. I'm just lucky and they're just a bit jealous.

Sandy B.

 

[Zimbubba]

I have seen it here on these boards. What DVC members expect that they are entitled to amazes me at times. That even goes to the differences of points people own. SOME people with large quantities of points feel they are entitled to different things than lower point members. People need to enjoy what they have and the blessings of being able to go as often as we do.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Quite frankly, I don't care how others view me. But if it makes me a snob because I go to WDW frequently and only stay at Luxury resorts, then call me a snob.

I agree, I say I own DVC with pride, because I really think it's a great decision. And if I can afford to give my family 40 years of luxury vacations becuase of making a smart decision, I make no apologies.

 

[tarzanman]

My DW's family seems to be the same way. "You're rich!" or "Must be nice!". I just make different choices as to what I spend my money on. I choose to spend my money on vacations and I save all year to go on them. That doesn't mean I am rich. I consider myself a really good shopper for finding DVC. It is going to save me a fortune in the long run. A BIG COUPON!!! It is the same with the house, cars, etc.

I am also very proud of the fact that I own DVC and most of the time, I am trying to sell it to everyone. If they perceive me as snobbish, it would be a real suprise. I am usually begging people to join or at least consider it.

 

[princess angel]

Hi Rima!
no I've never encountered anything like that!
I don't expect "special" treatment cause I'm a dvc member, and I have never had any negative response either.

and ya know what, if you do feel some negativity, who cares!!! go and have fun, fun, fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laura

 

[prncssjas]

Tarzanman and Twirlergirl: I agree with both of you. I think that's exactly what I was thinking when I posted this--I spent my hard earned $$$ on DVC and I resent that people would find me "snobbish" because I am a DVC member. It's simply what I choose to buy with my money.

I never once posted this however, referring to what DVC members expect because they are DVC. I didn't realize that DVC members expected special treatment because they are DVC. Once again, I missed something...

 

[chris1gill]

I don't think this is true at ALL!!! It is true that I stay at the deluxes & definitely prefer the 1 bedroom Home-Away-From-Homes... But that would hardly qualify me as an elitist snob LOL.... We do go to Disney for 2 weeks every year as well.. but we give up a lot of fun times at home so that we could afford to go!! DVC has also helped to ensure that we can afford the kind of vacation that we like!! So, although a few perceptions are true, being elitist or a snob isn't!!!inkbounc

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

We bought into DVC because it fit with our vacation plans for the future and did not consider it as joining a elite club to be snobish. We have been to WDW on many vacations using DVC points and the only special treatment we receive is at DVC resorts because that is what we paid for. As far as special treatment we get just the opposite as a DVC member in relation to other "paid" guests at WDW. We have already paid our money to Disney, and we have received alot for what we paid for, but Disney does not need to give us any more special treatment to get us to come back. We don't get any special discounts while at WDW because we are DVC members or get special gifts from Disney becuase we are DVC members. I have never seen or expected any "special treatment" that people are talking about because I am a DVC member. If this is being a snob than I guess that is what we are, we paid DVC for the best resorts accommodations that Disney has and they have kept their promise.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: everyone is right-it's a matter of personal perception and priorities. what is right for us may not be the best choice for someone else. i am proud to be a dvc member. for us, it was a smart decision. my sil thinks it's totally stupid; but it was okay to take her 14yo son with us last year. as far as expecting something extra at wdw, i would really like to hear some more welcome homes. how's that for expecting too much?

 

[Paul in CT]

I don't get a reaction that I'm "snobbish", only that I'm crazy or weird because I go to WDW so often. I got that reaction even before I joined DVC, but I don't mind anymore. We're going again August!

 

[Niagara2]

I do not expect anything extra as a DVC member. We have paid for our stay, upfront, that is all. We only expect to be treated as all WDW guests are on property. We are no beter nor no worst of a guest than anyone else. Be happy - enjoy the magic!!
Now as a marketer - if I ran a business and had customers who spent their money elsewhere I would offer information and incentivies to have them spend their dollars on site. We go to Disney at least 3 times per year and have learned our way around Orlando. We go off site as much as on site. If Disney gave me a reason to try a new restaurant, buy a new shirt, stay an extra day in the parks and have to buy all the amenities needed in a day, I as a repeat customer might try it and spend more dollars with them. If Disney can care less where we go each day as they have our money up front for the room, I will not be buying any more stock. We repeater's have a love for Disney, just give us alitltle reason to stay on site and you got us!! Not asking for extra, Disney just isn't taking advantage of this opportunity to the fullest!!

 

[Dean]

We are snobs and proud of it. LOL. Seriously, DVC members are regarded as snobbish by most of the timeshare world and a lot of other people. Personally, I think it's mostly jealously. A good test would be to go to WDW and poll DVC members if they own a timeshare. I bet you more than half would say no. This idea that they own part of the magic and not really a timeshare is unique in the world. Look at it this way, how many of you would exchange your DVC points for another timeshare, even a nice one. Some would but most wouldn't.