Please help me convince my husband (Update #26)

[kristenrice]

My heart still wants a timeshare but don't think I can get DH to WDW every year without kicking and screaming.

My DH was the same way...

....I bought him a Rolex ...

...Three days later, he told me to call and make an offer on the DVC contract I wanted.

It took me SEVEN years to convince him so hang in there. Maybe try renting a DVC unit for a stay and see how he likes that. My DH's first visit to WDW was in a 2BR at OKW. Since then, he's stayed in a 1BR at OKW and we've spent nights in studios (savanna view and value), a Value 1BR and a standard 2BR all at AKV. He won't admit it to me, but he loves Kidani Village. He went down the slide more than the kids did! We're going to HHI in a 1BR for spring break next year and I am hoping that he will allow me to do a small add on there so we can alternate a beach vacation with our WDW stays.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH loves Disney like I do only he is not as flashy in showing it...like me. I talked to him about DVC several times from 2004-2009. We were going yearly and staying 9-10 nights in a Value. He was happy with a value and dangit I was ready for some amenities and luxury. I work full time and it wasn't a stretch for us. Well he traded my car in on a Jeep Wrangler he wanted. Now granted I drive the SUV he did have but hell it isn't what I like to drive (more the Infinity coupe type girl). So he could tell I was pretty down about giving up a car I loved so he could have what he wanted.....

Yep used that to my advantage and voila, we bought 210 points at AKV the next week. Not that I was moaning about ownership but he trusted me to know that was what I wanted for us...now that he has stayed there once...yep you got it, DVC was his idea

 

[ericamcl]

It took me a couple of years to convince DH that DVC was a good idea for us. I agree with one of the pp's - stay at a DVC resort and see how he feels after that - we stayed at BLT this past February and that pretty much sealed the deal for me. Now we own at OKW

 

[nolanboys]

It took me 4 years and 3 DW stays ti convince DH. Stayed at OKW first and loved it! Was interested in DVC, but DH didn't want to take the tour. Did some research at home, but still no dice. Stayed at POFQ with free dining and it was great. But we always need 2 rooms and the lack of space was a little hard. We went this past February again and stayed at OKW again. We took the tour and it really got DH thinking. We just loved having the space and we had so much fun taking advantage of all the activities at the resort. We went home and I did some more reseach and I looked into resale contracts again. DH did a spread sheet - he's a mathematician and loves spread sheets. We looked at all the costs and decided that it was a good choice for us. We found a good contract at SSR and went for it. We only plan on using our points for DVC resorts and therefor only purchased points for an every other year stay. We like to go other places, especially the mountains. Our contract had enough banked points that DH and I are going ourselves this October for his birthday. We will go for spring break in 2011, but then not again until my 40th birthday for New Year's 2012. Take advantage of the discounts that Disney is offering and stay at a DVC resort. Take advantage of all the extras - the community hall, tennis, basketball... and see if you can take a tour (they offered us a $100 gift card if we went on a tour, which DH was all for). Maybe that will help you convince your DH!

 

[toocherie]

Yes they do. You can exchange at any of the thousands of RCI Resorts all over the world. You can also use your points for a cruise or the Disney Collection Hotels which are some of the nicest hotels in the country!

I dont understand anything these people are saying?!
I just joined this forum and joined DVC this June with 320 pts. The number of points to stay in a given resort NEVER goes up. If they charge a couple more points this year to stay in a 1 BR July 4th they must lower an equal number of points on another day. These changes are minor and will have little to no effect on your plans if you are the least bit flexible from year to year on the dates you go.

Hitman: may I gently suggest that you spend a few hours perusing these boards--while on the surface what you say is true, in actuality there are a lot of nuances that you--as a new DVC member--are missing. For example, on the point change--DVC can not only change the points per day, they can also change the points per unit--as seen by the recent allocation. As long as the points in the TOTAL RESORT don't change. So if someone is used to a one bedroom in a certain season, and points for studios and 2 bedrooms/grand villas go down and they are re-allocated to a one bedroom, it can have a substantial impact on someone's vacation plans. You probably missed the pages and pages of people who were upset over the reallocation because I believe it happened prior to your joining the boards.

ditto on the RCI exchange, the cruising, the Disney collection--it's not as easy as you may have been led to believe. For example, just recently it was posted that there is no more availability for cruises on DVC points until September of 2011.

There are people here who have been DVC members for much longer than me and I usually defer to their superior knowledge and advice.

 

[Maggie Ann]

Thank you kristenrice, ToddyLu, ericamcl, nolanboys for letting me know that I am not alone in this and that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel (fingers crossed).

Here is the problem: when DH thinks about my ideal vacation, he sees me waking everyone up at 7am, having every minute of the day planned, walking around with the itinerary, backpacks for the both of us and everyone on the GO GO GO until bedtime. DH’s ideal vacation on the other hand is flip flips, beach chair and soft sand. So initially I thought I could make us both happy by using the DVC to go to WDW for one year and non-Disney (RCI?) the next but after reading the many great posts, I don’t think it is the best way to go.

However, I think we can marry our two vacation styles into one. I will be turning 40 next year and a Disney Family Vacation is what I want for my birthday but I will do things differently this time. Instead of spending so much time at the parks, I want to enjoy what the hotels have to offer. I went to the Contemporary with my BFF last year and thought how much DH would love it. Besides the Contemporary and The Beach Club, what other villas and hotels have sand? I’m hoping that he will say “Wow, who knew there was another side of Disney” but if nothing else I know it will be a vacation that will make everyone happy.

I think I am going to need a LOT of pixie dust!

 

[jeffl]

I wish you luck with your plan. You are certainly among many Disney friends on this forum!

The resorts have so much to offer in and of themselves. I have had several trips where I didn't even go in the parks and just enjoyed what the resort and the WDW property have to offer (of course I would have NEVER gotten away with that if the kids were along, we would HAVE to be in the parks) ;-)

You could even stay at a DVC resort for you birthday (cash reservation) and try it on for size (but be careful, once you stay in a 1 or 2 BR it is hard to go back)

My DW, who is the biggest Disney fan in our family (and that is saying something) was against joining DVC for many years. We started small with a 100 points (resale). This last year we stayed in a 1BR at the Villas at the Grand Californian for 3 nights - about as far as 100 points go at VGC - and DW said, "we really should get some more points". So starting small - "we can always sell it if we don't like it" is another approach.

By the way, you mentioned your DH likes relaxing in the sand... in case you didn't know, there are DVC properties offering that too (Vero and Hilton Head)... and Aulani is going to be finished in Hawaii next year.

 

[vicki_c]

Being a DVC owner and knowing you will be returning many times over the next 40+ years will really change your vacation style. Now, we still do rope drop, because that's how we roll, but I know we don't HAVE to do rope drop every day - it's more of a choice than an imperative. And there's tons of great things to do at the resorts - my kids love the community hall activities, of course, the pools. So while it may not be like being at the beach (my least favorite vacation), it also doesn't have to be go-go-go all the time. The pressure is off to a great extent when you know you're returning.

Also - does DH like to golf? Maybe you could have him do that while you're there to see another side of Disney?

 

[bumbershoot]

Here is the problem: when DH thinks about my ideal vacation, he sees me waking everyone up at 7am, having every minute of the day planned, walking around with the itinerary, backpacks for the both of us and everyone on the GO GO GO until bedtime. DH’s ideal vacation on the other hand is flip flips, beach chair and soft sand.

While DH doesn't want to laze on a beach, he and DS are definitely more laid back about Disney. And I made them relatively miserable the first two longer trips to Disneyland. Though really, the second trip was their fault..I tried to tell them that *I* was getting up and *they* could meet me later, but DH felt I was being passive aggressive and got up anyway...so then I was later than I wanted to be and they were up earlier...no one was happy!

But we've worked it all out. They trust me to maximize their fun, and I trust them to say "I need a break" and to TAKE the break when they need it.

We're planning our first WDW trip, and it's a big one! But we made it nice and long (using banked, current, and borrowing 2/3 of next year's points) trip so that we can have several rest days etc etc. I hope we'll all be happy!

And I hope you can figure it out, too.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thank you kristenrice, ToddyLu, ericamcl, nolanboys for letting me know that I am not alone in this and that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel (fingers crossed).

Here is the problem: when DH thinks about my ideal vacation, he sees me waking everyone up at 7am, having every minute of the day planned, walking around with the itinerary, backpacks for the both of us and everyone on the GO GO GO until bedtime. DH’s ideal vacation on the other hand is flip flips, beach chair and soft sand. So initially I thought I could make us both happy by using the DVC to go to WDW for one year and non-Disney (RCI?) the next but after reading the many great posts, I don’t think it is the best way to go.

However, I think we can marry our two vacation styles into one. I will be turning 40 next year and a Disney Family Vacation is what I want for my birthday but I will do things differently this time. Instead of spending so much time at the parks, I want to enjoy what the hotels have to offer. I went to the Contemporary with my BFF last year and thought how much DH would love it. Besides the Contemporary and The Beach Club, what other villas and hotels have sand? I’m hoping that he will say “Wow, who knew there was another side of Disney” but if nothing else I know it will be a vacation that will make everyone happy.

I think I am going to need a LOT of pixie dust!

This is exactly why we have two contracts--one at AKV and one at HHI. We have enough points to go every other year to each one. For example, this year we are going to AKV, next year we are going to HHI. HHI is definitely a much more relaxing vacation; that's why my husband LOVES it. But I love it too! As far as going to WDW, he is ok with it but doesn't love it. But he's loving it more because since we have bought DVC we have slowed down and enjoy it much more. In fact, we are going into the parks only 4 days on our 7 day trip in 3 weeks. Good luck convincing your hubby!

 

[Greysword]

First, I like the idea of bribery/guilt as an effective tool for getting what you want (trading DVC for something big he wants will likely work)

Next, the recommendations for renting points are great, as that will give your DH experience in what he will be buying.

Rugman does bring up a good point on the cost of the rooms over time. If cost is the issue, a comparison of what rooms will cost through CRO vs. DVC is a fairly easy comparison, and many people have spreadsheets if you don't want to make one yourself. Even accounting for annual dues increases, I feel DVC is a better value over time (decades). Show him the resale lists at a resort you like and emphasize the savings (if SSR has a low price he likes but you prefer BLT, you may need a small contract at SSR to start just to get in the door with him).

Of course, you could just have DH take you to WDW on cash a few times (staying at a moderate or better for comparison), take the room costs for the week's trip, and compare that to the price of a DVC membership to get a simply count of the number of times you'd need to visit to break even. Also keep in mind, the 1 bedroom and larger has a full kitchen, so food costs go way down if you eat in the room for most of the stay.

DVC Point Carts can be found at: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml. Use these to caculate point total for a trip and multiple by $10 for a total room fee (no taxes).

As for touring styles, we take it very easy since becoming members. A typical day at WDW is like this (our real schedule):
- Wake around 7-8am, eat breakfast, dress, clean up.
- Hit park around 9-10am and stay until about 12-2PM
- Go to resort and have lunch, nap, swim, TV, etc
- Eat dinner in room and hit park again for the evening (around 6PMish - lots of people leave at this time for dinner, so parks are less crowded and hot)
- Return when we are tired.
- Some days we don't even go to a park, 'cause we know we'll be back!

If DH prefers a beach, you can stay in Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head, SC, or (coming soon) Hawai'i. I would suggest introducing DH to one of these resorts (VB prefered due to proximity) during your next trip for a couple nights. You could then alternate years at WDW/DL and a beach resort using the same point totals. Options are great!

Lastly, be evil and use DVD marketing to its full effect. Have DH watch Disney travel shows with you, order the DVDs (especially the DVC one) and watch it a few time to "get your fix for free" . Take a DCL cruise as an alternative (the TV defaults to the DVC commercial channel and can be used as "background noise" while you get ready in the mornings/evenings - worked on my DW ). If you can get DH to tour, then the sales teams are pretty effective, too (but a bad guide to piss him off, too).

Good luck and may the pixie dust be with you!

 

[hitman007]

I like the previous post idea. Buy hubby a Rolex then ask for DVC!

 

[TisBit]

Besides the Contemporary and The Beach Club, what other villas and hotels have sand?

There are sand traps at SSR if he is into golf!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I would love to tell you it's the greatest thing ever, but as much as I love WDW, I cannot. First, DVC membership is great in the beginning back in the day. Dues were modest, points went a good ways, but then things started to change. WDW has gotten the cheap bug, which is charge more for everything and fix or upgrade it for less. For example, when we bought in 2000, I loved it. The 150 points we started with was enough to stay for 6 nights in a 1 bedroom at OKW during peak season. Not anymore. I would be lucky to stay in a studio in off peak season for 5 nights now. While on the points, in 2011, the points to stay anywhere are going up by ridiculous amounts. For example, in 2011, to stay at AKV in 3 bdr suite, takes 5 more points per day than in 2010. Also, in 2000, monthly dues were 43.00 per month. 10 years later, I pay 85.00 per month, and my points do less. Where is the benefit? It's not there anymore. It's almost worth it to catch the deals WDW offers online instead of being in the DVC. Also, one big downfall, member perks are few, and to me, that says how much Disney is greedy. I mean, come on, the amount of money spent to buy into this and keep it is worth a lot better perks than offered. No discount on tickets, dining plan, minimal purchases, food, etc... Just stuff that most of us will never use the perks for. At one time, the dining plan covered tips, but that stopped and the dining plan prices went up. So, in my opinion, I would offer the advice to spend your money elsewhere. There are many timeshares around Disney that are so much cheaper, and you really don't miss the very few perks of a DVC membership. At one time, this was the way to go, but I no longer feel this way. I love WDW, but I cannot lie for them. hope this helps your decision. Feel free to message me if you would like more info.

Before the point re-allocation, a one bedroom in magic season was 218 for a week at OKW. Now that one bedroom is 220.
Now a studio is 77 points at lowest season--you could get almost get 2 weeks, not 5 nights as you say.
You are correct about the points going up at AKV for the 3 bedroom by 4-5 points a week night. You failed to mention they go down 12-23 points a night on weekends, so your total points for a stay go down if you arrive one weekend and stay through the next.
Let's stick to the facts so OP can make an informed decision based on truth and not sour grapes.
Good luck in persuading your DH. Mine took a few days, but now he suggests quick trips and really enjoys them. We have never regretted buying DVC.

 

[Maggie Ann]

Disney Star Wisher and Belle & Ariel – thank you both for the encouragement.

Greysword and Hitman007 - your posts made my day. I hope I’m not coming across too devious!

Tisbit – DH does like to golf but anytime I mention the beautiful courses to him, he thinks it’s just a sales pitch and rolls the eyes.

Strange things have been happening the last few days. First we went to a benefit on Saturday and bought raffle tickets, DH gave me most of them and told me about the SSR 3 night stay, so I placed all of my tickets in that box. We didn’t win but I was surprised he brought it to my attention first. Last night he adds a Disney app to my ipad (I didn’t even ask him to). I then asked what he knew about Vero Beach, that it looks pretty on the Disney website. He takes my ipad to check it out as I fall asleep. I think the pixie dust might be working. Keep it coming please.

Also, has Disney come out with an infomercial? I’m recording some 30 minute program at 2:30 tomorrow morning. Can't wait to check it out!