A_Princess'_Daddy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2010
- Messages
- 2,394
I don't post much on the DVC boards, but I just had to share the experience that we just had at the BWV last week because if nothing else, it'll help me process what just happened, as it's not something I can easily share with my friends or family...
As a bit of critical back story, my wife and I have become very good friends with a dear older woman with whom I worked when just starting out in my career, and after my mother passed away a few years ago, our friend has become a second mother to me and a grandmother to our two children (who never knew their grandmother).
She (and her husband, who sadly passed away a few years ago) has been a mentor, coach, friend, etc. to me for over a decade, and we asked her to join us for our spring break trip to the Boardwalk this past week as our guest. Not only did we want to thank her for all that she has done for us, but primarily invited her because we genuinely love having her in our lives and in the lives of our children. We frequently have her to our home for the Holidays, and visit her at her home (in another state) annually, so vacationing together is pretty normal by now.
We booked a 2BR at the BWV, and she had one room, our children slept in the living room, and we took the second bedroom. It was a ton of fun, we paid for everything, and it was a fantastic vacation.
We had to leave to get home, but she decided to stay for a few extra days to visit some friends in Florida, so we said our goodbyes and headed off. Then, last night she called my cell phone, very excited, to tell me that she'd just bought my wife and me 250 points at Aulani (plus another 250 for herself), because she knows that we love Hawaii, that we love Disney, that our two children adore Disney, and she "thought it would be nice for us to have some more points."
Now, "nice" is clearly the understatement of the year, and I'm just stunned. She certainly has her full mental capacities, she has quite significant financial resources, and I know she did it out of the true goodness of her heart, but I feel deeply awkward about a gift of this magnitude. In addition, I'm frankly a bit concerned that she may have gotten hustled by the DVC Guide (hustled isn't the correct term, because nobody could "hustle" her, but more led in a direction that best fit the sales goals of the guide rather than what is best for her).
I'm not really sure what I'm looking for in posting this. I'm certainly not trying to brag or show off, as I'm very embarrassed by it (but the anonymity of the Internet makes me feel safer about sharing it here than with my friends), and I don't think we did anything inappropriate so I'm not looking for absolution, but it's just so very odd. Two days ago we were happy with our 250 BWV points, and now suddenly we own another 250 in Aulani.
Has anybody ever had an experience like this? Any wise words from the long-term DVCers out there? And, while I'm still processing the gift, any input on when Aulani will be opening and when reservations can be made, as apparently I have a few vacations to plan (it came with the standard 250 + 250 points and we'll get another 250 next year, plus she has the same number of points for herself, so we'll be doing some major touring soon).
If nothing else, thank you for allowing me to ramble...
As a bit of critical back story, my wife and I have become very good friends with a dear older woman with whom I worked when just starting out in my career, and after my mother passed away a few years ago, our friend has become a second mother to me and a grandmother to our two children (who never knew their grandmother).
She (and her husband, who sadly passed away a few years ago) has been a mentor, coach, friend, etc. to me for over a decade, and we asked her to join us for our spring break trip to the Boardwalk this past week as our guest. Not only did we want to thank her for all that she has done for us, but primarily invited her because we genuinely love having her in our lives and in the lives of our children. We frequently have her to our home for the Holidays, and visit her at her home (in another state) annually, so vacationing together is pretty normal by now.
We booked a 2BR at the BWV, and she had one room, our children slept in the living room, and we took the second bedroom. It was a ton of fun, we paid for everything, and it was a fantastic vacation.
We had to leave to get home, but she decided to stay for a few extra days to visit some friends in Florida, so we said our goodbyes and headed off. Then, last night she called my cell phone, very excited, to tell me that she'd just bought my wife and me 250 points at Aulani (plus another 250 for herself), because she knows that we love Hawaii, that we love Disney, that our two children adore Disney, and she "thought it would be nice for us to have some more points."
Now, "nice" is clearly the understatement of the year, and I'm just stunned. She certainly has her full mental capacities, she has quite significant financial resources, and I know she did it out of the true goodness of her heart, but I feel deeply awkward about a gift of this magnitude. In addition, I'm frankly a bit concerned that she may have gotten hustled by the DVC Guide (hustled isn't the correct term, because nobody could "hustle" her, but more led in a direction that best fit the sales goals of the guide rather than what is best for her).
I'm not really sure what I'm looking for in posting this. I'm certainly not trying to brag or show off, as I'm very embarrassed by it (but the anonymity of the Internet makes me feel safer about sharing it here than with my friends), and I don't think we did anything inappropriate so I'm not looking for absolution, but it's just so very odd. Two days ago we were happy with our 250 BWV points, and now suddenly we own another 250 in Aulani.
Has anybody ever had an experience like this? Any wise words from the long-term DVCers out there? And, while I'm still processing the gift, any input on when Aulani will be opening and when reservations can be made, as apparently I have a few vacations to plan (it came with the standard 250 + 250 points and we'll get another 250 next year, plus she has the same number of points for herself, so we'll be doing some major touring soon).
If nothing else, thank you for allowing me to ramble...
And, it sounds as if you have been blessed with the gift of a fabulous relationship with a second "mom" - not many people get to have that. 
I think you're very lucky, and it is a bit awkward I guess. She must really appreciate all that you do for her as well.
Fortunately, we're going in July for 10 days (BCVs). I can't wait!
