What to say to others?

[Granny]

Originally posted by colleen costello
I just smile and say "timeshare" and that seems to shut folks up, as if I HAVE to go or I'd lose money...

I try to avoid the word "time share"....too many people have misconceptions about that and think it's an opportunity to freeload!

I know that there are some who would rather have wisdom teeth extracted than to go to WDW....so for them, we are just people that buy into enjoying a commercialized theme park.

Actually, we enjoy our DVC accommodations and the surrounding area so much, we'd probably go even if the parks were closed that week!



HEAVEN FORBID!

Granny

 

[queenof4hearts]

Wow!! I just read all the posts and thank you so much for your great answers!!

There are so many reasons to go to WDW and I feel a lot better!!!

We can't wait for our first trip home in less than 6 weeks!! We love WDW!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Granny, you are SO right about "watching out for freeloaders." Many of my hubby's realtives have no idea we have "a timeshare." Even though we live far apart and are not close to them at all, they'd be saying "Oh we'll join you on your next trip." I'd need 1000 points! We giggle that they must think we are absolutely wealthy to be going to Disney once or twice every year... I love DVC!

 

[DownNeckBoy]

The problem is that you are really asking how to deal with a rude question from someone you may really like or is part of your family. Miss Manners once wrote that there is really no proper response to a rude question other than to ignore it. Most people, myself included, have a hard time with this method of interaction.

I no longer try to explain my vacation choices. It simply will not work. I just keep quiet and look forward to the next trip with my family!!!

 

[dmoore22]

Just two words, "Mental Hygiene!" If they persist then I subject them to my wonderful singing, "Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me . . . "

 

[Pig Pen]

I have found that the most skeptical of people fall into one of these categories:

1. Never been.

2. Went once and tried to do too much at the wrong time of the year (hot and crowded) and were not properly prepared.

When people say, didn't you just go to Disney? I say I was given annual passes as a gift (DH actually paid for them, so not a lie) and we are trying to get our money's worth.

I don't tell people (unless they are fanatics too...and there are more than you realize) about DVC because then I get the

 

[DeeP]

I must be one of the lucky ones because none of my friends, family or coworkers even bats an eye when I go to WDW, and I go every 3-4 months! The fact that I own a home in FL, have relatives in FL and go on a regular basis for business, I am sure also helps. But my friends, co workers, etc just expect me to always have a trip to WDW in the works and I CERTAINLY would never want to disappoint them! LOL!!! Anyone who knows me just accepts the fact that I am disney obessed and they all come to me for advice and planning trip tips to WDW.

 

[daisy2000]

I have family/friends who actually feel hostile towards WDW! Needless to say they don't get why we love it. When the negative comments come, I just laugh and say "Oh you know we're Disney nuts" as if its some kind of mental disorder!

To borrow from Pig Pen's post, they fall under the category of those who did not prepare for their WDW visit. We all know that is the kiss of death for any WDW visit and we have tried to enlighten them with no success so I don't try anymore.

My unscientific theory of WDW lovers vs. anti-Disney folks:
I found that the family/friends that love it have a sense of fun, enthusiasm and adventure, go with the flow, and have a positive outlook in general. The ones that hate it are a bit inflexible and just don't seem to have that child-like sense of wonder about them. Just IMHO.
(We love them anyway!)

 

[SamR]

I just laugh and say "Oh you know we're Disney nuts" as if its some kind of mental disorder!

You mean it's not?!?

"Hi, my name's Sam, and I'm a Disney addict..."

(...and I'm not interested in any twelve-step programs...I believe I'm beyond reform!)

 

[Jollymon]

I had not been to Disney in over 13 years when I went last September. Since then, i have been back 2 times and have another 3 trips planned in 2003 (with about 3 trips in 2003 not yet reserved). Granted I live in Florida, and that the longest of these trips is 5 days with most being 2 nights.

My partner and employees wonder why I have suddenly become a spokeperson for Disney and the DVC at the office. Honestly, the diversity of the attractions and pastimes offered by the area are amazing. Furthermore, once you stay on property and the parks take a second seat to the resort, then you honestly enjoy your stay as you are not doing the commando style vacation.

The main problem is that many people have only done the commando style vacation and an Orlando vacation seems stressful. Attempting to dispell this view is not easy as most people do not want to spend more than $49 per night and stay on the cheap offsite resorts. Once someone stays on site, they are sold.

Andrew

 

[DisnutDave]

I think that Pig Pen hit the nail right on the head. When getting the "Again?!?" from folks about upcoming WDW trips, it always comes from the ones who have not been there; or at least have not been there in over 15 years or so. To these people, "WDW" seems to be Cinderalla's Castle, and a bunch of souped-up carnival rides. They have no clue of the diversity of fun, thrills and relaxation to be found in the many places there; from the bliss of sitting by the fire at the Wilderness Lodge, to the excitement of spotting animals on the Kilimanjaro Safari. My gosh, you could spend days (and nights) at Downtown Disney alone and have all the enjoyment you could ask for in a vacation.

DW and I love to travel to other places. We have been to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and all over the U.S. But Orlando will always be a draw for us. And DVC has made it possible to slowly convert all our naysaying friends and family!

 

[Simba's Mom]

SamR-Good that you don't want any 12-step program to end that addiction. As I always tell my students (I teach high school), "We all know there are many things to be addicted to-drugs, alcohol, etc," [pause while everyone laughs knowingly at the 'etc.',], "I think my addiction isn't so bad." That usually gets at least a few nods of agreement.

 

[colleen costello]

A few years ago I read a great science fantasy novel about a guy who could read minds. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it and I'd love to read it again... Anyway, mind-reader-hero gets accidentally involved with some criminals in Florida and he is hiding out at WDW. He doesn't WANT to hear people's thoughts but he can't help it... like a radio he can't turn off. And he discovers that so much of what he hears is MISERY... people are really stressed by trying to have a great vacation and they are fighting with their families and just miserable! They are spending all their money and trying to do everything... Ugh.

I think of this book every time I pack for WDW. I vow to be a relaxed vacationer and not one of the pitiful psychos whose thoughts broadcast so loudly. Some people ARE miserable, even at WDW. Pity them ... and be glad for a chance to return to your favorite place over and over again! The heck with anybody who doesn't understand!

Anybody know what book that was?

 

[jimmytammy]

I just booked our next DVC trip for Dec and told my brother about it. His words...Youre going there again, you just got back, why do you go there so much? My explanation...Why do you and your wife like to go to the mountains 6 times a year? His reply...Cause thats just where we like to go! My reply...Ditto!

 

[queenof4hearts]

Colleen, That sounds like a good book. I would like the name of it.

More great responses, this is terrific. Such a very good point Pigpen, People go to WDW at the wrong time and/or have a bad experience.

This is probably why my husband wanted join. So he could feel comfortable knowing accomodations are the BEST and we don't have to rush to do every thing. WDW is the greatest and it helps to be smart about the experience. Maybe all of us Disney fanatics with this 'disorder' are just a little smarter than the average bear!!!

 

[Eponine]

Oh, ITA about the relaxation thing! Our trip to WDW in 2001 was fantastic. It was magical. It was unforgettable. However, we tried to squeeze in as much as we possibly could, and it was tiring! On our last day there, we took the DVC tour and decided that it was for us. Now we're less than a month out from our first DVC trip, and I'm already feeling the benefits of membership on my psyche. We're taking our 2-year old son, and we won't be able to do nearly as much as we did last time. You know what? I DON'T CARE! I know it's not a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I know we're going back. I even know when...December! It's almost like membership in DVC gives me permission to relax and take things as they come, because it will all still be there when I get back in the not-so-distant future.

I'm so thrilled about our December trip, too! The room is taken care of (in fact, we'll have lots of banked points to play with). We'll be AP holders, so admission is taken care of, too. All that we'll have to worry about is food, extras and getting there. With so little to pay for, plus the extra points, I'll be looking for special ways to pamper us!

See, I've already got three very different vacations there! One whirlwind, one slow-paced, and one luxurious. If anyone ever comments on how frequently we visit WDW, that's what I'll tell them: just because you go to the same place doesn't mean that you get the same vacation. Don't knock it until you try it, and you might as well try it sooner rather than later, so that when you finally see the light, you don't have any regrets about past vacations "wasted" in other places!

 

[Sharper]

Before this year, we had not been to Disney since the summer of '99. We went twice in 2002 and it was absolutely amazing to me how many people said "You're going AGAIN?!" before the second trip, as if this was at least our 10th.

We have another trip planned for May and I will deal with that comment with my usual response: We LOVE it. We have memories and experiences there which are priceless; there is so much to do that it will be many more trips before we can possibly sample all that WDW has to offer; and we have more or less learned all the tricks for discounts to make it a reasonable costing vacation.

Some form of this tactic takes the wind out of their sails because they simply can't argue with it, whether their perspective is never been there, went that once and hated it (I point out that certain times of the year are very poor choices and that some areas I can take or leave while others are wonderful) or the somewhat catty/jealous ones who actually liked it but can't afford to go back, nearly always because they had no clue and paid rack room rates, etc.

It can be annoying, but as someone who also didn't "get" Disney before I visited, I try to be tolerant.

 

[crisi]

I have a coworker who doesn't get it. He has been, but it isn't his cup of tea.

Believe it or not, some people find it too commericial, too materialistic. Some people find Epcot to be a poor substitution for a trip to Europe or the Far East. Some people prefer to fill their vacations with hiking and camping. Some hate the expense, and it doesn't matter how "magical" the vacation is - its too expensive.

Yes, some people (I think many) go when its too crowded, without enough preparation and hate it....but lets give some non-Disney lovers a little credit. If we expect them to not give us a hard time about going "again" we should be able to accept that it isn't for everyone - which is great - shorter lines for us!