I am feeling a bit depressed

[kirbyjohn]

Hi!
Last week after years of soul searching we finally bought into the DVC. Signed up for 220 points at the Wilderness Lodge. Just yesterday we received the mountains of documents for us to peruse, fill out, and mail back. Now, I am having second thoughts.
I have been reading this forum several times a day for the last week and all the talk is about OKW and BVW and how great they are. Very little talk about the Wilderness Lodge.
Now you have me wondering if I should cancel this contract and wait for a resale that suits our needs at OKW or BVW.
I did feel more comfortable buying from Disney and resale prices are truly not much cheaper. But, you folks have given me the feeling that the Lodge is not where you want to be. I realize we can still stay at the other resorts, but I have also read talk about how important the 11 month booking window is. That has me concerned as well. I am apprehensive about my desicion.
Your thoughts?
By the way, I really enjoy this forum and the insight it provides. I look forward to it everyday.

[spiceycat]

I LOVE VWL I did an add-on there. I lot of this is just talk. Everyone has there opinion. You should have heard the talk at the meeting at OKW when BW was announced. It was unpopular with members until they tried it. (No free tickets went with it - some of the complaints). If you like the city you will love BW. If you like the suburbs you love OKW. If you like woods, nature and wild life you will love VWL. Remember VWL is the first DVC near the MK, the most popular of the parks at WDW and will be sold out this year. I took DVC 6 to 7 years to sell out the orginial OKW, it took 4 to 5 years to sell out BW, it will take them one year to sellout VWL. VWL will not be unpopular at all.

[jennybobenny]

I remember when we rec'd the mountains of paperwork, I had 2nd thoughts too. I wondered if we really knew what we were getting into or if we were in a little over our heads. It was all so overwhelming, and offical! :) Plus we needed to have some of the forms notarized which made the whole process even more of a hassle. We did go thru with it and haven't regretted it for a single second. We even did the 'paperwork' thing again when we added on last year.
Wish I could help with the decision about VWL, but choosing your home resort is such a personal decision. Some people like OKW, some like BWV, and some will like VWL. You just need to decide where you feel most comfortable. Good luck :)

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[Jenn]

I think it is just that WLV is so new, there aren't alot of owners on the boards yet.

We own at BW, but love the look and feel of the lodge and definately want to stay there at some point.

Most people here will tell you buying DVC was the best thing they have ever done and their only regrets are not buying sooner.

Jenn

[Richyams]

Just one comment....

OKW was Disney's first venture into the timshare market, of course OKW took longer....then the fact that OKW is several times the size of VWL may also be a factor in why it tool several times as long to sell.

If VWL isn't truly your favorite place in the world, you may want to consider a resale. I guess you have read about my opinion, agreed to by almost everyone, in my opinion a point spent at VWL returns less value than a point spent at BWV or OKW. I believe that fact will keep VWL and BCV the easiest resorts to get into with the seven month windows for a VERY long time.

I also agree that the reason you hear less praise of VWL is that there are less owners and less people have stayed there.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

[chris1gill]

I think you don't hear about Wilderness, because it is totally new!! I think you will do just fine, and enjoy WLV's immensely!! Remember people talk about what they know, and not too many of us have been to Wilderness!!

About the paperwork, it does feel mountainous, but just sit down with pen in hand, and just start signing!! It really only took us about a half hour to get it together after we started....

Hope you are feeling better about it!! And welcome home!!

[drusba]

One of the reasons you won't find high praise on this board for VWL is simply because hardly anybody owns there yet--it just went on sale a few months ago. Also, the battle of the resorts on this board has existed since day one--OKW owners have high praise for their resort and sometimes some like to tweak the other resorts and their owners; the same goes for BWV owners (I am one of those and am guilty as charged). Often issues of concern are raised but a lot you just have to take in stride and not get overly concerned. WL/VWL is a very nice and unigue resort and as you will see a lot will prefer it over BWV and OKW and when there are enough of them they will be able to defend it well here while tweaking the others (and of course I will go on maintaining that BWV is really the best).

As to the 11 month ressie window, that is a legitimate concern. As you will see most recommend that you buy where you plan to stay most. You can make ressies at your home resort up to 11 months out, at other only 7. That home resort advantage is often important to be able to get ressies at busy times of year (and "busy" by DVC standards may be different than WDW in general--for example first half of December seems to be a very high demand time for DVC members). It is not that you necessarily have to make ressies exactly 11 months out but just that you should do so 10 to 11 months out to guarantee having no problems getting a ressie for exactly what you want when you want. At the same time, people can often get ressies as late as 4 or even fewer months out for what they want in what would otherwise be a busy time by WDW standards (like summer). In other words, DVC is best for those who can make ressies well in advance buy if once in a while you even wait well beyond the 7 month window, you can still often find something satisfactory.

[Tommy]

I also get a little tired of those who think that OKW is the only Disney property worth owning. You KNOW the ONE person who I am talking about, so we don't have to mention his name. I have been a DVC member since 1997 and never stayed at OKW. I have stayed at BWV, but I prefer HHI and that is where I go most often. I will try my best to get VWL the next time I go, because I love Wilderness Lodge. Don't let a few negatives deprive you of a lifetime (42 years) of good times.

DVC Hilton Head Member since 1997
My DVC Hilton Head Resort Page (http://www.members.tripod.com/~ttowery)

[sixcats]

We stayed at VWL in December. We own at BW. Your choice of a home resort really depends on where you like to spend your trip if you had a choice of the hotels. Do you prefer the Magic Kingdom hotels or the Epcot hotels? OKW reminded me of staying at Dixie Landings(Only much larger and more luxurious). I really enjoyed the VWL. I like the "Hotel" feel of BWV and VWL. I don't think you will regret your purchase.
We enjoyed the bustling lobby and pool of the Wilderness Lodge and then walked over to the quiet, peaceful beauty of the Villas. The Villas pool was uncrowded and pretty. We had a ball renting a surrey and riding the path over to Fort Wilderness.(No crazy hills to negotiate like at BW). We also watched 6 deer grazing in the woods from our balcony. I wish I could get my husband to make the "mistake" of buying some points there. ;-)

Debbie
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[kirbyjohn]

We have visited the Lodge on past trips and I believe the setting is the most beautiful of the three. I have always been a "WILDnerness" kinda guy. I am concerned about ressies. Can I book at the Lodge with my 11 month window and then try to book at OKW at the 7 month window in an effort to conserve points? Will they transfer point and ressies with no penalties? I could not seem to find a clear definiton of that in my guidelines book.

[Synonymous]

I haven't stayed at WLV, but WL is by far my favorite place at WDW. I just got back from BWV and I don't think it can compare to the atmosphere at WL. The only reason I didn't wait for WLV is because of the large price increase.

Tom

[kirbyjohn]

Tommy,
You must be referring to the Carl Marx nut. What is up with that!

[wdwnut]

hi: here's my 2 cents to be taken with a grain of salt. second thoughts are normal. when we first heard about dvc in 1993, the way the pricing was structured according to the rep at that time, we couldn't afford it. also, we were a touch concerned about the location of okw because we usually stayed at the contemporary or poly. we wound up buying at bwv (sight unseen) for their location and have never regretted it. we also did an add on at bwv last fall. last sept. we split our stay between the bwv and the wl because we've loved staying there as well. we may do an add on at vwl because of the atmosphere. as far as the transportation issues of each dvc resort, we usually hop in the car to go to the different parks because it's easier for us. at vwl, you have the neat little boat to take you to the mk. it's a nice, short trip. take some time to go through the paperwork and remember that the posts you see here are just people's opinions. some people love the spacious units and quiet atmosphere of being situated on the golf course at okw. other people love the hustle and bustle of the bw. other people will love the relaxing "away from it all" feeling at vwl. dvc does work best for people who can plan well in advance; if you don't travel during "peak" seasons, the 7 month window available at other dvc resorts should work out okay for you. we planned our sept trip in july. this worked out okay because sept is not as crowded. take your time and ask lots of questions, then do what is best for you and your family.

[Richyams]

Yes you can, there are no penelties at all.

This is exactly what I was talking about, sales at VWL are going to make the eleven month window at OKW and BWV even more important. Once BCV comes online, VB and HH owners are going to have to deal with the higher points at VWL and BCV or spend more time in their home resorts.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

[kirbyjohn]

Richyams,
Please don't take it personally. Your insight is wonderful.

[ronbrack]

We stayed in a VWL 2 bedroom in December and found this site to be magnificent. The theming is a monument and compliment the nature that surrounds it. There is something to be said for the natural grandeur of a real lake, lush forest, and abundant wildlife. These qualities do not easily lend themselves to comparison with the convenience and activity of the Boardwalk or the more spacious accommodations at OKW. The "value" of spending time amid the natural beauty of the Wilderness Lodge may be harder to quantify but is certainly significant in its own right.

[KMarie]

kirbyjohn, check out the postings on this board about wlv skeptic gives big thumbs up.

I own at BW because most of my family spends park time at Epcot and MGM. But, when we want to do things primarily at the Magic Kingdom, we will be staying at WLV.

[fkj2]

Kirbyjohn, I don't think you will regret purchasing at VWL, or any DVC for that matter. While the windows are important, hopefully someone who has the 11 month window at an alternate resort would be willing to exchange with you and vice versa. I'd be happy to, just for the variety of staying at a resort in which I would have to wait until the 7 month window and just hope that there is availability. I prefer OKW just because BWV are so noisy. Others prefer BWV because they are so lively and convenient to Epcot and MGM. I just don't see how you can go wrong. Just consider how much you will save over the life of the contract if you only vacation once a year by owning a DVC membership

[KathyR]

My first stay onsite at WDW was at the BWV. We were not members then (1998), but I fell in love with everything about the BWV. We purchased DVC last October while at HHI before the sell outs and chose BWV as our home resort. Two weeks after purchasing I stayed at OKW. I was not really looking forward to it since you hear so many comments about the trasportation being bad and how it is out of the way etc. I have to admit, my stay there had me second guessing my choice as BWV as my home. I am once again sure I made the right decision for me. OKW is easier to get at the 7 month window because of its size, so I am confident I will be able to enjoy both resorts along with all the others for many years to come! While on that trip they had an opportunity to visit the VWL prior to their opening. I have to say the pictures did not do it justice!!! It was wonderful. I found myself thinking of staying there as well ;) So far I have stayed at BWV, HHI and OKW. I have loved each of those resorts!!! I don't think any resort is better than the other anymore. I think they all have something wonderful to offer, so I will continue to enjoy ALL of them. I am looking forward to trying out the VWL as well as VERO and soon to be BCV. I think if you love the VWL then you have made the right decision! I suspect even with the point cost/night it will be a big favorite among DVCers and therefore difficult resort to get ressies at the 7 month window, so you will have an advantage over us OKW/BWV/HHI/VERO owners in that regard.

KathyR

[PamOKW]

Like everyone has said you haven't heard too much about WLV because most of us are just starting to stay there ourselves. Most reports have been very positive.

I don't know whether this will hold true, but if WL is your favorite and where you expect to be spending most of your trips having it as your home resort may be even more important than having BWV because it is so small. To guarantee a stay there home resort may become very important.

Always keep in mind when reading these boards that we are a very, very small percentage of DVC owners. Most polls asking about ownership here get about 200-250 responses. I've heard the DVC membership number is up over 40,000. We may think we're the experts but we really are just offering our opinions and educated guesses.

[TampaDisneyFreaks]

Hoepfullyafter reading everyone's comments, you are feeling a little better about the decision to join. WL is a beautiful resort. We own at BWV and would love to buy an add-on at VWL b/c we love WL so much (economics prevents us from doing so right now). We have seen the rooms at VWL and they are beautiful. We have also looked around the site itself and it is really great. We haven't stayed there yet, but are looking forward to doing so in the future. No matter where your home resort is, it is a great feeling being part of the DVC family . The flexibility is awesome and so is "owning a piece of the magic". Joining will be a decision that you will never regret.

[Bennet]

Richyams wrote:
________________
...my opinion, agreed to by almost everyone...
_________________

Uh.. Please don't claim to speak for everyone. You don’t. I don't agree, never have, never will didn't post it 'cause I didn’t want to add fuel to a flame feast either.

IMHO the whole point 'value' discussion is so much hot air. My opinion is that WLV and BWV are resorts that are much more to my taste than OKW but to each his own. Advice is free and you get what you pay for, mine included.

I almost canceled a resale purchase (to add to my prior Disney purchase) and sold out of DVC 'cause some of the stuff people put up here made me negative about the thing.

I got a grip.

The bottom line is I live for the times I have with my family at DVC. You will too.

Do what you are comfortable with, what you see bringing value, joy and great memories to your family. Other opinions, mine included, don't matter.

Be happy that there are enough others buying at a number of places to make DVC strong and diverse. That strength and diversity will giving you options other time shares don't come close to.

Even when we disagree we all love DVC. Welcome Home in advance.

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[Lisa F]

I feel like I am getting into this conversation at the tail end (as things start to sloooooooowly deteriorate) but I have to put my $.02 in.

I am a BWV owner. I LOVE BWV. BWV is my favorite resort on the entire property.

In less than a month we are staying in the VWL. I was on the phone, hitting redial about a hundred times the day they started taking points reservations for VWL because I wanted to try it out.

A couple of times we have booked last minute trips and could not get into BWV (this was before VWL was open). We "settled" for OKW. Guess what? We had a FABULOUS time there too.

My point? All of the DVC resorts are wonderful (okay, I havne't seen VWL in person yet but I am betting it is going to be wonderful). It's great to have the variety to choose from... if you want to stay at your home resort or guarantee that you have reservations for certain dates, call right at the 11 month window. If you are easy going and just want to book a trip, during non-busy times there is generally SOME kind of availability. We're pretty easy going and just book whatver suits our needs at the time.

As others have said, my only regret about DVC is not buying in sooner. DVC is the greatest thing that we could've done for ourselves. I can't even describe how great it feels when you first walk into your villa... whether it is a studio or a 2br (have yet to do a grand villa).

If you have your heart set on one of the sold out resorts, do a resale. If you don't and you feel more comfortable buying through disney, do that. We did the research and knew we could buy a resale but decided to go through disney because it made us more comfortable.

I can't wait to tell you "welcome home"!

Lisa

"You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build house and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say 'This is beautiful.' That is architecture. Art enters in."
-Le Corbusier

[MN_DizNut]

Don't 2nd guess yourself on this! Rich can continue to add line after line about why he thinks (key word here..."THINKS!")OKW is better than anywhere else in the "World", as well he should, because that is where he bought. Let him revel in the joy of his purchase, and let folks like you and I revel in our purchases at VWL. For us, WL is the epitome of what we want our vacations based on, and in the final analysis, that's the only thing that really matters!

As for the talk about "investment values"...get real, it is a time share. The only investment value is in the investment of time spent with your loved ones. My family all love the WL, and figure OKW looks pretty much like anyplace else in Florida, for us, no big thrill. But the granduer of the Lodge grabs us everytime we walk into the place, regardless if we're staying there, or just grabbing a bite at the resturant. IMHO, DVC ain't about the money, it's all about investing time in your family. Lot's of folks nowadays seem not to care about such things. Thank your maker that you do. Enjoy every trip to the WL, and relax in the knowledge that you know what's best for you

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL Feb '97
WL Mar '97
WH Feb '99
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

[msdis]

We own at BWV because DH prefered it. I had little preference until I saw WL. BW has the great ability to walk to 2 parks and has restaurants that many speak highly of, but if I had it my way we would have waited for VWL. I talked DH into visiting twice on our trip week before last and warmed him up a little to it. If I were not going to the parks I would definately choose VWL because of it's beautiful atmosphere. I still remember the goose bumps I got the first time I saw it. (but then I did at almost all of Disney's resorts) One thing is for sure though, where ever you buy you will still get the opportunity to stay at ALL the different resorts; some will just take a little more planning.

[DLVisitor]

My dh and I purchased from Disney last year. He had the same "2nd thoughts" with all the paperwork. We now know that we will have 42 years of "having" to vacation, "worry" about where to spend our points and "planning" great things with our family. Yes, we are making payments, but in the long run, we will have many wonderful memories and experiences. Just 1 vacation at WDW in a 2 bedroom would probable be too expensive for us, but this way, we can truly go in style!

[Caskbill]

Kirbyjohn
<font color=blue>ALL</font> the DVC resorts are excellent in their own way. The differences between them is what gives them different values to different persons. Those who prefer OKW simply <font color=blue>LIKE</font> that kind of atmosphere and prefer it to the others. Likewise the BWV's people <font color=blue>LIKE</font> BWV's atmosphere better as that is what is right FOR <font color=blue>THEM.</font> If you're an outdoors type of guy like you said, then you will probably prefer WLV's over the others as that is more to your tastes. That makes WLV of more value to <font color=blue>you.</font> In my opinion, you'll be fine. It's an excellent resort.

I have only OKW points, but over the years have stayed at ALL the resorts, OKW, BWV, WLV, HH, VB, so don't think you will <font color=blue>always</font> be shut out of the other resorts forever. The 7-month window does work as long as you understand it's limitations: That is busy seasons book early, some types of accommodations book early etc. If you can stay flexible, and don't expect to get any date or type of accommodation at any time in the other resorts, and use WLV's as your <font color=blue>PRIMARY </font>resort, then you'll be happy. (In my opinion).

Welcome to DVC.