DVC.....Keep it or sell it?

[WoodysRoundup]

First of all, I want to say "thanks" to everyone in this forum for the wealth of information I've received from you here. Just wanted some opinions for our situation of sorts......We just returned from our first trip "home". We did a split stay between AKV and the Poly. About AKV, we just LOVED the lodge. We requested to be moved from our first room. First off, we did not like the location. We accepted the $30 room change fee.....totally understand that. However, our room was filthy. I immediately called housekeeping and described the smashed dead lovebugs on the sliding glass window, the dirty fridge, coffee table, seatback on the back of the bench at the table, smudged TV screen, etc. For DH to say it was gross, it was GROSS! They did clean it properly but we were immediatley turned off. They couldn't switch us until the next day but when we got to our new room, it was all that we expected......very clean (and a lovely view). We enjoyed our remaining four nights in that room. As I say, we truly loved the lodge.....everything except it's location. Some people love it but we felt isolated. On three occassions, we waited 45min. to ONE HOUR for a bus. My parents spoke to a supervisor at MK and they said they were working out a new system and there have been glitches. In a nutshell, we just missed being in the MK area. Bus glitches aside, we just want to call the MK area "home". So here's our dilemma, and I'm looking toward you DVC experts for some sound advice. We have made up our mind that we either want to sell our AKV/DVC now or later. We'd love to buy into KT if it comes to fruition. What would make the most financial sense?.....Sell our DVC now or wait until KT is open? Would we lose anything by buying KT as a non- DVC member? Would KT potentially "sell out" to current DVC members? We just don't want AKV as our "home" resort. We'd want the 11month window at KT....that our we'd just get out of DVC altogether. Everyone loves their DVC for different reasons. For us, being in the MK resort area is the most important "magic". I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice you might like to offer. TIA again for the help. You guys have been really great.

 

[gkrykewy]

Bus glitches will work out soon, BUT I understand the MK area as a priority.

I would hang onto AKV for a couple of years, and book VWL at the 7 month window for your next couple trips. By that time, KT should be on sale, and you can take advantage of any member incentives before selling your AKV contract.

You might also want to consider selling your AKV contract and buying a VWL contract. Similar lodge aesthetic, and Bay Lake location.

 

[ZekeKelso]

BLT (nah, can't use that name) CRV will not sell out to current members. There are just too many points. It will be available to the general public direct from Disney, and on the resale market after that.

That said, it will be easiest to buy in as a member - no closing cost, no 160 point minimum, etc. However, you will be stuck with your current use year.

If I were in your shoes, my big question would be what will happen to AKV resale prices. Will they go up or down? I can make a good argument either way.

If it's me - unless I'm sure resale prices will go down significantly, I'd hold on to my points at least until CRV is up for sale. If nothing else, that's the time there will most likely be an uptick in resale prices.

 

[Chuck S]

If you really want Kingdom Tower/Bay Tower or whatever they wid up calling it...I would wait to sell your AKV until after you purchase at the new resort. Otherwise, you'll be paying closing costs to Disney for that transaction. Existing members do not pay closing costs on an add-on. Once that add-on is completed, you can sell your AKV, and you'll retain your current membership number.

 

[bwvBound]

We just don't want AKV as our "home" resort.

As new resorts come online I think we'll see growing demand for internal owner-to-owner exchanges. I'd suggest keeping it and trading "home resort" reservations with owners at other DVC locations. You'll find plenty of folks interested in AKV's value and club-level room types!

 

[AlexTina]

I just received a call from my guide today and I figured I would take the opportunity to ask about the contemporary. So when he asked if I had any questions for him I basically just told him that I had been reading a lot of rumors on the internet about the Contemporary and was wondering what was going on there. Before I could even finish he said "would you like me to put you on the list for the Contemp?" Well of course I jumped! I said absolutely. I personally love the themeing and animals at AKV but LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! We spend most of our time at MK and so the Contemp is more suited to our family. Anyhow, he said he would put me on the list and give a call the minute that it goes on sale. He didn't have any info regarding when that would be but sounded to me like it would be soon. Anyhow, if you are interested in the Contemp then you might give a call and get put on the "list".

 

[spiceycat]

woody- understand completely - had the same problems with AKV/L - both times I stayed there. Waited over 45 minutes EMH to go to AK....

guess Disney doesn't think we need to go to the parks.

so I guess AKV is what you stay in when you want to stay at AKV - not go to the parks.

it and WL are alot like done by the same architect - and the style is very familiar. AKV is several notches above VWL.

with VWL Disney was still doing it story (would be great if they released these stories to the DVC members and general public - like they use too) so the rooms aren't put together as nice.

no flat screen and several other things that AKV has that VWL doesn't.

think I would go with trying for the 7 months at VWL - remember the smaller points that AKV requires does not exist at VWL - it is 12 points or more per night regardless of the room view.

if you are so unhappy at AKV - give VWL a try.

so far Disney has not stated what the building going up next to the CR is - hoping it is a DVC. but no guarantees.

 

[tjkraz]

I think it would be a little foolish to try and sell now. You'll likely lose quite a bit on the resale market--particularly if you use a broker and have to surrender 10% or more in commission.

You could make a few casual attempts to sell on your own, hopefully minimizing the loss.

But I would suggest waiting a few more years. Stay at different locations and find out what you really like. Just because your AKV experience was less impressive than at MK resorts doesn't mean the MK area will end up being your favorite.

I'd also suggest a little big-picture thinking. Sooo many times people seem to take the approach of "we want to be in the MK area because we spend most of the time at that park with our 3-year old." What they're failing to grasp is that their 3-year old will be nearing retirement when the DVC ownership ends.

That may or may not be representative of your situation but it is food for thought. Consider what it is about Walt Disney World that will appeal to you 10 years from now...20 years from now...30 years from now, and so on. In the long run, would you prefer to have that 15th story view of Bay Lake, the Savanna at AKV, a short walk to the shops and restaurants of Downtown Disney, 10 min walk from Epcot, etc.

Good luck.

 

[ZekeKelso]

Anyhow, if you are interested in the Contemp then you might give a call and get put on the "list".

I suspect that "the list" is that salesman's list of folks to call when he has points to sell - not any sort of official place in line.

My guess is you will hear about sales from online sources before you guide gets around to calling you.

 

[AlexTina]

I suspect that "the list" is that salesman's list of folks to call when he has points to sell - not any sort of official place in line.

My guess is you will hear about sales from online sources before you guide gets around to calling you.

I totally agree, I wasn't suggesting that you get in line necessarily but it will be nice for those who are truley interested to get that call. Personally I think that their expectations are very high for this resort and my guide implied that it will be priced higher than the others, however, I have a feeling that if we wait in the wings for a little while after it goes on sale that there will be some nice incentives at the Contemp just like there are at AKV. I don't think that people have the disposable income that they used to these days and a lot of people are probably leary of laying down $20,000 with the economy being so uncertain. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

But I would suggest waiting a few more years. Stay at different locations and find out what you really like. Just because your AKV experience was less impressive than at MK resorts doesn't mean the MK area will end up being your favorite.

I'd also suggest a little big-picture thinking. Sooo many times people seem to take the approach of "we want to be in the MK area because we spend most of the time at that park with our 3-year old." What they're failing to grasp is that their 3-year old will be nearing retirement when the DVC ownership ends.

That may or may not be representative of your situation but it is food for thought. Consider what it is about Walt Disney World that will appeal to you 10 years from now...20 years from now...30 years from now, and so on. In the long run, would you prefer to have that 15th story view of Bay Lake, the Savanna at AKV, a short walk to the shops and restaurants of Downtown Disney, 10 min walk from Epcot, etc.

Good luck.

I appreciate your thoughts. Wanting to be in the MK area is more about DH and me.....not the kids. I've been going to WDW for 34 years now and it's where I want to be for sure. MK is also the kids fave now but even if they tire of MK, I'LL still want to stay there. I soooo wanted to be just as happy at AKV!

Thanks to all of you for the "food for thought". I did call a resale company and they were of the opinion KT wouldn't even be announced until 2009 or 2010. Sounded a bit odd to me. I realize they want a commission but he did give me reasons on both sides to keep or sell now. He also said he thought it was quite possible KT WOULD sell out to current members b/c of the extremely high demand.

Hmmm.......I just don't know.

 

[ammo]

He also said he thought it was quite possible KT WOULD sell out to current members b/c of the extremely high demand.

Hmmm.......I just don't know.

He may have given you some sound advice regarding holding vs. selling your AKV, but that last bit seems pretty far-fetched to me. KT/BLT looks like a very big resort. If a significant portion is allocated to DVC, that will be a lot of points to sell.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

However, our room was filthy. I immediately called housekeeping and described the smashed dead lovebugs on the sliding glass window, the dirty fridge, coffee table, seatback on the back of the bench at the table, smudged TV screen, etc. For DH to say it was gross, it was GROSS!
.................................
On three occassions, we waited 45min. to ONE HOUR for a bus.

Okay, just my opinion...
If you want to sell AKV because of the location, that's a valid reason. If it's because you want KTV instead, that's also a valid reason.

Now, I ceratinly would not sell because of housekeeping or bus issues.
Any and all resorts have in the past, and will have in the future, issues with housekeeping.
Transportaion may get a slight reprieve at KTV because you have the mono, however you will still probably bus to DAK and DHS.

I know we're in the minority, but theming trumps location by a wide margin for us.
That's why we're huge VWL/AKV people.

MG

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Okay, just my opinion...
If you want to sell AKV because of the location, that's a valid reason. If it's because you want KTV instead, that's also a valid reason.

Now, I ceratinly would not sell because of housekeeping or bus issues.
Any and all resorts have in the past, and will have in the future, issues with housekeeping.
Transportaion may get a slight reprieve at KTV because you have the mono, however you will still probably bus to DAK and DHS.

I know we're in the minority, but theming trumps location by a wide margin for us.
That's why we're huge VWL/AKV people.

MG

Thanks. I did state in my post that bus glitches and all else aside, we just wanted to be in the MK area.

 

[BroganMc]

One of the reasons I dismissed the idea of owning at AKV was due to its remote location. I enjoy the animals and theming. In fact, I make a point of spending a day or evening over at the Lodge on nearly all my trips. I enjoy relaxing in that lobby or just walking around the reserves. But being totally reliant on bus transportation (or my van) to go anywhere else, including the nearby Animal Kingdom, seemed problematic at best.

However the advice you're getting regarding the financial wisdom of selling your AKV interest is correct. You'd be taking a loss and not gaining much in return. SSR, which has been selling for 4 years, hasn't even recouped its costs yet on the resale market.

KTR, while a good location, probably will be on sale for a couple years at least. My best guess is that an announcement will come this year and sales to begin next. Probably selling to members for a month or so and then everyone at large for the next couple years. So figure you'll be able to buy there until 2011-12 at least. And then there's always the inevitable resale market. Once Disney opens a resort, it remains available via resale as people change their interests.

You may want to purchase a smaller KTR add-on when it comes around and plan every other year visits. Then use your AKV points to float around the system.

Another thing to consider is that sometimes it takes a couple trips for folks to fully appreciate the quirks of their resort. Bad housekeeping and slow transportation gives everyone a bad taste that colors every perception. Also, resorts tend to take a couple years to mature and give a better overall experience. AKV is still in flux with the addition of the new building.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hang on for a while... see what the future brings. Chuck makes a good point that it will cost you less to add-on than to buy as a new buyer again.

 

[ldo]

keep until CR or whatever it will be comes out---you can add-on exactly what you need and get member 1st dibs, to the extent that matters. In the interim, unless you are traveling at super peak times, try another resort--book right at 7 mths. Since you like the MK area, try WL, or maybe BWV or BCV for the Epcot MGM area--I would try a sampling before you buy CR--you might find a new favorite.
I, personally, do not like CR, and prefer VWL (which is where I own), but others will have totally opposite tastes. Also, even though we own at VWL, we trade out to other DVC and are going to try every one before we add-on. My kids love the different pools and slide and each has its own personality. I am not even planning to stay at VWL for the next 3 years. Good luck. Elaine

 

[lisah0711]

Hang on for a while... see what the future brings.

Well said. Also you may be able to get a cheap car rental and avoid some of the bus problems.

We own at AKL and VWL and love them both. But not every resort is for everybody.