Food for thought...bearing my soul...(this may be an unpopular post)

[HeatherPage]

Ok here goes. Yes, I'm selling my DVC and I'm not sure if I will buy it again some day - like I first thought I might later down the road. The main reason I'm selling at this point is because I (stupidly) got ourselves attached to a home equity loan that I desperately want to get out of (because I want a larger house in the very near future) and hopefully the profit I make from selling our DVC will pay a large portion of it off. As I started to think about it though, we financed it through Disney for 10 years and while the monthly payments were managable, we still had another 7 years of paying on it at $250/month and I didn't want to be locked into that payment anymore (at least not for 7 more years) and at least not for right now. I'm going to take that extra $250 to pay against the home equity (in addition to the regular monthly payment) so hopefully in two years we can get rid of that debt. Maybe another reason I'm selling is because lately, the few times we go down to Disney World, my husband turns into an insensitive jerk, the final straw is when we checked into OKW (studio) on Labor Day Sunday and checked out by the next morning. Granted my son was also sick and not feeling well and I could tell he was miserable (he's barely two) but my husband acting like a two year old himself definitely did not make things better. So, I figured I could take this @#!% at home and not spend all the money doing it - so we left and drove back home to N.C. Of course I will be back to Disney, but I don't know if my husband will be with me and I think that pushed me to the edge of selling. But the last thing that makes me think I probably won't buy DVC again is this (and I'm sure this will be an unpopular viewpoint) but I love the monorail resorts - particularly the Polynesian. I'm a big MK fan at heart and love the convenience of being on the monorail even if it is in a regular hotel room. Unfortunately I know that room prices will probably just keep going up and up and up, but with my mindframe at the moment I think I'd rather just save and be able to go every other year at the Poly right now.
So basically here are my unsolicited opinions:

-if you can, pay cash for your DVC (or don't finance more than a few years if you must);

-make sure you are in the house you want before you buy DVC (or at least know that if you buy DVC and want to upgrade your home afterward, that you still can afford it);

-if you have a good marriage (except when you are at Disney World) maybe DVC isn't as important as you thought; and finally

-it's okay to like the monorail resorts better than the the DVC locations.

Well I'm sure what I've just said can be construed as sacrilege towards DVC, but I know every so often people post asking for the other viewpoint to DVC so I thought I'd post my experience.

Now don't get me wrong, if I hit the lottery soon or my husband starts making $80,000 a year or more, I'm sure the DVC idea will come up again, but for now I'll have to choose to no longer be a part of the elite (I guess it's called making mature decisions or some such thing). Anyways, I'll still be reading and maybe posting on the boards if you guys don't mind

 

[SharonS]

Heather, I think it is great that you posted your views. Everyone needs to do what makes sense for their situation, and there are things in life right now more important to you than DVC.

I own at BWV, and am happy with DVC, but I certainly understand your feelings about the monorail resorts. I know that I would personally be unhappy with OKW because I also like being near the parks. BTW, MK is also my favorite!

I also appreciate what you said about 'bad trips'. My Mom is not in good health, but still enjoys Disney. The last few trips have been great, but there were some trips that were terrible. She would have me crying 80% of the trip and not want to do anything. I often thought maybe it wasn't worth it. However, they happened to be medically related problems, and I knew down deep she enjoyed it, so I just kind of sucked it up and made the best.

Good luck to you and your family in the future. Hope you are able to get the home you want!

 

[floridafam]

I also appreciate what you said.

I need to hear that viewpoint once in a while. It kind of keeps things in check.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Keep us posted on how the sale goes.

 

[CarolynFH]

You are doing what is best for you and your family at this time. No need to be apologetic! Hope all works out for all of you, and that all your dreams come true.

Sincerely,

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for not flaming me guys

 

[AZKathy]

I remember when you were considering joining a long time ago!

You have to do what you feel is best for you.

 

[lenshanem]

the few times we go down to Disney World, my husband turns into an insensitive jerk

I'm sorry thsi made me laugh cause unfortunaetly i can relate!

I've noticed my husband does much better when we go during cooler, less crowded months. He loses his temper very easily and gosh when you add the heat and crowds it becomes the worst!
Not to mention he thinks even whiel we're on vacation my job is to take care of the kids all by myself.

I just took a trip with my Mom and it was so much fun! She helped with the kids, we dealt with the heat and crowds and just enjoyed ourselves.

One bummer is now that my oldest ahs started school we're trapped into the school calender. Cristmas time will be nice, but summer will always be hard. We will try to go during spring break, but only on the years her school break isn't during Easter.

At leats we can laugh about it a little. Before the kids we once got into the most silliest argumnet at Epcot. He seroisly had a toatl meltdown. We split up mad and then coudln't find each other later after we cooled off.

I've seen many a rguments whiel at WDw with all kinds of people. Hasn't everyone?

Regardless, i wish you the best. Good luck with the house!

 

[rsschneck]

I agree with everyone who posted.

The cost of DVC is high and if financially it isn't right for you at this time then the points are yours to sell.

The nice thing about DVC is if you have to sell I am sure you will not be loosing any money and it should sell relatively quickly. Other timeshares might not fare as well.

Get yourself a larger home, pay off bills, and take a vacation to WDW ALONE!

Let us know about the selling process. Who is going to sell your points for you. How long it takes for the transaction. How many points you have to sell, UY, home resort, etc. I am curious to know how it feels to be on the other side (selling and not buying).

Good luck!

 

[perdidobay]

Congratulations! You are a mature, responsible adult! As such, you are showing your child a great lesson in responsibility. ( even though he doesn't really know what you are doing)
You are making a secure future for your family and are smart enough to realize that being part of a "resort plan" does not make for a better vacation, or you a better WDW guest than anyone else.
What would be the point anyway of staying at a DVC resort, if you would rather be at the Poly, just to save money in the long term???
You can always vacation in the future at your pace, not locked into points expiring, etc.
DVC is not the thing for everyone.
Best wishes,
MJ

 

[mitros]

One thing I don't think anyone mentioned was the fact that you can use your points for staying not only at DVC resorts,but most other Disney resorts on property, Polynesian included. You would use more points of course, but it could still be done. We have done it a number of times since we joined back in 1991, just so we could sample other on property resorts as well as the DVC ones.

 

[CK1]

I applaud your decision (there is very little on this earth worth going into debt or divorce court over!)

I'm just curious, though -- did your dh ever like WDW, or just tolerate it? I know that the only reason we own DVC is because DH loves the action and variety of WDW. Had I tried to sell him on a house in the mtns or deserted beach or golf course, no deal. We once went to a nice, placid coastal location... an oceanfront rental on and endless beach, wherethe water had very few waves, miles of sand, and perfect for lazy do-nothing days... he was BORED SENSELESS. (His idea of a beach includes surf, a boardwalk, boogieboarding... ACTION). In truth, the man hates to travel, and I LOVE it. At WDW, we can compromise because I can take in the serenity of Epcot or the variety of the resorts, and he loves the thrill stuff (the rides, the water parks, etc.)

Where vacation spots are concerned, Disney is one of those "ya either get it or ya don't". Maybe your dh is a "don't". And personally, if my dh were prone to sea-sickness, the last thing I'd buy is a house boat.... or in your case, a Mouse-Boat.

ONe question, though -- are you selling it yourself or going through a broker? And I wonder, too -- where do folks who are seeling it sans broker go? Take out an ad? Is there a bulletin board for that? Just curious. In any case, good luck -- I hope you sell quickly and get the "personal" castle of your dreams!

 

[timC]

Heather. Thanks for having the courage to share your DVC experience with us. This forum tends to somewhat overstate the positives of DVC, so your comments help to add a more balance perspective.

Sorry to hear DVC didn't work out for you.... Please let us know how you make out with your sale. I'd be interested to know what the selling experience is like.

Best of luck!

 

[roelongo]

I also applaud your decision. I just have one question- and please correct me if I am wrong- I thought your DVC had to be paid off before you could sell it.

 

[SheriB]

I respect and admire your honesty and the fact that you shared your opinions and feelings with others. I'm sure it's not an easy decision that you've made, but you must ultimately do what is best for your situation, as all of us must. Let us know how you make out with the sale, and good luck with your future plans.

Sheri

 

[princess&tig]

We are with you!! Good luck.

 

[donmil723]

I'm sorry you're no longer going to be our "neighbor" but you are making the decision that is right for you and your family. You are to be commended for that! The points you made about being ready financially to take on debt for something that isn't necessary are very true! Good luck on selling your points and finding the house of your dreams!

Donna

 

[RAD]

Heather, before you sell have you thought about just renting out all your points and using that to pay for DVC until things are straightened out? Since you've been financing most of your payments at this time are mostly for interest charges so I'd guess the difference between what you can see for and you balance may not net you much $'s (just guessing).

 

[OneMoreTry]

My only criticism is that you didn't give yourself enough credit. What you listed were not gripes but real concerns that everyone SHOULD consider before buying into DVC. A couple days ago I posted some of these exact things on a thread asking for the negatives of DVC.

Fortunately, you probably won't lose anything because DVC is so popular.

The real reason we own DVC is our absolute need for a condo with a kitchen. Otherwise we would probably check mousesavers and stay at the different hotels. It is a WASTE of points to stay in the non-DVC hotels, especially if you would have used the discount codes.

 

[mitros]

As far as being a WASTE to use your points at a non dvc resort, my only point was that it could be done. I did say that you would use more points doing that, but it wasn't meant as a suggestion to do it on a regular basis.

 

[Nink]

I think that everyone here as been extreamly supportive of your decisions.

But.....

You have made it sound like DVC is the "bad" thing in your life to put you in the situation you are in now. I don't buy that.

We are all a concequence of our decisions we make.

Obviously, three years ago, you decided that DVC was a good thing for your life. Now, because you have made NEW decisions, all of a sudden, DVC is a problem to you.

I too, applaude you for making good choices for your families future, but please, don't make DVC out to be the bad guy here. Instead, just say it didn't work in your family plan and hope that someone here might want to buy out your contract (if that can be done).

Good luck in your new endeavors, and perhaps, DVC will work itself back into your life.