Resale at Wilderness Lodge

[lucienne78]

Hi!! I've been looking into buying DVC through resale and was wondering why Wilderness Lodge prices are so low?? Is there any specific reason why? Also, I spoke to someone at The Timeshare Store and they said that Wilderness Lodge always are the hardest to sell. I'm trying to figure out where I want to buy and having such a hard time figuring out where I want my home resort to be. We definitely want to be in the MK area so it would be BLT or WLV but the WLV prices look so much more attractive.

 

[brianheather]

Hi!! I've been looking into buying DVC through resale and was wondering why Wilderness Lodge prices are so low?? Is there any specific reason why? Also, I spoke to someone at The Timeshare Store and they said that Wilderness Lodge always are the hardest to sell. I'm trying to figure out where I want to buy and having such a hard time figuring out where I want my home resort to be. We definitely want to be in the MK area so it would be BLT or WLV but the WLV prices look so much more attractive.

We just had this same problem... We bought at BWV (Boardwalk) yesterday through Disney... My DVC rep said they had points left over at Wilderness too... We got 2010 and 2011 points.... We are super excited. Either one you decide on is a great location

 

[yekcoh_99]

I've never heard that Wilderness was the hardest to sell. I would've thought it would be SSR or OKW. My opinion is it all boils down to popularity and personal taste. There's a Wilderness Lodge Lovers thread on here somewhere if you want to review and ask those who are more familiar with the resort. I've visited the Lodge, but never stayed there. It's beautiful. I've heard some folks say they thought the rooms were on the smaller side, but I'm not sure if they're that much smaller than the majority of other resorts (OKW would be the exception as their rooms are the largest I believe).

If I had to choose between BLT and VWL it would take me 2 seconds to choose VWL. Although BLT is nice because you can walk to MK, I do not like the contemporary decor and prefer the atmosphere and feel at VWL much more. Just my personal preference. There are many who absolutely love every detail of BLT and feel right at home there though. Plus as you said, VWL is considerably less than BLT when buying into DVC.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[TisBit]

I have a feeling "if" it is hardest to sell is that owners at VWL feel their contracts are worth more (think BCV) prices than other contracts (SSR or OKW) and will hold out leaving the resorts on the market. These are also older contracts, where the owners have most likely paid them off and have less incentive to sell them off.

For buyers, they look at VWL, think its a nice resort, but it isn't close to a resort and why not buy SSR or OKW at a lower fire sale price from an owner that bought in right before the economic collapse, needing to rid themselves of the payments/dues (or as part of a bankruptcy or other legal reasons).

 

[magicaldisney]

I personally would prefer VWL over BLT, however, BLT offers more years on the contract to enjoy your DVC.

 

[JimMIA]

To figure out which resort to buy, I would first look at your family's vacation habits and abilities.

The first question I would ask is whether you reliably have the ability to book vacations more than 7 months out routinely, and at exactly 11 months for peak-peak times. Many families can, but many other families -- due to work or family constraints -- can't. If you can't or won't routinely book early, home resort does not matter for that reason -- which is the primary reason people care where they buy.

If you CAN book 7-11 months in advance, I would consider how important (if at all) it is for you to be able to stay at a specific resort, or in a specific type of accommodation, at a particular time. For example, do you REALLY have to have MK view at BLT during Christmas? If the answers to those types of questions are yes, then you NEED to own at that resort.

If you can't book way early, or you don't really care so much where you stay, your home resort choice should probably revolve around economics -- NOT theming, location, or decor. If you're going to be booking mostly in the 7 month window when "points is points" then go for the lowest overall price you can get and book whereever you want with those cheap points. Lake View at BLT with $50 points and low dues is a beautiful thing compared to MK view with $140 points!

The caveat I would give with the above advice is to NOT consider any non-WDW resort unless you plan to use those points at those resorts. Not owning at WDW, you could get shut out during really busy times. If you own one of the WDW resorts, at least you have the 11 month window there. At seven months, you can try to switch, but if you fail you still have a reservation onsite.

Incidentally, if you look at the DVC Resources stickie at the top of the page, you'll see all the dues history, size of rooms info, etc.

 

[lucienne78]

OK, so I think I'm going to focus on finding a WLV resale. I can always walk to the Contemporary from MK and take the boat back to WL to miss the craziness after the fireworks

And I'm also going to search for the WLV thread right now. Thanks everyone!

 

[wildernessDad]

VWL is a great resort with amazing architecture. It's a great resort.

 

[lucienne78]

To figure out which resort to buy, I would first look at your family's vacation habits and abilities.

The first question I would ask is whether you reliably have the ability to book vacations more than 7 months out routinely, and at exactly 11 months for peak-peak times. Many families can, but many other families -- due to work or family constraints -- can't. If you can't or won't routinely book early, home resort does not matter for that reason -- which is the primary reason people care where they buy.

If you CAN book 7-11 months in advance, I would consider how important (if at all) it is for you to be able to stay at a specific resort, or in a specific type of accommodation, at a particular time. For example, do you REALLY have to have MK view at BLT during Christmas? If the answers to those types of questions are yes, then you NEED to own at that resort.

If you can't book way early, or you don't really care so much where you stay, your home resort choice should probably revolve around economics -- NOT theming, location, or decor. If you're going to be booking mostly in the 7 month window when "points is points" then go for the lowest overall price you can get and book whereever you want with those cheap points. Lake View at BLT with $50 points and low dues is a beautiful thing compared to MK view with $140 points!

The caveat I would give with the above advice is to NOT consider any non-WDW resort unless you plan to use those points at those resorts. Not owning at WDW, you could get shut out during really busy times. If you own one of the WDW resorts, at least you have the 11 month window there. At seven months, you can try to switch, but if you fail you still have a reservation onsite.

Incidentally, if you look at the DVC Resources stickie at the top of the page, you'll see all the dues history, size of rooms info, etc.

We must have been posting at the same time. We're always pretty flexible. We definitely would book at the 11 month mark and if we decide to change resorts later, I'll try. If I can't get in somewhere else, it wouldn't bother me at all!! And I'm not picky about views either - I'm just happy to be WDW

 

[lucienne78]

VWL is a great resort with amazing architecture. It's a great resort.

I know, I've stayed at WL our last 4 trips (never stayed in the villas) I guess that is one reason why I was shocked at why the pricing for WLV are so inexpensive compared to some of the other DVC resorts.

 

[kimberh]

VWL was my first DVC purchase and my favorite. I am shocked to hear that it is the hardest to sell. I bought resale and had to submit four contracts before one was not ROFRed by Disney. I may need to look at them again if they are cheap right now. They sure were not when I bought.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We began our DVC adventure by trying to buy a VWL resale that was taken back by Disney. We've added on a few times there, usually through Disney, only once via resale. There are no GV's there if that's important to you.

 

[CMOORE185]

OK, so I think I'm going to focus on finding a WLV resale. I can always walk to the Contemporary from MK and take the boat back to WL to miss the craziness after the fireworks

And I'm also going to search for the WLV thread right now. Thanks everyone!

If it really is the hardest to sell make sure you plan on keeping it for the long haul. If it is the hardest to sell now it will be the hardest to sell later.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think hardest to sell (if correct - TTS has quite a few VWL listings but most of the other resellers do not) is a lot because most of the other 2042 end date resorts have previously adjusted to lower prices and have been more attractive recently. Only BCV has been consistently higher in the past year or so. From what I've seen in watching the resale market it ebbs and flows with supply and demand. 8-9 months ago I would guess that BWV was hard to sell but then sellers started dropping prices and now it's turned around.

 

[vassar36]

The annual dues for VWL are higher than BLT so if you are looking at overall cost year to year you should take that into consideration as well.

We personally LOVE VWL...and its our #1 place to stay, so that is why we bought there

It is a beautiful resort that is compact and relaxing. They have movies at night on the beach, you can see the water show at night and the lobby is amazing. You can also take the boat to FW or Contemporary or MK which is nice too. The villas lobby is nice and relaxing as well.

We stayed there both in the lodge and then on rented points at VWL before we bought, to make sure we liked it there.

This year we tried BCV b/c we heard so many good things about it, and while it was nice and the pool was great, we found ourselves missing the quaintness of the lodge and are looking forward to staying there next June.

 

[sleepydog25]

I will add my voice to the chorus and say that while one agent may say VWL is hardest to sell, the figures might not support that statement. Regardless, I doubt there is any single reason why VWL would be considered a "hard-to-sell" property. It does have a 2042 contract end date; its dues are fairly high (but all resorts are going to age and cost more in maintenance fees as the years go by); it is small and quaint (which I love); and it has no GVs. As another poster suggested, the ebb and flow of the market depends on many factors, so I wouldn't zero in on any one notion. Before I bought, however, I'd make certain that this is the resort you truly want to stay at come the 11-month point as the 7-month reservations are never guaranteed. If you do, if the price is right, and if you are fully aware of advantages and disadvantages to owning DVC, in general, and VWL, in particular, then go for it. Good luck as you move ahead!

 

[lucienne78]

If it really is the hardest to sell make sure you plan on keeping it for the long haul. If it is the hardest to sell now it will be the hardest to sell later.

I'm definitely planning on keeping it for the long haul.

 

[lucienne78]

I will add my voice to the chorus and say that while one agent may say VWL is hardest to sell, the figures might not support that statement. Regardless, I doubt there is any single reason why VWL would be considered a "hard-to-sell" property. It does have a 2042 contract end date; its dues are fairly high (but all resorts are going to age and cost more in maintenance fees as the years go by); it is small and quaint (which I love); and it has no GVs. As another poster suggested, the ebb and flow of the market depends on many factors, so I wouldn't zero in on any one notion. Before I bought, however, I'd make certain that this is the resort you truly want to stay at come the 11-month point as the 7-month reservations are never guaranteed. If you do, if the price is right, and if you are fully aware of advantages and disadvantages to owning DVC, in general, and VWL, in particular, then go for it. Good luck as you move ahead!

The agent did mention the WLV are one of the highest in dues but that doesn't bother me. I've been to Disney World at least 25 times (my 5 yr old has already been there 6x's and my 3 yr old has already been there 4x's). From all the resorts I've stayed at - which have been pretty much all of the deluxes and a few of the moderates, this is by far my all time favorite.

 

[gatorskin76]

A little biased because I own at VWL, although I have only stayed there for 3 nights so far and have owned for less than a year. I purchased last year and paid around $72/point. At the time it was a good deal because it was a loaded contract, but now not so much.

I have to imagine that if it is the hardest to sell then it would probably have to be the owner's perceived value as pointed out in an earlier post. Just like I believe BCV resale owners will realize unfortunately when it becomes more apparent that $80/point isn't the going rate any longer. I think the worry of ROFR is still artificially inflating those prices right now.

I have stayed at BLT, BCV, and VWL and if we didn't already own at VWL I wouldn't hesitate to buy a VWL resale at the current rates (I guess that is obvious since I purchased for more less than 12 months ago). We hadn't stayed at VWL when we purchased and hadn't even visited the resort. We had just completed a split stay at BCV and the Poly in July. We were there on Christmas Eve, which is probably about the best time to be there, but we really loved our 3 nights there and I am glad I purchased. The boats are just as easy as taking the boat from BCV to Hollywood Studios, and even though it was freezing cold we didn't mind the boat ride at all. As far as location it isn't as great as BLT obviously, but it is a different feeling resort and was really great.

I am in the process of adding a BWV add on through resale. That will allow me to have a MK area home resort and an Epcot area home resort.

 

[ToddyLu]

You also have folks like me who love the similarities between AKV, VWL and VGC. All themed differently but in true Disney style. So for us AKV is #1 then VWL would be #2. We had never set foot on AKV property. DH was set on it because of the animals. All I wanted was DVC. We were lucky and made the best decision for us-- you will too. My Dad loves VWL it is his favorite. I am so excited to be taking him there for dinner in October.