Sell old DVC to buy new?

[vbalacek]

I've always agreed with the opinion "buy where you want to stay", and did that when we initially bought VWL. We've stayed there for the past 4 years and have loved it, but we're thinking about a change. I'm stuggling with what I should do now that AK is opening. Its always been my favorite resort, and I definately would like some vacations there. The way its described, it seems like it will a destination unto itself, even if we don't make it to the parks.

So we've been discussing selling our VWL, and buying AK instead. My husband is all for it, but I'm having second thoughts. Even though we should break out about even (hopefully after commissions to sell) on our VWL, the difference to buy AKL would be about $4,000. I also would like to believe even if we don't own at AKL, we'd be able to book occassionally at the 7 month window.

He thinks we'd need 11 month priority to book at AK for at least a few years, and it'd be nice to use the resort in those early years. (Conversely he thinks we'd be able to continue getting VWL at 7 months if we wanted to stay there again.) Plus, he likes the idea of extra years at the end (even though we'll be older at that point, our kids would hopefully enjoy them). Finally, he thinks AK will hold its value better as DVC cotinues to expand; the older DVCs may decrease in value going forward, so we should sell now while we can somewhat break even.

Has anyone else out there sold what you had, to buy where you now want to stay?

 

[Liisa]

We bought a new contract (we wanted more points than our current contract had). We had every intention of selling the old contract. When push came to shove, I wanted ALL the points - we ended up keeping both. So I'm not much help. I will say that we have never actually stayed in either of our home resorts and have never had any difficulty staying in the resorts we wanted to stay at (of course, we tend to travel in the slowest seasons)...

 

[vbalacek]

Please DO NOT TEMPT ME!!!!

I already convinced myself I needed a 100 point add-on at the BC last fall. I need to cut addonittis off. I've vowed if I do buy AK I need to sell VWL....really....

 

[lisaviolet]

We did. And have never regretted it. Financially, not smart. And opposite to you....losing years on contract and money. But still never regretted it. We had two contracts and sold one to buy at BWV. Wanted to have at least some points there to "guarantee" a one bedroom, in every season of choice, every two years. Dream come true for us!

However, have you considered the MFs at AKV in the decision? I'm not sure how large your initial contract is but what about selling and buying a small AKL and buying the rest back at WL. What are the financial implications there? Or keeping your VWL and buying a small contract at AKL on top of everything? Which would be fabulous if you could afford that or wanted an extra 50 points. So many options. EDIT: typing at the same time OP as post #3....didn't realize I"m tempting you too to change a solid decision!!!! Bad me.

Anyways, we are so happy with our decision. And were advised not to by many. All the best to you,

Lisa

 

[lisaviolet]

I would think that snagging VWL is going to become more and more difficult as time goes by. I'm not sure about your husband's thoughts on that.

I"m sure he's right about sometimes at 7 months. But I really wouldn't want to deal with that if you still loved it there.

OT: I'm going to VWL in 6 days for my 40th!!! I'm so thrilled. Now I only have VB to get to.....

 

[Dean]

I think it depends on your situation. For most the reasonable reasons to do this would be if you truly had to have the the 11 month window for concierge or value rooms, if you truly expected the additional length of contract to make a difference or if you wanted to downsize. Otherwise one should be successful enough to get AKV most of the time if you plan and are willing to do day by day plus the wait list.

 

[Granny]

So we've been discussing selling our VWL, and buying AK instead. My husband is all for it, but I'm having second thoughts. Even though we should break out about even (hopefully after commissions to sell) on our VWL, the difference to buy AKL would be about $4,000. I also would like to believe even if we don't own at AKL, we'd be able to book occassionally at the 7 month window.

He thinks we'd need 11 month priority to book at AK for at least a few years, and it'd be nice to use the resort in those early years. (Conversely he thinks we'd be able to continue getting VWL at 7 months if we wanted to stay there again.) Plus, he likes the idea of extra years at the end (even though we'll be older at that point, our kids would hopefully enjoy them). Finally, he thinks AK will hold its value better as DVC cotinues to expand; the older DVCs may decrease in value going forward, so we should sell now while we can somewhat break even.

Has anyone else out there sold what you had, to buy where you now want to stay?

If I were younger, I would consider "flipping" my DVC contracts and selling one with 35 years left for a new 50 year contract. But at my age, those 35 years should cover me easily for the remainder of my life.

I too could sell my VWL and BWV contracts and more than recoup my costs. But I don't agree that VWL or BWV SV will always be easy to get at 7 months...at many times of the year they are difficult now without home booking resort advantage.

Since I don't care about my DVC contracts "holding their value", the benefits of selling and buying new don't work for me. But I could see for many, many people how it could. And if AKL is your favorite resort, this could be an easy decision.

 

[lisaviolet]

I do think he, you, are right about AKV value with the later years. And the good timing on selling VWL.

So if you really can deal with giving up VWL I would say go for it!

But if there is any part of you that just can't see giving up VWL....don't. Do the split buy after selling. Or even better that evil, tempting AKV add-on!

 

[CarolMN]

My advice would be to wait and see how hard it is to book AKL at 7 months for the times you want to travel. I'd wait until at least 2009 when the Kidani Building opens. Eveyone who thinkgs it will be hard to book at 7 months or easy to book at 7 months is just speculating - no one knows for sure!

If you need the 11 month window before then, I'd look for an AKL owner who wants to stay at VWL - surely there are some who would be thrillled to lock in VWL for the Holiday season and happy to book AKL for you!

 

[blossomz]

We bought a new contract (we wanted more points than our current contract had). We had every intention of selling the old contract. When push came to shove, I wanted ALL the points - we ended up keeping both. So I'm not much help. I will say that we have never actually stayed in either of our home resorts and have never had any difficulty staying in the resorts we wanted to stay at (of course, we tend to travel in the slowest seasons)...

Guilty here too! I was going to sell our BCV points for VWL points and guess what...bought and kept!! I'm of the belief you can never have too many points!

 

[disneynutz]

It's hard not to keep both. If only money would fall from the sky.

 

[JimC]

I think VWL will generally be the more difficult resort of the two to book at 7 months due to its small size and popularity. However, certain AKV rooms may also be difficult (value & concierge - particularly at peak times). Maybe wait and see is the best way to go.

As for us, we bought AKV and may sell an MVCI contract or two. But those sales are is as much a reconfiguration based on our move last year from PA to Orlando as anything.

 

[eaglerock]

I am looking to buy my 1st contract and can't decide between BCV & VWL. I have stayed at VWL and loved it. I have not stayed at BCV but I have 2 kids (5 & 9) and so many people say they love Beach Club for the pool and its closeness to Epcot.

I loved taking the boat to the Magic Kingdom and also watching the fireworks from the shuttle boat.

When I go to DW I want to stay at a small resort where I can easily walk to the pool and other amenities. I want to have my points where I want to stay.

I see Blossomz got points at both.



I loved to hear some of your thoughts regarding VWL versus Beach Club Villas since many of you have stayed at both.

Thanks,

EagleRock

Guilty here too! I was going to sell our BCV points for VWL points and guess what...bought and kept!! I'm of the belief you can never have too many points!

 

[DizneyNutz]

We originally bought at SSR---mistake for us, SSR is GREAT, but we are VWL lovers at heart---my advice would be to try it out (getting a room at the 7 mth window is harder at certain times of the year, December for one) and then decide. If nothing else, there will be resales available, and you'll be able to buy in whenever you want, you may lose the Disney incentives that are going on right now, but I would NEVER sell VWL w/o trying out AKL first---while I am sure there are some perks, newer, theme looks awesome, rooms slightly bigger, etc., I'd still want to try it out before making such a change, especially since you love VWL. Good luck.

 

[tvwalsh]

You bet I will be selling off my 50 HH points and at least 50 of my VB points to help me buy at least 100 of the probable new Contemporary Resort Villas!
(When and if)

I am sure some other DVC members feel as strongly about the new AKV as I do about the CRV.

The Contemporary resort with its beautiful lake and MK views, and monorail running through it, and retro-modern design that makes me dream of the flying cars that never were, and the proposed modern "skyscraper" (15 stories), and a walkway to the MK, and my membership reset to about 50 years from 2010, and, and, and, it leaves me breathless.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are aging DVCers, and we have thought of that scenario also. IT seems to make sense to us to "flip" our 35 remaining years for a contract with 50 remaining years just so the resale will hold if and when we no longer see ourselves vacationing at WDW.

In our case, it is unlikely that either of our grown children will be able to afford the maintenance by the time it comes to that. We figure we have about 5-10 years before the resale value of the original DVCs drops because of the time left on the contract. By selling and re-investing in a "newer" property, we might be able to hold value a bit better.

 

[mattnday]

We curently have 390 points. 240 at vero and 150 at Saratoga. Honestly, we are not enthralled with either resort but it doesn't really matter as we feel like we got great deals a both. We live in California and so far the 7 month window has not bugged us. We know we can always rent if we absolutely have to have an 11 month reservation at a different resort.

With that being said we are in the same boat as several of you. If and when the June 12th announcement for DVC at the Grand Californian comes true we will be buying points there and there will have to be a trade in of some sort. Knowing we bought in to vero at $50 per point we will come out ahead on that one. However, we also realize it will not be anywhere close to a straight trade giving up VERO for California DVC. Do we downsize? Do we pay more? Do we sell both and get 1 300 point membership? Why does this always have to be so hard?

 

[Disney Kim]

Grand Californian??
Is that really going to happen??

 

[Anthony1971]

From a purely investment standpoint (which DVC is not) it would make more sense to sell VWL and by AKV as at some point the shorter contracts will drop and I being conservative would do this now as I am willing to and I know VWL is still at a high price.
From the stand point of what DVC is... If you like to vacation at a particuliar resort and will not be happy if you are not at one of them which it sounds like you are with a BCV add on then I would keep VWL as logically this would be a harder resort to get as DVC grows considering it size but people might decide they hate this resort .
I am happy staying at any DVC resort on disney property. When AK became available I was all for buying an add on... when it came down to it I added on at my home resort as I felt it would be difficult for me to manage and utilize a small contract and a large contract at different resorts. I also vaction during the off season and as of right now it is easy to get any resort I want but I choose to stay at "Condo" style ones as I like them.... now you know my vacation habits......

 

[Simba's Mom]

We did. And have never regretted it. Financially, not smart. And opposite to you....losing years on contract and money. But still never regretted it. We had two contracts and sold one to buy at BWV. Wanted to have at least some points there to "guarantee" a one bedroom, in every season of choice, every two years. Dream come true for us!

I'm so glad to see we're not the only ones who have done this. DH, especially, REALLY wanted to be an OKW owner, and although, like you say, it may not have been the smartest move financially, we've never regretted our decision. Although we sold our old points once we bought, we bought a 210 point contract, and sold 175, so it wasn't too bad. But now DH says it will be a few more years, until we get to retirement, before we can add on again.