Selling DVC

[MILLZ]

look at the economy for one people living beyond there means. many people im sure made bad decisions to buy and now cant afford. dvc finance is pretty easy to get approved since they control everything someone stops paying they take points back. pretty easy to repo the points if you also handle ressies

 

[bonybroad]

We thought about selling to turn around and buy VWL, but the economic hit we would take is just not feasible right now.
But I do love me some Wilderness Lodge!!

 

[littlestar]

There could be numerous reasons on why people sell. Some of the reasons I've heard of through the years:

1. Divorce
2. Death
3. Job layoffs
4. Taking care of elderly parents (can no longer travel easily)
5. Travel interests have changed
6. Helping a family member financially
7. A favorite Disney hotel or offsite hotel/timeshare you like better
8. Sold one DVC resort to buy another
9. Poor health

We have downsized some of our DVC points over the last 2 years because of No. 7. But we still own DVC points - just not as many as we once did.

 

[Slakk]

Well we are selling one of our small contracts so we can buy more BLT points. I wanted to just buy 100 but hubby wants 150 and so we need to adjust contracts. We just put a 50 point BCV contract with TSS store - probably will sell quick and then I will feel comfortable adding BLT points.

 

[chorlick]

Our reason is not because we can't afford it. I just don't think it is all that is it cracked up to be. I've become very disappointed in it and think my money can be used elsewhere!

 

[mom2rb]

DH and I always had a magic number of points that we wanted to own ( 600 ). We had 420 at SSR split into 3 contracts ( 150, 150, 120 ). Then AKV came along. We made a deal, I would get 150 points at AKV and he would get 150 if they ever opened up a DVC at the Contemporary. So we sold the 120 point contract at SSR. DH got lucky, for 10 more points we got our name on the fountain so we bought 160.

 

[CarolA]

I have enjoyed my DVC, but the "trading" aspect is not near as easy as Disney would have you belive. While watching that show the other day where the family wanted to go to Italy I kept saying "GOOD LUCK" So while I will be keeping the majority of my points, some of them will soon go on the market to finance another timeshare purchase with better "trading" options. Probably Marriott!

 

[CarolA]

To be honest, I feel that your questioning why people get rid of DVC is not cool. I mean isn't it obvious that it is going to be a negative reason. It is nobody's business why they leave. It adds value to find out why people join but leaving is usually due to some tragedy and leave it alone.

Let's be thankful that we are owners. I love my dvc and can't wait to return.

There is no law that made anyone on this thread respond. And as people on here have shown lots of sell for reasons that clearly aren't "Due to some tragedy"

 

[Blahnde]

Well after ten years as members we found that while DVC is still the same as when we joined, Disney World is not. As the old saying goes, you can't fly with the eagles when your surrounded by turkeys. JMHO

I agree wholeheartedly with the above post, but I'm not so sure that even DVC is the same. The loss of Disney's sterling customer service reputation is a part of my growing unhappiness with Disney and DVC. This and the evolving "class" (or lack thereof!) within the ranks of WDW visitors has made the "Happiest Place on Earth" a little less joyful for me. And if I am not planning to go as often because it doesn't make me as happy as it used to, then I may not need so many points. I love Disney, but they really need to clean up their customer service act ... and stop appealing to the lowest common denominator with $49 rooms and free dining.

In addition to this, there are two main things that I have since learned that may cause me to sell at least one of my contracts. I did not understand the home resort concept or that it was possible to buy "sold out" resorts. I take personal responsibility for this and do not blame my guide, but it may lead me to selling at least one of my contracts.

The other thing I learned is that DVC villas are not what I consider luxury accomodations. If you are used to Concierge Level at The Grand Floridian (and we were!), only some of the DVC resorts come even close. Yes, the villas are larger than most Deluxe Resort rooms (especially the two bedrooms and grand villas) and they have kitchen/kitchenettes, washer/dryers, and whirlpool tubs. But with limited maid service, towels, and toiletries; little in the way of on-site ammenities at large, spread-out complexes; and generally no room service, DVC resorts lose some of their luxury status. I know it is a trade-off, but it was not one that I fully appreciated when I first purchased and this realization has caused me to consider selling at least some of my contracts.

I'm not fully divesting, but instead of giving you the party line "buy where you want to stay," I would tell you to do your research and understand to the best of your ability all aspects of your potential purchase. Be clear about what kind of accomodations are truly available at your home resort choice, and whether you will be able to get the reservations you anticipate wanting with your purchase. Make sure that you purchase enough points to stay in the room size you need where and when you want to stay. Know your own trip planning preferences; if you are not a planner, DVC may just not be a good fit for you. Understand that each resort has specific occupancies, services, ammenities, maintenance fees, room sizes, and booking categories. For example, did you know BCV does not have grand villas? Did you know all the two bedrooms in AKV-Jambo are lock-offs? Neither of these things really matters to me, but they may matter to you, and there are plenty more distinctions between resorts that may matter to you and your family. And, finally, make sure you can financially afford your purchase now and in the future.

Blahnde

 

[WolfpackFan]

Maybe I'm just easy to please - but I haven't observed the complaints people have posted in this thread. We're every bit as happy with our DVC membership (and WDW for that matter) now as we were when we bought our first points. Having said that, I have considered selling our VWL contract but only because I would like to turn around and replace VWL with HHI. As it is now, I plan on using our VWL points to stay every other year at HHI, so we can stay longer each year in a 1BR. If it gets to be a problem getting 7 month ressies at HHI, we may turn around and sell VWL then.

I was telling DW this morning - I sure wish we were about 30 years younger and buying our first contract, I would really love to have BLT as our main contract. I think it would be so neat being close to the monorail.

 

[sgtpet]

Some of the best advice from the owners on these DVC boards is the advice on buying where you want to stay. Sorry that hasn't worked out for you. I also have noticed the dwindling magic at WDW and at the DVC.

With so many DVC's it will become impossible to get the smaller DVC's at the 7 month window.

 

[KristinU]

To be honest, I feel that your questioning why people get rid of DVC is not cool. I mean isn't it obvious that it is going to be a negative reason. It is nobody's business why they leave. It adds value to find out why people join but leaving is usually due to some tragedy and leave it alone.

Let's be thankful that we are owners. I love my dvc and can't wait to return.

I think its a very valid and interesting question...and as I stated in my response, ours was not some sort of tragedy or fainancial hardship. Simply a cold hard analysis of where our "invested" money and our dues payments would serve us best coupled with a bigger desire to travel more while camping. And, true, that "Disney Decline" that others have mentioned did make the conversations and analysis come up to begin with. And no offense to the memebers who own SSR and newer - but really, we absolutely saw a decline in our ability to book at our home resort within the 7 month window (we owned at BWV). So, no more taking advantage of good airfare deals or tacking onto business trips if we wanted to stay at our home resort . We really like the Epcot area resort locations, which is why we bought BWV in the first place. Now for the most part, unless you book at your 11 month window you're out of luck at most of the smaller resorts.

 

[cigarboo]

And no offense to the memebers who own SSR and newer - but really, we absolutely saw a decline in our ability to book at our home resort within the 7 month window (we owned at BWV). So, no more taking advantage of good airfare deals or tacking onto business trips if we wanted to stay at our home resort . We really like the Epcot area resort locations, which is why we bought BWV in the first place. Now for the most part, unless you book at your 11 month window you're out of luck at most of the smaller resorts.

This is the exact concern of mine when I think of buying into BLT as a new member. I've held off buying in for several years now, waiting for BLT and it's finally here. I LOVE the MK resort area and it's the only place I want to stay onsite. Have heard great things about the Epcot area also. But in a nutshell, it may be near impossible making reservations at your own resort once the 7 month mark rolls around. So having to book right at 11 to 8 months out everytime may make this product a bit inflexible. Sometimes planning so far ahead is not always doable. In this case, I'm wondering if I'm just better off booking rooms through CRO as needed. After waiting all these years for a DVC on the monorail, maybe it's not such a good fit for me afterall.

 

[sgtpet]

I think its a very valid and interesting question...and as I stated in my response, ours was not some sort of tragedy or fainancial hardship. Simply a cold hard analysis of where our "invested" money and our dues payments would serve us best coupled with a bigger desire to travel more while camping. And, true, that "Disney Decline" that others have mentioned did make the conversations and analysis come up to begin with. And no offense to the memebers who own SSR and newer - but really, we absolutely saw a decline in our ability to book at our home resort within the 7 month window (we owned at BWV). So, no more taking advantage of good airfare deals or tacking onto business trips if we wanted to stay at our home resort . We really like the Epcot area resort locations, which is why we bought BWV in the first place. Now for the most part, unless you book at your 11 month window you're out of luck at most of the smaller resorts.

Great point about the 11 month and 7 month situations. The more DVC's the worse it gets. You mention airfare deals? I don't see those anymore. I remember I got airfare from Newark to Orlando on Continental for $168 with tax for a flight last May. I don't think that will happen in the near future.

 

[thelionqueen]

I think there are many reasons people sell their DVC, all valid and specific for personal reasons.

For us, not withstanding some financial disaster in our future (knock on wood) we will keep our contract until the bitter end.

I have visited a Disney park absolutely every year I've been alive, as have my children. I have Disney in my blood, and it just keeps getting more magical every visit. I can say with absolute certainty that the Disney vacation will be a part of our lives forever which is why DVC is a perfect fit for us. I knew it was for us the second I went on my first tour over 8 years ago.

That said, I can easily see how some would tire of WDW visits, which brings the other destinations into play; great options with DVC. We personally will use our DVC 90% of the time for WDW, DL, DCL or othe Disney vacations. But having the option of other destinations is fantastic too.

Different strokes for different folks, just my .02

 

[JimC]

We sold some BCV points to re-balance our portfolio before we moved to Florida. We sold our Marriott Aruba Ocean Club at a profit after we moved to Florida. We no longer needed a winter beach holiday resort and we were concerned about the cost and hassle to get to the island.

Interestingly, I expected we would sell most of our DVC points after we moved to Orlando in 2006. Instead we added on at AKV.

 

[CarolynK]

We haven't sold points (we have 760), but we are traveling much less to WDW than we did when we bought in (1999 at Boardwalk). We are operating in the black vs. red: up until a couple of years ago, we always had to borrow. While I do think that WDW has changed, I think that WE have changed more. Our style of vacationing has changed. We want MORE. If we pay more than the average person (vs. someone staying at Pop) we feel that warrants more for our money.
We ARE willing to pay more to get more. I don't like the "everyone is equal once you are in the parks" mentality. I am paying more and I expect more, bottom line.
My husband gets 5 weeks of vacation a year, and all of those weeks USED TO be at WDW. Not anymore. We are branching out--because WE are changing. Our kids are getting older (13 & 11) and we CAN do Europe, or Boston, or New York...without them complaining.
We are, also, looking at buying another timeshare in addition to DVC. We still do love WDW, though. We have two trips planned.

 

[CarolA]

We ARE willing to pay more to get more. I don't like the "everyone is equal once you are in the parks" mentality. I am paying more and I expect more, bottom line.
.

But how do you KNOW you are paying more? Are you doing surveys in the parks? Or are you doing the "I spent thousands" assumption.

A person paying rack rate for a two week vacation every year at Disney Deluxe is probably over the same period of time spending MORE then you are.

A person spending five weeks at a Deluxe (and there are folks out there) and paying even CLOSE to rack rate is paying more then you are.

GF rooms run around $400 a night. In just two or three years of two weeks a stay the guest has spent the intial buy in on DVC. Add Concerige and/or longer stay and they are well over the buy in.

So you aren't really "special" because you bought DVC. In truth since you may be paying less using your model you might get less?

 

[CarolynK]

But how do you KNOW you are paying more? Are you doing surveys in the parks? Or are you doing the "I spent thousands" assumption.

A person paying rack rate for a two week vacation every year at Disney Deluxe is probably over the same period of time spending MORE then you are.

A person spending five weeks at a Deluxe (and there are folks out there) and paying even CLOSE to rack rate is paying more then you are.

GF rooms run around $400 a night. In just two or three years of two weeks a stay the guest has spent the intial buy in on DVC. Add Concerige and/or longer stay and they are well over the buy in.

So you aren't really "special" because you bought DVC. In truth since you may be paying less using your model you might get less?

When I respond to someone, I try not to be rude. I also try not to play Devil's Advocate. No one appreciates that. Also, I never said I was "special." Those are your words.

And, BTW, those people who pay rack rate, those people who stay concierge, should expect to get what they pay for.

 

[ckg]

I know what you mean. When I first started dreaming of DVC, there were so many benefits to it and my children were younger also. But while I've been waiting for my perfect DVC, one on the monorail, I've noticed over the years the declining reasons for me to actually buy. So far I'm still finding enough reasons to get into BLT because I LOVE the location, but my needs have actually changed a bit. My kids are a little bit older and we've had great vacations both on and off site. Now with this economy and Disney offering huge discounts, free dining, etc. I wonder if maybe just renting rooms like we've been doing would be a better deal for now. No commitment, no advance planning required, no skyrocketting MFs. Not to say it's not magical anymore. Just have to pause and think first. Disney is still my favorite, but not by as much as it used to be.

I can certainly see what this person is saying. I actually just added on not long ago. I have little kids 5,2 and one on the way. As little people, I am sure they will enjoy it and we live local so it is an easy "getaway" but long term I am not sure I will keep the product. The pricing though (I think) is still pretty attractive versus other timeshares I would consider (Starwood, Marriot). The one thing I hope is that they add more locations that are not only at the Disney World or Disney California as DVC sucks for trading out through II (we are allowed totally lousy/cheap places to trade our DVC week for.) If they do not do that probably in about 10 years or so we will consider something else for more variety. With that being said I know it most profitable for DVC to continue to lease from WDW and such so I doubt they will go off site ... maybe though if they took on Disney Paris or Hong Kong or something that would be interesting.