VWL or AKV?

[rthutchens]

We are just about to buy DVC. I have looked at all of the angles and I believe it is right for us. My last question is to buy resale VWL or thru Disney for AKV? I know some of you guys own at both locations and that might be a possibility down the road, but its not for us right now. I love the themeing and newness of AKV, but don't care for the location.

My favorite resort is WL, so, I'm sure I would love VWL. I know it is probably the smallest of the DVC resorts, so, does it make more sense to have that as my home resort. We typically want to travel in May and December. We are flexible with travel, so, do you think we can still get VWL at 7 months? I have seen pics of VWL and I am not that impressed with the furnishings compared to AKV. It sounds bad, but we just love our flat panel tvs. Do you know if they will be replacing those in the villas? I know at WL they have been upgraded.

I have seen a resale contract for VWL that is attractive, but I also like the deal they are currently running on AKV. Decisions, decisions...I'm just ready to buy and start booking.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[wildernessDad]

We are just about to buy DVC. I have looked at all of the angles and I believe it is right for us. My last question is to buy resale VWL or thru Disney for AKV? I know some of you guys own at both locations and that might be a possibility down the road, but its not for us right now. I love the themeing and newness of AKV, but don't care for the location.

My favorite resort is WL, so, I'm sure I would love VWL. I know it is probably the smallest of the DVC resorts, so, does it make more sense to have that as my home resort. We typically want to travel in May and December. We are flexible with travel, so, do you think we can still get VWL at 7 months? I have seen pics of VWL and I am not that impressed with the furnishings compared to AKV. It sounds bad, but we just love our flat panel tvs. Do you know if they will be replacing those in the villas? I know at WL they have been upgraded.

I have seen a resale contract for VWL that is attractive, but I also like the deal they are currently running on AKV. Decisions, decisions...I'm just ready to buy and start booking.

Thanks for your opinions.

You can purchase VWL through Disney if you wanted. It will cost more through Disney, but there will be less hassles. You'd also have to purchase the 160-point minimum through Disney.

No word if or when the tvs will be replaced in VWL.

Personally, I like the decor. It's rustic, matching the architecture, I think.

If you wish to vacation in December, it will be very hard to get VWL then unless you own there. Impossible? No. But VERY hard to do. You'd have to be lucky. Desiring to stay in a 1-bedroom might help some.

The bus service at AKV is great. The ride is a little long after a hard day out and about.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

been there done that over and over the past month or so.

I ended up going with a resale of VWL. I have a toddler and MK seems to be the best place for him right now where we will be spending the most time. I love the idea of being able to keep him in his stroller on the boat to/fro MK.

I'm sure in a few years he will get a kick out of the animals at AK but that is a bigger resort so the chances of getting in there in 7 months seems greater. I also swear I will take him out of school until HS if I have to, that is if I still own it.

As for resale co or DIsney I could not justify paying 101 pt for VWL through them when AK was only 96...

I am still hemming and hawing but I am waiting for ROFR again for a contract if this one doesn't go through I am probably going to go AK only because that will be 3 contracts that Disney exercised their right.

GOOD LUCK with your decision

 

[ZekeKelso]

I wouldn't worry about which resort you like better, but what contract you like better.

It's going to be a easier to stay in a "normal" AKV room with VWL points than to stay in VWL with AKV points. Especially in December. But if you want value or concierge rooms at AKV, it's probably better to go that way.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We just went thru this as well and decided on VWL - we are scheduled to close on May 12th. Lots of factors played into the decision. Location, price and size of the resorts played the largest role.

Bus service from AKL is great but we like having the boat option to get to MK from VWL and also to go direct to the CR and FW. The price thru resale was less, even after closing costs and we found a contract that still provided us a "free" year of points with what we think is the perfect UY for our travel habits. Also, the fact that AKV will be the 3rd largest resort leads me to believe it will be easier for us to book there at 7 months than it would be at VWL with AKL points. We too are completely flexibile on travel dates but I'd like to have a little more of the decision on when to travel on my side, rather than just upon availability, and this will include December travel.

I understand about the decor - AKV looks beautiful. I expect that VWL will eventually get the flat panels like at WL. It's amazing how that made such a difference in the size/feel of the room. We also like the quiet location of VWL but that we also feel like we're right in the middle of it with all the activities that happen in and around the MK.

We will likely do a small add on at AKV if we decide we need more points and then we'll get additional booking options but we decided to buy initially at the location we really like and think it will be the more difficult to book at.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[Dawn16]

I agree with the others even though I own at AKV. VWL is so much smaller so you'd want the 11 month advantage to book there. We're currently waitlisted for a short stay in October, as a matter of fact, and I called right at 7 months. Don't get me wrong, I love AKV and am glad to have purchased there. But if you want to stay at both, I'd suggest buying in at the smaller one. And maybe down the road you can add on at AKV as we plan to with VWL.

 

[thumpermom]

We just made that exact decision two weeks ago! We LOVE Wilderness Lodge and knew that’s where we would want to be when it came time to buy DVC, but the “deal” for AKV was very tempting.

In the end, we went with VWL through Disney (a few more $, but less hassle) and I couldn’t be happier. Although I think the villas at AK are BEAUTIFUL, I enjoy the décor at VWL too. My husband could not get past the remoteness of AKV from most of the parks, even though everyone raves about the transportation. We love the WL's “non-bus” option to MK, CR and FW. We often visit the monorail resorts after we leave the parks, and enjoy the short boat trip back.

Good luck with your decision. You really can’t make a bad choice.

 

[rthutchens]

Thanks for everyone's responses. If you buy through resale, who pays commission and closing costs? Approx. how much do each of those cost?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for everyone's responses. If you buy through resale, who pays commission and closing costs? Approx. how much do each of those cost?

In our case the seller is paying commission and we're paying closing costs. From what I hear commission can be somewhere around 10% of the sales price so it will depend on the number of points. Closing also varies based on the points but ours was around 3%. That could be negotiated with the seller as well as to who pays, but from what I've seen most people think Disney looks closer at ROFRing contracts where the seller is going to cover all those costs since Disney wouldn't have to pick that up.

 

[rthutchens]

Do the resale companies offer financing? If so what is the percentage rate and how much of a down payment is required?

 

[hellerjw]

I too was torn between VWL and AKV. We love the theming at both very much. We ended up going with AKV for the longer contract, incentives,etc. I actually like the remoteness of it (gives you the whole feel of being secluded in Africa) and suspect the next push for anything major (new theme park, Downtown Disney 2, etc) will be on that side of the property so in time it may not be so remote after all.

I also think that if and when KT ever becomes reality that it will relieve some of the pressure on booking VWL as it will no longer be the only resort near the MK. The boat is great, but the monorail will be a big draw for a lot of people.

I do think if we ever do a second resort add-on it will be at VWL.

 

[fourkidsphoto]

Do the resale companies offer financing? If so what is the percentage rate and how much of a down payment is required?

The interest rate is higher through a timeshare loan company. We paid most with cash and financed the remainder with our HELOC. Good luck. We were also in the same situation but went with VWL because we have so many memories at that resort.

 

[ZekeKelso]

Do the resale companies offer financing? If so what is the percentage rate and how much of a down payment is required?

If you can get a home equity loan rather than a loan through a timeshare broker, the rate should be lower, and you have a better chance at the having the interest be deductable.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd have VWL as my home resort because I don't particularly care for the AKL or V's. Never liked that whole African thing. VWL is smaller and will be tougher to get in to, so you are probably better of having the 11 month advantage there.

We bought an OKW resale through The Timeshare store. Had a great experience. We paid cash, so didn't have a financing issue.

I have known people who have put it on Disney VISA to get the Rewards points and then the next month paid off the Disney VISA using a home equity loan or line of credit to get the tax benefits. That seemed like the wisest course of action to me as far as payment was concerned.

 

[debbiepump]

Buy where you want to stay! The advantage of being able to book at 11 month period is great, if at, 7months, you think you might want to stay at the other property, try to change your ressies then. That way, you do have options.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, buy where you wouldn't mind staying if you couldn't change your reservation at 7 months out. If you think VWL will be your favorite, by all means, you need to purchase there. Especially if you want to stay there for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

 

[keishashadow]

If just looking @ a resale, why not buy a smaller contract @ WLV & add on @ AKV?

Depending on your expected usage & banking borrowing; you could have the 11 month window @ both resorts

While i'm waiting for CRV, AKV value rates are very enticing ; thinking it may be hard to resist adding on after our stay in Oct