Why didn't VB sell better?

[Dean]

Originally posted by brucec32
Actually, a VB timeshare purchase is probably much less expensive than a non-Disney timeshare purchase. Why? RESALE VALUE. Many regular timeshares drop precipitously in value after purchase. Disney ones have held somewhat steady or even risen in value. They also are much more marketable since you can always "rent" your points out for others to stay at the other DVC resorts at WDW. People will pay cash for that. They won't even know about some timeshare on the beach in many cases.

Remember, total cost is calcualated long term, not solely on initial purchase price. I can buy a $15,000 Kia or a $15,000 used Mercedes. Which one will be worth more in 5 years?

So though VB wouldn't be my first choice for a DVC membership home resort, I think it's certainly better than the majority of timeshares out there in terms of value. A local consumer talk radio show here routinely gets calls from timeshare owners who CAN'T GIVE THEM AWAY. The Disney name attached, combined with the flexibility of the points system, makes even the VB a good value. By a VB timeshare and you're really buying time at any Disney resort and hundreds of others too.

Bruce I would have to disagree with you in one aspect. It may be true that DVC will hold it's value as good as most timeshares purchased from the developer, it's not necessarily true if looking at resale. I've bought some 10 timeshares over the last few years. I've sold (or in the process of selling) four for as much of more than I paid. All but one of the sales I doubled my money on and the other I made a little and had some great trades. The ones I have remaining are 3 DVC contracts (two less than $50 pp and BWV for $54 pp), 2 Grande Ocean weeks that I have standing offers for 25% more than I paid and points for a MX resort that I also have a standing offer for more than I paid. All would still be getting a great deal if I decided to part with my remaining items.

The point being that it depends on how much you give, the property, your situation, how you will use it, your flexibility, etc. There are some good timeshares available for pennies on the dollar compared to the original cost. Some are worth it, others are not. If you want Orlando cheap you can buy a South Africa week for less than $1000 and yearly fees of $120 and get a good place every year.

 

[CarolA]

I have to say that I love HH, but I probably won't ever stay for more than a day or two at the DVC resort. I want to WALK to the beach in a few minutes. You cannot do that at the HH DVC. For the same money I could buy a good resale timeshare in one of the other plantations that might not be ON the beach, but would be closer! To me Disney's location there is not good.
As for Vero Beach, I went there before Disney came in and as I recall it was what we refered to as a snowbird community. Maybe later......

 

[PamOKW]

As for Vero Beach, I went there before Disney came in and as I recall it was what we refered to as a snowbird community. Maybe later......

While that is an apt description of Vero (although that has changed a bit in the last few years), the Disney resort itself is a self-contained experience. If you enjoy the Vero area (I do) you have the option of exploring the area. If you have children and want more kid-friendly activities, Disney provides them. The resort also provides a great atmosphere adults without kids. You might want to give it a try.

 

[lisareniff]

Personally, we would not have chosen DVC without HH and VB. We were much happier with a plan that allow us to not be ALL WDW ALL the time. They might not be the best resort (locations) in each market, but with the flexibility in the point system, we were sold.

BUT..... our home resort is BCV!!

ttfn
Lisa

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by lisareniff
Personally, we would not have chosen DVC without HH and VB. We were much happier with a plan that allow us to not be ALL WDW ALL the time. They might not be the best resort (locations) in each market, but with the flexibility in the point system, we were sold.

BUT..... our home resort is BCV!!

ttfn
Lisa

And this is part of the problem with both resorts. Many if not most people, including those who own points at non WDW resorts, look at them as a part time option. Very few people buy HH or VB simply to stay at those resorts and not go to WDW at all. Face it, without WDW, VB and HH are simply very nice timeshares, no more and no less. And both are in markets with other resorts that are as good or possibly even better taken on their own merits.

 

[kel3420]

When my family vacations, we go to Disney one year and then do a beach vacation the next. For us, Vero Beach was a perfect fit. Since we bought into DVC, we get the best of both worlds, we do Disney for five days or so, and then Vero for five days.

I am also from Chicago, and the majority of people I know who go to Florida, go for the beaches, and not Disney. Very few people can understand how we can go there so often, as they feel they are lucky to take their families once or twice in a lifetime.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Very few people buy HH or VB simply to stay at those resorts and not go to WDW at all.

Agreed. We bought to use the advantage of both, and the attraction for Vero is the ability to use those points at onsite WDW DVC and non-DVC resorts.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
Agreed. We bought to use the advantage of both, and the attraction for Vero is the ability to use those points at onsite WDW DVC and non-DVC resorts.

We bought in at VB initially with the idea that we'd not being doing the World every year and having a nice beach place to visit and to be able to trade out occasionally to go somewhere else.

Doesn't appear that's going to happen...we keep adding friends to our unofficial list of people who we have to take to WDW.

We did spend Christmas week at VB year before last. I think when wifey-poo gets 3 weeks of vacation again, we'd be looking at doing this just about every year...Christmas is such much better without all of the normal holiday running around and swimming outdoors on Christmas day is just something this northern boy just finds absolutely fascinating.

So, it looks like we'll be doing an OKW add-on in a few years to keep our points available for both a relaxing Christmas and a kick-butt WDW holiday.

-Joe

 

[vernon]

I love both VB and HH, they are great resorts. BUT !!! If you look at similar products ( as beach resorts) they are a little pricey. The advantage is that you have the option of using the points for a WDW vacaion. But puting a $ value on that advantage is difficult to do. Many "points systems" like Mariotte or Hilton offer similar advantages ( although not being on site) for a lower cost. Therefore DVC when off WDW is not as an attractive (financial) proposition as one that is on WDW. It doesn't make VB or HH a "lesser" offering, but it does make it harder to equate the value.

IMHO Disney thought they would sell both "off WDW" resorts off the back of Disney "quality" but didn't account for a slow down in the market or punters becoming a little more knowledgeable about the market. They have sold ( and they are fine products) but maybe not at the rate that Disney expected.

 

[genmasjoy]

I already live in Florida and the beach is 6 miles away from my house. I think the VB resort is nice but about all it has to offer is the beach which is not really anything special for me. I love going to WDW and we enjoy our ownership interest at OKW, although sometimes we switch to the Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

If I only lived 6 miles from the beach in Florida, Vero wouldn't be that exciting for me either, but we don't have many beaches here in Ohio, and the ones we do have aren't especially fun in the winter months. At peak times, like Christmas and Spring Break, it is nice not to have to deal with the WDW crowds and get away from that Ohio weather. Christmas is still a gamble, Florida can be cool.

Nice to here from the Vero supporters.