Wilderness Lodge Quandry

[gatorgirl02]

Hi Friends,

So perhaps someone could shed some light on the Villas at Wilderness Lodge quandry. Is this resort like the red-headed step child of the DVC on-site resorts or something. It appears that very few people talk about or own VWL on the boards. There is also a significantly lower proportion of VWL listings than other not-actively selling, on-site resorts. Is this the best kept secret that no one wants to part with or did they just not sell a lot of the resort? Is there some reason I should avoid this resort that I hadn't heard about?

Also, while VWL listings are minimal, it seems 50 pt or less contracts come up only a few times a year. Was DVC so successful at only selling 150 point+ contracts or is there something else screwy here?

TIA for your help!

 

[drusba]

This explains it:

VWL - 20 Dedicated Studios - 27 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 44 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 45 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 136 Units / 181 Max. Available Rooms

It is, by a significant margin, the smallest DVC resort. BCV, the next smallest has 282 maximum possible rooms, BWV has 532 possible, BLT 428, AKV 708, OKW 761, and SSR 1320. There are in fact many from VWL that contribute on these boards and many threads on it, see, e.g., the currently active long thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2907923, but you are going to often see a significantly lower number of resales for it in comparison to other DVC resorts simply because there are far fewer possible sellers.

As to the low point contracts, such as 50, those usually go fast in resale even when they come up for sale -- often the brokers have a waiting list for them and thus you never even see them published for sale. Those contracts exist only because members added on at the resort. When VWL was sold back in the early 2000s, a new buyer was required to buy a minimum of 160 points. In fact, until about 2008, there was always a minimum of at least 150 at any of the resorts. Even now, Disney seldom sells contracts to new purchasers under 100 except on occassion it has had some promo programs for less. Thus, those small contracts generally require a seller who bought them as an add-on (existing members can add-on at 25 points or more at anytime). That group of possible sellers is thus only a subclass of all possible sellers and are persons who are less likely to sell than those who have never added on.

 

[goldenears]

Hi Friends,

So perhaps someone could shed some light on the Villas at Wilderness Lodge quandry. Is this resort like the red-headed step child of the DVC on-site resorts or something. It appears that very few people talk about or own VWL on the boards. There is also a significantly lower proportion of VWL listings than other not-actively selling, on-site resorts. Is this the best kept secret that no one wants to part with or did they just not sell a lot of the resort? Is there some reason I should avoid this resort that I hadn't heard about?

Also, while VWL listings are minimal, it seems 50 pt or less contracts come up only a few times a year. Was DVC so successful at only selling 150 point+ contracts or is there something else screwy here?

TIA for your help!

VWL is one of the smaller DVC resorts, so this may be one reason why you are seeing less resales. Although I have never personally stayed there, I have been there and pthink the resort is beautiful. It is a very popular resort during the holiday season because of the beautiful holiday decor. It books up at the 11 month mark for this time if the year, so if you have to stay there at that time, you need to own there. Personally, I like the location. You have the option of taking a boat to the MK and you can also take a boat or walk the ath over to FW, which has a lot to offer (I.e., pony rides, Hoop De Doo Revue, awesome holiday decorations, etc....). As far as finding small amounts of points, these are more difficult to find for any resort. They are usually gone quickly and sell for a higher price. Hope this helps

 

[ldo]

VWL is just the opposite--low supply. When I saw a small contract listed in the AM a few years ago, I called ASAP and made a (full price) offer before even asking DH. We bought to be able to go at Christmas--11 months is a must. I love the decor and before BLT, it was the closest DVC to MK by using the boat. However, we now never go at Christmas and always stay at AKV at in the spring. We have thought of selling VWL and rebuying AKV, but, so far, it has been easy to reserve AKV whenever we wanted.

 

[gatorgirl02]

VWL is just the opposite--low supply. When I saw a small contract listed in the AM a few years ago, I called ASAP and made a (full price) offer before even asking DH. We bought to be able to go at Christmas--11 months is a must. I love the decor and before BLT, it was the closest DVC to MK by using the boat. However, we now never go at Christmas and always stay at AKV at in the spring. We have thought of selling VWL and rebuying AKV, but, so far, it has been easy to reserve AKV whenever we wanted.

LDo - Thanks for sharing. You hit the nail on the head, this is exactly why we want it. So, if you ever think of unloading it, please do let me know.

 

[gatorgirl02]

Goldenears and Drusba - Thanks for your insight.

Drusba - Big thanks for sharing the resort break down and the other thread. I really hadn't seen that one, I dont' know how I missed it. It should make for some good reading though... I've been on the lists for a couple months now, but I am thinking I may have to buy direct if I want a small contract there.

 

[princessaloha]

Hi Friends,

So perhaps someone could shed some light on the Villas at Wilderness Lodge quandry. Is this resort like the red-headed step child of the DVC on-site resorts or something. It appears that very few people talk about or own VWL on the boards. There is also a significantly lower proportion of VWL listings than other not-actively selling, on-site resorts. Is this the best kept secret that no one wants to part with or did they just not sell a lot of the resort? Is there some reason I should avoid this resort that I hadn't heard about?

Also, while VWL listings are minimal, it seems 50 pt or less contracts come up only a few times a year. Was DVC so successful at only selling 150 point+ contracts or is there something else screwy here?

TIA for your help!

Hi, there are 19 VWL listings on just one of the 5 main resale sites as of this morning ranging from 150-500pts as low as $58 a point. Just wanted to pass it along in case you were interested.

 

[gatorgirl02]

Hi, there are 19 VWL listings on just one of the 5 main resale sites as of this morning ranging from 150-500pts as low as $58 a point. Just wanted to pass it along in case you were interested.

Hey Princess,

Thanks for looking out for me, I appreciate the love However, we really want a small contract of 50 points or so and I just can't deal with the additional MF on an extra 100 or 200 points, especially when VWL are some of the highest...

Have a great weekend though!

 

[disneynutz]

Hi Friends,

So perhaps someone could shed some light on the Villas at Wilderness Lodge quandry. Is this resort like the red-headed step child of the DVC on-site resorts or something. It appears that very few people talk about or own VWL on the boards. There is also a significantly lower proportion of VWL listings than other not-actively selling, on-site resorts. Is this the best kept secret that no one wants to part with or did they just not sell a lot of the resort? Is there some reason I should avoid this resort that I hadn't heard about?

Also, while VWL listings are minimal, it seems 50 pt or less contracts come up only a few times a year. Was DVC so successful at only selling 150 point+ contracts or is there something else screwy here?

TIA for your help!

I think that everyone has touched on the specifics.

IMO VWL and BWV, Boardwalk View are the best DVC resorts on property.

Bill

 

[pmaurer74]

I have always wondered this and thought it was the theming... love it or hate it. We love WL and just got our reservation for June changed from AKV to VWL. We are thinking of buying a DVC in the next few years and VWL is on the list to check out. I have my reservations of buying there but going there at Christmas is on the list. I am excited to stay there but will miss seing the animals at AKV, maybe next year!

 

[Pirate Granny]

I actually switched from BCV to VWL the Tuesday after thanksgiving ...had to move up my ressie one day to get five nights...without wait listing this for sure is our next purchase, and yes, I did tell our broker to call me if 100-120 point contract becomes available in my use year.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Looks like everyone has it covered. Not a red-headed step child in the least. I love VWL! One of the most beautiful resorts! And I like the location pretty well too.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Is this the best kept secret that no one wants to part with
::

Yep, that pretty much nails it!

 

[SpectroMan71]

This is very interesting! I had no idea VWL was so small. Does it have a separate check-in area? How about a separate pool?

 

[disneynutz]

This is very interesting! I had no idea VWL was so small. Does it have a separate check-in area? How about a separate pool?

Check in is at WL and yes it has it's own pool, spa, and fitness center.

Bill

 

[gatorgirl02]

Check in is at WL and yes it has it's own pool, spa, and fitness center.

Bill

Thanks again to everyone for chiming in! We are super excited about the VWL and are working on our 1st VWL contract right now, and hope it goes through. Wish us luck!