Second thoughts....,,

jrpeterson5 · Jun 1, 2015

Hi All. As always...thanks for any thoughts and input!

We are currently in the process of selling our current 240 point SSR contract and purchasing a 252 point VWL contract. We have not signed any contract yet...it's sitting on my desk starring at me as I write this.

The reason for this swap is simply one sided....we wanted to own at VWL. We've tried for two years to get there for Christmas and never can at the 7 month window. So we moved forward with the buy/sell in order to own at VWL.

As I review the new contract (and my old contract) I wonder is this really worth it?? We got 240 points SSR at such a great price ($54 dollars a point) in 2012 (resale obviously). We are hoping to sell it at $75. We are purchasing 252 points at $76. Some issues for me:

Maintenance fees are higher at VWL.

Ending dates for 2042 at VWL vs 2054 at SSR (I think this is the biggest issue).

We are paying 10.5% (or loosing that) with the broker fees to sell SSR.

Except for the occasional time of not getting VWL when we want, we've been very happy with our ownership.

I normally don't second guess stuff like this which is why i'm scratching my head.

Keep in mind....I've only agreed via email and phone...no contracts signed. Can I still get out too?? Are we crazy doing this swap??

ToddyLu · Jun 1, 2015

When DH and I spent one night ( Halloween Night 2013) at BLT we knew without a shadow of a doubt that we loved AKV and would only want to stay there. We generally like/love everything about it. If I owned BLT we would have sold immediately. Everyone is different. Have you ever stayed at VWL? I mean eating at Whispering Canyon is fun but stay in a room. We love the Cali grill, Wave, etc....but staying in the room and the sterility of it all did us in. At AKV we could stay at the resort and be perfectly happy not worrying with the parks. So if I wanted to see the beautiful Christmas tree once at VWL and enjoy Christmas there---I would not sell, I would try to trade or rent or pay cash for a couple of nights. If I wanted that view and emotional vibe every vacation I would sell and get VWL.

Do not sell SSR so short, in two years when Disney Springs is in full roll out you will have a terrific location. When the kids get older and want to enjoy an evening there without you ( while you and DH are enjoying a romantic dinner at Artist Point) SSR will be awesome. You have access to the Treehouse when one of them wants to bring a friend along. But if I wanted that Lodge feel every time I thought of Disney I would own at VWL. Hence we go for the vibe and animals, DVC was just too expensive to be there and go "meh??". I see you have stayed at the lodge in October so I am pretty sure you love the lodge vibe. I understand there will be cottages on the water in the future....

nalajms · Jun 1, 2015

jrpeterson5 said:
I normally don't second guess stuff like this which is why i'm scratching my head.

Have you thought about getting some VWL points transferred in to book Christmas every now and then? Then you can either rent out your extra points or use them.

I would only swap if you mostly want to stay at VWL, not if it's just some Christmas stays.

And do you have to pay taxes on the gains for SSR? or is it considered a wash because you're buying into another timeshare?

ToddyLu · Jun 1, 2015

If it weren't for Disney Springs I would sell....but the thought of being right there for the first few years it is open....hmmmm

Dawn T. · Jun 1, 2015

If you love VWL and would love to call it your home resort, I would proceed with the sale. However, if you can add a small VWL contract for the 11 month booking, then you could have the best of both worlds. It's tough to find a small Wilderness Lodge contract now, but I'm sure one will pop up.

deedisneydream97 · Jun 1, 2015

jrpeterson5 said:
Hi All. As always...thanks for any thoughts and input!

We are currently in the process of selling our current 240 point SSR contract and purchasing a 252 point VWL contract. We have not signed any contract yet...it's sitting on my desk starring at me as I write this.

The reason for this swap is simply one sided....we wanted to own at VWL. We've tried for two years to get there for Christmas and never can at the 7 month window. So we moved forward with the buy/sell in order to own at VWL.

As I review the new contract (and my old contract) I wonder is this really worth it?? We got 240 points SSR at such a great price ($54 dollars a point) in 2012 (resale obviously). We are hoping to sell it at $75. We are purchasing 252 points at $76. Some issues for me:

Maintenance fees are higher at VWL.

Ending dates for 2042 at VWL vs 2054 at SSR (I think this is the biggest issue).

We are paying 10.5% (or loosing that) with the broker fees to sell SSR.

Except for the occasional time of not getting VWL when we want, we've been very happy with our ownership.

I normally don't second guess stuff like this which is why i'm scratching my head.

Keep in mind....I've only agreed via email and phone...no contracts signed. Can I still get out too?? Are we crazy doing this swap??

What will make you happy? Staying at VWL at Christmas or being at SSR? You got a great deal at SSR at $54...I paid $95!! How much financial pain would it be for you to do this? Measure this against your "happiness" factor. Only you know what the balance will be. Good luck with whatever you decide. All DVC resorts are wonderful for different reasons.

KAT4DISNEY · Jun 1, 2015

There are other ways to get into VWL besides owning there. If it's an occasional year that you want to stay there for Christmas then you might think about either renting or transferring points in and you could rent out your SSR points to cover some or all of the costs. And have you tried waitlisting?

If VWL is where you want to consistently stay for Christmas then it may be worth the trade.

Regarding the VWL contract FL has a 10 day period to rescind and that only starts from the time you sign, so legally you can get out of the deal just with a call that you changed your mind. I'm assuming your SSR contract is still for sale because most brokers consider it sold if they get a full price offer and they want the commission.

jrpeterson5 · Jun 1, 2015

Thanks for all the thoughts. We have quickly come to what I think is the most common sense move.....we are stopping the swap. It doesn't make sense for us for the few times we need Chrismtas and loosing the 12 years in contract expiration is just making the deal less worth it.

So we emailed to stop the process. Our SSR contract was not sold because it was contingent on us securing VWL first. So it's not even listed yet.

We will simply rent points like everyone is suggesting for next Christmas. You all bring up excellent points which is why I came here right away! I learned a few things tonight for sure! Thanks as always.

supersnoop · Jun 1, 2015

Probably a good choice to stop the swap. You would have owed capital gains taxes on the sale, too, since the value increase so much.

disneynutz · Jun 2, 2015

I wouldn't buy VWL until we find out what DVD's plans for the resort are.

Sellers commissions are not necessarily cast in stone and there are some brokers selling at a lower rate.

Only you can decide if selling and buying a different resort is worth it. What are your thoughts about the other DVC resorts?

:earsboy:

Bill

DVC Doctor · Jun 2, 2015

jrpeterson5 said:
Thanks for all the thoughts. We have quickly come to what I think is the most common sense move.....we are stopping the swap. It doesn't make sense for us for the few times we need Chrismtas and loosing the 12 years in contract expiration is just making the deal less worth it.

So we emailed to stop the process. Our SSR contract was not sold because it was contingent on us securing VWL first. So it's not even listed yet.

We will simply rent points like everyone is suggesting for next Christmas. You all bring up excellent points which is why I came here right away! I learned a few things tonight for sure! Thanks as always.

Renting VWL points is Good, but transferring them into your account from an other owner so you can make the 11 month booking yourself is even Better

jrpeterson5 · Jun 2, 2015

DVC Doctor said:
Renting VWL points is Good, but transferring them into your account from an other owner so you can make the 11 month booking yourself is even Better

I did not realize this was an option! I know where to rent points but are you able to share ideas on where I can transfer points into my account? I love this idea.

DVC Doctor · Jun 2, 2015

jrpeterson5 said:
I did not realize this was an option! I know where to rent points but are you able to share ideas on where I can transfer points into my account? I love this idea.

Google the phrase "DVC point transfer" to read the many guides and tips online.

The main advantage is that if you transfer VGF points into your account, then you control the points and usage.

nalajms · Jun 2, 2015

jrpeterson5 said:
I did not realize this was an option! I know where to rent points but are you able to share ideas on where I can transfer points into my account? I love this idea.

Get on the Timeshare Store's emailing list. They post transfers at the bottom of the listings. And check the rent/trade boards regularly. If I plan to book Christmas 2016, I'd start looking now for transfers. Remember you can bank transferred points, they still retain their UY, and you likely won't be able to book online and would have to call MS to use those points.

coastalhh · Jun 2, 2015

Transfers are only for 7 months booking correct? I always thought they were anyway

And good move by not going through with this. Dvc is not the only way to go to Disney. If you want wilderness lodge book a cash stay or rent points. It's not wort going through such a huge transition to stay sometimes at Christmas. Also wait list some days and just stay a couple days of your trip there and the rest at SSR of its that important.

KAT4DISNEY · Jun 2, 2015

coastalhh said:
Transfers are only for 7 months booking correct? I always thought they were anyway

And good move by not going through with this. Dvc is not the only way to go to Disney. If you want wilderness lodge book a cash stay or rent points. It's not wort going through such a huge transition to stay sometimes at Christmas. Also wait list some days and just stay a couple days of your trip there and the rest at SSR of its that important.

Transfers keep their home resort so you can use them at their home resort at 11 months or anywhere at 7 months. There used to be a glitch where the home resort connection was lost so they could be used anywhere at 11 months, but that was fixed several years ago.

supersnoop · Jun 2, 2015

Transfers are only available for use over the phone unless they match your home resort and use year exactly. Also, the terms of the contract prohibit receiving compensation for transfers, so Member Services won't get involved in any disputes. Transfers are final transactions and cannot be reversed.

pmaurer74 · Jun 2, 2015

nalajms said:
Have you thought about getting some VWL points transferred in to book Christmas every now and then? Then you can either rent out your extra points or use them.

I would only swap if you mostly want to stay at VWL, not if it's just some Christmas stays.

And do you have to pay taxes on the gains for SSR? or is it considered a wash because you're buying into another timeshare?

I am going to look into this as well. I had not thought about that.

Dean · Jun 2, 2015

This issue comes up from time to time. IMO it almost never makes sense unless one is downsizing significantly or one is moving from a high value to a lower value option. Otherwise just rent for the occasional trip even if one has to rent out OR better still, do a smaller add on and use it for that option part of the time. The roughly $2500-3000 or so that is lost is not worth it. Now one approach I could see that might be a good outcome would be if one consistently sold stripped and bought loaded but it'd take a lot of work to make the numbers come out to one's favor, not worth it IMO.

jrpeterson5 · Jun 2, 2015

Thanks for all your input!

We successfully cancelled this morning. No harm no foul. We are moving on to transferring points in for next year (one time use) or buying a separate small contract to use every 3rd year with banking and borrowing.

Again....thanks to all. We were able to make a quick decision thanks to everyone.

Second thoughts....,,

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