For those of you who have done an exchange of your DVC.

[dianeschlicht]

If you have done an exchange to one of the II resorts, how long did you have to wait for the exchange to come through, and did you get what you wanted right away? We did an exchange to Hawaii, but haven't taken the trip yet. Our friends who plan to go with us have been trying to exchange their timeshare for 2 years and still don't have their exchange! We got ours in 5 days through Disney. Our friends have since purchased DVC and are now thinking of trying to exchange that since they aren't having much luck with their other one.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[TwirlerGirl]

Bump

[Anita Williams]

I traded for Hawaii several years ago, and got the
trade in under a week. Last year, I was looking to
go to southern CA and got that one in three days,
at a very good location. I always figured that
Disney is such a good draw because everyone wants
to go there, and that's why my trades come so
quickly. Anita.

[Peggy Sue]

We traded for Hawaii in 1998. Exchange came through in 8 days. Very happy with the exchange.

<marquee direction = "right" align = "middle" behavior = "alternate">http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/rmdan/dvcanim.gif </marquee> <center>Have a Wonderful day!</center>

[LIDisneyFan]

Anita Williams,

We are thinking about an exchange to Southern California next year. Where did you stay? How was it? What were the accomodations like? Were there activities for kids? A kids club? A nice pool (slides?)

Thanks for your time.

[brittsmamabwv]

Looking for two studios for November at the Marriott Beach Towers in Ft. Lauderdale for this November, got them on the FIRST phone call. WooHoo, it was great to be able to switch w/ such ease.

When you wish upon a star...DVC will take you far...anything your heart desires....will come your way

[Dean]

Your friend may not have enough trade power to get HI. II (and RCI) will let a unit sit and rot rather than give it to someone with lesser trade power. What your chances for trading are depends on when you ask and what you ask for. 2 BR units are not that plentiful and therefore in hight demand. If you ask for Marriott Maui, slim chance, EVER other than maybe a studio. If you look at more than 12-13 months out, you won't get much but will be in line for when the units start coming in. Most confirmations for II come in between 4 and 6 months out. If you want studios at places with lockout feature, you should be able to get them all day long. Just be aware that some of them don't even have a mini kitchen at all and some are nicer and larger than the DVC studios.

I believe Anita stayed in a studio at Four Seasons and I recall her being pleased with the unit and resort but I'm sure she'll answer you directly. Four Seasons is a difficult trade but the studio will be the easiest.

Dean

[dianeschlicht]

Dean,
Actually, they are trying to trade a gold crown RCI property. They have until September to bank their DVC, so plan to use that if the RCI trade doesn't come through by the end of June.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[Dean]

Also, if you'll let me know what resort and week your friend owns, as well as what and when they're looking for; I might have some suggestions to help them out. GC doesn't help much, really has little meaning with exchange power.

Dean

[dianeschlicht]

I sent you an E, Dean, but I didn't include the week they own since I am not sure, but I think it is the second week of June.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[dianeschlicht]

Just bumping to see if anyone else has an experience to relate.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[penguincruiser]

took a couple of weeks, we'll be leaving in 3weeks for the Marbella, Spain to stay at the Four Seasons resort.

We gave a list of resorts and weren't locked in to any fixed dates.

The first trade came through in about 5 days, but was our last choice so we waited and got what we wanted about 2 weeks later.

JJ Penguin

"The Bear Necessities of life will come to you"

'74 WDW offsite
'96 DLP Santa Fe
'96 WDW offsite
'98 WDW offsite
'98 DLP Sequoia Lodge
'99 WDW Dixie Landings, Wilderness Lodge
'99 DCL Disney Wonder
'00 DLP Newport Bay
'01 WDW first time DVC at Old Key West!

[dianeschlicht]

I think not being fussy about when or where is the key. We did that too. Has that been the experience for most?

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[dianeschlicht]

I am bumping this up for Mickeyluvscheese.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[downontheBW]

Diane,

We requested an II exchange for a studio in a few spots in Southern CA (coast), San Francisco, Sedona and Scottsdale and nothing came through in 3 months. The request was 9-10 months in advance. We gave up and made reservations in hotels for that time period. I have frequent flyer miles and the seats fill up so early, I didn't have much choice. Hope this helps.

Dixie Landings '94, '96 / Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club '98
Off site (never again) '99 / BWV '00 / HHI '01 / BWV '02

Heid

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks,
Yours is the first long response I have heard of. It seems like you were fairly open too. Did you request a specific month or anything?

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[downontheBW]

I put a request in on Oct 26, 2000 for studios in 3 resorts each in a 6-7 week range of dates for Sept/Oct/Nov 2001. During the first week of December, I added 4 more.

One did come up (I had forgotten about this) but it was my very last choice it and decided against it. II was even willing to give us a 1 bedroom in exchange for a DVC studio. At that point I dropped 5 properties from the search - leaving 2. In March, I canceled the remaining 2 searches.

BTW, Diane, I hope you're enjoying your tote bag. ;) I saw people using them down at HHI this week.

Dixie Landings '94, '96 / Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club '98
Off site (never again) '99 / BWV '00 / HHI '01 / BWV '02

Heidi

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, very much enjoying it! My old one is worn out!

When we put in our request, we didn't even specify room size. We left everything VERY open. Any size (other than studio), any time after January 1, and any island but Oahu. I figured we would get summer, but was pleasantly surprised to get April!

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[dvc_john]

Never traded my DVC, but have traded my other timeshare thru II several times. It's an II
5-star resort, and have always traded for another 5 star resort without much problem. Have gotten Royal Mayan in Cancun, Marriott Cypress Harbor, Marriott Harbour Point in Hilton Head, and Ridge Tahoe.

BTW, has anyone seen this request on the rent/trade board: Someone would like to trade a 1-BR at Marriott Maui Ocean Club for a 2-BR OKW or BW, and are apparently willing to pay for the difference in the point cost between a 1-BR and 2-BR. If I weren't locked in on my plans for next March, I would consider this.

[dianeschlicht]

I may have to check that out for my friends! They have been waiting a long time for a Hawaii trade!

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[invalid_character]

having not yet bought, i'm curious about how flexible the exhange system is when you are trying for some foreign or exotic destination. the posts below make it seem somewhat hard to exchange, except in some lucky circumstances.
also, does II have a website where one can see the properties and point values that they would charge for an exchange?
thx all! :)

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, you and I see the posts differently. I think the majority of people find exchanging out of DVC very easy compared to other timeshare properties. I got my exchange to Hawaii in 5 days. It is my friends who are having trouble exchanging their RCI gold crown property and have waited 2 years. As for checking II. Exchanges of DVC to II are done by Disney, so that doesn't help you figure out the points. It depends on what they can trade into II. It cost us the minimum of 160 points (our cost of a week in a 1 Bedroom at OKW during Adventure season) to do our exchange for a week in Hawaii in April. Disney will try to get it to the fewest points possible, and I was very pleased with this since I was expecting to have to spend 280 or more. Also, Disney does not exchange to ALL II resorts. They only exchange to a select few. The difference is that if you do your own II exchange from another timeshare, you will pay more than you do at Disney. Here, you only pay $75 for an exchange. The down side is that it is only for select resorts, so fewer choices. I went to the Timeshare Users Group web to check out the resort we got our exchange to before I said yes to the deal.

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif

[DVCTUG2]

Just to help with my experience-

I called wanting a 2 bedroom at any Royal resort in Cancun in one of either two months(May or October)next year and got my exchange right then. A 2 bedroom at the Royal Mayan the last week of May 2002(our anniversary week!). I lucked out as this was considered "low" season and I got to trade an Adventure week(less points!). I was also very happy with the exchange because my points were banked and would have expired if I did not use them (already going to Disney this summer and STILL had points). Anyway, this extended the life of my points and will give us something "different".

Kim

[Dean]

I think the experiences you're seen presented on this board are not quite the norm. In general, expect to have an ongoing search and most exchanges are matched at 4-6 months before the trip. II cannot give you a unit until they have one to give. That means an owner at X resort must deposit before you can get one. Many units with II are deposited at the time dues are paid and many at 2-6 months before the week in question. The majoritiy of the posts are about getting exchanges that are not that difficult if you have the exchange power. Smaller units, call at the right time (9-12 months out), DVC has good trade power. It's all in the flexibility, timing and being realistic. If you ask for a 2 BR for Aruba or HI, not many chances but you might be lucky. On the other hand, a 2 BR in Cancun would the the usual, at least for the DVC exchange list.

Lets take HI summer time. I have a request in for July, 2002. I am looking for 2 weeks back to back with one on Maui and one on Kauia. I would prefer a 2 BR but a 1 BR is workable. I only want the top resorts. I have two searches going on with II and one with DVC. Since most units in HI cannot be deposited before 12-13 months before the week in questions, I don't expect anything until summer. The exceptions that come to mind are Kona Coast, I think they are 2 years out for deposits or there abouts. I was offered a week there but really wanted Kauia and Maui.

I have talked to several of the independent exchange companies, which will likely give us additional options but I hesitate to deposit a unit with them as there are no guarantees and I wouldn't want to have a deposit sitting with them that I didn't use on this exchange. SFX and Trading places are likely the two best additional options but neither do request first on a routing. SFX does request first for those that pay a membership fee. I also have feelers out for direct exchanges as well.

Look at OKW for Adventure and Dream for the same size unit to get a comparable range of points costs. Remember you must generally give up the points for the unit you get even if it's larger than you need. There are exceptions in that if you are searching for a 1 BR and they give you a 2 BR, the cost if for a 1 BR. If you accept a 2 BR instant match, it will cost you 2 BR worth of points.

Hopefully, this will give you a feel for some of the variables involved.

Dean

[invalid_character]

thanks everyone - esp. Dean for your informative and interesting posts. I had assumed that a much larger range of shares were available, but that's OK... I'm buying DVC for a reason...I like it here!!

[Dean]

You are welcome. There are still a multitude of exchange opportunities with DVC, albeit fairly expensive ones. This thread only scratches the surface. Many of us have gone out and bought less expensive timeshares for one reason or the other to use for exchanging. DVC however is just fine for the occasional trade, say about once every 3 years or so. Anything more and I'd recommend other options. But I take the same approache with DC, DCL, Concierge, etc; I just hate giving up those DVC points if I don't feel I'm getting the absolute most value from them.

Dean

[dianeschlicht]

What would we do without your knowledge! That is exactly the kind of information I was trying to find out with this post. Without your answer, I would have assumed all were easy. Thanks again!

Disneydiane http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vltdisney/mickey36.gif http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/images/official_logos/keywest.gif