RCI near Disney World

[ArielSparrow]

I am planning on going to Disney World in the fall. It's my first trip, and furthermore I've never flown to a theme park (actually, this is my first time flying for a vacation as an adult where I'm not flying TO a friend that has a car). So I'm a little at a lost on how to get around. I try to search for transportation, and I can only find pages and posts about the free & convenient shuttle service that's offered at Disney resorts. That's not an option for me since I will be paying under $200 exchange fee for the week at the timeshare. Since they all seem to be nice, well-rated resorts, it seems the deciding factor between the RCI resorts would be which offers the easier way to get from the hotel to WDW (and Universal).

Please help this travel noob is already stressing over having to relearn how to pack, since flying is quite a bit different from road tripping.

 

[spiceycat]

Wyndham bonnet creek - is one of the few that provides fairly good transportation

don't eliminate the Disney resorts - you can trade for one thru RCI - now it will also cost you once you arrive at Disney another $95 -

if you really want to enjoy offsite - would get a car - just so you can go to a grocery store.

these are also close to Disney - don't know about transportation

close to DD
Sheraton Viistana Resort
Cypress Pointe
Grand Villa Resort
Bryan's Spanish Cove
Grand Beach
Vacation Villas at Parkway

other side close to AK
Silver Lake
Orbit One Vacation Villas

that are all good resorts.

if you can get it go with Wyndham Bonnet creek (not the other Wyndham) or disney - if you are trading a good week


here the transportation board
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

[ArielSparrow]

don't eliminate the Disney resorts - you can trade for one thru RCI - now it will also cost you once you arrive at Disney another $95

I should mention I'm on the weeks system. The only resort available for exchange right now, per my search, is one in July for 31 trading power. My week is only worth 19. I say only, but I could use that for two weeks at a nearby non-Disney resort.

if you really want to enjoy offsite - would get a car - just so you can go to a grocery store.

I've never rented a car before so I'm not familiar with looking for deals, but a quick search shows that it will cost upwards of $800 to rent a car for two weeks (not counting gas), and then another $150-200 in parking fees. That's more than the cost of plane tickets, which I'm still getting used to. So I'm trying to explore other options because I don't know if I can save up another grand by then.

 

[shalom]

Since they all seem to be nice, well-rated resorts, it seems the deciding factor between the RCI resorts would be which offers the easier way to get from the hotel to WDW (and Universal).

I don't think your odds of getting a resort with good transportation to WDW and Universal are very good. Wyndham Bonnet Creek has a pretty good shuttle service to WDW, but none to Universal that I've ever heard of. I've heard of people walking to Universal from Orlando Sunshine (and a long, miserable walk it must be!), but there's no shuttle from there to WDW and it would be a two hour ride with transfers taking the local buses to visit the mouse.

There's a pretty good bus route on Irlo Bronson east of I-4 to the TTC -- runs twice an hour from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. most days -- but I suspect that getting from that area up to Universal would be two hours by bus as well. Although if you're doing Universal only one day you could take the bus to WDW and a taxi to Universal, I suppose. Driving they're more like twenty minutes apart. Vacation Village at Parkway and Wyndham Cypress Palms are both a few blocks off the Irlo Bronson route, I believe, so if you're interested it's Lynx route 56.

Personally, I wouldn't enjoy using public transportation in the Florida heat, but my son uses it regularly when we're in Orlando so maybe that wouldn't bother you. It's not as hot if you get there for opening and head home at closing as he usually does, I suppose. I'd go for either Wyndham Bonnet Creek or a DVC unit, but as spiceycat points out, you'd likely be happier with a car for groceries and the like. The "Disney bubble" is a large one, and, aside from gas (which is surprisingly reasonable), prices tend to be high there.

 

[JimMIA]

I am far from an RCI exchange expert, but I think it matters greatly what timeshare you are using to trade. Most timeshares trade with what is called TPU (trade power units?), but not all.

For example, Wyndham exchanges thru RCI on what is called a fixed grid. So for Wyndham owners, all Orlando resorts are the same points cost so DVC exchanges like Pat mentioned become very attractive to Wyndham owners.

But there are many beautiful timeshare resorts in the WDW area, and you should have little difficulty getting something good.

 

[ArielSparrow]

Mine uses the Trading Power system. I have 19 and the only Disney one available is 31. But Silver Lake and Bryan's Cove I could stay two weeks using 19. Sheraton Vistana is 15 for one week. I want to stay two weeks to maximize my airfare, and to relax and not have six days nonstop of theme parks, which I was kind of dreading because I'm dead after one 16 hour day at Disneyland (although it looks like the WDW parks close much earlier than its Cali siblings).

ETA: Oh wow, I just found Wyndham Bonnet Creek on RCI.com. It does look like a very nice resort. It's 34 trading power for one week. That means it would take two year's of deposits plus $109 combine fee (on top of $179 exchange fee) to be able to stay one week in a one bedroom. That means no vacation next year and I'd probably still have to book a car for Universal.

I found lower rates on carrentals.com, so I'm now looking at $500 for two weeks. Thanks for the recommendations, I've noted them on my spreadsheet.

 

[princesspwrhr]

.

ETA: Oh wow, I just found Wyndham Bonnet Creek on RCI.com. It does look like a very nice resort. It's 34 trading power for one week. That means it would take two year's of deposits plus $109 combine fee (on top of $179 exchange fee) to be able to stay one week in a one bedroom. That means no vacation next year and I'd probably still have to book a car for Universal.

When are you planning on going? We traded into Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 19 TPU for a 2 bedroom for a week in June. We have enough banked to get a DVC, but they were averaging 42(ish) when I was looking and they didn't have our dates. I just looked and they have Saratoga Springs at 31 TPU for a 1 bedroom with a July 14 check in.

Wow - I think Wynham Bonnet Creek has upped their TPU! I see "costs" in the 33-38 range from late July - September. Nothing showing between now and then, so I don't know what the trading cost is currently. For that amount of TPU though I'd stay at a DVC.

It sounds like your situation is different from ours. We aren't able to travel anywhere every year, so we often have to bank our week. Even paying the combination fee and banking or borrowing a years points, I think the DVC would be worth it if Bonnet Creek now has comparable trading rates. If you can get Bonnet Creek for a reasonable amount, that would be my first choice for proximity and transportation to at least one of your destinations. If you're renting a car anyways, you can go with something that "cost" less. I have a friend who owns and stays at Sheratan Vistana and raves about it. It's not far from Downtown Disney and very convenient to I4 to go to Universal with a car.

 

[IndyClown]

You are going to have a challenge squeezing two weeks in the Disney area out of one weeks worth of trading power but it looks like it could possibly be done. For July, there was one place for 6 and another for 9 but I don't know if they are available when you want to go.

As others have said though, a car will be a must.

 

[ArielSparrow]

You are going to have a challenge squeezing two weeks in the Disney area out of one weeks worth of trading power but it looks like it could possibly be done. For July, there was one place for 6 and another for 9 but I don't know if they are available when you want to go.

As others have said though, a car will be a must.

I was only planning on going a week, but then decided to make it two when I saw that most units available are 7-11 (except those over 19, but I limited my search to 19 & under only). All I have to do is book a 9 & 10 or less.

When are you planning on going? We traded into Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 19 TPU for a 2 bedroom for a week in June. We have enough banked to get a DVC, but they were averaging 42(ish) when I was looking and they didn't have our dates. I just looked and they have Saratoga Springs at 31 TPU for a 1 bedroom with a July 14 check in.

Wow - I think Wynham Bonnet Creek has upped their TPU! I see "costs" in the 33-38 range from late July - September. Nothing showing between now and then, so I don't know what the trading cost is currently. For that amount of TPU though I'd stay at a DVC.

It sounds like your situation is different from ours. We aren't able to travel anywhere every year, so we often have to bank our week. Even paying the combination fee and banking or borrowing a years points, I think the DVC would be worth it if Bonnet Creek now has comparable trading rates. If you can get Bonnet Creek for a reasonable amount, that would be my first choice for proximity and transportation to at least one of your destinations. If you're renting a car anyways, you can go with something that "cost" less. I have a friend who owns and stays at Sheratan Vistana and raves about it. It's not far from Downtown Disney and very convenient to I4 to go to Universal with a car.

I am going in September. We try to go on vacation every September. There are so many places I want to see that I couldn't justify combining two years. Although I could just camp at the Grand Canyon for a week one year...but no, my husband isn't as big a Disney fan and wouldn't be down for using so much trading power for a single week. I couldn't stomach it either. It's tempting, but I won't be able to bank my next until May of next year (we are tri-annual).

 

[2goofykiddos]

We stayed at Vacation Village in Oct and it was nice. Quiet, good pools and clean. They did recently add a shuttle to WDW, but we never used it. We stayed at BC over New Years and it was awesome. Didn't use their shuttle either though so no input. Good luck. It can get overwhelming but it will be fun when you go!

 

[akaler2010]

My dad used RCI points to stay at Orange Lake resort. We love staying there. However, there is no free transportation available and the shuttle they do have to WDW and Universal is expensive. Great resort though!

 

[spiceycat]

. But Silver Lake and Bryan's Cove I could stay two weeks using 19. Sheraton Vistana is 15 for one week.

I found lower rates on carrentals.com, so I'm now looking at $500 for two weeks. Thanks for the recommendations, I've noted them on my spreadsheet.

for car rental - you did look on the transportation board here - right - they save me around $500 on my last car rental (okay it was a long time ago)

Silver Lake is almost as close to WDW as Wyndham bonnet creek - no transportation (at least don't think so)

Silver lake is close to AK - you can walk to it - that say - this is not a pleasant walk - this road is very, very, very busy. though have seem people walking it. it is 1.8 miles - really less this is going out the front not the back area.

now bryan's spanish cove is older - you can't walk to WDW from it - that say there is a new Dollar Tree just down the highway - so you can walk to it and a few restaurants.

there is another one - forget Cypress Pointe or cypress point grand villas
now this one you might be able to walk to DD - and take those buses - but would say at least an hour walk (if not longer) to just DD.
sorry it is 2.6 miles to walk to DD from Cypress pointe

got a surprise - bryan's spanish cove is also 2.6 miles to DD.

although would be a long walk back from any of them

 

[MaestroTK]

My family has stayed at the Vacation Village at Parkway through RCI a couple of times. Its very spacious. Its super close to WDW. I highly recommend it.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

OP, I'm no help on RCI timeshares, but it looks like you are stressing over the rental car. IMO, 2 weeks off site without a rental would sound like a nightmare. If you could up the $$$ you will save on eating fast food and homemade food in your unit, I think you will see its worth it.

Go look on the transportation board for the month you are traveling (there is a thread for each month). You don't find any decent car deals until 1-2 months before you travel. I am consistently able to book a full size rental sod around 120 a week out of the airport. So assuming you don't need a van or SUV, I think you are overestimating the cost.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Agree, you should be able to get a car rental for a decent price. With that, you can make a grocery run or two. Stock up on groceries, buy a $20 slow cooker at Walmart (which you can dispose of after vacation), throw in some meats and veggies at the beginning of the day, then at the end of the day, when you get back from the parks, you can have a nice, hot, sit down meal.

Sounds like you might be able to get two weeks. How about a split vacation...one week closer to Disney (e.g. Orange Lake) and a week closer to Universal/Sea World (sorry, I'm not familiar to those resorts. Honestly, we stayed at OL on our Universal vacation).

This is a gamble, but you can probably pull it off. You probably know that RCI has $199 sales every so often. There's always a lot of Orlando timeshares featured. You can trade into a resort one week, then spend $199 for a second week. You may not even have to switch resorts (although you'll probably have to switch rooms). September/October is off-season, so there will probably be a $199 sale...probably in late spring or early summer.

 

[nancy155]

I too am an RCI exchange gal. Over the past several years we have exchanged into many different resorts by WDW. We have stayed at Vacation Village Parkway, WBC, Silver Lake, Polynesian Resort, even exchanged into Wilderness Lodge Villas. The first time we exchanged into WBC it was at a 19 trading value in July. Their popularity has grown and could be why the exhange is now so much higher. In fact we are staying there over Spring Break this year (most likely our last stay there).

Out of all of these WBC is my favorite but a really close second is Silver Lake. It is SOOOOO close to Animal Kingdom and so easy to navigate to and from. In fact I found it easier to find than WBC as all you would have to do when heading "home to the resort" after your day at the parks is follow the signage for Animal Kingdom!

Another plus is the trading power is much lower than many of the other resorts, and they are very nice units.

I did not care too much for the others as they are on the other side of I-4 from Disney. As for Orange Lake it was just too big and spread out for us..

I second the need for a rental car. If you keep searching it is pretty much like airfare, changes regularly and when you find a good deal reserve it and later if you find a better deal you can cancel the other one!

Good luck and enjoy your vaca!

 

[ArielSparrow]

Thanks again all. I ran the numbers (cost of parking, gas, rental, fares, time waiting) and we decided that the value of our time outweighed the money saved by taking public transportation (not to mention access to A/C and keeping our freedom, both really important). Then I went on to my credit card rewards site and found rates at least 40% than the rates I was using for comparison from carrentals.com. So I'd be insane NOT to rent a car. I'm frugal, but I know my limits and when the hassle isn't worth the dollars saved.

Plus, it's technically nothing out of pocket since I have enough points to book a car for the full two weeks!

 

[spiceycat]

Plus, it's technically nothing out of pocket since I have enough points to book a car for the full two weeks!

good job!!!!

 

[Robbi]

Thanks again all. I ran the numbers (cost of parking, gas, rental, fares, time waiting) and we decided that the value of our time outweighed the money saved by taking public transportation (not to mention access to A/C and keeping our freedom, both really important). Then I went on to my credit card rewards site and found rates at least 40% than the rates I was using for comparison from carrentals.com. So I'd be insane NOT to rent a car. I'm frugal, but I know my limits and when the hassle isn't worth the dollars saved.

Plus, it's technically nothing out of pocket since I have enough points to book a car for the full two weeks!

Glad you found a solution.
I was going to suggest using taxis-no parking worries and fees. Even when we rent cars sometimes we take taxis because except for the MK, they drop you very close to the park entrances. No waiting for trams and standing in the heat/cold while waiting for the next one to come along.

 

[spiceycat]

Glad you found a solution.
I was going to suggest using taxis-no parking worries and fees. Even when we rent cars sometimes we take taxis because except for the MK, they drop you very close to the park entrances. No waiting for trams and standing in the heat/cold while waiting for the next one to come along.

well if you get there early you don't have to wait - you just walk into Epcot and Studios - now AK is quite a bit further than Epcot and Studios - it is still not a real long walk. you only have to use the tramp if you arrive later.