1st World Passport ressie - help!

[dizneefamily5]

We are new members and we are trying to plan for the developer points we received. We were thinking of using them for Spring break, which for our kids is the week before Easter this year. I called and the only thing available now is Williamsburg, which we do love. Our first choice would be a beach location (Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Florida). Would you advise booking the Wmsburg sure thing or going on teh waitlist hoping another will open up?? I'm hoping the experts can help with how to best utilize those points!!

Thanks!

 

[Disney_Villain]

Most DVC members do get their II requests, but you have to keep 3 things in mind:

1. Hawaii is the highest-demand II trade and will take some flexibility (and patience).
2. You have a 2-year window to make your request and establish you place in the queue - which is very important. The earlier you book, the higher chances you have of getting what you want.
3. Most resort trades through II go through between the 5 and 7-month windows. This is due to the resorts not being available for trade from the II side until at least the 12-month window.

Find the place(s) you want - and since you want a very specific timeframe, I would strongly suggest allow alternative choices for your II request. Pick several places you'd really like to go for that time and see what happens.

 

[littlestar]

When I go out and search on the Interval International site (using a strong trader) I see the Marriott Manor Club is available - there are studios, 1 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms in Williamsburg at Marriott for April 3rd, 4th, and 5th check-in dates.

If you love Williamsburg and have never stayed at Marriott's Manor Club, I've heard it's very nice. I saw availability online for MSE (Marriott's Manor Club Sequel) studios, 1 and 2 bedrooms. And 2 bedrooms at MMC, Marriott's Manor Club (original very historic looking building with non lockoffs).

If you have your heart set on a beach location, you could always put in a request for a Marriott in Hilton Head (like Barony, Grande Ocean, etc.). You might also include Marriott's Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach, Florida. The Marriotts in Hilton Head are all 2 bedrooms. But Marriott's Ocean Pointe has studios, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedrooms.

How long do you have to use the developer points?

Good luck.

 

[Dean]

The above is good info and in general I would concur. Overall I'd estimate that only about 50% of members get what they want in an exchange but they don't track abandoned or second choice exchanges, only whether you accepted an exchange or it expired. Around 94% of members who stick it out get an exchange of some sort.

As to what's best, you must decide. If you do a deposit first, I'd say you have an excellent chance of success if you list HH, MB and West Palm but for a 2 BR. All resorts available for DVC exchange on HH have 2 BR or larger units that are not lockoff's. The most likely Marriott resort to be available out of that group is going to be Ocean Point, Harbour Point, Sunset Point and Harbour Club.

How many points do you have to deal with, that will have a large impact on your reasonable options? It's actually likely that the week you want, is MID season and not high season for DVC exchange purposes. You will likely need 252 points to get this done unless you want to narrow your choices to West Palm, Miami and the like.

 

[dizneefamily5]

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice! To answer your questions, we have 230 points that need to be used by June 19, 2009. I am so torn! We do love Williamsburg but the beach in April sounds wonderful as well! We've never been anywhere but WDW in FL, so that appeals to us also. I would love more advice!!!

 

[tidefan]

I would also add Marriott's Legends Edge in Panama City. The Gulf beaches are MUCH, MUCH nicer than the Atlantic ones. Although LE isn't right on the beach, it is about 5-minutes at the most (comparable to DVCs HHI location - on the water, close to beach, but not right on beach). It has an awesome pool and hot tub, 2 great golf courses and beautiful rooms. You can also venture out down 30-A on the way to SanDestin visiting Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove, and Seaside (where "The Truman Show" was filmed). We really like staying there.

Now that I think about it, you can also change those points in the Buena Vista Trading Company and stay at Club Intrawest in SanDestin, which would also be really, really nice...

 

[Dean]

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice! To answer your questions, we have 230 points that need to be used by June 19, 2009. I am so torn! We do love Williamsburg but the beach in April sounds wonderful as well! We've never been anywhere but WDW in FL, so that appeals to us also. I would love more advice!!!

Given that scenario I'd call MS and make sure what the points exchange cost would be for the resorts and week you're looking at. I'd then do a deposit first for that many points (252 or 270) and immediately put in a request for the dates and resorts you want (assuming their not available on your call). If DVC can't be sure on the number of points, do 270. You'll have to pay the $95 exchange fee, definitely do so. It's non refundable but if you cancel prior to a match or do not match, it is refundable. I personally would not do legends's Edge unless you're also a golfer. Williamsburg is nice and it may even be less points than the 252.

If you act now I'd say your chances of getting HH, MB or West Palm are very good for a 2 BR but there are no guarantees. As noted, you'd have another year to use it so if you don't get that search, you'll have the chance at something else or another time. If that happens, you'll definitely want to have the 270 pt deposit so you can request prime time.

 

[Starr W.]

King's Creek is a possible choice for Williamsburg. I did the tour last year when I was staying at Manor Club last September.

I think the pools there are tailored to kids(I have a 7 &12yr old). The cottage section which II code KCP are free standing 3br lockoffs, The 2br side is very nice and they are close to the pools. They also have the Townes section(townhouses) and a new section I think they are still building called Estates.

We stayed in the Berkeley building of Manor Club and the 2br unit was HUGE! Beautiful location in a high end residential neighborhood.


I think King's Creek would be a good choice to add to your search for Williamburg along with Manor Club.