2005 Concierge Collection Changes

[PamOKW]

Just saw this on the member site -- they are adding some new hotels and deleting some old favorites. The ones being eliminated will honor reservations through 12/31/04. I hate to lose the Vermont properties since there are so few options in New England/Mid-Atlantic already. Also figures they add the Fairmont right after I was looking for San Francisco properties last month.

We are pleased to announce the addition of four premier properties to the Disney Vacation Club Concierge Collection: The Fairmont San Francisco; Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego; Mandarin Oriental Washington D.C.; and Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Each property will offer Disney Vacation Club Members fabulous new experiences.

Reservations for The Fairmont San Francisco, Hotel Del Coronado, and Mandarin Oriental Washington D.C. are scheduled to begin August 4, 2004 for stays starting on or after January 1, 2005. Reservations for Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas are expected to start at a date to be announced later in 2004 for stays starting on or after January 1, 2005.

We will also say farewell in 2005 to five hotels currently in the Concierge Collection: Claremont Resort & Spa, Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Windham Hill Inn, Woodstock Inn & Resort, and The Jefferson. These hotels will remain a part of the Concierge Collection for current reservations and future reservations through December 31, 2004.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Thanks for the info Pam.

Thrilled to see Atlantis coming on board but sad to see the Woodstock Inn leave. I've stayed at the Woodstock Inn many times (never on points) and love it there. It was always nice knowing we had the point option.

HBC

 

[PamOKW]

I really like the new options, too. It's great that they've added the GF's "twin" in San Diego.

 

[uwate]

hi all,
I just got word that our BCV property passed ROFR and I will be closing late August. I was unaware that the trading power of DVC could bring properties like Atlantis and the Mandarin Oriental. Those are pretty posh and expensive places. Can anyone tell a little more details on how the trade works? Thanks alot and I look forward to my first trip home

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by uwate
hi all,
I just got word that our BCV property passed ROFR and I will be closing late August. I was unaware that the trading power of DVC could bring properties like Atlantis and the Mandarin Oriental. Those are pretty posh and expensive places. Can anyone tell a little more details on how the trade works? Thanks alot and I look forward to my first trip home

The hotels/resorts in the Conceirge Collection aren't really "trades" - in the sense that you don't go through the Interval International system to book them and you don't have to stay a whole week.

The CC works like the "Disney Collection" options. Each night's stay costs so many points and the nightly cost varies by day of the week and season (which is set by the destination resort).

IMHO, the CC options are very expensive - as are the Disney resorts and DCL options included in the DC. The costs seem to increase each year. There is no "inflation" protection built into the cost of those options (as there is to the DVC resorts), and there is no contractual guarantee to DVC members that these collections will always be available to us.

That said, they are indeed, very nice places and a fun change of pace for those who do not want to travel to WDW on every trip and can afford the extra points.

Best wishes -

 

[rocketriter]

Do keep in mind that using points for CC is rarely the most economical way to visit these hotels. Compare their cash rates, and try calling the front desk of a favorite and bargaining right on the phone--sometimes they'll give you a reduction just for asking. Then compare the numbers to your points. (There's even the rent-your-points-and-use-the-cash option, which some members prefer but which takes a bit more effort.)

Using points for CC is your privilege. But most members wind up doing so when they've got extra points to use up, or (like my family) they consider DVC to be an investment in pre-paid vacations and are willing to divert points to CC from time to time without counting every penny.

 

[uwate]

Thanks for the info folks!

 

[Patty3]

I am excited that these properties have been added. Unfortunately, we are going to San Francisco next month. But I love these hotels and have visited most of them. When we bought DVC we thought of it as a prepaid vacation. So with that said, we always seem to have extra points and these hotels will be a great place to use them.

 

[Cora]

I am so happy about the Atlantis! We did a girls' weekend there this past Sept and had a ball. I'll be curious to see the point structures for the three towers.

 

[crzy4dals]

I am so glad to read this post. We are to close on our resale next week.... I have run to the front door everyday after work this week hoping the papers arrived and are in the door... not yet...

But our purchase included 248 points that need to be used by April 1st through II. Does anyone know if these points would be able to be used there.


We have a wedding to attend in February there and boy this would be great!!!!!

If not oh well we go somewhere great elsewhere.

fingers crossed though....

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by crzy4dals
I am so glad to read this post. We are to close on our resale next week.... I have run to the front door everyday after work this week hoping the papers arrived and are in the door... not yet...

But our purchase included 248 points that need to be used by April 1st through II. Does anyone know if these points would be able to be used there.


We have a wedding to attend in February there and boy this would be great!!!!!

If not oh well we go somewhere great elsewhere.

fingers crossed though....

I assume the contract your buying has a deposit with II. If so, that means the points were deposited but no longer in points form. It is a deposit with II that much be used apparently by April. If so, there are many possibilities but don't expect to get a prime resort at prime time. Maybe a HH Marriott during the spring or a Beach FL Marriott during the fall. Or possibly you could get something closer to your home like Williamsburg or Branson. Regardless, you need to get as much info as you can so when you get the contract changed over you will be able to plan right away.

Make sure the points were truly deposited to II, if not you may have other options.