500 other vacation locations?

[luna99]

I believe I read in some DVC info that there are over 500 locations outside of the disney resorts where DVC members can stay using their points...

is that correct and where could I find a list of all of the places?

I'm just curious because I LOVE to travel and not necessarily only to the big touristy places like paris, london, etc..etc.. I'd love to be able to also stay in smaller unknown cities as well and I'm wondering if DVC offers that.

thanks!

 

[VTNuke]

DVC can trade out with Interval International, a fairly large collection of 4 and 5 star resorts across the globe. They have a website you can google.

Economically, you get more for your points if you stay within Disney and not trade out.

 

[luna99]

thanks! I'll do a search for that site. I keep hearing how it's more economical to stay at Disney using DVC points but I just wanted to see what options I'd have... thanks again!

 

[crisi]

Do be aware that any additional options are subject to change. They change each year. Disney is under no obligation to continue to participate in II (I think its likely they will) or continue to offer optons in the Concierge/Adventure/ or Disney collections. Also, using these options may or may not be as easy as the guide presents it (some of them are really easy to do, II exchanges are less certain).

 

[Anita13]

I haven't used my 400 points at DVC in at least 5 years. I bought in 1991 and just got tired of the same vacation every year. I have traded DVC for many places, including Europe, Mexico, the US, Key West, Hawaii and many others. I believe I have gotten great value for my points, as all the resorts have been excellent. You can look at the book they send you for names of resorts, and then look the resort up on the internet. This is usually how I find good ones. I never have any real problem trading my points. Anita.

 

[Boston5602]

I haven't used my 400 points at DVC in at least 5 years. I bought in 1991 and just got tired of the same vacation every year. I have traded DVC for many places, including Europe, Mexico, the US, Key West, Hawaii and many others. I believe I have gotten great value for my points, as all the resorts have been excellent. You can look at the book they send you for names of resorts, and then look the resort up on the internet. This is usually how I find good ones. I never have any real problem trading my points. Anita.

And that is what it is all about. As long as your are ok trading out your points to enjoy a vacation " somewhere else " then you have a lot of options. I know when we were buying we just wanted to know what our options were ,and were surprised at how many places we could go to with DVC points !

 

[Dean]

I believe I read in some DVC info that there are over 500 locations outside of the disney resorts where DVC members can stay using their points...

is that correct and where could I find a list of all of the places?

I'm just curious because I LOVE to travel and not necessarily only to the big touristy places like paris, london, etc..etc.. I'd love to be able to also stay in smaller unknown cities as well and I'm wondering if DVC offers that.

thanks!

At the end of 2006 there were 543 II options and another 14 or so through the BVTC. Add to that the Disney hotels that don't have a DVC component, DCL, Concierge collection and the adventurer collection and the total approaches 600, about 50 of which are likely financially reasonable options.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

total approaches 600, about 50 of which are likely financially reasonable options.

Dean:

Could you elaborate please? I'd like more of your great insight into this topic.

 

[Cruiser1969]

At the end of 2006 there were 543 II options and another 14 or so through the BVTC. Add to that the Disney hotels that don't have a DVC component, DCL, Concierge collection and the adventurer collection and the total approaches 600, about 50 of which are likely financially reasonable options.

Dean:

Could you elaborate please? I'd like more of your great insight into this topic.

Yes, please do tell, Dean . . . . like maybe do you happen to have a list of "Dean's Top 50" (I'd buy it!!!!)

 

[Dean]

Dean:

Could you elaborate please? I'd like more of your great insight into this topic.

I think my position is well know to the regulars. Few of the trade options are truly a value trading DVC. One should look at each option individually and consider your circumstance but I think these generalizations will cover for most situations. With few exceptions, the cash equivalent exchanges are not a reasonable choice. DL is currently an exception and occasionally DCL might be though it's usually only so if you miss the early booking discounts. For II, most trades are a down trade. And those that aren't still give you the negative of lower unit assignment priority.

Owning other timeshares, when I look at a trade and consider using DVC for that trade, I think about several issues. These include whether a given resort and unit type will fit my needs and wants. If it passes that test, I then think about what will I have to give up to get that exchange, i.e, can I get it with a unit that is worth $500 instead of a DVC or Marriott unit that is worth $2000. Then I evaluate whether I can rent the week and get it cheaper than the value of what I'd give up. For II, that leaves only top resorts at high demand times since you can get even top resorts off season for a fraction of what the DVC points would be worth. That leaves only 50-60 timeshares that I know are a reasonable trade to ME and even then, few would be a good trade for much of the year.

Your list of acceptable choices might be different than mine but I'd suggest you go through the evaluation process to avoid surprises.

 

[Dean]

Yes, please do tell, Dean . . . . like maybe do you happen to have a list of "Dean's Top 50" (I'd buy it!!!!)

I've compiled a representative list in the past and posted it but if you pick the Hyatt, Westin, Marriott, Royals and a few others, you'll be pretty close. I use TUG and Timesharing today to help me evaluate resorts I don't know or my info is dated. What might be a great choice for me might not be for you. The point is to look at the choices and find what fits your wants and needs and not to assume that every choice on the DVC list will be fine.

 

[Plutofan]

In theory you would think DVC would be a good trade even though I know that it is not. Dean can you elaborate of what the issues are that cause it to not be a good trade? Is part of the problem is that Disney trades in less than desirable weeks? Correct me if I am wrong but I think Disney determines the week that goes into the trade. Is this correct? Does Disney also control the DVC resort or is this determined by the home resort of the person doing the trade (ie can Disney swap out points in their inventory to keep a more desirable DVC resort's points)? Thanks

 

[Dean]

In theory you would think DVC would be a good trade even though I know that it is not. Dean can you elaborate of what the issues are that cause it to not be a good trade? Is part of the problem is that Disney trades in less than desirable weeks? Correct me if I am wrong but I think Disney determines the week that goes into the trade. Is this correct? Does Disney also control the DVC resort or is this determined by the home resort of the person doing the trade (ie can Disney swap out points in their inventory to keep a more desirable DVC resort's points)? Thanks

My opinion of course, YMMV. The issue is not unique to DVC but is inherently true of all high end timeshares. I could say almost the same exact thing about my HH Marriott options. I'll explore the issue a little which can be divided up into general exchange issues as they apply to high end timeshares and DVC specific issues.

Anytime you exchange a high end, high demand timeshare week the odds are you'll break even at best or more likely, get something worth far less than what you give up. If you combine that with the uncertainties of exchanging including unit assignments, the deck is stacked against you. And if something happens after you make the exchange such as illness or life in general, you may lose the entire thing.

On top of that DVC does not give you the option of a bonus week or the chance to search online where you might simply see something you don't expect and decide to grab which I'd say is about 40% of my matches. An example in my post above is where I trade a 1 BR at a moderate Marriott for a 2 BR at a premier Marriott for a higher demand week. And trades inside 60 days cost the full amount where with the rest of II you have the option of getting trades much "cheaper" inside 60 days, esp. with many of the points systems. Another example above where I reserved my weeks on Sat and use a studio to get a 2 BR at a better resort 6 days prior to travel and in time to cancel my cash reservation at WDW PO resort. I actually did this online with II while talking to Marriott about the other reservations the same day I reserved the studio.

Under the current system DVC does determine the week that II gets. That likely does result in somewhat lower trade power than other approaches but is reasonable for how the system works. I'd be happy to participate in those threads about members reserving Xmas, Easter, etc and depositing with II I think DVC could easily make fairly minor system changes that would improve the exchange option tremendously. These include reduced costs inside 61 days, bonus weeks if you deposit first, online access and the ability to search for a larger unit. Here's what I mean by the last portion. Say I have a 1 BR deposit or only want to give up points for a 1 BR. With II directly I can search for a 1 BR unit at a resort that only has 2 BR units. I may have a lower chance of success and a lower trade power but at least I have the option. With DVC you must give up 2 BR points in that situation even if you really only need a 1 BR.

The no II membership fee, $75 exchange fee and search first option are plusses for those that use them correctly. I've only seen a couple of people that seemed to do so in a manner I thought truly gave them a real value. But then again most DVC members looking at exchanges start far too late and seem unwilling to do the necessary research in most cases.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dean:

DH and I are considering going to the Club Intrawest Resort at SanDestin, Florida.

We're going through a temporary rough spot now with money, and it seems like a good use of our points as it is close to home, can rent for partial weeks, and wouldn't require big cash outlays for park tickets, etc.

What do you think? We are not so strapped that we need to rent our points for money, but don't really need to spend a lot now either.

In the future, we may want to go to Gatlinburg, TN and don't see paying for hotels when we could stay at a timeshare for free. We will mostly vacation at Disney, and also like the Hilton Head Resort so are quite happy with our DVC decision.

What do you think about the value of SanDestin and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge resorts?

 

[littlestar]

Dean:

DH and I are considering going to the Club Intrawest Resort at SanDestin, Florida.

We're going through a temporary rough spot now with money, and it seems like a good use of our points as it is close to home, can rent for partial weeks, and wouldn't require big cash outlays for park tickets, etc.

. . . What do you think about the value of SanDestin and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge resorts?

I may use some of our DVC points in the future to try to book a stay at Club Intrawest at Sandestin. I didn't think it looked bad (point wise) - especially if you go light on the weekend points. I wonder how hard it will be to book, though, as far as availability. I love the beaches/area of Destin, Florida.

 

[Dean]

Dean:

DH and I are considering going to the Club Intrawest Resort at SanDestin, Florida.

We're going through a temporary rough spot now with money, and it seems like a good use of our points as it is close to home, can rent for partial weeks, and wouldn't require big cash outlays for park tickets, etc.

What do you think? We are not so strapped that we need to rent our points for money, but don't really need to spend a lot now either.

In the future, we may want to go to Gatlinburg, TN and don't see paying for hotels when we could stay at a timeshare for free. We will mostly vacation at Disney, and also like the Hilton Head Resort so are quite happy with our DVC decision.

What do you think about the value of SanDestin and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge resorts?

CI for a BVTC may be a decent option if you can reserve directly and go less than a week, it simply depends on your situation.

I think both are poor exchange values overall. You should be able to get a 2 BR for less than one would rent the 160 points of a 1 BR exchange at either of those locations including 4th of July for Destin and Fall Colors Gatlinburg. Or to look at it another way, one could buy a relatively inexpensive timeshare and trade in for close to the "cost" of one exchange. I also think one can often do a private asynchronous exchange where you give up less points

Obviously one has to look at their personal situation as well as the big picture and decide what's best. IMO, this is one of the reasons it's important to buy the number of points you'll use AT DVC up front and not overload oneself too much. IMO, using DVC points is FAR from staying free, though it is prepaid to a degree.

As an example, we'll be staying in Gatlinburg through Bluegreen this fall, the first week of Oct, that's the first of 3 weeks of Fall colors. Our total cost around $500 for a 1 BR deluxe for a week. Next June we'll be back in Gatlinburg for a family trip which we do about EOY in the summer where I provide the accommodation and invite as many family members and friends as we have room for. I know I'll have three 2 BR units plus a 1 BR and hope to have 2 additional 2 BR units through exchange, total cost about $3K at the outside.

I did some looking on II's website and there are a number of units for both areas though it's too late to look for summer this year online and too early for next year. You do need to plan ahead for busier times but getting an exchange or rental far cheaper than using DVC points appears to be a simple task. One could likely buy in to some of the systems that would give you direct access cheaper than one DVC trade to a 2 BR (Fairfield, Bluegreen, Westgate, RCI points, etc).

Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dean,

Thank you so much for the input. I feel much more comfortable about going to the CI Sandestin resort now.

We are new to timeshare and only have 100 DVC points, and think that is wonderful, and actually more than enough points for me and DH. (I can't figure out how anyone could use 350 - 400 points each year.)

We may decide to supplement with another company in the future once we've been members of DVC for awhile, have the timeshare lifestyle down path, and get through this lean time.

DH and I are both very thankful that even though money is tight, we will still be able to get away for a few days at a fabulous location.

Thank you Dean and the DISboards, for helping us figure this out, and thank you to DVC for allowing us to go somewhere special when we wouldn't be able to otherwise.

 

[Dean]

Dean,

Thank you so much for the input. I feel much more comfortable about going to the CI Sandestin resort now.

We are new to timeshare and only have 100 DVC points, and think that is wonderful, and actually more than enough points for me and DH. (I can't figure out how anyone could use 350 - 400 points each year.)

We may decide to supplement with another company in the future once we've been members of DVC for awhile, have the timeshare lifestyle down path, and get through this lean time.

DH and I are both very thankful that even though money is tight, we will still be able to get away for a few days at a fabulous location.

Thank you Dean and the DISboards, for helping us figure this out, and thank you to DVC for allowing us to go somewhere special when we wouldn't be able to otherwise.

It's my pleasure to try to help. Let us know how it goes in terms of both the process and the stay if all works out.

 

[JR]

My II trade last March was not a good one. I put in for a trade to Maui and Kauai two years in advance. The Maui search was for the more disireable resorts(Westin etc.) and it never came through. I ended up paying cash for an excellent resort. The Kauai request came through almost immediately and while the resort was nice, it was not IMO up to Disney standards and quality.
Another caution - I made a reservation for the member cruise in October then found out that my grandaughter was getting married during the cruise. I know I should have checked this out prior to making the reservation, but I did not realize that once ressie is made for Disney collection, points cannot be used for any other ressies such as the DVC resorts or II.
For what its worth!

JR

 

[Dean]

My II trade last March was not a good one. I put in for a trade to Maui and Kauai two years in advance. The Maui search was for the more disireable resorts(Westin etc.) and it never came through. I ended up paying cash for an excellent resort. The Kauai request came through almost immediately and while the resort was nice, it was not IMO up to Disney standards and quality.
Another caution - I made a reservation for the member cruise in October then found out that my grandaughter was getting married during the cruise. I know I should have checked this out prior to making the reservation, but I did not realize that once ressie is made for Disney collection, points cannot be used for any other ressies such as the DVC resorts or II.
For what its worth!

JR

Wow, you highlighted 3 of the main problems with the DVC exchange system that I've preached about for several years.