? about II members trading into Disney resorts

[disneyobs]

We are from Canada and are considering a timeshare buy in British Columbia. We would want to exchange for at least a few trips over the years to DisneyWorld, what are the chances of getting an onsite exchange,rather than offsite? I am sure that the resorts offsite are beautiful also, but we prefer to stay onsite while our kids are so young. I realize that the best way to stay at a DVC is to buy DVC, but with the dollar exchange etc, it is much less expensive for us to buy here.

Do you run into alot of people staying onsite who have exchanged, or are the chances pretty slim that we could ever exchange onsite?

Thanks for your help.

 

[PamOKW]

In the past, it was next to impossible to trade into DVC resorts at WDW. The majority of owners who bought at WDW want to stay at WDW.

Things may be improving for those hoping to trade into WDW/DVC. More members are using points to take the Disney cruise and DVC is making trading out easier for DVC members to understand and is trying to encourage them to use this option. Both of these will free up space for folks to trade in.

So, while it should be "easier" to trade, it is not "easy". Maybe some of the folks who are more familiar with the timeshare world can give you a more in-depth perspective. I think the desireability of the timeshare that you own also plays a part into how easy it is to trade in.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Whenever a DVC member exchanges out into an II-affiliated timeshare resort, a week becomes available for an II member to exchange in. So far, so good.

But the catch is that the demand from II members to trade into on-site DVC resorts undoubtedly far exceeds the supply. Another catch is that DVC usually decides which resorts and which weeks are deposited.

Which II members get the DVC weeks? It's a combination of trading power and luck. (Trading power is based in the quality of your timeshare week and the demand for it.)

I would not recommend buying a timeshare elsewhere with the specific goal of trading into on-site DVC resorts. But if you buy a timeshare week with decent trading power, by all means ask II to try an ongoing search for on-site DVC accomodations. If the date gets near and you haven't been successful, there are plenty of other very nice II-affiliated timeshares in the Orlando area. If you are successful, you'll have to pay an additional $95 fee to Disney.

Originally posted by PamOKW
Things may be improving for those hoping to trade into WDW/DVC. More members are using points to take the Disney cruise and DVC is making trading out easier for DVC members to understand and is trying to encourage them to use this option. Both of these will free up space for folks to trade in.

Actually, when a DVC member uses points for a Disney cruise, the member's inventory goes to CRO, not II — so that doesn't help II members who want to trade in.

I agree that DVC's new World Passport Collection chart may encourage for DVC members to trade into II timeshares because the system is now much easier to understand — and that would provide for opportunities for II members to trade in.

 

[Beth]

Remember that there's always the opportunity to "rent" points from a DVC member, if your efforts to trade in are unsuccessful.

You could rent your week - and use your proceeds to renting points from a member.

It may not be an exact <i>wash</i> "money-wise" - but at least it's an option...

 

[Dean]

Your chances are slim but not zero. I'd think they are slim enough though such that if that's an important part of your decision don't buy the other timeshare or buy it and buy a few DVC points as well. Usually DVC comes up off time like Jan, May, Sept and Oct for II trades.

 

[Caskbill]

One final option is the Rent/Trade board. On that board you would trade directly with a DVC member and there would be no fees to pay. It's a matter of finding someone who would like to stay at your resort. They would make a reservation for you at Disney using their points, and you would make the reservation for them at your Canadian resort.

Keep in mind thought that while this is another possibility, you'll find the majority of DVC members use their points at DVC only and not to trade out, so finding someone for a one-on-one trade may be very difficult.

You could just post a query on the Rent/Trade board and see if anyone would be interested in a trade if you did purchase at that British Columbia resort.

Ourselves for example. We also own Marriott and will occassionally trade that for other resorts. But I'd never trade my DVC time.

 

[laceemouse]

Dean has the best idea. We own another timeshare in Williamsburg, Va. We trade through RCI and have been to lots of nice resorts. We have stayed offsite in Orlando and been pleased with our accomidations. Hilton Grand Vacation Club across from Sea World is gorgeous!! That being said, we just bought DVC at BCV because when we go to Disney we like to stay on site. Other timeshares are much less expensive, especially if you buy resale. Fees are much less too. If I were you I would buy a few points at DVC and go every 2 or 3 years and enjoy! Buy the other timeshare, one with good "trading power" and see the world!! We have 4 kids and love timesharing, much more comfortable than hotel rooms. Look at your own needs and finances. Good luck in you decision!