Aruba Questions??

[Toby]

I know points can be used for Aruba. Has anyone done this and were you happy with your hotel selection? Is this the instance where you "trade", or can you just book however many nights you want? Rather new at this DVC stuff Were you happier with any one hotel over another. I have two kids - 22 & 18, and I was wondering if any hotel would appeal more to them with activities, etc. Thinking of trying to plan a trip for this summer, or maybe at this stage, it's too late. Any help would be appreciated. I DID use the search entry, but nothing answered my questions.

Thanks!! in Boston

 

[Dean]

It must be for a week and it's a timeshare exchange through Interval International. Search this Board for my name and use single words like Interval, Hawaii, exchange and you should get some additional info. Only the Marriott's would be comparable to DVC.

 

[Toby]

Thanks Dean

 

[tiarks]

We did an exchange for the Playa Linda about 3 years ago and we were pretty happy with the results. As memorable as any DVC vacation (~10, all except VWL) we have done. This one was without the kids. Nice resort on the beach in the middle of several beachfront resorts. Decent amenities, pool, pool bar, small restaraunt, spa/massage services, walk out onto the beach area etc, not overly crowded. Walking distance to several restaraunts, casino,other resorts... At the time we got a studio which I don't think DVC offers anymore. The actual food options on the resort may have been limited (1 restaruant, room service ), but with all of the options within walking distance we never noticed. For the older kids there are watersports on the beach, boat cruises etc.., casino at night. Not too sure about nightclubs as we did not go looking for them.

The actual exchange process through Disney did not go smoothly at all, but I think ours was the exception not the norm. We had put in a search for several Carribean resorts about 1+ years out and after several foulups, miscommunications etc. this came through at about 2 months.

If you have any more questions I can try to answer them.

P.S.

The natural bridge is pretty easy to find, the natural pool pretty hard too find. We only got there through persitance and luck.

 

[Dean]

The actual exchange process through Disney did not go smoothly at all, but I think ours was the exception not the norm. We had put in a search for several Carribean resorts about 1+ years out and after several foulups, miscommunications etc. this came through at about 2 months.

If you have any more questions I can try to answer them.

I'm really curious about the problems and any explanations you have associated with them.

 

[countingmomma]

DH and I were in Aruba in December. We stayed at the Rennaissance Hotel, but did a tour of the Marriott time share. Next time, that's where we want to be. The Rennaissance was great. The island is wonderful. If you can get a trade, so for it. I hope you have airline miles (we did), though, the airfare is outrageous. We felt very "safe" in Aruba. Everyone there is very laid back. They have a really low unemployment rate, so I guess everyone is busy working. Its warm, beautiful, and a great place for a vacation! IMO

 

[tiarks]

From Dean:
I'm really curious about the problems and any explanations you have associated with them.


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I never got a good explanation from MS, but it appeared to be a problem with their interface to the II search or their knowledge of how to use it.

Mistake 1: We put in a search for Grand Cayman at about 1yr3mo out. MS came back with a match a few weeks later. We accepted without closely checking the dates (we were at OKW at the time). It turns out the RSVP was for that year (3 mo out). Luckily we checked the confirmation letter and were able to cancel with a day or two to spare. MS couldn’t explain why it happened. The CM had an indications it was for 1yr+ out. Unfortunately we were locked into a studio with a 1yr window. MS extended our window and put us on a VIP search list, but could not undo the exchange.

Mistake 2: Called at about 5 months out to extend our search to several carribean destinations. Called back at about 3 months out to find out that our pending search was still for Grand Cayman only. Still no match on the added destinations

Possible mistake 3: Called back every couple of days having MS do manual searches and were about to accept a US destination. Called back one last time and the Aruba exchange came up. We took it, but MS could not explain why it didn’t match on our search (it was on our list of added destinations).

MS said they were making some changes to address #1. This was 3 yrs ago (June `03 trip). Turned out well in the end, but the RSVP process was not very smooth.

Doug

 

[Dean]

From Dean:
I'm really curious about the problems and any explanations you have associated with them.


-----------

I never got a good explanation from MS, but it appeared to be a problem with their interface to the II search or their knowledge of how to use it.

Mistake 1: We put in a search for Grand Cayman at about 1yr3mo out. MS came back with a match a few weeks later. We accepted without closely checking the dates (we were at OKW at the time). It turns out the RSVP was for that year (3 mo out). Luckily we checked the confirmation letter and were able to cancel with a day or two to spare. MS couldn’t explain why it happened. The CM had an indications it was for 1yr+ out. Unfortunately we were locked into a studio with a 1yr window. MS extended our window and put us on a VIP search list, but could not undo the exchange.

Mistake 2: Called at about 5 months out to extend our search to several carribean destinations. Called back at about 3 months out to find out that our pending search was still for Grand Cayman only. Still no match on the added destinations

Possible mistake 3: Called back every couple of days having MS do manual searches and were about to accept a US destination. Called back one last time and the Aruba exchange came up. We took it, but MS could not explain why it didn’t match on our search (it was on our list of added destinations).

MS said they were making some changes to address #1. This was 3 yrs ago (June `03 trip). Turned out well in the end, but the RSVP process was not very smooth.

Doug

Thanks for the clarification. On #1, sounds like the fault was with the MS member that did the search. They could have gotten the points and week back if it was truly their fault, it happens all the time. If they told you, or said they did, that the correct dates and you made the mistake, that's another matter. #2 is actually one of the reasons I don't like the corporate membership approach. If this had been a regular II member, they could have checked online to see that all was in order. I always check when a VC makes any changes, I'd say there is some mistake or the other just under 50% of the time. That's why I like putting htem in myself. Of course this is talking II and not MS, but remember that MS is trying to operate a system that is an II product. Not surprising they'd make mistakes. #3 would have a couple of explanations. One would be that it didn't exactly match your criteria, they have to be exact to time and resort. However, it's more likely the week you had on deposit didn't have enough trade power to get the unit you were given and they asked II to override it so you could get a unit. I'm guessing it was a nicer resort or larger unit than you had originally thought you were getting.