chances of getting DVC property from Interval exchange...

[Stinasmom]

I have been reading every thread on this topic I can find on these boards! Some say it is next to impossible to get a DVC property through Interval International, others have said they did.
I have tried before with no luck but am planning much further out this time and for a week **I think** is the low season.
Specifically, December 9-16, 2006...give or take a day. We have traveled to WDW at this time before and it is DEAD, relative to summer or vacations. Everyone is waiting for Xmas vacation and the weather is cooler.

Is there an expert, or at least someone knowledgable about DVC's busy times who could confirm that this may be a good time to get lucky and actually score a Disney condo?

Also, how does it work that DVC owners actually own points and not specific weeks or units? How would a unit open up for us? How does II find out what is available (and when)?
If a DVC owner deposits his points (presumably to exchange to another resort in, say, Hawaii? or just can't go that year?), how does that mean a unit will be available when I want it?
Is is based on a lack of bookings that week by owners, therefore allowing DVC to open a resort up to II exchange to try to fill the vacancies?
If this is so, is it likely that I may have to wait until just a few months out to really find out if I will get a DVC resort or should fall back on another (like Sheraton Vistana...we did like that one last year).
Did any of this make any sense??

Thanks so much!!
P.S. I just placed the request with II 2 days ago and they have already called with 4 offsite offerings...I declined them all...Holding out hope for Disney!

 

[Cyndy]

I'm not sure how much availablility there will be during your proposed trade time, but I do know that while the parks seem comparitively slow, this is a very busy time at the DVC resorts due to low points season and the holiday decorations and activities.

There seems to be many members like the 4 in our group who as empty nesters/baby boomers see this as a terrific time to visit WDW. Trading in may be harder at the small resorts, but I would think that SSR and OKW might have some availability.

Good Luck!

 

[Chadm]

What timeshare and property do you own for exchange? What size unit do you need? How large is your party?

It's possible to make a direct exchange with a DVC member (in fact, it may be easier to do it that way). I know that I may be interested in traveling somewhere different next year and many others may be as well. It only takes one interested party to make a satisfactory trade.

 

[Stinasmom]

What timeshare and property do you own for exchange? What size unit do you need? How large is your party?

It's possible to make a direct exchange with a DVC member (in fact, it may be easier to do it that way). I know that I may be interested in traveling somewhere different next year and many others may be as well. It only takes one interested party to make a satisfactory trade.

We have (in the family) a quarter year at a resort in Central Oregon called Eagle Crest. It is an awesome place in the summer for outdoor recreation such as bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, nice pools, and especially Golf! They have a spa too. In the winter it is very close to Mt. Bachelor, some of the best skiing in the US.
We are looking for at least a 1 bedroom but will be trading a 2 bedroom townhouse style condo. Our party is just me, DH, DD & DS. Having stayed 3 other times at nice, but off site resorts, we just thought we'd try for a DVC property.
Let me know if you want more info! you can PM me if you want.

Cyndy - thanks for the info. I guess if anyone, it would be DVC owners who would know to take advantage of this slow time of year (and yes, I love that there are Christmas decorations and often twice the cast members as they are training for the busy holiday season!)

 

[dianeschlicht]

Unfortunately the time you have chosen is one of the very busiest with DVC members. Some accommodation types are probaly already booked up, and, unless it is exchanged inventory, DVC can't release a unit. Very few DVC owners trade out. Your resort IS on the exchange list for DVC, so there is always hope.

 

[crcormier]

I have no idea what the exchange rules are, but DVC members can book their home resorts out only 11 months, so even we would not be able to book a DVC property for December of '06 until February of '06. Because I would hope that we get first dibs on our own resorts, I'm assuming that an exchange, such as through II wouldn't become available until after that 11 month window, or perhaps the 7 month window. But I'm just guessing, I don't know any of this for fact.

 

[quentina]

Unfortunately the time you have chosen is one of the very busiest with DVC members. Some accommodation types are probaly already booked up, and, unless it is exchanged inventory, DVC can't release a unit. Very few DVC owners trade out. Your resort IS on the exchange list for DVC, so there is always hope.

I ditto this one....VERY BUSY!! I do not think you will have much luck with this time frame.

Kim

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have no idea what the exchange rules are, but DVC members can book their home resorts out only 11 months, so even we would not be able to book a DVC property for December of '06 until February of '06. Because I would hope that we get first dibs on our own resorts, I'm assuming that an exchange, such as through II wouldn't become available until after that 11 month window, or perhaps the 7 month window. But I'm just guessing, I don't know any of this for fact.

None of the booking windows hold true for exchanged inventory. It would depend mostly on when a DVC member activated an exchange, and the points for that reservation were taken from his account and placed with II.

 

[Dean]

Trading into DVC requires a certain amount of trade power and the ability to be flexible. While early Dec is deposited, not as much as May, Sept, Oct and Jan. And most units deposited are 1 Br or smaller. Look a full 11 months out and be prepared to let it ride until at lest 4-6 months prior. If you follow the general advice on available times and have enough trade power, you should be successful at least part of the time.

 

[Stinasmom]

Trading into DVC requires a certain amount of trade power and the ability to be flexible. While early Dec is deposited, not as much as May, Sept, Oct and Jan. And most units deposited are 1 Br or smaller. Look a full 11 months out and be prepared to let it ride until at lest 4-6 months prior. If you follow the general advice on available times and have enough trade power, you should be successful at least part of the time.

Thanks Dean, you must be some kind of insider! I have seen lots of your posts on the subject of DVC trading.
So, do you think if I switched our vacation dates to September (2006) we may have a better chance? We are following up the week at WDW with a 4-night Wonder cruise...It would actually be cheaper to sail in September too.
We were possibly going to Hawaii that month but maybe we could switch that to December in order to up our chances of trying out a DVC property.
Again, thanks for your expertise!

 

[Dean]

We have (in the family) a quarter year at a resort in Central Oregon called Eagle Crest. It is an awesome place in the summer for outdoor recreation such as bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, nice pools, and especially Golf! They have a spa too. In the winter it is very close to Mt. Bachelor, some of the best skiing in the US.
We are looking for at least a 1 bedroom but will be trading a 2 bedroom townhouse style condo. Our party is just me, DH, DD & DS. Having stayed 3 other times at nice, but off site resorts, we just thought we'd try for a DVC property.
Let me know if you want more info! you can PM me if you want.

Cyndy - thanks for the info. I guess if anyone, it would be DVC owners who would know to take advantage of this slow time of year (and yes, I love that there are Christmas decorations and often twice the cast members as they are training for the busy holiday season!)

If you own Eagle Crest Vacation Club at Sun Valley or Eagle's Crest Redmond, you would have a much better chance at trading for next Sept than this Dec for several reasons. DVC is much easier to get in Sept though a few Dec units are also deposited for the first half of Dec. Unfortunately many of them have likely already been deposited for Dec. Of course you can modify your request for both times of the year. And make sure you list 4 people traveling and that you will take a 1 BR but not a studio and that you need a kitchen. Can you do January, that is the easiest time of all and you still have a good chance of getting that I'd think.