confused....

[acc82]

okay, question - I have been interested in vacation ownership and DVC especially since we go to disney world fairly often. However, we also like Vegas, cruises, etc... So, I understand that you can exchange your points at DVC for other resorts in such places, correct? So, if this is true and it's also true that if you join someone such as RCI at a high enough level, you can trade for DVC then which is better?? Would it be more beneficial to go with someone like RCI at a high enough points level to get a DVC on exchange or would it be better to go with DVC?? THANKS!!!

 

[Disneycouple99]

DVC is best used at DVC resorts. That being said, it depends on how often you trade out and how far in advance you plan to trade out. If you go to other places more than Disney then go with RCI. If you go to Disney more then go DVC. Just remember that DVC can drop RCI at any time and switch to someone else and then no more DVC rooms.

 

[bigAWL]

okay, question - I have been interested in vacation ownership and DVC especially since we go to disney world fairly often. However, we also like Vegas, cruises, etc... So, I understand that you can exchange your points at DVC for other resorts in such places, correct? So, if this is true and it's also true that if you join someone such as RCI at a high enough level, you can trade for DVC then which is better?? Would it be more beneficial to go with someone like RCI at a high enough points level to get a DVC on exchange or would it be better to go with DVC?? THANKS!!!

I'm not very familiar with RCI, so I can't answer your question. I'm guessing that it really depends on how you plan to vacation over the next 5-10 or more years. More trips to Disney or more to Vegas? You'll probably need to make some hypothetical vacations and price them out for each program. Could mean a lot of number crunching.

One thing to consider... I was told that not all the RCI properties are available through DVC, only those picked by Disney as the "best." So if there is a particular RCI property you want to stay at, you should check whether it is available through DVC or not.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just remember that DVC can drop RCI at any time and switch to someone else and then no more DVC rooms.

Seriously good point.

 

[crisi]

We are DVC owners who like to travel other places.

We only bought enough DVC points for Disney. When we go to Vegas or Mexico or cruise or wherever, we pay cash. We have enough points to do Disney every other year. In the alternate years, we generally do something else.

DVC is great for Disney, but the RCI trading options are not necessarily what we want to be tied into.

 

[CarolMN]

We are DVC owners who like to travel other places.

We only bought enough DVC points for Disney. When we go to Vegas or Mexico or cruise or wherever, we pay cash. We have enough points to do Disney every other year. In the alternate years, we generally do something else.

DVC is great for Disney, but the RCI trading options are not necessarily what we want to be tied into.

We also use DVC only for Disney DVC resorts and pay cash for our other trips.

Using DVC for DVC resort stays is the most economical way to use DVC points. It's better economically to pay cash or buy something else for trading.

 

[Dean]

What's best depends on specifics. I'd only buy enough points for DVC possibly with a mild cushion depending on what time of year, length of stay and unit type you're looking at. For non DVC stays, I'd either do cash or look at other options. For cruises cash is definitely best, for Vegas, cash or cheap timeshares will get you in. Ultimately it depends on what else you'd do, how often, unit needs, etc. Spend some time getting comfortable then you can do what's best for you.

 

[acc82]

Okay - thanks - this answers my question. I'm definately talking to a DVC rep. when I go this time in August. Since I live in Georgia, I definately want my home resort to be in florida since we can drive or fly depending on what we want to spend. Also, I want DVC so I can buy into the dining plan. We do go to disney more than vegas or otherwise.... so, it sounds as if DVC is what we will do and trade out if we want.

 

[JimMIA]

Okay - thanks - this answers my question. I'm definately talking to a DVC rep. when I go this time in August. Since I live in Georgia, I definately want my home resort to be in florida since we can drive or fly depending on what we want to spend. Also, I want DVC so I can buy into the dining plan. We do go to disney more than vegas or otherwise.... so, it sounds as if DVC is what we will do and trade out if we want.

A couple of points.

First of all, understand that there is a very active resale market, and purchasing there can save you a lot of money. Click on the DVC resale listings link at the top right of this page for the listings from the DVC Boards sponsor - The Timeshare Store.

Second, you certainly don't have to be a DVC Member to get the Disney Dining plans. In fact, that's a perk that we didn't originally have and which could go away at any time.

(Very important concept for prospective buyers is that ANY perk can be created or eliminated by one stroke of the Mouse's pen.)

If you book through the regular Disney reservations site, you can buy the various DDPs for the same price we pay. The only difference is, you have to purchase at least a one-day park ticket per person. In addition to that option, at some times of the year (usually September) Disney offers "Free" DDP for onsite guests booking through Disney reservations -- which we never get as DVC members.

 

[JimMIA]

The classic example of DVC perks going away is the recent elimination of free valet parking at DVC resorts.

Many guests checked into their DVC villas with free valet and got chaged $10 per day the next morning. It was literally a completely unannounced, overnight change.

 

[dandave]

The Dining plan can also be added to an Annual Passholder package, which does not require the purchase of additional tickets. These packages can include a discounted room also, when available.

Here's the AP info page here at the Dis:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-ap.htm

 

[MDonley]

I agree with previous posters that changes happen. When we bought into DVC in 1994, we received length of stay park passes for up to 4 people through 1999. That was our big incentive! DVC also once traded with II (Interval International) another timeshare group before RCI. When we added on with VB, we were informed that DVC could sell it off at anytime if it didn't work out to Disney's liking. It sort of put a hold on new offsite resorts for awhile while Disney made up their mind until HH, but now we have California and Hawai'i. I believe that DVC has its owners interest at heart, but they're not about to cheat themselves either. If they decide something looks better, who knows. Me ... I can't afford the airfare to Hawai'i, besides ... that and California are a "been there / done that!" .. That said, I'd trade my points for DLP again in a minute!