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[DVCLady]

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[Dean]

It depends on what you want and how far ahead you search. I'd start at least 12-13 months out. Most matches occur at 6 months or less. Tell me when, what, what size and I can give you some more info.

 

[Lizziemom]

I hand the same question!

We are looking at April 12 to the 19th and want Aruba, do you think we have a chance, or should I just pay cash? We are tied to school vacation week, so another week is not an option.

Thanks Dean for any info you may have.

Lizzie

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Lizziemom
I hand the same question!

We are looking at April 12 to the 19th and want Aruba, do you think we have a chance, or should I just pay cash? We are tied to school vacation week, so another week is not an option.

Thanks Dean for any info you may have.

Lizzie

I'd say you're chances are pretty good but not great. Is that Easter next year? As long as you don't need a 2 BR, you will likely be ok though. Put all of the DVC choices except La Cabana Villas. Do put the La Cabana Beach and Racquet Club. Expect to match around Dec/Jan.

 

[DVCLady]

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[Dean]

Originally posted by DVCLady
We requested for Marriott Newport Coast Villas, Marriott Kauai Beach Club, and Marriott Maui Ocean Club. We did the search for June 1st-August 31, 2003. Whatever week they come up with. What is your opinion on that? Thanks Dean.

As long at you didn't request only 2 BR, you have a pretty good chance. Newport is the most likely to come up and it's only 2 BR units, non lockoff I believe. Werner owns there and can tell you more. It's the most likely because it's an expanding resort and will have a fair amount of developer inventory for deposit.

I am curious though, if you requested 1 BR units or studios, did they allow you to post this as one search as Newport only has 2 BR units. For HI, even top Marriott owners wouldn't hold much hope for a 2 BR and in many cases, even getting a unit is next to impossible. Maui will be the hardest, look for a direct exchange. Remember the studios don't have kitchens at all and the 1 BR in HI have mini kitchens only not much more than DVC studios.

I'd be tempted to do a search for a studio, sleep 4, with a kitchen. DVC can put in the number of people up to the maximum for what DVC gives up and there's also a check box for kitchen required or not, and again they can only put up to the level of what you're giving up. If you request a sleep 4 with kitchen, the only match would be a 1 BR or larger since the smaller units there are actually hotel units with no kitchen and sleep 2. That's a default way of searching for a 1 BR with a studio. DVC could say no but I don't think they would. While it might slightly reduce your chances of matching, I think it'd only be slightly.

 

[DVCLady]

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[Dean]

Originally posted by DVCLady
We requested 2bdrs at all the resorts. We mainly wanted the Newport Coast Villas. Only 20 miles from Disneyland. I will be very happy if we get that. I knew there was a slim chance of getting the Marriott's in HI. Thanks for the reply you have been very helpful.

I would think you're chances are pretty good for there for the reasons stated above. Still, a direct exchange might be your best bet. No reason you can't pursue both then take whatever comes along.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Dean is right about Maui.

I tried to trade into Marriott's Maui Beach Club. I deposited 2BR Thanksgiving holiday "Platinum" week at Newport Coast Villas with II, and I requested a 1BR or 2BR at Marriott's Maui Ocean Club from the Marriott desk at II. In other words, I was willing to trade my Newport Coast 2BR for a Maui 1BR. I won't go into all the details, but after about 6 months, I gave up. Despite Newport Coast being in the top tier of "trading power" within Marriott and despite the Marriott internal priority, I was unsuccessful.

Would I have been successful if I had waited longer? Possibly. (One reason I cancelled the search is because I had a better alternative.) Could I have gotten a 2BR? It's very unlikely. Although owners of 2BR Maui Ocean Club weeks will sometimes deposit their 2BR week as a single deposit, they are much more likely to lock off the studio and 1BR and deposit them as two separate weeks, allowing two separate II exchanges. And that's only if they deposit at all. As with DVC, Maui Beach Club owners pay the premium price in order to stay at their home resort, especially while the the resort is new and all owners are still "new owners."

When we last stayed at Newport Coast Villas in summer 2001, there were only 55 units. By this summer, there will be 194 units. All units face the ocean and are on a hillside, so, in theory, all units have ocean views. In fact, some units have substantially obstructed views. So, if you trade into Newport Coast, request a high floor and a decent view. It's a wonderful resort in a great location.