Disney Passport Collection Experience

[foxinsox]

I am on the edge of buying into SSR, one hold up is using the points at non-Disney resorts through the collection. It looks like there is a big risk of getting a room where you want when you want because an exact trade needs to be established (maybe I read the material wrong on that). I know staying at Disney is the primary reason for buying, but flexibility is also important to me.

 

[PamMulan]

We booked and stayed at the Arizona Biltmore using our points. We were able to get the days we wanted right away and it was well worth the points. It was beautiful and the staff was wonderful. Haven't used the Passport Collection yet, but after this past experience, I wouldn't hesitate a bit.

 

[Dean]

Do not buy DVC with the idea of trading for other options. If that's the case, just buy less DVC points and look at other methods of oftaining non DVC digs. There are no guarantees to this system or that it will even exist next year.

 

[foxinsox]

For years when I would be interested in staying at a non disney property, would a better strategy be to take those points and sell them, then use the money to pay for accomodations elsewhere instead of trading them through Disney or II? Couldn't Disney also put a stop to people selling points if they wanted to? The Disney Rep I spoke to indicated they are watching sales on eBay and aren't too keen on that activity.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by foxinsox
For years when I would be interested in staying at a non disney property, would a better strategy be to take those points and sell them, then use the money to pay for accomodations elsewhere instead of trading them through Disney or II? Couldn't Disney also put a stop to people selling points if they wanted to? The Disney Rep I spoke to indicated they are watching sales on eBay and aren't too keen on that activity.

It would be best to buy less points, just the number you need for DVC and pay cash for the rest. But renting out your points would usually be a better option than using them on exchanges. As in anything else, you'd need to look at the alternatives at hand and decide what was best for that situation. But for one looking to buy, it is very fair to assume that ANY trade is not a good value, the exceptions are too few and far between to make it worth counting on for a new buyer.

As far as renting, here's essentially what the legal paperwork says. In many places it explecitly says one can rent their points. In those locations and wording there are no limiations or caveats. The only exception is there is one or two places where they say, I'll paraphrase, that a continued and repeated rental activity that could be deemd as a commercial venture is forbidden.

OK, here's my take on this. Be aware we've had some great discussions and arguements in this area. Some people feel anything beyond just renting for you dues costs or to family or friends is a commercial venture, wishful thinking in my book. Legally, one cannot be prevented from renting what they own unless all rentals are prevented of that type, like a condo that limits to only long term rentals. So as long as Disney is renting at all, there would be no restrictions. What DVC could do is act as the 600# Gorilla if they wanted. They could also go after copyighted material. I don't see anything DVC could do for one auctionaing their reservations on ebay and actually many of the ones there are just trying to get rid of an individual reservations and not doing this repeatedly anyway.