Disney vacation alternatives?

[babydoll]

Well after 13 years of DVC vacationing, my family (dh, dd 16, ds 14&15) are finally tired of Disney and want something different. Wondering if I should rent points to pay cash for some other destination or look into an RCI trade?

 

[JimMIA]

I think the alternatives are going to vary all over the place, depending on where you want to go. Some places have a ton of vacation rentals, other destinations have very few.

DVC's RCI options are quite limited (only about 600 out of the more than 6,500 RCI resorts), and there is always a question about whether you're getting great value with an exchange.

OTOH, if the destination you want has ONE decent exchange, that's all you really need. And if YOU are happy with the value you get from your points, that's all that really matters.

I'd start by determining what kind of vacation you want (beach, mountains, big city, national parks, cruise...?), then where, and then look at where you want to stay and how you get the accommodations.

 

[Girlie1]

or you could try and use your points at Disney's resorts at either VB or HHI

 

[babydoll]

Thanks JimMIA, I understand your points what things to do first but I was thinking more in terms of ease of transaction, risk assessment, value for your dollar etc. I've rented a few times and it is quite time consuming and now with the new R/T requirements, even more so to keep up with posting to allow me access to the boards. But I've never tried an exchange so wondering about the ease of use of that option?

 

[iloveokw]

Have you tried Hilton Head or Vero? Also how about just going to an onsite resort and not visiting the parks? New Hawaii resort? Adventures by Disney? Disney Cruiseline?

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks JimMIA, I understand your points what things to do first but I was thinking more in terms of ease of transaction, risk assessment, value for your dollar etc. I've rented a few times and it is quite time consuming and now with the new R/T requirements, even more so to keep up with posting to allow me access to the boards. But I've never tried an exchange so wondering about the ease of use of that option?

I wasn't talking about renting your points to pay for a vacation. I was talking about renting lodging (timeshare, condo, vacation home, etc) wherever you are going.

I've never exhanged DVC out via RCI, so I can't tell you how that is. But my sense is that it is more difficult than a DVC timeshare salesman would make it sound.

I do know that exchanges are a whole different animal than using any timeshare system internally. They certainly require more planning and luck than just making DVC reservations.

As I understand the DVC system, there are two options. One is to just call MS, speak to an RCI specialist, and try to get a reservation. If they find the resort you want, when you want it, you're good. With that alternative, you don't deposit points until your reservation is confirmed.

The other option is to do an "on-going search." With that alternative, you deposit points (in RCI for two years and then they expire) and set up some search parameters. I believe you also pay a fee when you make that deposit.

The way RCI works, if a match for your search criteria comes up, it is offered to searchers in order of the date of their search...so the earlier you start that kind of search, the more likelihood of success.

Sorry I can't give you more info that that, but I've never done it myself. There are some experts here on the DIS, and hopefully they'll come on this thread and help you more than I can.