Does anyone own a non-Disney timeshare?

[Jeafl]

Specifically once that exchanges properties through RCI or Interval International?

Long story short, my crazy mother in law bought FIVE timeshares, 2 in Branson, 2 in Las Vegas and one in Port Everglades. She is one of those people that can't say no at those timeshare presentations.

She wants to "give" one of them to us (i.e. we take over the yearly fees, the timeshare itself is paid off). It is in Branson, and the place itself is very nice. The problem is, I can't see myself spending a lot of time in Branson. We can supposedly exchange to go other places through Interval and RCI. I am rather skeptical as to how easily that would work.

Any opinions?

 

[live4christp1]

We don't own one but we have rented weeks for the past 4 years from owners. Some of whom have exchanged their weeks or points through Interval (that's the confirmation on the paperwork). So it can be done. I think a lot depends on the time you want to travel (peak versus non) and how far in advance you request. Have friends who can't get into their home location unless they book it a year out.

 

[Annette_VA]

We own a Marriott timeshare & it trades through Interval. We've never actually traded in our year, though. Part of our purchase deal was that we got a free week from Interval. I gave it to my sister & she got to pick where she wanted to go. The transaction was pretty painless. They have a huge selection of resorts (including DVC resorts!), but availability depends on if people are actually trading out of that resort.

For example, I just got an email last week, advertising exchange availability:

Anticipated Exchange Destinations
September 2008 - November 2008*
• UNITED STATES
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
• Berkshires, Massachusetts
• Big Bear Lake, California
• Branson, Missouri
• Breckenridge, Colorado
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• Capistrano Beach, California
• Catskills, New York
• Cocoa Beach, Florida
• Daytona Beach, Florida
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Glacier, Washington
• Hilton Head, South Carolina
• Hot Springs, Arkansas
• Island Falls, Maine
• Kirkwood, California
• Lake Havasu, Arizona
• Lake Ozark, Missouri
• Lake Tahoe, Nevada
• Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Miami, Florida
• Murrells Inlet Area, South Carolina
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Newport Beach, California
• Orlando, Florida
• Palm Beach, Florida
• Palm Springs, California
• Panhandle, Florida
• Park City, Utah
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Poconos, Pennsylvania
• Pottsboro, Texas
• Rim Country, Arizona
• San Diego Area, California
• Southwest Harbor, Maine
• Tucson, Arizona
• Vail, Colorado
• Vermont
• Vero Beach, Florida
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Williamsburg, Virginia • CANADA
• Calabogie, Ontario
• Canmore, Alberta
• Cobden, Ontario
• Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia
• Kelowna, British Columbia
• Mont Tremblant, Québec

MEXICO
• Cancún
• Mazatlán
• Mérida
• North Baja
• Puerto Vallarta
• Cabo San Lucas

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
• Aruba
• Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
• Santa Marta, Colombia
• Guatemala
• Mar Del Plata & Pinamar, Argentina
• Patagonia & Cuyo, Argentina
• Punta Del Este, Uruguay
• St. Maarten

EUROPE
• Austria, Alps
• Balearic Islands, Spain
• Costa Blanca, Spain
• Costa de la Luz, Spain
• Costa del Sol, Spain
• Dalmatia, Croatia
• Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
• Islands of Malta, Malta
• Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
• Wales

MIDDLE EAST
• Eilat, Israel

ASIA & AUSTRALIA
• Malaysia, Beaches
• Malaysia, Countryside
• Turangi, New Zealand
* Certain destinations may not be available every week of the fall exchange availability window.

 

[Jeafl]

I noticed in the Interval book it showed the Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs as available for exchange. I just wondered if it would be next to impossible to actually do that, especially during the summer which is when we would need to go since my daugher is in college.

 

[SC Minnie]

You would have a better chance with Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. But you probably can't book anything with them until after the 7 month window just like DVC members.

 

[cc1013]

We have a timeshare in Lake Geneva, WI that trades through RCI. It's a little different in that it's not a 'weekly' timeshare but points. We have a certain allotment of points and can use them as we wish. Each resort is a different point value and for many of them, you can stay less than a week.

So far, we've only gone to our home resort twice (long weekends), but we have traded for an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya and two trips to Phoenix (during March). Planning ahead is key, but it works very well for us. I originally heard that getting a hotel in the Phoenix area during baseball spring training is near impossible, but come March we'll be going for our second time and even got our first choice dates.

 

[PlainJane]

You really have to look at the trading potential. What kind of week is it (by that I mean color)? To trade into a Disney resort you would have to trade through Interval International.

We have a property in Nags Head, and we've been able to trade into all of the DW properties, besides AKL because that's not open to trades yet.

 

[Loverly]

It is in Branson, and the place itself is very nice. ?

Was it at Big Cedar lodge? That place is AWESOME!

 

[HelenePA]

I noticed in the Interval book it showed the Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs as available for exchange. I just wondered if it would be next to impossible to actually do that, especially during the summer which is when we would need to go since my daugher is in college.

I wouldn't hold my breath.. my dad owns (owned? he's dead its in his gf's name now anyway) thru them. I have looked and looked and looked for the past year for DVC on II and I've NEVER seen one listed at ANY time of the year... I wouldn't say its next to impossible.. I would just say its IMPOSSIBLE period.

 

[agentpleakley]

We have an RCI timeshare on the points system. Our yearly fees aren't bad - but so far we've only used it once in the 4 years that we've had it. If you don't book early enough the swap places are gone. DH said after this trip to Disney (staying onsite again) - no more and we have to start using our points. I guess I agree. We are going to Italy in 2010 for the Calabrese homecoming -- and we will use our timeshare then.

Our kids are getting older so 1 hotel room is not going to cut it much longer. When I look at it that way, the timeshare will be a better bargain.

 

[Handbag Lady]

We have the one that trades with RCI (I didn't buy it, the out-laws did, I think it is called Fairfield?) and they have some nice places in the Walt Disney area. My out-laws go there all the time an enjoy speaking with time-share sellers.

I don't like to stay there because we prefer on-property and I don't like being badgered every time I walk in or out, or check-in or check-out.

We stayed at the "Fairfield" in Las Vegas and never again! I almost punched some lady. We checked in, walked to the room and was accosted on the way to upgrade our time-share. We said no. We get to the room and the crazy lady calls us again on the PHONE! We said no. We leave, there she is again. It got to the point where we'd leave before she got in and we'd return after her day was over just to avoid her. She wanted us to sit for an hour presentation for a free toaster or something. I had to yell at her once, too.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We have one that we exchange with Interval. I have Never seen WDW come up as available....westgate, celebrity, and a few others come up a lot. Westgate is nice...

 

[momofmikey]

It's so funny that this was brought up today, because for the last week, all I've been doing is trying to see if I can exchange my DFIL's timeshare week with Interval for a Disney timeshare. No luck yet, but I've absolutely seen Old Key West and Saratoga come up. In fact, Saratoga is available now for a couple weeks in September. It was available for the time period we want (Nov. 15-22) last week, but I couldn't book it b/c I was waiting for my DH to confirm vacation time. It's pure luck, but I'm remaining optimistic we'll get Disney!

 

[mickeysgal]

Specifically once that exchanges properties through RCI or Interval International?

Long story short, my crazy mother in law bought FIVE timeshares, 2 in Branson, 2 in Las Vegas and one in Port Everglades. She is one of those people that can't say no at those timeshare presentations.

She wants to "give" one of them to us (i.e. we take over the yearly fees, the timeshare itself is paid off). It is in Branson, and the place itself is very nice. The problem is, I can't see myself spending a lot of time in Branson. We can supposedly exchange to go other places through Interval and RCI. I am rather skeptical as to how easily that would work.

Any opinions?

TUG - the Timeshare User's Group - is your answer for any or all timeshare questions. That place is awesome. tug2.net I believe is the web address. They delve into every type/brand of timeshare there is. (No, I'm not affliated with them, just know a great site when I see it. )

 

[jrmasm]

My parents have traded their Marriott Hilton Head for Old Key West 3 different times. It is possible through II.

For some reason I think it has to do with the value of your trade. I could be wrong.

 

[mickeysgal]

My parents have traded their Marriott Hilton Head for Old Key West 3 different times. It is possible through II.

For some reason I think it has to do with the value of your trade. I could be wrong.

I always thought so too. A strong trader, like Hawaii, Aruba, or Hilton Head trades stronger than one, lets say, in Daytona Beach.

 

[jrmasm]

I always thought so too. A strong trader, like Hawaii, Aruba, or Hilton Head trades stronger than one, lets say, in Daytona Beach.

I'm pretty sure they have good weeks to trade. Like Gold or Platinum or something like that and they always ask for Jan-Feb. So long season at DW.

 

[damo]

We have a weeks property in Hilton Head and we've traded to places such as Hawaii, Williamsburg and the Disney area.

 

[jbthi]

I wouldn't hold my breath.. my dad owns (owned? he's dead its in his gf's name now anyway) thru them. I have looked and looked and looked for the past year for DVC on II and I've NEVER seen one listed at ANY time of the year... I wouldn't say its next to impossible.. I would just say its IMPOSSIBLE period.

I think that your dad's timeshare doesn't have the power to trade into DVC. I don't think there is a day that there isn't a DVC showing on line. There are lots of studios, some 1 BR and a very few 2 BR. There is a 2 BR at Saratoga Springs today.

We own DVC and several other TS. We trade into DVC twice a year using one of these other TS. We belong to RCI and II both, but DVC trades only thru II.

 

[Jeafl]

Was it at Big Cedar lodge? That place is AWESOME!

No, it was Grand Crowne Rsort, on some golf course. My mother in law owns a 3-condo unit lockout, which sleeps a total of 12 people. It was HUGE!