don't like most of the exchange properties

[CNMooner]

I'm having some buyers remorse. We are recently married and 30 years old and we both LOVE disney. We plan to take our family every year, when we have one. Which will be soon.

But one of the reasons I liked the DVC so much was for the great exchange rate (160 points per week!), since we probably won't be going back to Disney for about 5 years, and had planned to use points to visit hawaii, the Carribean, and maybe even Tuscany. Well, I'm starting to do some research and it seems as though Marriott or Westin properties in Hawaii are extremely hard to get and might not happen. We wanted to go in March of 2007. And I don't really like any of the properties they offer in the carribean, though Atlantis looks cool. At 63 points per night, is that a good use of our points? I am sort of a "resort snob" and prefer to stay at upscale properties on vacation, but our guide said that the Concierge collection "isn't the best use of your points." Do you think that is correct? Has anyone done a price analysis on it?

The thing is, if we don't do the DVC now at $83/point, we probably never will. And I like the idea of pre-paying Disney Vacations with today's prices. But in the short term, I wish exchanging would work out better for me.

What do you think?

 

[Beca]

Well, your assumptions are right. DVC is not the best timeshare to own for trading out. The only thing I might suggest is, buy DVC because you want it, and plan on renting out your points in the years that you don't want to go to WDW. Then, use the cash you generate to rent your stay from another timeshare owner at a resort you want to stay at. Tug and redweek are really great places for that.



Beca

 

[OKWJan]

Hi neighbor! I'm in Aurora, right next door. I don't think anyone recommends DVC if your primary plan is to trade out, although lots of people have made a lot of great trades. Check back post for lots of information on trades people have made, and check TUG for info on the resorts. And don't discount Disney without kids! It's a great place for couples.

Jan

 

[Donna]

Did your guide push the advantage of exchanging? Not sure if you discussed DVC here on these boards before purchasing but using it for exchanges isn't really the best use of your vacation club points. It's really meant for those that will prefer deluxe resorts at disney world and would go at least every other year. What i mean is, you will get the most bang for your points/buck if you use them at the DVC properties; they will go much further for you. That being said, i wouldn't regret the purchase just yet. Like you said, once you have your family, you will spend alot of time at disney and you will see how the "home away from home" amenities are wonderful when you have a family. By the way, WELCOME HOME!

 

[spiceycat]

II is the exchange club that DVC uses.

they can't give to you what they don't get.

maybe you can adjust your request list.

there are several DVC member who have made exchanges to Hawaii and were happy with them.

Dean had list at one time - the ones on the DVC II exchange list that were worth doing. I really think he lists more than two in Hawaii.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The reality with timeshare exchanges is that someone staying where you want to go has to put into the system before you can have a chance at getting that resort. Marriotts are hard to exchange into no matter WHAT timeshare you are exchanging. You might have better luck doing a direct exchange if you must stay at a specific property. We took our chances and got Kona Coast Resort on the Big Island. It was fine for us, and the rooms were well appointed. Friends of ours traded a different timeshare into Kauai, and the timeshare there was definitely of a lesser quality than Kona CoastII. The exchange lists for DVC are hand picked by DVC to be similar quality accommodations. If you are exchanging into a hard to get destination, you need to be a bit flexible in one way or another. If you will ONLY stay at a specific resort, then leave the time of travel to that location completely open so you will get a chance to get the first available reservation there. You might also leave the size unit open as well to increase your chances. With other timeshares, you often have to do all the searching yourself for available units and resorts. Here, DVC does that for you, but you can't be quite as flexible. If you are exchanging into more domestic locations, you can be a bit more firm about dates and exact locations, but that's not true when going for the prime exchanges. Perhaps you need to look at something like Bluegreen Vacation Club instead of DVC.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I keep seeing the abbreviation TUG... can someone post a link?

 

[spiceycat]

www.tug2.net

timeshares users group.

to read the reviews and get their help information - you need to join.

but you can ask them questions for free.

just register

 

[Dean]

I'm having some buyers remorse. We are recently married and 30 years old and we both LOVE disney. We plan to take our family every year, when we have one. Which will be soon.

But one of the reasons I liked the DVC so much was for the great exchange rate (160 points per week!), since we probably won't be going back to Disney for about 5 years, and had planned to use points to visit hawaii, the Carribean, and maybe even Tuscany. Well, I'm starting to do some research and it seems as though Marriott or Westin properties in Hawaii are extremely hard to get and might not happen. We wanted to go in March of 2007. And I don't really like any of the properties they offer in the carribean, though Atlantis looks cool. At 63 points per night, is that a good use of our points? I am sort of a "resort snob" and prefer to stay at upscale properties on vacation, but our guide said that the Concierge collection "isn't the best use of your points." Do you think that is correct? Has anyone done a price analysis on it?

The thing is, if we don't do the DVC now at $83/point, we probably never will. And I like the idea of pre-paying Disney Vacations with today's prices. But in the short term, I wish exchanging would work out better for me.

What do you think?

IMO, exchanging DVC is not a good situation. And buying to exchange is very poor. In your situation I'd either sell or rent my points. If you want to exchange, buy something that is more reasonable to do so. However, if you don't want to rent or sell and want to make the most of the situation, we can help you learn how to do so. To summarize, it means researching the properties (you've already seen the reasons why), planning at least a year in advance and being realistic about your choices. Many of us many have an opinion about a given exchange but the final decision is yours.

 

[CNMooner]

Renting my points kinda worries me. I think I'd rather just go to Disney or Vero every year and pay out of pocket for other trips-- maybe it's the cynic in me, but I'd worry that a renter would damage the room and stick me with the bill! But it seems it's a good option one year if money is tight.

I think we have decided to use our DVC for Disney and just pay for other vacations until DVC builds more off-site properties to visit!