I wanted to respond to these 2 issues. Most timeshares can be bought for far less than DVC, often pennies on the dollar even top notch options. Also, DVC dues are generally around 30-50% higher than an otherwise comparable non DVC timeshare.
I thought the same thing!
OP, many people who usually stay at the values can't justify the cost of DVC. Many DVC members would otherwise be staying in a deluxe resort. The numbers work much more in DVC's favor if that is the case.
Your comparing a con job to DVC resale. Those same timeshare resale would be pennies on the dollar to a small ? of DVC resale depending on specifics. Lets talk more appropriate comparisons. Points at Wyndham's bonnet creek enough for a 2 BR for a full week any time of year will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1-2K (or less) and yearly dues around $1000-1200 (some variability). A 2 BR at Marriott's Grande Vista can be bought for maybe $3K with dues around $1K, BG points to stay at the Fountains for $1K including transfers and yearly dues around $1100. All resorts are comparable to DVC and other than location, I think they are all as nice or nicer than OKW. Those 3 options also give you a lot of options that DVC doesn't. I'm not saying they're better overall, just that they are different and cheaper. You'd need to compare to 270-300 DVC points at around $15K resale and yearly fees in the $1500 range It's a little like when people live in a high cost housing area then move to a low cost one.
That would not be a deterrent to us. We drive most places even when we stay on property and don't find the resorts we consider off property much of a deterrent. In addition, they all have better pools than all DVC resorts except BCV and more activities than DVC resorts. We still prefer staying on property but it's mostly emotional rather than any other benefit. However, I think the last extended stay (4 days or longer) that we had on our own points was 5 years ago this past Dec. We've had maybe 20-30 units since then by other means, frankly, I've lost count.
Since this is a DVC BBS, I'll try to keep this short and general though much of the info will apply to DVC members looking to exchange out as well. I feel there are 2 extremes when people travel. There are those that are most interested in location and those that are most concerned with the resort itself. Most are likely somewhere in between but more to one end or the other. We are definitely resort quality oriented and we are not simply interested in a place to sleep. Some would call us timeshare snobs. We have a definite floor in resort quality we don't want to be below. With that focus in mind, I will tell you the resorts in the area that I am happy with and some that are somewhat borderline. I've seen most and stayed at many but not all of them. Others may want to add their own info and experiences.
