DVC called me on email about RCI and II!

[Dean]

Apparently nobody told II, because in the '09 II trading book, Disney Resorts are listed....

I'm curious if RCI will put DVC inventory into their Extra Vacations, and sell the reservations for cash instead of letting people trade in. Of course when Extra Vacations aren't sold, they go into Last Call's...

My response was related to the idea that II had dropped DVC rather than the reverse. No way would II do so out of the blue, they'd be fools. But certainly DVC could have, and likely did, pit RCI against II and consider proposals from both. They did back in 2006 and seriously considered dually affiliating at that time. The problem with dual affiliation is you have no leverage and Disney likes leverage. It's unlikely they would be able to get nearly as many concessions from both as they could from one only, esp if that one knew DVC was willing to walk and go with the other. II will still list DVC because DVC is still currently a member and II has inventory through next fall in place already. It's even possible you'll see them there another year after this.

 

[fishermouse]

Love the false advertising claims!!! Our contracts are for the points in the resorts we purchsed any thing else is subject to change. DVC can cancel or change any exchange "perks" even between DVC resorts if they like. They don't have to include us in the decision. DVC is and always has been a great deal for folks who want to stay where they bought, I've used it to trade out twice and both places we stayed are no longer available, but other places are so maybe I'll trade out again sometime. Problem is I barely have enough points to cover all my WDW trips, another bout of add-on-idis is comming on.

 

[maminnie]

I know you keep saying this, and I know it's from a direct conversation you've had with him, but this just isn't the way DVD has been behaving in their marketing materials. For example, the Orlando Sentinel article on the swtich mentions this:



The DVC blogger at the OrSen also has archived a Word document with more details about this marketing push, and it's emphasis on the broader options available to those considering Membership:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/files/DVCcampaign.doc

That not many actually do exchange is almost beside the point. It's always been a sales point, and its increasingly being emphasized.

*****

The advertisement referred to above has been played in our area many, many times at very key times of the day. In the ad DVC boasts that members can travel many, many places by having little children happily exclaim where in the world they and their families are travelling to. If you can read the fine print at the end of the ad I think there is a statement about availability but it is really small and very hard to read of course!!!!! Obviously Disney now feels that they must also more heavily promote destinations other then Disney properties to compete in the timeshare marketplace.

Personally not counting on success with exchanges at the times of the year we need to travel and also disappointed that the Marriotts and Westins are no longer in the mix to at least try. For us it may be nearing the time to sell DVC and move on as we are reaching Disney parks/properties saturation. We will see how exchanges work over the next period of time and then make our decision. Oh well.

Hoping that RCI is an improvement in members ability to travel places other then Disney. Time as always will tell.

Happy holidays to all.
maminnie