DVC directions and growth

[Boardwalker]

Am I right in thinking that those of you who are excited about a new destination don't like the system of trading out through II? If so why?
I certainly don't fault you your desire to see new places. I thought that was one of the DVC selling points, trading out to go anywhere in the world.
I think we have benefited from being a niche market.... staying on site is not available to other timeshares. And I understood that to be crucial to our ability to trade out to anywhere else. We had an exclusive opportunity...
I have no experience with II, so I am asking for your expertise.
And thanks for the good discussion everyone. I was afraid that I would just get a lot of "if you don't like it, sell" kind of response. I like that we can agree, disagree, and do so with respect. That is why I love the DIS.

 

[Granny]

Am I right in thinking that those of you who are excited about a new destination don't like the system of trading out through II? If so why?

I think many find the whole trading out thing a bit intimidating, with a lot of uncertainty.

The ability to book other locations with a simple call to MS just like any other DVC resort holds a lot of appeal. No waiting, instant confirmation of availability and reservation, and the ability to know the point schedules without calling anyone.

I don't think we would trade out through II, but reserving DVC resorts at other locations is something I can definitely see us trying at some point.

 

[tjkraz]

Am I right in thinking that those of you who are excited about a new destination don't like the system of trading out through II? If so why?
I certainly don't fault you your desire to see new places. I thought that was one of the DVC selling points, trading out to go anywhere in the world.
I think we have benefited from being a niche market.... staying on site is not available to other timeshares. And I understood that to be crucial to our ability to trade out to anywhere else. We had an exclusive opportunity...
I have no experience with II, so I am asking for your expertise.

Despite its niche market, DVC doesn't have the trading power many expect. The DVC sales materials make II trades sound as easy as booking outside your home resort at 7 months. There are some II properties DVC members have no realistic chance of getting. For peak periods and destinations, you need to start looking 1-2 years in advance to have any chance.

Getting Hawaii via II during a prime season makes booking BCV for early December at 7 months look simple by comparison.

Other drawbacks include II booking fees that aren't mirrored when booking within DVC. Many resorts will give the best rooms to their own members and save the poorer ones for those trading in. After all, it's in their best interest to keep members happy.

 

[Boardwalker]

Maybe my memory is off, but when I first purchased back in 98 wasn't there a different company used for exchanges?
Was it any better before II, if anyone remembers?
I was thinking that maybe we should lobby for a different company, but it may be academic if Disney will be expanding its hotel business to popular tourist destinations. Selling DVC units in the hotels will provide the hotel with revenue stream that will definately help to insure its success.

 

[Chuck S]

Maybe my memory is off, but when I first purchased back in 98 wasn't there a different company used for exchanges?
Was it any better before II, if anyone remembers?
I was thinking that maybe we should lobby for a different company, but it may be academic if Disney will be expanding its hotel business to popular tourist destinations. Selling DVC units in the hotels will provide the hotel with revenue stream that will definately help to insure its success.

Yes, but I thought the change was earlier than 1998. DVC originally traded with Resort Condominiums International. I thought that RCI was dropped in favor of II around 1995 or 1996, but I may be wrong.

I don't have experience with either trading company, but I think most prefer II.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, but I thought the change was earlier than 1998. DVC originally traded with Resort Condominiums International. I thought that RCI was dropped in favor of II around 1995 or 1996, but I may be wrong.

I don't have experience with either trading company, but I think most prefer II.

We joined in 1997 and I think RCI was still the company for trading. But I also think it changed right after that.

 

[tomandrobin]

I love that DVC is becoming more of a mini trading system and does not need to rely on II to get a trade. The ability to call ms and get a room is easy and very appealing. Besides, being an owner at a Disney resort you expect and get that Disney level of service and accomadations.

We own Starwood (Westin) timeshares. One of the biggest reasons we own Starwood is the ability to trade within its own system, and not have to rely on II for trades. We called at the 8 month mark last year and traded our 2 bedroom unit in Arizona for three 1 bedroom units at Atlantis. One phone call and done. We have stayed at the Westin St. John too. There are tons of people that waitlist year after year and can not trade into either Atlantis or St. John.

 

[mamaprincess]

Am I the only one feeling uncomfortable with DVC moving into non-themepark destinations?.

You aren't the only one. I wish they would concentrate on getting things right on the level they are already operating on. I personally bought in for Disney and only Disney.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

You aren't the only one. I wish they would concentrate on getting things right on the level they are already operating on. I personally bought in for Disney and only Disney.

what do you feel is wrong currently with the on site properties? I am not happy with a few things but the more I think about it I dont think this off site activity has one thing to do with them

Its not like they are adding only off site properties, they just recently announced AKV and GC is an on park site technically as well, just not WDW on site.

plus they already had off site resorts in HHI and VB before any of this new stuff even began

they are not taking away or taking anything from the disney resorts so just wondering "whats the difference"

 

[spiceycat]

Yes, but I thought the change was earlier than 1998. DVC originally traded with Resort Condominiums International. I thought that RCI was dropped in favor of II around 1995 or 1996, but I may be wrong.

I don't have experience with either trading company, but I think most prefer II.

this is funny. on the tug some times it is heated. one guy kepts claiming that RCI threw Disney out - they didn't.

according to someone I don't remember who. RCI kept allowing their members to have DVC even when no DVC member traded out.

I know for a few years in the statement stuff that send us (back when I read the stuff). there were a couple of trades to RCI that we could make - even after Disney switched.

pretty certain Disney wanted more control over our trades, RCI couldn't or won't do it - II did it.

 

[crisi]

what do you feel is wrong currently with the on site properties? I am not happy with a few things but the more I think about it I dont think this off site activity has one thing to do with them

In my experience and from the complaints I've read here:

The rooms aren't clean enough. Checkin seems to be getting worse and worse and it seems to be taking longer and longer to get into rooms. There isn't online booking - in fact you can't do even some BASIC online functionality - like changing names on an existing reservation, or adding your own ME information - that isn't even the hard stuff like reservations. Hold times for MS seem to be increasing and the MS reps seem to be less adequately trained than in the past (my Magical Express and Dining are screwed up - I think dining is straightened out, I'm hoping I can straighten out ME onsite). Disney seems to be uninterested or unable to control their resources (e.g. pool crashers) There is a problem between booking non-DVC options and CRO being able to resell those rooms for cash - probably made worse by the numbers of cheap private rentals occurring (who is going to pay twice as much for a room through CRO once you know you can rent). Confirmations seem to be sent out nearly randomly (we've added people and dining - no new confirmation though others have in similar circumstances) - basic online functionality - print out a new confirmation.

These aren't the sorts of problems that are fixed by expansion.

 

[bobbiwoz]

crisi...I have added names/subtracted them from existing reservations by sending an e-mail to MS, and I've always booked ME for myself and others via the DVC website. There have been no mistakes for these.
Bobbi

 

[crisi]

crisi...I have added names/subtracted them from existing reservations by sending an e-mail to MS, and I've always booked ME for myself and others via the DVC website. There have been no mistakes for these.
Bobbi

Cool

I called to add names and dining, then had to call back for ME once we got the flights, and they'd screwed up the names and dining - names aren't a huge deal, I don't care about that - the problem was that the ages were completely wrong - which meant that dining was wrong.

ME is a strange case for us - because we actually aren't flying out from the airport the day we have ME scheduled - so they have the "wrong" flight information to make it work. We fly in late, stay at the Hyatt, take ME in the morning, then do the same thing in reverse and fly out early when we leave. We are hoping that they get this "right"

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ok..now I understand...the dining plan, ages, names, make things more complicated, and so more chances to go wrong.

Have a great trip.
Bobbi