DVC Exchanges with Interval Int'l

[KelNottAt]

Very soon I hope to make a pitch to DH that we're ready for timeshare. I want DVC. Since he is completely indifferent to the magic of the Disney brand, I can't really use that as a selling point. I'm sure he'll want to buy something cheaper like Marriott, Hilton or Sunterra then exchange in to a Disney resort. After all, we only take a Disney vacation once every 3 years or so. (I hope to increase that frequency.)

My questions:
Is it true that it's hard to exchange in to DVC?

Is it hard to exchange out of DVC? Are the II resorts an equivalent value to DVC? More points? Less points?

Does Disney have enough Interval Int'l destinations to provide a good variety? DH will probably balk at Disney's measly list of 240 II resorts when the others have thousands.

What are some of the II destinations? I mean, they advertise the Plaza in NYC. What if we dont want that hotel? Are there others in NY? Williamsburg VA? Destin FL? Myrtle Beach SC? Texas? Grand Canyon? San Fran? Mexico? Spain?

Thanks for your help. BTW, I plan to shop for OKW resale with about 250 pts and springtime year.

 

[kem330]

The plaza is part of the Concierge collection- not II. So you can trade to the listed Concierge collection hotels or trade into II. The reason (and Dean can elaborate) that there are not as many II trades is that they are not on an equal level to DVC and not worth trading. It is true its very difficult to trade II into DVC. You should never buy DVC to trade it is best to use mostly at Disney. Even II can be difficult to trade within for the time you want and specific resorts from what my friends tell me

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

It would appear that trading into Disney is getting easier which is not to say it is easy by any stretch of the imagination. Its almost always OKW and shows up rarely in the availability lists for II.

I believe Disney limits their exchanges to ones they feel are of value to their populace. I don't think I would go so far as to say they only pick the ones that are equivalent and that the others are of lesser value. There are some peculiar ones included (like Atlantic City...useless during cold weather) and then there aren't very many ski resorts making DVC very hard to use for skiing purposes in the northeast. Concierge Collection has a more useful selection from my point of view. I almost think Disney is trying to get a spectrum of places people can go combined with fair value for the property exchanged.

I would NOT buy a timeshare for the purpose of trading into DVC. You should only buy a different timeshare if you don't care about staying on site...or you are willing to pay to stay on site even though you have another timeshare.

An alternate suggestion might be to buy a small contract via resale & also buy another timeshare unit elsewhere...best of both worlds. To find out locations that would be good traders it is best to visit the tug bulletin board....www.tug2.net

Another option is to use the hotel money from your next stay as a downpayment on DVC (assuming you would have stayed on site...that helps "keep the cost down").

The other answer to your question is...most states, carribean, south america, canada, europe (incl spain), africa, south pacific.

 

[Lisa P.]

I want DVC.... I'm sure he'll want to buy something cheaper... we only take a Disney vacation once every 3 years or so. (I hope to increase that frequency.)

Consider buying only the number of DVC points you would need to visit WDW DVC - banking and borrowing points. Perhaps a 150 points package or even a smaller resale contract, if you wouldn't need a 2BR. Then get a reasonably priced resale week that would suit your other vacation needs. The combined price of the two purchases could easily be lower (in both purchase & annual maint dues) than the cost of getting 250 DVC points. You would probably find the exchanging less frustrating and receive more vacation nights per year by doing it that way.

Is it true that it's hard to exchange in to DVC?

Generally, yes, so this is not something to anticipate as part of a plan. You would also be limited to the time periods made available and less advance notice in which to plan your Disney trips. If you buy elsewhere and plan to use it to trade to vacation in the area, you'd need to know that you would be satisfied with accepting an exchange to an offsite property.

Is it hard to exchange out of DVC? Are the II resorts an equivalent value to DVC? More points? Less points?

Here are the DVC points needed for a full week exchange via II - they are set by season & unit size received:

2BR prime/highest red season - 270
2BR mid-season - 252
2BR low season - 207

1BR prime/highest red season - 160
1BR mid-season - 144
1BR low season - 124

There are a few II resorts that offer similar value but they are all different and none of them will have "Disney" theme or attractions next door. Trading is not complicated but all trading (DVC or otherwise) requires some patience and the understanding that you may or may not be successful. It's not as simple as calling and making a reservation.

Does Disney have enough Interval Int'l destinations to provide a good variety?

Really depends on where you want to go. Very individual.

...in NY? Williamsburg VA? Destin FL? Myrtle Beach SC? Texas? Grand Canyon? San Fran? Mexico? Spain?

By trading a non-DVC property, you would likely find a more equivalent value for your trades. With that "wish list," I'd again suggest that you consider DVC points for DVC vacations and a (perhaps RCI) resort resale week or other timeshare points for the others. There are a couple of other timeshare programs that have resorts in several of those locations.

Let's see now, II options through DVC, in these places...
...in NY? Not with II... only RCI has NYC weeks. Nightly stays at The Plaza or the Shelburne.
Williamsburg VA? Yes, two.
Destin FL? No, there's one in the nearby Panama City Beach area.
Myrtle Beach SC? Yes, two by the beach and two inland.
Texas? South Padre Island & Pottsboro (?)
Grand Canyon? No. The closest is in Sedona, 2.5 hours drive... or perhaps Las Vegas???
San Fran? Yes, three.
Mexico? Yes, multiple destinations.
Spain? Marbella, Malaga, Canary Islands.

HTH! The suggestion above to learn more about other timeshares on TUG is a very good one. Even if you are only planning to use a timeshare for an occasional exchange, reading the resort reviews (as a TUG member) is valuable and well worth the membership fee ($15/first year, $10 to renew).

 

[Dean]

I would not buy DVC with the idea of mostly exchanging and I certainly would not buy another timeshare with the idea of trading in every 3 years or so. The idea of buying what you need of both is a good one. There are cheaper choices but remember that the top choices are still going to be pretty expensive.

 

[KelNottAt]

Thanks to all of you for your information!
We have more thinking and figuring to do.