DVC exchanging into RCI

[RooRach0906]

My sister is a DVC owner and is looking to Trade into RCI for next summer(2013)... She would like to know the best time to call and get a reservation?? I think they want Gatilinburg. TIA.

 

[bwvBound]

I'd suggest calling "Right away?"

Editing this reply as I go ... There are three RCI Properties in Gatlinburg, TN, on the DVC exchange list:

• Tree Tops Resort (#2208)
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
• MountainLoft Resort II (#8883)
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort (#7540)
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

I checked Summer 2013 availability of these three using my non-DVC RCI account. One of the three shows up and offers the following exchange weeks:

[b]TREE TOPS RESORT (#2208)[/b]

Unit Type	 Occup	 Kitchen Check-In Date  	 Check-Out Date

Studio		 2 (2)	 Full	 Sat 22-Jun-2013	 Sat 29-Jun-2013
1 Bedroom	 4 (4)	 Full	 Sun 21-Jul-2013	 Sun 28-Jul-2013
2 Bedrooms	 6 (6)	 Full	 Sun 28-Jul-2013	 Sun 04-Aug-2013
2 Bedrooms	 6 (6)	 Full	 Sat 10-Aug-2013	 Sat 17-Aug-2013	
1 Bedroom	 4 (4)	 Full	 Sun 25-Aug-2013	 Sun 01-Sep-2013
2 Bedrooms	 6 (6)	 Full	 Sat 31-Aug-2013	 Sat 07-Sep-2013

Your sister should be able to book any of these directly the DVC Members Services right now ... or could waitlist for other resort, week or unit size. If it were me -- I'd book something now versus going on a waitlist for Summer 2013. (I'm inclined to believe that she is already late for Summer 2013 choices.)

 

[RooRach0906]

Thanks she also told me they would be open to going to Massunetten (sp?).

 

[bwvBound]

That adds two more choices:

• Woodstone at Massanutten (#5711)
  McGaheysville, VA 22840, USA
• Massanutten's Mountainside Villas (#0174)
  McGaheysville, VA 22840, USA

Again, she ought to phone DVC Member Services right away to discuss the process and reservations with them.

Edited to add: The two VA properties had much more inventory than TN. I searched Summer 2013 as "any check-in between 5/25/13-8/31/13." The results for the two VA properties return a total of 83 available units. Mountainside had 19 check-in dates offered -- each in 2BR unit. Woodstone had a mix of 1BR and 2BR options. The total VA options, broken down by month:

May 2013  [5]
June 2013  [28]
July 2013  [22]
August 2013  [28]

 

[RooRach0906]

Thanks I will let her know!!!

 

[Dean]

My sister is a DVC owner and is looking to Trade into RCI for next summer(2013)... She would like to know the best time to call and get a reservation?? I think they want Gatilinburg. TIA.

I thought I had posted on this thread yesterday but obviously it's not there. For Gatlinburg, I would not trade through DVC but rather look at a private exchange for a member there directly. Wyndham, Bluegreen, Holiday Inn and Westgate are good choices for such a purpose. Even though we love the area, the value isn't there to trade to Gatlinburg using 160 or 270 DVC points, IMO.

 

[job09]

I was thinking about an RCI exchange for next spring break, for a week 3-30-13 or 4-1-13 for nice AI in Mexico, is this feasible? DH tired of Disney wants to try the Velas in Riviera Nayait or something in Cancun. Is this a good use of my disney points. Thanks to those in the know!

 

[Dean]

I was thinking about an RCI exchange for next spring break, for a week 3-30-13 or 4-1-13 for nice AI in Mexico, is this feasible? DH tired of Disney wants to try the Velas in Riviera Nayait or something in Cancun. Is this a good use of my disney points. Thanks to those in the know!

As a rule, AI's are very easy because the AI fee is often as much as you could get the whole thing including air for without using your DVC points. Obviously it will vary so look at specifics.

 

[job09]

Thanks Dean, I've been searching the forums and your posts are helping me! I wonder if I should take the leap and buy another time shsare. We like to travel to Mexico/Caribbean in Jan or Feb (2 of us) then take the kids somewhere for Easter week. I see what you mean about AI fees. Do you recommend purchasing RCI?

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean, I've been searching the forums and your posts are helping me! I wonder if I should take the leap and buy another time shsare. We like to travel to Mexico/Caribbean in Jan or Feb (2 of us) then take the kids somewhere for Easter week. I see what you mean about AI fees. Do you recommend purchasing RCI?

Buying another timeshare is a personal decision and whether it's reasonable and what's best varies from one person to another. In general it's best to buy what you want if you will use it most years. If you can get into a system where you can have access to multiple resorts, that can be a plus. For MX you have to be careful in that the transfer fees can be dramatic and the resale buyers may not get a functional product in some situations. IF you want to go to MX yearly and want a specific location, start looking for those resorts in that area that seem to fit your needs. Don't lock yourself into RCI or II resorts. Also, buying something like Bluegreen or Wyndham and trading can be a good option as long as you're flexible, but Jan will be easier than Feb. Some of the independent smaller exchange companies can be good for MX as well. I haven't kept up with issues and price for MX so I'd direct you to places like the Timeshare Users Group. I'd still steer you away from AI options, too expensive overall.

 

[job09]

Thanks Dean, you give me a lot to think about. I've been lucky with my DVC membership, but I did a lot of homework, guess I need to join TUG now!

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean, you give me a lot to think about. I've been lucky with my DVC membership, but I did a lot of homework, guess I need to join TUG now!

I'd recommend it, the boards are accessible but the paid membership does offer more at $15-20 a year and it's worth it for most people with any interest in timeshares. Knowledge is power with timeshares.