DVC likely availability through RCI points in Oct/Nov '10

[JSweetman]

We took a year of from Disney this year, but are definitely planning on returning next year. So I'm starting to look ahead.

One of the things I did this year was come into possession of two RCI-affiliated timeshares -- one points & one weeks. Neither one provides many points, but the plan is to combine the points from both for two years to have one great vacation every 2 years. However, I don't have enough current points to see any kind of availability online.

My question is, how likely am I to find DVC availability through RCI points (excluding SSR & OKW) early next year for October or early November?

 

[ccgirl]

Can you check on the availability of the RCI Weeks one? I own a studio float week in Hawaii and had several resorts/weeks to choose from.

 

[JSweetman]

Maybe it has something to do with trading power, but I don't get anything in DVC when I search for a weeks trade next Oct/Nov. Only 9 off-property resorts. (My weeks property is in Atlantic City).

 

[ccgirl]

You may also be searching too far in advance. I created my search in June 09 and the furthest date was only thru May2010. If you are looking for Oct/Nov I would wait another month or two to see what comes up. It does also have to do with trading power, as you suspected. Is your week in Atlantic City a Red week? If not, that will never trade into DVC as they are always red weeks.

 

[JSweetman]

That's why I was hoping more for a response for someone who had used RCI points to book for this year

 

[Brian Noble]

You do have a trade power issue in Weeks. There are 50-60 units, from January through July, in Weeks right now.

I don't search Points as often, but I've seen fairly strong availability for the late February '10 period I was looking at a month or two ago. I'd guess you'll probably find something as long as your dates are a little flexible.

 

[JSweetman]

Good to know -- thanks. My friend is going next month & I'll have to decide whether to get rooms with her if she gets a bounce-back offer or take my chances on RCI points.

 

[Dean]

Several issues. First, make sure you're only paying for the RCI points account, the weeks account should be free to you as an RCI points member. It sounds like you're aware of points for deposit but in case you're not, you can deposit your non points week into RCI points assuming that resort is not a RCI points member.

With points you should have no trade power issues though your points account cannot be based on a resort in Orlando to trade to Disney. I have seen a number of units this fall and winter. All resorts except BLT, all unit sizes and all times of the year. I've seen two 3 BR units and many 2 BR but more 1 BR than anything else. I have 2 concurrent 1 BR units at AKV coming up in Oct and a 1 BR at OKW for Thanksgiving. Early Dec, even Xmas have been available.

Trade value certainly comes into play on the regular week if you're searching directly and have not converted it to points. I'm currently seeing about 50 units in RCI weeks through summer and a number in RCI points though 10 months out is the earliest you'll see in RCI points.

 

[JSweetman]

Thanks for the response. When the weeks account finally transferred, my points account showed a new renewal date to account for the longer time already in the weeks account, so I should be set there. My points resort is in PA, so using the points for Disney shouldn't be a problem for RCI. All I need is availability -- wish me luck!

Just one question about what you've seen this fall: do the Dis resorts get snapped up quickly? If so, is there a way other than searching every day to find them when the do pop up? I have a elert for Orlando but I can't see how to target it to a specific resort.

 

[Dean]

Just one question about what you've seen this fall: do the Dis resorts get snapped up quickly? If so, is there a way other than searching every day to find them when the do pop up? I have a elert for Orlando but I can't see how to target it to a specific resort.

RCI points is a reservation only system. You can't go on a wait list like the RCI weeks side. You basically need to search at least once or twice each day once the window opens (10 months out).

 

[JSweetman]

Good to know -- I wanted to make sure there wasn't some other search function I hadn't found yet.

Thanks for the help.

 

[BristolFitz]

I have just been searching for a DVC exchange on RCI points for July 2010, and I've noticed that most of the DVC properties are being snapped up on the same day they're becoming available, ie exactly 10 months ahead. They seem to be extremely sought after, despite costing significantly more points than other Gold Crown Resorts, and also exchangers have to pay the extra $95 resort fee. So I'd say that for peak times you really do have to get in as quickly as possible - maybe by November it wouldn't be so hard.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've noticed that most of the DVC properties are being snapped up on the same day they're becoming available, ie exactly 10 months ahead.

Unlike many Points resorts, though, DVC units can come into the system at less than 10 months prior to check in. I saw units coming and going almost weekly for late February 2010 while I was still checking, well into the 10 month period.

 

[JSweetman]

I just did a search for May and came up with various available weeks and suite sizes for SSR, OKW, VWL, BWV, and BCV. I'm more optimistic now that I'll find something for my preferred time if I keep trying.

 

[JSweetman]

To close out the thread, we switched our plans to late August. When a 1BR at BCV popped up yesterday, I grabbed it. I got 7 nights in a villa for less then 2 years worth of points -- about $750. Thanks to the savings, I added a 4-night cruise to the end.

 

[DJNOWICK]

Sounds like a great deal - congrats!

Your friend, by the way, is now thinking of renting DVC points at a studio BCV from a DISer instead of using the bounceback offer at CB.

Your friend is also in DC this week and free for lunch Tues and Thurs.