DVC location question

[Laxmom]

We are considering buying DVC resale. I honestly can't see us going to Orlando every year but maybe every 5 or so. We do, however, go to Hilton Head at least every other year. What are the odds of getting a room in one of the Orlando DVC's with HH points? I realize that I couldn't reserve until the 7 month mark. We own hotel based timeshare also but love Disney. Just not sure if we would use it to its full potential if not traveling to Orlando every year.

Thanks for your help. I have learned so much here.

 

[av8tor]

This really depends on what time of year you intend to go to
Disney. If you go during the really busy times you may have trouble getting the DVC resort of your choice. Our experience has been that during the none busy times you can pretty much stay where you want. Also, keep in mind that the DVC resorts are very busy during certain times of the years when the parks themselves are not, such as the Food & Wine Festival each fall.

 

[wildernessDad]

You can bank your points every other year and go then once every 2 years. That way, you either purchase less points or have a larger vacation every 2 years.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you like Hilton Head and would likely travel there more than Disney World, why not buy a resale at Disney Hilton Head resort and book your WDW trips at the 7 month window when you want to do the WDW trip?

 

[DVCLiz]

To anser your question, OP, the odds are pretty good. There is almost always availability at WDW if you are flexible. That means that at a busy time you might not get your first choice, but your second or third would be avaialble. I bought HH points for the same reason - we might get tired of going to WDW some day (hasn't happened yet!!) but we never get tired of a beach trip each summer. I think your plan to buy HH points is a smart one, given the way you want to vacation at WDW. We've used our HH points at WDW many times before!!!

 

[Granny]

Laxmom...Sounds like you are familiar enough with DVC to know that you should buy at HH as Diane suggests, and that you'd have the 7 month booking window for all other DVC resorts. I agree with DVCLiz that for almost any time of the year you can get something at WDW if you call right at the 7 month mark.

I am not as familiar with other timeshares, but I know that others (specifically Dean) have indicated that Disney's HH resort is not as nice as, for example, Marriott's timeshare resort there. My guess is that with your vacation patterns that some might suggest buying one of those and trading in to WDW every 4 to 5 years.

You stated that you own another timeshare so this is probably not news to you. To me, buying an HH DVC resale might be a pretty workable plan for you.

 

[Laxmom]

That is what I was thinking. To bank points and go every two to either HHI or Orlando. And if by chance, nothing was available, we would still love a trip to HHI. It is also one we can drive to. We already own in HHI but it is an biannual so this would give us a every year use there, if we chose to use it that way, just 2 different resorts. I just like the option of staying at Disney every so often. (I start to have withdrawal, ya know) And the cruise option is something that may add value - although I have read that some are not pleased with using points that way. Resale is pretty much my only option especially if I go HHI. Aren't they sold out?

Granny, what makes you say it isn't as nice as other timeshares? When we toured a few years ago, we thought they were up to par with a Marriott or Hilton. Has something changed? We didn't buy then because of the expiration of the points and preferred something that was deeded in perpetuity. We also didn't know if we would use it. Now we know we would. Now we would just be adding a little icing to our vacations.

 

[jimmacmn]

Resale is pretty much my only option especially if I go HHI. Aren't they sold out?

If you want to buy direct from Disney, they usually have points available at all of the sold out resorts. These are points they have gotten via ROFR

Granny, what makes you say it isn't as nice as other timeshares? When we toured a few years ago, we thought they were up to par with a Marriott or Hilton.

I think some people are put off by the rustic decor and themeing of the units at HHI. It is just a matter of preference.

 

[kend58]

That is what I was thinking. To bank points and go every two to either HHI or Orlando. And if by chance, nothing was available, we would still love a trip to HHI. It is also one we can drive to. We already own in HHI but it is an biannual so this would give us a every year use there, if we chose to use it that way, just 2 different resorts. I just like the option of staying at Disney every so often. (I start to have withdrawal, ya know) And the cruise option is something that may add value - although I have read that some are not pleased with using points that way. Resale is pretty much my only option especially if I go HHI. Aren't they sold out?

Granny, what makes you say it isn't as nice as other timeshares? When we toured a few years ago, we thought they were up to par with a Marriott or Hilton. Has something changed? We didn't buy then because of the expiration of the points and preferred something that was deeded in perpetuity. We also didn't know if we would use it. Now we know we would. Now we would just be adding a little icing to our vacations.

I think the plan you describe i.e. buying HHI DVC points and Banking and Borrowing for HHI or WDW every other year would work well. HHI is available from DVD but they requires a Contract minimum (160 pts I believe) for buyers who are not current members and the price is higher than resale many of the resale opportunities I see listed by the Board sponsor and other resale listers so I would recommend inverstigating resale. I have never been to HHI but while inverstigating it for a family beach vacation the major detraction I saw being assigned to the DVC HHI resort is the lack of direct beach / Ocean Front access at the resort (I believe about 1mi from the rooms there is a very wonderful beach access with a beach house facility and pool just not immediately outside your door like some others at HHI or DVC at VB would be).

The list below is borrowed from a different thread here on the board re current prices from DVD for the "Sold out resorts" teh qtys associated are the minimums for members to get the pricing or other bonus from DVD:

The last post I saw about the price increase listed the prices as follows:

Prices through June 4th:
AKV = $101 - $8 incentive = $93 (min 100 pts.)
SSR = $101 - $10 incentive = $91 (min 50 pts.)
BCV = $95
BWV, VWL = $95
OKW = $92
HHI, VB = $92 - $5 incentive = $87 (min. 50 pts.)


After June 4th:
AKV, SSR = $104 (not clear if the incentives will still be available)
BCV = $101
BWV, VWL = $98
OKW, HH and VB = $92

Hope this helps - Ken

 

[Laxmom]

Thanks, Ken. A few years ago when we toured while in Orlando, we think we remember touring a villa at the sales center that was set up like the HHI DVC resort. It doesn't bother me that the beach is a mile away. I am one of those people who like to stand in the ocean and see the color of my toe nail polish! So it isn't that big of deal.

I think I have a plan, with everyones help. Now I need to wait for the right contract. Amazing stuff I have soaked up in that last 24 hours! Thanks to all!

 

[Granny]

Granny, what makes you say it isn't as nice as other timeshares? When we toured a few years ago, we thought they were up to par with a Marriott or Hilton. Has something changed? We didn't buy then because of the expiration of the points and preferred something that was deeded in perpetuity. We also didn't know if we would use it. Now we know we would. Now we would just be adding a little icing to our vacations.

I do not have direct knowledge of HH and other timeshares there but am remembering opinions of some that the location of the DVC timeshare is not as good as other timeshares. Not as close to the beach?

The resort itself gets rave reviews on these boards...very rare to hear a negative about the DVC HH resort. So my comment was about the location. There might be some other amenities I'm not aware of when comparing to Marriott or others, but I don't know enough about either to make a valid comment.

 

[Laxmom]

Gotcha. I know where it is but don't consider the distance a big deal. We have to walk about 125 yards or more with our other timeshare. I agree that the quality is definately there. It is Disney, after all. They just do things a notch above. I did the virtual tour thing and really liked what I saw. We have been keeping our eyes open for another week on HHI so I am thinking Disney would offer us the most flexibility. We would use that property more with occasional trades to Orlando. I could even see going down there for a Monday thru Friday thing. It isn't a bad drive-11 hours or so. Florida would be airfare every trip or 2 day drive. I am taking that into consideration also.

Thanks for your advice. I love all the info here.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Gotcha. I know where it is but don't consider the distance a big deal. We have to walk about 125 yards or more with our other timeshare. I agree that the quality is definately there. It is Disney, after all. They just do things a notch above. I did the virtual tour thing and really liked what I saw. We have been keeping our eyes open for another week on HHI so I am thinking Disney would offer us the most flexibility. We would use that property more with occasional trades to Orlando. I could even see going down there for a Monday thru Friday thing. It isn't a bad drive-11 hours or so. Florida would be airfare every trip or 2 day drive. I am taking that into consideration also.

Thanks for your advice. I love all the info here.

Well, the fact that you were kind of looking for something else at HH AND want to do WDW occationally, it sounds like a match made in heaven! We absolutely LOVE DVC, and think it is one of the best things we have ever done for ourselves.

 

[Laxmom]

Do you have any problems getting into a resort other than one you own? We would travel at different times of the year. I think my hesitation is that I am worried that I won't be able to get into any Orlando DVC with HH points and, even though in 40 years, I won't care, the expiration of the points. I guess I need to look at it the way you do, Diane. This is something we would do for ourselves. The kids can fight over the other timeshare when we are gone!

Anybody have any experience trading into Orlando with HHI points? Is it difficult?

 

[Kosmc4]

We said the same thing, "were not going to go every year". See below. My teen girls said "not Disney again" so they brought friends who haven't been to Disney but once when they were young. Seeing Disney through there eyes brought all the magic back. Have you ever done Disney without the parks? We have. What a magical relaxing week that is.

Feb. 07 Boardwalk Villas
Nov. 06 Beach Club Villas/Sarasota Springs flew 25th Food and Wine
Feb. 06 Beach Club Villas
Feb. 05 Beach Club Villas
Nov. 03 Animal Kingdom
Aug. 02 Vero Beach
Nov. 01 Boardwalk
Nov. 00 Boardwalk /Old Key West
Nov. 99 Boardwalk /Ft Wild Lodge
Nov. 98 Boardwalk
Nov. 97 Old Key West
Nov. 96 Old Key West
Nov. 95 Old Key West
Nov. 94 Ft. Wilderness

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....Anybody have any experience trading into Orlando with HHI points? Is it difficult?

At the 7 month mark, it doesn't matter which resort your points were originally from - everyone is on an equal footing, because at 7 months, a point is a point is a point.

If you call at 7 months (and don't need a "specialty" unit), you should be able to get in somewhere almost all times of the year. The most likely resorts to have availability would be SSR, OKW, AKV & BWV (Preferred -Pool/Garden category) because those are the larger ones. However, some are successful at getting VWL & BCV at 7 months as well.

By "specialty unit", I mean Grand Villa / 3 bedroom unit, any unit in the standard view or Boardwalk view categories at the BWV and dedicated 2 bedroom units with 2 actual queen beds in the second bedroom at the BCV.

For certain times of the year and certain resorts, you should call day by day and be prepared to use the waitlist if you are not able to get what you want on the day you call.

All that said, I don't think it is all that much of a risk for you to buy HHI and book WDW DVC at 7 months as long as you don't care which DVC you stay in when you visit WDW.

 

[TigerLilly1970]

Don't forget! You can use your HHI points for adventure on the High Seas as well! And, cruises can be booked up to 2 years ahead of time -- no matter your home resort. The Disney ships are remarkable.