DVC points used outside WDW?

[tigger2on]

Just Curious..... apart from WDW and Disney Cruises.... has anyone used their points elsewhere?
Was the experience good?

 

[Dean]

Only once and never again unless the value improves. Only II has any smattering of reasonable value and that assumes you go for top resorts at PRIME times only. There may be a special situation for the others but overall, the $$$ don't add up. For those that have the chance to do so, they should simply buy less points and use the savings to pay cash for what they want outside DVC. Even using points at DVC doesn't guarantee a savings, especially if using mostly for weekends.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Once, and it was a good experience. We traded for a week on the Big Island in Hawaii (160 points for 1 week in 1 bedroom with 2 baths at Kona CoastII).

 

[mikeymars]

Yes, you have to pick your properties and seasons carefully, but those who say going outside Disney "never or hardly ever makes sense" just don't know how to properly manage the program.

Last October, did an extended Columbus Day weekend stay in a suite at the Sagamore at Lake George, NY using DVC points (this resort is on the DVC "Concierge" list).

http://www.thesagamore.com/html/intro1.html

This property (on the National Register of Historic Places) is what a lot of DVC resorts would like to be. The island location -- with its views of the lake and Adirondacks -- was just unbelievable, and the room and service were great. Since this was an "off season" stay, the point cost wasn't bad (I saved a little over $400 over what the stay would have cost if booked directly).

Overall, the visit made my family and I really appreciate the fact the DVC program includes the opportunity to get discounted access to these sorts of special properties.