DVC versus Wyndham Timeshare

[texasteacher35]

I am sure everyone on the DIS would prefer DVC, but can anyone tell me anything about the accomodations of the resorts, or maybe the flexibility? What about other places to visit besides WDW...

I am asking because we are considering a Wyndham Timeshare, and I know they have a resort on WDW property with a character breakfast on site. They also get the WDW tranportation....Does anyone have any experience with this resort...I think it is called "Bluebonnet" or something like that!?

Thanks for info in advance...I am ready to buy some timeshare and I have to decide which one...btw...we have been going to WDW atleast 2x a year, and we would continue to do that no matter which one we bought into, with APs!

 

[Lynne M]

I'm going to move this to the DVC - Mousecellaneous board for you; you'll find lots of very knowledgeable folks over there who can help you compare Wyndham to DVC.

 

[Brian Noble]

I am asking because we are considering a Wyndham Timeshare, and I know they have a resort on WDW property with a character breakfast on site. They also get the WDW tranportation....Does anyone have any experience with this resort...I think it is called "Bluebonnet" or something like that!?

We love Bonnet Creek, but I'm afraid you are mistaken about its status. It's not (technically) on WDW property, though it does "feel like" it is inside the gates. It has private transportation, which some find adequate, but it is not nearly as convenient as that provided to Disney resorts. There is no character meal (and, at the moment, no sit-down restaurant, though that will change when the hotel tower opens).

Wyndham (purchased resale!) would be a good choice for someone who wanted a wide variety of vacation destinations, including sometimes Orlando. (Wyndham has its strongest presence in the eastern US, but there are many resorts elsewhere as well.) It is also worth looking into the other major mini-systems: Bluegreen, WorldMark, etc. But, Wyndham is not really the right choice for DVC lodging---it would require exchanging, which at this particular moment is difficult if not impossible for most resale Wyndham owners.

DVC would be a good choice for someone primarily interested in Disney vacations. But, it would not be a good choice for using at non-WDW locations. (And, IMO, that includes other DVC properties outside Orlando, but there opinions do differ.)

We've stayed in both DVC units (at OKW and VWL), and Bonnet Creek. We like the Bonnet units a little bit more in terms of layout and furnishing, but the DVC resorts are more convenient for a Disney-centric vacation. Wyndham (resale!) is *significantly* less expensive than DVC. We've also stayed at a variety of other Wyndham resorts. I'd generally describe them as comfortable and well-kept, not luxurious---but there is a spectrum.

If you want to combine frequent Disney visits with vacations elsewhere, a mixed portfolio of the two might serve you well.

 

[texasteacher35]

Thanks!

 

[littlestar]

I own both and like both. But there is a bit of a learning curve with Wyndham. See this Dis thread that explains Wyndham compared to DVC:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2498514&highlight=wyndham

We are using our resale Wyndham points in Hawaii in January at their Waikiki Beach Walk resort. Other resorts I like are their Smoky Mountain resorts and Bonnet Creek that sits next door to Disney's Carribean Beach resort. I also plan on taking trips to Wyndham's Alexandria, Virginia, resort and San Antonio resorts. Wyndham's online internal booking system is nice.

Of course, I adore my home Disney resort, too, at Disney's Saratoga resort.

 

[Doug7856]

We own at SSR and love it. If you want Disney, buy Disney. We would not be happy staying anywhere else.

I recently purchased a Wyndham Timeshare on the resale market. There are some annoying features like transaction fees when you go above your limit, but I think we will like it. I paid $400 on the resale market. Do not buy directly from Wyndham because re-sale is significantly less. It is a points system like DVC. There are more fees and limitations (than DVC) but many more locations to trade to within the Wyndham system. The member fees are about the same as our DVC (slightly less).

This is the perfect balance for us: DVC for our Disney vacations and Wyndham when we want to see America. I do not see a value in using DVC for RCI trades. Depending on the circumstances, we did use DVC for a Disney Cruise, but you have to evaluate the situation to see if it works for you.

I found Brian Noble's information and opinion on Wyndham very helpful in our purchase decision.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

While Bonnet Creek may be a nice resort, it's lacking the most important Disney feature (IMO) --> The theming.

You can give me all the generic buildings in the world at low cost, but I would rather pay the high price and get Animal Kingdom Lodge / Wilderness Lodge quality theming.

MG

 

[Brian Noble]

You can give me all the generic buildings in the world at low cost

And DVC has (*cough*SSR*cough*)...

...excepting the low cost part, of course.

 

[ccgirl]

For some reason my earlier entry was not saved. Anyway, I had said to check out the maintenance/tax fees. I was surprised at how high DVC was. Of course, this is my own personal opinion. I believe the fees associated with DVC are calculated by the number of points you own. I think we needed 275 points to get the size and time of year my family travels. I 'think' that was at least $1500 but can't remember the exact figure. By comparison, my Hawaii timeshare, purchased at a fraction of the cost of DVC (and it is deeded) are $550. I traded this for BWV via RCI last May no problems. I also own a timeshare in Gatlinburg,TN whose fees are $700. They trade thru Interval International. We decided a non-DVC resort would be better for us as we are going to travel places other than Disney. Plus, the two timeshares together were still less than the number of points we would need for DVC. I don't have to stay in Disney though. More often than not, we have a rental car as I like to come and go as we please and venture off site as well. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Dean]

I am sure everyone on the DIS would prefer DVC, but can anyone tell me anything about the accomodations of the resorts, or maybe the flexibility? What about other places to visit besides WDW...

I am asking because we are considering a Wyndham Timeshare, and I know they have a resort on WDW property with a character breakfast on site. They also get the WDW tranportation....Does anyone have any experience with this resort...I think it is called "Bluebonnet" or something like that!?

Thanks for info in advance...I am ready to buy some timeshare and I have to decide which one...btw...we have been going to WDW atleast 2x a year, and we would continue to do that no matter which one we bought into, with APs!

I think DVC and Wyndham (along with others) have their place. IMO you can put Marriott, DVC, Hilton, Hyatt and Westin in a top group and follow that with a group that might include Bluegreen, Wyndham, Worldmark, etc. It really depends on what you want, where you want to go and HOW you'll use it. To use for the inside resorts, Wyndham is likely the top option if you compare price and usage. The area where it drops off, IMO, is in exchanging though it's still ahead of DVC in this regard. Spend a lot of time looking at options and scenarios then decide what's best for your situation. Brian is the resident expert on Wyndham and JimMIA just finished an evaluation and purchase and might be able to give you info from that perspective. As you see on this thread, there are also other knowledgeable Wyndham owners. Good luck.

 

[JimMIA]

I think the other posters have covered several aspects very well, but I have some random comments. We own both DVC (5+ years) and Wyndham Smoky Mountains (new owner, haven't used it yet).

There is a vast difference between the two systems. DVC has 10 (?) resorts, Wyndham (points, not Worldmark) has 120 or so.

Wyndham offers FULL RCI membership, which gives you another 6500+ resorts to consider exchanging into; DVC offers about 600 RCI resorts. NEITHER system exchanges very well from what I can determine, but owners of both often get exchanges they are happy with.

Wyndham is forever (which is good and bad) and DVC is for a finite period (which is good and bad).

Wyndham offers studio to 4 bedroom (but not in every resort), DVC offers studio to 3 bedroom.

DVC's maintenance fees are all in the same general ballpark; Wyndham's vary all over the place and owners of the same resort effectively pay VERY different MF's because of the way Wyndham is set up.

Wyndham is strongest in the eastern US, DVC is strongest at WDW.

For vacations at Walt Disney World, I don't think you can beat DVC...although Wyndham has four resorts in the WDW area, three of which are beautiful. Bonnet Creek is a stone's throw from OKW with bus service to the theme parks every 20 minutes -- the other two nice ones are 20 minutes away from WDW in Kissimmee.

If you are interested in vacationing primarily in the Orlando area, I would NOT buy any timeshare other than DVC in the Orlando area. Most timeshare systems have a geographic blackout zone (30-50 miles), so if you buy Bonnet Creek, you will NOT be able to exchange that into a DVC resort.

With DVC, if you purchase resale, you should save 20-50% depending on resort. If you purchase Wyndham on eBay, if you don't save 90%, you really messed up. Some Wyndham timeshares sell for $1 with closing costs paid by the seller if they're desperate enough.

 

[littlestar]

If you want to know more specifics on Wyndham's Bonnet Creek resort, be sure and check out this great Dis board thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114303

For Wyndham resorts and point charts:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/wyndham/memberdirectory0910/

I enjoy staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but I find DVC's Old Key West and Saratoga resorts more peaceful and calm. Bonnet Creek really doesn't have a quiet pool area - it's a high density resort with a lot going on. I did manage to find a quiet spot at the main lazy river pool when I stayed there in May, though.

 

[LSchrow]

We bought dvc b/c we found we enjoyed our on-site stays sooooo much more than off-site (we mostly stay at thed BWVs, where we can enjoy walking to 2 parks - often just going to EPCOT for a grey goose slushie, evening entertainment without worrying about driving, watching illuminations from our balcony, etc)
Getting $100 off APs, not needing a rental car, not paying for parkIng, discounts on dining, etc help make DVC the only choice wE would consider for WDW trips.

For non-WDW vacations, I find the points too pricey, and would sooner rent out points and pay cash or use different timeshare.

 

[texasteacher35]

Thanks everyone!! This is such great information!! I have so much to think about! I LOVE WDW resorts, and it would be so hard for me NOT to stay on property! I ave become a complete WDW Resort SNOB and I don't think I can do Wyndham! Maybe buy Wyndham and never use it for Disney...and I guess I need to buy some DVC too! Ugh...so much to think about!!!!! Thanks again! This is sooo great!!! I need to check out all the links now!!!!

 

[ohtarabell]

I own DVC (Animal Kingdom and Boardwalk) and Wyndham. I have stayed at both DVC and Bonnet Creek (Wyndham) for Disney trips. Both are excellent options, but I prefer DVC for Disney stays. Wyndham is a great option as sidecar to a DVC membership. Lots of options and resorts are pretty nice. I think Wyndham may be the best value in timesharing if bought resale. Just stay away from the sales people.

I have also used Bonnet as a front end stay for a DVC trip (Fri/Sat nights) to save some DVC points. Works well if you are willing to move once on a seven day trip.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DVC members get $100 discount per person on Annual Passes.

This is a perk, and not a guarantee...but its been around for several years.

 

[texasteacher35]

DVC members get $100 discount per person on Annual Passes.

This is a perk, and not a guarantee...but its been around for several years.

That's definitely worth it x4 for our family!

I just love taying on property so much, I'm not sure I can stay somewhere "non-Disney"...we do not belong to DVC, but we have been going atleast 2x per year the last couple of years...The discount on APs is a great bonus!! Thanks!!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you can't imagine enduring the horror of an offsite stay, then you should buy DVC. As for adding Wyndham: don't go overboard buying more timeshares than you *know* you will use. How many more vacations can you take in a year, given you're taking two trips to WDW? Probably not too many.

 

[texasteacher35]

Brian Noble...you are right! I can't do too many more vacations per year, if I am going to WDW several times! LOL

I just know that my DD15 would like to go to some other places besides WDW...even though she completely loves WDW...I just want to have Disney and some other options....maybe vacations bought on Costcotravel.com ....they have some good deals for some other places! That might be a good compromise!

 

[xersisbarbosa]

I recently bought the Wyndham the following portion of the resale market. Some annoying features, such as service charges when you exceed this limit, but I think we need it. I paid $ 400 a resale market. Do not buy directly from the Wyndham because the resale value is much smaller. It is a system of points than the DVC.