DVC Villas Italy, and Disney World...

[Da8510]

Hello. I am actually planning to very soon apply for DVC membership. I have some questions for members regarding Europe destinations I'd appreciate the answers to. (1.) I'm aware that DVC has villas in Italy. Are any of these located in the region of Tuscany? (2.) I'm also aware that DVC has villas in Greece. Does anyone know which cities/areas in Greece? Thank you very much for the info!

Also, for an upcoming Disney World trip (assuming that I'll be approved for membership) I'm trying to decide between Beach Club and Old Key West. Which of these 2 resorts do you prefer and why? Thank you!

 

[Nikisha421]

Hello. I am actually planning to very soon apply for DVC membership. I have some questions for members regarding Europe destinations I'd appreciate the answers to. (1.) I'm aware that DVC has villas in Italy. Are any of these located in the region of Tuscany? (2.) I'm also aware that DVC has villas in Greece. Does anyone know which cities/areas in Greece? Thank you very much for the info!

Also, for an upcoming Disney World trip (assuming that I'll be approved for membership) I'm trying to decide between Beach Club and Old Key West. Which of these 2 resorts do you prefer and why? Thank you!

Hi,
Well I am not really the best source of information on the boards...but I will try to answer so for you...DVC doesn't actually have any villas in any foreign country country, yet...however, you may be able to trade out and get something in Europe...I don't actually know the exact locations off of the top of my head, but what I do know is that many of the dissers will tell you that buying DVC to trade out will not be the best bang for your buck...

Second, between OKW and BCV I would say that the popular answer would be BCV because of Stormalong Bay, the pool area at that resort. I stayed there for one weekend and honestly it ranks high on my list...that trip was our only non park trip...just because my DD would not leave the pool. I have not stayed at OKW but from what I hear it's a charmer and is currently going through tons of reservations.

 

[JimMIA]

DVC does NOT have any properties outside the United States.

DVC properties are located at Walt Disney World, Disneyland in CA, Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head Island, SC, and a new property is under construction on Oahu in Hawaii.

DVC points can be used for DVC stays, Disney Collection stays (Disney hotels other than DVC), Adventures by Disney, and Disney Cruise Line (I may have left something out).

DVC also maintains a timeshare exchange agreement -- currently with RCI. With that agreement, DVC members can exchange to a limited number of RCI-affiliated resorts including many overseas.

If you research carefully, I think you will find a consensus that DVC membership works best for stays at DVC properties -- not so much for the other options. The points costs for Disney Collection, Adventures by Disney, and DCL are high and many do not consider them great values.

For other-than-DVC resort stays, there are a number of other timeshare programs which most people think are less expensive and work better than DVC. For example, over on the Mousecellaneous board there is a thread right now comparing DVC and the Wyndham timeshare system.

Before you do anything, research very carefully. If that means you have to pay out of pocket for your upcoming trip, so be it -- you'll be way ahead in the long run if you take your time and really understand what you are buying...whether it's DVC or something else.

 

[JimMIA]

Second, between OKW and BCV I would say that the popular answer would be BCV because of Stormalong Bay, the pool area at that resort. I stayed there for one weekend and honestly it ranks high on my list...that trip was our only non park trip...just because my DD would not leave the pool.

BCV is one of the most popular resorts, but you'll find a wide range of opinions on which resort is "better." The truth is, there is a great deal of variety in the WDW DVC resorts and some resorts are more attractive to some families than others. That is one of the big positives about DVC accommodations at WDW -- there are a lot of choices.

On BCV specifically, we think it's a great resort, but our DD8 does not agree. We stayed there a couple of years ago for 5 nights, and when we headed to the pool for the second time, she said, "I want to go to the pool with the Sandcastle and Lighthouse!" That's OKW.

I have not stayed at OKW but from what I hear it's a charmer and is currently going through tons of reservations.

Nikisha meant to say "renovations." All DVC resorts are refurbished periodically and OKW is getting a major facelift this year.

 

[ssawka]

As PPs have already said, there are no DVC villas in Itally. You can trade. Also, you can use your points at Disneyland Paris and I think you could make that your "home base" and take the train to other parts of Europe.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello. I am actually planning to very soon apply for DVC membership. I have some questions for members regarding Europe destinations I'd appreciate the answers to. (1.) I'm aware that DVC has villas in Italy. Are any of these located in the region of Tuscany? (2.) I'm also aware that DVC has villas in Greece. Does anyone know which cities/areas in Greece? Thank you very much for the info!

Also, for an upcoming Disney World trip (assuming that I'll be approved for membership) I'm trying to decide between Beach Club and Old Key West. Which of these 2 resorts do you prefer and why? Thank you!

You are purchasing real estate, so you don't apply for DVC membership. It's a timeshare.

 

[tink too]

Also, you can use your points at Disneyland Paris and I think you could make that your "home base" and take the train to other parts of Europe.

Making Disneyland Paris your "home base" would be very expensive though.

We had a 3 day weekend there in February however we could have had a week at WDW in a studio for the same amount of points.

 

[Candy Orlando]

I love the tropical theme of OKW; the piped in music puts you in a festive mood. The sultry surroundings are enchanting and the palm trees are exquisite.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

DVC points can be used for DVC stays, Disney Collection stays (Disney hotels other than DVC), Adventures by Disney, and Disney Cruise Line (I may have left something out).

DVC also maintains a timeshare exchange agreement -- currently with RCI. With that agreement, DVC members can exchange to a limited number of RCI-affiliated resorts including many overseas.

Great write-up. To fill in some minor details, you left out a few options:

1) The Conceirge Collection - a number of swanky resorts (mostly in the US, but there's currently one in London) where members can stay for a whole lotta points per night.

2) Club Cordial - a number of Austrian resorts where we can stay for a fairly reasonable number of points per night. Cordial also own a resort in Gavorrano, Italy! Club Cordial may be the most obscure DVC option. In all my years as a member, I only recall one report from somebody staying at the Cordial resort in Italy (appartently, staying at an Italian resort where everybody speaks German was a bit odd.)

3) Club Interval - similar to Club Cordial but with resorts mostly in Canada.

Oh, and just to be super picky and exact, the DCL options are technically part of the Disney Collection.

 

[Cee]

I love the tropical theme of OKW; the piped in music puts you in a festive mood. The sultry surroundings are enchanting and the palm trees are exquisite.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC does NOT have any properties outside the United States.

DVC properties are located at Walt Disney World, Disneyland in CA, Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head Island, SC, and a new property is under construction on Oahu in Hawaii.

DVC points can be used for DVC stays, Disney Collection stays (Disney hotels other than DVC), Adventures by Disney, and Disney Cruise Line (I may have left something out).

DVC also maintains a timeshare exchange agreement -- currently with RCI. With that agreement, DVC members can exchange to a limited number of RCI-affiliated resorts including many overseas.

If you research carefully, I think you will find a consensus that DVC membership works best for stays at DVC properties -- not so much for the other options. The points costs for Disney Collection, Adventures by Disney, and DCL are high and many do not consider them great values.

For other-than-DVC resort stays, there are a number of other timeshare programs which most people think are less expensive and work better than DVC. For example, over on the Mousecellaneous board there is a thread right now comparing DVC and the Wyndham timeshare system.

Before you do anything, research very carefully. If that means you have to pay out of pocket for your upcoming trip, so be it -- you'll be way ahead in the long run if you take your time and really understand what you are buying...whether it's DVC or something else.

A very clear, well written post. Yea Jim.

Bill