DVC vs. Hilton Grand Vacation Club

[Jennifer_W]

Generally in the offseason, generally smaller units, and generally the lesser resorts---skyauction is RCI's channel for distressed inventory that they don't expect to be able to dispose of any other way. It's sort of the priceline equivalent of the timeshare universe. I would not expect the HGVCs to ever make it that far. But, if you are flexible and not terribly picky, you can get some 2BR units at very nice resorts at many times during the year.

II also rents their excess inventory, but not at quite the same bargains.

Interesting...very interesting! Who'da thunk?

 

[podsnel]

Does anyone know the cost of other timeshare companies, and how they compare to DVC? I didn't research it at all since my primary concern was owning part of Disney, but in hindsight, I am curious.

When more money comes available, I wouldn't mind either buying more DVC points or buying a timeshare week somewhere. I am wondering how much (actually, how LITTLE) I could pay to get a timeshare that I could trade out relatively easily. Since I live in New Jersey, I would prefer one along the eastern seaboard, north of Virginia.

Hi- I just got a postcard in the mail for Marriot Vacation Club in NJ- Fairway Villas at Seaview. It's in Galloway, NJ- a little north of AC. If you use the promotional code POOL, they will give you 3 days 2 nights in May or June for $99, $199 July-Sept. They also give you a 90 minute presentation. It's a golf resort with a spa, I have friends who have gone and loved it.

 

[mickeymom629]

I agree with the poster (IDO) who said that you might not need to buy 300 points. We have 4 children, now 20, 18, 16 and 14, and we bought 8 1/2 years ago, 150 points HH because dues were cheaper there. Later we added 50 VB points. We get 2 bedrooms and manage once, sometimes twice a year, banking and borrowing and, while I would love more points, these are fine as long as we don't stay on Fri. or Sat. nights and go for 4 or 5 nights at a time. We stay the weekends offsite or value onsite.

 

[Jennifer_W]

I agree with the poster (IDO) who said that you might not need to buy 300 points. We have 4 children, now 20, 18, 16 and 14, and we bought 8 1/2 years ago, 150 points HH because dues were cheaper there. Later we added 50 VB points. We get 2 bedrooms and manage once, sometimes twice a year, banking and borrowing and, while I would love more points, these are fine as long as we don't stay on Fri. or Sat. nights and go for 4 or 5 nights at a time. We stay the weekends offsite or value onsite.

Hmmmm. That's a good idea, but is it a huge pain to move mid-stay? If you move from, say, the All-Star Music to your home DVC resort on Sunday, does Disney move the luggage for you? Probably not, huh?

Are you still happy with your purchase with your kids the ages they are? Do they still like it?
Does that look like your family? See--there are six of them!

 

[Dean]

Does anyone know the cost of other timeshare companies, and how they compare to DVC? I didn't research it at all since my primary concern was owning part of Disney, but in hindsight, I am curious.

When more money comes available, I wouldn't mind either buying more DVC points or buying a timeshare week somewhere. I am wondering how much (actually, how LITTLE) I could pay to get a timeshare that I could trade out relatively easily. Since I live in New Jersey, I would prefer one along the eastern seaboard, north of Virginia.

For those on a strict budget or those that don't put a premium being on property, DVC is not a good choice. I'd say things like some of the mini points systems are some of the best choices in this situation. Bluegreen and Wyndham likely are the best and cheapest overall. Another good approach is to buy a cheaper Marriott for trading, esp a lockoff. Branson Horizon's is a good choice there. RCI points can be a good choice as well if you get the right option. And one can trade in to DVC for 1 BR much of the year with any of those if you're an II member. As for what's best, I'd say look at where and how you want to travel. The system that has the most/best resorts where you want to go is likely the best choice for a given person. If it were I trying to get the best for the cheapest, I'd buy a BG qualified package of around 20K points for around $9K (half that cost if you don't care about the Silver benefits). For that you'd get free RCI access, the ability to reserve 12 months out (a month prior to non Silver/Gold members), yearly fees around $1000, free cancellations until 10 days out, plus a number of other perks. Those 20K points would get you 1-2 DVC reservations a year but up to 4-6 trades a year depending on specifics. Depending on your home resort, you could also pay to join and trade through II. The Marriott approach could be had for as little as around $2500 (Gold week EOY) with EOY fees under $700 but a $99 lockoff off fee and $84 II membership and exchange fees. All could get you II bonus weeks though which can easily trade to Orlando most of the year.

 

[Laxmom]

I love my DVC. That said I am not thilled with the trading deal we have. I have had ZERO success and really am at the mercy of someone in MS when I call. I would perfer to have access to the info myself.

I am looking around right now for an alternative. My first thought is to go with a Marriott as I have HEARD they trade well, but I need to do some research. I like the "floating week" concept they have, but they do peanalize people who buy resale which is a concern....

All that long winded was to say... if you want one to trade I would probably SKIP DVC.

Carol, the only penalty is that you don't get Marriott points. A lot people don't see that as a big deal because Marriott keeps devaluing the points by raising what is necessary to stay in a hotel but the point value of the timeshares haven't changed. Marriott isn't like DVC- the points today aren't worth what they were when we purchased. Many also say that with the savings you get from buying resale, you could buy enough points to take a heck of a lot of trips. Go over to TUG and check out the numerous, and I mean numerous, threads on the subject. It really may not be that big of a deal in the long run. FWIW

And I agree. If you are thinking of trading DVC, reconsider. You can buy cheaper ts's that are strong traders with cheaper maintenance fees. But I am not sure about HGVC. They have limited locations compared to Marriott or Starwood, if I am not mistaken. I like the flexibility of the point system the offer though.

 

[Dean]

Carol, the only penalty is that you don't get Marriott points. A lot people don't see that as a big deal because Marriott keeps devaluing the points by raising what is necessary to stay in a hotel but the point value of the timeshares haven't changed. Marriott isn't like DVC- the points today aren't worth what they were when we purchased. Many also say that with the savings you get from buying resale, you could buy enough points to take a heck of a lot of trips. Go over to TUG and check out the numerous, and I mean numerous, threads on the subject. It really may not be that big of a deal in the long run. FWIW

That's currently true about Marriott's. There are a couple of smaller benefits that one might not get as a resale buyer but IMO, they are nothing of significance. Things like not being able to sell through Marriott or trade in for a retail purchase through Marriott (they have made exceptions in both areas). And Marriott has long been rumored to be working on their own internal trading system though it's come up a lot lately. One of the rumors is that resale buyers may be left out or significantly hampered in that area though even if that happens, most feel then current owners will be grandfathered. I personally don't think the points system for Marriott is anything to write home about but it is nice to have an option.

 

[Laxmom]

I forgot about those things. They really are insignificant because when they sell your week, you only get 60% or something rediculous. Dean, is that correct?

I would be so surprised if Marriott came out an penalized resale buyers. I think that would be a bad move on their part. I just don't see them wanting to become a resale company and if an owner wanted to sell and had to get on a waiting list for Marriott to sell it, like you do now if you go thru them....well that would be a diservice to owners. I'd love to know what you think about that Dean but this but I don't want to hijack the thread. PM me sometime if you get a chance.

 

[Dean]

I forgot about those things. They really are insignificant because when they sell your week, you only get 60% or something rediculous. Dean, is that correct?

I would be so surprised if Marriott came out an penalized resale buyers. I think that would be a bad move on their part. I just don't see them wanting to become a resale company and if an owner wanted to sell and had to get on a waiting list for Marriott to sell it, like you do now if you go thru them....well that would be a diservice to owners. I'd love to know what you think about that Dean but this but I don't want to hijack the thread. PM me sometime if you get a chance.

As I tried to indicate, they are small potatoes. It's been a while since I looked at what Marriott did on resales. They sell at full price but take their cut so the 60% of the now current price sounds about right. That's about the level they tend to exercise their ROFR anyway.

As for Marriott changing the playing field on resales, I'd be surprised if they didn't at some point and will address it here because I think it applies to the core of this thread. I don't think Marriott cares about members being able to sell, for that matter, I don't think DVC does either. What makes sense in the long run for Marriott is to convert to a points system as well and to run it themselves.

 

[Laxmom]

I found this thread on TUG this am regarding buying Marriott direct vs resale. It sums it all up. It also gives some info on how trading thru II works for anything other than DVC for anyone interested.


http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71456

 

[Dean]

I found this thread on TUG this am regarding buying Marriott direct vs resale. It sums it all up. It also gives some info on how trading thru II works for anything other than DVC for anyone interested.


http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71456

Thanks, one thing to note is that the Marriott sales staff is pretty consistent with propaganda as in this thread. The first two on the list are just that. Another common untruth that gets propagated is that home resort trading trumps all. The truth is that trading back in to your home resort only gives you a tie breaker and is not an overly powerful tool.

 

[kristinlynn]

Hmmmm. That's a good idea, but is it a huge pain to move mid-stay? If you move from, say, the All-Star Music to your home DVC resort on Sunday, does Disney move the luggage for you? Probably not, huh?

Are you still happy with your purchase with your kids the ages they are? Do they still like it?
Does that look like your family? See--there are six of them!

Jennifer - yes, if you're moving from one WDW resort to another, they will move your luggage for you. When you check out leave your luggage, check into the new resort, go enjoy your day, and when you go to your room in the evening your luggage will be there waiting.

 

[spiceycat]

RCI points can be a good choice as well if you get the right option. And one can trade in to DVC for 1 BR much of the year with any of those if you're an II member.

rci points can be used for DVC units. the best you could get with RCI is either BC (bonnet creek) or HGVC - plus of course Sv, cypress point and others.

DVC must be through II not RCI points.

Those 20K points would get you 1-2 DVC reservations a year but up to 4-6 trades a year depending on specifics. Depending on your home resort, you could also pay to join and trade through II.

okay again aren't you talking RCI points here.

only II can get DVC.

or am I totaled mixed up again?

II will give our accomodations certificate - I didn't think RCI did that?

 

[Dean]

rci points can be used for DVC units. the best you could get with RCI is either BC (bonnet creek) or HGVC - plus of course Sv, cypress point and others.

DVC must be through II not RCI points.




okay again aren't you talking RCI points here.

only II can get DVC.

or am I totaled mixed up again?

II will give our accomodations certificate - I didn't think RCI did that?

That is for Bluegreen points.

 

[bwvBound]

DVC must be through II not RCI points.

When I first joined/evaluated RCI Points, many years ago, it was because I could book WDW Resorts (hotels) using RCI Points. Specifically: Yacht Club and Beach Club. Not sure if these are still offered through RCI Points?