DVC vs MVC at HHI

[walter]

Just would like to start up a discussion about the pros & cons of staying at the DVC HHI Resort vs one of the Marriott Vacation Club Resorts such as the Barony Beach Resort, Grand Ocean, or the future Surf Watch, etc. We own both DVC (OKW) & the new Marriott Surf Watch & have stayed several times at the DVC resort & recently stayed at the Barony Beach Resort. Even though we have always loved the Disney resort as well as its' beach house, we like the convience of the location of the Marriott's resorts with their proximity to the beach area.

 

[lat]

I own Marriott Grand Ocean. The location can't be beat, plus free pass to Sea Pine, right on the beach, and the units are MUCH nicer than Disney. My kids love to build sand castles right on the beach, and DH loves to ride the bikes on the beach all the way to Sea Pine.

However, Disney has the BEST kids programs and cast members. Love "A Private Affair" by Chef Gordon, Naturalist Chris, Blu Crabb and all other cast members with great customer service and enthusiasum. We love the marsh area where kids can go crabbing. Even their kayaking and all the paid programs. I contacted that company after we moved to GO from Disney and they could not take us because we weren't staying at Disney.

If Grand Ocean can have Disney's cast members and programs, that will be the best in both world.

 

[Dean]

IMO, DVC will be a distant 4th on HH looking at the overall situation and near the bottom from a location standpoint. The 3 you mentioned above are definitely above DVC in terms of locations and AT LEAST minimally ahead when it comes to resort itself. DVC will do a little better in terms of kids activities but only count the ones actually done by the resort, not the excursions as they can be arranged independently as well And if you include the beach options in the kids arena, DVC falls away there as well. The benefit to DVC at HH is that you have the potential of other than 7 days and other than a 2 BR, otherwise it's an also ran.

 

[lat]

Dean,

Not the kayaking and the fishing trips. The company that does it for Disney will not do it for off-site guests. I contacted them directly and was told that they cannot handle other kayaking trips unless we stay at Disney.

 

[TW1]

I guess owning MCV on the beach and DVC points is the best of both worlds.

But for us, buying at HHI to have 11 month window in HHI for a studio for multiple shorter stays, the DVC kids programs, as well as the 7mo window in WDW edged out being on the beach.

Though I foresee the day we add an MCV ownership after the kids are grown. Thus we keep our lower dues, use the 7 mos window for booking Orlando, and have added Marriott flexibility. Now that would be sweet.

 

[CarolA]

If I was buying for HH I would NOT buy DVC. Location alone is a no go for me. There are LOTS of places offering activities for kids on HH. I have done Canoe trips, Dolphin Tours, sailing etc and never stayed at DVC. Sea Pines used to have a great kids program.

 

[walter]

Just wondering if anyone has ever used Marriott Rewards points for a stay at Barony Beach or Grand Ocean? We hope to add a few days onto our DVC/HHI trip in October.
Thanks

 

[Dean]

Dean,

Not the kayaking and the fishing trips. The company that does it for Disney will not do it for off-site guests. I contacted them directly and was told that they cannot handle other kayaking trips unless we stay at Disney.

Maybe, maybe not, but there are tons of other companies that will. Besides, this is the type of info that will change all the time, maybe even week to week.

Just wondering if anyone has ever used Marriott Rewards points for a stay at Barony Beach or Grand Ocean? We hope to add a few days onto our DVC/HHI trip in October.
Thanks

I haven't used points for that but did get my daughter and a friend a room in Paris at the Champs Elysee. I would think it would be tough in summer or any similar high demand time.

 

[walter]

Dean, I was just wondering what you thought of the new Surf Watch Resort?

 

[Dean]

Dean, I was just wondering what you thought of the new Surf Watch Resort?

Well, I thought enough to buy my first developer retail purchase out of a total of 20 weeks/contracts I've bought over the years and that includes DVC. Having said that, there were special reasons I did it and those include the fact that my two Grande Ocean weeks became points eligible as part of the transaction and I can reserve at 13 months out in conjunction with my GO weeks. Not that I'm a big believer in points for timeshare weeks but it was just a small additional incentive.

I really liked the units and the location is good, but not as good as GO. I'd put in better in location than Barony but behind GO and just behind GO when looking at the overall package. But Barony OF will be better than Ocean vista at SW I believe. It does have 3 BR units which is a plus but they are not lockoff units. The units themselves are a cut above the usual MVCI and more in line with the Ritz and Residence Clubs, though the new upgrades at GO should put them pretty close as well. If I was going to buy on HH and didn't need a 3 BR routinely, I'd still look for a GO resale.

Anything specific you'd like, you can email me directly.