We own at 2 other Timeshares. One in TN and one in IN (which is on the DVC exchange list). While both are nice resorts in adequate locations, neither can match DVC for quality.
The one in IN is a fixed week TS, which means we own a specific week and can use it ourselves, exchange it or rent it to someone else. We have always exchanged thru RCI, which allows us some flexibilty- still not as much as DVC. We are limited to 7 day stays- no flexibility there. We were able to purchase the week for $500 (yes...hundred) by resale thru the owners association (a growing trend at many sold out resorts). Our annual fee is $310 for the week. We have exchanged easily (we usually request and get our reservation a year in advance) to places like Branson (MO), Williamsburg (VA), Massanutten (VA), Nisswa (MN) and most recently- Marble Hill (GA). Exchaanges thru RCI are $124@ plus membership in RCI.
The other is a "floating" week timeshare- a relatively new concept in TS where older resorts are recognizing the flexible trend of points-based programs like DVC (and others). We must call 1 year in advance to "reserve" our floating week. (We try to reserve a high demand Holiday time), which is then "converted to points in the Amber Vacation Club. Amber has 5 resorts in it's association (one is in Kissimmee, another in Daytona). The points may then be used like our DVC points- for stays as short as 1 day. As with DVC, weekends are prohibitively higher than weeknites and we must pay $25 per visit (after the 1st) for housekeeping. (This is done to compensate for trading the week based ownership- where we pay the maint fee). Since we usually use these points for short stays- often on weekends- we are using more than our "share" of housekeeping services. We can use the points at member resorts 6 months in advance and a year ahead at our home resort.
All 3 systems do work, but it does take some understanding of each system. It's amazing how confused and reluctant "traditional" week-based TS owners are to consider a points based system. Some are downright beligerent about it.
Our preference by far is DVC. The others offer us a nice opportunity to exchange, but our hearts are certainly with DVC!
