DVC vs OTHER timeshare

[Gr00vyChc]

We own a Marriott timeshare and we're pretty happy with that. That said, we're going on our first disney cruise in a couple of months and MIGHT "explore" DVC ownership.

Question: Are there any DVC owners out there who also own other timeshares like Marriott... how are they different and what are the benefits? Can you only use the DVC at disney parks, hotels, and resorts? If you're in France, can you only use it at their resort/hotels?

For us, we can trade in our weeks every other year for Marriott points which you can use at any Marriott hotel. We can also "exchange" our weeks through Interval International. I could very well use my week at the Disney's Hilton Head resort in SC (I just saw it last night as available).

Thanks for any info you might have.

Gr00vyChc

 

[flyerron]

We own both Marriott & DVC. They are very different. You of course know how Marriott works. DVC is a point scheme. Every year you get your points renewed, you can borrow or bank same as Marriott. The big difference is that your usage is flexable. The purchase is not for a unit type ie: 1BDR or 2BDR so you can stay at any unit type based on the points for that unit & you don't have to use a week at a time. You can go 3 times a year if you want & stay for 2 or 3 days at a time. Very flexable.

 

[flyerron]

Oh yeah, you can also trade & use for cruises etc. But I have been a long time proponent of buying where you want to stay!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't own anything other than DVC, so I can't help with that.

You can use DVC for a variety of places, including trades through Interval International. You can't trade to all locations though, as Disney hand picks the places you can trade. I believe there are about 500 on the trading list, and the dumps and semi-dumps are weeded out.

You can also use your points for the Disney Collection, which includes all the deluxe and moderate resorts at WDW, the cruise line, the resorts at Disneyland California, and the overseas Disneylands.

MG

 

[Gr00vyChc]

We own both Marriott & DVC. They are very different. You of course know how Marriott works. DVC is a point scheme. Every year you get your points renewed, you can borrow or bank same as Marriott. The big difference is that your usage is flexable. The purchase is not for a unit type ie: 1BDR or 2BDR so you can stay at any unit type based on the points for that unit & you don't have to use a week at a time. You can go 3 times a year if you want & stay for 2 or 3 days at a time. Very flexable.

Ok, so you buy "points" and you can use those points to stay at the disney resorts, cruise, and even international? If you don't mind, how many points would I need to cruise for a family of 3 for a cabin with a veranda? As we like to vacation a week or 2 weeks at a time, are the points reasonable at the disney resorts for a week stay?
As with Marriott, you know how we have a "deed" and we can pass it on to our children for their use.. can you do that with your DVC points? pass it on to your children I mean.

P.S. Are you happy with your Marriott? We've used it to go to Europe and Asia and all over the U.S. We're going to use it in Aruba and Virginia next year.

Thanks.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I wouldn't purchase DVC with the intention of primarily using it for non DVC accommodations. Although in my opinion it's not a bad use of points, it's not nearly as good from a financial standpoint as using them at the DVC Resorts.
The way I do the math using points at DVC Resorts is a huge bargain, and using it for other things is roughly break even.

MG

 

[bwvBound]

Question: Are there any DVC owners out there who also own other timeshares like Marriott... how are they different and what are the benefits?

FWIW, we own DVC plus 4 other timeshare products. While each timeshare has its differences and advantages ... here a few highlights from my perspective:

• DVC has a corporate membership in Interval International. To the DVC owner, this means that their II exchange transactions are conducted through DVC's Member Services, they do not pay II's annual fee, and they enjoy reduced exchange fees ($75/exchange?). On the flip side, my other timeshares allow me direct II membership including access to II's website and Getaway weeks.
  
  If you already have an II account -- this simply means you won't be adding DVC to the account for searching online. Keep using it as you do now.

• DVC is often the right choice! for booking stays at DVC resorts. Book any size unit, any check-in date, any length of stay -- based on availability. This is huge. Few timeshares will allow you to book short stays w/out adding fees!

• DVC is a great tool for blended reservations. While I often exchange into DVC through II using my other timeshare -- I will use my DVC points to add a night or two on either side of the II exchange dates.

• DVC has very few added fees. Purchase and annual dues are required -- but you aren't nickeled and dimed when using the DVC resorts. Fees I'm aware of in other programs: reservation fee (when using points beyond one stay per year), cancellation fee, lockout fee (for using a larger unit as multiple stays in smaller unit sizes), banking fee, guest certificate fee, etc.

• Unique DVC perks. Each timeshare offers something unique and often very cool. Of our other timeshare, one offers discounted RCI membership dues and exchange fees, two nearby properties offer day-use, one is a very inexpensive "trader" in RCI, one gets a bonus-week when traded, another offers "bonus time" for inexpensive cash-rate stays, one offers discounted "last minute" exchanges, etc.
  
  DVC's unique perks, subject the change, currently include discounts on annual passes, dining discounts, pool hopping, etc.

• DVC's Online/Website access is "middle of the road." On the plus side, it offers online account review, banking points, addresses dues payments and viewing vacation history. However, it lacks real-time resort availability and online booking.
  
  Compared to my other timeshare, one offers a far better website, two are on par and the remaining property doesn't offer any website as far as I can determine.

• DVC does not offer a guaranteed week, unit size or view. This is a trade-off against the program's flexibility. If having a particular week, unit size or view is high on your priorities -- be warned that DVC's flexible program may make booking your intended stay more difficult as you compete against the entire DVC owner community for space. DVC generally requires advance planning and flexibility.

• Purchase cost and dues are higher than most of my other timeshare. For us, DVC is right-on-target for onsite resort stays -- but it isn't a good value for booking non-DVC resort vacations. I use a less costly week for resort exchanges and will hunt for discounted cruises using cash.

In summary, DVC is a great addition to our vacation toolkit. Our goal is to get the "biggest bang for the buck" and using the right tool for each vacation stay is part of the game.

 

[bwvBound]

Gr00vyChc,

I just noticed your CA location. Determine if your intentions are primarily for DVC-resort stays (all east coast for now) or for other vacation experiences.

As I buried in my long thread above, DVC is great for DVC-resort stays. The flexibility is difficult to beat: any size unit, any season, any check-in date, any length of stay.

However, I sure value my other point-based system for its number of drive-to locations along the western states.

 

[flyerron]

Ok, so you buy "points" and you can use those points to stay at the disney resorts, cruise, and even international? If you don't mind, how many points would I need to cruise for a family of 3 for a cabin with a veranda? As we like to vacation a week or 2 weeks at a time, are the points reasonable at the disney resorts for a week stay?
As with Marriott, you know how we have a "deed" and we can pass it on to our children for their use.. can you do that with your DVC points? pass it on to your children I mean.

P.S. Are you happy with your Marriott? We've used it to go to Europe and Asia and all over the U.S. We're going to use it in Aruba and Virginia next year.

Thanks.

Yes we are happy with Marriott, We own at the Aruba Surf Club. We have traded that week at times. We also own 3 other weeks in Aruba at another site & have been using that for over 20 years.
I would not buy DVC with the intent of using points for cruises or non-DVC trades. The big advantage of DVC is the on property stuff.
We bought at DVC with the intent of using it only for the WDW trips. There are clear advantages for doing that, but I don't see any advantage in using the DVC points for constant trading power.

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Gr00vyChc,

I just noticed your CA location. Determine if your intentions are primarily for DVC-resort stays (all east coast for now) or for other vacation experiences.

As I buried in my long thread above, DVC is great for DVC-resort stays. The flexibility is difficult to beat: any size unit, any season, any check-in date, any length of stay.

However, I sure value my other point-based system for its number of drive-to locations along the western states.

Hi neighbor We're about 1 hr north of San Diego in South (O.C.) County. Ok, just contemplating about whether or not we should buy DVC. How often do you use yours? I mean considering you have to go to the east coast whenever u use them. Can you use your points at let's say Grand California Hotel for new year's eve or Christmas eve? Also, do you get park ticket discounts as a DVC member? We have AP to Disneyland, but we also like to going to WDW (This will be my DD's 2nd time to go to WDW and she's only 3 years old).

Thanks everyone for all of your input!

 

[bwvBound]

How often do you use yours? I mean considering you have to go to the east coast whenever u use them.

We visit every year in January for a conference.

Our typical stay is week at BWV in a 1BR unit. (Love the jetted tub after a long day of walking between the conference centers at Dolphin, Swan and Yacht Club). While this runs 200 points -- we own fewer and make it work by exchanging in when we can and banking our DVC points.

In years past we were also regulars in early December to see the holiday decorations and to enjoy the Candlelight Procession -- but we always booked an inexpensive off-site week from RCI for these visits.

Can you use your points at let's say Grand California Hotel for new year's eve or Christmas eve?

We could use our points there -- but don't. I think the Grand California Hotel is beautiful - but can't justify the cost. New Year's Eve would cost ~$235 for the one night based on 57 points * $4.12 (SSR's current dues rate per point). (It might also have an additional fee since I'm not using the points at a DVC resort. Sorry if this seems like a contradiction to one of my earlier comments regarding "fees" -- but best value is found using the DVC resorts.) Besides, our other point system has one location w/in an easy walk to Downtown Disney and a new, larger resort in construction nearby.

Also, do you get park ticket discounts as a DVC member? We have AP to Disneyland, but we also like to going to WDW (This will be my DD's 2nd time to go to WDW and she's only 3 years old).

Yes -- discounts are offered both on WDW and DLR annual passes. (Sorry, I don't have more info. We're carrying the 4-day passes from Costco, $127 with no black out dates).

You'll be glad you are reviewing this now ... as you are likely to simply LOVE the cruise. It is so very tempting to take the experience, or at least part of it, home with you.

 

[Gr00vyChc]

You'll be glad you are reviewing this now ... as you are likely to simply LOVE the cruise. It is so very tempting to take the experience, or at least part of it, home with you.

I know!!! I just don't want it to be an "emotional" deicision rather a practical one. We LOVE disney.. but I don't want it to be our vacation every year, I mean.. we could be at disneyland everyday if we want to... but we like to diversify our vacation getaways.

Thanks.

Gr00vyChc

 

[tomandrobin]

We own a Marriott timeshare and we're pretty happy with that. That said, we're going on our first disney cruise in a couple of months and MIGHT "explore" DVC ownership.

Question: Are there any DVC owners out there who also own other timeshares like Marriott... how are they different and what are the benefits? Can you only use the DVC at disney parks, hotels, and resorts? If you're in France, can you only use it at their resort/hotels?

For us, we can trade in our weeks every other year for Marriott points which you can use at any Marriott hotel. We can also "exchange" our weeks through Interval International. I could very well use my week at the Disney's Hilton Head resort in SC (I just saw it last night as available).

Thanks for any info you might have.

Gr00vyChc

We own Starwood and DVC. Both are great and both gets us to where we want to go. We use DVC for Disney only, but you could trade thru II if you wish. You are better to only buy DVC for Disney. But in a pinch I would trade my points if I needed.

 

[Chic]

grOOvychc- Buying into DVC is something you will not regret. We bought into the DVC at 200 points. So, what will that get you? You will absolutely get the most bang for your buck if you use the points to stay in a DVC resort. If you can visit a DVC resort on Sunday-Thursday, the average points for a Studio room which sleeps 4 is anywhere from 8-12 points a night. A Studio room consists of either a king size or a queen size bed, sleeper sofa double bed, refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, bathroom, and balcony. Seasons can cause the points to be a little higher, especially during Christmas and Spring Break. We always stay in a Studio type room and this means we can take approximately 17-25 days worth of vacation a year as long as we avoid stays on Friday or Saturday night. Simply stated, we take 4 vacations a year for the next 47 years. If you like the Grand Californian in Disneyland, it will be a DVC resort in the near future and will require much less points than the current 24 points a night Sunday-Thursday. A cruise will swallow your points quickly. A room for 3 adults with a verandah will cost you a minimum of 220 points for a 3 day cruise, 265 points for a 4 day cruise, and 441 points for a 7 day cruise. Hope this helps.

 

[M&C]

grOOvychc, we're from San Diego, annual passholders at DL, but only own DVC. We'e added on several times and actually cruised on points just recently.

To answer some questions, there's only a $20 discount for DL premium AP. We will be using points for GCH since we can't seem to find decent AP rates (did see one for Paradise Pier for late August). We're patiently waiting for a DVC resort at DL.

If you're cruising in a couple of months, you may want to attend one of the DVC presentations during the cruise since there are additional incentives that I don't think they give if you buy at Disneyland. They told us about it during the Member Mixer and I thought it was pretty good. I wish we had added then rather than earlier this year. But, I do remember that when we bought DVC at DL, they gave us two certificates for premium annual passes, which we could use at either DL or DW.

DCL is also doing a Mexican Riviera Cruise for summer 2008. That one we're doing cash since it's so much more flexible to use cash rather than points.

We're considering other timeshares as well, but we're too terrified to sit through a presentation. We just passed up on two presentation offers from the Westin. We really like the flexibility that DVC offers.

I guess I don't think anybody can really go wrong with DVC.

-----------------
M&C

 

[kend58]

As with Marriott, you know how we have a "deed" and we can pass it on to our children for their use.. can you do that with your DVC points? pass it on to your children I mean.


Thanks.

I didn't see an answer to this aspect of your questions yet.

Yes & No is the answer:
Yes you get a "deeded leased interest" and it can be passed on ... but ...
No it is not a perpetual ownership interest like Marriott it has a fixed end date depending on the resort (2042 for most DVC resorts, 2054 at SSR or 2057 at AKV).

FWIW I am an owner in the Starwood TS system I am still researching DVC ownership

 

[DVC Dude]

DVC has a much better resale value than a Marriott if you buy them both from the developer.

 

[flyerron]

You could buy 160 points & bank & borrow so that you visit every 3 years with 480 points to use. That way you have the DVC timeshare & don't have to visit every year but have all the adavntages.

 

[grd]

I know that the best use of the DVC points is at a DVC resort but how does it compare to other timeshares when trading.

If you get 160 point at SS the maintenance fee will be $660 + $79 trade fee. You can then trade this for 1 bedroom.

If buy a timeshare affiliated with RCI, it would be something like this:
Maintenance fee for a decent time at a decent resort $700.
RCI membership I think is about $100
RCI Trading fee I think is about $180

Total cost for 1 week $980. Plus you need to pay the membership each year even if you don't trade that year.

Maybe someone can give an II example as well as more accurate RCI numbers.

 

[tomandrobin]

We're considering other timeshares as well, but we're too terrified to sit through a presentation. We just passed up on two presentation offers from the Westin. We really like the flexibility that DVC offers.

Slightly offtopic, Starwood (Westin) presentations that we have attended have been very non-pressure. Disney's Time presentation wins hands down for the easiest, but Westin has been a close second for us. Marriott's have neen hit or miss, all depends on the resort, if it can sell itself or needs a nudge. Seratons (also Starwood) have neen similar to Marriott presentation, hit or miss. Westgate, worldmark, etc ... .run, we have not had many pleasant presentations, too high pressure and sometimes demeaning!