Exchange to Mountainloft in Gatlinburg, Tn.

[CVW]

But again, the problem with the reviews is that they're often written by owners. (Even the DVC reviews on TUG have this problem.) And they're written by people who are judging from a different standard. There are several people who gave Mountain Loft relatively strong reviews (and ratings). I would bet that those folks don't have a DVC, a Big Cedar, or a Marriott to compare it to.

You're right. There have been many reviews written about different resorts here at DIS. But I, like many others, are only on these boards for a couple of months a year before our trip. Sure, there's the search function. But if there were a dedicated site to write and read reviews it would encourage much more sharing of knowledge.

I could give you a comprehensive review of Big Cedar, for instance. But I would likely get just a couple of people saying "thanks for posting!" and that would be it. It might never help anybody, so why bother? But if there were a dedicated place to read the reviews, I'd be far more inclined to add to it.

(I was just about to hit the enter button when I saw a resurrected thread about Big Cedar, so I stand corrected on that particular resort! But again, I never saw this thread until someone resurrected it. It'd be nice to have a database of reviews.)

 

[momoftwins]

so with that in mind these boards are invaluable. As another OP stated, it is important that we watch out for each other. I realize that each other's tastes are different and what is a problem for one may not be a problem for another, but as DVC owners we at least know what actual Disney accommodations can offer, as well as what we can expect when we check-in.

So, with the ability to exchange our points, it would be nice if Pete could somehow keep a sticky at the top with reviews of trades outside of the actual Disney resorts (either a link to the thread or somekind of score card for the DVCer to fill-out).

Well, just my two cents worth. I am sorry minnieme had such a bad experience, and shame on that resort for trying to pull fast one. I would think a one bedroom accommodation should certainly be much nicer than just a "motel-type" room.

 

[spiceycat]

CVW - no offense - but the tug reviews ask if you are an owner - if yes - you know to judge it with a grain of salt - if no - then you might be more trusting or not.

most of the reviews I have read have been pretty honest - even something funny (oh I am sick that way) - but to downgrade a resort just because when you ran out of paper towels they told you to buy your own - oh well you get the point - what you judge a resort by and what other judge a resort by are different.

there have been many bad reviews of the DVC resorts -

however I disagree that many DVC members are on tug - look at the Marriott - they have so many that they even have their own board

I definitely disagree with number rating - but the review to me have been very helpfully....especially current ones!!!! a resort can change for the better or worst but it can definitely change.

 

[Dean]

For TUG, I use a combo of the reviews and ratings. I read them with an idea of what might affect me as some of the complaints/problems would not. I also use the TUG BBS postings themselves and to a certain extent, Timesharing today's reviews. I do not use trip advisor as I find it nearly worthless. When I reads the info, I'm looking for clues, sometimes they can be subtle. I do not trade to resorts that play games unless I'm trading something such that even the worst case scenario is OK, this precludes exchanging DVC. Other examples of resorts that negatively assign exchangers are Lawaii Beach Resort and Cliff's Club, both in HI. But be warned that essentially all floating unit resorts are going to give owners a preference. Fixed unit exchanges may or may not give you the unit deposited, then it's the luck of the draw. But remember that bad weeks and bad units are more likely to be deposited than the best ones so any exchange can be a crap shoot at best.

Lest one things DVC members are the only ones with these problems. Remember that DVC charges an EXTRA $95 fee to exchangers which really upsets some of the timesharing community.

 

[CVW]

Umm...I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to be taking offense over, but none taken. I didn't think we were disagreeing.

I've written reviews for TUG (over there my name is brutewolf) and it's easy to see the difference between owners and non-owners. But the thing that's usually not possible to tell is the reference point, the "gold standard" that a reviewer is using.

I agree with Dean. Use all the info on TUG, including the rating. The numerical rating can be a bit like a strange lab value on one of my patients' blood tests. It may not make any sense, and may in the end be meaningless, but I don't just ignore it.

My point is that DVC owners on the Disboards are far more homogeneous than readers on the TUG boards. We have the same tastes, and tend to be willing to pay extra to get what we want.

I would like to see our own review section, here on the Disboards, of II resorts available for exchange with DVC. It would be extremely helpful, more helpful than TUG could ever be, to read a review comparing a resort, for good or bad, to DVC.

I'd be happy to start it, but I just don't have the expertise to do it.

(BTW, spiceycat, I lived in Birmingham for three years during my residency at UAB. Did you guys ever finish refurbishing the Vulcan? When we lived there, a friend of mine always referred to it as the "damn vulcan", because the only time he ever looked for it was when he was lost on the winding roads of Birmingham. He'd get frustrated, look around and say, "Where's the damn vulcan?" knowing he could find his way around once he saw it. I think of that every time I think of my time in Birmingham.)

 

[spiceycat]

yes Vulcan got put back - but I live in Homewood (the back side) so he is not very popular here.....

 

[kweaver]

Thanks for the replies Dean (and everyone). I agree that folks need to do their own homework regarding exchanges...and not just rely on TUG ratings or a list of Disney resort exchanges.

I would like to see DVC negotiate for specific room types/quality/age/etc. at specific resorts. For example, if a DVC exchange comes into II for Mountainloft, then Mountainloft should be required to exchange a comparable, new, updated, clean room...not just any old two bedroom that's been sitting around unused for a long time and unclean for a decade.

I know this is not standard timeshare practice...and maybe I'm just dreaming. However, I think DVC is different (better!) and their standards are higher. I'd like to see that passed on to their members. Does DVC have enough pull in the exchange industry to require something like this?

I believe there was a post last year regarding an exchange or points stay at a CC hotel where someone was put into an awful room...the worst on the property or something like that. When the DVC member realized the situation, they took a bunch of pictures...and then went to the front desk and demanded a room change using the photos as leverage. IIRC, they got their new, clean room. Good for them!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by kweaver
I would like to see DVC negotiate for specific room types/quality/age/etc. at specific resorts. For example, if a DVC exchange comes into II for Mountainloft, then Mountainloft should be required to exchange a comparable, new, updated, clean room...not just any old two bedroom that's been sitting around unused for a long time and unclean for a decade.

This would not be possible through II and likely not through any exchange mechanism. The only way to even think about it would be for DVC to arrange the exchanges directly with a resort. Since most don't have a mechanism to do this, I suspect it would not be possible.

 

[CVW]

But what WOULD be possible is a co-operative venture allowing direct or near-direct trading with other resorts in an extended vacation club.

Bluegreen, for all its warts, has successfully aligned dozens of resorts, many of which it does not own, into their point system of reservations. I called at my twelve month window and there was availability at nearly all of their resorts, including Aruba and Hawaii. No crossing your fingers hoping something might work out.

If Disney would team up with Marriott or Hyatt, there would be, I think, considerable upside for both. Especially since DVC skews a little younger. I've figured that ten or fifteen years from now I may sell my DVC as my kids grow, because Marriott or Hyatt might make more sense. If there were direct trade possibilities, Disney could almost certainly hang on to me.

 

[kweaver]

Originally posted by CVW
Bluegreen, for all its warts, has successfully aligned dozens of resorts, many of which it does not own, into their point system of reservations. I called at my twelve month window and there was availability at nearly all of their resorts, including Aruba and Hawaii. No crossing your fingers hoping something might work out.

Interesting. I don't know much about Bluegreen...actually didn't realize that they had resorts in Aruba or Hawaii.

Originally posted by CVW
If Disney would team up with Marriott or Hyatt, there would be, I think, considerable upside for both. Especially since DVC skews a little younger. I've figured that ten or fifteen years from now I may sell my DVC as my kids grow, because Marriott or Hyatt might make more sense. If there were direct trade possibilities, Disney could almost certainly hang on to me.

Excellent point. I can see our family being in that situation in 10-15 years as well. Keeping on to long time customers is a bonus for DVC too...we know the system and don't require very much handholding or education (or at least we won't by then!).

Though if DVC intends to turn over or refurb the resorts at the end of the contracts, it might make sense for them to have a membership that consists of folks who have only owned resales for 5-10 years and would be willing to buy in all over again.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by CVW
But what WOULD be possible is a co-operative venture allowing direct or near-direct trading with other resorts in an extended vacation club.

Bluegreen, for all its warts, has successfully aligned dozens of resorts, many of which it does not own, into their point system of reservations. I called at my twelve month window and there was availability at nearly all of their resorts, including Aruba and Hawaii. No crossing your fingers hoping something might work out.

If Disney would team up with Marriott or Hyatt, there would be, I think, considerable upside for both. Especially since DVC skews a little younger. I've figured that ten or fifteen years from now I may sell my DVC as my kids grow, because Marriott or Hyatt might make more sense. If there were direct trade possibilities, Disney could almost certainly hang on to me.

You would have to do a two tier or maybe even a three tier system, much like the BVTC works now. 11 months out for owners, 7 months out for other DVC members then 6 months out for the other groups. Else DVC members would lose out to non members. Especially for something like FF or BG which generally has resorts far below the DVC level of quality and location. Even then, you'd lose any short term options. And the top places for the top times still wouldn't be available. Try getting Club Intrawest in Whistler for Xmas or Spring Break.

 

[CVW]

I wouldn't want them to invite too many resorts in. Just find ten or fifteen good locations like Hawaii, etc. I actually think Hyatt or Hilton might be a good fit, since they're quality resorts, but don't have the locations yet to compete with Marriott. A chance to stay on site at Disney might tip a few customers their way.

I certainly wouldn't want them to invite Bluegreen on board. Big Cedar yes, the remaining resorts, no way.

The real question would be the level of interest from DVC owners. The obvious trade-off would be the difficulty in getting short-term reservations for DVC owners at DVC.

Personally, I'd prefer wider resort selection over ease of last minute reservations. But there are a lot of people out there who use phrases like "pixie dust" or "double digit dance", and who consider "magic" to be an actual human emotion. Those folks probably wouldn't want to share.