For those of you who have done an exchange of your DVC.

[invalid_character]

having not yet bought, i'm curious about how flexible the exhange system is when you are trying for some foreign or exotic destination. the posts below make it seem somewhat hard to exchange, except in some lucky circumstances.
also, does II have a website where one can see the properties and point values that they would charge for an exchange?
thx all!

 

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, you and I see the posts differently. I think the majority of people find exchanging out of DVC very easy compared to other timeshare properties. I got my exchange to Hawaii in 5 days. It is my friends who are having trouble exchanging their RCI gold crown property and have waited 2 years. As for checking II. Exchanges of DVC to II are done by Disney, so that doesn't help you figure out the points. It depends on what they can trade into II. It cost us the minimum of 160 points (our cost of a week in a 1 Bedroom at OKW during Adventure season) to do our exchange for a week in Hawaii in April. Disney will try to get it to the fewest points possible, and I was very pleased with this since I was expecting to have to spend 280 or more. Also, Disney does not exchange to ALL II resorts. They only exchange to a select few. The difference is that if you do your own II exchange from another timeshare, you will pay more than you do at Disney. Here, you only pay $75 for an exchange. The down side is that it is only for select resorts, so fewer choices. I went to the Timeshare Users Group web to check out the resort we got our exchange to before I said yes to the deal.

Disneydiane

 

[DVCTUG2]

Just to help with my experience-

I called wanting a 2 bedroom at any Royal resort in Cancun in one of either two months(May or October)next year and got my exchange right then. A 2 bedroom at the Royal Mayan the last week of May 2002(our anniversary week!). I lucked out as this was considered "low" season and I got to trade an Adventure week(less points!). I was also very happy with the exchange because my points were banked and would have expired if I did not use them (already going to Disney this summer and STILL had points). Anyway, this extended the life of my points and will give us something "different".

Kim

 

[Dean]

I think the experiences you're seen presented on this board are not quite the norm. In general, expect to have an ongoing search and most exchanges are matched at 4-6 months before the trip. II cannot give you a unit until they have one to give. That means an owner at X resort must deposit before you can get one. Many units with II are deposited at the time dues are paid and many at 2-6 months before the week in question. The majoritiy of the posts are about getting exchanges that are not that difficult if you have the exchange power. Smaller units, call at the right time (9-12 months out), DVC has good trade power. It's all in the flexibility, timing and being realistic. If you ask for a 2 BR for Aruba or HI, not many chances but you might be lucky. On the other hand, a 2 BR in Cancun would the the usual, at least for the DVC exchange list.

Lets take HI summer time. I have a request in for July, 2002. I am looking for 2 weeks back to back with one on Maui and one on Kauia. I would prefer a 2 BR but a 1 BR is workable. I only want the top resorts. I have two searches going on with II and one with DVC. Since most units in HI cannot be deposited before 12-13 months before the week in questions, I don't expect anything until summer. The exceptions that come to mind are Kona Coast, I think they are 2 years out for deposits or there abouts. I was offered a week there but really wanted Kauia and Maui.

I have talked to several of the independent exchange companies, which will likely give us additional options but I hesitate to deposit a unit with them as there are no guarantees and I wouldn't want to have a deposit sitting with them that I didn't use on this exchange. SFX and Trading places are likely the two best additional options but neither do request first on a routing. SFX does request first for those that pay a membership fee. I also have feelers out for direct exchanges as well.

Look at OKW for Adventure and Dream for the same size unit to get a comparable range of points costs. Remember you must generally give up the points for the unit you get even if it's larger than you need. There are exceptions in that if you are searching for a 1 BR and they give you a 2 BR, the cost if for a 1 BR. If you accept a 2 BR instant match, it will cost you 2 BR worth of points.

Hopefully, this will give you a feel for some of the variables involved.

Dean

 

[invalid_character]

thanks everyone - esp. Dean for your informative and interesting posts. I had assumed that a much larger range of shares were available, but that's OK... I'm buying DVC for a reason...I like it here!!

 

[Dean]

You are welcome. There are still a multitude of exchange opportunities with DVC, albeit fairly expensive ones. This thread only scratches the surface. Many of us have gone out and bought less expensive timeshares for one reason or the other to use for exchanging. DVC however is just fine for the occasional trade, say about once every 3 years or so. Anything more and I'd recommend other options. But I take the same approache with DC, DCL, Concierge, etc; I just hate giving up those DVC points if I don't feel I'm getting the absolute most value from them.

Dean

 

[dianeschlicht]

What would we do without your knowledge! That is exactly the kind of information I was trying to find out with this post. Without your answer, I would have assumed all were easy. Thanks again!

Disneydiane