Hard or easy to exchange DVC pts?

[stanamy]

We're considering buying a DVC timeshare. We can only travel when school is out for many, many more years. For those of you who own a DVC timeshare, how hard or easy is it to exchange your home resort points for another DVC resort, Disney Cruise, Disney hotel, RCI hotel, etc. Since our travel time is currently limited to when school is out, I would gather that exchanging would be a bit more difficult for us since we're not that flexible date-wise (except in the summer). Thanks for your input!

 

[disneynutz]

It's not hard but it's expensive. Most will tell you that the best use of points is at the DVC resorts.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We're considering buying a DVC timeshare. We can only travel when school is out for many, many more years. For those of you who own a DVC timeshare, how hard or easy is it to exchange your home resort points for another DVC resort, Disney Cruise, Disney hotel, RCI hotel, etc. Since our travel time is currently limited to when school is out, I would gather that exchanging would be a bit more difficult for us since we're not that flexible date-wise (except in the summer). Thanks for your input!

We have almost exclusively used our points at our home resort (and have been very happy to do so) but here is the anecdotal evidence that I have gathered from thia Board over the years for bookings using points in the summer:

Home resort -- easy for most room categories if booked more than 7 months in advance. Some categories like AKV club level and GVs at some resorts will be hard even if booked exactly 11 months in advance.

Another DVC resort at WDW -- relatively easy for most resorts and room categories if booked exactly 7 months in advance. In addition to those that are hard to book at 11 months, some categories, such as BWV standard view and BW view and likely some BLT views, may be hard to book at 7 months without waitlisting.

Other DVC resorts not at WDW -- HHI is very difficult. GCV has not opened yet but will probably be difficut for more than an odd night here or there. Beach Cottage at VB will be very difficult, but I am not sure about other room categoris.

Disney Cruise -- Easy as long as you book in advance.

Disney hotels -- Easy as long as you book in advance.

RCI timeshares -- This exchange relationship is brand new this year, so there are very few data points. But based on past experience with II, it looks like if you reserve well in advance (2 years) and are patient (your confirmation is not likely until 6-9 months before your trip), you will be able to get something, but you may not be able to get the quality of resort you want in a prime location during the summer no matter how far ahead you reserve. The general consensus is that RCI has fewer high quality resorts in prime locations (such as Maui), making the competition even tougher than with II as the exchange company.

Hope this helps -- Suzanne

 

[stanamy]

Thanks everyone. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But Disney Hotels, Disney Cruise and other hotels are negotiated every year, so the price goes up and up. Plus you have to pay the $95 transfer fee each time you make or change a reservation outside of DVC.

If you don't think you'll do Disney every year, buy enough points so that you can use banking and borrowing to your advantage.

For example, if you want to go every third year and will need about 300 points, you could buy 100 points. Then bank a year, use the current year and borrow from the next year to get 300 points.

And use the rest of your cash to buy a non-DVC timeshare for trading out to other locations.

 

[stanamy]

We really prefer to take vacations when the kids are in school as it's generally cheaper and less crowded. Now that our kids are school age, we can do that anymore.

We don't want to pull them out of school. We can't wait until they graduate, and we can go on vacation whenever we want. Sure would be easier to use the DVC timeshare as we could be more flexible.

 

[Dean]

We're considering buying a DVC timeshare. We can only travel when school is out for many, many more years. For those of you who own a DVC timeshare, how hard or easy is it to exchange your home resort points for another DVC resort, Disney Cruise, Disney hotel, RCI hotel, etc. Since our travel time is currently limited to when school is out, I would gather that exchanging would be a bit more difficult for us since we're not that flexible date-wise (except in the summer). Thanks for your input!

RCI exchanges are somewhat difficult (and very expensive) trying to do with RCsI points. Some of the rest are easy but even more expensive. You're best bet is to buy the number of DVC points you'd use only for DVC resorts with possibly a small cushion depending on the season, unit size and type of dates you're looking at. Getting top places during school holidays is a gamble at best, irregardless of the high costs. As noted, the cash equivalent exchanges like DCL are not fixed, nor are they guaranteed, they could all vanish tomorrow as could ALL exchange options. Trying to do all travel using DVC is a poor choice and one that limits you unnecessarily if you are looking to buy in. Cash and/or other timeshares can be a better choice for all of those options. Buying DVC and another timeshare is often the best approach for those looking to do timeshare exchanges.