Help w renting DVC through RCI

[MinnieTink]

Hi everyone! This is my first post over on this part of the boards. We have been to WDW many times and I am pretty "fluent" in Disney Vacation planning, but this time we are doing things differently and I'm looking for some expert help. My parents have an RCI timeshare and they are trying to give it to me to use the first week of November at a DVC property. We spoke to RCI, they explained some of it and have put an "ongoing search" out there for us. We are a party of 6 (maybe 5, if my DD's friend doesn't go with us) so I know we are looking for a 2 BR, and the ongoing search is for 2BR in any DVC resort.

The first person we talked to said that, tho DVC goes quickly, she was confident that we would find something, but said that we should not expect it to come up until March. We ended up calling back for another reason, and spoke to another representative, who said that we may be able to get into a DVC resort but the ongoing search feature is just ok, and that we should really be calling RCI as much as twice a day to make sure we grab something as soon as it becomes available.

So, what do I do? Do I wait until March to aggressively call RCI trying to snatch inventory? Does the inventory change daily? Is there a certain booking "window" where unused DVC properties will be deposited for use into RCI inventory?

Sorry for being a complete rookie when it comes to timeshare info! And thanks for any advice you can give me!

 

[dsanner106]

Hi, they are dropped in daily but sometimes a few pop up throughout the day. There is not a set time but just look online in the AM for the bigger possibility. Normally rooms start showing up 6 months out, but you need a lot of trading power to get a dvc resort, only the best will do it. As it gets really close, a month out or so, they drop the points required and your chances jump up. I would not be surprised if it is fall before you get something. good luck


D

 

[chalee94]

My parents have an RCI timeshare and they are trying to give it to me to use the first week of November at a DVC property.

the timeshare needs to have enough trade power and it cannot be in or near orlando.

We spoke to RCI, they explained some of it and have put an "ongoing search" out there for us. We are a party of 6 (maybe 5, if my DD's friend doesn't go with us) so I know we are looking for a 2 BR, and the ongoing search is for 2BR in any DVC resort.

that's a good place to start.

So, what do I do? Do I wait until March to aggressively call RCI trying to snatch inventory? Is there a certain booking "window" where unused DVC properties will be deposited for use into RCI inventory?

TUG does a good job of tracking DVC deposits (you do have to be a paid member to see the "sightings board", though). this DIS board is mostly DVC owners.

from what i've seen on TUG, DVC has a typical time period in which they make deposits. it could change but i think the advice they gave you was solid.

Does the inventory change daily?

it does - and when DVC deposits are put into RCI, they tend to go quickly, so it's good to have an ongoing search in place.

also, the trade power needed to trade into DVC can change. just something to be aware of.

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for the responses My parents' ts is in Las Vegas so no prob about the location. They have an abundance of points so Im not concerned about being able to "afford" it so to speak, just concerned about availability.

What is TUG?

 

[MinnieTink]

Hi, they are dropped in daily but sometimes a few pop up throughout the day. There is not a set time but just look online in the AM for the bigger possibility. Normally rooms start showing up 6 months out, but you need a lot of trading power to get a dvc resort, only the best will do it. As it gets really close, a month out or so, they drop the points required and your chances jump up. I would not be surprised if it is fall before you get something. good luck


D

Fall? As the typical Disboards uber-planner, this kinda wigged me out.

PS would appreciate any info from anyone who has actually had success with this

 

[MinnieTink]

Sorry....another question.... Regarding looking online. My parents' RCI is with Points (not weeks). Where do I search for the DVC resorts online? On the RCI site? The only way to find them on there is looking at "extra vacations" area and when you do see them and their availability, it shows a cash price not in terms of points. Is there somewhere else I should be looking?

 

[chalee94]

What is TUG?

http://tugbbs.com/forums/

i'm more familiar with the weeks side than the points side.

hopefully dean or brian noble will be along soon to make suggestions...

 

[Brian Noble]

I second the recommendation to join TUG, or another site www.timeshareforums.com

Deposits are typically somewhere between 5-7 months prior to check in---so early November will come in from early March through early May. Anything that matches after that would probably be the result of someone else canceling, and that's a lot less likely than catching a deposit on its way in. If you do not have a match by 4 months out, it would be time to make backup plans.

Finally, you should not be picky about resort choice. To have the best chance of exchanging into DVC, you need to be as flexible as possible about unit size, check in dates, and resort choices. You need a 2BR, and you are looking for one specific week. If you list all the WDW resorts, and you instantiate your search right now, I think you've got pretty good odds.

i'm more familiar with the weeks side than the points side.

I'm guessing OP is in Weeks, or perhaps a mini-system, not straight Points---as far as I know, you still cannot initiate an ongoing search from Points, though perhaps they've finally changed that.

 

[MinnieTink]

I second the recommendation to join TUG, or another site www.timeshareforums.com

Deposits are typically somewhere between 5-7 months prior to check in---so early November will come in from early March through early May. Anything that matches after that would probably be the result of someone else canceling, and that's a lot less likely than catching a deposit on its way in. If you do not have a match by 4 months out, it would be time to make backup plans.

Finally, you should not be picky about resort choice. To have the best chance of exchanging into DVC, you need to be as flexible as possible about unit size, check in dates, and resort choices. You need a 2BR, and you are looking for one specific week. If you list all the WDW resorts, and you instantiate your search right now, I think you've got pretty good odds.


I'm guessing OP is in Weeks, or perhaps a mini-system, not straight Points---as far as I know, you still cannot initiate an ongoing search from Points, though perhaps they've finally changed that.

Thanks so much for the info and input, and I will look in on both of the other websites mentioned.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the responses My parents' ts is in Las Vegas so no prob about the location. They have an abundance of points so Im not concerned about being able to "afford" it so to speak, just concerned about availability.

What is TUG?

RCI points or another mini system (? Bluegreen, Wyndham, ?). If they have RCI points or BG points, I don't think they can put in an ongoing search with RCI or at least if they are allowed to, their chances of success are limited to non existent. Normally RCI blocks those who are in RCI points (directly or indirectly such as BG) from being able to exchange into inventory from RCI points resorts that ends up on the RCI weeks side. I'm not as sure how this might work for Wyndham or other points systems. For RCI points, inventory can come out as early as 10 months out but anytime after that the home system decides to deposit.

Maybe they'll give you access to their account so you can check online yourself several times a day starting early AM.

For the RCI points account online (assuming it's not through BG or another mini system), you'd sign on and click on the "search for an exchange vacation" tab across the top. Then you'd drill down using the menu at the left side Florida/Orlando Area/Walt Disney World. Make sure the exchange vacations radio button is checked near the top. If there's nothing, you won't see the location for WDW.

 

[MinnieTink]

RCI points or another mini system (? Bluegreen, Wyndham, ?). If they have RCI points or BG points, I don't think they can put in an ongoing search with RCI or at least if they are allowed to, their chances of success are limited to non existent. Normally RCI blocks those who are in RCI points (directly or indirectly such as BG) from being able to exchange into inventory from RCI points resorts that ends up on the RCI weeks side. I'm not as sure how this might work for Wyndham or other points systems. For RCI points, inventory can come out as early as 10 months out but anytime after that the home system decides to deposit.

Maybe they'll give you access to their account so you can check online yourself several times a day starting early AM.

For the RCI points account online (assuming it's not through BG or another mini system), you'd sign on and click on the "search for an exchange vacation" tab across the top. Then you'd drill down using the menu at the left side Florida/Orlando Area/Walt Disney World. Make sure the exchange vacations radio button is checked near the top. If there's nothing, you won't see the location for WDW.

My parents have RCI points. They did give me the log in info so I can check up on it daily. When I do so now, during log in, you can hit "Weeks sign in" or "Points sign in"---I must do "Points sign in" After that I hit "search for an exchange vacation"...then "Florida" then "Orlando" then "Lake Buena Vista" (Am I doing this right?) The only thing that comes up AT ALL without dates being entered is Wyndam Bonnet Creek I think. If I am doing this correctly, then if any unit becomes available it would come up here (if I catch it)? (As I did not enter dates before I did the search, is this to say that there currently is not a single DVC resort available through RCI points for all of 2013?)

Also regarding the Ongoing Search function.... under "my account" I am able to view my ongoing search for "DVC 2 Bedroom" for my desired dates. It seems like it is there, but there seems to be conflicting info as to whether this function will work for RCI points in the first place?

 

[::danielle::]

My parents have RCI points. They did give me the log in info so I can check up on it daily. When I do so now, during log in, you can hit "Weeks sign in" or "Points sign in"---I must do "Points sign in" After that I hit "search for an exchange vacation"...then "Florida" then "Orlando" then "Lake Buena Vista" (Am I doing this right?) The only thing that comes up AT ALL without dates being entered is Wyndam Bonnet Creek I think. If I am doing this correctly, then if any unit becomes available it would come up here (if I catch it)? (As I did not enter dates before I did the search, is this to say that there currently is not a single DVC resort available through RCI points for all of 2013?)

Disney is listed under Walt Disney World, not Lake Buena Vista. I would suggest saving the search so that you don't have to go through the whole process every time.

I can say that for the 12 months I was monitoring DVC on the weeks side I only found 4 day or 5 day DVC vacations at OKW or BWV. I set the option to see all listings regardless of the exchange value. Even with that, I did not see a 7 day/6 night exchange. Not trying to be a downer, just want to share my experience!

 

[ccgirl]

My parents have RCI points. They did give me the log in info so I can check up on it daily. When I do so now, during log in, you can hit "Weeks sign in" or "Points sign in"---I must do "Points sign in" After that I hit "search for an exchange vacation"...then "Florida" then "Orlando" then "Lake Buena Vista" (Am I doing this right?) The only thing that comes up AT ALL without dates being entered is Wyndam Bonnet Creek I think. If I am doing this correctly, then if any unit becomes available it would come up here (if I catch it)? (As I did not enter dates before I did the search, is this to say that there currently is not a single DVC resort available through RCI points for all of 2013?)

Also regarding the Ongoing Search function.... under "my account" I am able to view my ongoing search for "DVC 2 Bedroom" for my desired dates. It seems like it is there, but there seems to be conflicting info as to whether this function will work for RCI points in the first place?

There could be nothing in inventory at this point. I own weeks and have traded in a few times using my Hawaii timeshare so my knowledge is with the weeks side and not points. I'm not sure how many points it is to trade into WDW but I can tell you that, IMHO, for awhile there they increased the TPU required to trade in to WDW so I could only get a studio for my week in Hawaii. They have brought it down so I could now get a 2BR. For the weeks side, I see the weeks deposited approximately 7 months out.

How many points do you have? I found the TUG boards helpful as a PP mentioned when I was first learning about the DVC properties and trading into them.

I also wanted to mention that Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a great property and it's right near some of the other WDW resorts.

 

[Dean]

It's said above but to be clear, if there's no option in a given "area", that area will not show up on the list. For WDW to show up with availability, there has to be at least one unit at a resort in the area of question.

 

[MinnieTink]

There could be nothing in inventory at this point. I own weeks and have traded in a few times using my Hawaii timeshare so my knowledge is with the weeks side and not points. I'm not sure how many points it is to trade into WDW but I can tell you that, IMHO, for awhile there they increased the TPU required to trade in to WDW so I could only get a studio for my week in Hawaii. They have brought it down so I could now get a 2BR. For the weeks side, I see the weeks deposited approximately 7 months out.

How many points do you have? I found the TUG boards helpful as a PP mentioned when I was first learning about the DVC properties and trading into them.

I also wanted to mention that Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a great property and it's right near some of the other WDW resorts.

My parents have over 200,000 points.

Thanks for the info everyone and I will just continue to check daily (at least!) Thanks for putting up with my newbie questions!

 

[MinnieTink]

Again, thank you everyone for your input...

I did finally see availability during a search. Not for my dates, but I did see "WDW" pop up as an option and saw 4 different Disney resorts with availability for May-July.

I have a couple more questions....
1. Can you book two 1BR units if there are no 2BR units available? (and I understand they may not be connecting, or even near each other) At present, we would definitely be looking for a 2BR, but if my parents decide to come with us, Im thinking two 1BR units could be the way to go.

2. If I should jump on a 2BR in say, SSR or OKW, and afterwards I see availability at a different resort that we prefer...can you change? Is there a charge to do so?

Thanks again....

 

[Dean]

Again, thank you everyone for your input...

I did finally see availability during a search. Not for my dates, but I did see "WDW" pop up as an option and saw 4 different Disney resorts with availability for May-July.

I have a couple more questions....
1. Can you book two 1BR units if there are no 2BR units available? (and I understand they may not be connecting, or even near each other) At present, we would definitely be looking for a 2BR, but if my parents decide to come with us, Im thinking two 1BR units could be the way to go.

2. If I should jump on a 2BR in say, SSR or OKW, and afterwards I see availability at a different resort that we prefer...can you change? Is there a charge to do so?

Thanks again....

Yes, you can book 2 1 BR units. It'll be more points, 2 exchange fees and two $95 resort fees but it might be worth it for many. I'd book one that fit it it came available and keep trying for the second if you're thinking along those lines. You can retrade but there likely will be a second exchange fee but not a second $95 fee. The best way is to put it on hold and then call RCI and have the retrade it to your existing account. That generally requires them to be open when you're doing this and they will sometimes but not at others. The other thing you may want to consider if you settle for a 2 BR but not your preferred resort, or even if you go the 1 BR route, is to try to get 2 exchanges, one that starts on Fri and one that starts on Sun. That'll give you 2 extra days and not be orphaned on the change day if you plan it well.