Hilton Head, Disney vs II?

[The VWL Five]

Hi,

Thinking about a trip to Hilton Head during the summer of 2008. Seems it is more points to go to the Disney property then trading into II and using one of theirs. Considering one of the Marriotts, maybe the one at Harbour towne.

Anyone have any experience on this topic? Anyone visit the Marriott property?

 

[Dean]

It depends. For a 2 BR for a week you can get by with 270 points compared to 330 at DVC. And 2 of the 3 resorts are as good or possibly better and IMO, in a better location overall if you care for the beach much at all. Non of those properties will have 1 BR units though so if you want other than 7 days and other than a 2 BR, you may be better off with DVC. Expect Harbour Club to be removed from the exchange list within the next year and for Surfwatch to be added. And while it's not in Sea Pines, it will be on par with the other 2 Marriott's currently on the list in many ways.

However, an exchange will be tough for HH summer through II. The most difficult time will be for late June through July. Early to mid June and August are much easier times. You could also do a direct exchange with a Marriott owner or even for other resorts that are not on the DVC II list. While units will not be coming to II until around May of this year for summer 2008, you should start your search now so you can get ahead of others that might start searching after you. That's not to say it's a first come first served system per se but it will help in that you will be ahead of any with about the same trade power as you have including other DVC owners that might have the same idea.

So start your search now, reserve DVC HH at 7 months out if you haven't found anything (do it day by day) then cancel the DVC reservation and use those points if you later match.

 

[The VWL Five]

Thanks for providing such good info. Yes we need a 2br for 7 nights of course end of June into July. We liked the Sea Pines area the one time we stayed there 10 years ago.

This would be our first time using II so not sure of the when's and times to start calling them to try and book/search. Guess I need to call now.

Thanks

 

[Dean]

Thanks for providing such good info. Yes we need a 2br for 7 nights of course end of June into July. We liked the Sea Pines area the one time we stayed there 10 years ago.

This would be our first time using II so not sure of the when's and times to start calling them to try and book/search. Guess I need to call now.

Thanks

Sea Pines is nice but the resorts are not as good as some of the others. If it were I, I'd request Grande Ocean and Barony, also Surfwatch if it comes on line for DVC exchanges. GO would be my first option by far. Right outside the Sea Pines Gate and right no the ocean just down from Coligny circle and Coligny Plaza. Closer to many top restaurants. DVC will be close to a smaller group of nice restaurants as well but we don't like those as well as some of the others. Barony and Surfwatch will not be as close to restaurants or other options but are on the beach. Both also have garden view units which GO does not and likely what you will get as an exchanger. HH has changed a lot just in the time since you were last there.

As I said, do call now and start the search then reserve day by day at HH if you haven't found anything by then as you can always cancel if you match with II.