How many have used their points for things other than Disney rooms or cruises?

[Mazz519]

Went to Aruba twice using DVC pts, stayed at the Plaza Hotel in NYC 3 times and used our pts for a week long stay at the Disneyland Hotel before the Grand Californian was there...

 

[heidibilotti]

Did ABD member New York City trip last July. It was amazing and a great way to use our points.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I used RCI for a ski trip in Lake Tahoe last December. I live on the Central Coast of California and have tried many times to use RCI points to go to San Diego, San Francisco, close to Lego Land area and Tahoe area. It was just pure luck that I got that December one last year. Very difficult to get a ressie out here. Even the representative on the phone has told me that hardly anything opens up. I've looked a year in advance in some cases. Great big hassle and I pretty much stopped looking at RCI.

 

[jvalic33]

I just booked The Sagamore. Hoping I won't regret it. From a dollars perspective it just doesn't compare to a Disney resort but I'm hoping that when I factor in the closeness, no need to fly, or drive 15 hours with four kids that I'll appreciat it. Anyone been to the Sagamore recently?

 

[buzz5985]

We traded last summer to Idaho Park, ID for our trip to Yellowstone. Was it worth the exchange dollar wise?? Probably not - would we do it again - in a heartbeat. Very clean, quiet resort, not for everyone - very rustic. Great food within walking distance of resort.

Janis

 

[florep1]

Stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in DC on points several times. Once we stayed for July 4, and it felt like the fireworks on the Mall were in our room!

We were wanting to do this but I guess I'm confused. When I looked at the hotel website, it says the rooms have a max occupancy of 2 people? Can you upgrade to a bigger room with an exchange? Getting two rooms is out of the question with 2 aults and 2 kids. This is disappointing to me since DVC resorts at least let you have 4-5 in a studio.

 

[jvalic33]

We are more than four (6 actually) and I logged in and noticed they took more points out than the point chart online reflected and I called in to have them correct it but MS informed me that the extra points were taken because they booked me a suite to accomodate all of us. I asked her where I could find this info and she said it isn't listed online but it is an accomodation they can do for us in the instance where we have a larger party. Not sure it works for all resorts but MS was very helpful in the booking. They even called the resort to confirm that if my little guys are young enough they would allow us to have 6 in the room.

 

[JustTinking]

I just booked The Sagamore. Hoping I won't regret it. From a dollars perspective it just doesn't compare to a Disney resort but I'm hoping that when I factor in the closeness, no need to fly, or drive 15 hours with four kids that I'll appreciat it. Anyone been to the Sagamore recently?

We haven't, but have friends who are DVC and stayed at the Sagamore and loved it. They also loved the Coral Gables Biltmore when that was on the program. We used Concierge for the Arizona Biltmore in Scottsdale when that was still part of the collection, and we thought it was well worth the points.

I have other friends who do the RCI exchanges for the Caribbean and that's how they use their points. I had to coax them to try WDW.

 

[AnnaS]

I just booked The Sagamore. Hoping I won't regret it. From a dollars perspective it just doesn't compare to a Disney resort but I'm hoping that when I factor in the closeness, no need to fly, or drive 15 hours with four kids that I'll appreciat it. Anyone been to the Sagamore recently?

When are you going? Please come back and tell us all about it. It's on my list to try someday.

 

[jvalic33]

We are planning to go the last week of June. We're only staying for 4 nights. Crazy that four nights worth of points there could equal a week at the Boarwalk in Halloween, but we really wanted something closer, during the summer when the kids are off, and I think it will be exciting to see what else our points can get us, especially in a pinch if we are ever in a situation where we need to use some points before they are lost (which I don't see happening anytime soon).

I will definitely write up a trip report. We have fun no matter where we go, but I'm looking forward to the fact that I do believe Disney picks the best for us, despite the difference in value.

 

[AnnaS]

We are planning to go the last week of June. We're only staying for 4 nights. Crazy that four nights worth of points there could equal a week at the Boarwalk in Halloween, but we really wanted something closer, during the summer when the kids are off, and I think it will be exciting to see what else our points can get us, especially in a pinch if we are ever in a situation where we need to use some points before they are lost (which I don't see happening anytime soon).

I will definitely write up a trip report. We have fun no matter where we go, but I'm looking forward to the fact that I do believe Disney picks the best for us, despite the difference in value.

Thank you. Will look for it - and you can always bump this one and then start a new thread. I think more people do this than we think. Wether we use them or not, worth it or not, nice to have a few options.

 

[lck33]

So sorry it took so long to get back to you.. We booked myrtle beach through member services. It was an RCI exchange and I believe it was about 9 or 10 months in advance. We took the trip in July 2012. Hope this helps....

 

[k3chantal]

Anyone use their points for world passport locations? How about for ABD trips? RCI trades? How did you feel about using your points for these things? Did you feel it was worth it? Please note: everyone agrees that the best use of your points is at a DVC resort. However, these options exist so I was wondering how it went for others.

We did a RCI trade three years ago for a seven night stay in a one bedroom with loft (easily slept 5) ocean view condo at Princevalle, Kauai, Hawaii. It was awesome and only cost us 160 points! Great trip; no regrets!!!!

 

[lovin'fl]

I have only ever used our points for DVC resorts. The point cost for cruising is too high and I'd rather rent my points and use that $$ towards a cruise (if we ever were to do another Disney cruise). We were interested in trading into RCI once, but it was tough to get a nice place (the options were cruddy old beach condos).

 

[AnnaS]

So sorry it took so long to get back to you.. We booked myrtle beach through member services. It was an RCI exchange and I believe it was about 9 or 10 months in advance. We took the trip in July 2012. Hope this helps....

Not a problem. Thank you and good to know that you were able to secure a reservation during this busy time. I hope you enjoyed it.

 

[Murron]

I just booked The Sagamore. Hoping I won't regret it. From a dollars perspective it just doesn't compare to a Disney resort but I'm hoping that when I factor in the closeness, no need to fly, or drive 15 hours with four kids that I'll appreciat it. Anyone been to the Sagamore recently?

Beautiful old hotel....expensive and pretty!! I think the fun factor is in what time of year you are going. I like the summer, the jet skis, the lake, the fort, the outlets. Others like the winter fest in February, skiing, etc. I think we paid out of pocket last time there because the disney points were enormous to stay there. (I hoard my points lol lol lol)

 

[Keever]

We have used points for Mont Tremblant, QC, RCI/Hilton for Vegas, and ABD backstage magic in California. Loved every trip.

 

[LPnerd]

we use the points to stay off Disney all the time and well worth it. In fact, we rarely stay at Disney much anymore. just tried it again this dec and wow, between the bad crowd control at the xmas party and those magic bands, and the ridiculous ticket prices, wow, we stay there and go to universal.
They finally ruined the magic of Disney for us in Fl. BUT... we love the other places we can use points to stay! we have stayed, in England, oakum... Breckinridge co, deer park Ytah, NYC, Whitehall in Chicago, Grove park INN in Asheville NC ( amazing), big Sky Montana, and Wash DC. alos stayed at the Disneyland hotel! all well worth the points!

 

[okw2012]

We just booked Club IntrawestMont Tremblant, we hope we'll like it! It is 156 points for the week. I looked into paying cash, they were asking 2621$cdn so approx 2400$us ie 14$ per point. Doesn't seem like a bad use of my points.

 

[Dean]

We just booked Club IntrawestMont Tremblant, we hope we'll like it! It is 156 points for the week. I looked into paying cash, they were asking 2621$cdn so approx 2400$us ie 14$ per point. Doesn't seem like a bad use of my points.

But aren't you comparing to retail price rather than a private rental? IF you were going on cash, how would you have approached it?