How often do you use your points for non-Disney properties?

[5by5]

We're thinking about joining DVC and while we love Disney we also have other spots around the world we want to vacation to.

Have you used many of the World Passport properties? Any problems or things we should know?

Thanks!

 

[tink4ever]

We have owned since 2001 and we have never used our pts anywhere else. My DH would like to but it just seems to take too many pts to trade and I rather just stay in DW. But I know there are a lot of people who do stay elsewhere.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[crisi]

Never. Own enough points to feed a Disney habit, not enough points to vacation elsewhere. I feel I can get much better value and much more flexibility for cash.

 

[5by5]

That surprises me a bit. I'm not familiar with timeshares and exchanges but the points ranged from 120-160 (I think) depending on the season for the week at some very nice properties around the world. To beat that with a cash purchase would seem tough to do. Of course, because of work and school we can only travel during the Summer when everything is $$$.

 

[purpliequeen]

The only time we've spent our DVC points outside of the DVC villas was for AKL Concierge. We're doing it again for the holiday season 2008-2009 at the Yacht Club and perhaps the GF or Contemporary.

Would definitely consider using points outside of the Orlando area, especially those resorts/hotels in the Concierge Collection.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a reservation for Paradise Pier at DL in April (5 nights @ 20 points each). I used points to stay one night at POFQ last fall (18 points), an extra night on a business trip, no DVC properties were available. I think that's it.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Does a Disney cruise count as a non-Disney resort? I am using pts. for a 3 nite cruise. Also have plans for using pts. at Grand Floridian in 2011 for my
30th anniversary. I know this is a REALLY bad use of pts!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We have used points for the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, and the Grove Park Inn in Ashville. And points for a cruise also.

We found both resorts to be top notch. I think Disney does their homework before including outside resorts the exchange system.

 

[SanDeeKath]

We are going to use our points for the Hotel Del Coronado in APril for a nice 3 night getaway (just DH and I). But with the $95 fee and the points needed, it BARELY made it worth while, even though the rates there are in the $500/n range. Remember you have to pay MF on all your points each year too!

K

 

[disneynutz]

By design, using your points outside of Disney is not a good deal. Adding the $95 surcharge this year is just another way that Disney is using to keep us on property.

 

[5by5]

We are going to use our points for the Hotel Del Coronado in APril for a nice 3 night getaway (just DH and I). But with the $95 fee and the points needed, it BARELY made it worth while, even though the rates there are in the $500/n range. Remember you have to pay MF on all your points each year too!

K

So would you figure the cost of a week outside of Disney like this:

High season exchange rate is 160
MF is roughly $4.50
So the "cost" of that years points to stay somewhere else is $720? Plus you have to figure in the original point cost as well.

So any place that costs less than $100 per night you should definitely NOT use your points? Very back of the envelope I know.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

While we never have, my BIL/SIL have many times. They have been very pleased with their accommodations, and from what I understand, you can tour (or see pics) of many of the timeshares on-line. They have gone to Spain, Portugal, Paris, Aruba, Hawaii, Germany, Cancun, etc. They also go to Dis over Spring Break almost every year. In fact, the place they stayed at in Spain was like a mini-house (she said it was closer to a GV at Disney) and it had a small private pool of its own!!!

They own around 450 points and here's how they spend them:
* Spring Break (premier season) - spend roughly 200 at OKW for a 2-BR and usually pay cash for the 2 weekend nights. If they didn't, adding the two weekend nights would cost them another 200 points.
* If they trade out, they spend 270 points (at most) on a 2-BR through II. If you look at a 1 week reservation at OKW during July, a 2-BR runs 30 points per week night and 73 points for Friday and Saturday. If you assumed 73 points for a Friday/Saturday stay through II, your week days would run you about 25 points per night.

My BIL/SIL have loved trading out and have really felt their DVC membership has allowed them this opportunity. While another timeshare may have been a better value, they already owned the points through DVC. Rather than selling off some of their points and purchasing a different timeshare, they have opted to use what they have to meet their travel needs.

 

[SanDeeKath]

While we never have, my BIL/SIL have many times. They have been very pleased with their accommodations, and from what I understand, you can tour (or see pics) of many of the timeshares on-line. They have gone to Spain, Portugal, Paris, Aruba, Hawaii, Germany, Cancun, etc. They also go to Dis over Spring Break almost every year. In fact, the place they stayed at in Spain was like a mini-house (she said it was closer to a GV at Disney) and it had a small private pool of its own!!!

They own around 450 points and here's how they spend them:
* Spring Break (premier season) - spend roughly 200 at OKW for a 2-BR and usually pay cash for the 2 weekend nights. If they didn't, adding the two weekend nights would cost them another 200 points.
* If they trade out, they spend 270 points (at most) on a 2-BR through II. If you look at a 1 week reservation at OKW during July, a 2-BR runs 30 points per week night and 73 points for Friday and Saturday. If you assumed 73 points for a Friday/Saturday stay through II, your week days would run you about 25 points per night.

My BIL/SIL have loved trading out and have really felt their DVC membership has allowed them this opportunity. While another timeshare may have been a better value, they already owned the points through DVC. Rather than selling off some of their points and purchasing a different timeshare, they have opted to use what they have to meet their travel needs.

I think this is a great way of traveling if you ALREADY have the points. But to buy points to do this would not make much sense. Just my thoughts.

K

 

[JimC]

We have never transferred out of the Disney collection. The value is not there in our opinion. We bought MVCI for those holidays.

In the past we have used points for other Disney resorts, but would probably not consider it now that there is an additional fee to do so.

 

[crisi]

I'll give you an example. We are intending to take the kids to Washington DC this summer. DVC gives us one DC option that will meet our travel needs (staying inside Washington, close to the metro) - the Mandrian at 48 points a night. The Mandrian is a great hotel, but we don't need the Mandrian - and the Hyatt can be gotten on priceline for $200 a night. Better value, more flexibility - and the Hyatt is still a darn nice hotel.

Another example - we could use DVC to go to Cancun - plenty of options along there - a two bedroom would be 270 points - one bedroom for 160. Or a friend of a friend will rent us his four bedroom villa on the beach about an hour South for $1000 - if we don't mind being flexible in when we go. Last time we went with the friends and he just let us have it.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We travel pretty extensively both inside and outside of Disney, we have never used our points outside of Disney.

 

[5by5]

I'll give you an example. We are intending to take the kids to Washington DC this summer. DVC gives us one DC option that will meet our travel needs (staying inside Washington, close to the metro) - the Mandrian at 48 points a night. The Mandrian is a great hotel, but we don't need the Mandrian - and the Hyatt can be gotten on priceline for $200 a night. Better value, more flexibility - and the Hyatt is still a darn nice hotel.

I see what you are saying except what $$ value are you putting on your 48 points per night to compare to the $200 per night?

 

[crisi]

I see what you are saying except what $$ value are you putting on your 48 points per night to compare to the $200 per night?

Well, even if its just dues - at $4.75 a point its $228. I figure my points cost me currently about $7 a year - initial buy in cost factored over the life of the contract plus dues. That's $336 a night. Plus there is the booking fee for the Mandarin (I think) as well - another $100 on top of the 48 points a night. Those aren't bad prices for the Mandarin - its a $450 a night hotel. Though if I value my points at a $12 rental rate - I'm getting a $580 rate for a $450 room.

And there are obviously cheaper options than the Hyatt - the flexibility part of the equation. I don't need a $450 a night room - and I may yet decide I don't need a $200 a night room.

 

[5by5]

Well, even if its just dues - at $4.75 a point its $228. I figure my points cost me currently about $7 a year - initial buy in cost factored over the life of the contract plus dues. That's $336 a night. Plus there is the booking fee for the Mandarin (I think) as well - another $100 on top of the 48 points a night. Those aren't bad prices for the Mandarin - its a $450 a night hotel. Though if I value my points at a $12 rental rate - I'm getting a $580 rate for a $450 room.

And there are obviously cheaper options than the Hyatt - the flexibility part of the equation. I don't need a $450 a night room - and I may yet decide I don't need a $200 a night room.

That's what I was starting to figure. We pretty have to travel during the Summer when everything is at peak cost so perhaps the value may be better for us but the availability will likely be lacking.

Thank you and everyone else who responded!!