How to trade RCI for DVC and are the eligible resorts nice?

[Jake&IzzyLand]

Thinking about it, but offsite resorts are very nice in my experience. Is the trade off for 60 day FP worth it?

 

[minnie mum]

You might want to ask this on a DVC forum. ( look further down the main forum page).

 

[Lena&Lars]

My son and daughter in law just returned from Saratoga Springs through RCI. They said it was great and would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Lynne M]

I'm going to move this over to the DVC Member Services board.....

 

[bwvBound]

Compared to Off Property RCI options, you may find the DVC on-site properties as mid-quality resorts. The units are reletively small, the furnishings "meh," and the room's maintenance condition underwhelming. However -- they are ON PROPERTY affording "Disney's Magical Express" (free ground transportation from/to MCO), all resort ground transportation (bus, boat, monorail), Extra Magic Hours at the Parks, etc. If you fly in -- the convenience of not having or needing a car becomes quite attractive ... making up for the other deficiencies.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Compared to Off Property RCI options, you may find the DVC on-site properties as mid-quality resorts. The units are reletively small, the furnishings "meh," and the room's maintenance condition underwhelming. However -- they are ON PROPERTY affording "Disney's Magical Express" (free ground transportation from/to MCO), all resort ground transportation (bus, boat, monorail), Extra Magic Hours at the Parks, etc. If you fly in -- the convenience of not having or needing a car becomes quite attractive ... making up for the other deficiencies.

I just stayed in an off-site timeshare..probably about the same age as BWV. While there was loads of room (2 BR, 2 bath, 2 floors, living and kitchen/dining) I kept constantly comparing it to my DVC resorts. It had not been updated at all, looks like, since it was built (except for the stove), the screened porch's roof leaked like crazy when it rained (which was every day...not just rain, gully washers, but we still got out to the parks), and I was afraid to open the sofa-bed. Cabinets, counter tops, bathroom vanities and fixtures all looked original. However, the unit was well cared for and very, very clean. A huge difference, I think, is the fact that if you are not the owner, you are charged an additional fee, like a deposit, plus there is another damage fee that I believe is refunded if your room has not been damaged after your stay. This is a policy I like...and one that I wish DVC would strictly enforce. Anyway, I digress...

Even if you trade in for Saratoga Springs, as BWVBound posted you cannot beat the benefits of staying on-property. Driving everywhere was a real PITA...I put over 300 miles on the rental. We had it a little easier because of handicapped parking, but it was still a long drive to some of the parks....even though we were pretty close. I utilized as many Disney back roads as I could, because the large intersections and traffic lights outside of Disney drove me crazy. And...there were times when I felt a little unsafe where we were staying. Not to say that nothing ever happens at Disney resorts....but still. I am going to be looking in to how I can trade in to DVC. I'd be happy to stay in a studio at SSR for the price of what this timeshare costs yearly.

Although you have to take a bus everywhere from SSR, you have a nice walk to Disney Springs. It is a beautiful resort...have only stayed there once, but the atmosphere is so relaxing....you can forget you are in Disney. Now that I can compare staying on property vs. off....on-property wins hands down.

 

[Dean]

Thinking about it, but offsite resorts are very nice in my experience. Is the trade off for 60 day FP worth it?

We've stayed at many on site and off and visited many more. We own with Bluegreen, DVC and Marriott and have used both II and RCI for Orlando. IMO there are at least 10 resorts that are as good or better than DVC, IMO those are all better than DVC side by side but YMMV. And there are quite a few more that are very close. DVC has 2 things going, those are location (on property) and theming. That said, we do prefer to stay on property for most trip plans and I'm writing this from a SSR one BR. IF Disney is your plan, I'd go with DVC. Just realize that a 1 BR at OKW, AKV or SSR (likely SSR) is about all that'll be available to you. I'd definitely go off property for a larger villa than do a studio on property as an exchange.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

This is very helpful, thank you. I will check if there is a pull out bed in the living room, that would be a must.

 

[Dean]

This is very helpful, thank you. I will check if there is a pull out bed in the living room, that would be a must.

All DVC 1 BR villas are a king and pull out queen, some have a pull out chair as well but not SSR.

 

[spiceycat]

being able to walk to a theme park - is a definitely plus for me. you can only do this with a DVC resort (BLT, BCV or BWV)

 

[JimMIA]

Thinking about it, but offsite resorts are very nice in my experience. Is the trade off for 60 day FP worth it?

Not sure what you are asking here.

Are you asking if an inconsequential advantage in fast-pass availability is worth $209+$95??? I hope not.

But just in case...NO!

Are you asking if DVC accommodations are nicer than offsite accommodations? I think that's already been answered very well...NO.

I look at it this way: Do you have minimal/no-cost offsite options? Use those.

Will you be doing an RCI exchange anyway because your timeshare doesn't have a property in Orlando? Exchange for DVC, and pay the extra $95.

 

[djohn06]

Compared to Off Property RCI options, you may find the DVC on-site properties as mid-quality resorts. The units are reletively small, the furnishings "meh," and the room's maintenance condition underwhelming. However -- they are ON PROPERTY affording "Disney's Magical Express" (free ground transportation from/to MCO), all resort ground transportation (bus, boat, monorail), Extra Magic Hours at the Parks, etc. If you fly in -- the convenience of not having or needing a car becomes quite attractive ... making up for the other deficiencies.

Just a pure room comparison, I have found the biggest difference in the DVC living rooms. They leave much to be desired as they run on the small side. I am assuming you would look to trade for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom in RCI. If you can get AKV Kidani, you will have an additional bathroom that many offsite resorts don't offer. A 1 bedroom at Kidani gets you 2 bathrooms. A 2 bedroom gets you 3 bathrooms. Most RCi resorts don't offer this. I have found the furnishing at AKV to be better than many RCI resorts.

Now, compared to a Marriott, which trades in II, DVC is definitely subpar. I stayed at Hilton Soliel, which was nice, but just felt like another timeshare. Once you get a taste of DVC theming, it's extremely difficult to go back to non themed resorts. The WDW transportation, better onsite restaurants than RCI resorts, extra magical hours, lack of traffic, all makes it well worth it. In fact, if I plan to spend the majority of my time at WDW, no way willi ever stay offsite. It's the difference between being 10 rows up at the 50 yard line, and being in the top 10 seats from the top at a stadium to me.

 

[djohn06]

Forgot to mention that BWV and BCV are both in the midst of a full refurbishment. So, the quality is picking up. DVC doesn't update their rooms every 3 years like a Marriott or Hilton timeshare.

 

[djohn06]

We've stayed at many on site and off and visited many more. We own with Bluegreen, DVC and Marriott and have used both II and RCI for Orlando. IMO there are at least 10 resorts that are as good or better than DVC, IMO those are all better than DVC side by side but YMMV. And there are quite a few more that are very close. DVC has 2 things going, those are location (on property) and theming. That said, we do prefer to stay on property for most trip plans and I'm writing this from a SSR one BR. IF Disney is your plan, I'd go with DVC. Just realize that a 1 BR at OKW, AKV or SSR (likely SSR) is about all that'll be available to you. I'd definitely go off property for a larger villa than do a studio on property as an exchange.

I would agree about 10 are better. The other 30 or so in the area are worse.

 

[JimMIA]

Just a pure room comparison, I have found the biggest difference in the DVC living rooms. They leave much to be desired as they run on the small side. I am assuming you would look to trade for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom in RCI. If you can get AKV Kidani, you will have an additional bathroom that many offsite resorts don't offer. A 1 bedroom at Kidani gets you 2 bathrooms. A 2 bedroom gets you 3 bathrooms. Most RCi resorts don't offer this. I have found the furnishing at AKV to be better than many RCI resorts.

There haven't been many DVC 2 bedroom deposits in many months. Maybe none.

The WDW transportation, better onsite restaurants than RCI resorts, extra magical hours, lack of traffic, all makes it well worth it.

OTOH...if you prefer to drive -- which most people who have actually tried it do -- or, if the thought of "onsite restaurants" makes you gag...you might have a different opinion.

Personally, we drive even when we stay onsite because it is just so much easier. And we dine offsite, even when we stay onsite, because the food is more varied, better quality, prepared and presented better, and is less expensive. And no ADRs or long waits.

 

[JimMIA]

Forgot to mention that BWV and BCV are both in the midst of a full refurbishment. So, the quality is picking up. DVC doesn't update their rooms every 3 years like a Marriott or Hilton timeshare.

Umm...that's "quality picking up?"

 

[djohn06]

Umm...that's "quality picking up?"

Not sure what the inference was here, guess I missed it.

Disney has over 200 restaurants. All variety and prices. If someone can't find a decent meal for their family (dietary concerns aside) there something is wrong with them. Shulas steaks, V&A, Boathouse are all great places. One the lower end side, WPE, flame tree BBQ, Yak and Yeti are fantastic too (just naming a few).

Off site restaurants are cheaper, but I value my time more to vacation with family more than saving a buck or two.

 

[JimMIA]

Not sure what the inference was here, guess I missed it.

I meant that if DVC doesn't refurbish as often as other timeshares (and I think you are absolutely right), I don't consider that a step up.

Disney has over 200 restaurants. All variety and prices. If someone can't find a decent meal for their family (dietary concerns aside) there something is wrong with them.

Sure there are plenty of food outlets at WDW, and we've never had any problem finding OK food onsite, and also some pretty good dining. But over the years, our experience has been that the dining experience onsite has deteriorated badly. I would say the best example of that is Le Cellier, which was wonderful 8-10 years ago, but is now like eating in a cattle car.

Shulas steaks, V&A, Boathouse are all great places.

Shula's is always very good, and we've actually seen "Coach" driving up to Orlando twice on our way up to WDW. Both times he blew by us at about 90 in his Benz coupe. But Charley's, and probably some other steakhouses offsite are just as good. And if you want legendary steaks, you could always take the hike over to Bern's in Tampa. Less than two hours one way, but worth it. Haven't eaten at V&A, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Haven't tried Boathouse either, because DTD isn't my idea of a fun place to dine. The Boathouse menu looks good, but unless it's spectacular it's pretty overpriced.

Off site restaurants are cheaper, but I value my time more to vacation with family more than saving a buck or two.

We don't find getting around offsite to be much of a problem. For example, from just about any of the non-monorail resorts, I could be in Celebration about as quickly as I could be at V&A, or Boathouse (because of the awful traffic and parking place search time). We always drive to WDW, and we know the area well, so driving is just not a big deal for us. The big advantages to us are the wide variety, and ease of dining (no ADRs, easy to get to, ample parking, no long waits, etc.)

 

[djohn06]

I meant that if DVC doesn't refurbish as often as other timeshares (and I think you are absolutely right), I don't consider that a step up.

Sure there are plenty of food outlets at WDW, and we've never had any problem finding OK food onsite, and also some pretty good dining. But over the years, our experience has been that the dining experience onsite has deteriorated badly. I would say the best example of that is Le Cellier, which was wonderful 8-10 years ago, but is now like eating in a cattle car. Shula's is always very good, and we've actually seen "Coach" driving up to Orlando twice on our way up to WDW. Both times he blew by us at about 90 in his Benz coupe. But Charley's, and probably some other steakhouses offsite are just as good. And if you want legendary steaks, you could always take the hike over to Bern's in Tampa. Less than two hours one way, but worth it. Haven't eaten at V&A, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Haven't tried Boathouse either, because DTD isn't my idea of a fun place to dine. The Boathouse menu looks good, but unless it's spectacular it's pretty overpriced. We don't find getting around offsite to be much of a problem. For example, from just about any of the non-monorail resorts, I could be in Celebration about as quickly as I could be at V&A, or Boathouse (because of the awful traffic and parking place search time). We always drive to WDW, and we know the area well, so driving is just not a big deal for us. The big advantages to us are the wide variety, and ease of dining (no ADRs, easy to get to, ample parking, no long waits, etc.)

I see what you mean. As an owner it's not a step up, but at the same time as someone exchanging in, you just want to catch resorts when they have been refreshed. As it stands right now, it's a great time to exchange in due to the refurbs occuring. VWL just went through one too.

Yep, dining has dropped over the years. But, I think that is many food places in general. Last time we went to WDW the entire family agreed, the best meal we had as a family was the one we made in our room. I think WDW does realize the drop in quality and they are building up the Springs area as a result, and has decided to partner with restuarants rather than build their own. Notice every new restuarant now is a "Signature" which means we don't want the dining plan.

I guess for us, I don't want to drive at WDW. I spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours commuting daily in a car. No thank you to driving while I am on vacation if I can avoid it. Uber works great if I have to go off site or ever get somewhere onsite. I went from Shulas to AKV for $8 last May one way and spent hardly any time waiting.

ADR's can blow and keep you tied down to a schedule. Especially with a large group, I can see how that could be a problem. That's why I love the Landry restuarants onsite. No ADR needed, just show the member card and you go to the front of the line. Shula's is kind of open a lot too. I mix in a couple nice QS spots and I can be ADR free.