I don't get it?

[dianeschlicht]

does anybody ever use their points for non-disney vacations? i.e. is it easy to get rooms at other points approved hotels when and where you want?

thanks

Like all timeshares, trading out of system has some constraints. If you are trading to the Disney collection, you will find it easy to get accommodations and in a timely fashion, but if you are trading through Interval International, it is just like any other timeshare exchange. It takes time, patience and flexibility. If you are planning to travel to one of the more popular exchanges like Hawaii, you need to be both date and location flexible. Same goes for other non-domestic exchanges. Domestic (inside cont. US) exchanges could be easier, but then I don't consider those to be the best value.

DVC is a relatively expensive timeshare as far as dues go. For that reason, it makes no sense to exchange it for a location that could be gotten for less than those dues combined with exchange fees.

Speaking of exchange fees. There are fees for ALL exchanges, including the Disney Collection....$95 per exchange.

 

[milenkod]

I'm not trying to start trouble, I'm just trying to make sense of DVC. I've been in contact to DVC about how it works and it sounds like you simply pay (based on the # of points) $20,000.00 (based on ~200 points) for the opportunity to stay at a hotel or condo. I understand you can bank or borrow up to 1 year worth of points (max of 600 in my example) which would allow you to stay at a nicer place for a longer stay.
I understand there is no other real benefit (no park admission discounts, special events, etc). And you have to pay an additional maintenance fee every year that is currently around $750.00 and rises at ~3-4%/year.

Even if you can afford to give Disney $20,000.00; how is this service any better than just making a reservation at a resort? i.e. it seems just staying at the resort is cheaper
thanks
steve

It's actually a great value if you are married to the whole Disney theme. If you are just looking into a timeshare with flexability to go "anywhere" at a decent value and you're not going to anything-Disney but every 5 years or so) look elsewhere....this is not for you.

Other things to consider are location and travel. I do not live in the Florida area..I live about a 6hr drive from Anaheim (SF Bay Area)....so that was a big factor for me as I am a father of 4 childern and husband (6 in total in our family). Airfare to Florida would wipe me out....so DVC isn't a very good long term idea for me....at least until the west coast presence is strengthened.

Also, consider your vacation habits. Perhaps setting money aside in an interest bearing account/CD and using that to finance your vacations is a better/more cost effective solution for you. DVC has alot of emotional gratification and satisfaction for its members. If you are not this type of person/vacationer you need to consider other options....I wouln't knock the DVC product. It's great, but unfortunatley not for me