Key item here is currently with resale you cannot trade into RCI or use points for Adventures by Disney or DCL bookings. And Disney is likely to take away other perks in the future.
The only times I have used DVC points outside of DVC have been for Disneyland Resort (Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel before the Villas were built, and Paradise Pier Hotel), and Disneyland Paris (Newport Bay Hotel).
In '04 we bought a resale with just about enough banked points for a 3 night DCL cruise. It was totally worth it! We also took a members cruise on points.
I would have to look at the numbers before doing either again, but we enjoyed what we did and we're glad to have the option.
Many, many DCL trips booked on points (fabulous trips from Carribean, TransAtlantic, Panama Canal, Mexican Riveria, Alaska and next year Hawaii)
Disneyland (3 times booked on points-Paradise Pier)
II Exchanges (prior to RCI being the vendor of choice)...went to Las Vegas, Bay Harbor MI (near Mackinaw Island)
Concierge Collection-The Plaza (previously on list now removed)
Can you tell I LOVE my DVC points and love what kind of trips I have been able to experience with my family because of the cost savings they have provided to me!!!
Concierge collection: Broadmoor-Colorado Springs(no longer on list)--Shutters on the beach-Santa Monica(no longer on list). DCL twice.
Grand Californian(before DVC Villas were built)
The thing about DCL is they used to have special deals once in awhile for points bookings, I have not seen that in awhile though. They seem to take the Hotels we like off the Concierge list, so we rarely do that anymore.
So that is five non-DVC trips in 11 years. The more offsite building DVC does the better, IMO.
We had Disney developer points to use that we couldn't use at WDW in 2009 as I was going through a difficult pregnancy and couldn't travel to the USA. We called and tried to get an exchange in Scotland.... Nothing available......in England.....Nothing available.....Wales......Nothing available.....Ireland....Nothing available...France.....Nothing available. We then asked them to search for the whole of Europe for all of 2009.....nothing available. We did eventually get an exchange in January 2010. The place was horrible, what I would call it a bad three star bordering on two star. The pool area was so nasty I would not allow my new DD to use the facility. The one bed room was desperate for a refit. I cried when I first saw it. I was just so disappointed.
I didn't buy to exchange but though it would be a good option if one day we needed to, Needless to say I will never exchange my precious points again.
I think it is very sad that Disney has not done anything to ensure that the RCI property it exchanges with are of a good standard.
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We just got back from an Alaska cruise with DCL and used points for my parents to join us for their 50th wedding anniversary. We are looking at doing ABD in 2013 to Ireland so hopefully we will have enough points.
Elizabeth
Sands of Kahana on Maui
Grand Californian Hotel - prior to it being DVC Disney Cruise Line
Whitehall Hotel Chicago - one night
RCI - one week had to cancel trip so need to use by next yr.
We used our DVC points to go and stay at Disney- Paris. At the time this included park tickets and we stayed in the Saratoga Springs complex within the property.