II trade into DVC

[molly2004]

Hi, there. I have a question about my trade. I posted here instead of the DVC board since I suspect not many people trade INTO disney there.

I traded a 2 bedroom unit and got a one bedroom for December. Do you know if there's any chance, getting closer to the date, to ask for a 2 bedroom if one is avaialble? I believe I have documentation (somehwere) that I relinquished a two bedroom for the one.

Has anyone had any luck?

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

II will tell you there is nothing there.

unless you have another timeshare to search with and can proof it to them.

but still what the heck try!

you just have to pay the $139 exchange fee again.

It isn't that you had the 2-bedroom - it is the trade power of your 2-bedroom - if it isn't strong enough to pull a DVC 2-bedroom - then be very, very happy with the 1-bedroom.

now done the same myself - traded my 2-bedroom for a studio (BCV) and with the bonus accomodation a 1-bedroom (SSR)

so when and which DVC did you get?

 

[molly2004]

Spiceycat, thanks for your reply. I was wondering more about whether I could call DVC or the resort itself a few days before check-in and ask.

I'm very very happy with the one-bedroom, but something put a bug in my head this morning and I was curious whether it could be done.

We got a one-bedroom at SSR for December. SSR is our first choice since it was close to Pleasure Island. We were really bummed to find out about the future of the PI though. :-(

 

[spiceycat]

yea going in Sept - so last trip to AC and CC for us.

it closes on Sept 28.

don't call DVC - they won't help you. You can call II - and if they find something - then you are just charged the exchange fee again.

you no longer have to pay $95 fee before check in - you do that at check in.

there are several of us DVCers who also trade into to WDW with out II timeshares.

SSR is nice - if you can plan on getting their early - and asking for Congress Park this is the one near DTD -

grandstand and springs are close to the main building - snack bar, restuarant (tiny), spa, gym, main pool, community hall, etc

here is a map

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/SSMap.pdf

now if you want to use DME - then you must call MS. are you flying?

 

[Brian Noble]

I could call DVC or the resort itself a few days before check-in and ask.

No---DVC/the resort doesn't have anything to do with the exchange. They gave a 1BR unit to Interval, and Interval traded it with you. Disney doesn't particularly care whether you gave up something larger for it, as it's none of their business.

Pat's right---the best chance you have is to re-trade, and even that chance is very low. To improve your chances, you need another unit you can search with, and that's what I do. I take the first unit I can live with that matches. Then, I start a second "request-first" search for a larger unit. If that hits, rather than take that exchange as requested, I "re-trade" the first unit, releasing the smaller DVC unit, and taking the larger one, without having to "turn in" my searching week. I can still use that week myself, or deposit it with II (or RCI) later.

This costs an extra exchange fee, but the price is modest for a jump up in size. However, I also maximize my chances of getting something this way.

More broadly: the basic idea with DVC exchanges is that you pretty much have to be flexible either about unit size/location, or dates. DVC controls all deposits, and they try to deposit units that the Members are least interested in that can still obtain a Member their desired trade for the fewest points. That means most deposits are smaller units, in slower times. If you have specific dates (like I do) it's most prudent to take whatever you can get.

 

[molly2004]

No---DVC/the resort doesn't have anything to do with the exchange. They gave a 1BR unit to Interval, and Interval traded it with you. Disney doesn't particularly care whether you gave up something larger for it, as it's none of their business.

Thanks for explaining this. I never knew this was how it worked. Now I can tell that bug in my head to shut up since I'm pretty happy with what we got.

 

[kkleiner]

We submitted an exchange request for a 2 bedroom DVC for the last week of April 2009, our school vacation week. II keeps calling us telling us we have only a small chance of getting into a DVC resort, especially a 2 bedroom (we have 2 adults and 3 kids, so can't do a 1 bedroom).

They want us to book something else, but we are going to hold out as long as we can. I know there are always other available for exchange even a few weeks before we leave!

Are odds VERY low that we will get a 2 bedroom? Would odds be better for late July or late August?

 

[spiceycat]

definitely late August.

alot of the schools in the South start back the first, second and third week of August.

that say - give II a choice.

2-bedrooms are not often found. especially if you HAVE to go at some time.

you might be better looking for yourself.

also your week might not pull a 2-bedroom DVC.

what are you trading - there are some DVC members who might trade with you.

 

[spiceycat]

No---DVC/the resort doesn't have anything to do with the exchange. They gave a 1BR unit to Interval, and Interval traded it with you. Disney doesn't particularly care whether you gave up something larger for it, as it's none of their business.

Pat's right---the best chance you have is to re-trade, and even that chance is very low. To improve your chances, you need another unit you can search with, and that's what I do. I take the first unit I can live with that matches. Then, I start a second "request-first" search for a larger unit. If that hits, rather than take that exchange as requested, I "re-trade" the first unit, releasing the smaller DVC unit, and taking the larger one, without having to "turn in" my searching week. I can still use that week myself, or deposit it with II (or RCI) later.

This costs an extra exchange fee, but the price is modest for a jump up in size. However, I also maximize my chances of getting something this way.

More broadly: the basic idea with DVC exchanges is that you pretty much have to be flexible either about unit size/location, or dates. DVC controls all deposits, and they try to deposit units that the Members are least interested in that can still obtain a Member their desired trade for the fewest points. That means most deposits are smaller units, in slower times. If you have specific dates (like I do) it's most prudent to take whatever you can get.

Brian you descript everything so much than I can!

 

[kkleiner]

Thanks for the info SpiceyCat.

We are trading the week of Oct 18 2008 - Oct 25 2008 at Cold Springs resort in Ashland NH, fall foliage time.

How is trading with DVC members accomplished?

We've also extended the DVC search into July and August with II, but would rather go in April.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

on the dvc rental/trade board are instructions.

just put an ad over there - then go visit dvc mousecellaous board and just happen to mention it.

but if you have deposited your week to II - then this will have to be next year.

there are some very, very nice Marriott in the area
Marriott's Cypress Harbour
Marriott's Grande Vista
Horizon's by marriott

are all nice - they are closer to Seaworld than Disney - but not far from WDW.

 

[kkleiner]

Thanks, we have stayed at Grande Vista and did like it!

 

[Brian Noble]

It's probably too early for most 2BRs in late April 09. They're still depositing hurricane season (very late August/September) and the week before thanksgiving (which has seen a ton of deposits). There have been a very few farther out, but not much.

My experience has been that II calls me only to offer a smaller unit or different dates than my request, but still at a Disney resort---not something totally outside. But, I know for sure that my unit can pull a DVC 2BR. The fact that they are calling you with other options suggests to me that your odds might really be low---and maybe even zero.

To see if they are non-zero, here's what you need to do. For about the next two weeks, search Interval for any size, any dates, any WDW DVC property. Search in the morning, preferably between about 5 and 7 Eastern time. Even though you have a unit already devoted to an ongoing search, you can still use it to perform these "spot-searches", and you won't lose your place in line as long as you don't confirm anything. When you search, search only with two occupants, not five. Remember, you're just experimenting, not booking, and this will let you see everything available.

You should see at least one 2BR somewhere during that time---they do come up, but they don't last long. If you don't see a 2BR, come back and let us know. It's possible that a 2BR won't end up anywhere in the "leftovers" during that time, but 1BRs should be common. If you don't see even a 1BR, then you have a trade power/quality issue. (I don't think this will happen, because Cold Springs is in the Disney II list. If DVC owners can trade in, usually owners there can trade out.)


If you are online, and can search now, you should see something like this:


Disney's Old Key West Resort
DVO
Orlando , FL , USA
Resort Details & Photos

Sep 13 2008 - Sep 20 2008 1 4 4 144
Nov 16 2008 - Nov 23 2008 1 4 4 144


Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
DSS
Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA
Resort Details & Photos

Sep 14 2008 - Sep 21 2008 1 4 4 144
Sep 19 2008 - Sep 26 2008 0 2 4 024
Sep 21 2008 - Sep 28 2008 1 4 4 144
Feb 07 2009 - Feb 14 2009 0 2 4 024
Jun 05 2009 - Jun 12 2009 0 2 4 024


Don't worry if you don't see exactly the same things. Interval is a bit glitchy, and units are constantly being taken out of the pool. But, if you don't see anything, don't see anything more than 59 days out, or only see the studios, then you've got cause for concern.

Even if you do see studios and 1BRs, you might not have what it takes to get a 2BR. For example, Wyndham FairShare Plus owners have to deposit points for a 3BR Red unit to see 2BRs in DVC. A 2BR Red WynFSP deposit will only see 1BR DVCs..

 

[madelyn]

I've done those early morning searches many times, using my SILs August Royal Sands Cancun week to trade into 1 bedrooms once at SSR and OKW I think 3 times. We've swapped anything from her 2-bedroom to her studio for those DVC weeks. I've always done the trade myself. Only used the Interval request once for a San Diego area swap and they offered a 1 bedroom on downtown San Diego (did the swap automatically even though it was not on our request list) but they did reverse it w/out penalty. We ended up trading her studio for a 2 bedroom at Marriott Newport Coast (early June). If the OP is a TUG member, check the sightings board there to see if anyone spots any DVC 2 bedroom units. But they often go quick and very early.

 

[Lisa P.]

I traded a 2 bedroom unit and got a one bedroom for December. Do you know if there's any chance, getting closer to the date, to ask for a 2 bedroom if one is avaialble?

Molly, the biggest problem is lack of availability for this time period. Early and mid-December constitutes some of the lowest points season of the year (therefore, best value) for DVCers booking rooms, especially for those wanting to see the holiday events and decorations. Very popular time and there's little, if any, availability left in the system. So there's nothing for DVC to deposit late in II, unless there are more late cancellations than needed to fill DVC Member requests on their waitlist. We traded into a 2BR at Saratoga Springs for our friends for mid-December 2009. But it was a while ago and I doubt there will be more deposits like this later. Certainly, if you're talking about Christmas week, it won't happen at all. Sorry... but I'm sure you'll enjoy your nice 1BR!

We submitted an exchange request for a 2 bedroom DVC for the last week of April 2009, our school vacation week. II keeps calling us telling us we have only a small chance of getting into a DVC resort, especially a 2 bedroom (we have 2 adults and 3 kids, so can't do a 1 bedroom).

Are odds VERY low that we will get a 2 bedroom? Would odds be better for late July or late August?

Do you mean the week checking in on April 17/18/19th or April 24/25/26th? By "late August," do you mean checking in on August 14/15/16th or August 21/22/23rd? I'd put the demand for a 2BR in this order, from easiest trade to hardest trade (most demand) weeks, check-in dates:

August 21/22/23 or April 24/25/26 - both pretty easy, IMO, w/most kids in schools

August 14/15/16 or April 17/18/19 - both doable with an ongoing search, wait until 3-5 months prior, then look at offsite alternatives.

July (any) - tougher but possible with an ongoing search if your dates are very flexible.

Willingness to accept any of the six WDW DVCs can make all the difference when seeking a 2BR: BCV, DAK, DBW, DSS, DVO, DWL

We are trading the week of Oct 18 2008 - Oct 25 2008 at Cold Springs resort in Ashland NH, fall foliage time.

Nice week with high travel demand index on II. However, as it is a standard resort and not awarded, are you certain that your resort has the quality rating required by II to do a DVC exchange?

If you do a quick online Exchange search now, for "1 traveler" into all DVC resorts (by resort codes), for anytime between now and a year from now, do you see ANY availability? Even for a studio week somewhere? If you do, then your resort has a high enough quality rating and you just have to sit tight with your search. If you see nothing for several mornings in a row, then your resort does not have the quality rating needed and no amount of time waiting will result in a match. HTH.

 

[kkleiner]

You guys are awesome - thank you for the hints on searching with just 1 traveller a year out. Our resort does have trading power, we saw 1 bedrooms and studios.

So, if I understand this right, I can just wait it out since we can trade into DVC with our resort? The issue of a 2 bedroom not showing up is only because there aren't any? If only we could put 5 people in a 1 bedroom. I know they would fit, but Disney won't allow it, correct?

Thanks again!

 

[kkleiner]

On another note, II won't let me put DAK into the search or search for it at all, is that a closed resort for now?

 

[spiceycat]

AKV is not part of II yet.

look for them next may - when Disney has more of them. they are doing a partially opening of Kidani in May, 2009.

but they might wait until Kidani is finished to start depositing with II.

they like their status with II and probably won't let an unfinished timeshare be part of it.

 

[kkleiner]

To respond to a previous reply, our dates are the last week in April, a great school vacation week as most states are the weeks before! We put 4/23 - 4/30 (Thursday - Thursday ) in the II search, as I assume that will cover checkins on T-Sat. Are all DVC check ins on weekends?

The August dates would be 2nd or 3rd week in August.

 

[Brian Noble]

he issue of a 2 bedroom not showing up is only because there aren't any?

Maybe, but maybe not. Depends on when you are searching, but there have been a couple that have popped up in the last few days. It is possible that your week does have trade power for a 1BR, but not a 2BR. Until you actually see a 2BR with a check-in more than 59 days from the day you are searching, you won't know for sure.

Extending your search parameters to include weeks in summer will help---as I wrote before, with DVC you have to be flexible to have the best chances of success---in the size of unit you will accept, or the dates you are willing to travel, or both. But, unless you've got the summer shoulder weeks (the week ending Labor Day weekend, or the first week or two of June) it's still unlikely. 2BRs are very rare unless you are willing to travel in off times.

Unsurprisingly, families all want to travel during school holidays, and they mostly all want to go to the same places, so competition is fierce for getting prime units at prime times.

The August dates would be 2nd or 3rd week in August.

That's okay, but if you could do the 4th, that would be even better---still not idea, though, because Labor Day is late in 2009. I'm guessing the most summer inventory (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) will show up that very last week.