In's and Out's of staying Non-DVC

[midnightaction]

I am sorry if this sort of thread has been to death already but the information on trading out to other places other then DVC is still not clear to me and I was wondering if anyone with any experience of booking non DVC could post here.

What I am interested to know it how easy it is to get a booking through World Passport, Disney Collection, II, Concierge Collection etc, are any of them good for last minute bookings or are they all only good as long as you book months/years in advance. Is there a certain amount of rooms etc avaliable to DVC members or it is first come first served for everyone. Are there certain places that are more popular then other at certain times. If we can be flexible and say we want to stay anywhere in New Zealand or New York (Or anywhere else of our choice!) on any day in June 2008 what are our chances of getting something. What if we want a last minute hotel in San Francisco in 2 weeks time, is that possible.(These are just so random places I pulled out of the air !)

What about costs, I know that the Disney Collection is on a points system like DVC but what about the others. Do you books rooms on a per night basis for a certain amount of points (Obviously more points then staying at DVC!) or do you have to make a reservation through DVC first and then see if you can swop that week with someone else. Do different places have different point structures/points or are they all the same with a set amount of points required for a week's booking.

I am sorry if I sound really ignorant but I am just trying to get all of this clear in my head. We want to buy into DVC because we love staying at Disney and 9 times out of 10 will stay there. But at the same time occasionally we want to see other area's of the world whether that be the US, Europe or further afield and just want to know that we have some options. If we can not go using our DVC points then we will just use cash every now and again, but it's just nice to know we have the choice.

Anyone with any experiences of booking Non DVC (good or bad !) then please let me know.

Thanks

Sarah xxx

 

[RobDoc]

For all of those options there will be a point chart specific for each choice. Like DVC, they will be more costly on weekends than weekdays. DVC does not have rooms held at these locations, so availability will be dependant on what is in the inventory at that time.

The World Passport options must be reserved for a week at a time, but the others may be for a little as one night. As with most things, the further you can play in advance, the better your chances for success booking these thru DVC.

Except for World Passport, the other non-DVC options cannot be reserved during the last two months of your Use Year (you can travel to those destinations during the last two months, but the reservation cannot be made during that timeframe since DVC needs opportunity to rent rooms using the points traded for these non-DVC options). The point charts for these options usually change each year (and usually do not decrease).

Reservation availability may vary from resort to resort based on the seasonal traits of each location. They are generally nice options for those wanting some variation from DVC stays even though more points may be required than for similar DVC accommodations.

Good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Doc did a good job of describing it, but I wanted to add a few thoughts. When you are using the Disney Collection and Concierge Collection, you will be staying in "hotel" resorts, meaning one room. When you exchange through the World Passport collection, you will be staying in timeshare resorts, so will likely have kitchen facilities etc, but stays will be for a week, as Doc said. When trading into the CC or DC, it is an availability for that resort through MS. When trading WP, you are requesting an exchange through Interval International, and the match depends on their available inventory, which DVC members are not able to see. It is up to BVTC to find the match for you. You pay a fee (used to be $75, but I think it has increased) once they find a match for you. Timing for using an II exchange depends on how popular the location you are trying to get. Most will tell you that the best way is to be very open for times of travel and resorts, and you will have the most success.

 

[FLYNZ4]

Doc did a good job of describing it, but I wanted to add a few thoughts. When you are using the Disney Collection and Concierge Collection, you will be staying in "hotel" resorts, meaning one room. When you exchange through the World Passport collection, you will be staying in timeshare resorts, so will likely have kitchen facilities etc, but stays will be for a week, as Doc said. When trading into the CC or DC, it is an availability for that resort through MS. When trading WP, you are requesting an exchange through Interval International, and the match depends on their available inventory, which DVC members are not able to see. It is up to BVTC to find the match for you. You pay a fee (used to be $75, but I think it has increased) once they find a match for you. Timing for using an II exchange depends on how popular the location you are trying to get. Most will tell you that the best way is to be very open for times of travel and resorts, and you will have the most success.

If you are planning to use a World Passport Collection, you may want to consider doing a direct exchange with an owner of the resort that you are interested in. Disney is very highly in demand, and a lot of owners would be willing to trade. This has two advantages:

1) You should be able to have access to a lot more inventory... especially at point based resorts (such as DVC), since the owner should be able to book any available units for you (similar to when people rent from DVC owners)

2) You should pay significantly less than you do with a DVC exchange... especially if you negotiate a comparitive value based on MFs.

Timeshare Users Group would be the first place I would go for a direct exchange.

/Jim

 

[midnightaction]

Thanks to everyone for their answers they have been really helpful, especially that website link, I didn't even know places like that exisited so it's good to know I have that option as well !!

Sorry to be a pain but I do just have a couple of questions that lead on from your answers

1. You said that when booking through DC or CC that it is what ever is avaliable in their inventory through MS. I guess I am just interested to know what the avaliability is like. Do Disney give MS say 10 or 20 rooms per resort that they can use each year or do they give a set allotment each month, or do they get quite a big supply. What about trying to book last minute, is there ever anything left or to they all go like hot cakes at 11 months. Just thinking what the supply and demand for this is like and if anyone has ever had trouble booking coz it was sold out.

2. Is there a list anywhere (For a current non DVC member) of all the places that I could book and what the "current" points" are so I can get an idea of what is avaliable.

3. I am still a liitle confused on how the trading works through II. Do I book say 1 week or 2 weeks (I assume I can do 2 weeks at a time and don't just have to exchange just a week) at my home resort at 11 months and then go to II and say "Hi I have 2 weeks at BWV for the first 2 weeks in June in 2007 can I please try and exchange that for 2 weeks in Hawaii in June 2008", and then they see if there is anyone that wants to exchange.

I am sure thats how I am reading things but I just think that sounds too simple and is gonna mean that it is just luck of the draw as to if anyone wants to swop with me.

Anyway sorry for being such a pain

Thanks to all you guys in advance for all of your help !!

Sarah xx

 

[Dean]

There are many trade options, some provide more (or less) value than others.

• Other DVC resorts at the 7 month window. This is the best value in almost all cases.
• Disney Collection - this is where you can stay at other Disney hotels that do not have a DVC component. This is almost always a very poor value.
• Disney Cruise Line - actually part of the DC. This is also a poor value not only for the points costs but the other limitations associated as well.
• Conciege Collection - A group of world class hotels that are usually very expensive for cash and even more so for points. The value varies but generally is poor as well.
• Adventurer Collection - Unusual things like Bike Trips, Safari's, rafting but also includes HAL cruises. Again the value is poor in general, but not as poor for cruises particularly.
• Buena Vista Trading Company - Timeshares that work on a point system. At this time the only two are the Cordial Group in Europe and Club Intrawest, Canada and the US.
• Interval International - Full week timeshare exchanges. Usually the best value after DVC stays but only for certain resorts at peak times.

For II and BVTC, you need to select your times and resorts very carefully, do not rely on DVC to do this for you or even be your major input. The way they secure the other options is to take your points and rent them out, then pay cash to the other entity on your behalf. CRO takes a cut if this happens so there is an inherent loss right there. Most trade options return between $5-6.50 pp. When you can rent them for $10 pp or MORE, that’s not a good value. Plus there are other negatives, particularly if you have to cancel. With II, it’s like a barter system, not a reservation. Someone must give up something for you to get it AND you must be next in line. Since it’s based on highest trade power and not first in line, the line is continually reshuffled. Thus the top resorts at peak times are very difficult to get and you need to plan at least a year out, preferably two.

 

[Dean]

Thanks to everyone for their answers they have been really helpful, especially that website link, I didn't even know places like that exisited so it's good to know I have that option as well !!

Sorry to be a pain but I do just have a couple of questions that lead on from your answers

1. You said that when booking through DC or CC that it is what ever is avaliable in their inventory through MS. I guess I am just interested to know what the avaliability is like. Do Disney give MS say 10 or 20 rooms per resort that they can use each year or do they give a set allotment each month, or do they get quite a big supply. What about trying to book last minute, is there ever anything left or to they all go like hot cakes at 11 months. Just thinking what the supply and demand for this is like and if anyone has ever had trouble booking coz it was sold out.

2. Is there a list anywhere (For a current non DVC member) of all the places that I could book and what the "current" points" are so I can get an idea of what is avaliable.

3. I am still a liitle confused on how the trading works through II. Do I book say 1 week or 2 weeks (I assume I can do 2 weeks at a time and don't just have to exchange just a week) at my home resort at 11 months and then go to II and say "Hi I have 2 weeks at BWV for the first 2 weeks in June in 2007 can I please try and exchange that for 2 weeks in Hawaii in June 2008", and then they see if there is anyone that wants to exchange.

I am sure thats how I am reading things but I just think that sounds too simple and is gonna mean that it is just luck of the draw as to if anyone wants to swop with me.

Anyway sorry for being such a pain

Thanks to all you guys in advance for all of your help !!

Sarah xx

Most options do limit the number of rooms DVC can get. I don't think the DC but generally the rest do including DCL. Remember, an II exchange is not like a reservation. While they man have inventory sitting in their bank, rarely would they have the good stuff. So one must plan ahead and be willing to put in an ongoing request, much like a wait list. II exchanging is definitely not simple. DC, CC, DCL are simple but expensive. Even then there are risks, esp for DCL using points.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks to everyone for their answers they have been really helpful, especially that website link, I didn't even know places like that exisited so it's good to know I have that option as well !!

Sorry to be a pain but I do just have a couple of questions that lead on from your answers

1. You said that when booking through DC or CC that it is what ever is avaliable in their inventory through MS. I guess I am just interested to know what the avaliability is like. Do Disney give MS say 10 or 20 rooms per resort that they can use each year or do they give a set allotment each month, or do they get quite a big supply. What about trying to book last minute, is there ever anything left or to they all go like hot cakes at 11 months. Just thinking what the supply and demand for this is like and if anyone has ever had trouble booking coz it was sold out.

For the DC or CC, it depends on the availabilty of the destination resort. DVC/MS doesn't get a limited number of rooms dedicated to DVC members. So for example, you can book a last minute stay at the Poly as long as the Poly still has rooms available. The only other restriction is the "60 day rule" that Doc mentioned in his post.

2. Is there a list anywhere (For a current non DVC member) of all the places that I could book and what the "current" points" are so I can get an idea of what is avaliable.

Look in these threads for the point charts:


World Passport/Conceirge/Adventurer's collections
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1089453

Cruises - Disney Cruise Line
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1089437

Disney Collection other than DCL
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1089462

Use this link to see what resorts are availabel to DVC members via the World Passsport Collection:
WP Resort directory

3. I am still a liitle confused on how the trading works through II. Do I book say 1 week or 2 weeks (I assume I can do 2 weeks at a time and don't just have to exchange just a week) at my home resort at 11 months and then go to II and say "Hi I have 2 weeks at BWV for the first 2 weeks in June in 2007 can I please try and exchange that for 2 weeks in Hawaii in June 2008", and then they see if there is anyone that wants to exchange.

Briefly, you just call MS and tell the CM you want to exchange for one of the WP options. You give the CM your resort choices and dates. You don't have to reserve anything at a DVC resort because as you will see in the points charts, there is a set number of points required for a WP exchange, depending on the unit size and season. (The seasons are set by the destination resort).

MS will do the search for you. If a match is made, you can accept it or reject it. If you accept, MS deducts the points from your account, you pay the fee ($95) and you have your reservation at the WP resort. Most matches probably aren't made immediatley on that first call and so MS can do an ongoing search if you want. If you are trying for something popular, it may or may not happen. Owners of the popular choices & weeks tend to use them or exchange them directly rather than deposit into II.

I am sure thats how I am reading things but I just think that sounds too simple and is gonna mean that it is just luck of the draw as to if anyone wants to swop with me.

Anyway sorry for being such a pain

Thanks to all you guys in advance for all of your help !!

Sarah xx

You're not a pain. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Buying DVC is a big decision and it's good to see prospective members doing their homework before they buy.

Bestw wishes -

 

[midnightaction]

Thank you thank you thank you !!!

That information has been so so helpful and I am so much clearer on things then I was a few days ago now plus the whole trading makes much more sense now !!

As you said as many questions as I like I just have a couple more !!

1. If I trade through II now for a vacation I am trying to take in 2008 or 2009 (I assume I can pre book that far in advance and there will be some options that far in advance) will those points come out my current UY or the UY that I intend to take the trip.

2. Can I trade more then one week, as everything seems to be set out for just one week. I just don't see the point in going so far afield if it is only for 7 days.

3. Is the best thing to do just call and say for example I want anywhere in South America, Asia or Canada any week in June, July ,August or Sept for either 2008 or 2009 giving as much flexibility as possible. Or do you have to specify specific weeks and resorts so that they can search properly.

4. If I don't have anywhere specific that want to go to or any specific dates can I just call and ask "what have you got avaliable at the moment for next year" and then just choose from whatever they have, or is that not allowed.

Right I promise that is it, there will be no more questions (Well on this particular topic at least !!! )

Thank you all again coz without your help I would be running around like a headless chicken !!

Sarah xx

 

[Dean]

You can search up to 2 years out but you can keep adjusting the date for a running 2 years. They will take the points for the use year the trip falls under but they won't take them until a match is found and accepted. If by chance you get one of the options that you can book 2 years out (most II options won't ever be available more than a year out), AND it falls in a use year that's not accessible with points (2 use years from now), then you have the choice of the current use year or the next one. You do have to have enough points potentially accessible when you place the exchange but you do not have to keep them tied up while searching. You could book something else if you wanted, then cancel if the search were successful.

You can trade more than one week. However, searching for 2 weeks as a block is difficult, risky and even far more unlikely to be successful. The best option is to look at all options that will work for the time you can go. Then once you match, changing your search criteria for the other week you want. While you could do one search and then start a second one for the second week, I think it's better and more likely to be successful if you start two searches, one for one options and the other for the second time. You might have to manipulate it so that don't overlap to get them to put in for 2, but since II uses when you started searching as one criteria, you'll be more likely to get the second week by doing 2 separate ones. If you search for the 2 weeks as a unit, they will not hold one for you. So if they find one that meets your criteria, they will give it to someone else. Sometimes they'll call you and ask if you just want the want but don't count on it.

The best thing to do is to research down to the specific resorts and dates you'll accept and give them that information, otherwise you get pot luck. Remember that II looks at Friday to Sunday check in as the same. So if you specify Sat, to them that's Fri to Sun as a start date. You can specify further but it takes additional instructions to do so.

You can call and ask what's currently available and they'll give you some ideas. But remember the good stuff will almost never be sitting there. Thus what's a good deal and what sitting in the II bank are mostly exclusive of each other.

This is a complicated system with a lot of risk unless you thoroughly understand it. If you have further questions, ask them. Your questions so far have led you far beyond the level of knowledge and understanding of most DVC members, even those that have owned for many years.