Interval International

[highoctane]

Has anybody ever used them, where did you stay and how did you like it?

 

[utahkennedys]

I use them to trade my non-DVC timeshares and have been very happy. We just stayed at Marriott MountainSide in Park City, are staying at Marriott ShadowRidge in Palm Springs in a few weeks, then Marriott Cypress Harbour with 2 families plus our family in February (no way was I using DVC Points for the two 2BR units we needed!). Seems like some DVC folks have been getting great trades using DVC and Interval lately, like Marriotts in Hawaii, etc.

 

[rocketriter]

We did a week in Williamsburg, VA a couple of years ago at the Marriott Ford's Colony. Very nice accomodations and lots to do in the area -- Colonial Williamsburg (buy an inexpensive annual pass and see a couple of "trials" in the evenings), Jamestown, Busch Gardens etc. etc. Watch out for August, though, when the weather is very hot.

 

[Dean]

Though I haven't traded DVC through them, I use II all the time. Only some less than 100 resorts in the western hemisphere are comparable to DVC and even then, only for prime time. But if you do your research and plan ahead at least 1 year or more, one can get a good value when you match. The best value is gotten for those that keep ongoing searches in for the top choices during peak times like HI and Aruba. Many of those top resorts are Marriott's and given the Marriott internal trading preference, that creates a problem right there in that you're standing in line behind other Marriott owners.

The bottom line is it's nice to have options but a poor reason to buy DVC for any real trading plans.

 

[JenGray]

The bottom line is it's nice to have options but a poor reason to buy DVC for any real trading plans.

Good thought, but I don't think this was his question.

We would prefer to use our points at Disney DVC properties. They have spoiled me.... I expect every place to be new and clean!

We just wanted to know what experiences other have had with the Interval International. My parents just bought into AKV. I think they plan to use the II more then not. From what I could tell the properties all seem old and outdated. Is this true?

 

[Dean]

Good thought, but I don't think this was his question.

We would prefer to use our points at Disney DVC properties. They have spoiled me.... I expect every place to be new and clean!

We just wanted to know what experiences other have had with the Interval International. My parents just bought into AKV. I think they plan to use the II more then not. From what I could tell the properties all seem old and outdated. Is this true?

The OP didn't specify. Some resorts are old and dated, some are upscale and modern and many are in between. One should investigate each property for the area interested to see what is acceptable. TUG (Timeshare Users Group), Timesharing Today and redweeks should help with that process. I think your parents may be somewhat disappointed with the plan as you outlined but it partly depends on the effort and planning they put into it as well as their expectations.

 

[highoctane]

I didn't think I needed to state what I wasn't looking for, so I am not looking for the color of the sky, or if it is a good trade value, or if the grass is greener, or if it is smart to buy in to DVC for it. I was just wanting to know if anybody had done this and what there experience with II was and how did they enjoy the places they went to. Also maybe what they did, I was mainly looking at International but I would like to no Domestic also.

 

[Kathi OD]

We've traded our DVC points to II twice. Both times we were more than pleased with what we got in return. Both resorts were beautiful and actually we considered them nicer than what we get at Disney (speaking room only). We went several years ago to Gatlinburg, TN. Absolutely gorgeous and there were lots of things to do. This past spring we traded to a resort in Sedona, AZ. Also beautiful and lots of things to do in the area.

Trips to WDW was the primary reason we purchased our DVC. However, while that was our main reason, the truth is that we don't like to go EVERY single year, as we want to have other vacation experiences. Trading out has given us an opportunity to have those other experiences while having accommodations that are much nicer than what we would probably get if we paid OOP (not that we couldn't pay for it OOP, we just wouldn't want to).

Dean, however, makes a very good point. You should do some research on the properties you are thinking about trading for, especially if you expect to spend a great deal of time at the resort using the resort's facilities. I can't imagine how disappointed I would be if I expected certain things just because Disney had them and they weren't available at the II resort I traded for.

 

[Kathi OD]

From what I could tell the properties all seem old and outdated. Is this true?

Both of the properties we stayed in were brand new. In fact, the resort in Sedona was not finished yet. This is another example of where Dean's idea of research is important.

 

[daniele_ut]

. From what I could tell the properties all seem old and outdated. Is this true?

Not the case at all. We own a non-DVC timeshare and have traded multiple times, always to top quality resorts. You need to be careful and do some research, as there are quite a number of older resorts included in the II inventory, but we've always had great luck trading. Last spring we stayed at the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Sedona, and we just traded our week for a week at Disney VB in November, so we're pretty happy about that trade!

 

[Bama Penguin]

I traded a week for the Marriot Ko-Olina Resort in Oahu, Hawaii back in 2000. It was very nice, certainly comparable to Disney property. Only draw back was the location was a little remote since it was on the west side of the island away from Honolulu.

My biggest issue with trading is that I seldom want a full week somewhere. For example, I would like to visit Sedona, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas in one trip, only a few days at each lication and not be locked into a week's stay at one resort.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We've traded with II for at least 12 years now. (We just bought into DVC so it was another timeshare we traded.) We've been to New Orleans, Cancun, Maui, Virginia Beach, Orlando, and other places I can't remember right now! We usually select a 5 star resort and have never been let down.

 

[Dean]

I didn't think I needed to state what I wasn't looking for, so I am not looking for the color of the sky, or if it is a good trade value, or if the grass is greener, or if it is smart to buy in to DVC for it. I was just wanting to know if anybody had done this and what there experience with II was and how did they enjoy the places they went to. Also maybe what they did, I was mainly looking at International but I would like to no Domestic also.

Your OP didn't state your specific needs and I tried to give you a general answer that covered the general possibilities. I reread my answer to you and to your wife and don't feel either were inappropriate or too specific in any way. I feel confident in saying I know more about the DVC exchange system and II in general than almost anyone else on this BBS. I'll be happy to share any knowledge or info I have as will others. But if you don't want the info I have, your choice.

 

[JenGray]

Your OP didn't state your specific needs and I tried to give you a general answer that covered the general possibilities. I reread my answer to you and to your wife and don't feel either were inappropriate or too specific in any way. I feel confident in saying I know more about the DVC exchange system and II in general than almost anyone else on this BBS. I'll be happy to share any knowledge or info I have as will others. But if you don't want the info I have, your choice.

Thanks for the info Dean, you are the best!

 

[travelbug]

I traded DVC pts. for the Grand Caymanian for Easter week. We loved our stay there. The rooms were beautifully appointed, having just been redone after major hurricane damage a year or two earlier. It is a smaller resort, although they are doubling the size within the next year as well as adding a much larger pool. It's a waterfront resort that also borders on a golf course. I'd gladly stay there again sometime. We also fell in love with the island of Grand Cayman. Truly beautiful!

 

[AnnaS]

We have not done it yet. Today, however, for the first time I put a call in for a search In Cancun - The Royal Sands only. My brother and his family (also dvc members) put in a search also for the same week. He is looking for a 1 BDR and I am looking for a 2 BDR. This search/exchange would be for July 09. Wish us luck that we both get it.

I also love to read feedback/experience from others who have exchanged. We have been talking/discussing it for a while and finally made the call

 

[JenGray]

We have not done it yet. Today, however, for the first time I put a call in for a search In Cancun - The Royal Sands only. My brother and his family (also dvc members) put in a search also for the same week. He is looking for a 1 BDR and I am looking for a 2 BDR. This search/exchange would be for July 09. Wish us luck that we both get it.

I also love to read feedback/experience from others who have exchanged. We have been talking/discussing it for a while and finally made the call

Congrats! Cancun sounds like fun... Good luck getting your rooms.

 

[JenGray]

I traded DVC pts. for the Grand Caymanian for Easter week. We loved our stay there. The rooms were beautifully appointed, having just been redone after major hurricane damage a year or two earlier. It is a smaller resort, although they are doubling the size within the next year as well as adding a much larger pool. It's a waterfront resort that also borders on a golf course. I'd gladly stay there again sometime. We also fell in love with the island of Grand Cayman. Truly beautiful!

I am going out to look at this resort now. Sounds like one we would like to stay at!

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[highoctane]

We have not done it yet. Today, however, for the first time I put a call in for a search In Cancun - The Royal Sands only. My brother and his family (also dvc members) put in a search also for the same week. He is looking for a 1 BDR and I am looking for a 2 BDR. This search/exchange would be for July 09. Wish us luck that we both get it.

I also love to read feedback/experience from others who have exchanged. We have been talking/discussing it for a while and finally made the call

This is why I didn't ask for specific resorts is because I knew other Disers could read this thread and it may have info on a resort they where thinking about. Let us know how the trip went.

 

[Dean]

We have not done it yet. Today, however, for the first time I put a call in for a search In Cancun - The Royal Sands only. My brother and his family (also dvc members) put in a search also for the same week. He is looking for a 1 BDR and I am looking for a 2 BDR. This search/exchange would be for July 09. Wish us luck that we both get it.

I also love to read feedback/experience from others who have exchanged. We have been talking/discussing it for a while and finally made the call

For July, 2009 I'd say your chances of success are very high partly because you are more than 12 months out, though Royals do have some deposits up to 24 months, and because there are no internal trading preferences for the Royals like there is for Marriott. And a 2 BR seems about as easy to get there as a 1 BR.

This is why I didn't ask for specific resorts is because I knew other Disers could read this thread and it may have info on a resort they where thinking about. Let us know how the trip went.

I can't say much about Europe but for the US, MX and Caribbean I can give you some resorts to look at. This assumes you want things that are DVC like in qualify.

• Most Marriott's. The only ones I'd specifically avoid are the lower ones on HH and Vail.
• All Hyatt's that I'm aware of.
• Both 4 seasons.
• Most Westin/Sheraton options.
• Atlantis in Bahama's.
• For Aruba, Costa LInda/Playa Linda in addition to the Marriott's.
• Cayman's - Reef Resort (no longer Royal Reef) and Grand Caymanian.
• Mx would be the the Royals save VCI for Cancun and Paradise Village or Ocho Cascades for PV. I don't know the Cabo area enough to say yes or no for those resorts.
• St. James Place in CO
• Some of the Welk Resorts.
• HI - Marriott's and Westin plus the Sunterra (formerly Embassy) options. And possibly Kona Coast for the big island though one can easily get that other ways much cheaper.

There certainly are other nice resorts but these should be most of the TOP ones for the Western hemisphere and should get you started. As I've mentioned recently, one of the few ways to use DVC to trade effectively is to look at top resorts at peak times and keep ongoing exchange requests for those 1-2 years ahead. Then when they come up, you're all set.

There are a few other great resorts but some in II aren't on the exchange list for one reasons or another. And RCI has many great options as well. While you can't access the rest through DVC, you can through direct exchanges and the independent exchange companies.