is DVC worth if points used ONLY at WDW / GCH ? please advice !!!

[pearl12970]

I have read that DVC membership is worth it IF you plan to go to the theme parks every year - thats how you can make the most of your points ( by using them at WDW or GCH )
So what about the other options with the DVC membership - Cruises , World passport collections ( RCI exchanges / Club Cordial/ Club Intrawest), Concierge collection - are you not making the best use of your points on these locations ?

We want to buy into DVC so we can take DS 3.5 to theme parks every alternate year or every 2 years. However I dont want to buy into DVC if thats the only use I get of the membership. I would want to use the points for other locations as well ( provided its worth using the points at those locations) Our guide told us that there were over 600 locations where we could use our points however I dont see anyone mentioning anything else but the resorts at WDW and GCH. Why is that ? Should I assume that using the points at other locations is as good as wasting your points ?

 

[ToddyLu]

I have not used points outside of AKV actually but we only bought in last year. From what I have read here....If you book outside of the actual DVC resorts things are pretty expensive points wise. You can take an adventures by Disney trip to Ireland for about 400 points per person. It also requires that you pay $95 to go outside DVC resorts. If you trade with RCI for say week in Cabo, you may have to book over a year in advance...Then the room may not quite be the exact standards of a DVC villa. When you place your points in RCI they have to match up what you want whicj can take time, not impossible, just time. As for DCL there were posts a while back that point cruises were all booked up until Sept 2011. The 2011 Members Cruise just sold out in 10 hours yesterday. So once you stay out of a DVC resort things can get complicated but definitely doable if you plan accordingly.

 

[jnsolomon]

Using points at these other locations is generally not considered the best use of your points. In your case you would be best off buying enough points for half a trip, then use banking to have enough points to go every other year.

 

[pearl12970]

Thanks everyone. What are the minimum points you have to buy at VGC ?

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with the other posters that using DVC points outside of DVC resorts is not the best use.

However, there is another HUGE problem with buying DVC to use those points partially somewhere else.

Using DVC points outside DVC is not guaranteed. It is a feature of the program that could be taken away at any time for any reason. In fact, the ability to use points for other non-DVC timeshares was recently changed dramatically (most think for the worse) when DVC switched from II to a small fraction of the RCI system. (The DVC timeshare salesman's estimate of 600 other options is VASTLY overstated.)

If you want to use DVC for something else, you'd be much better off buying a smaller DVC contract (and buy it resale -- Disney's direct prices are WAY too high) and then buy another timeshare on eBay for $1 + closing costs.

Or...use your DVC points for DVC stays only and rent other timeshares from their owners.

 

[Sammie]

Jim is very accurate, and recently there were even problems booking Disney Cruise line with points.

I agree I would never recommend anyone buy DVC for anything other than DVC resort vacations. Right now the only non theme park locations are HHI and Vero Beach with Hawaii opening soon.

In my opinion, DVC knows that the options for nonDVC vacations are not very attractive and I forsee more non theme park DVC locations in the future such as they are doing in Hawaii.

 

[pearl12970]

Thank you Jim. How do I buy DVC contract at resale ?

I agree with the other posters that using DVC points outside of DVC resorts is not the best use.

However, there is another HUGE problem with buying DVC to use those points partially somewhere else.

Using DVC points outside DVC is not guaranteed. It is a feature of the program that could be taken away at any time for any reason. In fact, the ability to use points for other non-DVC timeshares was recently changed dramatically (most think for the worse) when DVC switched from II to a small fraction of the RCI system. (The DVC timeshare salesman's estimate of 600 other options is VASTLY overstated.)
If you want to use DVC for something else, you'd be much better off buying a smaller DVC contract (and buy it resale -- Disney's direct prices are WAY too high) and then buy another timeshare on eBay for $1 + closing costs.

Or...use your DVC points for DVC stays only and rent other timeshares from their owners.

 

[pearl12970]

The new Hawaii location does sound exciting ! How r the HHI and Vero beach resorts ?

Jim is very accurate, and recently there were even problems booking Disney Cruise line with points.

I agree I would never recommend anyone buy DVC for anything other than DVC resort vacations. Right now the only non theme park locations are HHI and Vero Beach with Hawaii opening soon.

In my opinion, DVC knows that the options for nonDVC vacations are not very attractive and I forsee more non theme park DVC locations in the future such as they are doing in Hawaii.

 

[ELKHUNTER]

I agree with the previous post that it may not be the best use of points, but if you have the points and are tired of going to Disney i see no problem with using your points however you see fit. ex. 400 points would save you approx. 4000 (paying for one adult) on a ABD trip and thats a pretty good discount if you didnt want to do Disney.

 

[JimMIA]

Thank you Jim. How do I buy DVC contract at resale ?

There are several licensed real estate brokers who specialize in DVC resales. One of them, The Tmeshare Store, is a longtime sponsor of this board. Their banner ad, including links to explanations of DVC and current resale listings, is at the top of this page.

We've presonally used The Timeshare Store several times, as have many other DISers, and we enthusiastically recommend them.

 

[TisBit]

But keep in mind, no one says that using DVC points outside of WDW/DVC is a bad idea, but rather not the "best" use of points. What does this mean, a lot of long term/expert DVC owners will compare the cost of a vacation vs the cost if they rented those points and then booked the alternate vacation with cash (such as DCL, etc). while some people enjoy the ability to do this and maybe save some money, it doesn't mean that you can't/shouldn't just use your points, thousands of members do this and would rather not have the hassle of renting, etc.

But, keep in mind what Jim said, outside of DVC is subject to change. While I highly doubt that you won't be able to trade out somewhere, your options just might change, so if you are looking a specific alternate that you want long term, it could easily change and you need to be able to adapt to that.

I think your primary reason for DVC should be WDW/DVC vacations and maybe occasionally transfering out, etc.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Using DVC points outside DVC is not guaranteed. It is a feature of the program that could be taken away at any time for any reason. In fact, the ability to use points for other non-DVC timeshares was recently changed dramatically (most think for the worse) when DVC switched from II to a small fraction of the RCI system. (The DVC timeshare salesman's estimate of 600 other options is VASTLY overstated.)

Although I agree that using DVC for DVC is the best use of points, I'd just like to make two comments.

The II relationship was just as limited as RCI, DVC members have never had FULL access to either system.

Also, RCI alone has 546 resorts that can be selected through out the world, there are also resorts that can be booked through other means including Cordial, Interwest, Concierge and even non-DVC Disney resorts. I wouldn't say that the estimate is vastly overstated by any means.

 

[magnusflorida]

I would disagree that using your DVC points outside of Disney is a "bad" use of your points. If there is a destination you want to go to, and you can use your DVC there for only $95 instead of the cost that it would cost you to book a reservation with cash, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of that? I live in Florida so I don't take as long of trips to Disney as some people might that are coming from out-of-state, and I really like being able to use my points to go other places too. I'm going to California for a week (not Disneyland) and the week I'm going at the resort I'm going is listed for $1500 as a timeshare rental...and all I paid for it was $95.

I would say if you are looking for a timeshare ONLY to use places other than Disney then maybe DVC isn't the best option for you. But if you are looking for lots of trips to Disney with some other vacations sprinkled in between, then DVC is great!

 

[friends with mickey]

I would disagree that using your DVC points outside of Disney is a "bad" use of your points. If there is a destination you want to go to, and you can use your DVC there for only $95 instead of the cost that it would cost you to book a reservation with cash, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of that? I live in Florida so I don't take as long of trips to Disney as some people might that are coming from out-of-state, and I really like being able to use my points to go other places too. I'm going to California for a week (not Disneyland) and the week I'm going at the resort I'm going is listed for $1500 as a timeshare rental...and all I paid for it was $95.

I would say if you are looking for a timeshare ONLY to use places other than Disney then maybe DVC isn't the best option for you. But if you are looking for lots of trips to Disney with some other vacations sprinkled in between, then DVC is great!

I completely agree with this post! We have been DVC members since Feb. 1992 and though most of our points use is for something Disney, we have had some of our best trips using the concierge collection destination with our points. The hotels and resorts that you can pick from have all been top notch. They have been Disney quality and above. We have never used points for either II when it was available or RCI. These time shares may not be as nice as Dsiney or the concierge collection. As long as we have been members the DVC has continued to grow and provide usable choices for our vacation needs. It has been a great source of pleasure for our family and that is how we measure it's worth. Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[JimMIA]

Although I agree that using DVC for DVC is the best use of points, I'd just like to make two comments.

The II relationship was just as limited as RCI, DVC members have never had FULL access to either system.

I've never traded with either one, but the overwhelming majority of posts I've seen on the DIS have indicated that the II choices were far superior to the ones RCI offers DVC members.

Also, RCI alone has 546 resorts that can be selected through out the world,

Actually, as of today, RCI has 6,575 resorts in their system worldwide. But I'm interested in where you got that 546 number. Is that the actual number of RCI resorts available through DVC? If it is, I'd love to know where to find that info because I was under the impression the number was less than 200.

If 546 is the actual number, I stand corrected and the guide was not misleading.

The bottom line, though, is if a member can find ONE RCI exchange at a destination they want to visit and they are satisfied with the value they're getting, that's really all that matters.

OP's original question was whether using points out of DVC is considered the best use ("...are you not making the best use of your points on these locations ?"), and I think the clear consensus is the best use is at DVC resorts.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I've never traded with either one, but the overwhelming majority of posts I've seen on the DIS have indicated that the II choices were far superior to the ones RCI offers DVC members.

I think the quality is generally better in II then RCI, so I somewhat agree.

Actually, as of today, RCI has 6,575 resorts in their system worldwide. But I'm interested in where you got that 546 number. Is that the actual number of RCI resorts available through DVC? If it is, I'd love to know where to find that info because I was under the impression the number was less than 200.

If 546 is the actual number, I stand corrected and the guide was not misleading.

Yes, the 546 is the actual number available through a DVC exchange (subject to availability).

You can find this number out from the Member website and then under RCI and resorts. The sum of the available resorts per country can be seen once you transfer to the RCI site from DVC.

http://b2b.rci.com/RDGateway/Functional/RDMain.jsp?clubId=102

 

[JimMIA]

Yes, the 546 is the actual number available through a DVC exchange (subject to availability).

Thanks. That's a lot more than I thought.

 

[pearl12970]

Thanks Jim. I will call the Timeshare store.

There are several licensed real estate brokers who specialize in DVC resales. One of them, The Tmeshare Store, is a longtime sponsor of this board. Their banner ad, including links to explanations of DVC and current resale listings, is at the top of this page.

We've presonally used The Timeshare Store several times, as have many other DISers, and we enthusiastically recommend them.

 

[pearl12970]

How does the DVC exhange work ? How do I figure out how many DVC points are needed for a particular RCI resort ? Seems like you have traded - could you please explain the process with actual numbers for any particular RCI resort ?

While I dont plan to use DVC points other than DVC resorts primarily - I want to know what are my other options INCASE i dont want to to go Disney that particular year or if my points are going unused.

TIA ~

I think the quality is generally better in II then RCI, so I somewhat agree.



Yes, the 546 is the actual number available through a DVC exchange (subject to availability).

You can find this number out from the Member website and then under RCI and resorts. The sum of the available resorts per country can be seen once you transfer to the RCI site from DVC.

http://b2b.rci.com/RDGateway/Functional/RDMain.jsp?clubId=102

 

[pearl12970]

Which resort in California are you going to and how many DVC points did you need for that exhange ?

I would disagree that using your DVC points outside of Disney is a "bad" use of your points. If there is a destination you want to go to, and you can use your DVC there for only $95 instead of the cost that it would cost you to book a reservation with cash, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of that? I live in Florida so I don't take as long of trips to Disney as some people might that are coming from out-of-state, and I really like being able to use my points to go other places too. I'm going to California for a week (not Disneyland) and the week I'm going at the resort I'm going is listed for $1500 as a timeshare rental...and all I paid for it was $95.

I would say if you are looking for a timeshare ONLY to use places other than Disney then maybe DVC isn't the best option for you. But if you are looking for lots of trips to Disney with some other vacations sprinkled in between, then DVC is great!