Is it very easy to exchange into DVC?

[4mcbjCtr]

I am a DVC member but also own Worldmark. We are new to the south (Georgia) from the west coast. All of our previous Disney excursions were to DL. I had never even been to DW until just last year. What an excitement to experience such a wonderful resort, but then being able to own a piece of "Magic" right there on the property. What a total dream come true for my family and me. We bought on the spot the first time we saw SSR.

Although I love my Worldmark, it just doesn't have the same value here on the east coast. The west coast resorts are beautiful and scattered everywhere. The resorts here just don't seem to be as nice and are few and far between. Now I am trying to figure out where to use my points, because I have about 2 plus years built up. I would love to be able to exchange my Worldmark points through II to get into DVC. Is this even going to be very likely? I know that it wouldn't during peak season. I would love to hear any experience anyone has with this and any advice. I am not currently a member of II, but would definately do it if it is feasible that I might be able to stay at DVC. We are just Disney junkies and it seems like whenever we want to go on a vacation, it ends up being at Disney. I don't think I could ever have enough points.

Well, thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered. Maybe I am just wishful thinking, but would love for it to become a reality.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As long as you are very open ended about WHEN and WHICH resort, I think you can trade in easily enough. You just wouldn't be likely to get trades that matched specific times, and would not be very likely to get the usual DVC popular times like early December, Holidays, and October.

 

[littlestar]

For exchanges, it's pretty much January and September and studios and one bedrooms. And probably only Saratoga and Old Key West most of the time.

You also have to pay a $95.00 fee (besides the exchange fee) when you trade in through Interval. But still, a pretty good deal when you consider how much 7 nights on cash would run or the DVC point equivalent for Friday and Saturday nights.

Good luck.

 

[bwvBound]

Grab your WM Destinations magazine -- look for II's "2 years for 1" signup/renewal deal and call today!

We also own both WM and DVC and I search II exchanges into DVC at least weekly. This morning's search revealed a 1BR into SRR using Instant Exchange (4k credits for check-in May 20th)!! I see potential exchanges nearly every time I've looked and have enjoyed 4 exchanges into DVC over the past 3 years.

From my observations ...
* mostly studio and 1BR units (rarely 2BR, never seen a 3BR)
* often Old Key West, Vero Beach and Saratoga Springs
* expect "off season" months such as Jan, Sept and [Oct at VB]
* be ready to act immediately if you see one that would fit your schedule
* search early in the morning (my best searches are at 3A Pacific time -- but this should be much easier for you in GA?)
* search using a WM "3BR" unit (just for the sake of the search -- you will be charged the appropriate WM credits for the size/season unit you book)

Best wishes on your relocation!

PS: Other idea for your built up WM credits (if you can't use them) -- rent them as "one time use credits" to other WM owners?? I know I've been watching eBay deals for rental credits and am ready to pick up 6-10k if available.

I am a DVC member but also own Worldmark. We are new to the south (Georgia) from the west coast. All of our previous Disney excursions were to DL. I had never even been to DW until just last year. What an excitement to experience such a wonderful resort, but then being able to own a piece of "Magic" right there on the property. What a total dream come true for my family and me. We bought on the spot the first time we saw SSR.

Although I love my Worldmark, it just doesn't have the same value here on the east coast. The west coast resorts are beautiful and scattered everywhere. The resorts here just don't seem to be as nice and are few and far between. Now I am trying to figure out where to use my points, because I have about 2 plus years built up. I would love to be able to exchange my Worldmark points through II to get into DVC. Is this even going to be very likely? I know that it wouldn't during peak season. I would love to hear any experience anyone has with this and any advice. I am not currently a member of II, but would definately do it if it is feasible that I might be able to stay at DVC. We are just Disney junkies and it seems like whenever we want to go on a vacation, it ends up being at Disney. I don't think I could ever have enough points.

Well, thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered. Maybe I am just wishful thinking, but would love for it to become a reality.

 

[CarolMN]

You might be better off doing a direct exchange with another DVC member. You could post on the DVC Rent/Trade Forum and see what interest there may be among other DIS DVC members. Be sure to read all the "Sticky" threads at the top of the page before you do any posting there.

Another option for a direct exchange is TUG. Are you a member of TUG? If so, you might have be ble to arrange a direct arrange there.

www.tug2.net

With a direct exchange, both parties are more likely to get the resorts/times they prefer.


Best wishes -

 

[4mcbjCtr]

Thank you so much all of you for all your help. I am actually excited now. I figure even if I never get into DVC, it would be worth it to try for those 4,000 credit vacations. I could end up with 3 weeks out of 1 week. We always travel during off-peak season because we don't care for the crowds. Sounds like we might really benefit.

Can you tell me the costs to exchange through II into another resort? and is it more to exchange into DVC?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[bwvBound]

Can you tell me the costs to exchange through II into another resort? and is it more to exchange into DVC?

You'll pay $129 (?) to II for the initial exchange -- and later a separate fee of $95 directly to DVC. Your total costs for the week, even with the added DVC fee, are often less than booking a similar stay using DVC points. (WM dues on credits spent for exchange + II membership dues + II exchange fee + DVC exchange fee < DVC dues for similar reservation.)

FWIW, the DVC $95 fee is not entirely unique -- some other resorts also hit inbound exchange guests for activity fees, parking fees, utility fees,
and other charges not demanded from the resorts' owners.

 

[littlestar]

That extra $95 fee to DVC is only for the WDW DVC resorts. You won't have to pay it if you exchange to Disney's Vero or Hilton resorts. I think it's got something to do with the transportation that goes along with WDW (those resort buses and boats run all day pretty much, don't they?)

 

[byoung]

Good luck with your trading.

 

[Dean]

Trading to DVC can be relatively easy for studio and 1 BR for Jan, early Feb, May, late August, Sept, Oct and early Dec for WDW. I've done it a number of times. The times for VB and HH are different. IMO, it's hard to justify a studio with the exchange fees and extra resort sesrvices fee but it partly depends on the rest of your costs associated with an exchange.

 

[schatterjee]

We also own WM and DVC and we traded for two weeks this year!

9/30-10/7 at OKW 2BR & 10/7 - 10/14 at SSR 2BR so I rented our DVC points to pay for the trip including DDP. I think it's probably the extra inventory at SSR that made this possible but who knows. I've never seen a 2BR sitting on IIs inventory but have seen plenty of studios and 1BR.

It's certainly possible to get some extra Disney time with a trade - and even with the fees I think a good value.

 

[4mcbjCtr]

Schatterjee -

Did you do flexchange and use 4,000 WM points a pop, or did you do it in advance?