Just Back - met people who traded into OKW

[Cinderelli]

We returned last night from our Spring Break trip. On Thursday, we met a very nice couple from Buffalo, NY coming home from MGM. They told us they were not DVC members, but had traded into OKW using their timeshare in Cancun. They own an Easter Week.

I thought this was interesting as I’ve read posts before on how difficult it would be to trade into a DVC resort and told them such. I asked what timeshare they owned but can't remember the name. I do remember that it was not a Marriot timeshare. They put in for their trade in Jan (for any DVC resort) and received their trade within 2-3 weeks. I thought this was interesting and told them how lucky they were. They agreed and were wonderfully impressed with OKW.

The resort was at 98% occupancy while we were there, but never felt crowded.

Just wanted to post this info.

I'll post a trip report later.

Lissa

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by Cinderelli
They told us they were not DVC members, but had traded into OKW using their timeshare in Cancun. They own an Easter Week.

I thought this was interesting as I’ve read posts before on how difficult it would be to trade into a DVC resort and told them such.

Lissa,
I too was told by my sales rep how hard it was to trade for DVC. I think many people want to go to Cancun for spring break, at least my daughter did when she was 18. We are holding on to some B'walk points so we can trade easilyon II. We own at OKW, BCV and BWV but hear BW is the easiest to trade. We have been members for years but have not gotten around to actually trading our timeshare.
Marylyn

 

[mrsdon]

It maybe that DVC was easier to trade into because of the huge inventory becasue of the member cruise.
Or maybe we are just trading out more now.

 

[Cinderelli]

Maybe people who have owned for quite awhile now are starting to trade out. It could be that attendance is down? OKW was at 98% occupancy, tho. It was funny that I met them. We had dinner with friends over at Marriott's Cypress Harbor on Friday night and they had mentioned that next year they might try to trade for a DVC resort. I told them how it was virtually impossible and then I met these people. I'm sure the Cancun, Easter Week may have made the difference (with the spring breakers). I'll be interested to watch and see if we hear of more trades coming thru and the rationale as to how/why.

Thanks!

 

[colleen costello]

Isn't it wonderful how OKW can be "full" but feel sort of like you have it "all to yourself?" We were there when you were and my family LOVED it. We are already planning NEXT Spring Break!

 

[Dean]

DCL, CC, DC exchange points go to CRO for rentals and maybe through MS for member discount rentals. These points will not be available for II exchanges. It has gotten much easier to exchange into DVC lately, it remains to be seen if this will last. I've seen a lot of studios and 1 BR units at ALL DVC resorts lately and even got a 1 BR BW unit for Sept using a bonus week.

I wonder if they owned at one of the Royals or VCI? Also remember the sales person had a vested interest in you believing the only way you could stay there was to own there.

 

[luckytso]

Dean,

I assume you have to have to own certain timeshare to be able to do these DVC exchanges.

My kids are still young so our travel time is still relatively flexible. Is there any Marriott timeshare (not grand ocean, too much $) that you can recommend to get this type of DVC exchanges?

Thanks

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by luckytso
Dean,

I assume you have to have to own certain timeshare to be able to do these DVC exchanges.

My kids are still young so our travel time is still relatively flexible. Is there any Marriott timeshare (not grand ocean, too much $) that you can recommend to get this type of DVC exchanges?

Thanks

I don't think one should buy a timeshare to trade into DVC, too risky and a low chance of success. Right now though is a good time to try if you own timeshare anyway, especially if you don't need a 2 BR.

 

[luckytso]

Dean,

Thanks for your quick response. DH likes your suggestion, less possibility to spend $ on another timeshare

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by luckytso
Dean,

Thanks for your quick response. DH likes your suggestion, less possibility to spend $ on another timeshare

Maybe he wants to buy one of mine as I always seem to have more than I need. Even with selling 2 this summer, I'm still about 1 over what I can routinely use or rent easily. I guess I'll have to continue getting 2 weeks at the same time and inviting family.

 

[Dean]

To be honest, there was a pretty good amount of units available right around the time of the member cruise and now there are not nearly as many. New units seem to come on board it seems several times some days but far less units than a month ago. Of course these are the units that make it to the on line area and one would assume a lot of the units have been scarfed up before they get that far with ongoing searches. My guess is they knew this change was coming and held back the points for a couple of months then dumped them in almost all at one time. Now that backload has been used up all we see is when a member makes a new exchange.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Dean - we are in the same boat, we loved Vistana and bought an every other year (Lakes unit), then stumbled upon DVC, and bought, now trying to sell Vistana, its disgusting how low these units are selling for. We paid $9,600.00 ( i know idiots), and one just sold on E-bay for 3,500.00. I just need to find a golfer that wants to go to the PGA villages in St. Augustine and Pt. St. Lucie! I wish Vistana had the same type of buyback program as Disney, though I doubt it would help!

 

[rombar]

I just put in for an exchange to Cancun - thus, willing to give up a week at OKW. We are looking for mid to late August 2004 and put in for either the Royal Sands, Islander or Carribean. Hopefully I get the exchange at some point, and some lucky person gets my 2 bedroom at OKW!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by ClarabelleCow
Dean - we are in the same boat, we loved Vistana and bought an every other year (Lakes unit), then stumbled upon DVC, and bought, now trying to sell Vistana, its disgusting how low these units are selling for. We paid $9,600.00 ( i know idiots), and one just sold on E-bay for 3,500.00. I just need to find a golfer that wants to go to the PGA villages in St. Augustine and Pt. St. Lucie! I wish Vistana had the same type of buyback program as Disney, though I doubt it would help!

Actually I was only kidding. I could sell everything I own tomorrow by bedtime and make a tidy profit and give the buyer a very fair price even with the resale market in mind. I still probably have about half to one too many weeks overall but I hate to give up my Marriott trading week so I guess I'll manage with what I have.

Cancun in August should be easy, especially these days. How long have you been looking?

 

[Dean]

There's a 2 BR Royal Caribbean sitting there right now for 23-30 August.

 

[icydog]

Dean,
On which website are you looking? II? I would love to see what's available for rent/sale. Thanks. I am glad you made money on your timeshares. I think you are one of the few!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by icy-dog
Dean,
On which website are you looking? II? I would love to see what's available for rent/sale. Thanks. I am glad you made money on your timeshares. I think you are one of the few!

The way to be solvent in timeshares is to buy cheap, almost always resale and be ruthless. I was looking at the II website searching for exchanges using my Marriott Grande Ocean 4th of July week. I play with it frequently and it gives me a great lesson in comparing the trade power of both the resorts/weeks I own as well as the resorts that come on the screen.

 

[icydog]

Dean,
Do you have to be an II member or can DVC members look here as well for comparisons? Isn't that Marriot a super place??

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by icy-dog
Dean,
Do you have to be an II member or can DVC members look here as well for comparisons? Isn't that Marriot a super place??

You have to be an II member which also requires owning a qualifying II resort (DVC doesn't qualify) and you have to have a deposit on file or a week available for deposit. Grande Ocean is very nice IMO, as good as DVC HH and in a much, much better location. There's nothing like sitting out on the balcony and having to look around somewhat to see anything other than water and the railing.

There are sites where one can rent excess II and RCI inventory though though I don't keep up with them. Military members are offered some great deals as well. Then there are the independent exchange companies.

 

[rombar]

Actually Dean, I know about that week for this year, thanks for mentioning it though. I need 2004 year though - do you think I'll have a problem getting it at some point? I listed myself for three hotels, the Sands, Caribbean and the Islander because at some point on a prior thread people didn't seem satisfied with the Mayan.