Just got back from brilliant DVC exchange!

[Cinderella]

Hi,

We just got back from a brilliant DVC exchange to the Four Seasons Fairways in Portugal. We used 200 points and got a three bedroom villa, complete with swimming pool.

We were very impressed with the resort and feel that the trade was well worth the points. We are from the uk, so it is nice to be able to alternate between Disney and Europe.

The villa was every bit as luxurious as Old Key West and it was lovely having our own pool. The accommodation was very spacious. There were only four of us - two adults and two kids but, we could have taken another two adults with us and still felt comfortable. Each bedroom had a bathroom and the master bedroom had kingsize bed and jacuzzi tub in the ensuite. The tub was nice but not as big as the Disney ones. There were also bathrobes for everyone and full maid service halfway through the week. Extra maid service could be paid for, as with DVC.

They had organised activities (apparently they have more from June thru the rest of Summer) for adults and children and babysitting was available thru the people who run the children's fun club.

The area was lovely and the beach was nice.

We did hire a car - it wasn't essential but, nice to have it to get to the beach and various other activities. However, there were plenty of taxi's so not having a car would be no problem.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. I am going to write a full review on TUG shortly.

 

[JudithM]

It is nice to read a positive report about an exchange. Maybe someday we will use our points some place besides Disney !

 

[lodgelady]

Thanks for taking the time to post! I love hearing about great exchanges. It sounds like you made a great choice

 

[DrMikey2]

Could someone kindly tell me what TVG is?

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for your report. We plan to use our points for an exchange in 2005 and appreciate information, especially on European exchanges.

 

[PamOKW]

what TVG is?

TUG -- Timeshare Users Group. It's a site that discusses various timeshare resorts and I think you can also arrange exchanges and sales. Parts of the site are free and parts require a membership. I'm sure Cinderella will give us more detail.

Cinderella -- Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear you had a nice time. Was this the exchange that sort of happened "by accident"?

 

[Cinderella]

Yes Pam, it was the accident exchange but, it turned out to be wonderful! Tug is a truly brilliant resource. It is full of timeshare reviews and message boards and costs only $15 per year to join but, included in that cost is a free advert to sell or rent your timeshare. The internet address is www.tug2.net

 

[BCV23]

PamOKW or Cinderella, could you please explain what an "accidental" exchange is? Thank you .

 

[PamOKW]

Cinderella can give the details. She had some confusion about her points awhile back and ended up having to use them somewhere for an exchange because she had more or less "accidentally" taken them out of DVC status. It sounds like it worked out wonderfully. Without the confusion she might never had tried this resort in Portugal.

 

[KNWVIKING]

How many days/nites did your 200 pts get you at the Four Seasons ?

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the explanation, PamOKW. I thought it was just one more thing that I don't yet understand about DVC. It certainly sounds like a great deal.

 

[PamOKW]

BCV23 LOL! I felt bad when I realized I might have confused people who hadn't seen the earlier thread. You do have so much to get comfortable with that I shouldn't be adding to the confusion....that's how Cinderella ended up in Portugal!

Cinderella -- I just took a look at the web site and the 3-bedroom with pool looks amazing. For roughly the price of a one-bedroom you sure got a great deal. Maybe there is something to this trading after all.

 

[Cinderella]

KNWVIKING - we got seven nights for our 200 points. DVC swapped a two bedroom at Hilton Head in March for the three bedroom.

BCV23, as Pam said, I accidentally took my points out of DVC. I panicked when my banking deadline drew near and didn't realise I would be able to use some of my points for the cruise. It was a bit complicated as I had borrowed points from the next use year for a Disney ressy then cancelled it.

Pam u are right - it was a wonderful deal and if I hadn't made that mistake, I might never have got to have such a wonderful experience. Plus I still have this years points intact to use for a great Disney vacation in a few months time.