Marriott Vacation Club vs DVC

[walter]

I recently spoke with an individual that has ownership in both of these programs. One benefit I see that Marriott has over DVC is the ability to pay cash for some of their resorts at a substantial discount. One example would be for $299/wk (this week) you could rent a 2 bedroom at the Barony Beach Resort at HH. That is much better than DVC giving a 25% discount.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, but they don't give you on-site accommodations at WDW!

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Hi Walter,

It's funny, but in my opinion, Disney really stands in a class of its own when it comes to timeshares. (uh umm...vacation clubs, I mean ) Mainly because it is geared toward the repeat Disney traveler.
Marriott, having jumped into the industry many moons ago, is geared toward the worldly traveler. Each program has its own pros & cons.

Disney having its own niche, gears everything towards the families who come to Disney year after year...and have done so their whole lives. Disney doesn't "need" to offer all the discounts and "perks" that other programs offer because it sells so well without the "incentives". DVC members are saving on their accomodations - which they would be spending money on regardless so their "goal" has been accomplished.

I think many DVC members would do well to compliment their ownership with a Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt or other Five Star/Gold Crown timeshare if they choose to travel throughout the world in addition to Disney on a regular basis. These programs offer the discounts you mention, along with a larger variety of locations to choose from...and the annual dues are typically less for a 2 bedroom than they would be comparitively for the amount of points for a 2 bedroom through DVC. I personally own a ski week along with my DVC for these exact reasons and plan to buy a Marriott as soon as I find a great buy on resale.

Best regards,
Shontell

 

[CarolA]

Well, the discount is nice, but I don't think you will get a prime week at Barony Beach for $299. HH tends to be a more seasonal resort. I love it there, but Jan and Feb for example are a little slow and cold. Keep in mind that these "promo" rentals are an attempt to get you to buy an additional timeshare there. Marriott is trying to do a repeat sell, I can't blame them but if the complex was all sold out I doubt you would get the great discount.

 

[glewis1123]

Just FYI - I guess depending what Mariott resort you buy into - cost is also a big factor.

My brother bought into the Mariott - Maui Ocean Club.

He gets a 2 bedroom ocean front unit 1 week every summer - HE PAID $45,000.00!!!!!

Plus airfare nonstop from San Francisco to Maui runs between $700 & $900 RT per person. If you want to stop in Honolulu the cost would be about 50%. But you;d lose about 3 hours.

My husband and I are looking to become DVC members. I love Hawaii but I love WDW more!!!

Last year we spent 7 nights at AKL Savannah view room - hotel, and airfare was less than what it would cost us just in airfare to Maui.

Just thought you;d lke to know.

 

[MikeScott8]

I just got back from a few days at Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, VA.

They were asking $19,500 for a week and 2003 dues of $580 something (if I recall correctly off the top of my head).

The place was outstanding, I would have to agree with Shontell and that it would be a nice supplement to DVC. We would have been interested, but since we just bought into DVC this year and already done an add on, getting the Mariott is out of our budget.

Mike
(glad to be back online)

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by MikeScott8
I just got back from a few days at Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, VA.

They were asking $19,500 for a week and 2003 dues of $580 something (if I recall correctly off the top of my head).

The place was outstanding, I would have to agree with Shontell and that it would be a nice supplement to DVC. We would have been interested, but since we just bought into DVC this year and already done an add on, getting the Mariott is out of our budget.

Mike
(glad to be back online)

Anybody look at the resale value of a Marriott vs a DVC? I'll bet you could buy that week for about 12 grand resale. DVC holds its value better, mainly because Disney buys them back if the price is too low.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Joe,

You make a great point. Marriott's resale value is nowhere near DVCs. I currently have a Marriott 2 bedroom week, for example, for $6K in Orlando that originally sold for $13,900. I just sold an Ocean Pointe week for $21K that Marriott sells right now for $33K.
Disney's have appreciated since their original sales price of $50/per point. While Disney is $80 per point, resales are $62-$72/pt and most sellers have kept them long enough to get the value out of their original purchase price.

In the interest of being fair, however, I need to mention that Marriott does not transfer the "Rewards" point program to a resale buyer, while DVC treats resale buyers just as good as original buyers. Hence, people need a larger incentive to buy Marriott - usually a $5K savings will do it!

Kind regards,
Shontell

 

[Dean]

Marriott and DVC are 2 different animals. They each have their benefits and negatives. There are a number of us that own DVC and other timeshares including Marriott's. I personally own 3 DVC contracts and 3 Marriott weeks. What's best for one is not the same for another.

Marriott is more of a traditional timeshare where if you want to try a different Marriott resort, you must exchange there through Interval International. In general you get a full week for either a fixed week and unit or a floating unit/week during a specified time frame. For someone who wants to try the different DVC resorts, stay different units sizes and different lenght's of stays and travel different times of the year; DVC is much better. If one can stay for a full week, generally needs a 2 BR, can predict when they want to travel and wants to do other timeshare trading; Marriott is a better choice.

The HH off season deals are actually available to most II members, not just Marriott members. Manor Club is nice but it does not have good exchange power, just like Orlando. Maui Ocean Club 2 BR Ocean Front is very expensive but if you need a 2 BR, want to travel most years to HI and are willing to pay for it; that's the way to go. It's not worth it to me but it is to some. I've actually seen MC weeks for $8K for Platinum. The specific resort and season, even view type, has a far greater affect on value than with DVC so there is more variability.

As for resale value, it depends on how you look at it. DVC will hold it's value a little better than Marriott but the issues are the same. I bought a second Marriott Grande Ocean week last year. I paid about 60% of what Marriott resale office charges which was about the same price the seller paid new. I did not get the points options since it was resale not through Marriott and could care less. I could however sell my two GO weeks for a larger profit than my DVC contracts.

As Shontell said, I think DVC and Marriott complement each other nicely. Marriott has more resorts, more areas and in some areas nicer resorts, HH for example. It's also somewhat of a personal preference. Believe it or not there are many out there that would prefer to stay off WDW property and therefore prefer Marriott's in Orlando to DVC.

 

[DVCajun]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Yes, but they don't give you on-site accommodations at WDW!

That's pretty much the bottom line for me.