Memorable trips outside of disney?

[dmann]

I have been a DVC member for years. Been to most Disney resorts and caribbean cruises multiple times. Visited Tanque Verde ranch in Tucson and Whithall hotel in Chicago. I am looking for suggestions from those that have had awesome experiences using points outside of the parks.

 

[disneynutz]

Outside of Disney?

Bill

 

[dmann]

I know all DVC members are infatuated with all things Disney, but there must be someone out there who had an awesome vacation using their points for a trip other than Disneyland, Disneyworld, or DIsney Cruise Line. Any of the Concierge collection that shouldn`t be missed? Has anyone saved up and purchased thousands of points to go on an Adventures by Disney Vacation? Can someone recommend a RCI resort that isn`t in Orlando? Await your helpful responses.

 

[Inkmahm]

I looked into using points for the Del Coronado hotel in San Diego last August but it turned out it was much much cheaper to pay cash.

I checked into using points for a 5 star hotel in my home area before it was dropped as an option by DVC and it was WAY more expensive than paying cash.

Adventures by Disney are expensive enough paying cash- paying points they are unbelievable.

The only place I found using points to be better than paying cash was at the Grand Californian at DL before the DVC section was open. Due to the way points were skewed to be cheaper during the week and more expensive on weekends, it was cheaper in August for us to use points for a M through Th stay than to pay cash (using $10 per point to value them.) Of course, it is much cheaper now to use points at the DVC there than to pay cash for the hotel. Next time we go to DL I will try to switch in at the 7 month mark to use points.

 

[bwvBound]

dmann,

I'd really love to help you -- but our non-DVC vacations, great as they've been, weren't booked using DVC points. Some of my favorite non-DVC-points vacations, in no particular order, include:

• Trip to Antarctica won from an auction website. Package included roundtrip air from Miami, 2 night stay in Buenos Aires with tours, flight to Ushuaia with tours/meals, 10-night cruise crossing the Drake Passage with zodiac landings along the Antarctic peninsula and islands with experienced tour team. Weather was so clear on our return to Ushuaia that the ship's captain made use of gained time with a spectacular "rounding the horn" and a stop at Isla Diego Ramirez, Chile. Oh, the young albatross on their mud nests were simply too cute!
• Our first trip through the Panama Canal ... also won from an auction website just 10 days before travel. Left from our home port of San Diego, spent Thanksgiving on the cruise, arrived Miami 2 weeks later and drove to our then-favorite restaurant in Orlando before flying home.
• Holy Lands cruise - especially enjoyed Istanbul, Ephesus, Jerusalem and Giza. Possibly the only time I didn't enjoy Rome (long story, certainly memorable -- we laugh over it now). This trip was indirectly the result of a website auction. (Originally won a Black Sea Cruise ... but 2 weeks before our departure the ship had an accident in the English Channel and needed repair in dry dock. We were refunded the original fare and offered a really great deal on travel dates following the repair.)
• Iberian Treasures - another cruise won from an auction website. We had beautiful suite on a small ship and a lovely post-cruise stay in Lisbon at the Ritz-Carlton. (We were supposed to be staying in Le Meridien -- but were bumped to the RC as then-President Clinton, M. Albright and their entourage were at Le M.) This was also our first trip to Barcelona (pre-cruise) - which has become a favorite city.
• My "40th" - celebrated by a weekend in Paris thanks to a package deal offered by American Airlines: Round trip air, 3 nights hotel, daily breakfast, metro passes, museum passes, dinner river cruise, ground transport and guidebook for ~$450 pp.
• Summer Road trip of National Parks/Monuments including Zion NP, Rocky Mountain NP, Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP and Mount Rushmore NM. TIP related to DVC:. We stayed at several timeshare along the way -- but only two are on the DVC-approved list from RCI.
  • WM St. George, UT: Nice units -- but too far from Zion NP, in my opinion.
  • WM Bear Lake: Large unit, 2 stories. Nice view of the lake -- but not lake front.
  I think it is a shame that the timshare resorts I enjoyed most on this trip are not on the DVC-approved list.
  • WM Yellowstone, MT - located in West Yellowstone Village; within walking distance of restaurants/outfitters/Imax/etc. and a very short drive to Yellowstone NP West gate. // The DVC-approved RCI resort is a much farther drive from the park!?!
  • WM Midway, UT. We needed a soak in the Homestead Crater and it was simply perfect!
• Last minute trip to New South Wales, Australia. This trip was booked about 10 days from travel spurred by a last-minute airfare sale one year after 9/11/01. I spotted the airfare online, sent a quick email to DH to check dates, and booked it 15-minutes later. Immediately turned to RCI to use a bonus week for Coffs Harbour then used points from another timeshare for the remaining nights in Port Stephens. TIP related to DVC:: Our Coffs Harbour stay was at the Boambee Bay Resort. This resort is on DVC's approved list of RCI properties.
• The "farewell" trans-Atlantic cruise of the historic S.S. Norway (formerly S.S. France, an elegant ocean liner). Boarded from Miami, we were mid-Atlantic on 9/11/01 having visited NYC just a few days earlier. A very memorable trip for many reasons.
• Visiting the Tuscon Gem Show and spending days hunting for the perfect earrings, opals, geodes, trilabites, and exotic goodies. TIP related to DVC: We stay at the Worldmark Rancho Vistoso which is on DVC's approved list through RCI. The resort is a bit far from the action -- but it is a lovely and comfortable place to call home.

We've enjoyed many wonderful timeshare vacations outside DVC. I'll try to come up with a few more that are on the DVC-approved list with RCI.

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Editing to Add:
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• WorldMark Couer D'Alene, ID, on DVC's approved list through RCI. We spent a week in late May several years back booked through RCI. We received a HUGE 3BR unit right on the lake -- clean, great layout, private deck w/ BBQ, underground parking, etc. It was perfect. Best activities: riding the Hiawatha Mountain Bike Trail on rental bikes and spotting black bear while off-roading on fire break trails.
• WorldMark Running Y, OR, on DVC's approved list through RCI. This resort is a relaxing destination by itself (read: kinda far from anything). Loved the grounds, our units, the indoor pool complex, golf courses, etc. -- but also enjoyed our day trip to Crater Lake.
• Worldmark Indio, CA, on DVC's approved list through RCI. We love the units, the lazy river pool complex, the game room -- but don't wander from the property for activities. We use this resort for downtime and family gatherings. I'm looking forward to our 3BR Penthouse booked for New Year's weekend!
• Eagle Crest, OR, on DVC's approved list through RCI. We've enjoyed great units (the 3BR on the river) and not-so-great units (small 1BR off the main lodge). I think the check-in date determines location -- do more research if interested in this resort.
• Grand Pacific Palisades, CA, on DVC's approved list through RCI. Best features: walk across the street to Legoland! This resort also offers an "adult only" olympic-sized pool with swim lanes and separate family pool with mini-water park. Lots of resort activities (some free, some fee).
• Worldmark Angels Camp, CA, on DVC's approved list through RCI. Perfect location if visiting the Calaveras County Fair ("frog jump") in May.
• Worldmark Depoe Bay/Whale Pointe, on DVCs approved list through RCI. Haven't been yet -- but has a great reputation and I've got it booked for my B'day next year. Whale watching right from your living room!
• Worldmark Vancouver, BC, on DVC's approved list through RCI. Great location -- easy to walk to Stanley Park and Vancouver city highlights. // Related: We really enjoy the Canmore/Banff area in winter. Activities include: snow-shoe, ice walking, hot springs, snow mobile, cross-country ski, etc. Sadly the DVC-approved list doesn't seem to offer any of the great timeshare places in/near Banff. The Club-Intrawest Panorama may be the best bet?
• Smuggler's Notch, VT, on DVC's approved list through RCI. Exchanged a non-DVC week through RCi into Smuggs for fall leaf-peeping a few years back and really enjoyed our visit. The color was magnificent, enjoyed the Ben & Jerry's tour and photographing dozens of covered bridges. Took the resort's day-trip to Montreal and would highly recommend it.

I'm sure we've been to other places on the DVC-approved list. Brain is shutting down for the night ... later!

Note to self: Check DVC's approved list for HI, OK, MO, VA, MX, LA, AR, CO?

 

[Coach81]

Wow bwv!!!

 

[bwvBound]

Wow bwv!!!

Yeah, thems were the days! In the late 90's we had 6 weeks paid vacation and a great outlet for discount cruises. Sure glad we took full advantage while we could. Sadly, our cruise source closed doors in Oct-2001 and I dropped from 6-weeks vacation to only 2-weeks vacation (OUCH!! ) a year later thanks to corporate acquisition. I've scratched my way back to 3 weeks + Floating Holidays ... but our lives have changed.

Repeating: Glad we took full advantage while we could!

 

[DeeCee735]

I have been a DVC member for years. Been to most Disney resorts and caribbean cruises multiple times. Visited Tanque Verde ranch in Tucson and Whithall hotel in Chicago. I am looking for suggestions from those that have had awesome experiences using points outside of the parks.

We stayed at the Charleston Place in Charleston and it was gorgeous, but if I remember correctly it's off the list now.

 

[bwvBound]

Adding experiences from our stays at resorts on "DVC's approved list through RCI resorts." Again, none of our stays were booked through DVC.

• Wordmark Branson, MO: Nice units with pretty views of wrap-around golf course. Every unit had gas BBQ on deck. Very clean but somewhat "generic"; felt like a long drive to the Branson activities -- but possibly because I was in the back seat. Enjoyed the shows, Table Lake and visit to the Big Cedar Lodge (also on DVC's approved list). Big Cedar grounds/buildings are beautiful and perfectly "themed." We got a tour of one of the cabins and all agreed, "We would enjoy staying here."
• Worldmark Grand Lake, OK: Extremely nice 3BR/3BA layout with two master suites on opposite ends of the unit (plenty of privacy). Great place for family gathering - but it seemed, to me, poorly connected with the lake or major activities. No views to speak of from the unit. Parking allowed boat/trailer; easy access to boat launch located across the street from the resort entrance. We enjoyed time on the lake (using the boat we brought) and a long day's drive around the lake with no agenda but plenty of stops.
• Worldmark Bison Ranch, AZ: Nicely themed resort and unit. Loved that our unit was located directly over the shops -- felt like a true old-west town. Downside: too few activities nearby to justify the long drive from PHX airport. The resort was brand new when we stayed -- perhaps more activities have been added in recent years? Yes, they have Bison on the property and you may visit them "up close and personal." Neat, but I pass three bison ranches, one camel dairy, sheep, emu, ostrich and countless horse farms every weekend.
• Worldmark Pinetop, AZ: Nicely themed "woodsy" resort with clean, practical and nicely decorated unit. Plenty of outdoor activities surround.
• Worldmark Estes Park, CO: Great location near Rocky Mountain NP gate -- but we strongly disliked the resort and 2BR unit. The resort grounds are cramped, units are also cramped with no balconies, no closets (!) and very poor layout. Would try the nearby Rams Horn Village Resort, also on the DVC approved list, if returning to this area.
• Worldmark New Orleans/Wyndham Avenue Plaza, LA: Great location on St. Charles Blvd. Easy ride to all major New Orleans sites. In our group, three couples had oversized studio units, the fourth a 1BR unit. All seemed about the same square footage - with the 1BR adding interior walls for privacy. (I preferred the open-layout studio over the 1BR if only 2 people per room.) Parking: Only by valet (daily room charge + tips); gladly we had only one large SUV for the eight of us.

More later ...

 

[bwvBound]

Visited Tanque Verde ranch in Tucson ...

BTW, I'm jealous! We tried booking TVR for our anniversary using DVC points the year it was dropped from the DVC Concierge Collection. I phoned one day too late .

 

[Pakey]

We did not use points but we really enjoyed Paris and Disneyland Paris.

 

[carolinagirl121]

We took an AbD to the Southwest before we purchased DVC in 2008. It was hands down the best trip I have ever been on. The ease of the vacation, the Disney touches, and the wonderful location made it so memorable. I'm in the Navy and have been a lot of places, but I will never forget that trip. They are expensive, but IMHO they are worth so much more. We will definitely be taking another trip with them in the future.

 

[pampat]

We've loved so many wonderful hotels with Concierge Collection. However, Charleston Place Hotel, The Arizona Biltmore, the Boston Harbour Hotel are all no longer on the list. However, we've stayed a few times at the Loews Regency in New York. It's all very well to say that you can stay at these hotels and resorts cheaper if you pay cash, but the point is that without the points it wouldn't seem feasible for us to consider staying there.

Pam

 

[dmann]

You disneyphiles are getting warmer. Unfortunately Im getting lots of suggestions that sound great but were dropped by DVC. I`m looking to use my points to satify my wanderlust. Someone out there most have had a good experience. BMV - you sound like you have had an amazing life but I think you are out of my leaque.

 

[Inkmahm]

We did not use points but we really enjoyed Paris and Disneyland Paris.

Same for me!

 

[bwvBound]

You disneyphiles are getting warmer. Unfortunately Im getting lots of suggestions that sound great but were dropped by DVC. I`m looking to use my points to satify my wanderlust. Someone out there most have had a good experience. BMV - you sound like you have had an amazing life but I think you are out of my leaque.

The bottom half of post #5, all of post #9 and 3 items specifically called out in the first section of post #5 are all current options using DVC through RCI ... ??

 

[AnnaS]

We did use points for our stay at the Royal Sands, Cancun - it's also off the list (traded with II).

We would have definitely traded again for the Sands or the Haciendas but no more

 

[bwvBound]

More Cliff Notes from places we've visited that are now available using DVC points through RCI:

• Canada House Beach Club, Pompano Beach, FL: Enjoyed a 1BR, second floor, ocean-view unit booked via RCI against a bonus week. The resort is small and likely converted from previous life as apartments or hotel. The 1BR unit was visibly made up from two former hotel or studio units. I think I remember a King in the bedroom, Full/Qu Murphey bed in the living room as well as fold-out couch. Both resort and room were dated and slightly worn when we visited (Aug 2004) -- but the location and staff were fantastic. Loved the view and family atmosphere, wished it were more updated - but would return. (Might feel differently about returning if we had not received the 2nd floor ocean-view!)
  
• Dolphin's Cove Resort, Anaheim, CA: What a surprise to find this on the DVC-approved list! This is a standard resort (not RCI silver or gold) located a short walk from the Anaheim Convention Center ("D23 Expo", odd years!) and within walking distance of DLR. We visit frequently and like it well enough. Most 1BR units have Queen bed w/ pull-out couch in the living room; some 1BR have King bed with the pull-out couch. Request a lower level for the patio as the 2nd floor balconies are quite small. Parking is limited: suggest not more than one car per unit; no oversized vehicles or trailers.
  
• Worldmark Anaheim, CA: Again, surprised to see this one on the list given proximity to DLR. We've stayed twice: highrise, modern decor, very clean, large pool complex, parking tower, fireworks viewing platform and located w/in walking distance of DLR. Needs more elevators (busy!) but otherwise a great exchange. (The room decor borrows heavily from BLT??)
  
• Worldmark Big Bear, Big Bear Lake, CA: We love this year-round destination. My DH books a ski trip with his family and friends periodically, we've also visited in spring, summer and fall. Except for fall's fire risks -- this is a favorite destination with plenty of nearby activities. (Note: pool is seasonal. Check ahead if booking between Oct-April.)
  
• Worldmark Monterey Bay, Marina, CA // AKA Marina Dunes: bright, sunny units in breezy decor. Our 2BR unit was slightly smaller than we are used to but then again the real estate is costly! The resort is ocean front -- but set back slightly behind the dunes. Many units do not have ocean views but the property allows an easy walk to the shoreline. Generally a difficult exchange to book! Short drive into famous Monterey to experience the Aquarium and Cannery Row. Continue driving down the dramatic coastline to visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery and The Hearst Castle at San Simeon.
  
• Worldmark Oceanside, Oceanside, CA: Wedged just between the I-5 Freeway and the Pacific Ocean, the resort is located just a smidge closer to downtown San Diego than to DLR. Nifty place for hitting many SoCal tourist destinations. Bright, modern room decor; all rooms face the ocean although those on lower levels will have obstructed views. Covered parking, one parking space per unit. Additional parking (free) in large public beach lot in front of the resort. NOTE: Active rail lines run very close to west end of the resort building. Trains rumble past at all hours. Doesn't bother us -- but consider requesting a unit near the center of the building to avoid the rattle?
  
• Worldmark Palm Springs, CA: Great location for sightseeing. Property was converted to timeshare from an older hotel with a history (ask the staff about famous wedding at the pool). Squeaky clean. While I prefer WM Indio, we've enjoyed studio, 1BR and 2BR units at WM Palm Springs and have never failed to receive warm compliments from our guests on our location choice.
  
• Worldmark Pismo Beach, CA: Generally a difficult exchange given coastal location, demand from Worldmark owners and limited number of units. The resort is 'coastal' but not on the beach (set behind a hotel with obstructed views of the water). All units are 1BR (no studio, 2BR or 3BR units) last I checked. Half of the units are located upstairs; No elevator. Convenient location for a variety of California Coastal activities. Head north along the coast for The Hearst Castle at San Simeon and the Elephant Seal Rookery at Piedras Blancas.
  
• Lawrence Welk Resort Villas, Escondio, CA: Haven't stayed here but drive by it periodically and have visited the grounds for dining and theatre events. Lovely place with beautiful grounds but somewhat far from most SoCal tourist attractions. (Perfect for visiting the San Diego Wild Animal Park or remaining onsite for golf/swimming?)
  
• Snow Lake Lodge, Big Bear Lake, CA: Haven't stayed here -- but did a walk through several years back (2002??). This property was extremely run down at that time and in need of total make-over. I trust and hope that has happened given its presence on the DVC-approved list of destinations.
  
• Greensprings Vacation Resort, Williamsburg, VA: Really enjoyed the master bath with both jetted tub and steam shower. Other than these two highlights the resort and unit were unspectacular. Somewhat dated, mostly clean with a somewhat long drive to Colonial Williamsburg historical site. Booked through RCI; I'd try a different resort for future visits.

I've more still to write-up: MX, HI, WA and a few remaining in CA. Trying to help feed your wanderlust! ;-)

 

[dmann]

BWV you astound me!!! How could you have visited so many places. Really appreciate all your suggestions.

 

[CPTJAK]

Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta is extremely nice (but if you need to use points not a good value at all), actually all the Grand Mayan resorts are extremely nice.

HGVC on the big Island is very nice