Need Opinions on Best DVC Resort

[trez3]

Please help! My parents are members of Interval and RCI timeshare exchanges and have agreed to let my family use one of their weeks for a trip to Disney in May 2006. I have never stayed at one of these resorts and have some questions:

Which DVC resort (minimum 2 bedroom villa w/ full kitchen) would you recommend for 4 adults and 3 children (age range 3 to 6 years)? My parents will be staying with us and do not like to go to the parks but prefer to walk around the property. The unit should also be fairly spacious and not too cramped feeling. We will probably do a lot of cooking in the unit so restaurants are not critical.

When should I ask my parents to make the request for the DVC resort (i.e. how many months in advance)?

We have stayed in the past at the Marriott Grande Vista (pleased) and Sheraton Vistana (so-so). I am also considering the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on International (the new one). Since my parents will be hanging out more in the room and around the property I am not sure if they would prefer being off-site (my mom loves the outlet mall).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. If I have posted in the wrong forum please let me know.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Which DVC resort (minimum 2 bedroom villa w/ full kitchen) would you recommend for 4 adults and 3 children (age range 3 to 6 years)? My parents will be staying with us and do not like to go to the parks but prefer to walk around the property. The unit should also be fairly spacious and not too cramped feeling. We will probably do a lot of cooking in the unit so restaurants are not critical.

You have just described Old Key West (OKW). It sounds like it is exactly what you are looking for. The biggest rooms and lots of space to walk around.

HBC

 

[trez3]

Thanks HBC! How would you rate the interiors of OKW villas? I may be wrong but I think I had read that OKW was one of the first DVC's built. Have they done a good job with maintenance and keeping it looking like new?

 

[donald...really]

I agree, OKW would be perfect for you. They just finished a TOTAL refurb of the units about a year ago. The units look practically brand new.

 

[btrim]

We stayed at OKW and we loved it. It is away from things, but it is very relaxing, but still easy to get to parks, etc. However, I am afraid unless you are planning a trip in the off season, it will be very hard to trade into DVC with an Interval or RCI exchange. The DVC Resort that I have seen on Interval is Hilton Head and I haven't ever seen any of the resorts in Orlando. Hope you get what you want, but you might not be able to be very picky.

 

[kathleena]

"Best Resort" questions are always interesting.

All DVC resorts are great.

Trading into a DVC resort is difficult.

I would take whatever one you can get and know that it will work out fine - you will have plenty of room in a 2 bedroom in any resort.

 

[trez3]

Thanks for the opinions everyone! One more question, since my trip is over a year out, do you still think I would have problems trading into DVC even if we start requesting now? Or is it not even a matter of time, but that Interval exchanges are lower in priority?

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for the opinions everyone! One more question, since my trip is over a year out, do you still think I would have problems trading into DVC even if we start requesting now? Or is it not even a matter of time, but that Interval exchanges are lower in priority?

Yes it will be a problem/challenge trading into Disney. It will depend on how flexible you are with dates and how good a trader your parents have. Not all timeshares will be able to get Disney. Not all that many owners exchange out which limits the number who can exchange in.

May is one of the times that do seem to be pop up, but DVC trades go quickly.

DVC is not a member of RCI, only II.

It is relatively easy to trade into Orlando (there are lots of timeshares in Orlando area, many of which are very nice), so if DVC doesn't happen, you will still be able to visit WDW, even though you may not be able to stay on site.

My advice is to make a back up plan.

Best wishes -

 

[spiceycat]

go join
www.tug2.net

you need to join - not just post
why - because the sighting/distress BBS is only availability for members.

there is a very nice lady on this board who posts any DVC resort she finds on II. Once you know there is a DVC resort for your time then you try and find it. If you can't then you have a problem and I would call II.

May, Sept, Oct, Nov - are pretty good for 2-bedroom - although much,much better 1-bedroom and studios.

I have seem her post one for July - I couldn't see it - so this one took a very stronger trader.