New York and DVC

[kylie]

Starting to think about next year. Plan A is to spend 4-5 days in NY and then down to WDW (or the other way around) From what I gather the Concierge Collection offers Lowes Regency While RCA offers The Manhatten Club or the Hilton club of NY.
The only time we have moved out of DVC resorts was to do the DCL.

Any recomendations as to

1 The order to do the trip.
2 Reviews of the "hotels" offered
3 The differences between Concierge option and RCI
4 Anythong else I have't thought about

We are within our booking window for our early preference so I had better get a move on. We had thought April or maybe September

 

[Dean]

Starting to think about next year. Plan A is to spend 4-5 days in NY and then down to WDW (or the other way around) From what I gather the Concierge Collection offers Lowes Regency While RCA offers The Manhatten Club or the Hilton club of NY.
The only time we have moved out of DVC resorts was to do the DCL.

Any recomendations as to

1 The order to do the trip.
2 Reviews of the "hotels" offered
3 The differences between Concierge option and RCI
4 Anythong else I have't thought about

We are within our booking window for our early preference so I had better get a move on. We had thought April or maybe September

Your chances of getting anything in NY is slim and even more so for less than 7 days. I'd try for either side of your WDW trip until you have your air booked and I would not try to micromanage which is first if using points for NY. There is a newer HGVC option for NY as well, keep your eyes open for it to be added to the DVC RCI list and if it is, consider adding it to yours as well.

RCI will be cheaper but the CC is a more guaranteed option. I only know the hotels by reputation and the Manhattan club appears to be a good choice.

 

[magiroux]

For reviews, Trip Advisor is the best source for any property.

I am only familiar with RCI and I think you may be a bit late for an April 2011 NYC exchange. You may have better luck with September 2011. Also, I think that the Hilton Club is hotel/studios and Manhattan Club is studio/1 & 2 bedroom. I have stayed at Manhattan Club and it is located across the street from the subway entrance which will take you anywhere. One of the best vacations I ever had.

Weather wise, April is better for WDW and September is better for NYC. April can be either 40 degrees F or 80 degrees F in the Northeast. Very unpredictable. We did a week in NYC in April and had prefect weather!

I am not DVC so I can not offer much help on the rest, but good luck! Sounds like a great vacation.

 

[Dean]

For reviews, Trip Advisor is the best source for any property.

I am only familiar with RCI and I think you may be a bit late for an April 2011 NYC exchange. You may have better luck with September 2011. Also, I think that the Hilton Club is hotel/studios and Manhattan Club is studio/1 & 2 bedroom. I have stayed at Manhattan Club and it is located across the street from the subway entrance which will take you anywhere. One of the best vacations I ever had.

Weather wise, April is better for WDW and September is better for NYC. April can be either 40 degrees F or 80 degrees F in the Northeast. Very unpredictable. We did a week in NYC in April and had prefect weather!

I am not DVC so I can not offer much help on the rest, but good luck! Sounds like a great vacation.

I do not think tripadvisors is very good or very accurate. RCI's own posted info is likely better. The best options are the ratings/reviews on TUG and the ratings on Timesharing today from what I've seen. The reviews actually give you more into because they allow you to match up an positives or concerns to your style.

 

[magiroux]

I do not think tripadvisors is very good or very accurate. RCI's own posted info is likely better. The best options are the ratings/reviews on TUG and the ratings on Timesharing today from what I've seen. The reviews actually give you more into because they allow you to match up an positives or concerns to your style.

I respectfully disagree with this, but hey, different strokes.

I find TripAdvisor to be fairly accurate with insightful reviews. Besides, TripAdvisor is free. TUG only allows access to reviews with a paid membership and doesn't seem to have the traffic that it used to, at least for places I have looked for reviews in recent months.

As far as RCI, I have found them to be a very good resource but you have to have an RCI membership to have access to those, don't you? I didn't think DVC members had an RCI account number?

 

[Dean]

I respectfully disagree with this, but hey, different strokes.

I find TripAdvisor to be fairly accurate with insightful reviews. Besides, TripAdvisor is free. TUG only allows access to reviews with a paid membership and doesn't seem to have the traffic that it used to, at least for places I have looked for reviews in recent months.

As far as RCI, I have found them to be a very good resource but you have to have an RCI membership to have access to those, don't you? I didn't think DVC members had an RCI account number?

I've found tripadvisors to be inaccurate, often done by those that have no concept of timeshares and with a fair % of plants. Still some info is better than nothing. I think most timeshare people regard TUG reviews as far more helpful and the ratings as less so. TUG is $10 a year, $25 for 3 years but may be $5 more year one. Timesharing today is more and has less volume though the ratings are better for the ones it does have. RCI ratings and reviews are available to non members as well.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

new york ?

has anyone done the macy t-day parade doing this?

[ & if so, what kind of experiences did you have? ]

 

[falling2infinity319]

As a native NYer and Resident of NYC, I would NEVER waste points on it. You're much better off paying out of pocket and using your points towards something that gives you more bang for your buck.

That being said, may I ask why you want to come to NYC? I actually feel that it's highly overrated (maybe the NYer bias here) and always say "What's there that's so special?" When I see tourists walking around aimlessly, lol.

 

[cogero]

As a native NYer and Resident of NYC, I would NEVER waste points on it. You're much better off paying out of pocket and using your points towards something that gives you more bang for your buck.

That being said, may I ask why you want to come to NYC? I actually feel that it's highly overrated (maybe the NYer bias here) and always say "What's there that's so special?" When I see tourists walking around aimlessly, lol.

okay I am laughing at this because I always say the same thing. DH and I were down in the financial district for an event with the NY Rangers and we were early so we were walking around and the tourists all were looking up and had their cameras out. There is nothing to see.

Granted there are some good broadway shows and museums but not much else. Maybe the pp is right it is a NY bias or that living here has worn off the shine if there ever was any.

 

[lisaviolet]

Even New York windows answer you!

That being said, may I ask why you want to come to NYC? I actually feel that it's highly overrated (maybe the NYer bias here) and always say "What's there that's so special?" When I see tourists walking around aimlessly, lol.

[/B]


okay I am laughing at this because I always say the same thing. DH and I were down in the financial district for an event with the NY Rangers and we were early so we were walking around and the tourists all were looking up and had their cameras out. There is nothing to see. Insert a Mr. Bill look!

Granted there are some good broadway shows and museums but not much else. Maybe the pp is right it is a NY bias or that living here has worn off the shine if there ever was any.

OMG. You two are killing me! Such blasphemous talk.

I think it's the purple line.

 

[lisaviolet]

And you have no idea how hard it was to edit down!

LeBron saying, " So Sorry Knicks!"

 

[lisaviolet]

Okay, I'm done.

OP - I'm so happy you started this thread. I had totally forgotten about the RCI options. How I ADORE NYC.

Another option is renting the points and using Priceline's "Name your own price" with your money. I got a downtown (Wall Street area) for $115 prime summer last year.

Also, you could rent your points and look for a last minute snag on TUG. They have a last minute section. I've seen the Manhattan Club on there for $700.

 

[arthur06]

Awesome NYC pictures! I think it would be an amazing place to visit...

 

[Buffman]

Your chances of getting anything in NY is slim and even more so for less than 7 days. I'd try for either side of your WDW trip until you have your air booked and I would not try to micromanage which is first if using points for NY. There is a newer HGVC option for NY as well, keep your eyes open for it to be added to the DVC RCI list and if it is, consider adding it to yours as well.

RCI will be cheaper but the CC is a more guaranteed option. I only know the hotels by reputation and the Manhattan club appears to be a good choice.

I tried to get a room at the Hilton club for this month. They were accepting reservations but for a 3 day minimum. I was already set for LI (Hauppaugue) for 5 days to see the in-law, and locked into the hotel reservations, and was not willing to stay 3 additional days in NYC. Lowes was already locked out in June, but was accepting August reservations.

Looks like we'll be taking the LIRR into NYC again for the yearly visit.

 

[jade1]

We went once and really liked it, will be going back for sure. Might use some RCI points next year if it works out.

 

[WelcomeHome]

That being said, may I ask why you want to come to NYC?

One reason might be that NYC just happens to be the greatest city in the world. I'm always amused how the bias of familiarity can cause a few of my fellow New Yorkers to become immune to the absolute magnificence that surrounds them every moment.

There is nothing to see.

Thank you LisaViolet and Jade1 for showing everyone that "the glory of the Roman Empire" is alive and well in New York City with your beautiful photographs - one simply needs to open their eyes to see it.

Best wishes,
David

 

[kylie]

Thanks for your imput, I love taking photos especially nightscapes. I will roll the dice with MS tomorrow. Continental allow us to layover in NY for as many days as we like flying Belfast-Orlando so that cuts down the expense.

 

[magiroux]

One reason might be that NYC just happens to be the greatest city in the world. I'm always amused how the bias of familiarity can cause a few of my fellow New Yorkers to become immune to the absolute magnificence that surrounds them every moment.



Thank you LisaViolet and Jade1 for showing everyone that "the glory of the Roman Empire" is alive and well in New York City with your beautiful photographs - one simply needs to open their eyes to see it.

Best wishes,
David

I agree! Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos. Next to WDW, NYC is my favorite place to visit. Just like WDW, I can't put my finger on it but from the first time I stepped foot there I just felt an excitement about everything around me.

Perhaps it is like those who live in Orlando and are not Disney fans - they just don't get what attracts all these tourists.

I've found tripadvisors to be inaccurate, often done by those that have no concept of timeshares and with a fair % of plants. Still some info is better than nothing. I think most timeshare people regard TUG reviews as far more helpful and the ratings as less so. TUG is $10 a year, $25 for 3 years but may be $5 more year one. Timesharing today is more and has less volume though the ratings are better for the ones it does have. RCI ratings and reviews are available to non members as well.

I agree that both places (actually all review sites) offer biased reviews. After all, many things effect what one's vacation experience is.

In the case of TUG the reviewer may take into account the resort they used to exchange (whether it be a better or worse trade off) or whether the resort they are reviewing is their "home" resort. Along those lines, I don't think too many submit a negative review to RCI on their home resort.

I just don't find it difficult to determine what is a reasonable review as opposed to a jaded, or even a dishonest (planted) review. Bogus ones tend to stand out.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

yes, if you're asking me, is the greatest! of all time!

[ though i have only been once, i have been in most of
the "runner-ups" cities. london, paris, munich, so forth. ]

....no matter the type of ratings one uses, the big apple is
never second best.

we just went last spring, & it was liked going to disneyworld.

#1, is the "people", one can have all kinds of encounters with. down
@ the square, a "naked cowboy" showed up. so i asked my wife if
i could get my picture & she said "yes." then she caught on,
when i was helping all the young/pretty girls posing for their
pictures & roped me back in .

(really,i was just being friendly, but she thought i was trying to
russle up the girls' affections, )

what attracted me? the art work by the street venders. the
characters & they had little lines. shopping for thingy-a-bobbies
{ i say only h-amsterdam had more interesting window shopping but
only after midnight}, and the food varieties! sweet nothings!

and they had some neat disney references liked wicked & the beast,
and characters' door hangers.

after all isn't art the ways mankind decorates the world? and no
where else can you find so many working it than new yorkers, out
to have some fun! maybe just a lil'nutty too. chip & dale style included.

most of all, the great American history that can be re~discover
around every corner, [ brought a tear or two, especially
ground zero, ]

 

[JENR]

I was just able to be the Manhattan Club for July 19 and 20th. I kept calling everyday and finally something came up. My dates were flexible and I just booked this a week ago. It was only 15 points per night for a studio, which is awesome and I only had to pay $95 fee. I figure I am getting two nights in new york for only $95. When I looked up the Manhatten Club it was over $300 per night for a studio. We are so excited.