Non-Disney Trips

[DisneyBarretts]

Hello everyone! I just joined today! We are looking into buying a DVC membership, but my husband wants to be sure we can take our kids on fun vacations other places, too. I'm like ' What's better than, Disney!?'

Would you mind sharing places around the states you have visited using your DVC points, and how many points per night, if you remember. We are looking into starting at 100 pts. Wondering if that will be enough for places outside of Disney.

Also, we've heard it is hard to book outside of Disney even during non-busy times. How has your experience been?

Thank you!! I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you!

 

[suebeelin]

We will only do DVC resorts with our points. So far it’s only been at DW, but will expand to vero, Hilton Head and aulani someday.

We are also very cost conscious and using DVC points for DVC resorts is the most economical use of your timeshare.

Good luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Save your DVC points for DVC trips. Buy a cheaper timeshare for trading out. Check out TUG Timeshare User Group for help in finding a good timeshare to trade.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Besides WDW, our go-to vacation spot is Hilton Head Island, the Disney resort there. We didn't even know that the resort existed until we took the DVC tour!

 

[Jennasis]

We just did 2 non-disney Orlando vacations. Last month we used our points to stay at SSR while we enjoyed SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. In November we did Universal. We have future plans to do Hilton Head and Vero at some point. We also have a 100 point contract and have 4 trips planned between this coming December 2018 and December 2019.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We use our DVC points to stay at WDW and the Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort each year. We pay cash for other trips. We usually go to Gatlinburg at least once each year. We have been to Oklahoma this year to fish. In two years, we plan to use our DVC points to go to Aulani.

 

[bwvBound]

Hello everyone! I just joined today! We are looking into buying a DVC membership, but my husband wants to be sure we can take our kids on fun vacations other places, too. I'm like ' What's better than, Disney!?'

Would you mind sharing places around the states you have visited using your DVC points, and how many points per night, if you remember. We are looking into starting at 100 pts. Wondering if that will be enough for places outside of Disney.

Also, we've heard it is hard to book outside of Disney even during non-busy times. How has your experience been?

Thank you!! I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you!

In general, this community uses their Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points to stay specifically at DVC resorts at WDW, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Disneyland and Oahu. Sure, they'll spread there usage across all the DVC locations ... but rarely trade the points out for non-DVC locations. Yes, they do travel to other locations ... but not using DVC points.

The main reason is cost efficiency. DVC points are expensive. There are less expensive methods for booking non-DVC adventures.

That said, your DVC membership can still be helpful for booking non-DVC options on cash. See thread linked below for some ideas on rental vacation weeks offered through RCI to DVC members: https://www.disboards.com/threads/sightings-of-rci-rental-weeks-offered-through-dvc.3638434/

So ... buy DVC points to use mostly at DVC properties (WDW, Disneyland, Vero, Hilton Head and Oahu) ... and use cash or other options for your other travels.

 

[abdgeek]

Hello everyone! I just joined today! We are looking into buying a DVC membership, but my husband wants to be sure we can take our kids on fun vacations other places, too. I'm like ' What's better than, Disney!?'

Would you mind sharing places around the states you have visited using your DVC points, and how many points per night, if you remember. We are looking into starting at 100 pts. Wondering if that will be enough for places outside of Disney.

Also, we've heard it is hard to book outside of Disney even during non-busy times. How has your experience been?

Thank you!! I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you!

I’m in the minority, but I use my DVC points to go everywhere Disney goes. When I bought direct from Disney, I told the rep that I didn’t plan to go to Disney every year, but wanted to go everywhere Disney went. Now, I have a lot of points so that I can do this. Choose the number of points you need depending on whether you plan to stay in a studio, 1,2, or 3 bedroom when you travel to WDW and if you plan to travel yearly and during high peak season. You can combine three years worth of points for one trip. I have used my points to do DCL(Mexican Riviera, 2 Med cruises, Western/Eastern/Southern Caribbean, Alaska, Northern European); ABD(Med Cruise add-on, Greece, Italy, NYC, Australia, China 2019), WDW, DL, Aulani, and RCI(Las Vegas, Hawaii, Aruba). I only use my points to go to WDW about every 4 years. The points required for a RCI property varies based on location, but most of the locations I’ve stayed in had a week for 150 points in a 1 bedroom. I normally plan my vacations 2 years out and it does take diligence to get the RCI accommodations(checking the website daily/weekly once you know where you want to go— normally things open up a year out).

I love DVC and how and where it has allowed me to travel. While we can give you recommendations, you will have to decide what is best for your family. Definitely speak with a DVC rep and let them give you all the information. If you decide to do resale, make sure you are aware of the restrictions on what you can use your points for. Good luck in your search.

 

[Donna M]

We have used our points in NH and CO a while ago, but now when we plan other trips we will be using VRBO or Airbnb. We used VRBO in Banff, Canada and thought it was so much better than a timeshare.

We have used our points for the Disney cruise, but I'm beginning to think David's cruise swapping may be the way to go in the future.

 

[papertraveller]

We have used our points in NH and CO a while ago, but now when we plan other trips we will be using VRBO or Airbnb. We used VRBO in Banff, Canada and thought it was so much better than a timeshare.

We have used our points for the Disney cruise, but I'm beginning to think David's cruise swapping may be the way to go in the future.

Wow -- I had no idea about this option. It's extremely interesting and I think we will definitely have to look into it!