Oh boy..do I LOVE my DVC!

[connorlevismom]

We are on our way home from a trip to Wisconsin Dells where we rented a Wyndam timeshare from someone. All I can say is it really made me appreciate my DVC all the more. While the room itself was beautiful, that is where it ended for me. It just does not have the same perks and pluses that DVC does. The place was really large but smaller than Saratoga and they did not even have bell services! I was blown away! Other than that, they only had two people working the check in desk and a VERY long line and the place itself was the loudest place I have ever stayed. Seriously, you could hear every little thing that happened within a 5 room radius of yours.

The whole weekend DH and I kept saying that we are so spoiled with our DVC.

Kristine

 

[Ellester]

Totally agree with you. My in-laws have RCI and we vacation with them every other year or so, alternating with our DVC trips with my mom (who co-owns our points). Nowhere we have stayed has had the same feeling or amenities as DVC (including HHI). We've been with them to Orlando (2X different resorts), Treasure Island (FL), Williamsburg (2X different resorts), and their home resort in Big Canoe, Georgia. Nothing comes close to DVC in my mind. We're going with them to Gatlinburg in May (FIL is NOT a Disney fan ) but I'm more looking forward to our next, yet unplanned, DVC trip. There's no place like home!

 

[bobbiwoz]

These things are good to read. A friend of mine sent us a "free vacation " deal from a timeshare that they own. I really thought about it, but DH reminded me of how much we don't like the spiel and this post just reinforced the feeling. I've sent my DF my reply, "Thanks but we're passing."

Bobbi

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

I agree 100%...we just got back from the Glacier Canyon too...we got the free week from RCI during DVC addon. It was okay, room was great and nice, so were pools, but other than that, zip.

Good get away and close too.

 

[Mom B]

It's so good to hear this! We've been tempted by the Wisconsin Dells thing a few times but haven't been able to schedule it and I think I'm glad we didn't. We did do a TS presentation in Vegas for some freebies but we weren't too impressed. I agree that DVC is just SO much more "us." Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Dean]

Each timeshare is different, that's why it's important to investigate them prior to finailizing a trip. Most don't have bell services, valet parking, room service, true concierge, etc. I've preached for years that DVC members are spoiled and that they often don't understand the other issues out there and thus they have unrealistic expectations that other places will be essentially like DVC. Many places are great in their own way, some better than DVC in many ways, but some far inferior. I learned a long time ago there are destination oriented people and resort oriented people. Someone who's destination oriented justs wants a clean comfortable room but most any decent place will do. Those that are resort oriented want the wow factor at all of their stays. We pretty much want to have both for our trips. Case in point, I'm writing this looking out at the pacific ocean from a direct oceanfront room at a resort that would have cost me 600 DVC points for the 1 BR and 900 from the 2 BR (here 2 weeks) as one of RCI's Signature Selection Resorts. I'd say the resort is OVERALL above the level of DVC resorts.

I was just having a series of emails yesterday with another timeshare person about HI. It was interesting that they go several times a year for several weeks at a time and stay in places that are very reasonable but at the same time there was almost no overlap in where they stay and where I would want to stay.

 

[Coach81]

 

[jodifla]

We are on our way home from a trip to Wisconsin Dells where we rented a Wyndam timeshare from someone. All I can say is it really made me appreciate my DVC all the more. While the room itself was beautiful, that is where it ended for me. It just does not have the same perks and pluses that DVC does. The place was really large but smaller than Saratoga and they did not even have bell services! I was blown away! Other than that, they only had two people working the check in desk and a VERY long line and the place itself was the loudest place I have ever stayed. Seriously, you could hear every little thing that happened within a 5 room radius of yours.

The whole weekend DH and I kept saying that we are so spoiled with our DVC.

Kristine

Yeah, I think that every time I pay $120 a night for a room at a Days Inn!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

DS(13) went with friends to Disney and stayed off-site. When they got back, our friends said that he could sell DVC since he continually touted it's benefits during the trip!

 

[Disneypirate85]

I too appreciate my DVC Home! Having owned RCI before DVC is SOOOOOOO much better. Shawn

 

[ccigliano]

Each timeshare is different, that's why it's important to investigate them prior to finailizing a trip. Most don't have bell services, valet parking, room service, true concierge, etc. I've preached for years that DVC members are spoiled and that they often don't understand the other issues out there and thus they have unrealistic expectations that other places will be essentially like DVC. Many places are great in their own way, some better than DVC in many ways, but some far inferior. I learned a long time ago there are destination oriented people and resort oriented people. Someone who's destination oriented justs wants a clean comfortable room but most any decent place will do. Those that are resort oriented want the wow factor at all of their stays. We pretty much want to have both for our trips. Case in point, I'm writing this looking out at the pacific ocean from a direct oceanfront room at a resort that would have cost me 600 DVC points for the 1 BR and 900 from the 2 BR (here 2 weeks) as one of RCI's Signature Selection Resorts. I'd say the resort is OVERALL above the level of DVC resorts.

I was just having a series of emails yesterday with another timeshare person about HI. It was interesting that they go several times a year for several weeks at a time and stay in places that are very reasonable but at the same time there was almost no overlap in where they stay and where I would want to stay.

So Dean - do tell. Where are you HI, CA?

 

[culli]

You really can't compare going to the Dells to going to Disney. Two different experiences entirely. Disney is all about the theming and experience of all things Disney. We go to Glacier Canyon a few times a year because it is so close and a nice get away. We bought Wyndham resale for literely almost nothing for primarily going to GC. Plus MF for Wyndham and cost to stay in a unit is nowhere near what it costs to use my DVC. Now I agree DVC is our favorite piece of our TS portfolio, you really can't compare it to Glacier Canyon. With GC you get free waterpark and that is really why people go there.......Dells is waterpark capital of the world, and a bit annoying. I also think the nature of the beast you get more large groups of people and lots of drinking, people letting their kids run wild. I don't find it any noiser than DVC, it just depends on the luck of your neighbors.

Like I said DVC is awesome but you also pay for it, not just in your initial buy in but also in your larger MFs. The DVC rooms cannot compare to the newer Wyndham rooms in size and quality (Glacier Canyon and Bonnet Creek for example).....plus the price of DVC is much much higher. Yes the check in and annoying sales people are worse at GC but I find house keeping, and maint to be far superior than DVC.

 

[Dean]

So Dean - do tell. Where are you HI, CA?

San Jose del Cabo at the Grand Mayan resort for 2 weeks which is almost over, unfortunately. It is very nice, some aspects better than DVC.

 

[ccigliano]

San Jose del Cabo at the Grand Mayan resort for 2 weeks which is almost over, unfortunately. It is very nice, some aspects better than DVC.

Sounds so wonderful - enjoy the rest of your trip!!

 

[Dean]

Sounds so wonderful - enjoy the rest of your trip!!

We have, unfortunatley headed home tomorrow. Starting to plan for HI 2012, Aruba in 11 months and the couple of other trips already planned this fall.