Onsite "magic" vs offsite savings and space

[Brian Noble]

That's how I stay in DVC, and it is a much more affordable way to get access to those resorts, but it's not an option for the faint of heart. It works best if you are flexible about resorts, travel dates and/or unit size. A 2BR during even a moderate-demand time for Member bookings takes a great trader, advance planning, and more than a dash of luck.

As with any timeshare exchange program, I would consider it a nice bonus to get DVC, but I wouldn't plan on it. I generally put in a request as soon as I know my dates, and if it doesn't come through, I use my Wyndham points at Bonnet Creek. So far so good, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. It's certainly not why I bought my timeshares, and if I never got another DVC exchange, I'd still be happy using my weeks/points myself.

 

[spiceycat]

I've always wondered about buying into II, and then just try to trade for onsite. I'm sure it's not going to get BC maybe, but I'd take OKW. There's more room in those anyway. That would save thousands of dollars, I bet.

marriott will definitely do it.

but if you want a cheaper alternatives - II wants Beach weeks - and does not seem to have enough.

even the Marriott that claims to be on beach in PCB - is not.

so go find something you like that is on the bc - probably II will like it too.

now this does not work with RCI - they have more than enough Beach weeks.

got BCV this year - May 31-june6 - it was only a studio. but who cares it is BCV!!!

just be sure not to buy anything within 50 miles (might be 100 miles) of the DVC resorts. this includes VB and HH - if you want to stay at them.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you hang out around TUG and TS4M, you'll get a sense for what works and what doesn't to exchange into DVC. The important caveat: that's what works today. It may not work tomorrow, or next year. The rules of the exchange game are subtle, take a while to learn, and are always changing. Some find the challenge fun, others exhausting.

 

[Lisa P.]

I've always wondered about buying into II, and then just try to trade for onsite. I'm sure it's not going to get BC maybe, but I'd take OKW. There's more room in those anyway. That would save thousands of dollars, I bet.

That's how I stay in DVC, and it is a much more affordable way to get access to those resorts, but it's not an option for the faint of heart. It works best if you are flexible about resorts, travel dates and/or unit size. A 2BR during even a moderate-demand time for Member bookings takes a great trader, advance planning, and more than a dash of luck.

This is what we do too. Trade into DVC resorts when we really want to be onsite. It's possible at times to get into smaller units at BCV, BWV or VWL but SSR and OKW are the two DVC resorts with the 2BR availability. It's fine for us to get a 2BR or a couple 1BRs since our kids are grown or we may travel with another couple/family. We've become so spoiled by timesharing that we even want a 1BR (washer/dryer, jacuzzi tub, regular LR for relaxing) when it's just the two of us. A deluxe hotel room is not as appealing, for us. Brian's experiences and perspective, posted so far on this thread, mirror ours.

 

[calgarygary]

Maria, Yes. It is an option. And a good one for those that need the extra space but HAVE to stay on WDW property. Definitely!

Spiceycat........all I have to say is, Can you adopt me??!! I want to be YOUR relative. What a nice thing to do! They should call you, Sweetiecat.

I've always wondered about buying into II, and then just try to trade for onsite. I'm sure it's not going to get BC maybe, but I'd take OKW. There's more room in those anyway. That would save thousands of dollars, I bet.

Make sure that you don't buy into an Orlando resort though as II has a Disney imposed block on all Orlando resorts. I have seen all of the DVC's at various times on II but it does take constant checking as they go quickly.

 

[FayeW]

I have a hard time on TUG. I don't know why, probably because I know so little about timeshares and trading, etc that I don't really know what I am looking for.

I guess like everybody else I want to buy a resale timeshare at a bargain basement price that will trade really well. Brian, Pat, Maria, how do I figure out where I should buy for a good trader? Here in Canada I could buy Mt Tremblant in Quebec. I think that is in the II network. It is a very popular ski resort, but not sure if it would be a good trader. How do I find out?

 

[LindaBabe]

My husband would LOVE to trade our AKL for your Mont Tremblant!

 

[calgarygary]

I have a hard time on TUG. I don't know why, probably because I know so little about timeshares and trading, etc that I don't really know what I am looking for.

I guess like everybody else I want to buy a resale timeshare at a bargain basement price that will trade really well. Brian, Pat, Maria, how do I figure out where I should buy for a good trader? Here in Canada I could buy Mt Tremblant in Quebec. I think that is in the II network. It is a very popular ski resort, but not sure if it would be a good trader. How do I find out?

Going to TUG and asking the question would help get you a good answer. The more specific you can be with details, resort, season, week the more detailed your response will be.

 

[spiceycat]

.

I guess like everybody else I want to buy a resale timeshare at a bargain basement price that will trade really well. Brian, Pat, Maria, how do I figure out where I should buy for a good trader? Here in Canada I could buy Mt Tremblant in Quebec. I think that is in the II network. It is a very popular ski resort, but not sure if it would be a good trader. How do I find out?

do you have the name of the timeshare - these are listed with tug - all are rci


6 La Voliere du Mont Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 2272 6.89 (9)
7 Club Hotel du Village
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 1959 6.50 (2)
11 Club Privilege Du Mont-Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 6957 1.00 (1)
12 5 Night - Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant

this is the only one that is both RCI and II

1 Club Intrawest-Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 6415 TRM

would think that would be a good trader - Club Intrawest seems to be pretty popular

kept in mind I know very, very, very little about Canada traders.

if you get a good week for skiing - would think II would be very happy to take it. So would avoid summer weeks here. unless there are nearby summer activities.

 

[Chelley00]

I would love to stay onsite, but even renting DVC points from someone for a 2 bedroom for the 6 of us is still way more expensive than our $100 a night for a 4 bedroom house with private pool (not splash pool, full size pool) with a 6 person hot tub. Renting an offsite villa allows us to stay at least 4 days longer than if we would go onsite.

 

[FayeW]

do you have the name of the timeshare - these are listed with tug - all are rci


6 La Voliere du Mont Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 2272 6.89 (9)
7 Club Hotel du Village
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 1959 6.50 (2)
11 Club Privilege Du Mont-Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 6957 1.00 (1)
12 5 Night - Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant

this is the only one that is both RCI and II

1 Club Intrawest-Tremblant
North America, Canada, Quebec, Mont Tremblant 6415 TRM

would think that would be a good trader - Club Intrawest seems to be pretty popular

kept in mind I know very, very, very little about Canada traders.

if you get a good week for skiing - would think II would be very happy to take it. So would avoid summer weeks here. unless there are nearby summer activities.

Thanks Pat. I knew of Club Intrawest, but I am such a dork that I didn't know there were any others. Now I will have to do some research to see where I can buy it cheap. A co-worker has had a timeshare at Mont Tremblant for years, through Club Intrawest, and I just remembered that she told me a few years ago that she had never used it. She uses it exclusively for trading so maybe I'm on to something here!

 

[Brian Noble]

Brian, Pat, Maria, how do I figure out where I should buy for a good trader?

Read, read, read, and then read some more---both at TUG (www.tug2.net) and Timeshare Forums (www.timeshareforums.com). This is not something to jump into with both feet---it's very easy to buy a timeshare, but very hard to sell one.

But, the cardinal rule is: only buy a timeshare if you, yourself, would be willing to use it. The use of time you own is the only thing that is guaranteed, anything else---exchange, rental income, etc.---is maybe, maybe not. Don't buy something along, say, the southern California coast unless you're imagining you could be flying to California most years.

 

[Brian Noble]

All of my weeks/points ownerships meet three criteria:

1: They are all located within a single day's drive from my house.
2: They all occur in the midst of school vacations.
3: They all have carrying costs less than market rental rates.

The third point is a little bit of math, but it is easy to do. Take your purchase price (including all costs/fees), and multiply it by 8% (0.08). That accounts for lost opportunity plus any depreciation. Then, add any annual fees. The sum total needs to be a fair margin less than you could rent the same week at someplace like Redweek or Ebay. You'd be surprised how many timeshares (even resale) fail the third test.

If you buy with these three criteria in mind, then you'll be set even if you can't trade, or if flying becomes too expenive, etc. etc. You can still at least use the week for your own family. You even have a fighting chance of breaking even on renting out such a week if you are completely stuck.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

You're right....IF it all comes down to dollars and cents. No doubt onsite is going to cost more for comparable accomodations. DVC for us works.....and we prefer onsite. The OP mentioned how charmed she was by the disney touches.....as are we.......so I think staying offsite is something for her to consider in that respect. Because when we stay offsite, we feel removed from the disney ambience. It's just like a nice FL vacation. So because the OP specifically mentioned whether or not she would miss this----I'd have to say, yes, she just may. However, she may be charmed in another direction by the larger townhouse she's considering. It is pretty difficult to get the onite perks and ambience with larger accomodations and save money. You have to sacrifice something either way if you're on a budget. This is the whole reason we became DVC Members. We did not want to give up the onsite experience. I know alot make fun of it as I've seen quoted in this thread as evidenced by these remarks :




We actually look forward to the things some of you poke fun at it on the Orlando boards. The poking fun at disney mentality has gone on on with this particular board for many years. It's predictable at this point (I've been a DIS'er since 2000).

I like staying on disney property and not having to venture out on to International Blvd or SR 535 where it's all tourists billboards and cheap ticket vendors on every corner. We primarily go to FL for WDW. Sure we take side trips to Sea World or wherever, but the #1 motivator for traveling to Orlando is Disney. So we prefer the sappiness (as some of you coin it) to the tourist stuff you can see at any big vacation destination. Everything has it's pros and cons. I just noticed the OP really stressed how much she fell in love with the whole disney themeing so I think she will notice a different type of vacation with a townhouse. I'm speaking from experience here. On and offsite are two different experiences----but then again, we do mostly stay in DVC villas as I already stated.

 

[FayeW]

All of my weeks/points ownerships meet three criteria:

1: They are all located within a single day's drive from my house.
2: They all occur in the midst of school vacations.
3: They all have carrying costs less than market rental rates.

The third point is a little bit of math, but it is easy to do. Take your purchase price (including all costs/fees), and multiply it by 8% (0.08). That accounts for lost opportunity plus any depreciation. Then, add any annual fees. The sum total needs to be a fair margin less than you could rent the same week at someplace like Redweek or Ebay. You'd be surprised how many timeshares (even resale) fail the third test.

If you buy with these three criteria in mind, then you'll be set even if you can't trade, or if flying becomes too expenive, etc. etc. You can still at least use the week for your own family. You even have a fighting chance of breaking even on renting out such a week if you are completely stuck.

Wow, Brian, that is very detailed criteria! Thank you, it seems to be very wise advice and I will be sure to apply those rules to any purchase I consider. Mt. Tremblant meets the first criteria, as would most properties in Quebec or Ontario. Calabogie is very close, less than 2 hours but I don't know if I would actually want to stay there. Maybe I should take them up on one of their timeshare tour offers and check it out. I don't think it would be a particularily good trader, though.

 

[bytheblood]

I used to always say that staying onsite was part of the magic. Not so much anymore.

Given the rapid increase in Disney costs and perks no longer really perks but just additional costs, I personally would save the money and stay offsite. More room sounds good, too.

 

[spiceycat]

All of my weeks/points ownerships meet three criteria:

1: They are all located within a single day's drive from my house.
2: They all occur in the midst of school vacations.
3: They all have carrying costs less than market rental rates.

The third point is a little bit of math, but it is easy to do. Take your purchase price (including all costs/fees), and multiply it by 8% (0.08). That accounts for lost opportunity plus any depreciation. Then, add any annual fees. The sum total needs to be a fair margin less than you could rent the same week at someplace like Redweek or Ebay. You'd be surprised how many timeshares (even resale) fail the third test.

If you buy with these three criteria in mind, then you'll be set even if you can't trade, or if flying becomes too expenive, etc. etc. You can still at least use the week for your own family. You even have a fighting chance of breaking even on renting out such a week if you are completely stuck.

well my DVC, PCB, meet these - my SA - south africia does not - but hey only paid $500 for it - and it trades with RCI great! so no complaints well actually one.

my biggest is having to use it for CWR since 2-bedrooms are getting larger to find using skyaction for it. so have to use my exchange week - wish I hate.

right brother needs CWR - doggie - and they need a 2-bedroom.

oh well won't be forever.

really want to try the other RCI resorts around WDW that this thing can trade into and I get to stay. One day!

forgot with DVC - if you can rent it for more than you paid for it - in say 5 to 7 years - then it works great, too. after that it is basically free. each year rent enough to pay for the maintence fees.

 

[FayeW]

well my DVC, PCB, meet these - my SA - south africia does not - but hey only paid $500 for it - and it trades with RCI great! so no complaints well actually one.

my biggest is having to use it for CWR since 2-bedrooms are getting larger to find using skyaction for it. so have to use my exchange week - wish I hate.

right brother needs CWR - doggie - and they need a 2-bedroom.

oh well won't be forever.

really want to try the other RCI resorts around WDW that this thing can trade into and I get to stay. One day!

.

Here is a novel idea...let brother pay for his own darn accomodation and use your exchange week, which you bought, paid for, and continue to pay maintenance for, and stay where you like!

As a side note, if you brother gets up set when you talk about selling your OKW points because it is his favourite resort SELL IT TO HIM!

I hope that your relatives help pay for some of the costs associated with your timeshares/DVC that you so generously let them use.

 

[spiceycat]

well they should - but brother is younger brother - and he has kids and I don't.

so have always helped with vacations.

besides until I start giving them vacations they were not going on vacations.

all kids needs to go to WDW at least once. have to take let my niece and nephew - problem was my brother demanded to go too....

when you grow up with vacations it is so hard to go without them.

believe me if he could afford DVC especially OKW he would buy it.

been so many more times than they have - so almost tired of it. was going 4 to 6 times a year, he goes every other year.

 

[Brian Noble]

if you can rent it for more than you paid for it - in say 5 to 7 years

If you use my 8% of the purchase price for carrying costs, you'll find that DVC fails test #3 for developer purchases at current prices/rental rates. A developer SSR point with incentives is $94, and dues are $4.21. Carrying cost: $11.73 per point, which is getting to be right up at the top of the rental range of $10-$12. Some folks get $13, but thats either through great marketing (Daddio) or an in-demand home resort (BCV, BWV boardwalk view, etc.)

Some resales can make it, though, especially if you can negotiate down a little bit---and loaded contracts have a better shot, because you can rent the excess to reduce your basis further. My analysis is that the market under-values loaded contracts, and over-values stripped ones.

I don't think it would be a particularily good trader, though.

If you buy a resort that meets those three criteria, and *you* want to use it, chances are good that it will trade at least decently.

It might not get you into DVC, but again---that shouldn't be the reason to buy anything. If that's why you are buying something, the something you buy should be DVC.