Other destinations on points?

[flexsmom]

I'm working hard on getting DH to go along with this and I'm almost there. But one of the keys to his OK is that I'm trying to show him that this doesn't mean he has to go to WDW every year for 39 years and that there ARE other options! Don't get me wrong - he loves Disney, just not on an annual basis - every other year is good for him. HH and VB are good starts, and I know, I know - the main destination should be WDW. But, can you tell me about other locations you have visited on DVC points? Did you enjoy the alternatives, too?

 

[PamOKW]

In addition to being able to trade out for week long timeshare vacations and for "adventure trips", DVC also offers the option to stay as little as one night in some of the finest hotels in the country. On the list are such places as Windsor Court in New Orleans, The Plaza in NYC and Mackinac Island, just to name a few. While I use my points for Disney and Vero, it's nice to know there are many options out there.

You could also plan your trips so that you use two years worth of points at WDW every other year.

 

[OKWKirt]

There are a few of us on this board that are big Big Cedar Lodge fans, near Branson, MO. Beautiful rustic place with one and two bedroom log cabins, and lodge rooms. They now have their own timeshare (Big Cedar Wilderness Club) next to the lodge through Bluegreen Vacation Club. I used DVC points to stay in the cabins twice before they started, and I joined, the Wilderness Club. Minutes away from Branson live entertainment and theme/water parks and great fishing and outdoor recreation.

 

[Lisa P.]

Using DVC for most non-DVC options is often an expensive use of points. It's a fine option, if you would otherwise lose the points or just want a rare variation. Planning to do this every other year would only make sense if you absolutely, positively had your heart set on the "convenience" and "luxury" of using points for annual vacations and you're willing to pay a premium to use DVC as your travel agent. You can normally do better by paying cash for other non-DVC resort vacations.

If you only plan to visit DVC resorts about every other year, why not buy half as many points and use banking/borrowing to accomplish your DVC goals? Use the money you save to vacation in the off years or purchase a different, less costly vacation plan with it. A lot of people do this. Just another option to consider.

 

[Dean]

I agree with Lisa. Planning a major and recurring use of points outside DVC is not smart. Best to buy less points and use them less often with banking and borrowing or just to rent. It's nice to have options but at the current time, almost all the options are too expensive to be reasonable or useful.

 

[laceemouse]

I agree with the last 2 posts. If $ is no object, fine, however, we own another t/s week which we trade through RCI. It was much less expensive to purchase, and we can trade with over 4000 resorts worldwide for a small fee. We only bought as many DVC points as we need to do Disney vacatons as we like to stay on-site!