Please advise! Has anyone used DVC points outside of Disney?

[mab7]

I was thinking of buying into SSR but only plan on returning to Disney every 2 years with my family. We want to make sure that you can enjoy the other resorts to visit. We are unfamliar with timeshares and how they work and want to make sure we are making the right decision. How are the resorts in the caribbean islands? Are they really only 160 points per week no matter where? Are the resorts nice and easy to book? Thankyou

 

[Deb & Bill]

You will get a better use of your DVC points to use them for DVC resorts. You can stay at other WDW resorts, even DL resorts on points, but they wind up using a lot. And compared to a DVC villa, an ordinary hotel room just can't compete.

Looking at the Vacation Planner that members get, there aren't that many places to go to in the Caribbean. Aruba (not really Caribbean) has the most choices. Bahamas have none. They were trying to get Atlantis, but were unsuccessful from what I have heard.

Hopefully Dean will respond to this thread and he is the expert on non-Disney timeshares.

 

[rocketriter]

We booked a week in Hawaii at the well-regarded Kona Coast during Spring break for 144 points (1-bedroom). We put in for it a year ahead (unlike some Hawaii resorts, the KC is not difficult to get), and were called back with the reservation in about 3 weeks. The dollar/points value may not absolutely optimum, but given the fact that we didn't have to troll around for deals, work with strangers, own another timeshare or rent out our own points--measured against the value of our own time and energy--we're pleased with the deal.

That said, many potential DVC trade resorts are either not that great or are difficult to get into, so while we'll be happy to trade out from time to time, we plan to use our DVC points most heavily at DVC resorts.