Pls. tell me your experiences with outside vacations on pts.

[my3kids]

In many replies I see the best value for the dollar is using the DVC points within the resort network. That I understand. But, I am interested in experiences with using them elsewhere.

I know I might be able to find the same places at cheaper cash rates, but if I buy the points, I'll use the points. So, where could we go? Where have you gone? What troubles did you encounter in going to a different resort?

Are the only places the ones listed in a "collection?" Is that different from using II? If yes, where have you gone on II?

Was the other place fairly comparable? Nicely furnished? No unexpected fees? Clean and spacious?

 

[3DAN]

We stayed at the Grand Californian before on points. It was in a suite. We were met at arrival in our car by a concierge person after the parking attendant got my name. She was in radio contact by earphone with the front desk and recited everything about us to us as I stood outside our car. Unbelievable!!!! She then took us on a quick tour of the building because our suite was not ready. The points were expensive, but I have trouble imagining going to any other DL hotel. I heard that most DVC people get treated like gold.

:thewave:

 

[JimC]

Stayed at AKL concierge on points. It worked out that the cost of our points times the number of points was about the same as the AP code rate with tax for the room. So we thought it was a reasonable value.

The AKL concierge was quite nice and we recommend the Sunrise Safari, Sunset Safari and Romance Dinner for two.

We are thinking of staying at the GC on points in 2005. IT is very pricey, but the cash rates seem high as well.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

We've taken two 7 day cruises. Don't know why, but they are considered "out". The points we had to use were worth it, without any question. The ships were clean. Disney standards were upheld to the "nth" degree. Will be utilizing our points to do an Alaskan cruise at some point in the future.

 

[BillPA]

Did a II exchange to The Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenrigde during ski season a few years ago. This was under the original exchange system, where you would reserve a week at a DVC resort then exchange that week through II. Ended up with a studio for 55 points. Now they want 123 points to exchange into the same location during the same time.

We DO NOT exchange any longer, it is just too many points.

 

[wintergreen]

I know that we are probably in the minority, but we have used points for lots of stays outside of the DVC resorts. So far, we have stayed at the following Concierge Collection, and Disney Collection resorts:

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
Keystone Resort, Colorado
Kapalua Bay Resort, Maui
The Newport Bay Club, Disneyland Paris
The Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland, CA
The Animal Kingdom Lodge, WDW
Disney Cruise Line

We plan to stay at the Arizona Biltmore and Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona next spring, and to try as many more as we can before our membership runs out.

The only resort that we were disappointed in was Keystone. While the condo was large, it was a bit worn.

Have fun!

 

[living la vida mickey]

We've used points for a 7 day DCL cruise and we felt it was worth it. We've also twice used points for the Plaza in New York. We were treated very well and the cost was comparable to the points. We'd like to do an Alaska cruise in the next couple of years.

 

[Granny]

tvwalsh just posted a glowing report on the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=666510

 

[pod2314]

We used our point to stay at the Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel in NYC for the past 2 Thanksgivings. This and other hotels are part of the concierge collection, which are hotels and resorts that you can trade your points in for nightly stays. We made our reservations for the first trip only 45 days out from our stay (we had just become DVC members) and both time we had a great time.

 

[nickglover]

We've taken a DCL cruise and we have stayed at The Grand Californian (including several free nights 9/12, 9/13 right after 9/11.

In the Concierge Collection we stayed at Topnotch and at Woodstock Inn in Vermont. Woodstock is no longer on the list but there are several others in vermont. We enjoyed that trip very much.

We tried to arrange to go to the CC property in Missouri (Big Oak Lodge or something similar) but could not find reasonable air fare to that area.

We are also looking into Tanque Verde and the Biltmore in Phoenix.

We are also interested in the one near Ashville NC....the name escapes me.

 

[my3kids]

Great information.

Wintergreen: That sounds like exactly how I envision our family using a vacation plan. Did you feel the trades were resonable, fair and easily obtained? If I have to jump through hoops to get to go anywhere, it would be a bad thing. But if you pick up a book and say,"that's it!" and it is easy to arrange, then this is looking better all the time!

 

[nickglover]

We've taken a DCL cruise and we have stayed at The Grand Californian (including several free nights 9/12, 9/13 right after 9/11.

In the Concierge Collection we stayed at Topnotch and at Woodstock Inn in Vermont. Woodstock is no longer on the list but there are several others in vermont. We enjoyed that trip very much.

We tried to arrange to go to the CC property in Missouri (Big Oak Lodge or something similar) but could not find reasonable air fare to that area.

We are also looking into Tanque Verde and the Biltmore in Phoenix.

We are also interested in the one near Asheville NC....the name escapes me.

 

[wintergreen]

my3kids:

All of the reservations were very easy to make, and we have almost always gotten our first choice of accommodations. As others have noted, points can be high and there are fees associated with making the (CC) reservations, but we have been very pleased. It's also great to check out at the end of the stay, and only be charged for miscellaneous expenses.

BTW, the Broadmoor has one of the best pools I have ever been to in my life. It is fabulous!

 

[LakeAriel]

Living just north of NYC I am interested in the Plaza and the Shelbourne. I know you have to pay a $75.00 fee for the room so for one night I question the prudence of it. One the other hand a night in the City, resting our weary heads at the Plaza is appealing. So..what type of rooms did you get in NYC? Thanks in advance!



Will be cruising on points in March. It worked for me!

 

[KelNottAt]

We've got reservations for the Grand Californian in June '05 (before our cruise). We're also looking forward to 6 nights at the Big Cedar Lodge in Mo. during August '05. After what nickglover reported, though, I'm a little aprehensive about the airfare. Oh well, we'll see.

 

[travelbug]

I used points to stay for 8 nights at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island 2 years ago. We had a fabulous time, and the resort was completely spectacular. It was in honor of a special family occasion, so the "splurge" with points was totally worth it. We will remember that trip forever.

If you're interested, you can do a search for Mauna Lani and my name to find a detailed trip report I wrote when we got home.

 

[ralphd]

We stayed at the Royal Garden in London. Gave us free upgrade and great service.

ralphd

 

[my3kids]

All these experiences sound wonderful. I finally got the book, so now I can really look into the program. It seemed, at first glance, to be very expensive and maybe cost more than the worth. We'll see....I do love the villas.

 

[Synonymous]

We've stayed at The Plaza, which was a great experience, and the Charleston Place, which we also recommend. At the Charleston we got a free upgrade to Concierge. The service was great and the hotel was beautiful. The pool is beautiful and relaxing, the restaurant is incredible. At the Plaza, we had a great view of Central Park.

Next spring we're staying at the Royal Mayan in Cancun on points. All of the TUG reviews are great for this place, so we're really looking forward to it.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Synonymous
Next spring we're staying at the Royal Mayan in Cancun on points. All of the TUG reviews are great for this place, so we're really looking forward to it.

it is a nice resort as long as you get a good view. Do you know you're unit #? What dates and how many points was it?