Qeustion about using points at Non Disney locations

[Roveer]

We are seriously considering DVC as our family (now 6) will be too big for Disney's standard resort rooms (we are getting in one last stay in April all 6 in one room).

As a result we are going to stay 2 nights at BCV in a 2 bedroom to see how it fits our family.

If it works out, we will most likely purchase (either direct or as a resale) 275+ points.

My question is this. What type of value will we get at the other non-disney resorts with our DVC points? We've been to WDW 6 times and I would guess for the forseeable future we will continue to go, but eventually we will want to do other things. In the coffee table book that we received from DVC they dedicated a fair amount of space showing wonderfull non Disney locations. Will our points give us a similar experience at these locations or will they (as I somewhat suspect) only contribute partially to a complete vacation? I'm guessing that the DVC value is really at DVC properties of which I could see us using Vero and Hilton Head as well, but how well does the value transfer to the other locations?

Thanks,

Roveer

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think you are talking about the Interval International exchanges. Some feel they aren't as good a value to exchange, since DVC is one of the more expensive timeshares to own. Some feel you should use a lesser property for exchanges. If, on the other hand, you only are going to do it occationally, then why not??? Don't buy DVC if you want MOST of your trips to be exchanges, but if you want an occational exchange, it is a good way to get a prepaid vacation in another local on some occations. In 11 years of membership, we have only exchanged once, and that was to Hawaii. It was a great value as far as I was concerned, because I got to have both a Hawaii trip and a DVC/WDW trip in the same year with my points for the cost of one year's maintenance fees. I probably wouldn't use it for someplace mediocre or a destination where there are plenty of accommodations available for less, but in the case of Hawaii, I thought it was great.

Not sure that answers your question. If not, ask some more!

 

[Roveer]

Thanks for the response, it was helpful. I think I envisioned the use of the points similar to what you did. Infrequent but to places that we would not normally go. Hawaii would be one of those places, also possibly UK or Switzerland etc. Or possibly midwest grand canyon adventure etc. Was not thinking of DVC to use mostly on these vaca's, but maybe once in a while, possibly after banking points if we were to miss a year. Also, possibly DCL, again only if it was a banking situation as I hear the value is not great using your points on DCL.

Roveer

 

[Deb & Bill]

With a family of six, you would need to get a two bedroom exchange. Those through II can require up to 270 points per week or with the Concierge Collection would be up to 150 points per night.

You may want to consider a timeshare that is tradeable with DVC, so you could trade into DVC from time to time instead of buying DVC and trading out more often than staying at DVC.

 

[Eric The Red 1966]

DVC just reduced the Concierge Collection by over 50%. Thus there are much fewer Non-disney options in 2008 than there were previously. Our family of 5 has usually gone non-disney every other year. Now it is much more difficult to do so. Please evaluate your DVC purchase carefully.

 

[Dean]

All non DVC options are a poor value except a very select, high demand and hard to get set of II exchanges. I would simply buy less points to use at DVC and look at other options for non DVC trips. It'll be cheaper, easier and you'll have more options.