Question about Hitlon head resort

[mintee]

We are considering buying resale into Hilton Head resort...is this a desired property? Can you easily exchange this to get a property in Disney? We think we would like to alternate the two locations every other year and we want to pick the one that would be easier to guarntee a spot...my logic is, (it might be very wrong, that is where you come in lol) that since there is only one resort in Hilton head, it would be better to have that as my home resort to guarntee us a room when we wanted and since there are SO many resorts in Disney, it would be much easier to exchange..
Is this correct?
Do people want to trade into hilton head??

 

[JimMIA]

If you want to alternate between Hilton Head and WDW, you might be better off buying a small contract at each place. With banking and borrowing, you won't need a big contract.

OR...considering that Hilton Head annual dues are pretty high, you might want to get DVC for WDW and something else for Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. HHI may be the only DVC property at Hilton Head, but it's certainly not the only timeshare. Also, other timeshares are likely to cost much less to buy and the annual dues might be lower as well.

Why get DVC at a WDW resort? Booking advantage. If you want to go at a peak time, or get a particular type of villa or view, you may need the 11-month booking window. For some times of the year, you will definitely need the 11-month window.

If you are going off-peak and want to try a non-home resort, you can book your WDW home resort in the 11-month window and then try to switch at 7 months. That way, if you are unsuccessful with switching, at least you have a confirmed WDW reservation to fall back on.

 

[culli]

We are considering buying resale into Hilton Head resort...is this a desired property? Can you easily exchange this to get a property in Disney? We think we would like to alternate the two locations every other year and we want to pick the one that would be easier to guarntee a spot...my logic is, (it might be very wrong, that is where you come in lol) that since there is only one resort in Hilton head, it would be better to have that as my home resort to guarntee us a room when we wanted and since there are SO many resorts in Disney, it would be much easier to exchange..
Is this correct?
Do people want to trade into hilton head??

You are not understanding how DVC trades etc. With DVC where you buy is where you get a booking window from the 11-7 months out that only owners at that resort can use. With DVC at 7 months out the only difference is the amount your MFs are. I followed another thread of yours and kind of understand what you are trying to do. But with DVC trading is totally different and I think you are confusing trading DVC, making normaly DVC ressies and trading other timeshares.

For some reason you want to stay in the DVC system. My guess is if you are trying to get HH in summer the 11 month booking window would be important. If you want to go at the "shoulder" season I'm sure 7 months would be fine. That bring up another important question - how far in advance can you make your plans? Within the DVC system if it is not greater than 7 months that it doesn't matter what resort you own at except for the MF and when the contract expires.

 

[Dean]

We are considering buying resale into Hilton Head resort...is this a desired property? Can you easily exchange this to get a property in Disney? We think we would like to alternate the two locations every other year and we want to pick the one that would be easier to guarntee a spot...my logic is, (it might be very wrong, that is where you come in lol) that since there is only one resort in Hilton head, it would be better to have that as my home resort to guarntee us a room when we wanted and since there are SO many resorts in Disney, it would be much easier to exchange..
Is this correct?
Do people want to trade into hilton head??

To stay at WDW and HH about half and half and to own at ONE resort, what's best depends on WHEN. For summer, you should own HH. For Spring and Fall, likely still best for HH but either should work. But that assumes you'll be happy at any DVC resort in WDW. As noted, owning points for each option with some at HH and some at WDW is best if looking at say 200 or more total points. If under that, I'd go with one resort based on the half and half split you implied. But there are many ways to skin that cat, enjoy your planning and research.

 

[shortypots]

I would agree with Jim. Buy 2 smaller contracts at 2 different resorts, 1 at WDW 1 in HHI. This way you can alternate by banking and borrowing. This is the beauty of the Disney points system is the flexibility! You can also split out the MF's this way since HHI is kinda expensive in that regard (gotta love hurricane insurance ) The only big issue here is you then have to pay 2 closing costs unless you negotiate that in.

 

[JimMIA]

You are not understanding how DVC trades etc.

Mintee, you really need to listen to advice like this.

First of all, let's talk about one word you keep using -- "guarantee." Lose that word when you talk about DVC.

DVC ownership does NOT guarantee you a particular kind of accommodation ANYwhere on certain dates, nor in a certain time period or season. In fact DVC doesn't guarantee you anything at all. DVC is entirely points-based -- SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. It doesn't matter how many points you own or where -- if there is no availability, you don't get in.

Don't assume that DVC ownership will give you a lock on a reservation, even at your home resort. There are times and resorts where people call after lunch precisely on the day their 11-month window opens and don't get what they want...because there is no availability. Other times, you can call 3 months out and get what you want -- it's all availability.

One very good thing about DVC is that you can currently use your points at any DVC resort...subject to availability. Another very good thing is the process is very simple -- you just call Member Services, they check availability for the type and location of villa you want, and if it's available, it's yours. That is a much easier system than most timeshares use.

The only way to get a GUARANTEED accommodation at a particular place for a particular time period is to buy a completely different timeshare system that offers specific weeks in specific units. If you buy one of those, you own that exact apartment/room/whatever for specific dates -- Unit 4131 is yours for Week 10, for example.. In most of those systems, you can exchange that specific time period for something else.

Some of those type of timeshares can be bought on eBay today literally for $1, plus closing and maintenance fees -- usually less than $1,000 total, often less than $500-600. And we're talking about 1-2 bedroom units from very fine companies.

The big problem with those properties is their systems are MUCH more complicated than DVC and you really have to go to school on them. But one of those managed simply - same unit, same week, at Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head without any thought of exchanging anywhere else for $1,000 now and $500 per year might be a great buy for the Carolina part of your plan.

 

[Greysword]

...In fact DVC doesn't guarantee you anything at all...

I don't know; I think DVC guarantees the removal of my monthly dues on time. At least thats something we can count on, right?

 

[JimMIA]

I don't know; I think DVC guarantees the removal of my monthly dues on time. At least thats something we can count on, right?

Yeah, they're good that way!

Actually, there are some things that are guaranteed with DVC (the ability to use your points at your home resort, subject to availability, etc), but the point I was trying to make is that getting a reservation is not guaranteed.

Timeshares systems are so different and so varied that it's difficult sometimes to understand what you are actually getting. DVC is one of the simplest - to me, at least. I'm just starting to research other systems, and I'm much more confused now than when I started.

 

[JBx3]

Jump on the DVC thread at mousecellaneous called DVC vs. Wyndham, and get more confused!

Some really great posts on there, I as well am trying to learn other systems but keep falling back to the comfort level of DVC system.....I know there are much better deals and others much less money than DVC but for the last year 3 DVC has worked for us without a hitch.

The other thing that no one really ever commnets on is the MS services, boy, we call that for dining, does AKL has tennis rackets to rent, Magical Express services, all kinds of things. I never really here comments on Member Services with other timeshare comapnies but I think DVC offers quite a bit of assistance in member services department and I trhink that really needs to factor into timeshare purchasing. They really do make it easy and as i posted on the other thread, I am not completely sure I want o work so hard and figure things out so much when booking vacations! DVC is a big help in that way!

 

[mintee]

Thanks all for your guidance!
I would NEVER want a timeshare for a specific week every year...we are so not planners!

I was just so confused because the way the "guide" made it sound...is that it was easy to use points at the 7 month mark to have your "pick" of which resort you wanted. He even went so far as to tell us to not worry about which home resort unless we always wanted to go to the same place and book 11 months out!

I am very familiar with timeshares as we have been using my inlaws at the Sheraton Vistana for years...we have been looking into DVC because we have been very disappointed with the lack of availabilty of RCI options for us...we have called within our window and they only had Orlando as a choice for us! I know that I will want some variety, but I also want to know that I can use my points...That I wont be told, no...you cant travel this summer LOL
I love Disney because of their quality...and I am not looking at value...personally I would be ok using the points for RCI(it says it is only 160) and I wouldnt mind trading quality for variety some time...but utltimatly we are going to do to Disney at least every other year. When we do visit I want to stay on property and NOT at the value resorts!!

Instead of splitting points...to avoid those pesky closing costs, I am thinking that we just pick our fave home resort...and just hope that we are able to get into the Hilton head in the next couple years or so...and maybe we will slum it and use RCI once in the next 5 years....

Thanks all you well researched DIS'ers!! You guys are great!!! Thanks for helping me understand how this is different from a typically time share

 

[Dean]

Thanks all for your guidance!
I would NEVER want a timeshare for a specific week every year...we are so not planners!

I was just so confused because the way the "guide" made it sound...is that it was easy to use points at the 7 month mark to have your "pick" of which resort you wanted. He even went so far as to tell us to not worry about which home resort unless we always wanted to go to the same place and book 11 months out!

I am very familiar with timeshares as we have been using my inlaws at the Sheraton Vistana for years...we have been looking into DVC because we have been very disappointed with the lack of availabilty of RCI options for us...we have called within our window and they only had Orlando as a choice for us! I know that I will want some variety, but I also want to know that I can use my points...That I wont be told, no...you cant travel this summer LOL
I love Disney because of their quality...and I am not looking at value...personally I would be ok using the points for RCI(it says it is only 160) and I wouldnt mind trading quality for variety some time...but utltimatly we are going to do to Disney at least every other year. When we do visit I want to stay on property and NOT at the value resorts!!

Instead of splitting points...to avoid those pesky closing costs, I am thinking that we just pick our fave home resort...and just hope that we are able to get into the Hilton head in the next couple years or so...and maybe we will slum it and use RCI once in the next 5 years....

Thanks all you well researched DIS'ers!! You guys are great!!! Thanks for helping me understand how this is different from a typically time share

First, you need to do a certain amount of planning to make buying any timeshare reasonable including DVC.

Trading isn't simply 160 points, it's 160 points for a 1 BR and 270 for a 2 BR HIGH season. IF a resort only has 2 BR units, you pay the higher price even if you don't need that large of a unit.

Owning 2 resorts doesn't automatically mean 2 closings if you bough resale then added on retail. For example, you could buy HH resale then do an add on through DVC for BLT or Aulani.

I would also submit that there's a lot more (and better) in timeshares and timeshare exchanges than you'll experience with Vistana. If you're looking at one every 5 years or so just get less DVC points and look at cash for the non DVC trips, you'll be better off, have more choices, more protections and come out much cheaper overall.

 

[ldo]

if you want summer (mid June-mid-Aug) and you plan to go every other year to HHI, I would buy there. I think at 7 months, you can get someplace at WDW--even the week of Christmas if you call right at 7 months--which might not be the case for HHI. If you plan to visit HHI not at prime summer, then you have a decent chance at 7 months.
Which would you rather? not being able to go to HHI, or getting someplace, but not your top pick (or maybe your bottom pick) at WDW? Also, some of the WDW places have special rooms--standard/boardwalk view at BWV, values/concierge at AKL, THV at SSR that you usually need to book prior to 7 months, so keep that in mind, when choosing a home base. good luck. Elaine

 

[culli]

Jump on the DVC thread at mousecellaneous called DVC vs. Wyndham, and get more confused!

Some really great posts on there, I as well am trying to learn other systems but keep falling back to the comfort level of DVC system.....I know there are much better deals and others much less money than DVC but for the last year 3 DVC has worked for us without a hitch.

The other thing that no one really ever commnets on is the MS services, boy, we call that for dining, does AKL has tennis rackets to rent, Magical Express services, all kinds of things. I never really here comments on Member Services with other timeshare comapnies but I think DVC offers quite a bit of assistance in member services department and I trhink that really needs to factor into timeshare purchasing. They really do make it easy and as i posted on the other thread, I am not completely sure I want o work so hard and figure things out so much when booking vacations! DVC is a big help in that way!

I agree that DVCs MS is outstanding, their website is bad but the phone people are the best I have seen.

But on the other hand you mention the other thread. Nobody in that thread is saying use Wyndham or another TS for DVC stays. DVC is great and cost effective for use at WDW. If you trade using RCI and DVC it is not the same as making a ressie for DVC resorts with your pts. What people are saying is there are more cost effective ways to use your pts and book non DVC trips.

For the most part people buy in to timeshares for getting nice accomidations for a cheaper price then renting (ok that is an over generalization but maybe 80/20 rule). Why buy DVC and deal with the 11/7 ongoing MFs and not always get the resort you want? You think it is easy to book through DVC? Paying cash for the roooms is even easier and I bet your availability will increase and not have to plan out as far. Hmmmmmmm that is pretty darn expensive to rent a 2br BLT for 10 days even though it is easier to get than using your pts. Think the same thing of what people are telling you do with RCI and non DVC vacations. Heck in most situations it is much cheaper to rent/transfer your pts for $10pt and then go rent the room you want. You won't have to do the DVC/RCI shuffle and do your requests so far in advance.

I have seen some Marriotts 2br in Hawaii for rent you pick the week for about $2500. You could even probably get cheaper than that. Now that DVC moved out II you can't even get this trade, and even then I bet it was hard to get. Transfer your 260 pts to someone for $10 that the trade would cost you and you are 100 bucks ahead of the game and don't have to do the DVC trade shuffle. I find this to be far less complicated then trying to use DVC/RCI trading.

How does that go...more than one way to skin a cat?

 

[JimMIA]

Here's a link to the Wyndham thread we keep referring to: DVC or Wyndham

It's dropped off to the second page of Mousecellaneous, so you won't find it with a casual look. Lots of good info on that thread.

 

[mintee]

Ok last follow up question...
Have any of you guys actually rented out your points? Was it easy to find someone who wanted to do that? Can you get burned?
It just sounds complicated for some reason....

 

[culli]

Ok last follow up question...
Have any of you guys actually rented out your points? Was it easy to find someone who wanted to do that? Can you get burned?
It just sounds complicated for some reason....

DVC or Wyndham? I have bought or transfered in pts from another member twice. Got them from the dis rent boards here. I also don't want to bother with renting (I usually need more not less DVC pts!) but I would do a transfer to someone. Pretty simple the two times I did it. I did rent Wyndham out to a friend for his Disney trip at Bonnet Creek - that was easy because he is a friend.

Funny people keep saying I would rent/transfer pts for the one time we will vacation somewhere else. But I find (myself included) that most always need more DVC pts, I hold onto those things like gold. I'm so excited to hopefully be able to bank my pts this year becasue I have been so lucky with RCI trades that I didn't have to use them

 

[Sammie]

One thing I can guarantee about DVC, their agents will make things seem much easier than they truly are about using DVC.

You will get more accurate info here than from them.

They are correct in saying you can use your DVC to stay at other places but they can't guarantee that it will always be available to do.

Things can always change but right now its harder to get into HHI in the summer than a DVC resort in the summer. Most DVC members avoid Disney during the summer. Points are high, crowds are high and temperatures are even higher. Now some DVC resorts book up pretty quickly in the summer, BCV for one due to the pool and its not very large. But even then we have gotten it several times at 7 months. At 7 months VWL is hard to get in early Dec. At 7 months BCV and BWV are hard to get during Food and Wine. All are hard to get during peak holiday times such as Christmas week.

So as stated you really need to look at where you want to stay and when, before you decide what works for you.

 

[Disneypubgal]

You could also buy in WDW and get a transfer (buy one year's pts from another member) at HH... the points would retain the same use year and home resort priority....just remember only one transfer per contract per year....

 

[ldo]

If you want prime summer at HHI, you usually need to book at 11 months. It might be hard to find someone willing to transfer points at 11 months out and you only have one small resort to work with. I think getting a DVC WDW points transfer at 11 months out would be easier, esp. if you were willing to stay at several resorts, just due to the greater number of owners than at HHI. I also would much rather be trying to get a reservation at 7 months for July at a DVC WDW resort than at HHI. good luck--tough decision--and your taste can change (we bought VWL for getting in at Christmas--now we wish we had AKV)! Elaine

 

[Disneypubgal]

If you want prime summer at HHI, you usually need to book at 11 months. It might be hard to find someone willing to transfer points at 11 months out and you only have one small resort to work with. I think getting a DVC WDW points transfer at 11 months out would be easier, esp. if you were willing to stay at several resorts, just due to the greater number of owners than at HHI. I also would much rather be trying to get a reservation at 7 months for July at a DVC WDW resort than at HHI. good luck--tough decision--and your taste can change (we bought VWL for getting in at Christmas--now we wish we had AKV)! Elaine

very good point... the only draw back is the higher dues at HHI....