Question about trading INTO DVC through Interval International

[CrowleyFam]

Hi,

I own a Marriott timeshare and am interested in trading into DVC. My question is, "If I trade into DVC, do I get the same benefits as a DVC member while I am there?".

An example is one of the Marriott VC properties in Hilton Head. The owner who bought into there automatically pays for a golf package that if they trade their week goes to the person who gets it through the trading company.

There are some perks that DVC members get that I would be interested in around golf, park entrance and ticket fees. If I traded into DVC, would I get them?

Thanks, John

 

[Deb & Bill]

You wouldn't get breaks on tickets because you have to have a blue member card to get an AP or PAP at the reduced rate. That is the only ticket perk that members have. No discounts on MYW tickets.

You would have free parking at the theme parks, ability to have your packages shipped back to your resort from the theme parks, etc.

 

[Dean]

In some cases exchangers get the Marriott benefits and in others they do not. For Heritage they do get the free golf, for Manor Club only MARRIOTT exchangers get the free golf. I didn't think that exchangers got the golf benefits for the ones that are package add ons like at Grande Ocean but I could be wrong.

But exchangers do not get the DVC member benefits such as pass or restaurant discounts. Technically even if one exchanged in through II but were a DVC member, you would not necessarily get the stay specific benefits though you could get the perks that are membership but not stay specific.

 

[CrowleyFam]

You wouldn't get breaks on tickets because you have to have a blue member card to get an AP or PAP at the reduced rate. That is the only ticket perk that members have. No discounts on MYW tickets.

You would have free parking at the theme parks, ability to have your packages shipped back to your resort from the theme parks, etc.

Sorry, what does AP and PAP stand for?

The DVC Website lists the following general benefits:

• Extra magic hour at Theme Parks

• Access to the Disney transportation system

• Fun-filled services for children

• On-property charging privileges and convenient delivery of purchases to your Walt Disney World® Resort hotel

I don't see anything about reduced tickets or golf discounts (I read on the posts here)

Thanks, John

 

[Dean]

Sorry, what does AP and PAP stand for?

The DVC Website lists the following general benefits:

• Extra magic hour at Theme Parks

• Access to the Disney transportation system

• Fun-filled services for children

• On-property charging privileges and convenient delivery of purchases to your Walt Disney World® Resort hotel

I don't see anything about reduced tickets or golf discounts (I read on the posts here)

Thanks, John

The ones you list are resort benefits not specific to DVC and any on property guest would have the same access to them. In addition there are perks for DVC members such as $100 off an Annual Pass, the chance to buy a golf membership, restaurant and minor admission discounts like Disney Quest. These would not be accessible to exchangers unless they were also DVC members independently. However, there are many times other ways to get discounts like AAA or through ticket brokers.

 

[Caskbill]

AP=Annual Pass
PAP=Premium Annual Pass

Discounts on the above are strictly member household benefits.

There are other member perks such as discounts on dining, etc. You would not be entitled to any of those.

You would be entitled to the general WDW resort amenities. These apply to all resort guests, whether at a DVC resort or a regular WDW resort. These include the items you mentioned, and also includes free automobile parking at the theme parks. (You get a resort pass you put on your dashboard)

 

[CrowleyFam]

In my 2006/2007 Interval International Resort Directory, the listing for the Disney Vacation Club resorts include:

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Beach Club Villas
Boardwalk Villas
Old Key West Resort
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

2 questions:

1) Disney's Vero Beach Resort & Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort are not listed. Anyone know why?

2) Boardwalk Villas & Old Key West Resort say - "A resort service fee is payable prior to check-in". Anyone know what this is, why it is only for those two resorts and how much it is?

Thanks!

BTW, we own a Marriott in Orlando, but thought it would be fun to trade into an "on property" timeshare once.

John

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

1) Disney's Vero Beach Resort & Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort are not listed. Anyone know why?

In my II Directory, those two DVC resorts are listed under Vero/Treasure Coast and South Carolina, respectively. They are not listed in the same section as the other five DVC resorts, because they are not at WDW.

2) Boardwalk Villas & Old Key West Resort say - "A resort service fee is payable prior to check-in". Anyone know what this is, why it is only for those two resorts and how much it is?

Think of it as a Disney tax on incoming exchangers. Even though DVC member dues already fund actual resort services and WDW transportation, incoming exchangers are charged an extra $95. Even though your directory doesn't say so, I think you will be charged that fee at any of the DVC resorts at WDW.

I've exchanged into OKW. Sure, I would have preferred not to pay the $95. However, I would still much rather get into a DVC resort and pay the extra $95 than get into a nearby Marriott resort (even though the Marriott timeshare resorts in Orlando are all excellent resorts). Disney charges $95 because they can. Guests willingly pay it, and II lets Disney charge this amount because II wants to keep Disney in II.

BTW, we own a Marriott in Orlando, but thought it would be fun to trade into an "on property" timeshare once.

I don't know the rules — II's rules, Marriott's rules, or Disney's rules — about trading from one timeshare company to another within Orlando (especially into DVC). DVC does not list any Orlando area timeshares in their World Passport Collection. You might want to talk to the II Marriott Desk first to see if it's even possible to trade from a Marriott in Orlando to a DVC resort at WDW.

I have spoken to DVC and II about exchanging into DVC, and I have my own observations. A few key points are:

• DVC deposits are made by DVC, not by DVC members — so, unlike most other timeshares, you don't have deposits of high demand weeks from people wanting to maximize their exchange power.
• Most DVC deposits go to fulfill ongoing searches.
• It's rare to see a DVC week sitting at II — although right now, there are a few unclaimed OKW (DVO) and SSR (DSS) weeks in September 2006 at II.
• Most deposits are studios and 1BRs.
• Any week at any DVC resort can potentially be deposited with II — but I would expect mainly weeks that have lower point requirements (Adventure Season and Choice Season).
• Supposedly, a DVC week in II can begin on any day of the week, but every week I've ever seen has a Saturday check-in.

 

[Ahzroe]

Hi,

I own a Marriott timeshare and am interested in trading into DVC. My question is, "If I trade into DVC, do I get the same benefits as a DVC member while I am there?".

I exchanged into BWV through II (studio, July 1-8, 2006). I am waiting to see if the Dining Plan will be available to exchangers. This would be a great perk since I will be in a studio with no full kitchen....

 

[EX VAC CLUB GUIDE]

The reason you pay an exchange fee for trading into a DVC resort is because members pay the transportation fees in their annual dues. It is an exchangers "fair share" so to speak. It is my understanding that any privledge (something of financial value) of a member is not applicable to an exchanger or a guest on points.

 

[Dean]

In my 2006/2007 Interval International Resort Directory, the listing for the Disney Vacation Club resorts include:

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Beach Club Villas
Boardwalk Villas
Old Key West Resort
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

2 questions:

1) Disney's Vero Beach Resort & Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort are not listed. Anyone know why?

2) Boardwalk Villas & Old Key West Resort say - "A resort service fee is payable prior to check-in". Anyone know what this is, why it is only for those two resorts and how much it is?

Thanks!

BTW, we own a Marriott in Orlando, but thought it would be fun to trade into an "on property" timeshare once.

John

The "resort services fee" is a little vague. The best I can tell is it's a surcharge to pay for the exchange system itself. Many mistakenly think it's a transportation charge and this is not correct. And many feel, myself included, that is is inappropriate to charge exchangers an extra fee for something a member (or even a renter) would get automatically with their stay. But it is a common mistake as a former guide wasn't that familiar with it either.

You last statement saddens me as I'm about 98% certain that DVC has a regional block that will prevent you trading an Orlando Marriott into DVC at WDW though you'd have access to HH and VB. Are you a member of the FL club? If so, and you have not already deposited with II, you might be able to use the club to get another FL club property through Marriott directly then deposit with II for say Ocean Point or Beach Place Towers.

I'd have to disagree with Horace to a degree. It is not at all uncommon for DVC deposits to be sitting in II but it usually is Jan and Sept for WDW. Not that uncommon to see week 35 (end of Aug), Oct and early Dec or even the first half of Feb. Even studios and 1 BR have been there for summer at times including 4th of July. Even though only less than 3% of DVC members exchange, given the number of units in question, the fact they are concentrated away from premier time and that there are no internal trading preferences (like Marriott) diluting the pool; I don't think DVC is that hard an exchange overall. Esp if you don't need a 2 BR or Premier time and aren't set on a specific smaller resort. VB and HH are also easily available but generally more off season..

 

[EX VAC CLUB GUIDE]

A renter does pay the fee through their rack rate. What do you think the exchange fee is for? It is for transportation, transportation is a business unit within itself. Each resort pays for the service to be provided for that hotel. Even the non DVC hotels. Why do you think the premium hotels go first? Because they pay more. It is a cost center for each property. If you look at the audited statement of your annual dues, (you can request it through MS) there is a line item for transportation. If it was a surcharge for the exchange itself, Disney would charge II before the guest got there. Also, it is II that has a block on Orlando owners exchanging back into Orlando. Orlando is also not the only city that has this rule. The only restriction on where you own with Disney is that II timeshare owners can only trade into Disney (VB and HH included) if their resort is on the list that a DVC member can trade into, if it is not, they cannot trade into Disney.

 

[CrowleyFam]

The "resort services fee" is a little vague. The best I can tell is it's a surcharge to pay for the exchange system itself. Many mistakenly think it's a transportation charge and this is not correct. And many feel, myself included, that is is inappropriate to charge exchangers an extra fee for something a member (or even a renter) would get automatically with their stay. But it is a common mistake as a former guide wasn't that familiar with it either.

Thanks for the info. My understanding is that the "resort services fee" is above and beyond the normal II transaction fee. If I were to exchange, we would go either in Sept, Oct or Nov. That is when we usually go.

We are not part of the Florida Club as we own at Imperial Palms Villas (Beautiful 3BR Units in the Orlando World Center Complex). We have stayed there several times and really love it. We just thought that staying "on property" would be special for our two DS (6,5).

In general if we could not get a 2BR at DVC, we would not do it. That doesn't sound likely.

Thanks everybody for your inputs. John

 

[Dean]

A renter does pay the fee through their rack rate. What do you think the exchange fee is for? It is for transportation, transportation is a business unit within itself. Each resort pays for the service to be provided for that hotel. Even the non DVC hotels. Why do you think the premium hotels go first? Because they pay more. It is a cost center for each property. If you look at the audited statement of your annual dues, (you can request it through MS) there is a line item for transportation. If it was a surcharge for the exchange itself, Disney would charge II before the guest got there. Also, it is II that has a block on Orlando owners exchanging back into Orlando. Orlando is also not the only city that has this rule. The only restriction on where you own with Disney is that II timeshare owners can only trade into Disney (VB and HH included) if their resort is on the list that a DVC member can trade into, if it is not, they cannot trade into Disney.

When I said renter, I was really referring to one who rented privately from a member. II charges an exchange fee which is currently $129. In addition, DVC charges exchangers an additional fee of $95 which they label a "resort services fee" which IS technically due before you get to the resort. To my knowledge, DVC is the ONLY resort that does this. Some do charge for AC or other utility or parking fees though most charge members and exchangers alike. I have one $95 fee due now for a Jan exchange. Transportation is paid with maint fees. No one else is charged an extra fee for any of the services quoted. I've talked to Matt Gibbs in the past as well as a couple of management people more recently and the best I can figure is it's used to pay for the DVC side of the exchange system itself. Even they have trouble defending or explaining it.

The regional block is selected by the developer and managed by II. It is not an II instituted or pushed event, no more than RCI's 1 in 4 rules is. If it were an II rule, you wouldn't ever be able to exchange a week for another within a certain radius, usually 45 miles, unless they were in the same system (like Marriott to Marriott). It's interesting that I can exchange DVC, even a HH week, for 3 different HH Marriott resorts but couldn't exchange my Grande Ocean week 4th of July back to DVC HH even for a VERY off season week. Besides, DVC has specifically told me it is their choice, not II's.

Your last sentence confused me. IF you're saying that the DVC II list restricts II members in any way from trading into DVC, you are 100% incorrect. It simply and only restricts DVC members from trading to resorts not on the list. Most exchanges I've done through II back into DVC were with deposits from resorts NOT on the DVC exchange list currently or at the time of the exchange. If I misunderstood, I apologize.

 

[Dean]

We are not part of the Florida Club as we own at Imperial Palms Villas (Beautiful 3BR Units in the Orlando World Center Complex). We have stayed there several times and really love it. We just thought that staying "on property" would be special for our two DS (6,5).

In general if we could not get a 2BR at DVC, we would not do it. That doesn't sound likely.

Thanks everybody for your inputs. John

Another option you might have would be to get one of the Marriott week 53's and deposit it. Assuming it wasn't an Orlando resort, that might get you buy the regional block. The differential between renting out what you own and renting DVC would be too great to make that reasonable.

 

[EX VAC CLUB GUIDE]

That surprises me that you have traded other TS into Disney that are not on the DVC list. Although printed versions of the DVC list are seldom accurate due to changes constantly. Of course, the whole transportation issue is just a way for Disney to generate revenue. But, the communication throughout the front desk cast and DVC cast is the resort costs you indicated. Whether or not it is truly applied to that obviously a question. It just what I call Disney "spin". You probably know more about exchanging than anyone in MS and the whole concept of being a timeshare with people trading in is very new to Disney, event though DVC is 10 years old. DVC is just one little cog in a very big wheel. The sales side is usually given the side of the story that gives the spin that is positive for sales. Most exchangers though once given the explanation, don't really care about the exchange fee. They might call and ask, but I really cannot recall a complaint. Most are very happy with the resort/accomodations, and many become DVCers. Disney just likes to posture that the DVC experience is superior to any other TS (it would be my opinion that is why they charge the fee) to create a perception that trading into a DVC resort is not the same as trading into any other TS, non-owners have to pay more. Matt G. has been gone for awhile, great guy.

 

[Dean]

That surprises me that you have traded other TS into Disney that are not on the DVC list. Although printed versions of the DVC list are seldom accurate due to changes constantly. Of course, the whole transportation issue is just a way for Disney to generate revenue. But, the communication throughout the front desk cast and DVC cast is the resort costs you indicated. Whether or not it is truly applied to that obviously a question. It just what I call Disney "spin". You probably know more about exchanging than anyone in MS and the whole concept of being a timeshare with people trading in is very new to Disney, event though DVC is 10 years old. DVC is just one little cog in a very big wheel. The sales side is usually given the side of the story that gives the spin that is positive for sales. Most exchangers though once given the explanation, don't really care about the exchange fee. They might call and ask, but I really cannot recall a complaint. Most are very happy with the resort/accomodations, and many become DVCers. Disney just likes to posture that the DVC experience is superior to any other TS (it would be my opinion that is why they charge the fee) to create a perception that trading into a DVC resort is not the same as trading into any other TS, non-owners have to pay more. Matt G. has been gone for awhile, great guy.

It only surprises you because you've been given wrong information. Which has been one of my points over the years when it comes to the guides and exchanging. There is no restriction on which resorts can trade into DVC. There are MANY reports of people trading in who own resorts off the list. I'd agree that the lists in the past were hard to keep accurate however II now keeps the list and it is available on an II website through DVC, contact me directly if you want the URL. As such I'd expect it to be far more accurate if not totally up to date within a few days. My experience thus far has been such that it is. We agree on the extra fee, they do it because they can. Eventually II will say no and either the fee will vanish or the two will part ways. I agree with you that even with the extra fee, DVC is usually still a great trade for many situations. But I can give you access to a number timeshare owners who are very unhappy with the extra fee, just ask some of the other members of this board who are also TUG members. If nothing else it's the principal of the thing. They see it as elitist and to a degree, I think they're right. You've essentially said the same yourself. Y ou are dealing with a skewed population at MS since they have already accepted an exchange thus they are already happy regardless or at least have come to terms with the extra fee.

I'm sure you're also right that I know a lot more about exchanging that most people at DVC MS or the guides. However, the guides should know more and more correct info than they do. Having attended the weekly meetings over the years and seen the guides that run the meeting simply butcher the info and give so much inaccurate info has been painful to me. However, the people at MS who deal with exchanges should be knowledgeable. Generally they have seemed to be at least for the parts that were important to DVC, must less so for general II information. BTW, I spent an hour one time on a conference call with 2 DVC execs and the regional II VP type that covers Orlando and is the liaison to DVC.

One point of clarification, DVC is now 14 years old this past Oct. Yea, I know Matt has been gone a few years and I would agree he was helpful, upfront and honest about the info we discussed. I really enjoyed talking to him. The best part of your posts has been that you've proven that DVC doesn't give the guides the info they need. The next question is whether they intentionally skew the info they give the guides or whether they just think it's so unimportant they don't care. I'd guess the former but you can likely answer than far better than I.

 

[EX VAC CLUB GUIDE]

Personally, I think they just don't see a business reason to understand how II works. With a very small percent of people exchanging, they just do not see it as a business opportunity. With the number of hotels that are on site, exchangers have never been a big target for DVC marketing. Most of what the guides know or don't know comes from guests or members telling them their experience. We have had meetings with II but they are limited. Disney never measures who doesn't buy, they only look at who is buying. Most of the people that are purchasing are coming to WDW. They are fine with that. It makes the company a ton of money because in the lowest seasons, DVC has the highest occupancy and our members are supporting the parks. Like I said it is a bone of contention with the sales force as EXECUTIVE DVC management doesn't get the slightest clue about membership. Keep plugging away, you certainly are a resource. I would strongly suggest to continue writing letters, encourage the people you run into to write letters, phone conversations cannot be passed around. Even at the highest level, it is best to communicate in writing. (I am sure your conference call was a result of numerous efforts, but encourage others to write.) You're right, it's my childrens school that is 10 years old, Sorry for the confusion!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I have to add that I've exchanged into HH with an Orlando (therefore not on DVC's list) resort and plan to do so again in the future. It IS interesting to hear that DVC isn't extremely difficult to trade into...it makes the notion of buying an inexpensive non-Orlando timeshare for trade a (unlikely) possibility for consideration.

 

[CrowleyFam]

Another option you might have would be to get one of the Marriott week 53's and deposit it. Assuming it wasn't an Orlando resort, that might get you buy the regional block. The differential between renting out what you own and renting DVC would be too great to make that reasonable.

That was available (sort of) last year. They gave you a date and time you could call in. I got up reeeeeal early, called in, found that they were not answering and then re-dialed until 3 or 4 minutes after the designated time. I was told that all of the units were taken up.

I do not believe that Marriott has a 53rd week this year.

Good idea though.