Question about using non-Disney resorts

[rnorwo1]

I am thinking about buying into DVC, but I don't think I will want to go to DW more frequently than every couple of years. I do like to vacation yearly though, so I'm particularly interested in other resorts that can be exchanged for my pointsd those years that I do not want to go to DW. Can someone tell me how well the exchange process works with other destinations? Are there enough choices, is it a relatively easy or difficult process, are the other properties high quality like those at DW, etc..? Please give me some idea of your experiences with non-Disney exchanges so that I can decide if DVC will work for us.
Thanks!

 

[shantay1008]

Most of the responses that you will get here will say that DVC points are best used at DVC resorts. A few will say that you should use the points any way you want since you've paid for them.

A lot of people here are happy going to WDW several times a year and use up their points that way. Our WDW trips have been very expensive, but many DVCers seem to have figured out ways to save money by driving to the resort, staying Sun-Thurs to conserve points, etc. Others, I think, just have lots of money and do whatever they want. These are people who were spending thousands and thousands of dollars at WDW every year to stay at BC or the Polynesian. So for them, DVC seems like a no-brainer. But for the average traveler?

If you only go to WDW every other year or are unable to book a World Passport trip (or just want to travel some place out of the DVC system), will you mind paying dues not to go to WDW that year? We had a moment of truth when we realized that we would be sending DVC a large check next January for our non-DVC points-related trip to Phoenix/Puerto Penasco to visit family. For some people, that wouldn't be a big deal, but you have to assess how that sort of thing would affect your bottom line.

People seem to have luck with the Concierge Collection. Would your entire family fit in one hotel room, or would you need two rooms? That's something to consider. We've thought about trying a World Passport trip, but we know that we would have to get our names in early for the places we'd like to go. There have been some positive threads here about Hawaii exchanges.

I hope this helps, and also hope I'm not coming across as negative. You just don't want to get into something that will feel like a burden. But then again, DVC might be perfect for your family!
Shannon

 

[rnorwo1]

Please don't worry about sounding negative, I want to hear all of the pros and cons before I spend so much money. Can you explain the World Passport and Concierge Collection to me?

 

[shantay1008]

Please don't worry about sounding negative, I want to hear all of the pros and cons before I spend so much money. Can you explain the World Passport and Concierge Collection to me?

I'll do my best, although I hope other more experienced owners will jump in and help me.

The Concierge Collection is a group of about 20 or so hotels across the U.S. (Canada?) where you can use your points to stay nightly. They're quite fancy places, like the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Shutters in Santa Monica, etc. We thought of using points to stay at the Grand Hotel until we realized that we'd have to get two rooms, which would eat up way too many points. But that's not a problem for everyone. There was a thread on here recently about people using points to stay at the Fairmont in San Francisco, and all the posters were really pleased with the hotel. If you're not using your points at WDW, you could certainly use them to stay at a Concierge Collection hotel. Just don't forget to add in those pesky dues if you're comparing costs. Or just relax and enjoy it if you can afford it!

With the World Passport collection, you have to book for a week, which seems to generally be Saturday to Saturday. Basically, you're giving up your week at a DVC property and trading with someone who is giving up her week at a different timeshare property (Interval International, Intrawest, and another one, I think). The properties that I've looked at are set up with the same one- and two-bedroom type villas that DVC has.

You really have to take the long view and figure out where you're likely to vacation over the next X number of years. And you have to be realistic about how much you like to spend on vacations. WDW is not a cheap place to go, unless you don't go to the parks and do your own cooking, I guess.

Good luck with your decision!
Shannon

 

[rocketriter]

Most of the responses that you will get here will say that DVC points are best used at DVC resorts. A few will say that you should use the points any way you want since you've paid for them.

Both positions are correct. DVC points are a cost-effective way to get roomy deluxe accomodations at Disney resorts if you want to visit at least once every 2 years. Points can also save some money when you trade out through Interval International, presuming that you've selected and found a trade into a resort that's a good value; but there are other ways to stay at those resorts that save even more money. (My own family trades out once in a while and we're happy with the results, but it's a side dish, not the entree.) Meanwhile, DVC points are pretty much a wash staying in ordinary hotel rooms through Concierge Collection; you won't generally lose money by using points to stay at these superb hotels but you won't save much either compared to the hotels' own room rates.

And yes, after you've bought in, these are your points and you don't have to justify how you use them to anyone else and can use them any way you want.

That said, if you're buying into DVC with the intention of trading out much of the time, there are probably better ways to shepherd your money. DVC points are designed to work best at Disney resorts, and that's exactly what they do.

 

[Dean]

It is unreasonable to buy DVC with the purpose of using ANY of the exchange options. Just too many variables, risks, costs and aggravations to do so. One would be much better off only buying the number of points they'll use or simply renting out what they don't need, then looking elsewhere for the exchange options. I can see maybe one exchange every 5-6 years, but every other year, I guarantee you'll either be disappointed or pay a LOT more than you would not even owning DVC, possibly both. If one goes resale, you can buy less than 150 pts if that's the issue.

 

[rnorwo1]

Thank you all so much for your responses. When you trade out to Hilton Head, Disney CA/Paris etc..., and the cruises, are there these same drawbacks (logistically and financially) as exchanging with non-Disney that you all mentioned?

 

[Dean]

Thank you all so much for your responses. When you trade out to Hilton Head, Disney CA/Paris etc..., and the cruises, are there these same drawbacks (logistically and financially) as exchanging with non-Disney that you all mentioned?

Draw the line between DVC resorts and the rest and the answer is yes they ALL have their major drawbacks. Each group is different and there are small situations where it may actually work out to be a fair deal. But none are guaranteed and most are significantly more than you'd pay with cash. A subset of the Interval exchanges are actually a good value but they are almost impossible to get, the rest of II can be gotten with timeshares that cost only a few dollars comparatively and have yearly fees half or less DVC in many cases. Buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts, look for other ways to do the other travel options.

 

[shantay1008]

Didn't DVC lower the points requirement for Disneyland? Wasn't it to make things a little more reasonable for all the West Coast DVC purchasers to be able to use their points there?

We would love to use our points at Hilton Head. The points seem to be in line with the other DVC properties. I've read great things about the resort, but I would expect to have to try to book right at the 7-month window to get a reservation since it's not our home resort. Same with Vero Beach, although the points required there seem pretty high. But it gets really good reviews on here.

The only thing I worry about is that it will get harder to book at the smaller resorts as the number of DVC purchasers increases. I was able to get BCV in February by calling every day, but will that go on forever? And would you mind having to book like that? It wasn't a big deal for me, but some people hate the uncertainty. I agree with people who say "buy where you want to stay." We bought at SSR after staying at and loving BCV.

So you're very smart to be doing your research. The biggest thing I've learned is that DVC is a luxury purchase. Seems obvious, but when we bought in, I did so for emotional reasons. Now that things have settled down, we're re-evaluating if it really makes sense for us, or if we could be happy with other alternatives (renting, actually saving up and paying cash for vacations rather than financing them...what a concept for us!). We'll have to see....
Shannon

 

[BigBlueMan]

We've been members at OKW since 1995. I've looked at it from every angle, and my reasons for ownership (and happiness with it) have varied over the years. I read the arguments pro and con about whether financially DVC is a good purchase (purchase, NOT investment), and in the long run, it really doesn't matter to me.

Over the years, we've stayed at every DVC resort (with the exception of Hilton Head, which we visited during construction), taken a couple of cruises, stayed at most of the hotels at Disney World offered, stayed a couple of times at Disneyland, and used the Concierge Collection for stays in Hawaii and Washington, DC.

I first visited Disney World in 1973 and have been at least once a year since then, sometimes going 2 or 3 times in a year. Needless to say, Disney fandom was an issue for us and helped us make our decision to join.

I liked the idea of locking my vacations in with a DVC purchase. We purchased our points at a low interest race over 84 months. I did some free lance work on the side that basically paid for this. This was money I'd been 'throwing away' before I bought DVC.

Disney does a remarkable job of promoting DVC members as a "family". I have no problem with this, in fact I enjoy it a lot. When on the cruises, we've attended the special meetings they have for DVC members and have made some very nice friends as a result of these. Two years ago on the western Caribbean cruise, we met some other couples and became great friends. We all got together at Disneyland last year, and one couple is sailing with us in September on the Eastern Caribbean, and we're all sailing the Mediterranean and meeting up in Paris with them in 07. (In fact, we sent DVC our story, and our picture is in the current Disney Vacation Club magazine on the inside back cover if you have a copy lying around.)

Since I've been visiting DVC sites, I've seen all kinds of financial analysis about whether DVC is a good investment or not. I frankly don't care. I'm willing to accept that a certain amount of the cost of Disney Vacation Club pays for the experience, the ambiance and the friendship possibilities.

The other aspect I enjoy is the planning involved. I have spent countless hours over ten years planning vacations using DVC points. For me, it's flat out fun.

Disney Vacation Club is as much a state of mind as it is anything. If you choose not to buy it because you find that financially it doesn't make sense, that's ok. But, if you find it comes even close and you like the fantasy world that is Disney, you can take it and make it something special.

I always tell people who ask me about DVC the following: "It may not be for everybody, but I haven't met anyone yet who it WASN'T for...".

Enjoy the experience.

 

[grumpygirl06]

Hi folks. A newbie here to the DVC. How do the points work with a cruise? I have 2 boys and was told it would be better to pay cash for them rather than use points. How does this work?

 

[BigBlueMan]

Hi folks. A newbie here to the DVC. How do the points work with a cruise? I have 2 boys and was told it would be better to pay cash for them rather than use points. How does this work?

We've cruised on cash, and we've cruised on points, but only for the first two in a cabin.

You're going to find people online who will argue that it is a BAD thing to use your points (as the cruise is overpriced that way), and people who say 'go for it'.

I'm of the opinion that if you have the points in hand, and want to use them for a cruise, then go for it.

Having said that, with the difference in costs for the 3rd & 4th persons in a cabin, it would probably make sense to pay for them. They are half the cash price of the first two.

BTW, welcome to the Club!

 

[grumpygirl06]

Thanks! Glad to be a part of the group and excited to start using those points!

I understand how the whole thing works, it's just confusing to "wrap my head around it". I guess once I schedule the first time, I'll figure it all out!

Thanks again!

 

[beachblanket]

I'm of the opinion that if you have the points in hand, and want to use them for a cruise, then go for it.

Having said that, with the difference in costs for the 3rd & 4th persons in a cabin, it would probably make sense to pay for them. They are half the cash price of the first two.

This is exactly what we did back in 2002 - points for the two adults, cash for the two kids to get into a seven day eastern Caribbean cruise in a cat 6 cabin on the Magic during Easter week. Based on rental value of points at that time (which is a moving target, they were higher then than they are now), I actually came out slightly ahead of what it woud have cost to purchase the entire cruise for cash. So doing a cruise on points is not always a loss.

 

[crisi]

Our own cruise details for Oct 14, 2006....seven night "double dip"

Our cruise cost was just under $4,000 for a Category 6, two adults, two children 7 and 8. We did book early and onboard - its more expensive now.

DVC points would be 260 per adult and 134 per child. So 788 points. Plus a $75 booking fee. (I think - it might be higher).

If I say "I can rent those points for $11 each - that's $8668. If I say "I figure my point cost at $6.50 (intial buy in plus dues) thats $5112. If I figure dues only, its $3546. For us, it makes most sense to use the $5112 number - so we are better off paying cash and using our points (which we don't have a surplus of) at WDW.

Now, if I had 788 points lying around and no desire to go to WDW again, cruising would be a good deal. After all, they are my points and cruising is better than letting my brother in law use them. But for us, we don't.

Its good to work the numbers - at a different time of year or a different room category, or by paying cash for the kids, or booking later (although a limited number of rooms are available on points to cruise - you may have cash rooms available but not be able to book on points), it will be different. But because of the number of variables - and the fact that it changes every year, its probably best to say "generally not a great value unless you have "extra" points."

To the conceirge collection options, they can be good enough values, but if you are happy staying at a different dude ranch than Tanque Verde, or a different hotel than the Broadmoor, you may find that you can do better shopping around.

And, as Dean said, if you want a timeshare to trade, DVC is one of the more expensive timeshare options. Don't count on trading INTO DVC either, however, since most DVC owners bought to stay at WDW, it isn't a common trading option.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Disney Vacation Club is as much a state of mind as it is anything. If you choose not to buy it because you find that financially it doesn't make sense, that's ok. But, if you find it comes even close and you like the fantasy world that is Disney, you can take it and make it something special.

I agree. I did not buy into DVC for financial reasons, except for the idea that I could go to WDW more often and stay at better quality resorts while I'm there. If you just want a timeshare, there are a number of better financial choices, especially if you want to stay at other areas.

I'm a Disney Junkie. I need my fix at least 2 times a year. That makes the DVC a good value for me.

If I ever win the lottery, my dream trip is the Disney World Tour: Disneyland in CA, then Hong Kong and Tokyo, off to Disneyland Paris and finish up at WDW.

 

[hoopsrob]

Thank you all so much for your responses. When you trade out to Hilton Head, Disney CA/Paris etc..., and the cruises, are there these same drawbacks (logistically and financially) as exchanging with non-Disney that you all mentioned?

Hilton Head is a DVC resort so this is not a trade-out but within the group you have purchased.

Also, you'll find others (me included) who don't think trading out is such a bad deal. Maybe not as good as a value as DVC but still a value nonetheless.

You may also want to check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1154780