Questions about RCI trade

[rickdeni]

I have points that I must use and am thinking of doing a trade through RCI for August I am really unsure where to start. We would like to go to Gaitlinburg in a one bedroom. RCI only offers 2 resorts and one only has 2 and 3 bedroom. The other resort got so so reviews. How do you know how many points you need? Has anyone had any trouble getting their reservations. Should I pick alternates before calling? Help!!

 

[Dean]

I have points that I must use and am thinking of doing a trade through RCI for August I am really unsure where to start. We would like to go to Gaitlinburg in a one bedroom. RCI only offers 2 resorts and one only has 2 and 3 bedroom. The other resort got so so reviews. How do you know how many points you need? Has anyone had any trouble getting their reservations. Should I pick alternates before calling? Help!!

You have me confused. There are 5 resorts for Gatlinburg and the area on the DVC list, 3 listed in Gatlinburg. All 5 resorts have smaller units though some have 1 BR without studios. Gatlinburg for August really should be a big deal. I'd ask for a 1 BR for Crown Park, Mountain Loft or Treetops. I likely wouldn't list Wyndham due to location though it is a nice resort. I don't know Sunrise Ridge well enough to say one way or another but the ratings would put it in the upper group of these 5.

If you know you won't use these points, and nothing is available when you call, go ahead and deposit them as 160 points and put in an ongoing request. If you might use them for other things, wait on the deposit. There are currently 1 BR units at all 5 resorts that meet your criteria. Personally I'd put Tree Tops first, Mountain loft second and Crown Park 3rd due to location combined with resorts quality. Crown Park is the nicest but it is in town, it's the best from a downtown tour location. The other 2 are a little out of town and will give you more of a woods type feel. Wyndham is close to the Interstate right by the outlets about 10 miles or so from Gatlinburg, again, not sure about Sunrise Ridge.

 

[rickdeni]

Thanks. Mountain Loft is available for August 14th so I will book tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[Dean]

Thanks. Mountain Loft is available for August 14th so I will book tomorrow. Thanks again.

Glad to help. We love mountain loft, spent a week there this past summer with 35 family members total. Make sure they put you in the new section which is technically what you are exchanging to. Also make sure they put you in the larger 1 BR (King, whirlpool) since that is what BG deposits with II/RCI. They do NOT have NS rooms but you can request the rooms be treated. Less of an issue for the new units as well.

 

[rickdeni]

Thanks again for the additional information. Will request that the room be treated which is something I never thought of.

 

[Dean]

Thanks again for the additional information. Will request that the room be treated which is something I never thought of.

A few restaurant suggestions. There is an Italian place just up the hill in the same basic complex as the Grocery Store, it was very good. Also, the Alamo Steakhouse just down the hill is very good as well. The Mill in Pigeon Forge is great for country cooking, didn't like the Apple Barn nearly as well. The one show in Gatlinburg, Sweet Fanny Adams, is hilarious. It's not necessarily for younger kids but is harmless. Second Funniest show I ever saw after Warren and Annabel's in Maui.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I could eat at The Mill every night! Yum! I even got hooked on sweet tea while we were there. (And I'm not a big tea fan.)