Rci bay lake & akv towers question

[threedisprincesses]

We made a trade through RCI and stayed in a two bedroom BCV this past Feb. Overall it was an easy process. I was surprised at how easy it was...

We are now thinking of making another trade for August of 2011. We would like to stay at either AKV or BLT, 2 bedroom or 1 if we have too.

Has anyone ever seen BLT on an RCI exchange?

How easy do you think it will be to booth either of these resorts for August 2011?

When should I start seriously searching RCI for August of 2011?

TIA!!

 

[bwvBound]

I haven't yet seen either BLT or VGC through RCI. Suggest booking AKV for your next exchange and keeping BLT on the "someday" list.

Edited to add: I would expect that AKV will be a reasonably easy exchange for Aug 2011. I also expect we'll begin to see trickles of BLT in 2011 -- but not too many (?). Why not put both resorts on an "Open Search" for your dates now? Specific the 2BR and be ready to broaden the request next spring if needed. Earliest possible match will be just outside 10 months of travel.

 

[threedisprincesses]

Ty!

VGC???

 

[bwvBound]

VGC = DVC Villas at The Grand California Resort and Spa at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA.

 

[Dean]

Historically DVC doesn't deposit new resorts still in active sales for at least around 2 years from opening. I have not seen BLT and AKV has been fairly rare. AKV hasn't been available as much lately either and certainly not 2 BR units there. There is a trade power difference between AKV & BCV so it's possible you may not be able to get AKV using the same option you used for BCV. You asked about how early to look, assuming you're using RCI weeks, I'd suggest you start looking now so you'll be near the head of the line but no later than 11 months out from check in. It's possible BLT will be on board by then but I'd expect it to be difficult to get through RCI but definitely list it.

 

[threedisprincesses]

Historically DVC doesn't deposit new resorts still in active sales for at least around 2 years from opening. I have not seen BLT and AKV has been fairly rare. AKV hasn't been available as much lately either and certainly not 2 BR units there. There is a trade power difference between AKV & BCV so it's possible you may not be able to get AKV using the same option you used for BCV. You asked about how early to look, assuming you're using RCI weeks, I'd suggest you start looking now so you'll be near the head of the line but no later than 11 months out from check in. It's possible BLT will be on board by then but I'd expect it to be difficult to get through RCI but definitely list it.

Thanks! This is some excellent information. One of the things I have wondered about is the trade power of my home resort. This seems to be "top secret" for some reason???
With BCV being so small (so few units) I was surprised to be able to get in there so easily! While we would like to try some new places, I would not be upset returning to BCV!
That being said we are planning on driving for our next trip, so I thought it would be a good time to stay at AKV.
Fingers crossed!

 

[Dean]

Thanks! This is some excellent information. One of the things I have wondered about is the trade power of my home resort. This seems to be "top secret" for some reason???
With BCV being so small (so few units) I was surprised to be able to get in there so easily! While we would like to try some new places, I would not be upset returning to BCV!
That being said we are planning on driving for our next trip, so I thought it would be a good time to stay at AKV.
Fingers crossed!

Both II and RCI consider it a trade secret likely in large part because member resort don't want people knowing how truly worthless many of the weeks are. They both use the same components though of unit size, demand of the week, demand of the resort and how far in advance the unit was deposited. I have seen the same week at the same resort from 2 years in a row deposited essentially the same amount ahead have different trade power, esp with RCI. IF you can get BCV you likely can get AKV if it's available but it's not automatic. Sometimes you can get a match on an ongoing search that you did not quite have enough trade power to match on an instant search.

It is interesting that the trade power breaks seem to occur below AKV, BWV, and VWL with SSR/OKW bringing up the rear. I too would have felt that BCV would have been at least less available than BWV and that has not been the case as much as I would have expected. Also, that VWL seems to have a lower trade power and higher availability than BCV/BWV is also surprising to a degree. Still, the differences seem to be small overall.

If you want a 2 BR I wouldn't limit yourself to AKV. I'd do all but SSR/OKW as a min. What I've done at times is make a reservations using either DVC or Bluegreen then do a search for DVC using II in the past and now RCI. That way I know when I'm going and can plan accordingly.

 

[Terri2007]

If you want a 2 BR I wouldn't limit yourself to AKV. I'd do all but SSR/OKW as a min. What I've done at times is make a reservations using either DVC or Bluegreen then do a search for DVC using II in the past and now RCI. That way I know when I'm going and can plan accordingly

I am sorry Dean, I don't understand what you mean by this... I have been reading these RCI posts b/c we are thinking about exchanging some of our points for a ski resort in Colorado in Winter 2011 (MLK or Pres Day weekends).

Thanks, Theresa

 

[Brian Noble]

There are two parts to Dean's advice. 1: Broaden your search to include any resort you are willing to accept. 2: rather than put in an exchange request and hope, first book something you can cancel (either with timeshare assets or with cash), and then hope a lower-cost/higher-value exchange comes through.

For example, I am a Wyndham owner, and want to exchange into DVC for next February with one of my fixed weeks. I might be well-served to book a unit at Bonnet Creek with my Wyndham points, and *also* put in an exchange request for DVC. That way, I can get started planning airfare etc. without having to wait for the exchange.

I admit I don't usually do this for Orlando---I've had good luck catching a quality unit that gets canceled by someone else with a last-minute ongoing search---but it's certainly not a bad idea.

It is interesting that the trade power breaks seem to occur

I've seen some differences across resorts as well. But, not the same ones you have! Very curious.

 

[Dean]

I am sorry Dean, I don't understand what you mean by this... I have been reading these RCI posts b/c we are thinking about exchanging some of our points for a ski resort in Colorado in Winter 2011 (MLK or Pres Day weekends).

Thanks, Theresa

This person is looking to exchange in to DVC and want AKV. They want a 2 BR. My point to them is that the chances of success are much less if they limit themselves to only AKV, they have more potential deposits and a larger chance of success if they list more resorts and/or unit sizes. You can extrapolate that issue to almost any exchange situation. However, you need to know that you're likely to match the lowest option on your list so never list anything you won't be happy with. Obviously Ski weeks are in high demand, if you're talking 10-11 months from now you're already behind and many of those weeks would have already passes. Hopefully you're looking 2 years from now.

I've seen some differences across resorts as well. But, not the same ones you have! Very curious.

It is curious that with both II and RCI I seem to have options that fall right at the edge of the trade power and/or resort quality cutoff's and thus see very clear differences in what it takes to get one DVC resort vs another. With RCI it seems to be a little different than II though. Clearly in II BCV & possibly VWL was above BWV. With RCI it appears that BCV/BWV are essentially the same and that VWL is little below and AKV a little above. These differences could simply be the result of the number and timing of deposits rather than true inherent differences in ratings, we have no way to tell. I am surprised at the number of units available for VWL and BCV due to their size and supposed demand within the DVC system.

 

[Inkmahm]

I've been checking RCI every day since Feb 4 trying to find a trade to ANY DVC location for the week of Dec 4 (give or take a day) and I have not seen a single location available in any size. I don't know that you can be picky as to which resort you take.

 

[dclfun]

I've been checking RCI every day since Feb 4 trying to find a trade to ANY DVC location for the week of Dec 4 (give or take a day) and I have not seen a single location available in any size. I don't know that you can be picky as to which resort you take.

The week of Dec 4th is one of THE most popular weeks for DVC members to book. They are usually filming the Christmas parade that week and points are at their lowest/parks the least crowded. I know DVC members who were not able to get that week unless they booked at 11 months, esp. for one of the smaller DVC's.---Kathy

 

[Dean]

The week of Dec 4th is one of THE most popular weeks for DVC members to book. They are usually filming the Christmas parade that week and points are at their lowest/parks the least crowded. I know DVC members who were not able to get that week unless they booked at 11 months, esp. for one of the smaller DVC's.---Kathy

But it has been slower overall for Disney and that week has been commonly available for exchange in the past few years both with II and now with RCI. I'd say there's still a good chance of success for that week at least for a 1 BR. Once you get well past the 7 month window, the chances will decrease dramatically. The other time where the units tend to become available is short notice.

 

[Inkmahm]

The week of Dec 4th is one of THE most popular weeks for DVC members to book. They are usually filming the Christmas parade that week and points are at their lowest/parks the least crowded. I know DVC members who were not able to get that week unless they booked at 11 months, esp. for one of the smaller DVC's.---Kathy

Exactly why I own at 3 resorts because I always book that week 11 months in advance. I have it booked for this year at AKV and VWL. BUT, my inlaws have volunteered using their rci points for our WDW vacation with them instead of using our DVC points. We still want to stay on property so that's why I'm checking frequently for any DVC units in rci data base for that week. Nothing yet... If nothing comes up, we'll keep our DVC reservation.

 

[Inkmahm]

But it has been slower overall for Disney and that week has been commonly available for exchange in the past few years both with II and now with RCI. I'd say there's still a good chance of success for that week at least for a 1 BR. Once you get well past the 7 month window, the chances will decrease dramatically. The other time where the units tend to become available is short notice.

I'm still somewhat hopeful, but we'll see. When you say "short notice" is that still 30 days or more? If so, I can cancel DVC all the way to early November and book rci instead without messing up my points with DVC.

 

[Dean]

I'm still somewhat hopeful, but we'll see. When you say "short notice" is that still 30 days or more? If so, I can cancel DVC all the way to early November and book rci instead without messing up my points with DVC.

With II it was 60 days with RCI it's 45 days.

 

[threedisprincesses]

I began watching for DVC properties on RCI before Jan of 2009. I had all but given up when the DVC properties began to appear.

The last week of May 2009 we booked our 2 br BCV for Feb 6th (2010) there were multiple resorts & multiple dates to choose from (all except BLT of coarse). We could have easily booked the first week of December.

Does anyone have an opinion of why there was so much availability at this time? Was it just the "beginning"? Did DVC "dump" weeks in?

I currently have not placed our week into RCI, so I cannot currently see what is available. But, from what I am reading, it sounds as if the inventory is not as plentiful as it was last spring?

I'm wondering if availablility will never reach the same level I saw last spring...

 

[Starr W.]

I began watching for DVC properties on RCI before Jan of 2009. I had all but given up when the DVC properties began to appear.

The last week of May 2009 we booked our 2 br BCV for Feb 6th (2010) there were multiple resorts & multiple dates to choose from (all except BLT of coarse). We could have easily booked the first week of December.

Does anyone have an opinion of why there was so much availability at this time? Was it just the "beginning"? Did DVC "dump" weeks in?

I currently have not placed our week into RCI, so I cannot currently see what is available. But, from what I am reading, it sounds as if the inventory is not as plentiful as it was last spring?

I'm wondering if availablility will never reach the same level I saw last spring...

That was definately DVC "seeding" RCI at the beginning. Plus I think there was some of the "get developer points" promo still going on when they started with RCI and a lot of people put those points into RCI at the beginning.

 

[Inkmahm]

With II it was 60 days with RCI it's 45 days.

Sounds like I'll really have to pay attention then from 30 to 45 days before our trip if we don't get something booked through rci before then. At that point, I can easily cancel DVC and not have a problem with my points.

I'd still prefer getting it handled sooner rather than later!

 

[Dean]

I began watching for DVC properties on RCI before Jan of 2009. I had all but given up when the DVC properties began to appear.

The last week of May 2009 we booked our 2 br BCV for Feb 6th (2010) there were multiple resorts & multiple dates to choose from (all except BLT of coarse). We could have easily booked the first week of December.

Does anyone have an opinion of why there was so much availability at this time? Was it just the "beginning"? Did DVC "dump" weeks in?

I currently have not placed our week into RCI, so I cannot currently see what is available. But, from what I am reading, it sounds as if the inventory is not as plentiful as it was last spring?

I'm wondering if availablility will never reach the same level I saw last spring...

I don't think any of us know what so much was available initially. MY GUESS is that DVC saved up deposits in the transition both for exchanges and for rentals then dumped the lot in phases. Also, many RCI members didn't know at the time and didn't have ongoing searches in and therefore units that would now to go fill searches and never show up online were available for online. For RCI points I'd say the inventory has been pretty steady from early on with some fluctuations of course.