RCI Exchange

[jerseygirl82]

Hoping to get some advice from anyone with experience on doing an RCI Exchange into an Orlando/Kissimmee resort. We will be a party of 5 (3 adults and 2 three year olds) traveling the week of April 13th-20th and using RCI points.

Does anyone have any advice in regards to a particular property to try or even stay away from?

 

[disneypopes]

We have stayed at SSR and Boardwalk using our points. Since our RCI time share is in orlando we have to transfer points to others to book. But besides that I like Boardwalk better since it is closer to 2 parks

 

[cheerky]

We have never exchanged RCI points, however, we rent surplus timeshares through RCI.

We have stayed at Mystic Dunes. It is a nice property, with large two bedroom condos. Some units are outdated, but overall, its a nice place with a lovely pool with waterslide. The location is great! It is right behind Windsor Hills, about a 5 minute drive to Disney Parks.

Regal Palms in Davenport is nice but about a 15-20 minute drive from Disney. The pool are is very nice. There is a lazy rive, waterslide, bar, etc... a nice resort feel.

Westgate Lakes (Turkey Lake Rd) was just okay for us. It is conveniently located to Universal and SeaWorld though. This resort was very busy and we received constant phone calls for the timeshare pitch. Since you are already owners, perhaps they would leave you alone.

We stayed at Star Island Resort last August. We were not crazy about this resort. There were renovations going on and customer service was far below average. The neighborhood around Star Island is sketchy as well.

We are staying at Summer Bay Resort in a few weeks. It gets good reviews and boasts many on-site activities for kids.

If you are looking for a close proximity to Disney, Silver Lake is minutes from Animal Kingdom. I have never stayed there but have driven by numerous times. IMO, the location of this property can't be beat if you are visiting Disney.

Hope this helps! Have fun!!!

 

[spiceycat]

Hoping to get some advice from anyone with experience on doing an RCI Exchange into an Orlando/Kissimmee resort. We will be a party of 5 (3 adults and 2 three year olds) traveling the week of April 13th-20th and using RCI points.

Does anyone have any advice in regards to a particular property to try or even stay away from?

see if you can get a DVC resort - now these are more expensive than most of the orlando/kissimmee
they are
bay lake tower @ disney's contemporary resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villa
Disney's Beach Club
Disney's Broadwalk
Disney's SSR
Disney's Old Key West
Villa at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

now if they are too expensive
then Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a little cheaper (not much)

then some that are nice but not new and you will need a rental car.
Sheraton Vistana Resort
Cypress Pointe
Silver Lake
bryan's spanish cove

now a bit further away
vacation villa at parkway (very nice)

 

[staceyeileen]

DVC or Wyndham Bonnet Creek

 

[jerseygirl82]

Thanks everyone! I ended up booking Sheraton Vistana Resorts because none of the Disney properties came up in my RCI search. Since the timeshare ownership belongs to my mom I might ask her to call RCI and inquire about booking DVC. DH and I are DVC owners and love it but mom has this surplus of RCI points she wants to use. Thanks again!

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

The Hilton at Seaworld is also VERY nice and we have stayed there using RCI.
We have also stayed at Orange Lake and it's location was close to Disney.
Both had very spacious 2 bedroom units.
This year we are staying at Sheraton Vistana for a week before we use our DVC at Saratoga Springs Resort for a week!!

Barb

 

[bankr63]

Thanks everyone! I ended up booking Sheraton Vistana Resorts because none of the Disney properties came up in my RCI search. Since the timeshare ownership belongs to my mom I might ask her to call RCI and inquire about booking DVC. DH and I are DVC owners and love it but mom has this surplus of RCI points she wants to use. Thanks again!

About the only way to get a DVC resort is to place an ongoing search at RCI.com. Since these resorts are SO popular, they will rarely ever show up in the general listings. Searches get filled first, so if 100 members are searching and 99 units are released, then none will show up unless a couple of people decline their search matches.

Vistana Resort is a great resort however; all units recently completely refurbished, about a 10-15 minute drive to the parks. There is a thread on Reviews with tons of Vistana information (current last page link: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=126). You won't be disappointed.

 

[NJdadof2]

For future reference, trading into DVC using RCI, DVC units starts showing up around 7 -8 months out. Last week I saw units for the end of January through the first week in February. So, you'd have to wait a couple of months for April weeks to be in the system anyway. I booked my July 2013 trip the send week in DEcember 2012.

Hilton Grand Vacation Club resorts are really nice for future reference.

Have Fun.

 

[damo]

There were lots of DVD listing up through RCI for September in the general listings. I haven't seen any for any other fall or winter months yet. We traded into Boardwalk Villas two Septembers ago and didn't have any problem booking into September. You've really got to watch well in advance.

 

[Cierese]

Thanks everyone! I ended up booking Sheraton Vistana Resorts because none of the Disney properties came up in my RCI search. Since the timeshare ownership belongs to my mom I might ask her to call RCI and inquire about booking DVC. DH and I are DVC owners and love it but mom has this surplus of RCI points she wants to use. Thanks again!

We've done this twice. (But only traded into DVC) First time I just got up and searched everyday, several times a day and just took the 1st available 2br for a day that was during a school break. This year, we set up to have an ongoing search.... While it sort of caused more stress, I got the 2br the week I wanted, but it was in the search since Jan or Feb and it just booked this past Friday. (Our trip is for THIS Oct). Also, keep in mind that in addition to the exchange fee, Disney also charges a 'transportation' fee of around $95 due upon check in. You should be able to set the search up online if you have your mom's log-in info and she's ok with it. I used my Dad's this year and my Mom's friend's 2 yrs ago. If your Mom is NOT going with you you will need to purchase a 'Guest' certificate through RCI, too.

Good luck in your searches! Hope you get your dream room!!

 

[swilshire]

Thanks everyone! I ended up booking Sheraton Vistana Resorts because none of the Disney properties came up in my RCI search. Since the timeshare ownership belongs to my mom I might ask her to call RCI and inquire about booking DVC. DH and I are DVC owners and love it but mom has this surplus of RCI points she wants to use. Thanks again!

Where is the timeshare your Mom owns that generates the points? If it is in Orlando, you are blocked from exchanging those points for DVC. I have that issue since my points are from my ownership at Sheraton Vistana.

Vistana is very nice. You also avoid the $95 extra fee for exchanging into DVC as a bonus.

To the poster that suggested Mystic Dunes, they exchange with Interval International only. I wish that would change as we are owners there and that is the only thing that keeps me from dropping my II membership.

Sheila