RCI Information is posted on DVC's Website

[littlestar]

It will be my guess that we as DVC members won't be able to join RCI on our own. But they offer their inventory to the public at their Endless Vacation site (slightly higher prices). I would check their cash rental rates to the public before depositing my DVC points for a trade. If the resort I'm wanting to trade for only goes for $400 to $500 a week on cash, I would rather rent my points for $10.00 a point and have at the minimum $1,000 in spending money. Here's a link to the Endless Vacation rental site:

http://www.wyndham-vacations.com/ma...009&rci.searchValue=GATLINBURG / PIGEON FORGE

It looks like the Kaanapali Beach Club on Maui rents for over $1,200 a week, so that might be reasonable for a one bedroom trade on Maui. I'd definitely do my homework, though. Especially in this economy.

 

[disney4me4ever]

So far, so unimpressed with RCI!

Very dissapointed to say the least!!!!!!!!!!! At least with II, a member had the assurance that if you wanted to, a high quality resort was available.
I think this will have a negative impact on future sales..People want the assurance and comfort of knowing there is an option for high quality vacations outside Disney.

This is exactly how I feel. I looked at the RCI properties and there aren't any I would either remotely want to stay at, or certainly don't feel would be worth trading my DVC points on. Very disappointed in this switch to RCI.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Any comments on the Mexico destinations? My son is getting married March 2010, I might want to trade for a Mexico resort. They live in CA, so most likely on the west side of Mexico. I looked at Playa Grande at Cabos San Lucas....seems nice?

 

[Brancaneve]

We are also in California and were very curious about the Mexican resorts. Here is what we observed:

If you go on the RCI website there are over 300 resorts in Mexico. If you view the resorts through the DVC website, they offer 33. I am thinking that Disney weeded out the bad ones??? The ones we looked at seemed very nice and a few got great reviews on tripadvisor.com.


The problem is that most of the hotels have an "all inclusive mandatory" policy. The price is astronomical. For example, $2,000 for the first person and then more for the second, third and so on. It would be cheaper to book an airfare/hotel package through Mexicana airlines!

I hope all of our issues are dealt with by DVC because many of us are just plain...disappointed!

 

[fluffykim]

Bran-

I read the AI policy to be PER ROOM not PER PERSON for the cash AI fees

Did I read that wrong?

 

[Dean]

Any comments on the Mexico destinations? My son is getting married March 2010, I might want to trade for a Mexico resort. They live in CA, so most likely on the west side of Mexico. I looked at Playa Grande at Cabos San Lucas....seems nice?

There are certainly a lot of options but MX in general is fairly to very easy to trade to in general. AI option are a dime a dozen for availability. I haven't been yet but have done extensive research for a trip for Jan, 2010. For Cabo I'd say Casa Dorado is acceptable but it is AI mandatory in RCI (but also is an II resort), Hacienda Del Mar (I think it's a Starwood tie in or similar), all 3 Pueblo Bonito resorts, the Grand Mayan and the Raintree Club Regina all are top resorts. Is location or resort quality important to you. Do you want to swim in the ocean? If so, don't go to the West coast of MX. There are a few others worth considering. But it goes beyond that. Will you rent a car, do you want to explore, is being trapped at the resorts paying $25 for a hamburger meal OK. Some are in town, others miles out. Do your homework.

Bran-

I read the AI policy to be PER ROOM not PER PERSON for the cash AI fees

Did I read that wrong?

Most are per person but many escalate for higher times of the year and many require per person for occupancy regardless of the number of guests. Here is an example that is listed per person per day.

*MANDATORY ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT* FEES IN USD PER PERSON PER DAY *MANDATORY 7 NIGHTS FOR PRESIDENT'S DAY, HOLY, EASTER, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS WEEKS. *MIN. 2ADLTS IN STUDIO & 1BD & MIN. 4ADLTSIN 2BD UNITS. **PREPAYMENT ADVANTAGES PLEASE CONTACT:** **prepayment@grandvelas.com**. 2008 FEES: APR04-DEC18 US$197; DEC19-JAN01US$365. 2009 FEES: JAN02-JAN15 US$214; JAN16-APR02US$264; APR03-APR16 US$300; APR17-APR30 US$264; MAY01-DEC17 US$216; DEC18-DEC31 US$420. CHILDREN 2-12 YRS OLD US$60 NEW YEARS EVE GALA DINNER SURCHARGE OF US$140 PER ADULT & US$70 PER CHILD. GUESTS CONFIRMED DURING HOLIDAYS (HOLY WK,EASTER WK, CHRISTMAS WK AND NEW YEARS WK),MUST PRE-PAY THEIR ALL INCLUSIVE FEES TWO WEEKS AT THE MOST AFTER THEY'VE CONFIRMED THEIR UNIT(S), OTHERWISE IN THE EVENT OF ARATE CHANGE, VELAS WILL NOT HONOR THE ALL-INCLUSIVE RATE THAT WAS CONFIRMED.

 

[c&k]

Hi I Just Checked The Dvc Member Site And I Couldnt Find The Link For Rci, Can Someone Tell Me Exactly Where I Can Find It. Thanks

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There are certainly a lot of options but MX in general is fairly to very easy to trade to in general. AI option are a dime a dozen for availability. I haven't been yet but have done extensive research for a trip for Jan, 2010. For Cabo I'd say Casa Dorado is acceptable but it is AI mandatory in RCI (but also is an II resort), Hacienda Del Mar (I think it's a Starwood tie in or similar), all 3 Pueblo Bonito resorts, the Grand Mayan and the Raintree Club Regina all are top resorts. Is location or resort quality important to you. Do you want to swim in the ocean? If so, don't go to the West coast of MX. There are a few others worth considering. But it goes beyond that. Will you rent a car, do you want to explore, is being trapped at the resorts paying $25 for a hamburger meal OK. Some are in town, others miles out. Do your homework.
.

Oh thank you Dean!! Yes, the kids will want to swim in the ocean. I did read from one review on Tug how it wasn't good to swim at the beach(I forget what resort I was reviewing, it was in Cabos though). Hmm....so back to square one. I think they may want a shorter flight....I guess I'll have to make a post on Tug to shorten the list!!

 

[Dean]

Hi I Just Checked The Dvc Member Site And I Couldnt Find The Link For Rci, Can Someone Tell Me Exactly Where I Can Find It. Thanks

Go to Member Getaways/World Passport Collection and scroll down.

 

[Dean]

Oh thank you Dean!! Yes, the kids will want to swim in the ocean. I did read from one review on Tug how it wasn't good to swim at the beach(I forget what resort I was reviewing, it was in Cabos though). Hmm....so back to square one. I think they may want a shorter flight....I guess I'll have to make a post on Tug to shorten the list!!

There are a few places it's OK to swim but not many and I didn't find any for Cabo. Same for PV unless you go North to NV or further. I didn't mean to be so absolute, just to let you know there were a lot of great beach places where swimming wasn't OK due to pollution and/or surf risk. Just make sure you know what you're getting into, which is always a good idea of ANY exchange.

 

[CarolA]

But, realistically, it's still a non-event. With a few exceptions, it has always been better to rent out your points and pay for the lodging you prefer than to exchange---even in II.

RCI will have its handful of exceptions, just as II did.

I agree.... and since you couldn't get those places on II unless you wanted to wait two years... Who cares? So they looked nice on "paper"???? That was useless to me. (As I expect RCI will be) As Dean has often pointed out DVC is not the best "trading" option out there!

(And the AI fees don't seem that bad having priced and stayed at them)

 

[Cee]

Gold Crown resorts are the very nicest. I've been a member of RCI since 2003
and own two "weeks" in Palm Beach. I've never had trouble with depositing and
exchanging my weeks. It's a breeze. All the places I've been (not Europe) have
been wonderful. I have no complaints.

 

[Dean]

(And the AI fees don't seem that bad having priced and stayed at them)

Have you looked at the fees for exchangers or just a cash stay? Here is one from Cozumel

2010 FEES: Jan01-Apr10 US$2,346, Apr11- Aug21 US$1,907, Aug22-Dec16 US$1,816. Wks 51 & 52 Us$3,239. Kids 4-17 yrs US$329, additional adults US$657 p/person/week.

Here is one from PV.

MANDATORY ALL INCLUSIVE RATES IN USD PER PERSON PER DAY. HOLY, EASTER, PRESIDENT'S,THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS & NEW YR'S WEEKS ARE 7 NIGHTS MANDATORY. AI FEES: MINIMUM 2ADULTS IN STUDIO & 1BDRM, MIN.4 ADULTS IN 2BD,MIN.6 ADULTS IN 3BD. 2008 FEES: NOV07-DEC04 US$135; AUG22-NOV06 & DEC05-DEC18 US$125; DEC19-JAN01 US$265. 2009 FEES:JAN02-JAN29, JUN05-AUG20, NOV06-DEC03 US$135; JAN30-APR16 US$150; APR17- JUN04, AUG21-NOV05, DEC04-DEC17 US$125; DEC18-DEC31 US$265. CHILDREN 4-12 YRS OLD US$45 PER DAY.

IF one is interested in AI, investigate the resort and specifics of the AI. Even if those numbers work out, still consider what you're giving up to get AI. In places like PV or Cancun one is giving up a lot by going AI, while in Cozumel and Cabo, not as much if you're out of town. Many do as this one and charge for a min occupancy for a given unit regardless of the number. Others do not as in the example above.

 

[CarolA]

Dean I checked several AI fees yesterday.

Not sure where you found yours but the one's I found were much lower and seemed much more reasonable. I can't really tell how the Cozumel strikes works but if it's for two adults that $167 a night for 7 nights. A resort room at these places runs $300 to $500 depending on season and the rooms aren't what you are paying for.

I just spent about $400 a night per person on an AI that's not as nice as some of the ones on the RCI switch. (It was fine, but your avg DVC member would have a stroke LOL!) The room there was not worth much so..... I would assume at least $100 to $150 a day per person for any AI. Depending on the resort and what it includes it could easily go higher. (My AI for example included very few watersports. It had very few "nice" resturants, no call brand booze etc. Getting those features costs more) So you also really need to see what the AI includes and decide if you will use it enough to make it work for you. If you are paying a lot for water sports and don't swim...might be risky. Plus the water sports can be iffy. We were under a red flag condition all last week... No water sports

I was in Jamiaca and really the AI was the best bet there for us. Now if I had been in a more "urban" area I might not have gone that route.

 

[fluffykim]

I thought I was losing my mind, but thank you Carol...when I looked at the AIs in Cancun and Mayan Riv, the AI fees were reasonable and PER ROOM with extra charge for extra adults/children per room

I usually get amazing deals on AIs with Airfare..so not sure if this deal works out...but if I wanted my Mexico fix and $ was an issue, Im happy to know there is an option now

I think AI are a nice step forward for timeshares...not too different than having the "meal plan" at disney

 

[Dean]

Dean I checked several AI fees yesterday.

Not sure where you found yours but the one's I found were much lower and seemed much more reasonable. I can't really tell how the Cozumel strikes works but if it's for two adults that $167 a night for 7 nights. A resort room at these places runs $300 to $500 depending on season and the rooms aren't what you are paying for.

I just spent about $400 a night per person on an AI that's not as nice as some of the ones on the RCI switch. (It was fine, but your avg DVC member would have a stroke LOL!) The room there was not worth much so..... I would assume at least $100 to $150 a day per person for any AI. Depending on the resort and what it includes it could easily go higher. (My AI for example included very few watersports. It had very few "nice" resturants, no call brand booze etc. Getting those features costs more) So you also really need to see what the AI includes and decide if you will use it enough to make it work for you. If you are paying a lot for water sports and don't swim...might be risky. Plus the water sports can be iffy. We were under a red flag condition all last week... No water sports

I was in Jamiaca and really the AI was the best bet there for us. Now if I had been in a more "urban" area I might not have gone that route.

I looked through several for Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo and PV. Those were the higher ones but anything under $800-1000 per for high season was the exception and about half required the occupancy of the unit. So if you had 2 people in a 2 BR (like I do for Cabo at the Grand Mayan in 2010), you'd still have to pay for 4 people. I think DR and Jamaica are an exception as the fees for the Sandals timeshare component were artificially low to keep them on board. The ones with meal plans or optional AI tend to be better. The caveat is to investigate each resort to see what you're getting and go ahead and pay the fees so you lock in the price which can change unless you think you may not go.

 

[CarolA]

I thought I was losing my mind, but thank you Carol...when I looked at the AIs in Cancun and Mayan Riv, the AI fees were reasonable and PER ROOM with extra charge for extra adults/children per room

I usually get amazing deals on AIs with Airfare..so not sure if this deal works out...but if I wanted my Mexico fix and $ was an issue, Im happy to know there is an option now

I think AI are a nice step forward for timeshares...not too different than having the "meal plan" at disney

The only time I think I would consider it is for high season. We went Christmas week this year which was "high season" so it just costs more. Of course you probably couldn't get a trade then LOL!

(By the way got any suggestions? My mother wants to do another one next Christmas YIKES!)

 

[fluffykim]

I like your mom Carol.

Sun at Xmas is amazing.

The Moon Palace is nice.

Not in the trade (oops) but we stayed at the adults only AI Iberostar Grand and it was heaven

Im going to seriously investigate the high season AI trade. You bring up a good point. We normally do Mexio in October because its low season and we can get good deals...how wonderful if we could trade points (which are pretty low in my opinon) and pay some cash out of pocket.

The math on the meal plan, which we DO at DVC ends up costing almost comprable.

Plus, we drink, alot. hahah...so the AI always works out for us.

IT will be interesting to see how this pans out for 2009

Go DVC!

 

[CarolA]

I like your mom Carol.

Sun at Xmas is amazing.

The Moon Palace is nice.

Not in the trade (oops) but we stayed at the adults only AI Iberostar Grand and it was heaven

Im going to seriously investigate the high season AI trade. You bring up a good point. We normally do Mexio in October because its low season and we can get good deals...how wonderful if we could trade points (which are pretty low in my opinon) and pay some cash out of pocket.

The math on the meal plan, which we DO at DVC ends up costing almost comprable.

Plus, we drink, alot. hahah...so the AI always works out for us.

IT will be interesting to see how this pans out for 2009

Go DVC!

Thanks. Not sure I am even going to try to trade. Got to do some pricing. Problem is it's going to be Christmas again!

 

[Dean]

I like your mom Carol.

Sun at Xmas is amazing.

The Moon Palace is nice.

Not in the trade (oops) but we stayed at the adults only AI Iberostar Grand and it was heaven

Im going to seriously investigate the high season AI trade. You bring up a good point. We normally do Mexio in October because its low season and we can get good deals...how wonderful if we could trade points (which are pretty low in my opinon) and pay some cash out of pocket.

The math on the meal plan, which we DO at DVC ends up costing almost comprable.

Plus, we drink, alot. hahah...so the AI always works out for us.

IT will be interesting to see how this pans out for 2009

Go DVC!

I looked at 4 PV options for Xmas 2009 and 2 of the were in the $60-70 PP/PD and of the other two, one ws $265 PP/PD and the other
$3115 Per week for 2 people. There are many points of caution I'd give, just make sure you're getting what you want and understand it. Many are expensive. Many have extra charges for certain items (premium drinks, better restarants, more expensive entree's). Most escalate prices for a higher season. Many have medicore food, etc. Many are in locations where it's almost a crime to limit yourself to the resort. Many don't include everything in the "AI". Do not extrapolate an AI hotel experience to AI timeshares, it's a very risky assumption and that's true even if it's the same resort or system. I'd suggest one investigates thoroughly for any resort you're considering including options, quality and cost. I'd also suggest checking on cash prices for the same or similar, often you can get a package with air as cheap or cheaper than the AI itself will be. I used to own at a resort that had optional AI and you could get a package with room and air cheaper than you could get just the AI itself. I believe the bottom line is to investigate thorougly so you don't get blindsided. OTOH, some of the locations with optional AI or similar "meal plan" can be a great deal for the right situation.