RCI to DVC - Question about room

[mward73]

This is our first trip to Disney since either of us were small kids (and we'll be taking our 2 kids and my mom) and I got lucky enough to trade through RCI for a 2-br AKV in November. From the confirmation, it looks like it's a standard room.

1. Is there anyway to upgrade (and pay the difference) to a concierge room?

2. Does anyone know what the cost would be?
If not, it's certainly no issue - I just thought I'd check if it was possible.

3. Does anyone know the location we would be in? From reading everything, it looks like Jambo - is it a Savannah view? (again, we're happy with what we have - I'm just curious)

4. I know I have to call their number and register for the Magical Express. Is there anything else I need to do/know before we go? We're not doing the dining plan - with the kitchen, we'll just get a couple of dinner reservations and eat in some as well.

We're really excited about our trip!
Thanks!

 

[littlestar]

No, you can't upgrade an exchange into concierge. What DVC deposited to RCI is what you get.

There are very few concierge units and they get snapped up by AKV owners.

When you call DVC to set up Magical Express you can also set up any dining reservations you might need - like if you want to take the kids to a character breakfast. Also, don't forget at check-in that you will have a $95 resort fee for trading into DVC.

Oh, yeah, and have fun -

 

[dianeschlicht]

This is our first trip to Disney since either of us were small kids (and we'll be taking our 2 kids and my mom) and I got lucky enough to trade through RCI for a 2-br AKV in November. From the confirmation, it looks like it's a standard room.

1. Is there anyway to upgrade (and pay the difference) to a concierge room?

2. Does anyone know what the cost would be?
If not, it's certainly no issue - I just thought I'd check if it was possible.

3. Does anyone know the location we would be in? From reading everything, it looks like Jambo - is it a Savannah view? (again, we're happy with what we have - I'm just curious)

4. I know I have to call their number and register for the Magical Express. Is there anything else I need to do/know before we go? We're not doing the dining plan - with the kitchen, we'll just get a couple of dinner reservations and eat in some as well.

We're really excited about our trip!
Thanks!

1. Concierge is not possible since there are only 5 two bedroom lock off units available, and those are VERY difficult to get, even for members. Unless that is what was on the trade list, you will NOT get that.

2. There will be a $95 service charge for ALL DVC exchanges when you check in. This covers transportation etc.

3. A "standard" room means "standard" view. If you are at Jambo house, that means a pool view, and if you are at Kidani, that means, garden, pool or parking lot view. I assume you would be given whichever building is available when you make your reservation. Savanna view is a seperate catagory, and since that is not what you traded for, that is not what you will get.

5. Other than the $95 exchange transportation fee, I can't think of anything.

 

[mward73]

Thanks for the help! I knew about the $95 fee, but wasn't sure about the rest. This is MUCH better than our original room - we can use the space with 3 adults, a 3 yr old and a 4 1/2 mo old. I had no idea how many of each room was available, so I figured I'd ask. Again, we're really happy with what we're getting - I was just curious about the rest and what we could/couldn't do (I don't want anyone to think I'm ungrateful about what we're getting - we're definitely more than happy. This allows us to go for a full week at the price of 4 nights/5 days that we were going before

 

[Lisa P.]

Sounds like a great deal - congrats on your excellent exchange! Have a fun trip!

 

[hrslvr142]

Do you have any idea how many points you had to trade? I just deposited mine and while hopeful think I may not have enough points. TIA for any info. I hope you really enjoy your trip, I think staying at the AKV would be awesome.

 

[pbdeguzman]

This is our first trip to Disney since either of us were small kids (and we'll be taking our 2 kids and my mom) and I got lucky enough to trade through RCI for a 2-br AKV in November. From the confirmation, it looks like it's a standard room.

1. Is there anyway to upgrade (and pay the difference) to a concierge room?

2. Does anyone know what the cost would be?
If not, it's certainly no issue - I just thought I'd check if it was possible.

3. Does anyone know the location we would be in? From reading everything, it looks like Jambo - is it a Savannah view? (again, we're happy with what we have - I'm just curious)

4. I know I have to call their number and register for the Magical Express. Is there anything else I need to do/know before we go? We're not doing the dining plan - with the kitchen, we'll just get a couple of dinner reservations and eat in some as well.

We're really excited about our trip!
Thanks!

Im surprised you were able to trade with RCI? Im also a member RCI but I am weeks based. I am assuming that you were able to trade into DVC with your point based timeshare. Hmmm, makes me wonder when they will offer DVC to other RCI members that are weeks based. Or am I just missing something?? Please clarify how you were able to tade into RCI because as an RCI member myself, i dont see any DVC offerings when i log on.

 

[bwvBound]

Im surprised you were able to trade with RCI? Im also a member RCI but I am weeks based. I am assuming that you were able to trade into DVC with your point based timeshare. Hmmm, makes me wonder when they will offer DVC to other RCI members that are weeks based. Or am I just missing something?? Please clarify how you were able to tade into RCI because as an RCI member myself, i dont see any DVC offerings when i log on.

DVC inventory is currently available under both RCI Weeks and RCI Points. Booking an exchange via Weeks will require your timeshare be a "strong trader": high demand week from a quality resort, not located in/around Orlando, deposited at least 12 months from travel. Try searching for a broad window of time (now through Feb 2010). If you don't see DVC weeks online it may be that your current deposit lacks trade power. Try phoning RCI to see if the rep can see it from their side using your week ... or if they think a future year's deposit may do better?

Edited to add: I can't see them online either -- but was able to book a 2BR BWV week using an RCI Open Search. I used a non-DVC timeshare that performs better using "Confirm First" than using a specific deposit.