Staying at non-Disney resorts - how often?

[WolfpackFan]

As I continue to try to find ways to convince my wife we should join DVC - I am wondering, I know the DVC booklet talks about all of the great non-DVC resorts you can use your points at but I'm wondering how often do people really do this? Is this more of a selling point for Disney or is it really something that people do very often. I don't seem to find many postings on this board about experiences at other resorts. Also, which resorts seem to give the most value for points used? It seems like alot of the resorts have very, very high point values. One I did notice that seems very reasonable is the Grove Park Inn, which is only four hours away from where I live. I could see us using this one some. I would love to find one in Williamsburg, VA; as we go there quite often. I'm just trying to find some alternatives I can tell my DW about. She is not the Disney nut I am . Thanks.

 

[vernon]

You can get some reasonable rates for the II swaps but IMHO most of the Concierge collection look a little pricey and aren't "great value" ( although there are a few exceptions to that rule) , but they do give you an outlet to use your points if Disney isn't a possibility or if you simply fancy a change. I've used points to stay at disneyland Paris and I thought that was a pretty good deal for 4 people as it includes park tickets and breakfast. It's not such a good deal if you're just a couple.

It's also worth remembering that the program can change the hotels it offers, or be dropped altogether at some time in the future. IMHO that's not likely, but it is a possibilty that's worth calculating in to your choices.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

since you asked -

With only a 22hr notice we were forced to go outside the main DVC collection and use concierge. The only place for us to stay for 8consecutive nights was PO/FQ. Would this have been my choice? No. It cost us much more to stay at PO/FQ than the same 8nights at our "home" VWL would have been.

I say we were "forced" because we had non-refundable airplane tickets. "something happened" out of our control with only 22hrs notice and if we didnt fly to FL would have lost money on the tickets
In that situation, we didnt have a "choice" on how we were going to use our points.

 

[RobDoc]

The non-DVC options may not be as economical as the DVC resorts, but they are viable alternatives. It is the choice of a member whether to use your points in this fashion. No member has even been forced to use points for a Concierge Collection or Disney Collection- it is always the choice of the member how we use our points.

We have used points to stay at Grove Park and totally enjoyed the experience. I found the point cost to be reasonable for what we got. There are many selections in CC that can be viewed as a bargain, IMO. Colorado and San Francisco are two that come to mind. I look at the non-DVC options as just that- another option to enjoy your points.

Enjoy!

 

[CarolMN]

Most everyone will agree that the most economical use of DVC points is at the DVC resorts themselves.

Since your wife is not the Disney nut that you are, you might consider buying fewer points and traveling to WDW, HH or VB every other year or every third. By banking and borrowing, you could have a nice long DVC vacation in very nice accomodations. You could vacation elsewhere during the "off" years.

Another alternative is to rent your DVC points to others and use the proceeds to pay for your non-DVC vacations. This will take some time and effort on your part.

All that said, the points are yours to use as you think best. Some of those other options look very nice.

Best wishes -
Carol

 

[TnRobin]

I agree also that it is not the "most economical" way to spend your points, but I would have never gotten to stay at the Grand Californian at DL if I had to pay cash. In addition to that trip, we have used our points for a Disney Cruise and plan to go to Hawaii next year. (Again, I would never get to go to Hawaii if I had to pay for a week's worth of accomadations)