This may be old news about II...

[utahkennedys]

But when I talked to my guide yesterday he said in a few months we will be able to trade points for II exchanges less than 7 days, like for 3, 4, and 5 days. I was so excited to hear this as we can't always and don't want to always stay 7 nights somewhere. He said DVC is the "test" for it, and now it makes me wonder if II will move this way generally?

 

[DeeCee735]

I was so excited to hear about this too, but when I spoke to MS I was told it will be select II resorts, not all. We'll have to wait and see.....

 

[Brian Noble]

Unless II/Disney want to break up the weeks themselves, the resorts will have to play along. I can imagine resorts in II that have internal points systems could work this way, but many of those resorts are only set up to do things by the week.

 

[spiceycat]

I though some of the newer Marriott were set up to do 3/4 days if the owner wanted it too.

 

[littlestar]

I though some of the newer Marriott were set up to do 3/4 days if the owner wanted it too.

That's what I was thinking - maybe Marriott.

 

[Dean]

I though some of the newer Marriott were set up to do 3/4 days if the owner wanted it too.

Only a few of them. II hasn't done this but has been rumored to be looking at changing over to or offering a ponts option. The only way they could do this currently would be to simply break up a week. That means the start and ending dates will be set and it's likely it'll be X 3 days and Y 4 days take it or leave it. Say Fri to Mon and Mon to Fri. Don't expect the cost to be 3/7, expect more like 60-70% of the full week for a 3 day stay.

 

[smep013]

I am new. How hard is it to book IIs?
I have a search going on right now - and it seems like it's going to be challenging each time. Any advive? (Like, book two years out, etc.)
Thanks!

 

[maciec]

I put my search in, in August 2007 for a trip to Mexico in October 2008. It took maybe a week for me to get my confirmation. I put in for 2 different resorts in Aruba and 1 in Mexico. I am a consumate planner so I know a year in advance where we are going the following year.

 

[Dean]

I am new. How hard is it to book IIs?
I have a search going on right now - and it seems like it's going to be challenging each time. Any advive? (Like, book two years out, etc.)
Thanks!

Research the resorts yourself independent of DVC, give as many options as possible of resorts and weeks, don't make assumptions and plan as far out as possible, at least a year and preferably 2 years out and be willing to let it ride until 60 days or less prior to travel if possible. A 1 BR is usually the best value and a studio the worst under the current plan. That's it in a nutshell but there are many nuances to any given option.

 

[spiceycat]

Don't expect the cost to be 3/7, expect more like 60-70% of the full week for a 3 day stay.

with DVC new policy - no price break at all - $95 no matter if it is 3 days or 7 days.

that is the way I am reading their new policy.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I put my search in, in August 2007 for a trip to Mexico in October 2008. It took maybe a week for me to get my confirmation. I put in for 2 different resorts in Aruba and 1 in Mexico. I am a consumate planner so I know a year in advance where we are going the following year.

Research the resorts yourself independent of DVC, give as many options as possible of resorts and weeks, don't make assumptions and plan as far out as possible, at least a year and preferably 2 years out and be willing to let it ride until 60 days or less prior to travel if possible. A 1 BR is usually the best value and a studio the worst under the current plan. That's it in a nutshell but there are many nuances to any given option.

Both Mexcio and Aruba tend to be locations that are easier to come by for exchanges. (If you have direct access to II, you can always find TONS of availability in MX and a fair amount for Aruba), so those destinations will take less time to confirm.

However, yes, as a rule you really need to be able to plan very far out if your are looking for certain trades. As you will find, your DVC is best vauled for staying at DVC resorts. Trading out can work out wonderfully, but it is not easy.

 

[tomandrobin]

I am looking forward to reading the details on this new policy.

I have a trip in 2009 booked to St John. I had been looking for a way to add 3 or 4 days and stay on St Thomas. So maybe this could work for us.

 

[dixiefriend]

Sorry but was does II stand for?

 

[Beth]

Interval International

 

[Dean]

with DVC new policy - no price break at all - $95 no matter if it is 3 days or 7 days.

that is the way I am reading their new policy.

I assumed it's be the same exchange fee but my points was that the points are unlikely to be as much lower as some would think. Maybe 180-200 for 4 nights when a week would be 270.

Both Mexcio and Aruba tend to be locations that are easier to come by for exchanges. (If you have direct access to II, you can always find TONS of availability in MX and a fair amount for Aruba), so those destinations will take less time to confirm.

Both are very difficult for Xmas, Feb, March and early April and Jan to a degree.; Aruba even more so than MX. I think a lot of people make the mistake of looking at lower season availability and extrapolating incorrectly to higher demand times.