To Trade or Not to Trade

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Marco, Sanibel or Captiva Island give me your reviews.

O.K. I know there is a lot of discussion about how it is not smart to trade out of DVC, but let me explain my situation.

We want to go somewhere warm over springbreak next year and have decided that the parks are just way to crowded at that time of the year for us. So in looking maybe just to staying onsite at the Beach Club Villas or even at Vero for that week the points for a two bedroom would be 462 for the BCV or 447 for Vero.

In looking at trading out the points for a two bedroom in high season would only be 270 plus $95, so for us to be able to stay on the ocean for a lot less points than Vero it makes a bunch of Cents (sorry I just couldn't resist).

So here is my question, there are a bunch of resorts that can be traded to on these three islands could you please fill me in on your reviews of anything that would be available to trade to? I know that I could join TUG, but I would like the opinions of people who are used to DVC.

I guess one other question is how easy or how much luck have people had in trying to make trades at such a high time or busy week such as this.

Thanks everyone

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it is very hard to trade into a Sanibel/Captiva unit during Spring break. The owners of those units either use them themselves or rent them for a pretty good price. I tried for over a year with II for this past Spring break (I had points that were about to expire from buying a resale contrat. Trading them to II gave me two more years to use them) and was never able to get anything. I ended up taking something on Hilton Head which was very nice, but a little further north than I wanted.

Give it a try but have a back up plan in place. You never really know.

HBC

 

[Dean]

As noted, it's a very difficult trade an now at only 9 months out, it will be almost impossible unless you can find a direct trade with an owner there. VB will be your best option because you can book it directly. Still you might have difficulty for that week at the 7 month window.

Specifics to Sanibel/Captiva. Tortuga and Sanibell BC II are likely the 2 top choices but they are all fine and somewhat compareable to DVC.

Personally I'd put in a search for as many weeks and resorts as you can accept. then at the 7 month window, assuming you haven't matched, I'd schedule with DVC for VB. Then you could keep your search open and see if anything comes up then decide at that time. If VB is not available, do a day by day wait list which you can also cancel.

If you want to save points for VB, considser just 6 days or even 5 leaving off weekend days.

Other resorts I'd consider include several of the FL Marriott's to include BeachPlace Towers and Ocean Pointe (if it has been put on the list yet). Some of the others are worth considering but many are a downtrade. Personally, I'd either do VB, Captiva/Sanibel or one of the Beach Marriott's even if more points.

 

[nikitta28]

keep your disney vacation points for disney
go to www.biddingfortravel.com and check out how to bid for the bonita springs hyatt coconut point. OMG this place is drop dead incredible, the nicest place ive ever stayed at and we got it at priceline for $70 per night for march!!!!!!!! they actually have a little island they shuttle you to for shelling and beach stuff, a 140ft waterslide. and its right by sanibel/marco/captiva. check it out at the hyatt website. we sometime do both a few days here and some time at disney because my mom lives in south fort myers.
good luck!
nikitta28@yahoo.com

 

[Snowgod]

I would go to HH and try to get in at the 7th month window.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Snowgod
I would go to HH and try to get in at the 7th month window.

HH is easy to get and relatively cheap for March. It is not warm though, at least not warm enough for swimming and the beach.

 

[jbthi]

I agree that Sanibel/Captiva would be a difficult trade at spring break. My favorites there is Hurricane House (which I own) but it is a very small complex and almost impossible to get it. Sanibel Cottages are very nice and complex is larger so easier to get it.
Casa Ybel has some units nice and some not so nice. These are all on West Golf Drive which is my favorite location. Its quieter and the shelling is better. South Seas Plantation on Captiva is so large is can be easier to trade to.