Trading out?

[Boardwalker]

I am curious about something. How many of you have used your points for stays anywhere other than WDW?
I ask because I have never wanted to stay anywhere but my home resort, even though having the option to go anywhere in the world was a buying point for me. I did have to stay at a different resort once, due to availability, and it was great (props to OKW). But other than that, it has always been my home resort.
And I have noticed that many people have said that they go to WDW a few times a year...
Am I the only one who has never used the option to trade out?
If you have traded outside of the WDW DVC resorts, how often do you do it?

 

[bwvBound]

We've stayed at 30+ timeshare resorts over the years -- but we didn't get there using DVC points. We own a variety of timeshare products used for different purposes. Some are owned to use and others to trade. For us, DVC falls into the "own to use" category.

 

[Boardwalker]

bwvBound, you live in San Diego?
We spent a week at the Hotel Del once, and my husband had to make me leave... it was paradise.
And you don't trade out either?
Maybe I don't need professional help with my disneyphilia... yet.
Are any of the trades you made available through DVC? If so, what was your favorite?

 

[bwvBound]

The Del is lovely and for a time it served a terrific Sunday Brunch. (Perhaps it does again ... ??)

One of our favorite trips was a driving journey from San Diego to Vancouver and back -- visiting 11 different Worldmark resorts along the way (many of which are offered through DVC's II relationship). Loved their RunningY resort in Klamath Falls, OR. (Disclaimer: Worldmark is our first timeshare ownership -- and we've enjoyed many of their locations across AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA, ID, MO, Mexico, Australia and Canada).

My personal favorite property is a ranch in the San Diego backcountry. It does trade through II -- but isn't on DVC's list. Again, we own there ... just had to.

Of places we've strictly traded to (w/out also owning) -- my favorites include Boambee Bay (Coffs Harbour, AU) - great location; Greensprings Plantation (Williamsburg, VA) - steam room and jetted tub in master bath; Four Season Aviara (Carlsbad, CA) - lovely china pattern and huge unit; Smuggler's Notch (Vermont) - beautiful fall colors, covered bridges and the final resting place of Justin Morgan's horse; .... oh, the memories!

What a delight reviewing the great places we've been and the fun we've had! (Thanks for asking!)

 

[DBBN]

Since becoming owners in 1995 we've never traded out and seriously doubt we ever will. I don't see trading as a benefit or enhancement to my ownership. I would be indifferent to the notion of the elimination of all trading outside of the current or future DVC resorts.

The primary reason we haven't traded is we thoroughly enjoy using our points at WDW, usually at our home resort (OKW) but the other resorts work for us as well. The secondary reason is I've read right here on DisBoards what I consider to be too many reports of substandard acommodations or unhappy traders.

For us, renting some of our points and using the cash to pay for our vacations outside of WDW makes more sense. Further, using cash gives us much more flexibility than using our points ever will.

 

[mikron]

I think trading is to costly, rent your points and pay cash for your trip. problably why so many points for rent on board.

 

[Mickmse2002]

We're on the waitlist right now for several properties in the Caribbean. So far no luck.

 

[conciergekelly]

I just booked 5 nights Conceirge collection, at the Manderin ,Washington D.C. for July. It was going to be $345.00 + tax per night. It was 35 points a night. It looks like a really nice resort. I have to admit it was hard to make the call but it feels like the right choice now.This is the 1st time I even considered a trade since I bought 2003. We have gone to Disney at least 2 times a year and now my only trip to WDW will be Thanksgiving. I am sure I'll live.

 

[Boardwalker]

The Del is lovely and for a time it served a terrific Sunday Brunch. (Perhaps it does again ... ??)

One of our favorite trips was a driving journey from San Diego to Vancouver and back -- visiting 11 different Worldmark resorts along the way (many of which are offered through DVC's II relationship). Loved their RunningY resort in Klamath Falls, OR. (Disclaimer: Worldmark is our first timeshare ownership -- and we've enjoyed many of their locations across AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA, ID, MO, Mexico, Australia and Canada).

My personal favorite property is a ranch in the San Diego backcountry. It does trade through II -- but isn't on DVC's list. Again, we own there ... just had to.

Of places we've strictly traded to (w/out also owning) -- my favorites include Boambee Bay (Coffs Harbour, AU) - great location; Greensprings Plantation (Williamsburg, VA) - steam room and jetted tub in master bath; Four Season Aviara (Carlsbad, CA) - lovely china pattern and huge unit; Smuggler's Notch (Vermont) - beautiful fall colors, covered bridges and the final resting place of Justin Morgan's horse; .... oh, the memories!

What a delight reviewing the great places we've been and the fun we've had! (Thanks for asking!)

Wow, you have been all over. I never considered a ranch vacation before... but it does sound fun.

 

[Boardwalker]

Conciergekelly,
Will you be there for the July 4th celebration? I've heard that the festivites are amazing.
I'm sure they could hold you until you come back home to WDW...

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I think trading is to costly, rent your points and pay cash for your trip. problably why so many points for rent on board.

I don't think it's always too costly. Some trades are better values than other trades.

For example, World Passport Collection exchanges into Interval International-affiliated timeshare resorts can be a very good value. It takes some homework and planning to pick the right resorts and to successfully secure good weeks.

Concierge Collection might be okay as way to use some excess points now and then, but, overall, I think Concierge Collection is not a good value.

About private DVC point rentals... Personally, I am not eager to be on either side of private DVC point rental transactions. There are risks on both sides. Experienced DVCers and renters have figured out how to reduce those risks, but it's not trivial to do so. And if something goes wrong, DVC and II aren't there to help.

 

[Dean]

I would agree that ONLY a small subset of II options and an occasional special situation for other points trades are reasonable in value for using points. I trade with II extensively (non DVC) and would only trade DVC for prime resorts during prime time through II. Over the years only a max of around 3% of members trade DVC through II.

 

[conciergekelly]

Conciergekelly,
Will you be there for the July th celebration? I've heard that the festivities are amazing.
I'm sure they could hold you until you come back home to WDW...

Yes, we are going the 4th. I am looking forward to the festivities. We have to drop my son off at the airport that week so we are going to make a trip of it. Now that I have done the trade, I feel that it has just enriched my membership. I am thankful we have so many choices. So the monetary value may not be as good when you trade but there is the satisfaction of being able to use the membership in so many different ways makes up for it. Besides, if I really want to go to Disney more than once, I'll just buy more points. OMG it is a sickness. Now I'see Disney's plan.

 

[Boardwalker]

Besides, if I really want to go to Disney more than once, I'll just buy more points. OMG it is a sickness. Now I'see Disney's plan.

Yes, I see that now. I think they put something in the water in the DVC resorts.... (and wine and beer and margaritas...etc). The CDC should come up with a vaccine for the general population, but it is too late for us.

 

[Boardwalker]

I would agree that ONLY a small subset of II options and an occasional special situation for other points trades are reasonable in value for using points. I trade with II extensively (non DVC) and would only trade DVC for prime resorts during prime time through II. Over the years only a max of around 3% of members trade DVC through II.

Has anyone traded out for II? The impression I have is that the DVC accomodations are heavily prized and so it would be very easy to secure. But I'm not sure if I have that impression from our guide or from actual members. Is that the case? How long do you have to wait to know?

 

[bwvBound]

Has anyone traded out for II? The impression I have is that the DVC accomodations are heavily prized and so it would be very easy to secure. But I'm not sure if I have that impression from our guide or from actual members. Is that the case? How long do you have to wait to know?

Dean updates a running post annually (?) with very specific exchange numbers. From his reports, the DVC membership has been pretty consistently trading 2% to 3% through II each year. While the percentage is moves very little -- the DVC membership base continues to grow so we know that there are more trades requested each year.

From the other side, as one who trades into DVC frequently, I'm seeing an increasing number of available weeks in II -- across every resort.

DVC members do travel outside -- but it seems few of those members post feedback here. Perhaps they are quite independent folks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Dean updates a running post annually (?) with very specific exchange numbers. From his reports, the DVC membership has been pretty consistently trading 2% to 3% through II each year.

I find the exchange statistics that Dean posts to be very interesting. I imagine that the percentage is much lower for DVC than for typical timeshares.

Keep in mind that Dean's statistics are for exchanges into other timeshares, not for the Disney Collection, Adventurer Collection, or Concierge Collection.

For example, it seems that using DVC points for Disney Cruise Line is quite popular, even though the "exchange rate" (the value per point) has not been particularly good in recent years. Some people even buy DVC points specifically because they want to take Disney cruises regularly. By the time you do math on the value of the capital and the annual maintenance fees, the math doesn't work out favorably in my opinion.

 

[Dean]

Has anyone traded out for II? The impression I have is that the DVC accomodations are heavily prized and so it would be very easy to secure. But I'm not sure if I have that impression from our guide or from actual members. Is that the case? How long do you have to wait to know?

As noted, a fairly small percentage trade out. Likely about the same as must high demand resorts during peak times that are easily accessible. Overall DVC members likely trade less than most timeshare people do overall. Interesting that is was up to about 3% last year and was almost 3% the last year with RCI. But 3% concentrated over about half the year is still a fair number of units.

But I think you're alluding to a misperception that many DVC members have. That is that DVC is prized above all others and that II will do anything to get a DVC member what they want. I would submit to you that IMO DVC trades very good but not great and there are many timeshares that trade as well or better for a lot cheaper overall. This makes the restrictions as the system is currently set up are not in favor of trading DVC with one exception. Those that are willing to cherry pick can do OK. Say you are a DVC member and want to trade to top resorts during peak times periodically. You come up with your list that might include the Royal Resorts, Aruba Marriotts, Westin St. John, top HI resorts and the like for the busier times for 1 BR units or larger. You start a search with DVC for a number of appropriate options then you drop certain options off as the time gets closer, say 6 months out. If you match, great, if not, no harm done.

 

[Boardwalker]

Thank you Dean, I was wondering about how highly prized DVC trades were by people wanting to trade in. I was under the misconception that traders valued DVC WDW units above all other. I feel better informed now.

 

[Dean]

Thank you Dean, I was wondering about how highly prized DVC trades were by people wanting to trade in. I was under the misconception that traders valued DVC WDW units above all other. I feel better informed now.

Many do value them but not as much as a lot of DVC members think. DVC is fairly easy to trade in to about half the year for a 1 BR or studio, more difficult for a 2 BR and almost never for a 3 BR.