Using DVC Points At Places Other Than Disney World?

[amyah]

Hello,

My husband and I are still in the researching phase of whether DVC makes sense for our family and we had a couple more questions for any DVC veteran member that cares to share their experience! We're wondering about the experiences people have had using their points at non-WDW resorts, namely the ones listed in the World Passport Collection. If using your points for any of the World Passport Collection vacation spots, is that a good use of your points if you choose not to visit Disney one year? Or would it be better to just visit those places on cash and bank your points for a Disney vacation later? If anybody has stayed at any of the non-WDW vacation spots, we'd be curious to hear which resorts and what you thought of them and if you thought it was a good value for the number of points spent.

We were also thinking of using our points some years to visit Disneyland, but I've read a few posts from members stating they just pay cash for their Disneyland trips as opposed to using their points. Is this most often the case if you have more than one Disney trip planned per year?

We only plan to vacation once per year, and are looking to cycle between Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise, and some of the other World Passport Collection vacation spots, but I'm curious if you wouldn't get as much value from the DVC if you used your points as such.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Take care,
Amy

 

[Dean]

ANY option other than using the points at a DVC resort is not a good use of points. Since you have the opporunity to plan accordingly, buy less DVC points and use them when you go to WDW. Look at other options like cash and/or buying a non DVC timeshare for the other choices. That's not to say that every choice is a bad one, just that so few are worth it to make it unreasonable to buy DVC for non DVC trips.

 

[Scott H]

We have been very happy with the use of our points at Disney and Non-Disney resorts. We haev used our points to stay in Hawaii on the Kona coast, (two stays) Disneyland - CA, Disneyland Paris, African Safari, various WDW resorts, 7 times on the Disney Cruise Line, as well as WDW. IMHO I am very satisfied with the use of our points. We have a Disney Cruise and BCV stay planned for 5/04, a stay at OKW and AKL 9/04, return to Africa in 6/05, all with our points. As well as what ever else we can fit in.

 

[spiceycat]

you can generally get a good trade (not great) for around $1,000 to $3,000 - use it for your trades - save DVC for DVC (if you can).

there have been time when my DVC pulled stuff that my other timeshares did not - so I use it - it was a wedding present for a good friend. Otherwise I use my other timeshares.

 

[TnRobin]

We have stayed at Disneyland's Grand Californian and taken a 7 day Disney Cruise. We thought both trips were well worth our points. Yes, we could have had a bigger unit in WDW, but I would have never spent the cash needed to stay at the Grand Californian. We are going back this Fall and staying in the Disneyland Hotel. Next summer we have entered into a private exchange with a Hilton Grand Vacation Club member. We are getting a 2BR Ocean View condo at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Wikiki Beach in exchange for a 1BR Preferred View BWV. (Both exchanges in summer months).

While I don't think anyone should buy DVC with the purpose to travel outside the system, but it is great for the occasional side trip.

 

[Richyams]

While I don't think anyone should buy DVC with the purpose to travel outside the system, but it is great for the occasional side trip.

That sums it up perfectly.

If you are thinking half your time at a DVC resort and half on exchanges, I think Dean is right. Buy a cheap timeshare for trading and buy enough points for your DVC trips.

Going every other or third year with the minimum 150 point pachage gives you 300-450 every two or three years, enough for a very good DVC vacation. Then use the cheap timeshare for non-WDW years.

We have been very happy using points at the Plaza in NYC, a cruise and a couple of WOD concierge stays. We have been members since '92, I would guess that 80% of our points ahve been spent at WDW DVC resorts, and while I may have been able to save a buck or two renting out points to pay for those side trips, the ease of calling MS and using points can't be beat....besides, its only points, its not like it money.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I agree you should not buy DVC to primarily stay in non-DVC accommodations.

That being said, I do use points for other Disney resorts, and will continue to do so occasionally.

I firmly believe that while using DVC points for 'other' stuff is not the best use of points, it MAY not be a bad use of points.

Good luck...

 

[GrammieMame]

I bought with the intention to use points at DVC resorts every other year, and have been very happy with the results. On alternate years, have used them at Disneyworld, 12 nights at Kapalua Bay in Maui, and am giving my son a week in Aruba at the Mariott Ocean Club in December. I don't want the hassle of owning another time share, and wouldn't have wanted to spend the cash to stay at those other places. I look at it as a pre-paid vacation, wherever I choose to take it.