Using pts. outside of Disney

[lucyskys]

I know that it is finacially smarter to use them at Disney, and I plan on going every other year, but does anyone use pts for other vac. and if so where?
we're not yet members. (that's soon to change!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

We used points for a four night cruise several years ago before the points to cruise started going up. Other than that, no. We pay cash for any other vacation.

 

[rentayenta]

We are using 160 points for 7 nights in Mexico next March. I will let you know how it goes!

 

[rkwier]

We are using points for a 3-day cruise in November. Yes, I do realize that it may not be the best use of points, but for me, I bought the points to enjoy. I would gladly exchange through RCI if it were to a place that I would like to go.

OP - I see you are from Grand Haven. We grew up the Byron Center/Dorr area. We would go to Grand Haven during the summer to go the the state park and watch the dancing fountains. We had the best time there!

 

[lucyskys]

small world!!! we're choosing dvc over a camping trailer b/c we think we already live in a great vacation spot, we want to escape the cold months.

 

[tomandrobin]

We never have points left over to use any place else.

Ah....You don't own points yet. Once you get them, you'll buy an AP and burn through them like a hot knife through butter.

Kidding aside....Its been proven many times that the best use of DVC points is at Disney. However, I am a believer of using the points as you wish....If you have em, use em!

 

[disdad09]

We are using some of our points plus some developer points to go to Grand Cayman!!!

While I will say the best use of your points is for DVC locations they are still your points and if it makes you happy to book other destinations through RCI or for a cruise then GO FOR IT

 

[kmk1180]

Using our points for a week in Cancun this sept.
Can't wait...the resort looks awesome.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We've used our points to stay at Vero Beach and at Hilton Head. And we spent 8 nights at the Disneyland Hotel. And a week at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC. We just put in a waitlist request to stay at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Hawaii for summer 2011 via RCI (and will just take our chances about whether it comes through or not - guess we have plenty of time!).

 

[vakamalua]

Use your points in whatever way makes you happy! We've been members since 1995. In addition to many trips to WDW, we've used points at HHI, Vero Beach, Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, 3 Disney Cruises, hotel stays in NYC and we're planning a trip with Adventures by Disney next year. Enjoy! DVC opens up a big "World!"

 

[rentayenta]

Use your points in whatever way makes you happy! We've been members since 1995. In addition to many trips to WDW, we've used points at HHI, Vero Beach, Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, 3 Disney Cruises, hotel stays in NYC and we're planning a trip with Adventures by Disney next year. Enjoy! DVC opens up a big "World!"

This is what I like to read!

 

[dlander]

We've used ours in Scottsdale, Disneyland-Grand Californian and Lake George at the Sagamore.

 

[arthur06]

We've used ours in Scottsdale, Disneyland-Grand Californian and Lake George at the Sagamore.

WOW! the Sagamore... Great Choice!

 

[lucyskys]

thank u for all the responses, i haven't found to many places on here that talk to much about other vacations with pts.(maybe i just haven't found it yet b/c I'm to interested in dvc pics)hahaha. It makes me feel better to know that it's not a total bust to use pts elsewhere. we want to show our kids as much as we can.

 

[tmgandolph]

i haven't found to many places on here that talk to much about other vacations with pts. It makes me feel better to know that it's not a total bust to use pts elsewhere. we want to show our kids as much as we can.

Same here! We bought it for the same reason and hope to use it at non-Disney areas. From research people don't like to use the points outside of DVC but we plan to and are happy to find others with the same view. Eying a Disney Mediterranean cruise & Hawaii in the future!

 

[tomandrobin]

Same here! We bought it for the same reason and hope to use it at non-Disney areas. From research people don't like to use the points outside of DVC but we plan to and are happy to find others with the same view. Eying a Disney Mediterranean cruise & Hawaii in the future!

But those options are still "Disney" vacations, just not at the parks.

Using points for non-Disney vactions is ok once in a while. But not every other year. In that case, its better to rent the points and pay cash or buy different timeshare.

 

[tmgandolph]

But those options are still "Disney" vacations, just not at the parks.

Using points for non-Disney vacations is ok once in a while. But not every other year. In that case, its better to rent the points and pay cash or buy different timeshare.

That is true they are Disney vacations - just not DVC itself, but the trip to Ireland will be through the RCI exchange (forgot to add that one!). Not too bad using 160 pts for a week in a castle. But you are right would not want to do that all of the time, considering what 160pts gets you inside of DVC.

I have heard about people renting out the pints and taking the cash to purchase the out of DVC vacation. Haven't researched it too much yet. But I plan to.

Havent put much thought into other timeshares yet. Dont know at this time that I can commit to a use week(s) and trading for other locations. But I do love the deals that are out there via other timeshares. Any info you can share? My work schedule wont allow for vacations at the exact time every year.

I see you are from Maryland. Same here. Love the cheap flight out of BWI.

 

[tomandrobin]

That is true they are Disney vacations - just not DVC itself, but the trip to Ireland will be through the RCI exchange (forgot to add that one!). Not too bad using 160 pts for a week in a castle. But you are right would not want to do that all of the time, considering what 160pts gets you inside of DVC.

I have heard about people renting out the pints and taking the cash to purchase the out of DVC vacation. Haven't researched it too much yet. But I plan to.

Havent put much thought into other timeshares yet. Dont know at this time that I can commit to a use week(s) and trading for other locations. But I do love the deals that are out there via other timeshares. Any info you can share? My work schedule wont allow for vacations at the exact time every year.

I see you are from Maryland. Same here. Love the cheap flight out of BWI.

160 points x $12 pp = $1920. That is how I view any exchange, the required number of points x $12 per point.

All of our timeshares are "float" weeks. That means our week is not fixed for the same week every year. We need and like to have flexibility for our vacations. For example, the past two years we went to Atlantis in June. This year we are going August 1st because of graduation schedules.

We are up in Bel Air. Living in Maryland does have its advantages for easy airfare. There are 6 major airports within a two hour drive. But BWI is by far our favorite airport.

 

[tmgandolph]

160 points x $12 pp = $1920. That is how I view any exchange, the required number of points x $12 per point.

All of our timeshares are "float" weeks. That means our week is not fixed for the same week every year. We need and like to have flexibility for our vacations. For example, the past two years we went to Atlantis in June. This year we are going August 1st because of graduation schedules.

We are up in Bel Air. Living in Maryland does have its advantages for easy airfare. There are 6 major airports within a two hour drive. But BWI is by far our favorite airport.

That math makes since. So if I rent for $12/pt I would make that much which would be more than enough to purchase the stay or cruise. Thank you for helping me understand! :
I like the idea of float weeks, didn't even realize that was an option. just now learning about these things. Would love to have a timeshare float week at Atlantis! Love the pics of that place! I definitely could be happy going there every year or renting when I couldn't! Any ideas where I can look to find out going rates/resales for something like that?

I have lots to learn and am trying to figure it all out!
Thanks much!

 

[tomandrobin]

That math makes since. So if I rent for $12/pt I would make that much which would be more than enough to purchase the stay or cruise. Thank you for helping me understand! :
I like the idea of float weeks, didn't even realize that was an option. just now learning about these things. Would love to have a timeshare float week at Atlantis! Love the pics of that place! I definitely could be happy going there every year or renting when I couldn't! Any ideas where I can look to find out going rates/resales for something like that?

I have lots to learn and am trying to figure it all out!
Thanks much!

Not all resorts have them and some have both options. Some resorts, like Atlantis, even sell every-other-year timeshares, so you go once every two years. The Atlantis Resort (its name is Harborside Resort at Atlantis) has three seasons - platinum plus weeks 1-17. platinum weeks 18-34 & 47-49, and the gold season weeks 35-46. For a resort like Harborside, there are a lot of resales right now and plenty of bargains to be had. Just remember, asking price is just that...a suggested starting point.