Various RCI questions

[Inkmahm]

We will be staying at OKW in December with my inlaws using their RCI points for the reservation. Is Mousekeeping the same when the reservation is through RCI as when we make the reservation through DVC? Is it trash and towel on the 4th day?

 

[kimberh]

We just returned from a RCI Trade. It was the same. We were on a weeks stay, not a points stay.

 

[Inkmahm]

We just returned from a RCI Trade. It was the same. We were on a weeks stay, not a points stay.

You stayed at Disney for a week using RCI timeshare?

Our reservation is for a week, too, as that is all that Disney puts into RCI. But it is paid with my inlaws points.

Anything else different when staying at DVC on RCI points that I should know about?

 

[kimberh]

We had to pay the $95.00 Fee to Disney at check in and that was it. I called Member Services to see if I had to do anything special, she asked, "if we were flying or using the Dining plan?" We weren't. So, We had nothing extra to do. I actually could not stay the whole 7 days, made me sick, but we had two Birthdays come up. One in Alabama and one here. That's why I didn't buy the dining plan. If you are flying or using the DDp, you have to call Member Services, RCI gave me no help, that I saw. I received a confirmation via email and that was it.

After posting to you a few minutes ago, I checked RCI's web site to see what might be available, Just booked BCV's for next Mar-Apr! I can't believe it. I have been watching it for a month. They had Vero, Saratoga, BCV and OKW for Weeks booking.

 

[Inkmahm]

We had to pay the $95.00 Fee to Disney at check in and that was it. I called Member Services to see if I had to do anything special, she asked, "if we were flying or using the Dining plan?" We weren't. So, We had nothing extra to do. I actually could not stay the whole 7 days, made me sick, but we had two Birthdays come up. One in Alabama and one here. That's why I didn't buy the dining plan. If you are flying or using the DDp, you have to call Member Services, RCI gave me no help, that I saw. I received a confirmation via email and that was it.

After posting to you a few minutes ago, I checked RCI's web site to see what might be available, Just booked BCV's for next Mar-Apr! I can't believe it. I have been watching it for a month. They had Vero, Saratoga, BCV and OKW for Weeks booking.

So it is an additional $95 to pay to Disney on top of the $139 fee I just paid to RCI for my father-in-law?

I'm also looking for March 13-20 in a one bedroom but they only have OKW and Saratoga on the RCI website now. I'm going to hold off and hope for another DVC location to open up.

 

[DebbieB]

I saw posted on another thread that you don't get free internet on an RCI stay.

 

[kimberh]

So it is an additional $95 to pay to Disney on top of the $139 fee I just paid to RCI for my father-in-law?

I'm also looking for March 13-20 in a one bedroom but they only have OKW and Saratoga on the RCI website now. I'm going to hold off and hope for another DVC location to open up.

Yes, you pay $95.00 to Disney for Park transporation, Magical Express and use of the dining services. That's what the front desk told me. All we used was park transporation. I had to pay the exchange fee also, plus maintenace fees for the resort that I own at. It was still a very cheap week.

 

[Brian Noble]

So it is an additional $95 to pay to Disney on top of the $139 fee I just paid to RCI for my father-in-law?

Yes. Still probably oodles cheaper than renting from a Member.

you pay $95.00 to Disney for Park transporation, Magical Express and use of the dining services.

The $95 is charged simply because people will pay it. If you were doing a direct exchange with a Member, you wouldn't be paying that fee, but you would be getting park transportation, ME, etc. The *only* thing the $95 entitles you to that a direct exchange wouldn't is the ability to call Member Services directly.

I saw posted on another thread that you don't get free internet on an RCI stay

This is correct. Every once in a blue moon, the stay is coded incorrectly and it will be comped, but you should not expect it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Here's another question since I've never stayed at OKW before. I looked at the floor plan for the two bedroom and it looks like there is no access to either bathroom from the great room without actually going through one of the bedrooms. Is that correct? That would be a problem for us since it will be 3 couples sharing the villa with one of them staying on the pull out sofa in the great room.

 

[Inkmahm]

The $95 is charged simply because people will pay it. If you were doing a direct exchange with a Member, you wouldn't be paying that fee, but you would be getting park transportation, ME, etc. The *only* thing the $95 entitles you to that a direct exchange wouldn't is the ability to call Member Services directly.

I'm a DVC member but I didn't think I'd be able to call MS with a RCI exchange into DVC. Can I call to make requests for this reservation? I think the only important request for us is to be on the first floor. I didn't realize that Old Key West didn't have elevators, either. My MIL has medical issues and would not be able to do stairs to get to a second or third floor room.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Here's another question since I've never stayed at OKW before. I looked at the floor plan for the two bedroom and it looks like there is no access to either bathroom from the great room without actually going through one of the bedrooms. Is that correct? That would be a problem for us since it will be 3 couples sharing the villa with one of them staying on the pull out sofa in the great room.

There is an entrance to the master bath thru the laundry room...

 

[Dean]

You stayed at Disney for a week using RCI timeshare?

Our reservation is for a week, too, as that is all that Disney puts into RCI. But it is paid with my inlaws points.

Anything else different when staying at DVC on RCI points that I should know about?

Other than OKW rentals, DVC has not deposited anything other than a full week starting on Fri, Sat or Sun with RCI. Housekeeping and the DDP is the same as a 7 day DVC stay on points. The fees to upgrade housekeeping are the same as well. The $95 extra fee you know about, you won't get stay specific perks like free internet. Not really much different really.

So it is an additional $95 to pay to Disney on top of the $139 fee I just paid to RCI for my father-in-law?

I'm pretty certain I posted that info for you when this came around the first time and if you'd gotten 2 smaller units, it would have been 2 exchange fees and 2 $95 fees.

Yes, you pay $95.00 to Disney for Park transporation, Magical Express and use of the dining services. That's what the front desk told me. All we used was park transporation. I had to pay the exchange fee also, plus maintenace fees for the resort that I own at. It was still a very cheap week.

Actually that's bogus. The $95 fee pays for nothing that you don't get as being a guest of any type at WDW or a DVC member couldn't do for any stay. All the fee really is use for is to fund the exchange program.

Here's another question since I've never stayed at OKW before. I looked at the floor plan for the two bedroom and it looks like there is no access to either bathroom from the great room without actually going through one of the bedrooms. Is that correct? That would be a problem for us since it will be 3 couples sharing the villa with one of them staying on the pull out sofa in the great room.

The first half of the resort is set up this way, the second half has a door into the master bath through the laundry. Just request a higher number building. Someone else can give you the exact cutoff, I know Rob posted it recently, it's somewhere around building 30 or so.

For medical issues request either first floor or building 62-64 which do have elevators. Make sure they record that it's a medical request, it should be honored.

 

[Inkmahm]

Other than OKW rentals, DVC has not deposited anything other than a full week starting on Fri, Sat or Sun with RCI. Housekeeping and the DDP is the same as a 7 day DVC stay on points. The fees to upgrade housekeeping are the same as well. The $95 extra fee you know about, you won't get stay specific perks like free internet. Not really much different really.

I'm pretty certain I posted that info for you when this came around the first time and if you'd gotten 2 smaller units, it would have been 2 exchange fees and 2 $95 fees.

Actually that's bogus. The $95 fee pays for nothing that you don't get as being a guest of any type at WDW or a DVC member couldn't do for any stay. All the fee really is use for is to fund the exchange program.

The first half of the resort is set up this way, the second half has a door into the master bath through the laundry. Just request a higher number building. Someone else can give you the exact cutoff, I know Rob posted it recently, it's somewhere around building 30 or so.

For medical issues request either first floor or building 62-64 which do have elevators. Make sure they record that it's a medical request, it should be honored.

Thank you! I remember the comment about two exchange fees to be paid to rci if we rented two units but I didn't remember the $95 payment to Disney at all. In my head, I was thinking the cash outlay was going to be $150 or so for the week. Still not bad for being able to keep my DVC points and use the inlaws rci points instead.

A building with an elevator would be fine, too, if not a first floor villa. Just not stairs because MIL would never make it. (We're going to have to rent a scooter for her for the parks.) I'll be sure to make a medical request.

 

[Dean]

Thank you! I remember the comment about two exchange fees to be paid to rci if we rented two units but I didn't remember the $95 payment to Disney at all. In my head, I was thinking the cash outlay was going to be $150 or so for the week. Still not bad for being able to keep my DVC points and use the inlaws rci points instead.

A building with an elevator would be fine, too, if not a first floor villa. Just not stairs because MIL would never make it. (We're going to have to rent a scooter for her for the parks.) I'll be sure to make a medical request.

I know it's a lot to keep up with but here's a page from few months ago. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2351088&highlight=rci&page=3

 

[kimberh]

I called Wilderness Lodge, which is where my RCI trade was and made my request with them the week I was checking in. She did honor them.

 

[Inkmahm]

I called Wilderness Lodge, which is where my RCI trade was and made my request with them the week I was checking in. She did honor them.

Thanks, I'll probably call that week too. But I can't take the chance of waiting that long to make sure we're on the first floor or have an elevator because my MIL won't be able to do stairs. I need to make sure that requirement is on the reservation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There is an entrance to the master bath thru the laundry room...

Only in Buildings number 30 and higher.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm a DVC member but I didn't think I'd be able to call MS with a RCI exchange into DVC. Can I call to make requests for this reservation?

Yes, you can, whether Member or not. When you'll call, you want to speak with the external exchange desk.

 

[dianeschlicht]

There is an entrance to the master bath thru the laundry room...

That is true if you are in buildings numbered 30 and above, but those under number 30 will NOT have the extra door to the bathroom. I keep hoping that is something they will fix when they redo the villas.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For medical issues request either first floor or building 62-64 which do have elevators. Make sure they record that it's a medical request, it should be honored.

This is exactly the request we used when DH had knee surgery and was using a scooter on our trip. We were placed in bldg 62 - first floor. All in all just perfect. OKW is large enough that even if they miss the request they should be able to find an appropriate first floor room but I'd guess they are very conciencious about it b/c of the few elevators. And the bonus with bldg 62 was that it had the seperate entrance to the bathroom although with our group setup it wasn't required.