Washington D.C.?

[Disney Dreams]

Hi All,

Okay, so we bought into DVC three years ago. We have had wonderful trips (with another on the horizon, of course!) and have come to feel very comfortable with booking, staying, working with points within the DVC system. By that I mean: Disney DVC properties.

What I know is available to us, but we really have not delved into is exchanges through RCI and (maybe?) other systems. We decided in the beginning we would just use our points for Disney DVC properties while we get a basic understanding of exactly how to utilize our membership.

I have read a lot on here about RCI and exchanges, but I admit I'm a bit fuzzy on how / when / if that works.

We are considering a trip in 2014 to Washington D.C. We have no clue if we can use DVC points there somehow. We don't know where to look to learn about if this is an option. We would like to educate ourselves about how we can use our points outside of DVC on occasion if desired.

Where do I look? Can someone help point me in the right direction? DC with DVC? Is it do-able? Thanks!

- Dreams

 

[Breyean]

If you have the Vacation Planner DVC sent out a couple of months ago, starting on page 86 they have info on exchanges into RCI.

 

[abdgeek]

If you want to do DC using DVC, you would book the Mandarin Oriental Hotel under the Concierge Collection using points. You can't book it before the 2014 contracts have been signed which is usually around Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. You will have to call member services around that time to see when you can start booking. The Mandarin Oriental is a popular property, so try to book it as far out as you can.

If I remember correctly, there aren't any DVC RCI exchanges in DC. The closest you could stay would be Williamsburg, VA(about 2.5 hours away) or Massanutten, VA(the resort doesn't say Massanutten but that's where it is--near Harisonburg VA if I have my geography correct). As the other PP said, also check the book or go online to the MS RCI website to see what the RCI options are in the area.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

DVC's World Passport Collection has an RCI-affiliated resort about 8 miles south of the White House. It's the Wyndham National Harbor (#C194) in National Harbor, Maryland.

 

[Dean]

Wyndham has an even closer resort not on the exchange list, in Alexandria, VA. One might consider a private exchange with a Wyndham owner.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

If you want to do DC using DVC, you would book the Mandarin Oriental Hotel under the Concierge Collection using points. You can't book it before the 2014 contracts have been signed which is usually around Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. You will have to call member services around that time to see when you can start booking. The Mandarin Oriental is a popular property, so try to book it as far out as you can.

Friends of ours have stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, DC and raved about the hotel and their experience there. Actually, they have now vacationed there twice, using points.

 

[gramjulie3]

Our family staayed at the Mandarin Oriental 3 years ago using our DVC points. I have to say it was one off our best vacations. We walked to the National Mall every morning . The staff at the Mandarin are excellent in every way. We hope to go back in the near future.

 

[Brian Noble]

Wyndham has an even closer resort not on the exchange list, in Alexandria, VA.

And, personally, I prefer the Alexandria resort. Just around the corner from the King Street metro station, and plenty of nice restaurants and shops within easy walking distance (or, if you prefer, via the free shuttle that runs in Alexandria). We spent a week there this past Easter, and really enjoyed it.

 

[Starr W.]

And, personally, I prefer the Alexandria resort. Just around the corner from the King Street metro station, and plenty of nice restaurants and shops within easy walking distance (or, if you prefer, via the free shuttle that runs in Alexandria). We spent a week there this past Easter, and really enjoyed it.

Ditto, I own at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria and my suburban kids love it. Did Easter 2yrs ago and going this Thanksgiving(boys were given a choice and they picked OTA over WDW).

It's also a few blocks from Whole Foods, so if you don't feel like going out you can drop in and get dinner.

 

[Iceman93]

It's also a few blocks from Whole Foods, so if you don't feel like going out you can drop in and get dinner.

Really? You're staying in Old Town Alexandria with probably 100 great restaurants within easy walking distance (and another couple hundred no more than a couple of Metro stops away), and you're going to Whole Foods for dinner? I get the "not wanting to go out" thing, but there are SO many better places than an upscale grocery store just as close...

 

[Disney Dreams]

If you have the Vacation Planner DVC sent out a couple of months ago, starting on page 86 they have info on exchanges into RCI.

Thanks.

If you want to do DC using DVC, you would book the Mandarin Oriental Hotel under the Concierge Collection using points. You can't book it before the 2014 contracts have been signed which is usually around Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. You will have to call member services around that time to see when you can start booking. The Mandarin Oriental is a popular property, so try to book it as far out as you can.

Thank you. I looked at that property's points on the charts. I was a bit confused by the booking dates. Thanks for explaining that. I appreciate it. It looks fantastic, but wow it's a lot of points! LOL

Is there the restriction of having to wait until 7 months out in order to book when booking Concierge Collection? Or can I book as soon as the contracts you mentioned are signed? Thanks! I appreciate the help.

If I remember correctly, there aren't any DVC RCI exchanges in DC. The closest you could stay would be Williamsburg, VA(about 2.5 hours away) or Massanutten, VA(the resort doesn't say Massanutten but that's where it is--near Harisonburg VA if I have my geography correct). As the other PP said, also check the book or go online to the MS RCI website to see what the RCI options are in the area.

So... I am looking online at the World Passport Collection > 2014 RCI > Signature Collection and not seeing anything in Virginia. Am I looking in the wrong place? I don't know where you are finding these properties. ROFL. What's the secret that I'm missing? Thanks!

DVC's World Passport Collection has an RCI-affiliated resort about 8 miles south of the White House. It's the Wyndham National Harbor (#C194) in National Harbor, Maryland.

I looked online at the WOrld Passport Collection under 2014 RCI > Signature Collection to try to see this property. I don't see it. Where do I need to look for these that I clearly do not know is available to us? Thank you!

Wyndham has an even closer resort not on the exchange list, in Alexandria, VA. One might consider a private exchange with a Wyndham owner.

How would I go about doing that? This is new territory for me. Thanks for any information / guidance.

Friends of ours have stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, DC and raved about the hotel and their experience there. Actually, they have now vacationed there twice, using points.

Thanks! It looks like an incredible place!

Our family staayed at the Mandarin Oriental 3 years ago using our DVC points. I have to say it was one off our best vacations. We walked to the National Mall every morning . The staff at the Mandarin are excellent in every way. We hope to go back in the near future.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

And, personally, I prefer the Alexandria resort. Just around the corner from the King Street metro station, and plenty of nice restaurants and shops within easy walking distance (or, if you prefer, via the free shuttle that runs in Alexandria). We spent a week there this past Easter, and really enjoyed it.

Which resort are you referring to here, please? I guess I still don't understand where to find these D.C./VA area resorts even though I'm clicking through all the various charts. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

Ditto, I own at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria and my suburban kids love it. Did Easter 2yrs ago and going this Thanksgiving(boys were given a choice and they picked OTA over WDW).

It's also a few blocks from Whole Foods, so if you don't feel like going out you can drop in and get dinner.

Is this available with DVC points somehow?

Thanks everyone! Any additional input or assistance in understanding where/how to use DVC points in DC is greatly appreciated.

- Dreams

 

[Dean]

Wyndham National Harbour is under Mid-Atlantic. The Alexandria location is not on the DVC exchange list. For direct exchanges you could go to places like TUG (Timeshare Users Group), Redweeks plus I know there are Wyndham specific email lists. Any where you see someone offering a rental or exchange, you can always email and ask them if they have interest. I find the best way is to find people you know that own other systems and work out a win-win privately. Or you could rent out your points and rent something privately, actually the simplest and easiest for most circumstances.

You should compare the Mandarin to simply using cash, you likely will find the return per point is likely less than $7 a point compared to special rates but you should know either way. Cash would also give you other options that are less expensive.

 

[Cee]

National Harbour is NICE. You can take water taxis to DC, Alexandria, Georgetown. Wonderful!

If it's summer, you can even take it to a Nats Game!

 

[conciergekelly]

We went to the Mandarin on points 5 years ago. It is such a beautiful hotel. Very fancy. We had a harbor view. We stayed over the 4th if July and watched the fireworks over the Washington Monument from right in front of the hotel. There wasn't much around there then. There was a lot of new construction all around it (shopping and restaurants). It takes about 10 15 minutes to walk to National Mall. As I recall ,the parking fee was steep ,as it is in all big cities. I would love to go there' again.

 

[LPnerd]

call you DVC number. to book, do not book RCI vacations online... if you go through the threads here and on other sites you will quickly find out why.
we stayed at the Mandarin twice. its a beautiful hotel, you will pay 8 bucks for a cup of coffee. and they make it clear in everyway that kids are not really welcome . this is def a grow-up venue IMHO.
I am happy to hear of locations of the hotel rci, 8 miles away... one thing about checking rci, they should really be on maps so you don't have to hunt down exactly where each on is located exactly... the parking fees at hotels in DC range from 15 to 30 bucks a day. poor valets get no tips.

 

[Dean]

call you DVC number. to book, do not book RCI vacations online... if you go through the threads here and on other sites you will quickly find out why.
we stayed at the Mandarin twice. its a beautiful hotel, you will pay 8 bucks for a cup of coffee. and they make it clear in everyway that kids are not really welcome . this is def a grow-up venue IMHO.
I am happy to hear of locations of the hotel rci, 8 miles away... one thing about checking rci, they should really be on maps so you don't have to hunt down exactly where each on is located exactly... the parking fees at hotels in DC range from 15 to 30 bucks a day. poor valets get no tips.

For high demand options this is a bad choice because it may be gone by the time you can call in. There are reasons you need to call but often it's best not to if you know what you want.

 

[LPnerd]

For high demand options this is a bad choice because it may be gone by the time you can call in. There are reasons you need to call but often it's best not to if you know what you want.

with all do respect... huh? believe me, there is NO time it is better to make rci reservations online, ever...

 

[Dean]

with all do respect... huh? believe me, there is NO time it is better to make rci reservations online, ever...

I don't agree. Many top end options will be gone in less than the time of making a phone call. Other than if you are trying to finagle which points to use, it really doesn't matter. Anyone who's exchanging should already understand what they're getting into well before they get to the point of making an exchange. I make up to 10 exchanges a year online (non DVC) between II and RCI over a 13 year period (II longer) and I can' recall a single time when calling for the exchange was better than doing it online. I do recall many times where a given option wasn't there by the time I'd made up my mind. What are your concerns that make you think calling is necessary?

 

[LPnerd]

I don't agree. Many top end options will be gone in less than the time of making a phone call. Other than if you are trying to finagle which points to use, it really doesn't matter. Anyone who's exchanging should already understand what they're getting into well before they get to the point of making an exchange. I make up to 10 exchanges a year online (non DVC) between II and RCI over a 13 year period (II longer) and I can' recall a single time when calling for the exchange was better than doing it online. I do recall many times where a given option wasn't there by the time I'd made up my mind. What are your concerns that make you think calling is necessary?

standing in the check in line, listening to the folks in front have BIG problems with their online reservation... maybe it only happens when you exchange from DVC out to rci??? the Disney website has all kinds of issues on a reg basis, plus it can be So S L O W!!! also if you miss one thing it makes you start all over, , or you get through it and they ask you to call anyway.

 

[Dean]

standing in the check in line, listening to the folks in front have BIG problems with their online reservation... maybe it only happens when you exchange from DVC out to rci??? the Disney website has all kinds of issues on a reg basis, plus it can be So S L O W!!! also if you miss one thing it makes you start all over, , or you get through it and they ask you to call anyway.

I don't exchange my DVC points because I think it's almost always a poor value and I have other options that work better exchanging, but I've played with the system a lot and I use RCI weeks AND RCI points online all the time. As I noted, I've made a lot of exchanges over the years and I can't think of a single problem related to the instant exchange process itself that would have mattered online or direct. I've seen a lot of issues with both II and RCI related to calling those companies directly. I believe that overall I know more about what I want, how I want to do it, the resorts in question & how the overall process works than would a DVC MS CM. IMO, so should anyone else looking to exchange, if one is not willing to put that much effort into investigating and learning, they likely should not participate. Making a quick decision to exchange and simply trusting that DVC will steer you correctly is begging for trouble.

There really are only a small %, maybe 10-15% of the roughly 500 on the DVC list, that are truly comparable to DVC. Even then it's only a good value for peak times. IMO, the best way to exchange, for those that own already, is to do the investigation and put in ongoing exchange request for the good stuff. However, I find that often I'm looking around and see something great that you know won't be there in 10 minutes, much less when MS opens and you can get through.