What can you tell me about trading into DVC via Interval Int'l?

[Tina]

I'm a DVC member. A co-worker just approached me and tried to get me to attend an Interval International timeshare thingie in Williamsburg. As it turns out, she just bought and is trying to rope in more people. So anyway, we had a conversation regarding our programs and were comparing notes. She told me she plans to take her first Disney vacation next year and she wants to stay at the Boardwalk. According to her, she can go anytime and stay in ANY size accomodation as long as its available. She said this would include the Grand Villa as well. She only has to pay $135 and the rest if taken care of. I'm not trying to discourage her, but I don't want her to think she can just make one call and get anything she wants. What's the real story for her situation? What are the limitations for trading into DVC? Will it be difficult for her? I know she has 3 kids, so she'll want a 2 Bedroom at the very least.

 

[Laurajean1014]

It was very simple for us. WE went to Colorado skiing in March.

From what I was told, more people want to go to Disney than not.

So, you should have great success.

 

[Tina]

I think you misunderstood my question. SHE wants to go to Disney as an Interval International Member, not a DVC member.

 

[Diznut84]

I am also a DVC and II member. I scan II frequently for DVC availability. In my opinion, there is NO chance for a Grand Villa. The chances for a 2BR BWV (or BCV or VWL for that matter) are nearly as bad. There is some chance that she could get one with an ongoing search for September or January.

Williamsburg is a notoriously poor trader within II. If her resort is very high quality (that is key with Interval), she has a reasonable chance of getting a 1BR or larger at OKW or SSR if she provides a wide range of dates. Of course, she will also have to pay her maintenance fees, a $139 exchange fee, and a $95 Disney guest services fee. She is very unlikely to get a match for ANY sized units during holiday weeks.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but non-DVC resort sales team are notorious for misleading people about DVC availability.

 

[Tina]

Thanks Diznut. I thought that would be the case, but I didn't want to rain on her parade. At this point, she seems to think that she can do anything and everything. She obviously fell hard for the sales pitch.

When you said that you 'scan' II for availability, does that mean on the internet? Or do you have to call and perform a search?

 

[Janet Hill]

I trade into DVC a lot. I'm just very flexible about when I go and where I stay. For me even after the fees are paid, it's a whole lot cheaper than owning DVC. I stay only in 2BR (OKW). However, I now see Saratoga Springs available almost as frequently as OKW.

But then again, I have no desire to go to Disney during peak season. I go late August - October and in May. This works great for me.

 

[Diznut84]

When you said that you 'scan' II for availability, does that mean on the internet? Or do you have to call and perform a search?

Yes, II allows online searching. I search daily for availability at a few resorts (DVC included). In the past month, there has been a DRAMATIC decrease in availability of DVC. I have not seen ANY 2BR units online for over a month.

I don't disagree with Janet, either. If you can stay during late-August, September, January, or May, you will find some availability at OKW and SSR. More and more, ongoing searches are required to get DVC, and they are becoming more difficulty.

This stands in quite stark contrast to what Tina's friend implied (i.e. that all DVC units for all seasons are available). She can put in a request for a BWV Grand Villa (or any other Grand Villa). She will wait forever. If she puts in for a 2BR BWV during peak periods, she better buy a lottery number as well...

 

[Tina]

Thanks Janet. Her week is in October, so hopefully, she'll have good luck.

 

[Diznut84]

Thanks Janet. Her week is in October, so hopefully, she'll have good luck.

If she needs a 2BR, she will need to deposit a 2BR unit, and she would be well-advised to add OKW and SSR to her request. Otherwise, I would put her chance at less than 5%.

Good luck!

 

[Tina]

Thanks everyone.

 

[deedeetoo]

I'm just learning. Could you explain some more. How does II have specific unit types at specific weeks?. Does a DVC owner make a DVC reservation say for a 2 BR for one week and then try to trade it into the II system?

Or is there a different mechanism?

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

If she needs a 2BR, she will need to deposit a 2BR unit, and she would be well-advised to add OKW and SSR to her request. Otherwise, I would put her chance at less than 5%.

I think you are over stating the chances from personal experience. Family members of mine twice have traded Marriott for DVC. Both times at the Boardwalk, 2Brm, once in October, and once in March.

I found your point about Williamsburg being a poor trader interesting. I don't have any first hand experience, but from some research I did the Marriott property in Williamsburg appeared to be a strong trader.

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

We are trying to trade out of DVC through II to a Marriott property in Myrtle Beach from next summer. We just moved within the one year exchange time frame so I'm hoping something comes through soon, but I realize it could be months yet before I get a bite.

 

[cobbler]

From what I have been hearing through the grapevine it is much more difficult to trade into DVC than it is out of it.

From what I have been hearing that most people that buy DVC, stay DVC and don't trade out. Something along the lines of 80-85% of DVC members don't trade out.

So it could be tough.

 

[Dean]

Technically your friend was told correctly, the key words are "if available". I search for DVC trades online with II daily, many times multiple times per day. I then search with different levels of II deposits to see what will grab what. IMO, a 2 BR at BWV is almost impossible. DVC doesn't deposit 3 BR units as a rule so I agree there's no real chance. For Jan, May, late Aug, Sept, Oct, early Nov and early Dec; there is a chance for a 1 BR or below at any resort and there's a small chance of a 2 BR but mostly at SSR and OKW. Williamsburg is not a strong trader, even 4th of July, but it will get into DVC for the times I mentioned if the unit is available. It will just fall in line behind many others also searching.

Marriott MB will be very tough, don't expect it to come through unless one is looking off season (not summer or Easter). Technically off season there is actually something like Oct to March but the edge of that time should be easier than the summer.

 

[llp479]

Our MVC sales rep told us we hedged our bets buying both DVC and MVC Hawaii. Owners at HI resorts and DVC resorts have an 85 - 90% use rate, he said, which makes them tough trades.

All gets back to the infamous, "buy where you want to stay." Especially if you need 2 bdrms or can only travel during peak travel times.

 

[Dean]

Our MVC sales rep told us we hedged our bets buying both DVC and MVC Hawaii. Owners at HI resorts and DVC resorts have an 85 - 90% use rate, he said, which makes them tough trades.

All gets back to the infamous, "buy where you want to stay." Especially if you need 2 bdrms or can only travel during peak travel times.

DVC is more in the 95% range. We know only 3% exchange with II, we don't know exactly how many trade points for certain. Nothing in HI is 85-90% usage over time due to the travel costs and distance. Both also share extremely high cost and fees.

 

[joshua121301]

We own two Marriott Properties and also own DVC. On years that we are not using both weeks in a Marriott Property we have traded into DVC with success each time and we were specific on the dates and had no problem at all.