Where else besides Disney?

[FreeTime]

We are looking to take a vacation next year at somewhere besides Disney. We would like to use our points (I know that many think that it is a waste but this is how we planned on paying for our vacations when we bought DVC {and besides we have points to burn}). Where have you stayed using your points? Did you enjoy it? Were the facilities nice? Good for very young children (toddler & baby)? Should we just try to stay at Hilton Head since it is owned by Disney? Is is hard to get HH in the summer? We are open to a beach vacation, mountain, desert, anything! Thanks for the imput.

 

[dan and scott]

How about the Disney Cruise Line???
Once you start cruising you will be addicted to it!!
We have "burned" all of this years allotment of 350(and then some) on a 7 day, catagory 5,for the 3 of us!!!

The ships are spectacular and the general decor of the ship probably goes way above/beyond the Grand Floridian!!
----Just something to think about.


Scott

 

[MalificentMe]

I would guess that the DVC holds a great trade value with other Time share people. How about trading with someone. You give them points they give you a week in their condo wherever that may be. I just feel that this would be the best way to save some money. Using the points at other places is just like always paying full price. I do not know where you would go about trading the points mabye do a search with your home page. Good luck, Tammy

 

[tsacyensid]

It depends where you want to go. Look at the Member's Only Website and check out the Concierge Collection. It is much easier then going through the Interval, that can be a headache. If you are still stuck call Member Services. They have some great advisors that will be happy to help but remember not to do it on a Monday when they are a little more rushed!

 

[dbond]

We have added a few days of skiing at Keystone Resort to our list of favorite places to go using DVC points. That's the only non-disney resort we've used points for so far.

 

[Peggy Sue]

We had MS do an II trade for us to Hawaii in 1998. Resort was very nice. (Kauai/Cliffs Club) Don't know if you want to travel that far with little ones!

There are lots of Florida time shares on the beach, some in our II exchange list. You may want to check out the resorts on TUG (Timeshare user group) before considering an exchange, as some are not really a good trade for your points. WWW.Tug2.net There is a $15. membership fee, but well worth it once you see all the info available to members. They also have a section of members who are looking to exchange their time share..and you may find someone looking for Disney. You could also post and list what you would like in exchange.

From what I've ready on the boards, HH is very difficult to get in the summer at the 7 month window. Never say never..but that's what I keep reading. We had no problem less than 4 months out for time in September.

Good luck with your decision! We are in the process of trying to work out another Hawaii exchange with someone I work with who has time share in Hawaii with RCI and want to go to Disney with her family!

The Disney cruise, mentioned above, is another great idea!

 

[DownNeckBoy]

Since your children are not in school yet, I would recommend HH. HH is tough to get into during the summer, less so, apparently, in May or September, when the weather is still very nice. I could not get in this year for the summer, but was able to get Labor Day week when I reserved in April. Good Luck!

 

[Dean]

For next summer, you need to plan now. Since you will be using points anyway, II exchanges are going to be the best value. You need to put in a request soon. Marriott's on HH would be an alternative but difficult to get also, consider a direct exchange. Hi, Aruba, Puerta vallarta, Cancun, etc, etc come to mind.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Tried for Sanibel Island last year at 11 mos and couldn't get in.