Where in the world have you traded...........

[Debs Hill]

Am really interested to know where in the world people have traded, which resorts and what was your experience like?!!
We have so far only been to the Dorchester in London but have put in for a trade in Portugal for next summer........no joy yet, they are still waiting for a match!!!

So, lets hear the good, the bad and the ugly!!

 

[Cora]

We've stayed at the Plaza and Ford's Colony Williamsburg.

 

[AnnaS]

I am curious too.

I have been doing a search for the member who traded points for a resort in Tuscany, Italy and I cannot find/get to it. I want to read about his trip again. I think we might want to do a trade either in 2006 or 07 and need to start my homework. I think I will have to start a thread and ask the question.

 

[Debs Hill]

Anna,
Yes I'd love to hear about that resort too! Where has everyone else been?!!!
Debs

 

[Dean]

I haven't traded DVC at all but have seen or stayed at likely 100 or more resorts over the years. Many of them were 30 min to an hour walk through, some were a timeshare tour and about 20 we actual stays. Still only a drop in the bucket to the choices out there. DVC and DIS will never amass enough info on the trade options to be comprehensive other than maybe for the DC options. Just too little info, too few traders and too many choices.

 

[kmcrosby]

We've traded for the Grand Timber Lodge at Breckenridge, CO in June 2004, and The Plaza (NYC) at Thanksgiving, 2004. Would go back to the Grand Timber, but not the Plaza. Once in a lifetime was enough for me. Too many points and disappointed in the Plaza's service.

 

[Debs Hill]

Anyone traded to Palm Springs, Arizona , Las Vegas or Portugal?!!!

Debs

 

[spiceycat]

I traded for a friend to Las Vegas - would not again - she was getting married there and I needed to find her something fast.

she loved it.

but she loves Las Vegas....

I have traded my other timeshares to Marriott's Manor Club at Ford Colony in Williamsburg and Marriott's Grande Ocean at HH. Grand Ocean I will do again - this is a beautiful place.

the one in WIlliamsburg unless you like to golf is not near anything - so I don't know about it. I might go for one of the lessor ones in Williamburgs that are closer to things that I like.

the Marriott in Panama City is not on the beach gulf. So I like my timeshare in PCB better there.

I am so silly abour flying that if I can't drive to it - I won't go....

so your travelers who brave the Atlantic or Pacific oceans have my admiration.

one of the best timeshare I have been in is Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Seaworld - so I would think their in LV would be pretty nice too.

 

[Nuts4DVC]

We traded for two nights/two rooms at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. My FIL retired and we took them as a retirement present. Its only aan hour and half from our house thou. We drove there.

 

[DVC Mary]

We traded for two nights/two rooms at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. My FIL retired and we took them as a retirement present. Its only aan hour and half from our house thou. We drove there.

How was it? We're in the Chicago area & have considered it? Is it a good place to go w/ kids? Our DSs are 4 & almost 8.

Thanks in advance for your reply!

 

[SimplyMagical]

We would be interested in the Italy information as well. Would like to plan a trip for 2006. Thanks.

 

[Debs Hill]

For those of you who have traded, rather than conceirge collection, did you get what you wanted straight away, or did you have to wait?!! If so, for how long?!! I wonder how many people eventually get a match?

Why would you not return to the one in Las Vegas...was it the place or the accommodation? I love the place, like your friend we got married there, but wondered about the standard of accommodation. Which one did you stay at?

Lets here from everyone else...........where have you been and what was it like!

 

[Dean]

For those of you who have traded, rather than conceirge collection, did you get what you wanted straight away, or did you have to wait?!! If so, for how long?!! I wonder how many people eventually get a match?

Why would you not return to the one in Las Vegas...was it the place or the accommodation? I love the place, like your friend we got married there, but wondered about the standard of accommodation. Which one did you stay at?

Lets here from everyone else...........where have you been and what was it like!

Less than 80% of people who try actually get a match. They don't measure how frequently they get what they really want, only if they accepted a unit. I'd guess that less than 20% of those trying to peak season and top resorts get workable options. But there are many things you can do to improve your chances, I've stated them many times. Plan ahead AT LEAST a year preferably two. Research your choices well and other than through DVC or this board. Be flexible!!!!! Members amuse me as they many times think 3 weeks and 3 resorts if flexible, it's not. A 2-3 month range of maybe 10 or more resorts is a good starting point. And ask for less than a 2 BR for many places, research pays off in this area and besides the 1 BR trades are best value under the present system.

 

[GolfGeek]

I used points and traveled to the Tuscany area in Italy in September and posted a trip report a couple of months ago (probably November).
We stayed in Tuscany for 7 nights and in Rome for 4 nights. This was a great trip and we liked it so much, we are planning to go back again.
If anyone has specific questions or needs additional information regarding my trip, please let me know. Bob

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have only traded once, and that was for a week at Kona Coast II on the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

[Nuts4DVC]

Mackinac Island--Grand Hotel. I don't think we would take our kids there. Its suit and Ty formal wear after 6pm and made it hard for us to get to the swimming pool. There are two floors that will get you back to your room. One was the level that the long porch is on. Usually that room was full of business people attending dinner after meetings. We snuck in the lower level to get back to our room after swimming at night. It's just very formal.

They do have a childrens club there. The dining experience was great. A little long for young children I would think as it is brought out in "courses". I have 11 yr twin boys and I am not sure they could sit throught the dining experience.

We go to Mackinac Island every summer and have stayed at many places. Our faverite is Mission Point, very family family. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Robin in the UP

 

[Bama Penguin]

Traded one week for the Marriot Ko Olina on Oahu in September of last year. Was on wait list for about 5 months, took a studio when I wanted a 1 BR villa just because I wanted Oahu specifically and there aren't many II trade options on that island. Only required 123 points. The resort was wonderful, but remote to Honolulu and other attractions.

 

[Debs Hill]

We have tried to be flexible and asked for 1 week or 2 at Four Seasons, Arizona or Portugal for 3 week period in April on any time in July............and this is for 2006, so was surprised that nothing is available!!!! Will wait a while and see what comes up, and then maybe enlarge our choice of dates/resorts!

Bob, Would love to hear all about your trip to Italy, and a link to your trip report would be fab! How did the resort compare, was it on a par with Disney for quality? What was Tuscany like? How far in advance did you book?!

Debsx

 

[Dean]

We have tried to be flexible and asked for 1 week or 2 at Four Seasons, Arizona or Portugal for 3 week period in April on any time in July............and this is for 2006, so was surprised that nothing is available!!!! Will wait a while and see what comes up, and then maybe enlarge our choice of dates/resorts!

Bob, Would love to hear all about your trip to Italy, and a link to your trip report would be fab! How did the resort compare, was it on a par with Disney for quality? What was Tuscany like? How far in advance did you book?!

Debsx

I wouldn't expand your request beyond what you'd really be comfortable and wouldn't make changes you don't really want until maybe 6 months out from your desired travel.

 

[spiceycat]

II is the exchange company - they don't own these timeshares - so you have to wait for the owner to exchange it with them first.

Dean is correct (as always) wait - II gets most of their inventory 6 months before. RCI gets there a year.

the reason I won't exchange to Las Vegas again - is that I don't need it.

I don't fly anywhere....

I have been to gamble in Mississippi and I got bored quick....

she stayed in Club de Soleil. the Hilton would have been a better choice - but it only trades thru RCI.

MS got the exchange a couple of days after I called.

Now that I now how to look for deals - thanks Dean!!! and tug is also outstanding with this.

I won't do that again.