That's too broad a statement to know how to address, too many options and locations without knowing your preferences. For RCI, one will do best planning a full year or more out and putting in an ongoing search.
That's what I mean, those would have been two of my top choices. Aruba is a good option but tickets won't be much less than HI. Big Cedar is close to you but a fabulous place. HH and MB are great beach options, can't speak to the TX options. Williamsburg, Wisconsin, ski areas in summer are all great options. However, when you look at RCI options that are comparable to DVC, it starts to get restrictive. I've exchanged extensively with RCI and II both, you just have to research and plan.
Big Cedar Lodge is just outside of Branson. It's WONDERFUL! We've been many times because it's only about a 3 1/2 hour drive for us, and one of my sister's got married at their property (Dogwood Canyon) in July. Our favorite time of year to go there so far has been November. The weather is still pretty good and the whole place is decorated for Christmas. It's absolutely beautiful!
Tablerock Lake, near Branson. I haven't been there but by all accounts it's one of the premier resorts in the world and every bit the rival of top Marriott and DVC options. You may have heard of it as the Bass Pro Shop resort.
Other than maybe 4th of July, Williamsburg is a pretty easy exchange. One thing to know about the resorts in Williamsburg is that the resorts are generally not very close to the attractions/historic area. The exceptions are the Westgate resort and the first Bluegreen resort, neither are on the DVC list (WG is II). As an example, there's a rental for next Late July for a week in a 2 BR unit for $795 and Marriott 2 BR units for June to early July for $1500-1800.
No Bill, it really isn't. I suspect your perception is fueled by reports of people who are reporting their experiences along the lines of your perception. The problem with that is that most DVC members who attempt to exchange do so completely wrong and very poorly. They don't plan far enough ahead (1 yr min), they do an ongoing search and they aren't flexible enough. Even done correctly DVC isn't great for trading but it can trade so much better than the experience of most that post here. Certainly one should plan with an eye to what's likely to be available OR with the idea of shooting for high end choices realizing they may not be successful but that the prize is worth the risk. The latter would plan accordingly for other options if needed and they did not match. The other mistake I think many make is not investigating the independent exchange companies. Exchanging, done right, is a fair amount of work.With DVC/RCI exchanges isn't it more about what's available instead of where you want to go. Reading the posts here on the DIS and talking to family members that have RCI privileges, getting your requested resort is a near impossibility.
Bill
There is no one answer. It could be as much as 2 months out or as little as 1 month. Of course you could always cancel and get a refund of the exchange fee if your plans change or you don't match by your cutoff time. The problems arrises when your plans change before you have a chance to cancel and you match in the interim. I'm sure there's a cutoff date where they will not match you without getting your permission but I'm not sure what it is now with their changes, I'd guess either 30 or 45 days. Maybe Jim, Brian or someone else know for sure what RCI's policy is on this. It's possible that DVC's policy is different but not likely. It's especially unclear if it's an RCI points resort because I'm not sure that anyone else has the ability to search first. My guess is DVC is doing these searches manually anyway though.
What dates are you looking at and I can check availability for the timeshare side directly. You can email me directly if you want for that purpose.
We've always loved:
Williamsburg....besides all the history there is a Busch Gardens & waterpark...a few years ago we got a good flex ticket that included many attractions...stayed at the Marriott at Ford's Colony....very nice.
Sanibel....very relaxing, great shelling and eats. Fort Myers has Ford's summer home.
Door County, Wisconsin
Our friends really like Destin area and Gatlinburg, TN
