World Passport Collection

[plymouthmom]

Thinking about a trade for one of the non disney resorts. Anyone out there have any experiences, good or bad. Would just like to see if it is worth doing?

 

[Dean]

Thinking about a trade for one of the non disney resorts. Anyone out there have any experiences, good or bad. Would just like to see if it is worth doing?

That's a broad request but I'll get you started. While I've never traded DVC, I have extensive experience with II trades and likely know more about the DVC trade system than most anyone. See this thread for basic info.

Of the roughly 500 trade options, only a small portion are a reasonable value trading DVC. These are resorts that are in high demand during peak times. The problem with those options is that they are rarely available. Even if you are going to be successful, the good stuff is almost never there when you call. To be successful, you need to put in a search and be prepared to wait. It's best to do so a full 2 years out but anything less than a full year out is short notice. You need to research the resorts yourself because you don't want surprises.

IMO, it is unreasonable to buy DVC for any exchange options including DC, DCL, II, BVTC or CC. However, there is one approach that I think is very reasonable for those that do own. That is to keep an ongoing request in a full 2 years out for the cream of the crop. You might not get it for the first year but might 2 or 3 years later. Since you can stop or change the request, no harm done if you don't because they don't take your points until you match. You just have to keep the request maintained and make sure you only have options you really want listed because they will match you without calling once something that is an exact match comes along. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed so hopefully this info will help you to avoid bad exchange options and put yourself in a position to be successful if you do attempt an II exchange. I could go on and on listing specific examples, resorts and areas but will stop there for now.

I won't say anything else about BVTC outside the above linked thread as it's pretty straight forward.

 

[plymouthmom]

That is great info. We would most likely be looking at Mexico or Caribbean outside of Disney property. I am not quite sure what the abbreviations in your message mean. I apologize! I am new to this, can you elaborate?

 

[plymouthmom]

I was thinking those were resorts! It is still early here, I believe you are talking about Buena Vista Trading company and other trading institutions?

 

[Dean]

I was thinking those were resorts! It is still early here, I believe you are talking about Buena Vista Trading company and other trading institutions?

correct. Also Concierge Collection, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Collection and Interval International. The first 3 where you can trade points like cash but think of it like converting to the Euro where you lose a lot in the conversion.

That is great info. We would most likely be looking at Mexico or Caribbean outside of Disney property. I am not quite sure what the abbreviations in your message mean. I apologize! I am new to this, can you elaborate?

In general those resorts are easier to get than HI though there are exceptions. For MX I'd say the Royals in the Cancun area and Paradise Village in PV are the top choices. They will be very hard to get week 51-18 (xmas to Easter) but not impossible if you plan ahead. With the Royals that's 2 years out because that's when they start depositing. I can't say much about the Cabo area. For the Caribbean, the Westin resorts (St. John and Atlantis) will be almost impossible anytime. The peak season will be the same for the Caribbean, weeks 51-18. Also, the Marriott's in Aruba will be tough due to the internal Marriott trading preference. I'd say the other top Caribbean resorts are the Marriott's in Aruba, Playa and Costa Linda in Aruba, Reef resort and Grand Caymanian Grand Cayman's and the other 2 Marriott's (St. Thomas and Kitt's). There are a few others worth considering but possibly questionable in comparison to DVC. All I ask is you investigate to ensure you'll have the best experience possible and make the best decisions for your situation.