World Passport Collection

[travelbug]

I'm a little confused about how the World Passport Collection works. Do all of the possible locations fall within a certain point range for a standard 7-night reservation? Is there any way that I can know (without calling) whether I could possibly have enough points to even consider some of the resorts?

I do understand that I would have to call MS and state my interest in a particular location or type of location. They would look into availability and let me know if and when the right unit came up. But is a phone call the only way that I can find out if I'm even in the running (point-wise) for some of these places?

It was a little hard to word my question, but I hope it is clear enough. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Many thanks! ß

 

[dianeschlicht]

BAsically, if you plan on what the point cost of the size DVC unit you would want for that season will give you a hint. For example, if you are looking for a 1BR in a prime time for that resort, look at the cost of a 1BR in Disney's prime time. I was pleasantly surprised when I was looking to exchange to Hawaii. I was expecting to spend 200+ points, but I got by with 160. We are going the end of April, so not in the really prime time, but not bad!

Disneydiane

 

[Dean]

IF it's truly high season, assume Dream season at OKW as your bench mark. You must use the size unit your requesting OR the smallest size unit that resort has, which ever is more points. High season will be ski weeks, warm locations Christmas to easter, HH summer, NO for Mardi Gras, etc. For the rest, assume HH or OKW Adventure. While you will need to look at each individually, this will give you a rough idea. MS will not be able to tell you for certain the cost until the exchange is actually ready to be completed because there are factors that they don't have control over. These include being able to get a week to give to II. Say the chart says Dream season but there are no dream season rooms that size, you can offer them Magic instead but more points. All of the banking, borrowing and home resort priorities apply when scheduling the week to give to II.

If you have specific areas or resorts in mind, I can give you more specifics as to what to expect and possibly point savings tips as well.

Dean

 

[travelbug]

Let's say that I would like to book a 2 BR unit at Tortuga Beach Club on Sanibel Island for Mar. 30-Apr. 6 of next year. That is Easter week, Saturday to Saturday, which is pretty much when I'm "stuck" taking vacation time.

My home resort is BWV. So I'm looking at the point chart for BWV right now. Do I look in the 2 BR column for starters? If so, what season do I look at? Is it Premier season because it's peak season at Eastertime? Or will I look at a "cheaper" season, because the resort I'm interested is not Disney World itself?

Sorry I'm not catching on to this very quickly. Dean, you seem pretty knowledgeable. Can you (or someone else) help me understand just a little more?

By the way, once I figure out what ballpark I'd be in for points, I'll probably be most interested in pursuing tropical type locations. (Mexico, Aruba, Virgin Islands, etc.) So I'll most likely come on with a new topic, asking about specific ones I'm considering.

Many thanks for any more help you can give me! Z

 

[Dean]

First Sanibel and Captiva are VERY difficult to get into for that time of year. Remember that someone else must give up time for you to get anything and you're competing against many others who may have exchanges with just as much trade power as DVC. The DVC benefit here is that it's request first and therefore if you don't get anything, you're still set. You might want to make backup DVC reservations at WDW or VB for that time which you can cancel if you match. 12 months is the baseline I'd look at though for the trade noted above, I'd consider it short notice. With DVC you can now search 2 years out (was 18 months until last year) so you may way to place the request for next year and 2003 as well. Also look at the Timeshare Users Group for anyone that owns there that might be interested in a direct exchange.

Points would be OKW dream season most likely, Magic at worst. DVC NEVER gives up premier time, it's in their rules though I haven't seen it written down. Assume any trade that's high time will be Dream and OKW is the best to exchange for that season. Being a large resort, there are usually weeks that are available and fit the criteria for exchange. YOU ARE NOT DELEGATED TO ONLY USING YOUR HOME RESORT for exchanges, DVC MS will pick the week that fits the criteria and is the least points using all resorts and keeping in mind banking, borrowing and home resort windows.

Each destination will be a little different. The Caribbean in general and Aruba especially, has mostly studio and 1 BR units. Fortunately, the studios are usually close to the 1 BR anyway at many of the resorts. Cancun has a large number of top notch units, mostly 2 BR but some 1 BR. The studios there are basically hotel units in many cases. Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta is a Spa with studios with a full kitchen, 1 BR with 2 baths but is a ways out of town. Some places you need a car others you don't. I'll be happy to help any way I can, just let me know. You're welcome to email me directly if you want as well.

Dean

 

[travelbug]

Dean, you did an excellent job of explaining to me. Thanks for being so patient. It is all beginning to make sense to me now.

To be honest, the wide variety of travel opportunities that I could exchange for was as big a selling point for me as the Disney resorts themselves. So I'm anxious to start exploring the possibilities soon.

I'm amazed at how much you seem to know about resorts all over the place. Have you actually been to a number of them, or do you have another source of such good information?

Thanks so much for offering more info to me! When I'm ready to proceed, I'll be back on the boards looking you up! $

 

[Dean]

Knowledge comes from info from my travels, from discussion with others, Timeshare Users Group, Timesharing today amoung other sources. Good luck.

Dean