Help! DVC or not to DVC--II question

[skidoc]

Hi All:

We are thinking of taking the plunge (300 points at SSR); we have been evaluating other timeshare systems as well (Marriott and Starwood). Our goal is to stay in Orlando every few years but otherwise to trade via II to travel around. The concept of staying in Disney is really attractive, but I have heard that there are issues with using II as a DVC member, and that DVC weeks may not trade well on II (because Disney deposits low-demand weeks). This would be a major negative for us; I am curious about people's experiences with II on the board. We usually travel Week 16 (MA school vacation). Thanks! Doc

[JimP]

The general advise is to NOT buy DVC unless you want to use it primarily (in our case exclusively) in DVC resorts.

If you only want to stay every 2-3 years... buy 1/2 or 1/3 the number of points you need and accomplish your goals via banking/borrowing.

Then go buy something that works well for trading... or staying where you want to go. I suggest you spend a couple of months reading tug every day before making a purchase.

/Jim

[skidoc]

Thanks! But WHY doesn't DVC work well for trading in II?

[administrator]

Thanks! But WHY doesn't DVC work well for trading in II?

Because of the following:

1. DVC only has a general II account, to which you can never have personal access (except through the "Short Stays" program).

2. DVC decides which week(s) it will deposit into the II system for you. This means that they could deposit an SSR September 1BR week, for example, which won't hold a lot of trading/drawing power, and could sit on the market for a very long time. In fact, maybe it won't be picked up by someone else at all. This decreases your choices and chances.

I own both DVC and Starwood. I have to admit that I really, really love Starwood with regard to its amenities: DVC just can't hold a candle to the *wood properties. Now, *wood's II trading status in II will vary according to what property you own, the season in which you own it, and whether or not that property is in *wood's "mandatory" or "voluntary" network. Although the mandatory properties tend to be the most valuable (because you can trade within the *wood network without having to use II) and desirable in terms of location, there is one problem with them: See #2 above. That's right. We own an Ocean Front Deluxe unit in Maui (a mandatory property) -- which is obviously very desirable. However, if we want to trade in II, *wood gets to choose the resort, unit and week for us. So, they could choose to deposit a 2BR week in Orlando's Vistana Villages in September for us. Ugh.

This is not the case, however, if you own at one of the voluntary resorts. If you own at one of these, you can choose which week (at your resort only) to deposit directly into II. The disadvantage is that you cannot trade within the *wood network; in fact, you have to pretty much do all of your trading within II.

Because of all of this, if I ever decided not to go to Maui for a year, I'd rent out my unit and then pay cash to stay where I wanted to stay.

I can also tell you that I like Marriott's system. It's more equitable than *wood's and they have a ton more properties than *wood. We didn't find it to be as luxurious as *wood, but if you're looking for properties that are still great (DVC quality), than you can't go wrong with Marriott.

HTH

[Cruisin]

Great advice from many here!! Buy the small DVC contract if you stay every 2 or 3 years, especially if you want to pick the time you go, then buy something else for II. Not being able to search on II because of the DVC corporate account is a major loss, you will not be offered near as many resorts as if you had a week to search online with. This has been tested numerous times by many! I know a # of dcv owners who finally got something else to trade on II, and were actually a little upset at the limitations DVC puts on II use. If you own one of the most desirable timeshares (DVC) , you should get the full trade power II has for you!!!

[tomandrobin]

I will agree with all of the above. I would buy a small contract at the resort you would like to stay. Bank and borrow your points so you can goe every three years.

As far as timeshares, Starwood and Marriott are two of the better systems. There are pluses and minuses to owning both. I own Starwood and have been really, really happy with the trades and exchanges I have received so far.

I would continue to research your timeshare options. Make a list of things/places you want to travel. How big of unit do you need? What time of year do you want to travel? What type of resorts do you like to stay?

[JimP]

Also... if you want to trade, there are much less expensive timeshares that you can own that actually trade quite well. DVC is expensive and trades poorly... which is a bad situation if you want to trade out.

Someone recently compared it to automobiles. You do not want to buy a Lexus... and use it to trade for KIAs. If you are going to trade often... you are better off buying a KIA that has enough trade power to exchange for a Lexus.

My analogy is using Perrier to water you lawn! Not a smart choice.

I love owning DVC!!! It helps me make predictable trips to WDW... aligned with confirmed FF award airline tix. I do trade less expensive timeshares into DVC... and then cancel the duplicate days and bank my excess DVC point for future trip. At this time... I can see no good reason to trade my DVC into II, or any other program. It is a great deal for staying at DVC resorts period.

/Jim