Just Scored DVC for July!

[BillW]

In our fourth year of HGVC ownership (resale, thx TUG!) and for the first time were able to get a Disney Vacation Club Villa through RCI. We have a Disney Wilderness Lodge 1 BR Villa from 11-18 July. My lovely bride has been wanting to stay on property and we talked about the possibility before purchasing and this year it has worked out. Over the past week have seen some good units come up in RCI. Last night there was even a spring break week in there but gone now.

Enough about us though. Hoping to tap into the vast experience of those who've done an exchange into DVC and find out any tips, tricks and cautions. At this point I don't even know enough to frame any questions. Just looking for any input on the stay, parks etc..

Thanks in advance fellow tuggers!

 

[piyooshj]

This is great. Did you have an ongoing search as well. We have never stayed at DVC would like to stay there. I have had an ongoing search since a year for DVC no luck yet. Any tips and tricks on how to get DVC. This is our 3rd year of ownership going by your records we should get it next year?

 

[alwysonvac]

This is great. Did you have an ongoing search as well. We have never stayed at DVC would like to stay there. I have had an ongoing search since a year for DVC no luck yet. Any tips and tricks on how to get DVC. This is our 3rd year of ownership going by your records we should get it next year?

Ongoing request for a year? What did you request?
DVC is not hard to get via RCI unless you severely limited your search (i.e. to a single DVC resort for one specific week)?

 

[piyooshj]

Ongoing request for a year? What did you request?
DVC is not hard to get via RCI unless you severely limited your search (i.e. to a single DVC resort for one specific week)?

I had a request for DVC during summer spring to summer months this year did not get matched. I just switched my dates to next year summer so far no match. I have 6 DVC resort ids in the box where you are allowed to put specific resort ids (Orlando and LA) in the regions I have Orlando and California as regions with summer months as the date range. Am I missing anything?

 

[Beefnot]

I had a request for DVC during summer spring to summer months this year did not get matched. I just switched my dates to next year summer so far no match. I have 6 DVC resort ids in the box where you are allowed to put specific resort ids (Orlando and LA) in the regions I have Orlando and California as regions with summer months as the date range. Am I missing anything?

How many TPU are you using and what room size are you requesting?
And no matches will hit until 6-7 months out.

 

[piyooshj]

How many TPU are you using and what room size are you requesting?
And no matches will hit until 6-7 months out.

I have requested a studio in anticipation that I will get matched with a studio or larger room. I am not sure what TPU mean? If some one can outline me exact search criteria that I should put in RCI ongoing search I'm happy to modify my search again.

 

[Beefnot]

I have requested a studio in anticipation that I will get matched with a studio or larger room. I am not sure what TPU mean? If some one can outline me exact search criteria that I should put in RCI ongoing search I'm happy to modify my search again.

I thought the studios were harder to come by via RCI, I could be wrong. TPU refers to trading power units. What is the trading power you are using for your search? I am guessing you should be using 40 or higher for the summer, although many have been scoring 1brs in the 50+ range for high months.

 

[rhonda]

Enough about us though. Hoping to tap into the vast experience of those who've done an exchange into DVC and find out any tips, tricks and cautions. At this point I don't even know enough to frame any questions. Just looking for any input on the stay, parks etc..

Thanks in advance fellow tuggers!

Congratulations! In a week or so, call the DVC Member Services phone number located on the RCI Exchange Confirmation. Introduce yourself as an inbound exchange guest and request the DVC Reservation Number (a 12-digit number). This process opens the door to many follow-on steps:
a) Magical Express: Linking free ground transportation between MCO airport and the resort;
b) My Disney Experience: Ordering wristbands that become your "keys to the kingdom" (room key, charge card, park entrance and fastpass+ system)
c) Room requests (location, view, etc.)
d) Dining Reservations
etc.! Happy planning!

 

[HudsHut]

Piyooshj:

Please double check your ongoing search to make sure it is set up correctly.

Which resorts did you include? for what dates?

 

[alwysonvac]

I had a request for DVC during summer spring to summer months this year did not get matched. I just switched my dates to next year summer so far no match. I have 6 DVC resort ids in the box where you are allowed to put specific resort ids (Orlando and LA) in the regions I have Orlando and California as regions with summer months as the date range. Am I missing anything?

Your chances are slim to none with the DVC in California.
It's a very small timeshare resort with only 48 rooms. Since Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are two of the largest DVC resorts, most of the RCI DVC inventory in Orlando will come from these two resorts but it doesn't hurt to try for all resorts.

Perhaps you switched your RCI request dates too early (from 2014 summer to 2015 summer). DVC normally deposits 6 to 7 months out. They're still depositing 2014 summer weeks so it's not too late to get something this year. There will be more competition for the two bedrooms in the summer. It's not hard to get a one bedroom if that will work for you.

Just remember that HGVC members have access to RCI Points and Weeks inventory. Your ongoing search request is only searching through RCI Weeks. You also have to do a manual search in RCI Points. Inventory in RCI Points is constantly changing through out the day. So keep checking if you want to go this year.

NOTE: Your username indicates that your a guest. If you become a "paid" TUG member, you will have access to the TUG Sightings Forum where threads are posted on current RCI availability sighted for Disney. Here's the link to the TUG Sightings Forum - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Good Luck

 

[alwysonvac]

I thought the studios were harder to come by via RCI, I could be wrong. TPU refers to trading power units. What is the trading power you are using for your search? I am guessing you should be using 40 or higher for the summer, although many have been scoring 1brs in the 50+ range for high months.

TPUs don't apply to HGVC.
HGVC members have a fixed exchange rate for RCI exchanges.

 

[Beefnot]

TPUs don't apply to HGVC.
HGVC members have a fixed exchange rate for RCI exchanges.

D'oh, yes. I should pay attention to the forum I am reading before I post...

 

[zora]

Congratulations! In a week or so, call the DVC Member Services phone number located on the RCI Exchange Confirmation. Introduce yourself as an inbound exchange guest and request the DVC Reservation Number (a 12-digit number). This process opens the door to many follow-on steps:
a) Magical Express: Linking free ground transportation between MCO airport and the resort;
b) My Disney Experience: Ordering wristbands that become your "keys to the kingdom" (room key, charge card, park entrance and fastpass+ system)
c) Room requests (location, view, etc.)
d) Dining Reservations
etc.! Happy planning!

Once you get your DVC reservation number, ask the TUG DVC forum for suggestions. If you want character dining, make reservations as soon as possible. It fills up very quickly.
You'll have a great time. :whoopie:

 

[Gibby1984]

Nice! Enjoy it. I have exchanged into DVC twice a year for the last two years. I always go with extended family and we each get a one bedroom. So far only stayed at SSR since two units were available for the same week there.
They charge you a $95- fee for the transportation for each room no matter what the size but its always nice to be on site. We never rent a car so the $95- works for us.
Have fun!

 

[BillW]

This is great. Did you have an ongoing search as well. We have never stayed at DVC would like to stay there. I have had an ongoing search since a year for DVC no luck yet. Any tips and tricks on how to get DVC. This is our 3rd year of ownership going by your records we should get it next year?

We did have an ongoing search. It's a long story but I kept checking over the course of a week and would see inventory but it would never trigger in our standing search. A couple of nights I would try and book via the RCI site and the DVC properties would produce an error when I tried to access them from the search page. It was, needless to say, frustrating. Finally the other night it went through and we booked. I cancelled my standing search and a message said I would have to call to process my refund.

The gentleman at HGVC who processed the refund, as we discussed this subject, mentioned that there are two reservation systems - the points and weeks and that the standing search would not have triggered because it was on the points side. I did also take the opportunity to share the RCI portal constantly bombing out to an error page every time I tried to access the Disney properties. He sounded as frustrated with their reservation system(s) as we are.

All I can say is that I thought the standing search is the way we would get on property. Now I'm with the 'Lord helps those who help themselves' school of constantly checking. I'm a night owl and every time I would look and have issues it would be after the HGVC res line was closed. If you tried it earlier in the evening then calling to have them book would be a possibility.

Hope this all helps. Happy hunting Piyooshj.

Thank you Rhonda, we are going to do all you suggest!

Zora, good idea. We have some friends who are DVC owners and have also put them on notice that we will be picking their brains from now til July. The TUG DVC'ers will make it the more the merrier.

 

[itradehilton]

We set up our on-going search then check daily when it is about 7 months out. Last year I got 3 weeks, 2- 2bdrs and the third week a 1 bdr. This year we got 2weeks of 2 bdrs. When putting in the request I ask for all resorts with Fri, Sat, or Sun and I don't mind if I overlap a day or if I have to went a day to fill a gap.

 

[Sattva]

What is that fixed rate. We are waiting on a closing for HGVC and would love to know.

Same thing happens with Club Intrawest and II, fixed points for an exchange, even within 60 days or less, which I think is bunk.

Ta!

 

[SmithOp]

POINT VALUES FOR RCI EXCHANGE RESERVATIONS


Studio 1,200 to 2,400 per week - 120 to 480 (per night)

One BR 1,700 to 3,400 per week - 170 to 680 (per night)

Two BR 2,400 to 4,800 per week - 240 to 960 (per night)

Three BR 2,900 to 5,800 per week - 290 to 1,160 (per night)

 

[buzglyd]

What is that fixed rate. We are waiting on a closing for HGVC and would love to know.

Same thing happens with Club Intrawest and II, fixed points for an exchange, even within 60 days or less, which I think is bunk.

Ta!

HGVC is 3400 points for a 1BR and 4800 for a 2BR.

The price doesn't drop even if it's last minute.

 

[pedro47]

Congratulations on your exchange, please enjoy Disney and Orlando.

 

[BillW]

This is great. Did you have an ongoing search as well. We have never stayed at DVC would like to stay there. I have had an ongoing search since a year for DVC no luck yet. Any tips and tricks on how to get DVC. This is our 3rd year of ownership going by your records we should get it next year?

What is that fixed rate. We are waiting on a closing for HGVC and would love to know.

Same thing happens with Club Intrawest and II, fixed points for an exchange, even within 60 days or less, which I think is bunk.

Ta!

SmithOP already answered the question for you but I have to add that Hilton trades very well in RCI. As mentioned our 1 BR was 3400 Hilton points. Our maintenance fees for this year work out to about 18 cents we're paying per hilton point. 18 cents times 3400 plus the $209 RCI fee plus the $95 DVC resort fee is still a very decent number per night for a Disney on the property resort, especially a 1 BR apartment. Best of luck 3Carolyn on the close. We have not regretted our HGVC purchase one bit.

Pedro, thanks for the good wishes. Is it a terrible problem to have? We're going to HHV Lagoon Tower (1st time to HHV) on 8 March for a week in spring break yet all we can talk about right now is our Disney trip.

 

[JenMuse]

SmithOP already answered the question for you but I have to add that Hilton trades very well in RCI. As mentioned our 1 BR was 3400 Hilton points. Our maintenance fees for this year work out to about 18 cents we're paying per hilton point. 18 cents times 3400 plus the $209 RCI fee plus the $95 DVC resort fee is still a very decent number per night for a Disney on the property resort, especially a 1 BR apartment. Best of luck 3Carolyn on the close. We have not regretted our HGVC purchase one bit.

Pedro, thanks for the good wishes. Is it a terrible problem to have? We're going to HHV Lagoon Tower (1st time to HHV) on 8 March for a week in spring break yet all we can talk about right now is our Disney trip.

Bill, we have much in common. I'm hoping to score a DVC trade for October (inventory not available yet), but I'm also headed to the HHV Lagoon tower for a week on March 8th!

The thing I love most about staying on property with Disney is the transportation. I hate driving so not having to navigate back to HGVC after a long day in the parks is a definite bonus.

 

[BillW]

JenMuse we'll have to habla. We're discussing right now whether to buy MYW tickets or spring for a Disney Annual pass and try and revisit again soon. On park is great but with AP parking is free so that is one plus. The kiddos are 6.5 and 8 so, as much as I could use a little more time between mouse visits, it's probably the right time to get them a few more trips in while the magic is still . . . magic.

 

[JenMuse]

Trick: you can always upgrade a MYW ticket to an annual pass as long as you have at least one unused day left on it. Even if you bought your MYW tickets from an authorized discount seller like undercovertourist.com (where I've always bought my tickets to save $). The expiration date of your pass will be one year from the first day of your MYW ticket though not from the day you upgraded.

I've debated in my head many times picking up the premier pass that gets me into all stateside Disney parks since I live in California but try to get to WDW at least once a year...it pencils out with 1 WDW trip & 2 DL trips. Or 2 WDW trips and 1 DL...but as I'm in the process of adopting a child from the dept of Social Services, my Hawaii trip next month will probably be my last out-of-state vacation for a few years until the adoption is finalized. The paperwork required to travel with a foster-to-adopt child is daunting...but worth it if I get the DVC trade.