Disney 3br availability for exchange?

[DebBrown]

We've only stayed at Old Key West and that was years ago. Do some of the Disney on-site resorts have 3 bedrooms and is there even a remote chance that we could exchange into one? My guess is these are lock offs and owners are savvy enough to deposit separately.

What's your experience or recommendation? Taking granddaughter for first time. We could definitely stay off site but she might enjoy the "magic".

TIA

 

[ocdb8r]

We've only stayed at Old Key West and that was years ago. Do some of the Disney on-site resorts have 3 bedrooms and is there even a remote chance that we could exchange into one? My guess is these are lock offs and owners are savvy enough to deposit separately.

What's your experience or recommendation? Taking granddaughter for first time. We could definitely stay off site but she might enjoy the "magic".

TIA

DVC doesn't work like most timeshares; it's points only so owners don't own or deposit specific units. The 3-beds are all dedicated (not lock-offs) but they get used almost 100% of the time by DVC members. When DVC was in RCI, I never saw 3-bed availability. When DVC was in II years ago, there were a few RARE reports of 3-beds, usually popping up very last minute.

Bottom line, I don't think there's any way to "plan" a trip around getting a 3-bedroom trade at Disney Vacation Club. 2-bedrooms are also not super common, but they are seen frequently enough that you might score something with an ongoing search. Keep in mind, most 2-beds at Disney will sleep up to 9. If you still can't make that work, perhaps attempt for 2 units.

 

[bizaro86]

They exist and aren't lockoffs. Disney calls them Grand Villas. They haven't been reported as trades in at least 10 years. I think you'll need to do multiple smaller units or off-site.

 

[bnoble]

Do some of the Disney on-site resorts have 3 bedrooms and is there even a remote chance that we could exchange into one?

Yes. Probably not.

 

[DebBrown]

Thanks, everyone. I do remember seeing one years ago through II. I appreciate the Disney refresher course.

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks, everyone. I do remember seeing one years ago through II. I appreciate the Disney refresher course.

It doesn't hurt to try since we're seeing two bedroom deposits again. I just won't count on it.

The three bedroom grand villas used to appear for exchanges 10+ years ago. Several folks were able to experience them via RCI (link).
I was lucky enough to exchange into a three bedroom Grand Villa at Old Key West (sighted in 2010) and Saratoga Springs (sighted in 2013).

 

[DebBrown]

Is there a Disney point chart available to the public? My cousin has DVC points and it is likely that I could buy/rent hers but no clue how to value units and dates.

Never Mind! I found one online. Those 3br units are ridiculous!

 

[rickandcindy23]

A google search will pull up a plethora of websites with accurate point charts.

 

[alwysonvac]

Is there a Disney point chart available to the public? My cousin has DVC points and it is likely that I could buy/rent hers but no clue how to value units and dates.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/vacation-planning/points-charts

 

[travelhacker]

Do you need a 3 bedroom? The 2 bedrooms at Old Key West are quite large and come up somewhat regularly for exchange on Interval.

We stayed there in summer of 2024 and had a great time.

 

[DebBrown]

Do you need a 3 bedroom? The 2 bedrooms at Old Key West are quite large and come up somewhat regularly for exchange on Interval.

We stayed there in summer of 2024 and had a great time.

It's a good question. I will have to look at room configurations but we could probably handle a 2br. Thanks.

Deb

 

[dioxide45]

It's a good question. I will have to look at room configurations but we could probably handle a 2br. Thanks.

Deb

I believe the 2BR OKW will sleep 9. Though it would mean two in every bed and then there is one chair in the living room that also pulls out. So you need some little ones too.

 

[ljmiii]

I believe the 2BR OKW will sleep 9....

If you manage to snag one through II, the vast majority of AKV 2BRs also sleep 9 (all except for the 10 Jambo Value ones). But SSR only sleeps 8.

 

[DebBrown]

We only have 5 people but only 2 are bed sharers so the specific configuration matters.

 

[dioxide45]

We only have 5 people but only 2 are bed sharers so the specific configuration matters.

Old Key West has a king in the master, two queens in the guest bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. That should work but someone will need to sleep on the sofa bed. The pullout chair wouldn't need to be used. I suspect the same is true of Animal Kingdom Kidani, but 2BR units in II are not as common there. I don't know of any timeshares that have four actual beds in a 2BR.

 

[alwysonvac]

You can see the setup on DVC's site - https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/#/disney-vacation-club-resorts
For example, here's a link to their virtual tour of a two bedroom at Old Key West - https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=BY6jHg4qvwC

 

[bnoble]

A 2BR at Saratoga would work too. The units are a little smaller than those at OKW. But, five would fit comfortably. The dedicated 2BRs have two beds in the 2nd bedroom, and the living room has a murphy bed rather than a sleeper sofa. Those are *very* comfortable beds (though they are less comfortable as couches).

If it were me, with a party of five that needed four sleeping surfaces, I'd probably choose an SSR 2BR over an OKW 2BR, but either would work.

 

[alwysonvac]

If it were me, with a party of five that needed four sleeping surfaces, I'd probably choose an SSR 2BR over an OKW 2BR, but either would work.

Just the opposite for me.

For my extended family gatherings, OKW was my preferred choice. OKW offers the largest living room space.
Honestly, I hated having anyone sleep on the sofa bed because the living rooms are extremely small at most DVC resorts except OKW.

However Animal Kingdom Kidani Village 2 bedrooms are nice because of the extra bathroom but I don't know if anyone has booked one via an exchange.

 

[bnoble]

Yeah, for me the difference is party size. Five is few enough that SSR's 2BR will probably be sufficient, and the more comfortable murphy bed tips the balance. But it's a close thing, and for a larger party the extra sq. ft. at OKW would win out.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The one bathroom is a major dealbreaker for almost anyone with two couples and a kid.

 

[bnoble]

he one bathroom is a major dealbreaker for almost anyone with two couples and a kid.

We are talking about 2BRs. All of those have at least 2 baths.

 

[ljmiii]

We only have 5 people but only 2 are bed sharers so the specific configuration matters.

If you only need four sleeping surfaces the vast majority of WDW 2BRs will work (if not all of them). Many have five because they have both a sofabed and chairbed in the living room.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We are talking about 2BRs. All of those have at least 2 baths.

I just went up to read a bit more and saw that they are talking 2 bedrooms. Saratoga Springs has the Treehouse Villas but they never seem to show up on II. I think that area is rather like the campground. It's set apart, very woodsy and has its own pool. Kind of a strange little area and when DVC renovated the units to sell, it was so exciting, then I drove through there after it was done and wasn't impressed Water stands around after it rains and floods the areas under the units. Kind of a mess. I may have seen it after torrential rains. I dunno.

I would rather take Marriott's Imperial Palms or Grande Vista over that one, but that's just me. Imperial Palms has a separate bidet.

 

[ljmiii]

I would rather take Marriott's Imperial Palms…

Imperial Palms is definitely our favorite resort for visiting WDW when we’re not staying ‘on property’. Enormous villas with lots of nice features and 10-15 minutes away from the parks on paths that never touch I-4.

Access to the Marriott World Center as well…but we have APs so we never have ‘off-days’ and so have never actually been there.

 

[elaine]

Toss up-OKW has very large living area to accommodate 9 better, esp if you’re eating meals there. But, Ssr queen Murphy bed is very comfortable-a nice memory foam. I just slept in it 2 weeks ago.