DVC II question - $190 amenity fee

[djyamyam]

I tried searching but can't seem to find this. Can someone remind me what's included in the $190 amenity fee charged when exchanging in?

I know it used to include transportation from the airport to the resort/park but that was discontinued??

- early / late access to the theme park
- parking if you have a rental vehicle?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Parking is included, even if you have four cars, everyone gets to park free.

Early entry every day, 30 minutes early to any park, any day.

When we were there in December, early admission was ridiculously early. We couldn't do it.

 

[bnoble]

You have access to early entry plus extended evening hours.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/extended-evening/

Theme park parking is included.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

 

[ljmiii]

I tried searching but can't seem to find this. Can someone remind me what's included in the $190 amenity fee charged when exchanging in?

I know it used to include transportation from the airport to the resort/park but that was discontinued??

- early / late access to the theme park
- parking if you have a rental vehicle?

Sadly, yes...the Magical Express is no more. And yes you get free parking at both the resort and the parks if you bring a car (and free transportation so you don't need one).

Currently late hours are Monday at EPCOT and Wednesday at MK. We love those but like @rickandcindy23 we never make the early hours.

The other important amenity is the ability to purchase Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance. Many/most people on the AP FB groups to which I belong are quite grumpy that LL availabity at three days out is limited.

 

[Dean]

Effectively it's a "because we can" tax that gives you nothing already included in a DVC stay. Still it can be a good to great value for units larger than a studio.

 

[Inhislove]

It’s just because they can. You don’t get extra benefits beyond usual guests, but most people get much better value through an exchange even with the fee! Disney charged parking for awhile but stopped doing so.

 

[noreenkate]

You have access to early entry plus extended evening hours.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/extended-evening/

Theme park parking is included.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

I thought the fee is to cover MS services - all those things are available to any deluxe hotel and cash DVC room guests…

 

[bnoble]

The OP’s question seemed to be what perks were available. I was trying to answer that question without getting into the weeds.

The only benefit of the $190 is the ability to call Member Services directly without being a Member. Otherwise it is exactly as if you were the guest of or renting from a Member.

 

[noreenkate]

The OP’s question seemed to be what perks were available. I was trying to answer that question without getting into the weeds.

Funny how 2 people can view the same question completely different…

Can someone remind me what's included in the $190 amenity fee charged when exchanging in?

I read it as exchange specific amenities.
- oh & happy new year

 

[Dean]

The only benefit of the $190 is the ability to call Member Services directly without being a Member. Otherwise it is exactly as if you were the guest of or renting from a Member.

And it's really not even that, exchangers could communicate with DVC directly prior to the fee being instituted plus they don't waive the fee for members exchanging in which they should.

 

[dioxide45]

Doesn't half, if not all of the $190 fee go to Interval International as the exchange fee that covers the exchange the DVC member made?

 

[Dean]

Doesn't half, if not all of the $190 fee go to Interval International as the exchange fee that covers the exchange the DVC member made?

I'm not sure the breakdown but it does pay for the entire exchange section as I understand it. That said, DVC members have never paid an exchange fee for II (or RCI) exchanges that I recall even before this fee though I have little knowledge of DVC when they were with RCI initially as by the time my ownership was transferred DVC was already with II. Exchanges are a poor use of points with dramatically few exceptions that include use or lose and very high end options only during peak times. That's especially true in II where trade power is community rates so DVC has no higher trade power than say Grande Vista. Still I think it a poor ethical choice to have other exchangers to pay an additional fee to cover what should fall to maintenance fees and the member exchanging out. It's also disconcerting that II would allow such exceptions so this is another case of them throwing the rest of the membership under the bus for $$$. That's my information combined with my opinion and I'm a DVC owner since 1994.

 

[dioxide45]

It's also disconcerting that II would allow such exceptions so this is another case of them throwing the rest of the membership under the bus for $$$.

I can certainly agree with this sentiment.

There really isn't a lot of transparency of what goes on behind the scenes in these situations. Just like with the $0 exchange fees for Marriott/Vistana to Marriott/Vistana for Abound enrolled owners. Does the Club Dues just cover a higher annual membership fee so even those that never exchange through II are paying more to II? Of course, DVC doesn't have a Club Dues, but I would expect that II gets something monetarily for providing membership to DVC members.

 

[bizaro86]

I'm not sure the breakdown but it does pay for the entire exchange section as I understand it. That said, DVC members have never paid an exchange fee for II (or RCI) exchanges that I recall even before this fee though I have little knowledge of DVC when they were with RCI initially as by the time my ownership was transferred DVC was already with II. Exchanges are a poor use of points with dramatically few exceptions that include use or lose and very high end options only during peak times. That's especially true in II where trade power is community rates so DVC has no higher trade power than say Grande Vista. Still I think it a poor ethical choice to have other exchangers to pay an additional fee to cover what should fall to maintenance fees and the member exchanging out. It's also disconcerting that II would allow such exceptions so this is another case of them throwing the rest of the membership under the bus for $$$. That's my information combined with my opinion and I'm a DVC owner since 1994.

I disagree that it's poor ethics - I look at it as a value-equalizer. I'm 100% willing to pay my exchange fee and the DVC owners exchange fee, because in terms of value basically any DVC trade is a huge upgrade for me (and the vast majority of II exchanges).

If I trade my unit plus a few hundred dollars for a DVC unit that's great value. If I was doing a direct exchange I'd certainly be willing to "top up" the value is a similar way (eg 2br elsewhere for a 1br plus $) something like that.

 

[Dean]

I can certainly agree with this sentiment.

There really isn't a lot of transparency of what goes on behind the scenes in these situations. Just like with the $0 exchange fees for Marriott/Vistana to Marriott/Vistana for Abound enrolled owners. Does the Club Dues just cover a higher annual membership fee so even those that never exchange through II are paying more to II? Of course, DVC doesn't have a Club Dues, but I would expect that II gets something monetarily for providing membership to DVC members.

I don't know for certain with II but I do know that RCI discounts the membership dramatically for corporate. I've always had the sense that II gave DVC free corporate membership to try to entice them from RCI each time. I don't have as much direct info since DVC changed back the second time but I know that before when DVC was with II, DVC had DIRECT access to II's system. I've also seen hints that DVC gets some type of credit when members exchange. All that said, the inequalities can play in to the non DVC owners hand for those that value staying on property.

 

[Dean]

I disagree that it's poor ethics - I look at it as a value-equalizer. I'm 100% willing to pay my exchange fee and the DVC owners exchange fee, because in terms of value basically any DVC trade is a huge upgrade for me (and the vast majority of II exchanges).

If I trade my unit plus a few hundred dollars for a DVC unit that's great value. If I was doing a direct exchange I'd certainly be willing to "top up" the value is a similar way (eg 2br elsewhere for a 1br plus $) something like that.

As I noted, it can still be a good value for the exchanger to DVC but to me part of the basis of timesharing is like for like. IMO better to be more transparent, this is an area where RCI is far ahead of II. And truthfully, DVC's set up was more in line with RCI anyway. I won't be surprised if they change back when the contract expires the next time or two. As I've said many times, DVC would probably be far better served with not being a member of either II or RCI and running their own exchange system which they already have, BVTC. In the past it's been more functional than it is now but the big downfall was they never partnered with one or more core players like Hilton, Hyatt, Westin or MVC so it was always very limited. To me it just shows that DVC feels they're special and are willing to throw their weight around.

 

[bizaro86]

As I noted, it can still be a good value for the exchanger to DVC but to me part of the basis of timesharing is like for like. IMO better to be more transparent, this is an area where RCI is far ahead of II. And truthfully, DVC's set up was more in line with RCI anyway. I won't be surprised if they change back when the contract expires the next time or two. As I've said many times, DVC would probably be far better served with not being a member of either II or RCI and running their own exchange system which they already have, BVTC. In the past it's been more functional than it is now but the big downfall was they never partnered with one or more core players like Hilton, Hyatt, Westin or MVC so it was always very limited. To me it just shows that DVC feels they're special and are willing to throw their weight around.

I agree with like for like, I just think that very little in II is actually like for like with DVC by value. There's a few things (hawaii 2br Marriott/Westin/Hyatt/Hilton type stuff).

If I was running DVC I'd definitely be trying to align more with a higher end option or creating/expanding my own.

 

[bnoble]

xchangers could communicate with DVC directly prior to the fee being instituted

I might not go back far enough, but as long as I have been exchanging in, there has been a fee. It started out as half of this ($95), but went to $190 not too much longer down the road. This was back in the mid-late '00s.

 

[noreenkate]

Doesn't half, if not all of the $190 fee go to Interval International as the exchange fee that covers the exchange the DVC member made?

DVC charges a transaction fee of $95 to owners exchanging out for hotel stays

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/interval-international

Before you book your Interval International exchange, please keep in mind:

• Requesting an exchange far in advance gives Interval more time to find your desired destination. Check the reservation windows above for when you should start planning!
• All exchanges are subject to availability.
• The Disney Vacation Club $95 nonrefundable transaction fee does not apply to Interval Vacation Exchanges and Interval ShortStay Exchanges. Interval Getaways and Interval ShortStay Getaways are subject to rental fees determined by length of stay, seasonal demand, unit size and resort quality. Getaways and ShortStay Getaways are not subject to the $95 nonrefundable transaction fee.

 

[bnoble]

I think that's where the idea of "half" comes from. Back when the inbound fee was $95, the outbounds also paid $95. When the inbound went to $190, the outbound fee was waived.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I tried searching but can't seem to find this. Can someone remind me what's included in the $190 amenity fee charged when exchanging in?

I know it used to include transportation from the airport to the resort/park but that was discontinued??

- early / late access to the theme park
- parking if you have a rental vehicle?

Advance access to purchase LLMP at 7 days for length of trip instead of 3 days for each day. 60+10 ADR window. Deluxe Extra Magic Evening Hours twice a week (that is worth its weight in gold).

 

[Dean]

I might not go back far enough, but as long as I have been exchanging in, there has been a fee. It started out as half of this ($95), but went to $190 not too much longer down the road. This was back in the mid-late '00s.

I bought resale in 94 with first usage in 95. I actually interfaced with DVC quite a lot about exchange options and a number of other things through about the mid 2000 including spending time at Celebration Corporate, meetings with the voting rep, etc. Though the fee was never a specific point of discussion better and better value for exchange options were. IMO this is more on II for allowing it to happen, I can't blame DVC for trying for it. I was thinking the fee started a couple of years after DVC joined II but after checking my notes I'm doubting my information as I've tracked it back to 1997, the earliest II book I have.

I've seen quite a bit of iterations of exchanging with II including that at one time one had to exchange their home resort.

 

[Dean]

I agree with like for like, I just think that very little in II is actually like for like with DVC by value. There's a few things (hawaii 2br Marriott/Westin/Hyatt/Hilton type stuff).

If I was running DVC I'd definitely be trying to align more with a higher end option or creating/expanding my own.

Everyone will have a different definition of like for like but I think for most that unit size is a large component. Otherwise if they are going to look at some valuation a system like RCI's TPU is a far better approach rather than simply being secretive and in many cases, withholding available exchanges without the one looking for an exchange being aware they are doing so.

 

[bizaro86]

Everyone will have a different definition of like for like but I think for most that unit size is a large component. Otherwise if they are going to look at some valuation a system like RCI's TPU is a far better approach rather than simply being secretive and in many cases, withholding available exchanges without the one looking for an exchange being aware they are doing so.

Agreed. I like the TPU system quite a lot, because while not everyone will always agree on fairness at least it's transparent. If you don't like the # of tpu RCI offers you are free to not deposit. II doesn't disclose anything about their trading power.

I think people over index to unit size. I own a 2br at Sheraton Desert Oasis. It's a nice, hotel-branded TS. But I wouldn't say a 2br there is an even exchange for a 2br DVC. Because a 2br SDO rents for maybe $2-3k max whereas a 2br DVC could be $5-10k.

 

[Dean]

Agreed. I like the TPU system quite a lot, because while not everyone will always agree on fairness at least it's transparent. If you don't like the # of tpu RCI offers you are free to not deposit. II doesn't disclose anything about their trading power.

I think people over index to unit size. I own a 2br at Sheraton Desert Oasis. It's a nice, hotel-branded TS. But I wouldn't say a 2br there is an even exchange for a 2br DVC. Because a 2br SDO rents for maybe $2-3k max whereas a 2br DVC could be $5-10k.

I think there are 2 clearly different approaches to this issue, the non DVC timeshare approach and the DVC approach. Many DVC owners don't even see it as a timeshare and some will even argue it is not a timeshare. My feelings are why I could never exchange my DVC points but rather use or rent them. Some just want the convenience and many simply don't realize what's going on. Every system, actually every timeshare, has some nuance differences that one person may enjoy and another hate. DVC has 2 things going for it, location and theming and some would argue that theming has taken a hit over the years and I would agree somewhat. But then again I'd never exchange or take points on a portion of my MVC timeshares while others I routinely do one or the other. We all have to make our own decision. One of my goals is that people have the information so they're not wandering along in blissful ignorance. I once gifted a friend a free Bluegreen stay. I forgot to warn him about sales and he bought. Fortunately I found out early enough to give him the real info in such a time frame as he could cancel. He elected not to which I think was a huge and expensive mistake but at least he had the info to make a decision.