DVC moving to II effective Jan 1 2022 [MERGED]

[Sandy VDH]

I’ll reach out to Sandy, it most likely was a TW boat, that’s the boat I’ll be on in May. Thanks for the heads up! As always you come through

I was on TW in BVI and picked up good cell service from St John's while at the Indians. But you likely now should take the test while back ini the Marina on Friday as you need to do it the day before travel home.

It worked like a charm. Pretty easy and cheaper as compared to those who had to get up a 6 am, register the day before, and wait to get back results. Now that was a PCR test, and if you are returning to Canada they are still wanting a PCR test, which requires more lead time. But the Antigen test took me 20 mins from start to results via app and email. .

 

[ral]

For those who were able to trade into DVC in RCI, were you able to purchase the Disney Dining Plan once the trade was confirmed?

 

[melissy123]

Now that was a PCR test, and if you are returning to Canada they are still wanting a PCR test, which requires more lead time. But the Antigen test took me 20 mins from start to results via app and email. .

The PCR test done by the “hospital” in BVI used by Tradewinds is a very painful reaching to the back of your brain nasal test. I used quotation marks for “hospital” because it was a small two room building and a tent. No medical equipment seen.
Here’s hoping that the provider in port will do a less invasive test.

 

[escanoe]

For those who were able to trade into DVC in RCI, were you able to purchase the Disney Dining Plan once the trade was confirmed?

Yes

 

[mdurette]

For those who were able to trade into DVC in RCI, were you able to purchase the Disney Dining Plan once the trade was confirmed?

yes, when it was available. I don't think it is back yet (Covid)

 

[mdurette]

Agreed, this says nothing that only branded will get DVC. It is about what DVC could get in II.

The point though is, II is already doing a "curated exchange group" for members with their reverse quality filters. My strongest trader see less of the "so-so" resorts in II, but my former weaker trader could see them all. My hunch is II won't let DVC trade into their lower quality resorts. I have never encounted reverse quality filter with RCI weeks.....so I assume there probably were a few DVC folks that exchanged with RCI into some not to great places and complained. II already as the systems in place to avoid this.

 

[bnoble]

I think that's probably what it means as well. I was having the same discussion on DISBoards, where I wrote about the following trip:

I once booked a stay (via RCI) to what is a very sketchy resort in Granby, CO. To say it was long in the tooth would be an understatement. There were several folks living full time in some of the units as whole-ownership condos. There was at least one group of folks spending a few nights in a camper van in the parking lot during the week.

But, it was also an easy 25 minute drive to the Grand Lake entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, in mid-August, just at the end of peak summer season. I hiked all over the park, including a hike that started straddling the Continental Divide and wound above the tree-line in the alpine tundra, where you can see literally for miles in every direction. I did some kayaking on Grand Lake, ate a bunch of lake trout and elk sausage, and generally had a lovely time in the mountains. I think I paid about $325-$350 for the full week, taxes included. I had read the reviews and knew what I was getting myself into. It was a fantastic vacation, but one that a lot of DVC Members would have been apoplectic about if they'd wandered in thinking they were staying at the Wilderness Lodge. So, a downward quality filter is maybe not a bad idea.

My favorite part of the resort: they have a resident barber and tattoo artist on site. Unfortunately, he was not working that week due to a death in the family.

 

[escanoe]

View attachment 43419

What is said in the DVC communication could simply mean it will have an II filter in place so DVCers trading out don't see the bottom rung of II inventory. It could mean a lot of things and what it means could change over time. We will start to find out next year. I for one look forward to seeing what is posted in the II sightings forum and what I can see in II.

 

[Dean]

View attachment 43419

Agreed, this says nothing that only branded will get DVC. It is about what DVC could get in II.

The point though is, II is already doing a "curated exchange group" for members with their reverse quality filters. My strongest trader see less of the "so-so" resorts in II, but my former weaker trader could see them all. My hunch is II won't let DVC trade into their lower quality resorts. I have never encounted reverse quality filter with RCI weeks.....so I assume there probably were a few DVC folks that exchanged with RCI into some not to great places and complained. II already as the systems in place to avoid this.

I still think it's likely that it simply means that the regional blocks and DVC resorts are formally excluded for DVC members. That's the way it was when DVC left II. II's exchange criteria is another matter, they don't disclose that information. I don't see them going to back to the old days where they evaluated each resort and decided whether they were allowed or not.

 

[geist1223]

For those who were able to trade into DVC in RCI, were you able to purchase the Disney Dining Plan once the trade was confirmed?

We did but it was several years ago. You had to purchase before check in day.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did but it was several years ago. You had to purchase before check in day.

If they start up the Dining Plan again and use the same terms as before, you'd need to add it to your DVC reservation at least 48-72 hours before check in. Everyone on the reservation (except for children under the age of three at the time of the reservation) would need to be on the plan for the entire length of the trip.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The dining plan is so expensive and not worth it to us. It's just a lot of money to pay for food when I only eat 1,400 calories a day to maintain my current weight. What would I do with all of those calories but gain weight I lost.

 

[blumga]

DVC moving to II effective Jan 1 2022 - just got the email

I could be mistaken but when we joined DVC in 2002, their exchange company was interval. They then went to RCI which I felt was a big mistake because the properties in Interval tend to be in my opinion higher quality. I’m overjoyed to see that they’ve corrected that mistake.

 

[Dean]

The dining plan is so expensive and not worth it to us. It's just a lot of money to pay for food when I only eat 1,400 calories a day to maintain my current weight. What would I do with all of those calories but gain weight I lost.

IMO the DP is a specialty item that makes sense for some, not for most. The Deluxe plan is the one that can generate the most savings. In general the DP makes the most sense for short stays and when one has multiple rooms and can share it with a larger group than in that room.

 

[Dean]

If they start up the Dining Plan again and use the same terms as before, you'd need to add it to your DVC reservation at least 48-72 hours before check in. Everyone on the reservation (except for children under the age of three at the time of the reservation) would need to be on the plan for the entire length of the trip.

I'd say it differently, it's for the entire 7 nights for an exchange even if one stays a shorter period.

 

[rickandcindy23]

IMO the DP is a specialty item that makes sense for some, not for most. The Deluxe plan is the one that can generate the most savings. In general the DP makes the most sense for short stays and when one has multiple rooms and can share it with a larger group than in that room.

I never thought of that. Sharing with our kids would be kind of nice, they could go to a couple of meals and we could too.

 

[Dean]

I never thought of that. Sharing with our kids would be kind of nice, they could go to a couple of meals and we could too.

Obviously any discussion would be based on previous versions, esp the last version of the plan. I can go back to the mid 90's and discuss various versions of the various dining plans but I'll only talk about the last version and the variation previous to that. I tend to be a rule follower as I feel secretly bypassing known rules is simply dishonest.

With the last version it was formally OK to share meals. I'm not certain that they ever published it as such but it was sent to the restaurants and to various sites that deal with Disney on the internet. In the previous version the rules specifically stated that paying for other's meals was not allowed and they removed this from the paperwork though I don't believe the pamphlets ever stated the option of paying for others meals. Previous to that it was stated as not allowed, however, it was commonly allowed by the restaurants. I figured it was their rules and their choice and that if I wasn't being secretive, I felt it was appropriate.

Over the years we often got the dining plan and where applicable, simply asked at the restaurants if we could pay for others meals. I can only think of one times when it wasn't allowed and I think both were at T REX. After the rules changed, T REX still said no but when I asked them to check with a manager, he confirmed to the server that indeed the rules had changed. The other issue is they don't segregate adult and kids credits on the Deluxe or Quick Service plan but do on the basic plan.

 

[New2time]

I am unfamiliar with how II works. I am a Wyndham points owner. Will I be able to pay to join Interval and still exchange into DVC?

 

[bnoble]

I am a Wyndham points owner. Will I be able to pay to join Interval and still exchange into DVC?

Not with Wyndham points, no. You would need some other ownership that is eligible for II.

 

[TravelTime]

I have no interest in DVC and count me as another one who is unhappy with DVC moving to II. I am hoping that Marriott and Vistana priority period remain.

Why would you be unhappy? I assume if you do not want to exchange into DVC, you just don’t. Is there a reason I am missing?

 

[dioxide45]

Why would you be unhappy? I assume if you do not want to exchange into DVC, you just don’t. Is there a reason I am missing?

220,000 new II members that can exchange into II and also book up cash getaways.

 

[TravelTime]

I talked to a few friends today about Disney inventory, people who are used to traveling elsewhere with weeks I advised them to buy (always SBP and SDO). I was telling them I was excited about the news. They asked me why I would stay in a small unit, when I can get the 2 bedrooms at Marriott resorts that they have grown to love.

There's just something about Disney for me. I cannot tell you the answer to that question.

Our son and daughter-in-law are no longer interested in staying at DVC in one bedrooms. With the soon-to-be-born twins (any day now as she is at 35.5 weeks), our son said he didn't want me to book Disney for them anymore. They need 2 bedrooms because their four-year-old needs to be able to sleep without crying babies. I was surprised, but he has never gotten the Disney magic. He doesn't get up early for magic hours in the AM, and he doesn't like keeping Elizabeth up late for late-night hours. What other benefits are there, except not having to park at the transportation center to get into Magic Kingdom. That's a rhetorical question, unless you have an answer for me. The buses don't help me much. I think waiting for buses is frustrating. We have waited as much as 40 minutes for a bus after long days at the parks.

To me, one big advantage was staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge bc it felt like an extension of the Animal Kingdom theme park. There was a time when I stayed there and never went into the park. The other resorts that have a slight benefit would be the ones where you can walk to Epcot or take the monorail to Disney. I would assume none of that would be of any benefit at SSI or OKW. So if we could get an exchange there, not sure I would care much if my choice was 1 BR there vs 2-3 BR outside the park. Also we never plan to go to Orlando again. It was too hot last summer and my girls always wanted to leave after a couple hours. I guess of we could get a 2 BR exchange into Aulani, I would like that since we do go to Oahu from time to time.

 

[TravelTime]

Yes they will, but will RCI be able to charge $25 per day for Orlando resorts through exchange, when Marriott 2 bedrooms charge no such fees and are nicer than Hilton. Last Hilton I stayed in Orlando, I was assigned a first floor unit with roaches constantly on the floor in the kitchen. That never has happened to me at a Marriott..

Hilton is making a mint off of those fees. When I see reduced TPU inventory at Hilton in RCI, I consider taking it, but I will only do that once a year to get my Hilton Aspire credit card credit for the $25 per day fee.

If Hilton moves to II and charges those fees of $25 per day, I see Disney charging $285 to II exchangers. Maybe that is going to be the little catch that II agreed to. I would make a deal like that, if I was DVC. I would still take a Disney SSR or OKW over anything else. Yes, I am that crazy.

I know what my DVC points are worth. I have been renting them for $20 per point through go-Koala.com My 500 points would get me less than 3 weeks at Disney in a one bedroom. I rent my points for $12-13 over MF's and exchange into Disney. The only difficult times to get are October-December., so we suffer at Marriott

I would pay the $285, if that is the new price.

If you rent out your DVC points, how do you exchange into DVC?

 

[VacationForever]

220,000 new II members that can exchange into II and also book up cash getaways.

Exactly!

 

[Dean]

220,000 new II members that can exchange into II and also book up cash getaways.

The % of DVC members that have exchanged historically will not affect availability in the slightest. The only way this makes a difference is if the DVC - II exchange option is far more favorable to DVC members than it has been in the past or RCI was. Plus the DVC deposits will easily even out any discrepancy.