DVC to affiliate with RCI! [MERGED]

[timeos2]

If you don't want the experience they fall short

It's not about size or furnishings. It's the immersive experience the resorts offer... Especially the themimg. No other resort offers that experience.

If thats what you're looking you are absolutely correct. But if you want a quality resort with space then DVC is middle of the pack at best - not the top - at most of their resorts. Since we have zero interest in anything Disney the "extras" surrounding the DVC resorts are worthless to us. And the resorts alone don't match up well with the best Wyndham, Marriott, HGVC, some independents and others offer strictly looking at the resort. I'll bet the majority of timeshare owners/guests feel the same or else they would all want to buy only DVC and we know that isn't the case. Whoever said most over value their resorts or wrongly equate purchase price/fees to value was right. It is the resort quality and location that makes the value not what is paid to buy or use. DVC has a unique offering in surroundings at most of their resorts but comes up short in the physical size/quality area.

But if you want the experience you cannot beat the onsite DVC resorts, and Bonnet Creek for 98% of it, I would certainly agree with that.

 

[JudyS]

....So in RCI you will be able to stay in top 10 resorts in Orlando (on Disney property),Mexico (at one of the royals II has 5 of), and Beaver Creek Colorado (where you can walk to the ski lifts). With II you will be able to stay in Carlsbad Ca (not even on the ocean), Scottsdale AZ (great if you like golf), and Mexico. I like RCI's top ten choices better than II's....Many II people don't look at anything but Marriott, DVC, and Hyatts when comparing the exchange companies, but in many area of the USA, parts of the Caribbean, several areas in Hawaii, and numerous places in the rest of the world, II doesn't offer a single option that you can't get through RCI, and RCI will give you many options you never had through II.The sky is not falling, you have been forced into a better trading company than II by DVC.

I already belong to both RCI and II through non-DVC timeshares, and like II better.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on whether RCI or II provides better resorts. I will point out an inaccuracy in your above comments, however. You are saying that through RCI, DVC members will be able to stay in several top-10 choices, including the other DVC properties in Orlando. Actually, I very much doubt that DVC members will be able to use RCI to get another DVC property. If a DVC member wants a DVC property other than where they own, they book directly with Disney, not through an exchange company.

In my own case, I have so far never traded out of Disney. However, at the moment, I have some expiring DVC Points that I was considering depositing into II, in the hopes of a future trade to a Four Seasons resort. Unfortunately, Disney has already stopped allowing deposits into II for ongoing searches. Since I can not yet deposit into RCI, either, I don't have anywhere that I can deposit the points, and since they expire soon, by the time deposits into RCI are allowed, it will probably be too late to trade them. I fail to see how this benefits me, especially since I already had the ability to trade into almost anything RCI has (I own RCI Points, and two SoCal summer RCI weeks), and now will have nothing that qualifies for a Four Seasons trade.

 

[JudyS]

....But if you want a quality resort with space then DVC is middle of the pack at best - not the top - at most of their resorts. Since we have zero interest in anything Disney the "extras" surrounding the DVC resorts are worthless to us. And the resorts alone don't match up well with the best Wyndham, Marriott, HGVC, some independents and others offer strictly looking at the resort. I'll bet the majority of timeshare owners/guests feel the same or else they would all want to buy only DVC and we know that isn't the case. ....

Well, I'm guessing that one big reason many people don't buy DVC is the very high buy-in price and high annual fees. I actually feel that DVC provides a far better experience than any other resort that I own, but there is no way I could afford a bunch of DVC weeks!

 

[tidefan]

But if you want a quality resort with space then DVC is middle of the pack at best - not the top - at most of their resorts.

I assume you are leaving Old Key West out of this comparison. Their units are much bigger than the other DVC properties and IMHO were much nicer that either the Marriott Heritage Club or Marriott Surfwatch properties we stayed at last summer (through my Father-in-law's II exchanges via his Marriott's Legends Edge deposits - MLE does have great units). The others I will give you are on the small side...

 

[timeos2]

There is a real world out there and its not all in Orlando

Well, I'm guessing that one big reason many people don't buy DVC is the very high buy-in price and high annual fees. I actually feel that DVC provides a far better experience than any other resort that I own, but there is no way I could afford a bunch of DVC weeks!

It may also relate to the fact that with only 4 locations - some of which lack the only real difference the theme parks - most people want to go places other than Orlando, Hilton Head and FLorida. The value isn't there (for the money - not the quality) to trade to non-Disney resorts using DVC so overall the value isn't in DVC but in the flexible, lower cost (in most cases) resorts/systems that offer far more locations. I'm told we're not open to new places and experiences as a family yet we travel to many more places than DVC offers. If those 4 were our only choices we'd lose interest (and have in Disney after loving it years ago) so DVC has no value to us. There are REAL experiences and places to visit that, maybe surprisingly to DVC fans, actually exist - not replicas or fantasy in a 3 minute theme ride.

 

[ocdb8r]

It's not about size or furnishings. It's the immersive experience the resorts offer... Especially the themimg. No other resort offers that experience.

Agreed. I just stayed in a Saratoga Springs Grand Villa with family who own points and it didn't blow me away. But it's not the quality of the individual unit you pay for, it's being immersed in Disney. I will also add, Disney does a top notch job of upkeep as well. Most Old Key West units look just as nice today as they did on day 1. High MF in Disney but no surprise assessments and I don't think you'd ever have to worry about things being replaced and kept in working order. Even Marriott and Starwood have issues in this area (crzy MF increases, large assesments..etc.)

 

[JudyS]

It may also relate to the fact that with only 4 locations - some of which lack the only real difference the theme parks - most people want to go places other than Orlando, Hilton Head and FLorida.....

I agree that Disney has very limited locations (although they are adding a few more.) Still, if you are just comparing it to other Orlando timeshares, I'd bet many people would prefer Disney if the cost weren't so much higher.

I suppose it is theoretically possible that trading out of Disney will be a better value now that trades are done by RCI. For example, if DVC is in RCI Points, it's possible that it could be assigned a very high points cost, as the Manhattan Club is, and many European resorts are. Better value when trading would help with the "limited locations" problem. However, we don't know yet what the RCI implementation will be.

 

[ricoba]

I agree that Disney has very limited locations (although they are adding a few more.) Still, if you are just comparing it to other Orlando timeshares, I'd bet many people would prefer Disney if the cost weren't so much higher.

I suppose it is theoretically possible that trading out of Disney will be a better value now that trades are done by RCI. For example, if DVC is in RCI Points, it's possible that it could be assigned a very high points cost, as the Manhattan Club is, and many European resorts are. Better value when trading would help with the "limited locations" problem. However, we don't know yet what the RCI implementation will be.

I would guess that DVC points will go very far in RCI, just like Hilton points already do.

 

[bnoble]

I just stayed in a Saratoga Springs Grand Villa with family who own points and it didn't blow me away. But it's not the quality of the individual unit you pay for, it's being immersed in Disney.

Exactly. In many ways, DVC is a niche market. If you want the parks, then the resorts offer something no one else can touch. If you don't care about the parks, then the resorts are just $95 more expensive.

 

[icydog]

I know I have a Mouse-Shaped Head but I think there is way more to being here, I am at a DVC resort now, than going to the theme parks. We spent yesterday touring the hotels that are decked out for Christmas. We love the view from our balcony of the fireworks at Epcot. love walking in the campground and riding horses. All this on Disney property. We love walking into the parks after parking our car and never using it again for a week. We love the resorts and the upkeep and all things Disney. I have been a member for 17 years and I would have to tell you I never get bored. I think of Orlando as our second home since we are here so much. I know the roads, the stores and the airport. I just feel at home here. So for some of us, when they greet us with our Welcome Home, we really take it to heart.

 

[rickandcindy23]

In case Disney chooses to be in the points system, you aren't going to do well at getting DVC with some week that isn't converted to points. You must get a week that is already converted, then you can get other generic weeks and use them for PFD for more points (until RCI takes THAT privilege away in one of their "enhancements."

 

[tombo]

I know many love Disney, but many of us can't stand Disney. For those of us who think Disney is the most boring place in the world, we simply want a nice resort with good sized rooms and nice amenities. I want a good base location to go to Sea World, Universal, Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens. I don't care about a theme atmosphere. If you gave me a free week in the best DVC resort with the condition that I had to go to a Disney theme park for 5 days in a row, I would not take that offer.

Please feel free to keep your wonderful DVC weeks. Please don't deposit them for the inferior resorts that RCI offers. Unfortunatelly you will be depositing a week I don't want to trade for at Disney,which will probably have high trading power, allowing you to exchange for a really good RCI week I do want. I wish DVC would go back to II and take their whining, RCI resort bashing renters (RTU= rent to use) with them. The big losers in this aren't the DVC owners (who only deposit their weeks if they want to), it's the RCI owners who never want to go to Disney again in their life but will lose really great trades to many new DVC RCI members.

What is there for RCI members to get excited about? It's not like we got access to Marriott trades! We got Disney and DVC. Big deal. There are already more high quality resorts in Orlando through RCI than you will ever stay in (without access to DVC). DVC owners, please call DVC and complain. Hopefully it will get you back to II and we will all be happy.

 

[bnoble]

In case Disney chooses to be in the points system, you aren't going to do well at getting DVC with some week that isn't converted to points.

It occurs to me that Disney may well not want to be in Points. If the inventory is in Points, there is no 1-in-N rule (at least, not yet---it's possible that Disney may have negotiated for that.)

 

[rsackett]

I am a II member who will miss DVC. I have nothing against RCI except that I can not use it.

Up until the last few posts I could not understand why RCI members that were not interested in DVC cared one way or the other about this thread. But I guess if you look at it from the perspective that DVC owners brought nothing to the table that you want, and they will be competing for weeks that you do want, it would be bad for you.

However, another way to look at it is the more timeshares that join an exchange company; the better it is for all. Even if DVC has no interest for you it will have interest from other people that own TS's that you do want to go to. They will deposit their weeks trying to get DVC and you can trade for their weeks.

I would be happier if DVC, and all other resorts were available to me with my Marriott, be it through II or RCI or whoever.

Ray

 

[tombo]

I am a II member who will miss DVC. I have nothing against RCI except that I can not use it.

Up until the last few posts I could not understand why RCI members that were not interested in DVC cared one way or the other about this thread. But I guess if you look at it from the perspective that DVC owners brought nothing to the table that you want, and they will be competing for weeks that you do want, it would be bad for you.

However, another way to look at it is the more timeshares that join an exchange company; the better it is for all. Even if DVC has no interest for you it will have interest from other people that own TS's that you do want to go to. They will deposit their weeks trying to get DVC and you can trade for their weeks.

I would be happier if DVC, and all other resorts were available to me with my Marriott, be it through II or RCI or whoever.

Ray

Most DVC members will join RCI in case they want to exchange. They will then have access to last calls and extra vacations reducing our supply while bringing little to the table. When they exchange their points, they will probably have one of the highest trading values of any resort in RCI, and they are getting the high trade value by depositing an ORLANDO week. A high quality resort in Orlando is the easiest trade to get in RCI. That is good for DVC members, and not much help to RCI members (we could have stayed at a nice place in Orlando without them).

DVC members revolt! Show RCI and DVC that you won't put up with it. Call your congressmen and complain. File lawsuits over this injustice. And by all means nothing will show your disdain like not joining RCI. The RCI fees are $800 a year, the exchange fee is $1000 a week ($95 extra if you deposit DVC), and all that is available through RCI is 3 converted motels in Orlando.
By all means don't complain and join RCI, make a stand and show everyone how mad you are by not joining RCI. DVC owners, please boycott RCI for the good of all.

 

[joestein]

I trade Wyndham points into both II and RCI through different accounts. We made our 2nd DVC trade in 2 years recently. As a matter of fact, I set up the Wyndham II account specifically to trade into DVC. At least I still have a exchange company that allows me to search online.

I don't think that I will be able to get any DVC through RCI. But who knows, especially if we get the ability to search online.

Joe

 

[tombo]

I trade Wyndham points into both II and RCI through different accounts. We made our 2nd DVC trade in 2 years recently. As a matter of fact, I set up the Wyndham II account specifically to trade into DVC. At least I still have a exchange company that allows me to search online.

I don't think that I will be able to get any DVC through RCI. But who knows, especially if we get the ability to search online.

Joe

You can search online with RCI, you just have to deposit before you can search.

 

[PigsDad]

In case Disney chooses to be in the points system, you aren't going to do well at getting DVC with some week that isn't converted to points. You must get a week that is already converted, then you can get other generic weeks and use them for PFD for more points (until RCI takes THAT privilege away in one of their "enhancements."

My guess is that it will work similar to how Hilton trades w/ RCI. We don't actually trade a "week" -- an RCI unit "costs" a certain number of Hilton points for a given unit size / season. For example, a Hilton 1BR in the top season costs 4800 HGVC points for a week, but a 1BR RCI property in the top season only costs 3400 HGVC points. So if an owner of a HGVC 1BR made a RCI 1BR "exchange", that owner would still have 1400 HGVC points left over to use elsewhere.

Behind the scenes, Hilton can get inventory from either RCI weeks or points, but since the reservations are made by Hilton (not the individuals), the Hilton owners don't really know (or care) where the inventory comes from for their RCI reservations.

It makes sense (to me) that DVC would use the same model. That way, DVC owners wouldn't have to give up a full week's worth of points to trade "down" to an RCI property. Thoughts?

Kurt

 

[ricoba]

Kurt, you took the time to explain what I was alluding to in post#108.

I think you are right on the money and DVC will work just like Hilton does in RCI, where they are trading at a higher value.

I bet as well that they will be given the "limited" RCI book we get, with only the best resorts listed.

 

[SueDonJ]

I am a II member who will miss DVC. I have nothing against RCI except that I can not use it.

Up until the last few posts I could not understand why RCI members that were not interested in DVC cared one way or the other about this thread. But I guess if you look at it from the perspective that DVC owners brought nothing to the table that you want, and they will be competing for weeks that you do want, it would be bad for you.

However, another way to look at it is the more timeshares that join an exchange company; the better it is for all. Even if DVC has no interest for you it will have interest from other people that own TS's that you do want to go to. They will deposit their weeks trying to get DVC and you can trade for their weeks.

I would be happier if DVC, and all other resorts were available to me with my Marriott, be it through II or RCI or whoever.

Ray

Very nice, agree completely.

 

[bnoble]

You can search online with RCI, you just have to deposit before you can search.

But, if all you own is Wyndham FSP, you don't necessarily get a deposit that you can search with. You have to ask for a "visible", and even then might not get it, but a "generic" instead. With generics you must call to exchange.

 

[GeNioS]

I am a II member who will miss DVC. I have nothing against RCI except that I can not use it.

Up until the last few posts I could not understand why RCI members that were not interested in DVC cared one way or the other about this thread. But I guess if you look at it from the perspective that DVC owners brought nothing to the table that you want, and they will be competing for weeks that you do want, it would be bad for you.

However, another way to look at it is the more timeshares that join an exchange company; the better it is for all. Even if DVC has no interest for you it will have interest from other people that own TS's that you do want to go to. They will deposit their weeks trying to get DVC and you can trade for their weeks.

I would be happier if DVC, and all other resorts were available to me with my Marriott, be it through II or RCI or whoever.

Ray

I also liked this post. I was also trying to wrestle with the idea that DVC people will be competing with current RCI people for trades so it's a negative to current RCI members. I don't think so. I tend to agree with the last statement. More resorts are better.

If DVC people are in there competing for trades, it means they're depositing units. And those RCI people that may have been competing for the same unit before now may find that one of them would rather take the DVC unit instead. With this line of thinking, RCI people should be excited to have them, something I think echoed by most.

In fact, there may be so many RCI people chomping at the DVC bit that other destinations that may have been difficult to get into before may get easier? (wow that's a terrible sentence)

I've never traded into Disney with my Marriott but, as written before me, would also be happier if they were there, as well as all others.

Couple of quick thoughts.....

* Marriott resales look slightly less attractive to me now that DVC are gone. I haven't traded there before, but was wanting to try it in the future.

* If you thought Marriott going to internal points-based system was going to hurt II before......

 

[bnoble]

* If you thought Marriott going to internal points-based system was going to hurt II before......

Disney is big name, but a small component of Interval---there are only a handful of resorts, with at most tens of weeks a day deposited. Marriott is a much bigger fish.

Losing Disney only really annoys the niche in Interval that wants to visit the theme parks in Orlando. Losing Marriott means losing dozens of the better ski, beach, and theme park destinations in the entire system.

 

[Bill4728]

I would guess that DVC points will go very far in RCI, just like Hilton points already do.

This may be very true. Right now it makes little sense to use DVC pyts to trade in II. Because you can rent your pts for a lot of $$ and then use the $$ to rent anything you want.

 

[lilybean]

Anyone tried to get a Disney trade recently?

We were looking to go to Disney (II owners) early next year, and I have always been able to trade in "last minute" for some great on-site Disney deals. Now that I see the RCI change, I am about to put in a request for Jan/Feb for a DVC resort. Anyone tried recently? Thoughts on availability?