Vistana Resort or Trade into DVC?

[DNRDNI]

Hi!
We wanted to travel to Disney World and stay either at the Vistana Resort or trade our deposited II week for a DVC week in mid-April. Any thoughts on what would be nicer? (Kids 6 & 8) Of course, they would love anything Disney, but is it worth it? Which of their clubs are the ones to be at? I know nothing about the DVC. My 8 month window opens next Sunday - trying to decide whether to go II or try to book into Vistana Resort.

Any advice would be appreciated - Thanks!
Kane

 

[rickandcindy23]

Hi!
We wanted to travel to Disney World and stay either at the Vistana Resort or trade our deposited II week for a DVC week in mid-April. Any thoughts on what would be nicer? (Kids 6 & 8) Of course, they would love anything Disney, but is it worth it? Which of their clubs are the ones to be at? I know nothing about the DVC. My 8 month window opens next Sunday - trying to decide whether to go II or try to book into Vistana Resort.

Any advice would be appreciated - Thanks!
Kane

Vistana Villages is very nice, and I would prefer it to regular Vistana. I do hear that the new refurbs at Vistana are really wonderful, but I love Vistana Villages.

A DVC trade would be pretty difficult around Easter, which is April 12th this year.

 

[formerhater]

From the perspective of visiting Disney World, staying on property is the way to go. It saves time, is more convenient, and far more immersive. I can't speak to how easy or difficult that would be to trade in, but I am definitely willing to pay a premium to stay on property when I go there. Good luck and have fun!

 

[DeniseM]

Hi!
We wanted to travel to Disney World and stay either at the Vistana Resort or trade our deposited II week for a DVC week in mid-April. Any thoughts on what would be nicer? (Kids 6 & 8) Of course, they would love anything Disney, but is it worth it? Which of their clubs are the ones to be at? I know nothing about the DVC. My 8 month window opens next Sunday - trying to decide whether to go II or try to book into Vistana Resort.

Any advice would be appreciated - Thanks!
Kane

I think it will be a tough exchange and nearly impossible for Easter - consider renting from a DVC owner. For lots of expertise on DVC - see the TUG DVC forum.

 

[tomandrobin]

last week there were two Easter weeks at Saratoga Springs, in a studio. But I would not expect anything more then a studio for that time of year, the second busiest week at Disney.

 

[tomandrobin]

From the perspective of visiting Disney World, staying on property is the way to go. It saves time, is more convenient, and far more immersive. I can't speak to how easy or difficult that would be to trade in, but I am definitely willing to pay a premium to stay on property when I go there. Good luck and have fun!

Staying on property that time of year is especially important. The crowds will be huge and on property resorts get the extra magic hours in the morning.

 

[tomandrobin]

I think it will be a tough exchange and nearly impossible for Easter - consider renting from a DVC owner. For lots of expertise on DVC - see the TUG DVG forum.

Psssst.......DVC

 

[DeniseM]

Psssst.......DVC

Thanks Tom! Fixed it!

 

[scy3000]

You may want to check into this but I think that Disney and II block trades into DVC using Orlando area resorts. Your only choice may be to rent from a DVC owner.

 

[LisaRex]

It depends on how much time you want to spend at the Mouse House. If you're going to spend every day at one or more of the Disney parks, then staying on property is more important as you'll be able to really use the early admissions/transportation/meal program. If you're planning to branch out and go to Universal, the water parks (and what vacation is complete without a visit to Reptile World?), then staying on property isn't as important.

Me? I stayed on property (at Old Key West, one of their timeshare properties (I rented directly from Disney) in 2001 and enjoyed it, but afterward wished I'd have kept my reservation at the Marriott villas (I forget which property) which would have cost half as much. We didn't end up using any of the on-site perks as the kids were too young and too exhausted to stay late/arrive early.

Orlando really has a ton of non-Disney activities and if it appeals to you, I'd recommend checking out other things. For older kids, Universal is a great alternative. And we love SeaWorld. So for me, I'd rather save money on lodging (though I still prefer timeshares for the extra room and w/d) and do other activities. For example, book an Illuminations cruise and see the fireworks following a relaxing boat ride to Epcot OR book my favorite Orlando activity, which is Discovery Cove, where the kids can swim with the dolphins.

Discovery Cove is an all day thing, the grounds are beautiful, and the park is capacity controlled so it's a great respite from the crowds and heat. Expensive ($289 pp) but worth it. It's one of the few things my kids remember from our Orlando trip, plus it comes with a 14 day SeaWorld or Busch Gardens pass.

In any event, it's the one question that just about everyone asks before heading to Orlando. And for me, after having stayed on property, my vote is to stay off-site and use the savings to do other things.

 

[tomandrobin]

You may want to check into this but I think that Disney and II block trades into DVC using Orlando area resorts. Your only choice may be to rent from a DVC owner.

DVC does have a regional block on other "Orlando" timeshares. However, Starwood will deposit a weeks from a non-Orlando resort if you tell them you are trading into Disney.

 

[lprstn]

Ok, I own at Vistana and Bonnet Creek...if I could trade to stay on Disney...heck ya I would. Why?

- The amenities on disney property can't be beat.
- Onsite childcare
- Early/late access to the parks
- Free transportation to the parks
- Easy access to all the restaurants onsite
- Free activities like the Campfire Chip & Dale activities

I could go on and on...but I won't ...cause I know you get the picture...

Only reason I don't own there? Cause my DH would kill me if I bought another TS...

 

[ocdb8r]

I think time of year and park visiting strategy also plays a part in your decision. I love to stay on-site so we can easily swing back to the room during the peak heat of the day, take a nap, eat some snacks and rejuvinate for a full night. This is also especially nice if you have little ones that may not be able to make it through a whole day. For me this makes on-site a necessity.

However, I agree that cost would be an over-riding factor. I would only go to DVC if I could trade in...the cost to rent points to stay is unjustified in my opinion (especially given, as others have pointed out, the high quality of alternate resorts).

Oh, I also thought I should add: If you do exchange into DVC you will have a mandatory $95 fee added to your account when you check-in. That covers all the wonderful services Iprstn descirbed AND one left out: Free transport to and from the resort, including luggage handling and delivery to your room.