RCI timeshare trading

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Joined: 07/16/2014
Posts: 11
RCI timeshare trading

I'm new to this group and this is my first post. I'm planning our 35th anniversary trip for my family to WDW in January 2017. My family consists of a husband, three married children, two single adult children and three grandkids. RCI is the timeshare company that we trade our timeshare with and they are affiliated with Disney. I can trade two weeks for one Disney week. So RCI told me that I could trade four years and get two 2-3 bedroom villas in exchange. I've looked into David's DV rentals and trading in my timeshare weeks through RCI would only cost me around $500 as opposed to David's would be around $5000. My question is has anyone here had experience with trading their regular timeshare for Disney and if so what was your experience with that?

Kristen K.'s picture
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Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

Hi Shelly! First off, let me say stars welcome stars

I'm a DVC Member, so I haven't traded through RCI, but I know that we have at least one member on the forums that trades through her non-Disney timeshare.

Though I don't know much about the trading aspect, I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the DVC rooms and resorts. When are you hoping to travel?

crazycatperson's picture
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Joined: 09/19/2011
Posts: 3718

We are also RCI members and always do an RCI exchange to get into DVC resorts (and sometimes offsite resorts). A few pointers based on our experience.

First, because you have a specific time of year and type of villa in mind, your best bet is to get an ongoing search started at least a full year in advance. So pay off those maintenance fees and bank your points or weeks as soon as you can. You want to be first in line if what you're looking for becomes available, because those two and three-bedroom villas are hard to come by. Which leads to...

Second, we have NEVER seen a two or three bedroom DVC villa available through RCI. Never. That could be because we've never had enough points banked to qualify - but we also rarely see studios, and we always have enough points for those. One bedroom units are what's usually available. So just because RCI tells you it can be done doesn't mean that what you want will be available when you want it.

Third, you're probably going to end up in Saratoga Springs or Old Key West. Other DVC resorts pop up on RCI much less often than those two. So don't get your heart set on Bay Lake or Animal Kingdom Lodge until you actually see availability there.

Finally, Disney charges a fee ($95 last time we exchanged) for RCI members who exchange into a DVC resort. The fee covers incidentals like the Magical Express that DVC members pay for through their maintenance fees. You'll have to pay twice for two separate villas, so be sure to figure that into your budget.

We've exchanged into Saratoga Springs and Old Key West and are going back to Saratoga Springs in September. (Our upcoming Animal Kingdom Lodge week in November is using an acquaintance's DVC points.) All I can say is, one week at any DVC resort is absolutely worth two weeks at our usual resort. The resorts are lovely and the amenities associated with staying on site (Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, etc.) are awesome.

But if you can't get what you want from Disney, there are several very nice offsite resorts nearby. I can personally vouch for Bonnet Creek and Grand Beach. I know Bonnet Creek has some three and even four-bedroom villas, and we exchanged into a three-bedroom at Grand Beach three years ago.

Magic Mirror's picture
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Joined: 09/18/2012
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(I can't help with RCI...but wanted to say hello!)

welcome

Kristen K.'s picture
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Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

Yay! I knew that there was someone here who could help mickey

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Joined: 07/16/2014
Posts: 11

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about the extra fee and from checking RCI website every once in a while I can see that the 2 and 3 bed villas don't come up at all if ever. I'm wondering if space banking the next four years is gong to make a difference in exchanging for DVC. I'm afraid I'll space bank then won't be able to get an exchange and then have to deal with space banked time for the next four years. Then again if I could get our housing through RCI that would be the cheapest part of our trip. Since I'm paying for everyone that would be a great help. Thanks again for the info.

crazycatperson's picture
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Joined: 09/19/2011
Posts: 3718

You are most welcome. I agree, an RCI exchange would be the most economical way to stay at WDW if they had what you're looking for. If you ever decide to do a Disney trip with just you and hubby, try it. You won't regret it.

Edited to add: I'm just a little ticked off at RCI for telling you that you could bank four years' worth of your timeshare and get two 2- or 3-bedroom Disney villas in exchange. They know as well as I do that those units rarely (if ever) have availability through RCI. But they make their money on exchange fees, and having your weeks/points in their inventory means potential revenue for them. What do they care if you can't get what you want in exchange? Jerks.