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What's the best way to DVC?

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Mon, 01/25/2010 - 23:21
LifeIsForLiving's picture
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What's the best way to DVC?

I've done some pretty extensive research to look at all my options to experience DVC before becoming an owner. Right off the bat; rack rates are out (if you're not aware, they are absurd - as they are at most any hotel/resort). I know points can be rented from DVC members at various rates ($10pp being on the low side of average), and prices fall as expiration dates near. I know exactly how many points I need, when and where I want to stay. Problem is, I have plenty of Bluegreen points we won't be using this year so I would like to trade with a DVC owner. Going through an exchange company, I have to pay a fee and am still not guaranteed to get what I'm looking for. Before I can even find out what's available I have to bank my week, and once it's banked there is no getting it back. Exchanges at places like DISboards, work similarly; I would have to book a stay then trade that. Seems to me that would severely limit my chances of getting what I'm looking for. I'm looking to trade like accommodations (size, season, length, etc.); does anyone have any suggestions?

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Tue, 01/26/2010 - 02:08
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I've rented from DVC members, but that's it -- have never traded one programs' points for another.

If you don't mind my asking, where do you want to stay?

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Tue, 01/26/2010 - 13:33
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AKV Kidani Village mickey

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 14:53
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LifeIsForLiving wrote:
AKV Kidani Village mickey

I'd love to stay there. I don't have a lot of insight into trading timeshare points, but I wish you luck! I would feel the same way about not wanting to bank or book the week without knowing for certain that you can get the week you want at Kidani. Is Kidani pretty easy to book, or do you have to book right at 11 months to get your week?

What's your timeline? How soon do you need to find someone who'll trade?

I imagine Disboards will offer the largest number of potential traders -- just poking around and sending DMs to people might offer some guidance over there. Or what about the mouseowners and dvcnews boards? Are they options?

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 18:26
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I've never stayed at any DVC property, but I've got a contact in the industry who advised there is a lot of availability at AKV now with the recent additions. This trip will be at the end of the year (not during busy times), so I'm not in a huge hurry but I would like to have something squared away before too long. I don't like to leave things to chance.

I've been in contact with one of the Disboards admins regarding trades and they said the trade board (where I would have to trade a week I had already booked) was the only option. I think they frown upon circumnavigating their standard procedures but if it's permissible, I will try contacting individual owners. Also I have not yet been to MouseOwners or DVCnews boards. I will look into both.

Thanks Annie!

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 18:38
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Hiya LIFL!

I don't have much to add -- I agree that there are plenty of other DVC-focused boards to try. It seems really unfortunate that you'd have to book a week to trade instead of offering a potential partner the points to book wherever he wanted.

Regardless, I wish you luck! It'd be great to learn what you find out.

Is your wife in on this trip, or will this be a surprise?

Tue, 01/26/2010 - 19:19
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She is in on it, but there will still be some surprises for her. She likes surprises and I like planning them clapping

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 02:27
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What are the highlights of the points you're trying to trade? What would be their big selling points?

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 04:05
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Well, there are resorts all over the country where one would not be able to stay with DVC points. Some favorites of mine are Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Hershey, Hawaii, Aruba, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, etc. Mind you those last few are atop my list of places I've yet to travel. As you may have read, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is one of my favorite places on Earth. Hershey is where I live, I have touted it's virtues here as well. Walt Disney was a lot like Milton S. Hershey; if you're interested in the history of such men or great fun and Chocolatetown USA (where you can even get chocolate spa treatments) - you need to visit Hershey. I have stayed at the resort here in Hershey (actually booked a stay for my mom) and it's beautiful (and literally a stone's throw from Hershey Park, you could easily walk). There's also the Fountains in Orlando, where we usually stay when visiting the World. If someone wanted to experience WDW in a different way, I recommend it highly. It's only a few minutes away, and you can escape the crowds and the magic at night, if you so desire. The swanky 1,343 sq/ft accommodations don't hurt either.

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 15:20
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So what we need to do is find you someone who wants to go to Pigeonforge this year. Is that where Dollywood is?

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 19:15
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cdub wrote:
So what we need to do is find you someone who wants to go to Pigeonforge this year. Is that where Dollywood is?

Yep, Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge. Have resorts in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg (which are only a few miles apart). I prefer Mountain Loft in Gatlinburg, it's still very close to Dollywood though not quite walking distance due to the rural location of the resorts. That's where we stayed for our honeymoon, in a two bedroom townhouse. It's wonderful, I could live there.

If I were able to find someone here, I'd be happy to tell them everything I know about the chosen location - if I've been there, I'm bound to have some tips and tricks. For that matter, I'd be willing to help them with an itinerary if they so desired.

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 20:55
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LifeIsForLiving wrote:
cdub wrote:
So what we need to do is find you someone who wants to go to Pigeonforge this year. Is that where Dollywood is?

Yep, Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge. Have resorts in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg (which are only a few miles apart). I prefer Mountain Loft in Gatlinburg, it's still very close to Dollywood though not quite walking distance due to the rural location of the resorts. That's where we stayed for our honeymoon, in a two bedroom townhouse. It's wonderful, I could live there.

If I were able to find someone here, I'd be happy to tell them everything I know about the chosen location - if I've been there, I'm bound to have some tips and tricks. For that matter, I'd be willing to help them with an itinerary if they so desired.

I fear most of the people on here wish they had more DVC points. But I'll keep an eye out for anyone looking for an alternative this year. You've really sold me on that area, but sadly I have no DVC points to trade, nor any time to take a vacation.

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 21:02
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Brad wrote:
LifeIsForLiving wrote:
cdub wrote:
So what we need to do is find you someone who wants to go to Pigeonforge this year. Is that where Dollywood is?

Yep, Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge. Have resorts in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg (which are only a few miles apart). I prefer Mountain Loft in Gatlinburg, it's still very close to Dollywood though not quite walking distance due to the rural location of the resorts. That's where we stayed for our honeymoon, in a two bedroom townhouse. It's wonderful, I could live there.

If I were able to find someone here, I'd be happy to tell them everything I know about the chosen location - if I've been there, I'm bound to have some tips and tricks. For that matter, I'd be willing to help them with an itinerary if they so desired.

I fear most of the people on here wish they had more DVC points. But I'll keep an eye out for anyone looking for an alternative this year. You've really sold me on that area, but sadly I have no DVC points to trade, nor any time to take a vacation.

You may be right. Such people are out there though, I've just got to find them crossfingers . People trade in DVC weeks every day with exchange companies, I'm just trying to avoid that route. I'll find a way though.

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 21:03
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LifeIsForLiving wrote:

You may be right. Such people are out there though, I've just got to find them crossfingers . People trade in DVC weeks every day with exchange companies, I'm just trying to avoid that route. I'll find a way though.

I'm sure we'll all keep our eyes and ears open. Like you say people trade them in all the time. The economy may work in your favor. There might be someone who's looking for a vacation closer to home to save money.

Thu, 01/28/2010 - 01:52
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Brad wrote:
LifeIsForLiving wrote:

You may be right. Such people are out there though, I've just got to find them crossfingers . People trade in DVC weeks every day with exchange companies, I'm just trying to avoid that route. I'll find a way though.

I'm sure we'll all keep our eyes and ears open. Like you say people trade them in all the time. The economy may work in your favor. There might be someone who's looking for a vacation closer to home to save money.

Here's hoping. I've got my feelers out elsewhere on the interweb too. Thread I created at TUG is getting a lot of attention, so that's a encouraging.

Thu, 01/28/2010 - 03:07
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AKV Kidani Village would be wonderful! I've heard great things about it.

Keep us updated on the latest, LIFL. You're right that there are tons of places that you can't yet stay with DVC points. I think Hawaii would be the most compelling -- you'll SOON be able to stay at Aulani, but not yet!

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Sun, 02/07/2010 - 16:50
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Are you having any luck on this front LifeIsForLiving?

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 04:19
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Yes indeed. Have a tentative exchange worked out clapping I'll keep you posted.

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 16:58
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Great news! I'd love to hear the details once things are worked out -- could be helpful for future exchangers on the board. awesome

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