Experience using points outside the DVC

[mickeddie]

Hi,

I am so glad I found this board. We are contemplating purchasing a DVC resale and I am very busy crunching away the numbers. I've heard/read many comments that a DVC ownership is really only cost effective if you plan to stay at the DVC resorts.

What has been your experience booking reservations at all the other locations in the US and abroad? Do you find it easy to get the dates you want? Do you think it is cheaper than staying at a similar hotel and paying cash? If I were to stay at the Marriott Beach Club in Maui, for example, do I really see a benefit of using DVC points for the week, or is it the same as if I pay cash.

I don't expect huge savings on these vacations, but I just don't want to spend more in points than I would have spent in cash for a similar hotel.

Also with the properties outside the DVC, how do you manage to find a time where you can use your points AND be able to get the best airfare deal as well? It seems so easy when I book a vacation package (hotel+air) on the many travel websites to find the right time, but to book them individually seems like a challenge. How do you coordinate the two and still save money?

Thanks,

Michelle

 

[slappy magoo]

We're still new to the DVC, but we're using points to stay at The White Swan Inn in San Fran in December for our honeymoon. According to their website, the room we're getting would be about 220 a night. So if I shopped around a bit, maybe went throug priceline or something, I might've gotten a better rate, but I'm not complaining.

You're right though, it seems best suited for those who plan to use their points at WDW as much as possible. If you're in to a lot of travel to many destinations, more conventional time-share might be the way to go, because then you also forever own your piece of that time share. DVC is mainly a way to insure you'll always be able to afford to go to WDW no matter how expensive room rates get.

 

[dvcnut39]

We had no problem using 160pts at The Boardwalk in Virginia Beach last year. We really enjoyed the resort and felt that the area, beaches, resort, and room were great. You can compare point vs. cash value by looking at our resort online http://theboardwalkresort.com.

 

[jim1051]

From My experience, the concierge hotels disney is associated with tend to be high quality places. ponts required can be higher but many are $200 = per night if paying cash. I consider it like staying in Disney's premiere resorts. Also the interval international villas use less points than DVC resorts.
ie you can get 2br villa high season for 270 points / week.