500 other resort destinations?

[Dman67]

Hi gang! The DW and I just finished watching Disney's DVC DVD and luckily the battery on the cordless phone was dead otherwise we'd be in for about 500 points. LOL Seriously though, the actor on the DVD mentions time and time again about the 500 other destinations that DVC members can travel to using their points, for instance Hawaii, Colorado, San Francisco London, Paris. How would you plan a trip to one of these destinations and how much would a basic trip cost in points? Has anyone done it and if so how was the experience and what did it cost you (if you don't mind me asking)?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[rocketriter]

Don't get too excited about these trading options. The best, most economical use of DVC points is at DVC resorts. To trade out you need to put in your request as much as a year or two ahead of time, then keep your fingers crossed. Sometimes you get what you asked for, sometimes you get nothing. (There are lots of other threads on this subject if you want details.) Our family has successfully traded out to the Big Island of Hawaii and to Williamsburg, Virginia (both times to a 1-bedroom for about 144 points). But you have to do some research to make sure your trade is likely to be available and of decent quality. So keep this option in your hip pocket like a pack of extra sugar to sweeten the deal, but don't plan on making it your main course.

 

[WebmasterDoc]

The World Passport Collection allows trades thru Interval International (II), where we have access to a portion of their inventory. There is an exchange fee in addition to the points required and they are all 7 night reservations. In addition, we have access to the Concierge Collection and the Disney Collection. There is also a fee for the Concierge Collection and for any Disney Cruise Line reservations, but not for the WDW and DL resorts. Generally, the non-DVC options will come at a higher per night rate than staying at DVC resorts, but the option is there if desired. (The rates are OK if you just use the maintenance fees as the cost basis, but not as good if you use common rental rates as your basis.)

Here is a point chart for the World Passport Collection:

..........LOW. MID. HIGH
Studio 106... 123. 134
1 BR... 124... 144. 160
2 BR... 207... 252. 270
3 BR... 276... 317. 349

 

[Dman67]

Here is a point chart for the World Passport Collection:

..........LOW. MID. HIGH
Studio 106... 123. 134
1 BR... 124... 144. 160
2 BR... 207... 252. 270
3 BR... 276... 317. 349

Thanks for the info WebmasterDoc! Are the points you list above per night or for the entire 7-day stay?

 

[WebmasterDoc]

World Passport stays are all a full week - 7 nights. It is probably best to assume HIGH season when reserving these and let MS advise if the season is actually lower for your dates.

Concierge Collection and Disney Collection stays can be for as few as one night. Like DVC resorts, the weekend nights are much higher than weeknights at these resorts.