We own DVC points for staying within the Disney system. We own
other timeshare for using either w/in the other timeshare system or exchanging via RCI, II, GPX, etc. We've done plenty of exchanges over the past 20 years through various options.
Personally, we don't favor direct exchanges (owner to owner exchanges, such as it appears you are suggesting) for a couple reasons:
- It has been difficult to strike an exchange where both sides feels equally compensated. It just never seems quite "fair" and can be tedious negotiating the various factors of resort location, quality, season, unit size, length of stay, etc. Add to this that different timeshare systems have different rules that must be somewhat understood by both sides; length of stay is often one of those hurdles!
- Trust issues. Direct Exchanging with family and personal friends is easy; developing two-way trust with a stranger on the internet? Different beast!
Edited to add: Welcome to Disboards, @
exchanger !
Edit #2: To test out the difficulties of finding equitable agreement in direct exchanges ... what would
you want in DVC in exchange for a 3n or 4n, weekend stay at the Highland Inn (Carmel, CA) in either May/Oct 2021? FWIW, I own DVC at Saratoga Springs and can book that location 11 months; I can only book 7-months out for the other DVC properties and will face availability issues. If you want the Grand Cal, then you might be limited to finding a direct exchange partner who owns sufficient points at the Grand Cal to meet your exchange.
Really, really good points. I'm probably too trusting, but I've made a few transaction on the internet with zero assurances (redweek, other message boards, etc) and they've all turned out OK, but there is definitely more of a "worry" factor.
To answer your question about exchanges, just as a hypothetical I'd be open to say exchange 4 nights in those dates to Carmel for say 4 nights in a 2 bedroom at Vero Beach (Sunday - Thursday during our Fall Break which is Value Season), I'd also be up for HHI as well. Is that in line with what you would expect? We're a family of 5 can do a 1 bedroom so we aren't super picky, but do like the comfort of a 2 bedroom, but 1 bedrooms work too.
A few other examples of what I would see as "fair" trades:
Week 7 (Presidents Day) in a 2 bedroom at a Hyatt Resort in Key West for say around a week (I mean I'd like the week, but I'd do 5 or 6 nights in a Savannah View 2 bedroom at AKV).
4 nights at one of the Hyatt Mountain properties in a 2 bedroom (ski in / ski out property) for say 3 nights in a 1 bedroom at Aulani.
A week at a 2 bedroom at Hyatt Pinon Pointe (Sedona) in early May for say 5 nights at Vero beach or HHI in a 2 bedroom in early summer.
A week at the Hyatt in Ka'anapali for say 8 nights at a 2 bedroom at one of the WDW resorts.
It sounds like I'd need to come up with a good idea of what it is exactly that I want, and give a few options for what I'd be willing to offer in return and see where that gets me. Any thoughts?
Are those hypothetical trades in line with what you would expect?
Is it hard to get 1 and 2 bedrooms at AKV, HHI, VB, and Aulani at 7 months outside of holidays or Peak Summer (end of June to Early August)?
Anyways -- when it comes down to it, I really do like Disney, but more than anything I like travelling and am a big fan of the (limited) Hyatt locations, so it works well for me. However, there are a few scenarios where I'd love for my kids to experience the magic of Disney outside of the parks (and every few years at the parks).
I really wish that the DVC resorts outside of the parks sold better and I think I'd be very tempted, but I realize I am very much in the minority.