Disney Strategy

I was just able to exchange my 2B unit for a 2B at Disney Saratoga for the last week of May (got the 2B even though I said I'd be willing to accept a 1B). My "stragegy" question is for some other friends who want to join us. They own a November week at what I am told is a less than desirable resort on Cape Cod. We assume their chances of being able to exchange into Saratoga Springs are not that good, but I was thinking that perhaps they could select that resort and then the Four Seasons outside San Diego and perhaps a nice Hawaii resort where the Saratoga Springs would then have the best chance of coming up. We realize that they could still wind up with Saratoga Springs, but with an arrival date either a day earlier or later than ours.

Does this sound like a viable plan? Last week of May might not be too difficult in that school is still in session, but on the flip-side it also includes Memorial Day Weekend.

Thanks!!

They certainly have a decent chance if their unit "normally" sees the DVCs that are posted on the sightings forum. Worst case scenario is they would pull a unit at the under 59 day window. There are often sightings for May but usually they happen back around Oct. or Nov. Saratoga Springs seems to have the most availability. They may want to add OKW to increase their chances of getting the desired week. At least you'd both be on-site and not too far apart.

Thanks for the response, as luck would have it not only do they have a bad week at a bad resort, but they also are affiliated with RCI which doesn't exchange into Disney Resorts. Oh well. Perhaps we'll squeeze them into our place if they want the pull-out as we aren't at "max" capacity yet.

Perhaps your friends could try ...

Wyndham's Bonnet Creek, an RCI resort also inside the gates of Disney property. The reviews I've read have all been fabulous! The reviewers seem to equate it with any Disney resort. This would place your friends approximately 2-3 miles from you rather than on the pull-out sofa. However, I have no idea how difficult an exchange this may be. Maybe a poster with RCI exchange experience could give you an idea of probability.

Since they are with RCI, the Hiltons, or maybe (Cypress Harbour, Royal Palms, Sabal Palms - Marriotts), Cypress Pointe, or the Fountains would be nice choices.

We are DVC members that stay at the Marriott Vacation Club resorts in Orlando frequently and enjoy them as much as we do DVC.

Bonnet Creek is next to impossible. Wyndham controls all UDI deposits, and in recent years, it would seem that Wyndham has not deposited *any* Bonnet Creek units.

good news is Orlando is easy to get

I would have them try to get an exchange thru RCI for the same week for an Orlando/Kissimmee resort. Then, since you are not at max capacity, also put them on your DVC reservation (this assumes it does not mess you up for dining plan). Then, the best of both worlds--they have beds and space to sleep at their RCI place, and they have DVC benefits---EMH, "legal" use of your DVC room and pool, etc.

elaine said:

I would have them try to get an exchange thru RCI for the same week for an Orlando/Kissimmee resort. Then, since you are not at max capacity, also put them on your DVC reservation (this assumes it does not mess you up for dining plan). Then, the best of both worlds--they have beds and space to sleep at their RCI place, and they have DVC benefits---EMH, "legal" use of your DVC room and pool, etc.

Click to expand...

The suggestion from elaine is excellent.

The friends of djs would get a Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR) parking pass for their car which would get them easy access into SSR and free parking at the parks. And they would get WDW Resort ID cards. For the benefit of anyone reading this thread who doesn't know what EMH means, it means Extra Magic Hours — a schedule of extended morning or evening theme park hours for on-site guests only. Because the friends of djs would be registered at SSR, they legitimately would be entitled to these benefits.

Late May is a good time to visit WDW. The spring break crowds are long-gone. And, although some schools are already out for the summer, the biggest summer crowds have not yet arrived. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is in progress, with great floral displays and concerts every night. For information about the Festival last year, see http://www.yesterland.com/flower2007.html

Because May is not a high-demand month, even a low-to-average timeshare week should have access to some pretty good Orlando area timeshare resorts (although I have no personal experience with RCI).

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think having them just get their own place, and adding their names to our unit makes the most sense (the $95 fee Disney charges is for the unit and not per person right?). My guess is that there'd be at least one night where after dinner/drinks they'd wind up crashing on the couch anyway.

Yes the $95 fee is per exchange, not per person.

Ray