Feature Article: Using RCI Points for Disney Vacation Club Resorts - A Walt Disney World Resort Review - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Feature Article: Using RCI Points for Disney Vacation Club Resorts - A Walt Disney World Resort Review
Using RCI Points for Disney Vacation Club Resorts - A Walt Disney World Resort Review by Heath Hawkins
I got my first Disney "hit" in the summer 2010, and have been a full-fledged addict since.
Unfortunately, this addiction is one I am unable to sustain. I find myself listening to Disney podcasts every day to try to escape, but it is just not the same. My family vacations every summer, but it is usually regionally. We live in northeast Arkansas and typically spend a week or so in Branson, Missouri. Next to Walt Disney World, there is no place I would rather be than at Silver Dollar City, a theme park in Branson. We always spend a week at our timeshare condo in Branson. Yes, you heard me right; we own a time share week, but not Disney Vacation Club.
Anyone who owns a timeshare knows that they call you in for owners update meetings when you are at the resort. For years my wife and I referred to them as "Benefit Reduction Meetings," because when we came in it was always to let us know that we were losing some benefit unless we "bought more." We finally gave up and settled into the fact that we bought this, and we are stuck with it. We might as well just use it and be happy. That was a turning point for us, that is until an owner's update meeting in 2013 that changed my life forever.
In that meeting the salesman made a comment about Walt Disney World. They always ask us to make a list of the places where we would like to travel, and I AWAYS say Walt Disney World as my top choice. He then said that he and his grandkids had just returned from a trip. My comment was, "Well, I know we could get a resort in Orlando, but I really only want to stay on Disney Property." He said, "What about Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge?" He had me! I knew about Disney Vacation Club (DVC), but thought it was only for DVC members. I was not aware that I was able to bank my week with RCI (Resort Condominiums International, a time share trading company), and get into a Disney resort. So the next week I was on the phone. This call was launching me into uncharted territory. I spoke with the RCI representative for my resort company, which happens to be Silverleaf Resorts. He was happy to take my name, information and of course the $300 exchange fee, right away. Unfortunately, he did not have a resort reservation for me at the time. He said to just be patient and wait. That was the hardest part. I made that call in July of 2013, and waited, and waited, and waited. I have to admit I got worried, and almost gave up. Finally, on my birthday in November, almost five months later, they called with a reservation.
This will be a 15th Anniversary trip for my wife and me, no kids. We hoped to be at BoardWalk, but were open to whatever resort that was available. I just wanted on Disney property, and beggars can't be choosers. When RCI called, he had a 7-night stay available for us in a one-bedroom suite at Saratoga Springs Resort in the Downtown Disney area. I could not believe we got it! Seven nights in a 1-bedroom suite for $300, plus a $99 resort fee upon arrival. Before this option I was looking at Pop Century Resort, which would have been $1,000 plus for a hotel room only.
Let just say that this experience has made me feel a little better about buying timeshare and paying the monthly maintenance fee. Though I would never recommend to anyone that they buy a timeshare, this seems to be working out for us this time. Maybe we will even be able to afford to go back in 2015 and take the kiddos. Maybe!
Saratoga Springs Resort was not even on my radar. I spent the month of November researching the resort and discovering all I could about it. It seemed huge, but it is a Disney resort. That means we will have access to Disney's Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, Magic Bands, and FastPass Plus. This reservation came just a few weeks before our 180-day mark, so I quickly made some decisions and we were off and running. Luck was with me, because I landed a dining reservation for breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table at 8:00 am and dinner at Be Our Guest.
This is not a review of Saratoga Springs Report, but know that it is an amazing resort and that we had an incredible stay. As the time approached for our actual check in, I elected to do the online check in because there was a $99 resort fee that I wanted to take care of ahead of time. I worried that there might be other issues that we might encounter, but things went so smoothly. We enjoyed the week in a 1-bedroom suite in the Grandstand section, just outside the pool and mere moments from the main building. There were no additional, hidden fees. The only thing I did not realize until check-in was that housekeeping would only be in once during the week, but with just two people in the room that was not an issue either.
If you are a timeshare owner and a member of RCI, this is something worth looking into. It is not a perfect process, does require to trust and waiting; but if you get in it will all be worth the effort. We ended up loving the beautiful resort and were treated like family while we were there.
What do you think? Please add your own comments, experiences, or news related to this article in this thread! Reader feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
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I have also successfully traded into DVC using RCI. My first trade was in 2012 into Old Key West Resort. We had a one-bedroom and it was great!
We also just traded into Saratoga Springs for next March.
In 2012 we had a great time. Based on what I know about DVC I would put my trade request in as far in advance as possible but don't expect to get a confirmation until about 6 months out or closer. I wouldn't be choosy about which resort on property (since even DVC members have trouble booking the really hot properties, eg Grand Californian).
It's a great way to go if you already own an RCI affiliated timeshare. Just set up an ongoing search an list ALL the DVC properties you are interested in, and then be patient. I am really looking forward to my trip in March and have already ordered my Magic bands.
Just a note, due to their popularity the DVC resorts use up a lot of points to trade in. But definitely worth it for the Disney Fan.
You can also trade in as an RCI Weeks customer, though the "trading power" I believe is slightly different versus Points members.
I have traded into Studios at AKV-Kidani and at OKW, as well as a 2-BR at SSR. I have consistently seen trades available for SSR and OKW, but occasionally BWV and WLV also pops up.
You can also trade in as an RCI Weeks customer, though the "trading power" I believe is slightly different versus Points members.
I have traded into Studios at AKV-Kidani and at OKW, as well as a 2-BR at SSR. I have consistently seen trades available for SSR and OKW, but occasionally BWV and WLV also pops up.
Our trade was a weeks for points trade. The 1-BR was worth one week with our timeshare. However, next year we need a 2-BR and had to bank two of our week to have enough for the trade. I am okay with that, but could not do it every year.
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