Thinking about joining DVC - but I have a points question! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Thinking about joining DVC - but I have a points question!
Hi all!
After our most recent trip to WDW last month, DH and I have started thinking in earnest about becoming DVC members (and *he* brought it up, not me!! ) I downloaded the PP Guide (well done, Cheryl and Petula!) and have been reading it, but I have an unusual question that hopefully someone can answer for me!
Here goes: my DB and DSiL are members of RCL, which from what I understand is now partnered with DVC in some way. Can they combine their RCL points/credits/whatever with our DVC points so we can all stay together in a larger place or for a longer time?
If anyone has dealt with this situation before and can share their experience, I'd be so grateful!!
TIA,
- Laurie
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Laurie (aka LeapDayBaby) having a blast with Mickey and Goofy at Epcot, August 2006
Seven trips to WDW (1975, 1982, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014)! Next trip: Soon, I hope! I've been jingled! Thanks Sandy!
You can't combine the points, but you could try to book the same time frame at the same resort.
As a DVC member you can book 11 months out at your home resort and be guaranteed the reservation you want; to trade into DVC it's a bit less certain that you'll get what you want when you want it.
Also be forewarned, it can take a while for your DB to trade into DVC using his RCI timeshare. But once he gets a booking, you will then have to book using your DVC pts at the same resort. Just request to be near their room, but unfortunately not all requests are able to be met.
Just a heads up, if your family's RCI points or resort that they are trading is from an Orlando resort, they would not be allowed to trade into DVC because there's a regional block.
Also, as others have mentioned already, RCI and DVC cannot be combined in any way because they are totally separate systems from one another. RCI is an exchange company that offers cash rentals, week exchanges, and RCI point exchanges.
If your family has a non Orlando points timeshare in RCI points I've heard it's easier to get a DVC resort. But if they own a weeks resort, it takes a really, really strong week to have the trade power to trade into DVC through RCI.
Also, as others have mentioned already, RCI and DVC cannot be combined in any way because they are totally separate systems from one another.
Not directly combined but trips thru RCI and using DVC points could be staggered or run concurrently. For instance, one group could book a One Bedroom at OKW via an RCI trade and another could book an OKW studio for the same week on points. Or you could book a Two Bedroom via RCI one week and with DVC points the next week. Then both groups share on each leg of the trip.
So I guess you could say that RCI and DVC stays could be coordinated...but not combined.
That said, it would still be pretty difficult to do. The RCI system is based upon trades rather than general availability. In order to get a successful match via RCI, another member has to deposit something that's an exact match for what you are seeking. The odds for success increase exponentially when the trade request is for multiple resorts and multiple date ranges. Requesting "the third week of June at Old Key West" is extremely narrow criteria and would yield very low success. Opening it up to the entire month of June at any WDW resort is more reasonable. But then there's the issue of when to book the DVC points reservation. Ideally you would have to secure the RCI trade first and THEN book with the DVC points. The risk is that the DVC points availability would be gone by that point.
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One other thing I might mention. Back when DVC was still with II (Interval International), I traded into a 1 bedroom at VWL. I then booked a DVC studio for the same date with my DVC points. These reservations were made under the same name and I had DVC Member Services make a note on my studio reservation that I would like for the 1 bedroom and studio to be close to one another.
At check-in the Wilderness Lodge front desk was able to accommodate us and they put us in a lock-off two bedroom. But they did tell me when I made the request that it was only a request and they couldn't guarantee that the rooms would be close together. But it ended up working out.
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) I downloaded the PP Guide (well done, Cheryl and Petula!) and have been reading it, but I have an unusual question that hopefully someone can answer for me!
I've been jingled! Thanks Sandy!
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