Orlando trading question

[heycher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close heycher]

Hi all,

In advance I ask you to forgive my novice status. This is the first time I have posted here.

I own 3 studio weeks at Ocean Landings Resort & Racquet Club (OLR) through II. (Weeks are #2, # 42, #43 I believe). We have mostly always traded to Palm Desert, staying multiple times in 2BRs at Marriots Shadow Ridge, 2 BRs Marriots Desert Springs, and once a 2BR at Westin Mission Hills.
My husband has always handled getting these trades and has always gotten them roughly 2 months prior to our travel.

Which brings me to my question. We are trying to go to Disney this coming October (10-08). About 4 months ago, I put an II request in for any studio at any of the DVC properties. I do know that we have a weak trader, and that this becoming a match is less likely than having dinner with the Walt himself! SO, I am trying to be realistic and have been calling II every day looking for a 2BR at either Horizons by Marriott, Marriots Cypress Harbour, or Grande Vista (would prefer one of the first two). So far, my trader is not seeing anything other than Studios.... which I do realize is what I own.... but we've never stayed at a studio and need a larger unit for this trip. So they (II) keeps telling me to keep calling and that one will probably turn up. I call every day!

Am i being unrealistic that I'll be able to pull a 2BR at one of these Marriotts with my weak trader? And I am correct that I would NEVER get a DVC studio right? It's ok to tell me the truth

My trade is seeing 2BRs at Mystic Dunes, Liki Tiki, and a lots of Westgates and Celebrities. However, I really want to try to get one of the Marriotts if I can.

ANY advice you have for me would be so very much appreciated.
Thanks so much in advance!!
Cheryl

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

Are you checking on line as well? I would think you could pull 2BR Marriotts with a studio that time of year just searching on-line, at places where all they have are 2BR units like Cypress Harbour. I guess it depends upon how "weak" your trader is. If you never see DVC studios in inventory (almost daily), you probably won't get one unless it's very last minute or some kind of glitch.

[heycher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close heycher]

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I search the II site vigorously. However, I don't "see" the same things the operators see. Is that what you are referring to, the II site? When I search the site I don't even see the Marriott studios that the operators see tons of. Same with Mystic dunes, there are lots of 2BRs that the operators can see w/ my week(s), but I don't see them on the II exchange site. That's why I keep calling. 2BRs at the Marriotts ARE showing up in September... so I am hoping October is a matter of time?

Yeah, I'm pretty much giving up hope on the Disney properties. It would be a fluke if I ended up pulling one of those. I am going to keep the pending search active though, just in case. On that one, I put anywhere from September through January for a studio week.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

If you haven't already, I would add Cypress Harbour to your request list since they only have 2BR units even though you are using a studio you are able to do that. It's a beautiful resort in a great location. And keep searching in the early a.m. each day at DVC and Marriotts just in case.

[heycher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close heycher]

So at Cypress Harbour they can't give me the lock-off side of a unit? If so, that's a great idea! I didn't realize that. Of all of the Marriotts, that is my #1 choice!

When you say check DVC and Marriotts in the a.m., what do you mean? Are there sites besides the Interval International site that I can be checking? I am sorry if that is a stupid question

Thanks again!

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

Hi all,

In advance I ask you to forgive my novice status. This is the first time I have posted here.

No need too apologize! You are actually asking a good question, not a newbie question at all!

I own 3 studio weeks at Ocean Landings Resort & Racquet Club (OLR) through II. (Weeks are #2, # 42, #43 I believe). We have mostly always traded to Palm Desert, staying multiple times in 2BRs at Marriots Shadow Ridge, 2 BRs Marriots Desert Springs, and once a 2BR at Westin Mission Hills.
My husband has always handled getting these trades and has always gotten them roughly 2 months prior to our travel.

If he got the units 59 days or less before check-in, that means they were last minute (or as II calls them, "Flexchange") trades. During Flexchange, most or all trade power restrictions are lifted, and quality restrictions are relaxed. You may want to check your account history, and see whether you got these trades a full 2 months out or not. If not, it may be that your week isn't strong enough or high quality enough to "see" these trades except at the last minutes.

..... I search the II site vigorously. However, I don't "see" the same things the operators see. Is that what you are referring to, the II site? When I search the site I don't even see the Marriott studios that the operators see tons of. Same with Mystic dunes, there are lots of 2BRs that the operators can see w/ my week(s), but I don't see them on the II exchange site.

Well, the II site is very flaky. However, if you hit "refresh" a few times and still don't see what the operators are seeing, this suggests that your trade power is so weak that you don't really qualify for these trades (other than during Flexchange.) The II reps have discretion to offer members weeks that require a bit more trade power than the member really has.

We are trying to go to Disney this coming October (10-08). About 4 months ago, I put an II request in for any studio at any of the DVC properties. I do know that we have a weak trader, and that this becoming a match is less likely than having dinner with the Walt himself!

I am guessing that this is a quality issue, not just a trade power issue. There are strong quality restrictions in place for trades into the DVC. To get a DVC resort, you need a higher quality resort than you the minimum required for a Marriott trade (although not as high quality as you would need to trade into the Four Season Aviara.) If you NEVER see any DVC studios, I would guess that your quality rating is too low. Most resorts than can trade into the DVC are "Select" (silver) or "Premier" (gold) rated. Since quality restrictions are relaxed during Flexchange, there is a chance of getting a DVC then, since your resort has high enough quality to "see" Marriotts during the regular trading period. However, you would probably get a studio, since that is mostly what DVC deposits, and you can't do an ongoing request for something bigger than what you own.

SO, I am trying to be realistic and have been calling II every day looking for a 2BR at either Horizons by Marriott, Marriots Cypress Harbour, or Grande Vista (would prefer one of the first two). So far, my trader is not seeing anything other than Studios.... which I do realize is what I own.... but we've never stayed at a studio and need a larger unit for this trip. So they (II) keeps telling me to keep calling and that one will probably turn up. I call every day!

Am i being unrealistic that I'll be able to pull a 2BR at one of these Marriotts with my weak trader? And I am correct that I would NEVER get a DVC studio right? It's ok to tell me the truth

I wouldn't bother calling much, if at all, until you are closer to check-in. I think your odds of getting a 2BR Marriott for October are excellent if you call at exactly 59 days out (like, first thing in the morning, or search online in the middle of the night.) I'm currently seeing Cypress Harbor for 19 different check-in days for October. Horizons seems to have only smaller units for one of the Saturday check-in dates for October, but it has two-bedrooms for all of the other check-in dates.

Yeah, I'm pretty much giving up hope on the Disney properties. It would be a fluke if I ended up pulling one of those. I am going to keep the pending search active though, just in case. On that one, I put anywhere from September through January for a studio week.

My guess here is that you will match a studio for September at 59 to 30 days out from check-in. As far as I know, if a week has enough quality to see Marriotts more than 60 days out, it has enough quality to see DVC during Flexchange.

Do you usually use your Ocean Landings weeks yourself, or do you usually exchange them? The feeling I'm getting here is that they just aren't suited for II trades. Also, I'll bet that the annual fee is very high relative to the size of the unit, given that this is Florida on the beach. Unless you want these weeks primarily for your own use, not at traders, I would get rid of them and get something that trades better. Look for a PM from me!

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

When you say check DVC and Marriotts in the a.m., what do you mean? Are there sites besides the Interval International site that I can be checking? I am sorry if that is a stupid question

Thanks again!

Sorry, I mean check the II website in the early a.m. to see what is in inventory.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

So at Cypress Harbour they can't give me the lock-off side of a unit? If so, that's a great idea! I didn't realize that. Of all of the Marriotts, that is my #1 choice!

I am bad at using quotes, but anyhow, since there are no lock offs at Cypress Harbour, you would only get a 2BR, which is why I would put a request in ASAP.

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

So at Cypress Harbour they can't give me the lock-off side of a unit? If so, that's a great idea! I didn't realize that. Of all of the Marriotts, that is my #1 choice!

When you say check DVC and Marriotts in the a.m., what do you mean?...

Right, you can trade up from a studio to a 2-bdrm at Cypress Harbor because they have no smaller units. However, you still need to have enough trade power. At the moment, a studio I own is "seeing" Cypress Harbor for September and early December, but not summer, October, or November.

As for searching in the a.m., II mostly adds inventory to its site early in the morning. The best DVC inventory online is usually seen sometime between 5 and 7 am. Also, there is speculation that II's amazingly glitchy computer system sometimes lets people make trades in the wee morning hours that they would not ordinarily qualify for. It may be that the new deposits get added into the system first, and then a separate program is run to put on all the various restrictions (trade power, quality, Marriott preference) that limit what can "see" those new deposits. According to this theory, if you access the II site after the new deposits are made but before the program that adds the restrictions is run, you will "see" resorts that your week normally would not qualify for.

Edited to add: I was posting at the same time as DVCforUs

[heycher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close heycher]

What an unbelievably terrific source of information you guys are!

JudyS -- THANK YOU so much for your time in responding!

I called II an added Cypress Harbour for October, you never know! I'm going to start looking online at the crack of dawn each morning too!

You are AWESOME!

[heycher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close heycher]

I am bad at using quotes, but anyhow, since there are no lock offs at Cypress Harbour, you would only get a 2BR, which is why I would put a request in ASAP.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I totally appreciate your time and responses!

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Cypress Harbor is the nicest of the Marriotts in Orlando with no studios but there are 3 other Marriotts there that also have only 2 & 3 bedroom units. They would also be a good choice to request. The all have the word "Palm" in the resort name.

Do not request Grand Vista Or The Horizon as they both have studios.


PS I just looked with my worst trading studio and saw lots of 2 bd rooms at Cypress Harbor for this Oct 2008
I also can see lots of rooms at Cypress Harbor for this Oct 2008 with my AC. So if you can't see them it must be that your trader is just too weak.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

JudyS - great answers! I have been away and had just seen the title of this thread. You gave right on answers.

Bill, the 3 Marriott's that are on the grounds of the Orlando World Center Hotel that also give you access to all the amenities at the hotel - pool with slides, indoor pool, great health club, spa and are non-lock-offs .... are
Sabal Palms 2BR/2Ba sleep 6 no elevator 2 story buildings - this is Marriott's first TS in Orlando,
Royal Palms 2BR/2Ba sleep 7 elevator buildings
and Imperial Palms 3BR/2Ba sleep 10 elevator buildings.

and II is 'broken' for me right now, anyone else getting into the exchange screen?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hi all,

In advance I ask you to forgive my novice status. This is the first time I have posted here.

I own 3 studio weeks at Ocean Landings Resort & Racquet Club (OLR) through II. (Weeks are #2, # 42, #43 I believe). We have mostly always traded to Palm Desert, staying multiple times in 2BRs at Marriots Shadow Ridge, 2 BRs Marriots Desert Springs, and once a 2BR at Westin Mission Hills.
My husband has always handled getting these trades and has always gotten them roughly 2 months prior to our travel.

Which brings me to my question. We are trying to go to Disney this coming October (10-08). About 4 months ago, I put an II request in for any studio at any of the DVC properties. I do know that we have a weak trader, and that this becoming a match is less likely than having dinner with the Walt himself! SO, I am trying to be realistic and have been calling II every day looking for a 2BR at either Horizons by Marriott, Marriots Cypress Harbour, or Grande Vista (would prefer one of the first two). So far, my trader is not seeing anything other than Studios.... which I do realize is what I own.... but we've never stayed at a studio and need a larger unit for this trip. So they (II) keeps telling me to keep calling and that one will probably turn up. I call every day!

Am i being unrealistic that I'll be able to pull a 2BR at one of these Marriotts with my weak trader? And I am correct that I would NEVER get a DVC studio right? It's ok to tell me the truth

My trade is seeing 2BRs at Mystic Dunes, Liki Tiki, and a lots of Westgates and Celebrities. However, I really want to try to get one of the Marriotts if I can.
ANY advice you have for me would be so very much appreciated.
Thanks so much in advance!!
Cheryl

Most of what you have asked has been answered but here is my two cent -
if you NEVER see Marriott unit online unless it is within 59 days of check-in, there is a trade power issue with your resort and or week owned.
Your week is not 'strong enough' to pull Marriott's but it has the quality level to see them.

If your trade power and quality were high enough, u would be seeing Marriott studios NOW when u look online.

If your trade power was VERY good and your quality was high enough, u would be seeing Marriott studios plus some 1BRs (or even 2BRs in Orlando) now after the 24 day marriott rtrade prefernce period is over.

With my lower quality weeks - I see Mystic Dunes, Liki Tiki, and a lots of Westgates and Celebrities - just like you, I don't see the better resorts, Marriott, Sheraton, DVC

What time of year do you get these 2BR flex-changes?
Because Palm Springs is another area that has LOTS of availability most of the year (except Mid-January-late March) so an exchange into a 2BR there during flexchange is not difficult.

[Sue S Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sue S]

As for searching in the a.m., II mostly adds inventory to its site early in the morning. The best DVC inventory online is usually seen sometime between 5 and 7 am. Also, there is speculation that II's amazingly glitchy computer system sometimes lets people make trades in the wee morning hours that they would not ordinarily qualify for. It may be that the new deposits get added into the system first, and then a separate program is run to put on all the various restrictions (trade power, quality, Marriott preference) that limit what can "see" those new deposits. According to this theory, if you access the II site after the new deposits are made but before the program that adds the restrictions is run, you will "see" resorts that your week normally would not qualify for.

Which time zone are you in? I'm in the UK.

Sue