newbie exchange question

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

We recently purchased a timeshare (resale of course) and I'm not sure about the whole trading power issue with RCI. I know earlier is better but I wanted to get an opinion from some experienced folks.

We bought a floating 3bdrm lockout at Kings Creek Plantation in Williamsburg. We had a little "snafu" with paperwork and such (partially my fault - long story), which I just recently got resolved, and reserved my 2009 weeks (2bd - mid June / 1bd - early Aug).
We plan to exchange for Orlando for the last week of April 2010 (our kids school vacation). We will be going with my cousin and her family (2 couples, 3 teen boys, and 2 tween girls - 9 total).
I had read on these sites that trading power with RCI is a BIG thing, and we really wanted to try to get into a 3bdrm at HGVC Seaworld (best location and room layout for us). I had already signed up with II before reserving my weeks since we thought we might try the Marriotts but we liked HGVC a little better overall.
So my question is... should I try to deposit my 2009 weeks into RCI now or should I just wait until I can reserve 2010's weeks later this month? That would give me better trading power, right?
Do you think I would be able to get HGVC with my 2009 weeks? Or should I put those into II? I heard from other people that their KCP summer weeks are pretty strong in II (they got AC's and into Disney before they moved to RCI) but no one has really said anything about trading power in RCI.
The time of year we're going doesn't seem that popular with the rest of the country. It's 3 weeks after Easter, so I didn't necessarily thought that it would be peak time.

Any suggestions?

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Hi Pink. Welcome to TS4MS.

I'm certainly not an expert on trading up, but I really think you've set your sights way too high. Although you've gotten decent weeks reserved, my guess is that your resort isn't likely to be a very strong trader. Especially since you've split it into 2 individual weeks. I think it will be extremely difficult to get a 3 bedroom at all. I think you'd have a better shot at getting 2 units at the same resort at the same time, but probably not a Marriott, Hilton, or Sheraton. Springtime is also a very tough trade in Florida, although, as you say, you're looking for late April and demand is somewhat less then.

I'll bet you get a number of suggestions on what to do so I hope someone has some good options for you.

Sue

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We plan to exchange for Orlando for the last week of April 2010 (our kids school vacation). We will be going with my cousin and her family (2 couples, 3 teen boys, and 2 tween girls - 9 total).
I had read on these sites that trading power with RCI is a BIG thing, and we really wanted to try to get into a 3bdrm at HGVC Seaworld (best location and room layout for us). So my question is... should I try to deposit my 2009 weeks into RCI now or should I just wait until I can reserve 2010's weeks later this month? That would give me better trading power, right?
Do you think I would be able to get HGVC with my 2009 weeks? Or should I put those into II? I heard from other people that their KCP summer weeks are pretty strong in II (they got AC's and into Disney before they moved to RCI) but no one has really said anything about trading power in RCI.
The time of year we're going doesn't seem that popular with the rest of the country. It's 3 weeks after Easter, so I didn't necessarily thought that it would be peak time.

Any suggestions?

There are currently no 3 bdr weeks available at HGVC Seaworld in RCI in the last week of April, 2010. There are 3 bdrs at resort #'s 3664, 8896, 3175 and 3654.

Without any idea what your trade power is, you should wait to deposit the 2010 weeks since your RCI trade power is supposed to be maximized at 12 months or more before check-in and decreases after that.

You are definitely not travelling during peak season so you could start an ongoing search for that specific resort but one of those other resorts could work and if your trade power is high enough, you could get it as soon as you deposit.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Never deposit anything with RCI unless it is at least one year out. For Williamsburg, you should get some trade power with a July week- but off season will be pathetic.

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

I suggest depositing your 2009 weeks in II - even though you are late - those are still pretty good check-in dates.

II is size conscious so to get a 3BR u pretty much need a 3 BR BUT if u see it online, you can exchange into it.

You could put in an ongoing search with the 2BR unit for resorts that ONLY have 3BR units - Marriott Imperial Palms comes to mind BUT the 3BRs at Grande Vista are VERY nice.....there is a possibility u could get a 3BR for the last week of April with a 2BR deposit but seeing it online.
Marriott owners get a 21 day preference into other Marriott resorts - but that time of year u should be able to see some nice stuff.
The other option would be to use both your units and request resorts that only have 2BR units ....or get a 2BR Grande Vista with your 2BR and then just keeping looking online and snag another 2BR with your one bedroom.

Another great thing about II is that u can search without depositing - so it will give u a flavor of what you COULD get if u deposit a July week at your resort.

I am not an RCI expert - but what the others are telling you is true....plan 2 + years out with RCI.