Do you take Disney Vacation Club studios?

[katie Member Find all posts View Profile Close katie]

Hi Mark,

Would SFX take a Disney Vacation Club Studio?

Can I trade for a Four Seasons Residence Club studio or a Westin Ka'anapali studio?

Thanks

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Hi Mark,

Would SFX take a Disney Vacation Club Studio?

Can I trade for a Four Seasons Residence Club studio or a Westin Ka'anapali studio?

Thanks

Katie - Thank you for your post.

Unfortunately we do not allow just the studio part of the 2 bedroom unit as a deposit. The reason is simple.... Member's refuse to accept them citing it compromises their vacation experience and value proposition.

Disney certainly is a "family vacation" experience. A studio compromises that experience as it essentially is an accommodation for 2 people. If you would like to deposit the one bedroom master unit, or of course the two bedroom, we would be delighted to have you as a Member.

[Amy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amy]

Are there only particular weeks that you will take for a DVC Orlando resort? If so, which weeks?

[katie Member Find all posts View Profile Close katie]

Thanks Mark, just wondering if SFX will ever consider studio trades in the future?

I can understand someone not wanting a studio if they exchanged a one bedroom or larger. But a studio for a studio exchange seems like a fair trade to me. The Disney studio/lock off sleeps up to 4, with a queen bed, sofa bed, wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and balcony. It’s big enough for a family of 4. A lot of DVCers stay in a studio to stretch their length of stay. Most folks don’t spend a whole lot of time in the room at Walt Disney World. Perhaps, it’s just me but I think some folks would sacrifice size for onsite conveniences such as Extra Magic Hour, Magic Express transportation to/from airport to WDW Resort, WDW transportation system to/from the parks, free parking at the parks if you choose to drive, room-charge privileges throughout WDW and the Disney Dining Plan. Not to forget that they would be immersed in Disney Magic 24 hrs a day

I can also understand if SFX doesn’t want a large inventory of studios. But SFX can limit the number of studio to studio exchanges to the top 20 high demand resorts that offer the best location, best room quality & amenities and best overall experience.

Again, just wondering if SFX has totally ruled out studio exchanges in the future.

Back to the minimum one bedroom master unit requirement….would SFX take a one bedroom at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach?

Thanks again

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

For some reason, I thought SFX did take some studios.....such as in high demand areas like NY City and San Francisco???
Hasn't Hoc deposited with SFX?

[Amy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amy]

Mark has posted in the past that SFX does take studios in limited places, usually popular urban locations. That said, I think SFX is being short-sighted not to consder DVC studios an exception to the "no studios other than popular urban locations" policy for all the reasons Katie stated. No other accommodation in Orlando offers those extra privileges and folks who want to stay onsite are willing to pay a premium even for studios for a family of four because of the added value.

[jillchang Member Find all posts View Profile Close jillchang]

well, I would have taken a studio in DVC or any other top 10 resorts. Of couse, I wouldn't want to trade a 2 bdrm for it, but I would trade a 1 bdrm and will jump at the opportunity of getting a DVC studio Xmas week.

I have a request for Orlando during Xmas week, and they only have a 2bdrm at a so so resort and a 1bdrm Cypress points, which is practically a studio as the bathroom is completely open to the bedroom and makes it difficult to stay with teenage sons. This is not better than a studio. I would rather take the DVC studio than that 1 bdrm.

By the way, Mark, why can't I get a decent Orlando Xmas week? Do you have other inventory I don't know about?

[katie Member Find all posts View Profile Close katie]

why can't I get a decent Orlando Xmas week?

Found this under SFX exchange policy
http://www.sfx-resorts.com/ExchangePolicy.htm

6: Try to avoid major Holiday weeks...

Due to high excessive demand for Major Holiday weeks (Christmas, New Years, President's Week, Easter, Memorial Week, July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving), requests for these periods for high quality resorts have a low fulfillment rate. Although we will gladly search for these requests, we strongly recommend you also submit alternative travel dates.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Are there only particular weeks that you will take for a DVC Orlando resort? If so, which weeks?

Amy - thank you for your post. For Orlando we accept deposits that are any week between February through Easter week. Any week from June 15 through September 7, and all major Holiday weeks.

Hope this helps.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

For some reason, I thought SFX did take some studios.....such as in high demand areas like NY City and San Francisco???
Hasn't Hoc deposited with SFX?

GrayFal - thank you for your post. As a general rule we only accept Studio deposits in major International Cities... San Francisco, NY, London, Paris etc etc. Because of the extreme high cost of real estate in major cities, most timeshare inventory is comprised of studio units. This seems more condusive in cities as they tend to be more of an adult experience than a family vacation experience.

Timeshare's in resort areas are more aligned to a family vacation experience, thus studio units for 2 or 4 (with a privacy factor for only 2) for another Member that has deposited a 1 or 2 bedroom unit is seen as compromising their vacation exchange experience, and not a viable option.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

well, I would have taken a studio in DVC or any other top 10 resorts. Of couse, I wouldn't want to trade a 2 bdrm for it, but I would trade a 1 bdrm and will jump at the opportunity of getting a DVC studio Xmas week.

I have a request for Orlando during Xmas week, and they only have a 2bdrm at a so so resort and a 1bdrm Cypress points, which is practically a studio as the bathroom is completely open to the bedroom and makes it difficult to stay with teenage sons. This is not better than a studio. I would rather take the DVC studio than that 1 bdrm.

By the way, Mark, why can't I get a decent Orlando Xmas week? Do you have other inventory I don't know about?

Jill - thank you for your post. You couldn't have taken that studio at Disney for your request, as there are "7 people" in your party and studios only sleep up to a maximum of 4 with only privacy for 2. I also believe it isn't a Disney Xmas week either.

You placed your request only on 1/18/2006 (only 3 business weeks ago). The request is severely restricted for a Christmas Week "only", and for one location "only". However, within this short period you have been offered 2 resorts.... One Gold Crown and the other 5 Star. One of them a Fairfield property /Orlando in a one bedroom sleep 4(At that time your request was only for 4 people)..... You were also offered Cypress Point /Orlando. Both these resorts have the same industry rating as the one you deposited. Unfortunately you declined them both.

If your expecation is for a Christmas week, 2 bedroom unit at Disney.... I can assure you it won't happen. Owners of such weeks realistically don't exchange. They buy it for their own use.

Also, please keep in mind... for there to be a "reasonable" expectation for positive results, Members are required if possible to be "reasonably" Flexible with both travel weeks and/or locations. This is an industry standard regardless of what exchange company you use. When you place restrictions on your request for major Holiday weeks only, and for only specific extreme high demand resorts... You are creating a restrictive "unfavorable condition" for positive results.

That doesn't mean you should place such requests, but sometimes in doing so you may be setting yourself up to fail. Results are always greater when you are reasonably flexible by requesting alternative dates, and locations.

There is still a search in progress for other weeks. You do need to be a little patient as major Holiday weeks have the highest demand and the lowest deposit rate... Simply put, industry-wide, demand exceeds supply for such weeks.

Hope this helps...

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Thanks Mark, just wondering if SFX will ever consider studio trades in the future?

I can understand someone not wanting a studio if they exchanged a one bedroom or larger. But a studio for a studio exchange seems like a fair trade to me.

The Disney studio/lock off sleeps up to 4, with a queen bed, sofa bed, wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and balcony. It’s big enough for a family of 4. A lot of DVCers stay in a studio to stretch their length of stay. Most folks don’t spend a whole lot of time in the room at Walt Disney World. Perhaps, it’s just me but I think some folks would sacrifice size for onsite conveniences such as Extra Magic Hour, Magic Express transportation to/from airport to WDW Resort, WDW transportation system to/from the parks, free parking at the parks if you choose to drive, room-charge privileges throughout WDW and the Disney Dining Plan. Not to forget that they would be immersed in Disney Magic 24 hrs a day

I can also understand if SFX doesn’t want a large inventory of studios. But SFX can limit the number of studio to studio exchanges to the top 20 high demand resorts that offer the best location, best room quality & amenities and best overall experience.

Again, just wondering if SFX has totally ruled out studio exchanges in the future.

Back to the minimum one bedroom master unit requirement….would SFX take a one bedroom at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach?

Thanks again

Hi Katie - thank you for your post. There is no question about how wonderful a Disney Resort is. However we base our criteria on the good old fashioned benchmark of "what meets our customers needs". With our business model and our clientele... as a rule they will not accept studios in resort areas.

As nice as the Disney Resort is, a studio that sleeps four still only has privacy for two... and that for many people defeats the purpose of a comfortable family vacation experience and potentially dilutes an exchange companies inventory base. In watching the market's supply vs. demand trends very closely, if we see a shift in this area of course we would at such time be open to studio inventory in resort areas.

"Back to the minimum one bedroom master unit requirement….would SFX take a one bedroom at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach?"

Absolutely !! For Hilton Head... any week between June 15 through September. For Vero Beach... any week between February through Easter, or June 15 through September 7. Also, any major Holiday week.

We appreciate your comments and hope we can be of service to you.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark has posted in the past that SFX does take studios in limited places, usually popular urban locations. That said, I think SFX is being short-sighted not to consder DVC studios an exception to the "no studios other than popular urban locations" policy for all the reasons Katie stated. No other accommodation in Orlando offers those extra privileges and folks who want to stay onsite are willing to pay a premium even for studios for a family of four because of the added value.

Amy - thank you for your post. It really isn't a question of being short-sighted, it is more of a reflection and observation in what our Member's needs are. It is our Member's who reject studio units at resorts. We are simply abiding by their wishes in following this protocol.

A studio unit, which is for the most part a good sized hotel room, that sleeps up to four persons still only has a privacy for "two". There are those who find that acceptable. There are many that feel it compromises their family vacation experience having four persons crowded into such a small space, and would rather be only about a 10 minute drive to the parks and have the comfort of a much larger vacation home environment.

[jillchang Member Find all posts View Profile Close jillchang]

Jill - thank you for your post. You couldn't have taken that studio at Disney for your request, as there are "7 people" in your party and studios only sleep up to a maximum of 4 with only privacy for 2. I also believe it isn't a Disney Xmas week either.

You placed your request only on 1/18/2006 (only 3 business weeks ago). The request is severely restricted for a Christmas Week "only", and for one location "only". However, within this short period you have been offered 2 resorts.... One Gold Crown and the other 5 Star. One of them a Fairfield property /Orlando in a one bedroom sleep 4(At that time your request was only for 4 people)..... You were also offered Cypress Point /Orlando. Both these resorts have the same industry rating as the one you deposited. Unfortunately you declined them both.

If your expecation is for a Christmas week, 2 bedroom unit at Disney.... I can assure you it won't happen. Owners of such weeks realistically don't exchange. They buy it for their own use.

Also, please keep in mind... for there to be a "reasonable" expectation for positive results, Members are required if possible to be "reasonably" Flexible with both travel weeks and/or locations. This is an industry standard regardless of what exchange company you use. When you place restrictions on your request for major Holiday weeks only, and for only specific extreme high demand resorts... You are creating a restrictive "unfavorable condition" for positive results.

That doesn't mean you should place such requests, but sometimes in doing so you may be setting yourself up to fail. Results are always greater when you are reasonably flexible by requesting alternative dates, and locations.

There is still a search in progress for other weeks. You do need to be a little patient as major Holiday weeks have the highest demand and the lowest deposit rate... Simply put, industry-wide, demand exceeds supply for such weeks.

Hope this helps...

Mark,

The fairfield property is by no means a 5 star property, I read reviews on that property, it has very limited facility. The Cypress Point, although considered a 1 bdrm, I found out that the only bathroom is completely open into the bedroom, I can not travel with my teenage sons, it might as well be a studio. The reason I say I will accept a studio in DVC is that I will then try to find other accomodation throught websites such as priceline, or simply go with only my sons, so a party of 3. But I guess this flexibility can not be refected in your request form. I mean, obviously when I make a request, I want to make the most of it, but I can adjust what you have to see if it suits my needs.

Now your comment as both being the same rating as the one I deposit, are you saying that you do have other inventory but I am not able to get it? because I was under the impression that by signing up as platinum member has advantage since it is free for a gold member. I am not expecting Marriott or DVC, I know those owners keep it for themselves, but I thought Orlando has the most timeshare resorts, surely something else is available. As a platinum member, I was suppose to get a 2 bdrm for a 1 bdrm deposit, and as I understand, bonus week is the same as week deposit. I am only asking for a 2 bdrm with better facility. Although I will accept a true 1 bdrm if the resort has better facility, I have a party of 5 (3 adults, two kids), not 7. I will check my request, perhaps I made a mistake.

As for my request, I am flexible ----- I don't have to go. I am not going to request a week that I can not use. I understand that Xmas in Orlando is tough, I am not frustrated, I am just surprise that you only have two to offer, or perhaps you do have more but I don't qualify for it? Because if that is the case, I don't mind being told about it, so I know how SFX works. I do have other timeshare that I can deposit but I wanted to see how well SFX works out first. So far, I am quite happy with it. I am not complaining. I am still quite new at this timeshare exchange, and I am not use at this advance long period of planning, but I am learning.

I will take a look again at the Fairfield one you offered. I will let you know. And thanks for looking into that other matter for me as well.

Jill

[katie Member Find all posts View Profile Close katie]

"Back to the minimum one bedroom master unit requirement….would SFX take a one bedroom at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach?"

Absolutely !! For Hilton Head... any week between June 15 through September. For Vero Beach... any week between February through Easter, or June 15 through September 7. Also, any major Holiday week.

We appreciate your comments and hope we can be of service to you.

Mark,

Thanks for info. You’ve given me a lot to thinking about.

160 DVC pts = 1 bedroom during high season at Interval International but with SFX platinum membership = 2 bedroom with a bonus week

For DVC, 160 points limits me to a one bedroom at two DVC resorts – Disney’s Old Key West for Jan, Sept & Dec 1-14 (which only includes the 1st week in Sept) and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort for Feb, March, Nov & Dec 18-31 (which only includes some SFX holidays).

My question - How does the trading power compare for the following three resorts?

1. one bedroom at Hilton Head Island Resort for Pres Week, Thanksgiving Week or XMAS week
2. one bedroom at Disney’s Old Key West for the first week in Sept
3. one bedroom at HGVC resort (which I also own) in Orlando for February through Easter, or June 15 through September 7

Thanks