Recommended II trades in So. Cal

[4kidsandadog]

Now that Uncle Sam has relocated us to the west coast for a while, getting to Orlando is a bit harder for us... We're looking to use our DVC points to see this side of the country. Any recommendations for southern California properties we could trade into through II? We'd be needing a 2BR, as there are 6 of us. The younger kids want to see LEGOland, and my oldest wouldn't mind seeing Hollywood. We'd be driving down.

 

[kjjlouie]

The problems with the So Cal (along the coast) trades are that they are very hard to get. If you go off season there may be hope. I have found more success with using the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) website. If you put your name in for a direct trade, you can work the logistics out with a member at one of the clubs you are looking for. I have had responses from owners at Marriott's Newport Coast Villas, Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, and Grand Pacific Palisades in Carlsbad. Usually, people try to make these arrangements 1-2 years in advance.

I have put my search in through Disney and II, but I've waited up to 9 months before pulling the plug on the searches. I know people say to put your requests in with II and Disney two years in advance, but I've had more success with TUG.

The Four Seasons is the best timeshare close to Legoland. Worldmark also has a resort in Oceanside which is not too far from Legoland. Good Luck with your searches.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Thanks for the tips... We've never done a trade, so don't know much about it. What is considered "off season"?

I remember looking at the Four Season Aviara's website and thinking, "Wow!" Certainly looked very posh.

 

[kjjlouie]

There really isn't an off season at these resorts. There is a gold season, and a platinum season. At other resorts (Marriott, Four Seasons outside of CA) there are silver seasons and bronze seasons. However, because of the excellent weather in CA, most of the resorts on the coast have gold and platinum only. It's hard to find someone who wants to give up their time at the coastal resorts. Desert resorts shouldn't be hard to get if the exchange is for the blazing hot summer months. With this, you would have to golf early in the morning, hit the casinos during the day, and swim at night.

I had someone offer me gold season at the Four Seasons Aviara asking for premier season points in return. Most of the owners of Four Seasons and Marriott put up less value in return for our Disney points. I guess they don't know about the best kept secret. I didn't trade a reservation during the highest point cost for gold season (January-April) usage at the Four Seasons. It didn't seem like an equitable amount.

 

[milmom6]

Karen,
Staying in the Navy military lodges is AWESOME. You can stay in Navy Lodge, North Island, San Diego (Coronado Island) on the beach with a full kitchen and such, nice playground for about $50.
I LOVE my military benefits. I am an active duty Army mom and have taken lots of trips. Try this site www.afvclub.com You cannot beat it!! PM me if you want to chat.

Misty
(Deployed Army mom, cannot wait to get back home to my boys and take them to VB)

 

[bwvBound]

I have found more success with using the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) website. If you put your name in for a direct trade, you can work the logistics out with a member at one of the clubs you are looking for.

Ditto the above! I would also recommend working direct exchanges through TUG.

Before joining DVC I would have been quite eager to help you out. We own at several SoCAL resorts and frequently tried advertising both here (on the Rent/Trade board) and on TUG for direct exchanges. I'm sure there are others hoping for owner-to-owner arrangements.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

As for DVC points, we are on the West Coast too, and used points at GC at DL/CA last summer - beautiful - although the parks are smaller - most of the rides are there between the two parks. There is even a not so secret entrance into CA directly from the hotel. When on Indiana Jones, you will recognize the Dinosaur ride from AK for example

Because there are no DVC resorts near DL, the points were reduced alot in the 3 Disney hotels for sales to West Coasters. It is quite a bit less than some of the deluxe resorts at the World.

We have used afvclub.com too! Great resorts really cheap! Welcome to the West!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas resort is a terrific resort between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, California. All units are two bedrooms with two baths. It's on DVC's World Passport Collection (II) List. The location is great.

I have an article about how this resort was originally going to be a DVC resort: Disney's Newport Coast Villas, The Disney Vacation Club that Never Happened.

At one time, trades into the Newport Coast Villas resort were very difficult, but it's gotten easier as the resort has grown and more owners are trading out. The Newport Coast Villas resort has two Marriott seasons, Gold and Platinum—but these seasons really don't correspond to actual demand. It's now pretty easy to get an instant II confirmation for weeks from September through December (Platinum Season), as long as you're trading something strong enough (and DVC should be strong enough). It's harder to get instant confirmations for spring (Gold) and summer (Platinum), but such trades are possible through ongoing searches, if you plan ahead. Spring will be easier than summer.

The Four Seasons Resort Club Aviara in Carlsbad, California, is a much harder trade. Four Seasons owners pay so much that they tend to stay at their own resort or at least to stay within the Four Seasons collection. I've seen studios in May or early December available for instant confirmation, but even these are rare. The location isn't as good as the location of Newport Coast Villas, except that the Aviara resort is close to Legoland and more convenient for day trips to San Diego County destinations. And the resort itself is a "destination"—more luxurious than DVC or Marriott.

There are three Marriott timeshares in Palm Desert and a Westin timeshare in Rancho Mirage. I've stayed at Marriott's Desert Springs I, and it was great. With Westin, watch out for two different kinds of 1-bedroom units. The 2-bedroom villas lock off into spacious 1-bedroom units and smaller 1-bedroom units that are more like gloried studios. The latter have "limited kitchens," which is how you can tell them apart event though they're both 1-bedroom units.

The recommendation to arrange a private exchange through TUG might be a good one, but it's not something I would want to do. There are risks and potential hassles. I'd rather have the convenience and safety of a DVC/II exchange. But I'm not saying that a private exchange is bad advice if you do your homework and take precautions to avoid getting cheated.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Thanks for all the replies. I hadn't even thought about Navy Lodges; that would make a good option if we couldn't get a trade or didn't have points to use (like this year's points... all used up along with last year's and some banked points in order to get last-minute Christmas/New Year's accommodations at WDW).

We've used points at the GC before, but they are too dear for a family of 6. We spent over 300 points on a mere 4 nights in a 1BR suite! That was with no concierge service or kitchen or laundry. If the rumored GC DVC occurs and points are comparable to the DVC properties at WDW, then I could see going back.

Personally, I don't want to join a group on the offchance I could or would want to arrange a trade. I think I prefer seeing what I can work out with a Disney/II trade as well. We'll just have to see if it happens. We have to work around my husband's military schedule and my oldest's high school schedule.