Anyone to Atlantis Harborside via Interval in summer

[Ursula's Mom]

I apologize if this was discussed previously, but for some reason I cannot use the search function to get an answer.

Has anyone ever gotten an exchange for Atlantis in July or August? Thinking of putting in for it for 2009 or 2010 but do not want to tell the family if there really is no chance at all for getting it.

Anyone ever done this with success? Or any other caribbean destinations for the summertime? Please let me know.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Tracy0729]

I have a search in for the whole summer of 2009 heard nothing yet. From what I hear from other people on the board it will be very hard if impossible to get that trade.

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks Tracy for letting me know.

[MinnieFan4ever]

Kinda off topic... I was on a cruise last week and we stopped at Atlantis to look around. Very, very beautiful. But, and this is a big BUT.... very expensive. Wow. I did happen to win $300 at the casino so that was really fun.

[tinker_me_happy]

My friend is waiting to hear on Hershey for the summer. The rep told her they have an 85% match rate (getting the request you want). He also told her it would be 98% match rate if they took Atlantis OFF the exchange list. Apparently they get about 100 requests A DAY for that exchange. My guess is you are probably going to be out of luck, but HEY GO FOR IT anyway! The worst case is you won't get it and if that is what you are expecting then you won't be disappointed. The down side would be not being able to book something else. Maybe you should give yourself a cut off time that will allow you to also book something else. I don't know if they are able to handle both requests at that time: ie I want Atlantis, but if that doesn't happen by X date book me in my 2nd choice of Y.

[Ursula's Mom]

Hi Minnie - congrats on your win on your cruise! Sounds like you had a great time!

And tink - thanks for the info and advice! I guess that I will put in the request for Atlantis for 2009 and if I hear nothing by the time summer draws near, I will move on and plan something else (or maybe head west to Disneyland).

Let me know how the Hershey thing works out. I thought about using points for Hershey, but when discussing with my DH, he thought that 270 points seemed alot to use for one week to stay near that particular theme park. IMHO, I think WDW is way better than Hershey and you can use alot less points to stay at WDW for the same time of year (summer). But I am in NY and to go to Hershey is something people around here can do often (we can drive there). There are probably people in central FL that would think 200 points to go to WDW in December is too many points.

I do hope that your friend gets her week in Hershey that she requested, and when she gets back, she can give us her review of the Suites at Hershey and all its amenities.

Thanks again for your help!

[AnnaS]

I hope Hershey is one of the ones added for the new 3/4 short stays with Interval. I would definitely consider using points for 3 nights (driving distance from here too).

Good luck with your searches - I have one in also for Cancun in 09.

[bnlbebes]

He also told her it would be 98% match rate if they took Atlantis OFF the exchange list. Apparently they get about 100 requests A DAY for that exchange. My guess is you are probably going to be out of luck, but HEY GO FOR IT anyway! The worst case is you won't get it and if that is what you are expecting then you won't be disappointed.

As a recent Atlantis resale owner - I have learned that due to the high Maintenance fees, very few Harborside Atlantis owners deposit their weeks into II. You just can't get an equal trade. If you'd like to go, I'd suggested the old rent out your DVC strategy and rent Harborside timeshare directly from an owner. You might try a trade on a website such as Redweek.com.

[tinker_me_happy]

I'll let you know how the Hershey thing works out. She wasn't able to fly to florida this year so needed a vacation destination within driving distance too. I like the previous posters suggestion for renting directly from an owner too!

[tomandrobin]

I am a Westin owner. Harborside is owned by Westin. Summer months are pretty much impossible totrade into Atlantis. Even as an owner, the best I have been able to get is early June.

There are two problems with Harborside in the summer. First, as previously metioned, the maintenance fees are very high. So owners rent instead of trading thru II. To trade vie II the owners are trading down.

Second, that ownership season runs from May 1st to until labor day. Most of the owners are trying to trade for July and August when the kids are out of school.

[El&Asmom]

Not to hijack, but how hard is it to trade into Harborside any other time of year. Our kids are still little, so we'd be willing to take them out of preschool for a trip to Atlantis.
Is there better luck going in the fall/winter/spring?

[tomandrobin]

The easiest time to get into Harborside is September. Peak hurricane season and the kids have all started school.

[Tink10]

I know II very well and I feel pretty comfortable saying that it's going to be extremely tough (if not close to impossible) to get Atlantis. I agree with tomandrobin that the easiest time to get Atlantis is September. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen it available. Exchange advisors can't see the request success rate, so I can't even guesstimate on the percentage of requests that get matched.

I also think that Hershey will also be very tough to get. The 85%/98%match rates are, in my opinion, a pretty exaggerated. I did a search for Hershey with a very valuable week for a 2 year period & there was no availability at all. I can't imagine the success rate is anywhere near 85% unless there was an area included in the request that was much easier to get. There's only 1 resort in Hershey & that has limited exchange activity.

In regards to tinker_me_happy's question

"I don't know if they are able to handle both requests at that time: ie I want Atlantis, but if that doesn't happen by X date book me in my 2nd choice of Y."

When a request is placed with II, there can definately be multiple areas, but there is no way to designate a first, second or third choice. The first thing that becomes available is automatically confirmed.

:upsidedow

[TXdeVille]

The easiest time to get into Harborside is September. Peak hurricane season and the kids have all started school.

How about December? We are new DVC members who just returned from WDW last month and of course need to use our Developer points within a year. We were originally going to go to Cancun OOP before DVC but since joining thought Atlantis would be nice, and nicer than what Cancun has to offer. IMHO I thought the all-inclusive we were looking at was nicer than the Royal resorts.

[tomandrobin]

How about December? We are new DVC members who just returned from WDW last month and of course need to use our Developer points within a year. We were originally going to go to Cancun OOP before DVC but since joining thought Atlantis would be nice, and nicer than what Cancun has to offer. IMHO I thought the all-inclusive we were looking at was nicer than the Royal resorts.

Early December isn't unrealistic, but your best chances are September and October.

[HeatherAnne]

A little off topic but I just thought I would make another trade suggestion........
Another great place to trade DVC for is Aruba! The Marriott Surf Club is a great trade! The place is brand new, huge and great for kids. It has an amazing pool complex with a lazy river. The weather is perfect all year round and the food is fantastic! There is also a Marriott Ocean Club right next door which is a really nice place to trade into as well. We did a search through DVC and ended up getting a 2 bedroom Villa for around 144 points! It was a great trade! We even had points left over to go to Disney that year too. Plus - we loved the resort so much that we ended up buying the Surf Club timeshare while we were there!
Feel free to ask me any questions.....Good luck and Have Fun!

HeatherAnne :) :) :)

[mommacat56]

You might try a trade on a website such as Redweek.com.

This is a great suggestion! :thumbsup2 Redweek.com is a subscription (very inexpensive) e-listing of many timeshares for sale or for rent directly from the owners. They have a HUGE list of available rental weeks posted for Harborside as well as resales. They also have resales and rentals from ALL over the world on that site. It really is a great resource especially if you have your heart set on Harborside. A private rental may be the only way to get you there when YOU want to go. FYI, the rents are pretty high, so just sit down before you browse ;) .

[Dean]

Early December isn't unrealistic, but your best chances are September and October.Actually the first 2 weeks of Dec are even easier for the Caribbean, MX and HI and most everywhere else.

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks everyone for all of your help and suggestions. I think we will need to sit down and re-group. I like the idea of trying for Aruba. But since Atlantis is not an option on points, some in my family are now saying that maybe we should go to England and then make a stop at Disneyland Paris (how did my idea for a beach vacation turn into a trip overseas?)

At least I now know that Atlantis is not something to consider via points (but pay cash instead if that is what we decide to do).

Again, thanks to all that posted. I am so glad that I have this resource whenever I have questions!

Kathy

[tomandrobin]

You can trade into Harborside if you are not set on July and August. The last week in August, Labor Day weekend is possible, since most kids are back to school. Late spring and fall are your most promising times to get a trade to Harborside.

Another option is to either find a direct trade with a Harborside owner or rent your points and rent from a Harborside owner. You can find rentals at redweek.com or just do a search.

[TXdeVille]

You can trade into Harborside if you are not set on July and August. The last week in August, Labor Day weekend is possible, since most kids are back to school. Late spring and fall are your most promising times to get a trade to Harborside.

Another option is to either find a direct trade with a Harborside owner or rent your points and rent from a Harborside owner. You can find rentals at redweek.com or just do a search.

What are your feelings about mid-March? Seems like such a great place to go. I would love to be able to get the kids there at some point. Part of me thinks it might even be worth it to risk a hurricane. :crazy2: Just plain craziness there.

Can anyone remind me of what was mentioned about Thanksgiving time??

[buzz5985]

Another Disney Cruiser that went to Atlantis on the stop in Nassau. Only I rented a room at the Days Inn accross the street for $116/night (special code rate I googled) and received use of all the amenities at Atlantis. I was there in October - and it was mobbed. My DH and DS waited in line for 45 mintues to get down the slide, when they got up the top they were told that DS was too short.

If I was staying at Atlantis - I wouldn't step foot off the grounds after dark. A lot of boarded up buildings, etc in the area. Creepy during the day never mind the night. But Atlantis was well guarded. You were not getting into the hotel pool areas without the wrist bands. I was glad I was getting back on the cruise ship. And I promised myself the next cruise that went to Nassau - I wasn't even going to get off the ship.

[tomandrobin]

What are your feelings about mid-March? Seems like such a great place to go. I would love to be able to get the kids there at some point. Part of me thinks it might even be worth it to risk a hurricane. :crazy2: Just plain craziness there.

Can anyone remind me of what was mentioned about Thanksgiving time??

Mid-March is the middle of peak season. I think the chance of a successful trade depends on where Easter falls in a particular year. All major Holidays and when the kids are out school (Summer) trades are tough.

[Dean]

What are your feelings about mid-March? Seems like such a great place to go. I would love to be able to get the kids there at some point. Part of me thinks it might even be worth it to risk a hurricane. :crazy2: Just plain craziness there.

Can anyone remind me of what was mentioned about Thanksgiving time??Xmas to mid April will be peak time with a secondary peak mid summer. May, Sept, Oct and early Dec will be the easiest times.

[TXdeVille]

Mid-March is the middle of peak season. I think the chance of a successful trade depends on where Easter falls in a particular year. All major Holidays and when the kids are out school (Summer) trades are tough.

Stupid question for most, but unfortunately, not me. I'm really new to this :blush: How do I get a resort picture, say AKV, in my signature line? It won't let me upload images to my sig.

[tomandrobin]

Stupid question for most, but unfortunately, not me. I'm really new to this :blush: How do I get a resort picture, say AKV, in my signature line? It won't let me upload images to my sig.

Right click on the image on my signature. Copy the address of the image. Open your user cp, go to edit signature and paste the address from the image.

[alldiz]

A little off topic but I just thought I would make another trade suggestion........
Another great place to trade DVC for is Aruba! The Marriott Surf Club is a great trade! The place is brand new, huge and great for kids. It has an amazing pool complex with a lazy river. The weather is perfect all year round and the food is fantastic! There is also a Marriott Ocean Club right next door which is a really nice place to trade into as well. We did a search through DVC and ended up getting a 2 bedroom Villa for around 144 points! It was a great trade! We even had points left over to go to Disney that year too. Plus - we loved the resort so much that we ended up buying the Surf Club timeshare while we were there!
Feel free to ask me any questions.....Good luck and Have Fun!

HeatherAnne :) :) :)

I'm seriously thinking about Aruba....are there any supervised kids activities.
What time of year did you go for those points:thumbsup2

Are there any other really good trades in the caribbean that are possible
to get?
Thanks
Kerri

[HeatherAnne]

Hi All Diz,
The Marriott offers all kinds of Kids Camps and activities. In all the years we have gone there though we have never used them - but I hear they are great! There is a schedule every day of the activites at each resort. Feeding the Iguana's is a popular one. I think they have treasure hunts too. There are THREE Marriotts right next to eachother - two of which are timeshares so there is plenty to do with the kids.....Only thing though...If you want to use the "lazy river" at the Surf Club you must be staying there....they have gotten pretty strict about that because so many people were using it from the other two Marriott's and it was getting crowded.......

I put the search into DVC for Aug, Sept and Oct for Aruba. I believe we went in Sept. I put the search in Aug and it came thru in March so it took about 7/8 months. I would put a search in at least a year in advance for when you want to go.....

I hear the Westin in St. John is an amazing resort too.....

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

HeatherAnne :) :) :)

[tomandrobin]

I hear the Westin in St. John is an amazing resort too.....


St John is amazing, but you will never get an II trade with DVC into St. John. You need to know an owner and trade directly or rent. But for younger kids, there are many more resorts better suited then St. John.

[tomandrobin]

I'm seriously thinking about Aruba....are there any supervised kids activities.
What time of year did you go for those points:thumbsup2

Are there any other really good trades in the caribbean that are possible
to get?
Thanks
Kerri

I will second the Surf Club, very nice resort. Every time I check II, there seems to be availability most of the time. Right now there are two bedroom units for the folling dates on II:


Apr 11 2008 - Apr 18 2008
Apr 25 2008 - May 02 2008
Apr 26 2008 - May 03 2008
Sep 05 2008 - Sep 12 2008
Sep 06 2008 - Sep 13 2008
Sep 07 2008 - Sep 14 2008
Sep 12 2008 - Sep 19 2008
Sep 13 2008 - Sep 20 2008

[TXdeVille]

I suppose it is fairly unheard of to call to get an II reservation and get it on the spot....a search is usually required, right?

[tomandrobin]

I suppose it is fairly unheard of to call to get an II reservation and get it on the spot....a search is usually required, right?

Not sure about Disney, but with a normal II account its an instant match. If inventory is available.

[Dean]

I suppose it is fairly unheard of to call to get an II reservation and get it on the spot....a search is usually required, right?It is unusual to get the good stuff when you call, it almost always happens with an ongoing search. If it's just sitting there you are likely paying too much using DVC points.

[mmmcq]

I have to admit, I've been "away" from the boards for awhile and I feel like a newbie with training wheels. I could use some help.....esp from tomandrobin.

We took a long WDW trip in Nov 2006 and a day trip to Disneyland in early Feb.....so we are looking to trade out this summer.

How does one do a search on II? On the DVC site? I don't recall finding that function when I was on it last week. I'm interested in Mexico and Aruba.

Thanks

PS UrsalasMom....my best friend just got back from a week at the Atlantis and I believed she stayed in the hotel across the street as well with full access to the Atlantis. I understand it's better because you don't have to deal with the elevators. I'll get more scoop later this week and let you know.

[alldiz]

Hi All Diz,
The Marriott offers all kinds of Kids Camps and activities. In all the years we have gone there though we have never used them - but I hear they are great! There is a schedule every day of the activites at each resort. Feeding the Iguana's is a popular one. I think they have treasure hunts too. There are THREE Marriotts right next to eachother - two of which are timeshares so there is plenty to do with the kids.....Only thing though...If you want to use the "lazy river" at the Surf Club you must be staying there....they have gotten pretty strict about that because so many people were using it from the other two Marriott's and it was getting crowded.......

I put the search into DVC for Aug, Sept and Oct for Aruba. I believe we went in Sept. I put the search in Aug and it came thru in March so it took about 7/8 months. I would put a search in at least a year in advance for when you want to go.....

I hear the Westin in St. John is an amazing resort too.....

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

HeatherAnne :) :) :)
Thanks for the great info.....the place looks and sounds awesome:goodvibes
I will second the Surf Club, very nice resort. Every time I check II, there seems to be availability most of the time. Right now there are two bedroom units for the folling dates on II:


Apr 11 2008 - Apr 18 2008
Apr 25 2008 - May 02 2008
Apr 26 2008 - May 03 2008
Sep 05 2008 - Sep 12 2008
Sep 06 2008 - Sep 13 2008
Sep 07 2008 - Sep 14 2008
Sep 12 2008 - Sep 19 2008
Sep 13 2008 - Sep 20 2008

If I'm flexible with dates....Can MS tell ME what is available at the
surf club....or do I have to give a date....
BTW......how can I look up what dates are available.
Are 1BR harder to get than 2B?.
Thanks
Kerri

[tomandrobin]

If I'm flexible with dates....Can MS tell ME what is available at the surf club....or do I have to give a date....
BTW......how can I look up what dates are available.
Are 1BR harder to get than 2B?.
Thanks
Kerri

I only trade in II, not with DVC, so I am not sure what they see or how thier process works.

From my limited experience, the larger the room, the harder the exchange. But Dean is really the expert on trade availability and when/how to request.

[tomandrobin]

How does one do a search on II? On the DVC site? I don't recall finding that function when I was on it last week. I'm interested in Mexico and Aruba..

With DVC, as of now you are not allowed to search II yourself. You call MS and they will put the request in for you. As far as your two locations, Aruba may be tough for this summer. Mexico may be easier. This morning at Surf Club there was availability April,may, and Sept. Nothing for the summer. There was a one bedroom for June 13-20 at the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort, nothing else.

For Mexico (Cancun) I only saw one summer week in a studio at all of the Royals

PS UrsalasMom....my best friend just got back from a week at the Atlantis and I believed she stayed in the hotel across the street as well with full access to the Atlantis. I understand it's better because you don't have to deal with the elevators. I'll get more scoop later this week and let you know.

Its the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, has full access to Atlantis. LINK (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147417-d151422-r13787994-Comfort_Suites_Paradise_Island-Paradise_Island_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html )
Here is a trip advisor link.

[mcqueengroupie]

Hi, I'm an owner at Harborside, it is a Starwood Property, (they own Westin, sheraton, St. Regis, just to name a few), and let me tell you it is extremely hard to get into Harborside using II. Just as hard as it was for us to deposit Harborside and get into Disney.(we never did get inot Disney so we bought into SSR) The way Haborside works is that your week is automatically booked for you every year. You can travel whenever you like, but your week is booked first, so at any given time the resort looks completely booked, even when people haven't decided if they are going to Harborside or not. Hence it's impossible to get into!! And now Harborside will rent your villa for you, and you get half the price that they rent it for. Really what happens is that Atlantis books it just like a hotel room, if you go to the atlantis site, you probably can book the villas at Harborside, but you are paying a ton of money for them.

[tomandrobin]

Hi, I'm an owner at Harborside, it is a Starwood Property, (they own Westin, sheraton, St. Regis, just to name a few), and let me tell you it is extremely hard to get into Harborside using II. Just as hard as it was for us to deposit Harborside and get into Disney.(we never did get inot Disney so we bought into SSR) The way Haborside works is that your week is automatically booked for you every year. You can travel whenever you like, but your week is booked first, so at any given time the resort looks completely booked, even when people haven't decided if they are going to Harborside or not. Hence it's impossible to get into!! And now Harborside will rent your villa for you, and you get half the price that they rent it for. Really what happens is that Atlantis books it just like a hotel room, if you go to the atlantis site, you probably can book the villas at Harborside, but you are paying a ton of money for them.

For the most part, I will agree with the above post. Phase 1 weeks are fixed, phase 2 weeks float, except for event weeks. Also, the maintenance fees are really high at Harborside, which discourages many owners from trading. They are better off renting thier weeks.

[mcqueengroupie]

I own in the first phase and as long you can get a resservation, we are free to travel anytime, of course in the winter we only get 5 days, the late spring and summer (which we technically own) we get a week, and hurricane season, fall, we would get 10 days. To be honest, as owners we almost didn't get in this coming summer. We didn't want to go during our week so the "canceled" our ressie before booking another week and at first we couldn't get in. We had to contact a manager to clear up the mess. The maintenance fees are unbareable, so we will rent if we don't go one year.

[Dean]

How does one do a search on II? On the DVC site? I don't recall finding that function when I was on it last week. I'm interested in Mexico and Aruba.As noted, the current system is you call and tell them what you want and they check online and can put in an ongoing request at that time if nothing else is available. Aruba is not that tough for mid April to mid December though the Marriott's will always be difficult because that's where everyone wants to stay. Same for MX with mid summer being tougher for Cancun that some of the rest of MX. I'd recommend the Royals in Cancun, esp for anyone getting their feet wet for MX as their first trip.

If I'm flexible with dates....Can MS tell ME what is available at the
surf club....or do I have to give a date....
BTW......how can I look up what dates are available.
Are 1BR harder to get than 2B?.
Thanks
KerriThey can tell you what's available by region or by resort over 1 week or several months. If you ask for an area or resort with a lot of availability they may ask you to narrow your options. Actually 2 BR are much more difficult and wanting a 2 BR will significantly hurt your chances. The reason is there are many 1 BR units and many more lockoff's. Most who deposit tend to do so as the smaller units separately. There are a few dedicated 2 BR units and a couple of lessor resorts that mostly have 2 BR. There are a handful of 3 BR units.