Roll Out Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer: an August Trip Report (Complete!)

[Debbie]

Sooooo.........I have a little news.

After much debate (because I tend to overthink just about everything ) and enough reading and researching to make my brains to liquid and start leaking out my ears, Steve and I took the plunge.

We bought a timeshare at the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

I am not sure if the thought makes me want to do this: , or this: .

lol, no really.....we are super excited!!!

Our week is a deeded week 30, with the option to float during weeks 5-35, 40-47 and 50-52. So it will give us lots of flexibility as we transition our life from parents of a teenager to empty-nesters. We will use it for the first time on our 2014 vacation, and the boys are so thrilled.

Our signed documentation has been submitted to the closing company, so now we just wait for the legal process to run its course. We should hopefully have our final paperwork in hand for about the time I celebrate my 40th birthday. Best. Gift. Ever.

So ya'll are the first to know . I haven't even told my mom yet!

Congratulations, Gina! That is wonderful news!

Thanks so much!

And what can I say? It was his Momma that taught him all he knows .

Gotta pass that gene along!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Get out!!!!!
That is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Gina!!!
Just think. This is the promise of fabulous vacations for years and years to come! I am just so excited for you. We've looked at it a lot since you started this trip report too. I plan on joining TUG. I don't think it will be for a few more years yet, but an offsite timeshare is starting to look better and better to us too.

Thanks pigletto!

I must admit, I'm rather excited. I can't wait to have that official deed in my hands. Hopefully the closing process will be speedy!

TUG is a fantastic resource. People are so knowledgeable there, particularly about exchanging. That's not something we'll be doing for at least a few years....we want to use our Vistana week at the Vistana, at least until we tire of it (will that ever happen? )....but it may be something we consider down the road.

Have you got a particular property in mind?

Congratulations, Gina! That is wonderful news!

Thanks, Debbie!!!

 

[pigletto]

Thanks pigletto!

I must admit, I'm rather excited. I can't wait to have that official deed in my hands. Hopefully the closing process will be speedy!

TUG is a fantastic resource. People are so knowledgeable there, particularly about exchanging. That's not something we'll be doing for at least a few years....we want to use our Vistana week at the Vistana, at least until we tire of it (will that ever happen? )....but it may be something we consider down the road.

Have you got a particular property in mind?

No, not really. I think reading your trip report this time and seeing how nice it was at Vistana was really what got me thinking about it. That and how much we spend every year going to Disney when we could be offsite, see some more of Florida and STILL get to go to Disney for less money? Seems like a no-brainer. We too have dreams of being snowbirds one day. My love of Florida and Disney started as a little girl. My grandparents had a place in Holiday (very near Clearwater) and they spent their winters there. We were able to visit every winter and they are some of the best memories I have. So whether it will be time share for awhile and hopefully a winter home someday.. well who knows. But we sure love to dream about it

 

[dancin Disney style]

So I get caught up on the reading this morning and I find a big surprise in this thread!

Congrats

I'm madly in love with the thought of owning my own place, either timeshare or condo, but realistically it doesn't make sense for us right now.

BTW, after saying that we are really not going to FL next summer I find myself furiously plotting a trip for...... next summer. Before going this year I knew I would be going through big changes at work before Christmas....hence the trip. Right after we got back DH was also informed of major changes for himself in the next 6-8 months. So with all these changes my reaction is...I need to book another vacation. As much as I want to venture off someplace else I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Florida and get the most bang for my buck there.

 

[pigletto]

As much as I want to venture off someplace else I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Florida and get the most bang for my buck there.

This is us too. I have a list as long as my arm of other places we want to go. And we will. But when I do the research, and I priced things out for month after our last Disney trip, my money goes further in Florida and we always have an awesome time. We will absolutely do the other trips we dream of, but when I can go to Disney/Florida for thousands less, and everyone has a blast, it's still our number one choice at this time.

 

[dancin Disney style]

This is us too. I have a list as long as my arm of other places we want to go. And we will. But when I do the research, and I priced things out for month after our last Disney trip, my money goes further in Florida and we always have an awesome time. We will absolutely do the other trips we dream of, but when I can go to Disney/Florida for thousands less, and everyone has a blast, it's still our number one choice at this time.

I am very fortunate that I have traveled all over the world but at this point in my life a 1 week vacay just doesn't do it. The last time I took a week I felt like it was a waste of time and money. I can stay in FL for 12-14 days the same cost as a week in other places. Our August trip cost $2800...3 people, 2 weeks and I brought home $700 worth of stuff (we shop a lot). It's really hard to pass up a deal like that.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

There is something about Florida with me too. Here I am in brazil reading the disboards.

 

[shalom]

Congratulations on your Sheraton Vistana purchase! You'll be enjoying that for years to come.

Oh, those Westgate presentations are bad . We went to one ourselves last summer and O.M.G. .

Westgate is nightmare fuel to people I know who actively seek out TS presentations for the "gifting." For those of us less experienced...

Maintenance fees are due on January 1st each year, so I guess the biggest downfall is having to pay for our maintenance fees right around the expensive holiday season.

What is it with Timeshares? Ours are due in November, when we try to buy all our gifts so the December budget can cover any travel. Although I've never understood why NaNoWriMo is in November, either. Probably because it was set up by someone who doesn't do the U.S. Thanksgiving.

Lord knows our extended families will not share in our joy, so it means a lot that I can celebrate here with all of you!

We hauled my parents out on vacation with us just as our purchase was finalized; haven't gotten any grief from them since.

Otherwise we can float throughout pretty much the whole year. I am secretly dreaming of the other times of year that I'd like to travel .... Halloween is tops on the list, as is mid-December and early May. My mission is to try each month at least once .

I like that mission! I think I'll wait until I have fewer kids tied to the school calendar before I tackle it, though. Fall is my favorite season, and every year I swear I'm going to abandon my middle daughter to vacation then (she's tied to Nutcracker rehearsals all fall). She's the only one who ties me down the same times every year, though, since we home school and since the other kids rotate or change activities more.

 

[Debbie]

Although I've never understood why NaNoWriMo is in November, either. Probably because it was set up by someone who doesn't do the U.S. Thanksgiving.

My daughter does this each year. She likes that it is after midterms and before exams. Of course, shopping for the holidays only happens after the term is over.....she didn't get that from ME!

 

[Planogirl]

So you would say that Congo River is the best of the mini-golf places? We LOVE mini-golf but haven't made it to that one yet.

Your report is amazing. You all look like you're having so much fun together.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

No, not really. I think reading your trip report this time and seeing how nice it was at Vistana was really what got me thinking about it. That and how much we spend every year going to Disney when we could be offsite, see some more of Florida and STILL get to go to Disney for less money? Seems like a no-brainer. We too have dreams of being snowbirds one day. My love of Florida and Disney started as a little girl. My grandparents had a place in Holiday (very near Clearwater) and they spent their winters there. We were able to visit every winter and they are some of the best memories I have. So whether it will be time share for awhile and hopefully a winter home someday.. well who knows. But we sure love to dream about it

This is us too. I have a list as long as my arm of other places we want to go. And we will. But when I do the research, and I priced things out for month after our last Disney trip, my money goes further in Florida and we always have an awesome time. We will absolutely do the other trips we dream of, but when I can go to Disney/Florida for thousands less, and everyone has a blast, it's still our number one choice at this time.

You have nailed it on the head. That's exactly how we feel, too!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So I get caught up on the reading this morning and I find a big surprise in this thread!

Congrats

I'm madly in love with the thought of owning my own place, either timeshare or condo, but realistically it doesn't make sense for us right now.

BTW, after saying that we are really not going to FL next summer I find myself furiously plotting a trip for...... next summer. Before going this year I knew I would be going through big changes at work before Christmas....hence the trip. Right after we got back DH was also informed of major changes for himself in the next 6-8 months. So with all these changes my reaction is...I need to book another vacation. As much as I want to venture off someplace else I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Florida and get the most bang for my buck there.

Thank you, dancin!!!

You have to PROMISE me that if you decide to go next summer in late August, we will meet up at some point...even if its just for an afternoon poolside. Or you can join Lynne & I for that Ghirardelli sundae .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

There is something about Florida with me too. Here I am in brazil reading the disboards.

LOL Ted, you certainly get around . How's the weather in Brazil, anyway? Its got to be better than here.....we've got rainy, dreary and damp today.

Congratulations on your Sheraton Vistana purchase! You'll be enjoying that for years to come.

Westgate is nightmare fuel to people I know who actively seek out TS presentations for the "gifting." For those of us less experienced...



What is it with Timeshares? Ours are due in November, when we try to buy all our gifts so the December budget can cover any travel. Although I've never understood why NaNoWriMo is in November, either. Probably because it was set up by someone who doesn't do the U.S. Thanksgiving.

We hauled my parents out on vacation with us just as our purchase was finalized; haven't gotten any grief from them since.



I like that mission! I think I'll wait until I have fewer kids tied to the school calendar before I tackle it, though. Fall is my favorite season, and every year I swear I'm going to abandon my middle daughter to vacation then (she's tied to Nutcracker rehearsals all fall). She's the only one who ties me down the same times every year, though, since we home school and since the other kids rotate or change activities more.

Thank you, my friend .

I would love to take my mom with us to the Vistana, but she'd never go. First, she'd never fly (she's beyond terrified) and second, she'd never leave her beloved cat. I know she'd have a wonderful time once she got there, but the anxiety of the travel would likely trump any enjoyment she'd get from the meat of the trip. She enjoys our photos, though, and she's the only one that will be happy about our newest purchase. She's my best friend, and knows how dear to my heart our family trips are, so she is excited for us (I gave her "the news" this afternoon ).

My inlaws? Lord help me. If I had to go with them on vacation, I'd rather not go. Don't get me wrong....they are good people....but we are simply not compatible in any way, shape or form. They already think we're nuts for going to Florida 4 times in the past two years, so knowing we'll be going annually from here on out (God willing) will have them shaking their heads.

You guys have made me feel much better about it all, I must say. So a big thanks to each of you. Its nice not to be told you're crazy.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

And now, my latest update on our timeshare purchase......



...as of this afternoon, it has become "purchases".

Yes, we have bought a second Vistana week!

We secured the second week under the same fabulous deal through the same real estate agent from the same sellers. Our first week was deeded week 30 with a week 5-35, 40-47 and 50-52 float. This second week is the same except its week 29 w/the float. No closing costs in either case. The total out of pocket cost for BOTH units together was $198 ($99 each....the fee, I assume, was for the RE broker). We knew the two units were both for sale when we went for the first one, and DH had been at me from the start to get both. Today, I caved . We are hoping to do our very first two week trip this summer (which has always been a dream of ours!!) but if that doesn't work, we know we will be able to rent the second with no problems.

We have decided these two units will be our Christmas gifts this year. One for me from him, and one for him from me . I can think of no better present. Even if we will be waiting until August to enjoy it .

 

[Lynne G]

That's awesome! What a great early Christmas gift to each other.

Funny, at DD's soccer game today, one family said they were spending Christmas in Mexico, as that is their family gift. I said we are doing Florida, and another mom said my kids would never do that, as they want presents. Ha! I think this may be our only holiday trip, but ya never know.

So waiting for SW to open August up, and that may be our Christmas gift for next year.

Have a great night. We are waiting for a stormy night.

 

[shalom]

I would love to take my mom with us to the Vistana, but she'd never go. First, she'd never fly (she's beyond terrified) and second, she'd never leave her beloved cat.

We can't get my parents to Florida, either. But we're in a points system, so they've gone other places with us. I was thinking trading through RCI or somewhere would help you with the flying thing, but RCI won't help when it comes to the cat!

You guys have made me feel much better about it all, I must say. So a big thanks to each of you. Its nice not to be told you're crazy.

Buying a timeshare is rarely crazy, but buying direct from the developer is not usually a financially wise decision, either. Buying resale, however, different story. People who buy resale are generally much happier owners, first because they didn't spend a huge amount of money on an impulse buy, and second because they've usually done their research and know what they're getting into.

The only real downside is that timeshares can be difficult to resell -- but as with the buying from the developer versus resale thing, it's a lot easier for someone who has done their homework to sell than the average owner. So while that's a concern, we get such great deals as owners that IMHO it's worth the risk. Not that I know exactly what kinds of deals you get as a Sheraton Vistana owner.

But in my experience owning a TS expands your options considerable. When we bought in, we were kind of annoyed that our TS came with an RCI membership, whether we wanted one or not -- now we quite like that aspect. People who love their timeshares tend to be people who like to research (or at least are willing to), and people who make the most of what they have -- you definitely fit that profile.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I'm pleased to report that my area of São Paulo was 34C today. In a few days, I head south where it will be cooler!

 

[sympatico]

And now, my latest update on our timeshare purchase......



...as of this afternoon, it has become "purchases".

Yes, we have bought a second Vistana week!

We secured the second week under the same fabulous deal through the same real estate agent from the same sellers. Our first week was deeded week 30 with a week 5-35, 40-47 and 50-52 float. This second week is the same except its week 29 w/the float. No closing costs in either case. The total out of pocket cost for BOTH units together was $198 ($99 each....the fee, I assume, was for the RE broker). We knew the two units were both for sale when we went for the first one, and DH had been at me from the start to get both. Today, I caved . We are hoping to do our very first two week trip this summer (which has always been a dream of ours!!) but if that doesn't work, we know we will be able to rent the second with no problems.

We have decided these two units will be our Christmas gifts this year. One for me from him, and one for him from me . I can think of no better present. Even if we will be waiting until August to enjoy it .

Congratulations Gina ! Fabulous Christmas gifts ! That's the ongoing joke around here when someone asks my husband what he got me for Christmas, he always tells them a trip to Florida (he hates shopping). So now people know the answer they're going to get when they ask.
Hope you have fun planning you're next trip. Just think: you don't have to wonder where you're going to stay.

 

[sympatico]

I'm pleased to report that my area of São Paulo was 34C today. In a few days, I head south where it will be cooler!

WOW, Ted, this must be your year to travel. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Mysteria]

Love the trip report! Steak and Shake has now been added to our list for November.

Congrats on the timeshare purchase!!