Anyone visit Massanutten resort in VA?

[MaryKLady]

We're looking for a "budget" vacation and have been offered a good deal here. So,.....

Has anyone stayed here? What's the deal with the different buildings...are they far from the waterpark? I've been checking out the website and can't seem to get a feel for the place.

Also, if you have stayed there, in which building did you stay and what were the pros and cons?

What's to do there besides the waterpark?

Thanks a bunch!

[4Seasons]

We've been there a few times (only live about 3 hours away).
We've stayed in the Mountainside Villas and Summit at Massanutten and really like it there. There are several different complexes, so your location will depend on which one you'd be staying at. The resort is huge, encompassing thousands of acres. From the entrance at the intersection of Rt. 33 to the back where Summit and Mountainside Villas are it's about 4 miles. There is of course the waterpark, which is on the main road into the property. There are also 2 recreation complexes with pools and other activities, one in the valley (Woodstone) and the other up by the Mountainside villas (LeClub). There is golf, hiking, grass tubing, tennis courts, basketball, organized activities (many have a fee) and more. Harrisonburg Mall is about 10 miles away, and Skyline Drive and Luray cabins are nearby as well. There is a Food Lion grocery store about 5 miles outside the property for stocking up on groceries.
It's very relaxing and serene there in the mountains. There are TONS of deer everywhere, and they are very used to people. When we stayed last September at Mountainside villas, we would sit on the back deck and the deer would literally come within just a few feet from us looking for food. I saw many people feeding them apples and carrots (and we did too!).
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[MouseTrip07]

We went to Massanutten with friends of ours last May and had a GREAT time! We stayed in Woodstone Meadows. There were 2 families (my family of 4 and my friend's family of 4) and we each had a condo. My friend checked in on Saturday and had a nice unit, but the furnishings and such were very dated. We checked in on a Sunday (I think we had a "P" unit) and our condo was brand new and luxurious. In fact, it looked exactly like the pics on the website.

As far as things to do, we never even went to the water park! We went "tubing" down the mountain, we did go-karts, we swam at the resort pool, we went horseback riding, there were a couple of great playgrounds (our kids were 5 and 2.5 at the time) and we did the hiking trails. We also did a daytrip to the Luray Caverns.

It was a great mountain vacation...last year we did Disney, Massanutten and the beach (we totally blew our vacation budget ) and I can honestly say that Massanutten ranked with one of the top five family vacations we have ever taken.

Just a couple of warnings-you will have to drive everywhere within the resort...nothing is within walking distance. Also, buy all of your food & groceries before you get into the resort, the grocery store there definitely charges premium prices.

Have fun...wish I was going!
Jennifer

[nanadeb]

We love it so much we bought timeshares there twice. The first time was for Eagle Trace in 1996 and then in 2005 we bought in Woodstone. We love the place. For golfers, don't forget about the two courses there. It's also not that far from Thomas Jefferson's home in Montecello, Fredricksberg, and a really fun outdoor Museum of Frontier Culture. Shenedoah National Park is nearby, and it is only a couple of hours drive to Washington, DC.
They have both indoor and outdoor pools besides the waterpark. There is also mini-golf. Down the road from Massanutten is a riding stable.
There is lots to do there.

[bluehen]

This is a great resort. There are a ton of activities to do ( most cost something but not too much). If you love the mountains you can do just about anything int he area. The hiking in the area, and even on the resort, is great. We also love the mountian biking on the resort. A car to get around the resort is a must.

Now for the areas....

I have stayed at Woodstone and Summit. Woodstone is the newest of the two, but is farther away from what we concider the heart of the resort. If you want the water park...Woodstone is closer to this. These are the newest shiniest of the units They are very nice and can be had in both 2 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms. Do not shy away from the partial kitchens. They have no oven but have everything else including a grill. As long as you know it works great.

We have also stayed in the Mountainside villa units also. These are great also. They are older but seem larger and have a nice layout for a 2 bedroom.

I have heard bad things about the Eagle trace units but do not know it first hand.

If you have any specific questions..ask away.

[MaryKLady]

Originally Posted by bluehen

This is a great resort. There are a ton of activities to do ( most cost something but not too much). If you love the mountains you can do just about anything int he area. The hiking in the area, and even on the resort, is great. We also love the mountian biking on the resort. A car to get around the resort is a must.

Now for the areas....

I have stayed at Woodstone and Summit. Woodstone is the newest of the two, but is farther away from what we concider the heart of the resort. If you want the water park...Woodstone is closer to this. These are the newest shiniest of the units They are very nice and can be had in both 2 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms. Do not shy away from the partial kitchens. They have no oven but have everything else including a grill. As long as you know it works great.

We have also stayed in the Mountainside villa units also. These are great also. They are older but seem larger and have a nice layout for a 2 bedroom.

I have heard bad things about the Eagle trace units but do not know it first hand.

If you have any specific questions..ask away.

Bluehen, I sent you a PM.

Wow, thanks for the info everyone! I think this resort will be our next vacation.

[nanadeb]

Originally Posted by bluehen

I have heard bad things about the Eagle trace units but do not know it first hand.

The Eagle Trace at Killey Court units arre not as nice. They are not the lock out units like the Eagle Trace units are. We own at Eagle Trace and of course have stayed there.

[bluehen]

Originally Posted by nanadeb

The Eagle Trace at Killey Court units arre not as nice. They are not the lock out units like the Eagle Trace units are. We own at Eagle Trace and of course have stayed there.

Can you give any details on your unit?


specifically...

Where you own(up high or in valley)?
Layout of the units?
amenities like big tubs?


They look nice from the outside. I have been interested in buying something here and the choices get overwhelming.

[nanadeb]

Originally Posted by bluehen

Can you give any details on your unit?


specifically...

Where you own(up high or in valley)?
Layout of the units?
amenities like big tubs?


They look nice from the outside. I have been interested in buying something here and the choices get overwhelming.

You don't own a specific unit, even though your deed specifies a given unit. Eagle Trace is a Floating Week, most of which are red weeks. After you pay your maintenance fee, which can be as early as 2 years ahead of time, you call up and reserve your week. Having a floating week means you can pick from available weeks. You just need to be first to get there for the most desireable weeks, which are Christmas and Fourth of July! When you choose your assignment for your chosen week, you can also choose your unit, including whether you want to be higher up or in the valley.

The units are lock outs, one stacked on top of each other like a townhouse. They share a common stairway and a common outdoor entrance, but each of the units has separate front doors. The "A' unit has the full kitchen, while the "B" unit has the Jacuzzi and the gas BBQ (think "B" for bath and BBQ!)
Each will sleep 6, but there is only one bedroom in each side of the unit. Each of the living rooms has 2 sofa beds.

Don't forget with a lockout that you can choose to use both "A" and "B" at the same time, deposit both in RCI, break them up into 2 different units and deposit each of them separately, or use one and deposit one. By splitting them up, you can get 2 vacations out of one timeshare week, just not at the same resort.

Go to www.massresort.com and click on units. They have a nice slide show of each of the condo types available.

A word of advice,though. Don't buy from th timeshare people. Buy one resale. It is much cheaper. We bought Eagle Trace from Massanutten. We don't regret it, though, because we will never get rid of it. If you do buy a timeshare resale, however, do check with the homewoners association to make sure that the yearly maintenance fees are up to date or you will be stuck paying back payments.

HTH!

[luvtimeshares]

Hi, we have been to Massanutten several times. The resort is huge - has several resorts within the overall resort. Woodstone is at the base of the mountain, nearer the check-in and larger recreational complex (there are 2), so uses less gas unless you want mainly to do things on the mountain. The views are fantastic wherever you are. We have NOT been there in summer weeks, so I don't know how crowded it gets, but I assume traffic is congested.

Woodstone is closer to the Water Park than the other condos, but is still maybe 2 miles (?) from it. They are working to widen and straighten the road, which may be a nightmare this summer. It made only slight delays this week (May 27-29, 2008).

What does your family enjoy? There are loads of Civil War sites and several museums - most outstanding, Hall of Valor at New Market Battlefield site - within 30 min., and still more within a 90 min. drive. Other history museums include Frontier Culture Museum (settlement of the Shenandoah Valley) in Staunton (45 min.), Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library. Further afield, the Cyrus McCormick Farm, which we've not yet visited, and the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, which we toured on our way home. WELL WORTH DOING!

Swimming - Water Park is pricey, but quite good. Outdoor and indoor pools at the rec center are free to guests with passes (received on check-in).

Most other things have fees: miniature golf, go carts, skateboard park, summer tubing, ski lift, bikes, fishing poles, and horses to rent; kayaking, river tubing or rafting; many craft possibilites, spa services, etc.

Hiking - several trails on the resort, one leading to a Civil War outlook used during Valley Campaign; Shenandoah National Park is 10 mi. away.

Google Massanutten Resort to see the dozens of activities on site plus organized tours available.

The condos all have at least a partial kitchen. We cook in to save money when we stay there. The hotel units, where we stayed this week, have a small refrigerator and coffee pot. We took salad and sandwich fixings, and did fine.

You WILL BE OFFERED timeshare tours for "Massanutten Money" or water park tickets. Do it, but don't buy there - prices are too high. Get a resale elsewhere. The maintenance fees are the lowest I know of, so it is a great timeshare to own, but be smart on where you buy.

[DisneyMissy318]

I've only been up there on a couple of day trips to the waterpark and skiing - but wanted to say that I live here! I can see Massanutten Peak from my office window!

Feel free to PM if you need any info about Harrisonburg (in case you want to leave the mountain!)

I'm sure you will LOVE the area!

[MaryKLady]

Okay, we're in Woodstone Meadows. Got an E unit? It sounds like we'll have lots of fun. I can't wait to see Lauray Caverns. Thanks for the info!