5/4 Basically free in Orlando worth a Time Share tour??

[weHEARTmickey]

Is this worth our time? We were in Bass yesterday & came across this deal.....$249 for 5days/4nights in a 2 bedroom villa (supposedly 5 blocks from WDW.) She said it sleeps 6-7 people.

Once you take the 90 minute tour (yes, I do realize it's always 180 min) you will receive a $75 Bass Pro Shop gift card. So, it doesn't seem like a terrible deal.

We asked about taking a family w/ us to do their own tour & she said that would be fine. We'd take our tour & get 5/4, then they would take THEIR tour & get 5/4. That would really be like 9 days/8 nights for $498 (+ you'd get $150 in Bass gc, so like $348.)

What do you think? Are we crazy for considering this? We'd like for the WHOLE family to go sometime like Thanksgiving or Christmas & then several could split it up like that (if there were room availabilities.) TIA!!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I don't think you are crazy for thinking about doing it. It seems like a great deal. Can you do a little research on the place that you will be staying at...it may be worth the effort, and help you decide if it is a good deal or not. I have "played" with the idea of trying something similar when my kids are older. Good luck to you!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I don't think you are crazy for thinking about doing it. It seems like a great deal. Can you do a little research on the place that you will be staying at...it may be worth the effort, and help you decide if it is a good deal or not. I have "played" with the idea of trying something similar when my kids are older. Good luck to you!

Thanks Mom23! It's The Fountains Resort (a bluegreen resort) on S. International Drive. Anybody heard of this or stayed there?

We have NO intentions of buying from them, and we will go into this telling our salesperson (everyone probably says that!) But, when our 90 min is up, I don't have any problem telling them that we're ready to go & that we've fulfilled our obligation.

I know that this may be the ONLY way of getting some of our family members to WDW. I'd appreciate any input out there!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most timeshares will state a 90 minute requirement to get whatever they are offering

However... When you get there you will be invited to go into a lounge for snacks, coffee, etc.

When you are finally taken to the salesperson is when the clock starts. You will be invited, after a movie or something, to tour the property. Ths will be in a golf cart. You will be far from the sales office when the 90 minutes is up.

Once you get back you will still have more to go through, possibly a "manager" coming in to offer a better deal than the original salesperson.

Actual total time from arrival to departure will be closer to 2.5 hours rather than 90 minutes. Add in travel time both ways and how much time will you be spending?

Calculate your vacation time and hourly cost.

Take the total number of hours from the time you leave home until the time you return. Then subtract out the time sleeping or otherwise spent in your room. This gives you actual vacation time in hours.

Then take the total cost of your trip, transportation, tickets, lodging, meals, etc. Divide this by the number of hours. This gives you a cost per hour for your actual vacation time.

Now look at what you are getting, and consider how much it is really costing you.

BTW, almost any Disney ticket you get from a timeshare promotion (especially if you get a voucher) is NOT upgradeable; I know this as I am involved in selling tickets at WDW.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Thanks Mom23! It's The Fountains Resort (a bluegreen resort) on S. International Drive. Anybody heard of this or stayed there?

We have NO intentions of buying from them, and we will go into this telling our salesperson (everyone probably says that!) But, when our 90 min is up, I don't have any problem telling them that we're ready to go & that we've fulfilled our obligation.

I know that this may be the ONLY way of getting some of our family members to WDW. I'd appreciate any input out there!

We just came back from Disney and spent 3 nights prior to the Boardwalk Villas at the Fountains. I LOVED IT.

I got an internet special (thanks to someone on the boards) $99 per night. It is beautiful! The activities for kids were awesome. Gatorland came one day and all the kids could get the pics taken. They also had a man come w/ 5 beautiful cockatoos and you could get pics w/ them also. They had a great disc jockey for 5 hours each day on the weekends at the main pool playing games w/ the kids etc.

Can you tell I loved it? The condo seemed to be brand new. Granite everywhere and flat screens in both rooms and living room.

I would stay again in a heartbeat but DH and DD are hooked on DVC (we've owned since 2000) and they didn't think it compared but I certainly did.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Most timeshares will state a 90 minute requirement to get whatever they are offering

However... When you get there you will be invited to go into a lounge for snacks, coffee, etc.

When you are finally taken to the salesperson is when the clock starts. You will be invited, after a movie or something, to tour the property. Ths will be in a golf cart. You will be far from the sales office when the 90 minutes is up.

Once you get back you will still have more to go through, possibly a "manager" coming in to offer a better deal than the original salesperson.

Actual total time from arrival to departure will be closer to 2.5 hours rather than 90 minutes. Add in travel time both ways and how much time will you be spending?

Calculate your vacation time and hourly cost.

Take the total number of hours from the time you leave home until the time you return. Then subtract out the time sleeping or otherwise spent in your room. This gives you actual vacation time in hours.

Then take the total cost of your trip, transportation, tickets, lodging, meals, etc. Divide this by the number of hours. This gives you a cost per hour for your actual vacation time.

Now look at what you are getting, and consider how much it is really costing you.

BTW, almost any Disney ticket you get from a timeshare promotion (especially if you get a voucher) is NOT upgradeable; I know this as I am involved in selling tickets at WDW.

WOW!!!!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to spell it all out. Doesn't sound so appealing now. We have been to WDW a few times, so we'd be okay with taking a few hours out of our vacation time. But, I'm not so sure about the rest of our family!

We stay in value resorts, so a 2 bedroom villa would be a nice change. Anyone know about The Fountain?

 

[Seahunt]

I would just be sure of all the terms and conditions before paying anything AND I'd get anything questionable in writing. For example, your offer could be completely different that the one on this Bluegreen website, but here's some info on that one that stuck out to me, and that you might want to check on while researching your own offer (my comments in blue):

http://www.timeshareorlando.com/resorts/bluegreen/

For married or cohabiting couples 25 yrs of age or older with an annual household income of $50,000 or more. Married couples may combine their incomes to meet the income requirement, and, if married, the couple is required to visit and tour together. Cohabitants must attend together. Attendance at an approximately 90-120 minute Bluegreen Vacation Club® sales presentation on the benefits of vacation ownership is also required to qualify for this offer. (Sorry don't mean to get personal but you mentioned it's the only way some members might get to WDW - make sure they meet the financial requirements or they'll end up getting charged the retail price )

Additional charges may apply during weekends, peak periods and holiday stays.(You mention Thanksgiving or Christmas -definitely peak period, how much more $$$? Also keep in mind it might be impossible to even get reservations during holiday periods so you might want to have more dates ready to check)

Transportation, additional expenses, and applicable room and other taxes are the sole responsibility of the recipients. (These could add up so be sure to ask how much these fees will be in addition to your package?)

If you have a reservation with us, we cannot offer another reservation to other friends or relatives of yours, but they can stay with you in your villa if the maximum occupancy allows it. A $350.00 penalty will be split between two or more families related in any way (relatives, friends, neighbors, etc,) travelling together with two or more different reservations. (This sounds kind of spooky since you say you're looking at friends going too - if the terms and conditions section on your offer also has a clause like this I'd get in writing that you will not be charged extra, even though the rep hasn't said anything about it. I know I wouldn't want a nasty little surprise like that!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Participants in the promotion who do not meet the qualifications set forth in the above Details of Participation, including those who fail to attend the sales presentation, will have charged to their credit or check card a $300 penalty fee. (I would make 100% everything is A-OK before going, in writing, again to avoid a $300 "penalty" fee)

Good luck! I hope it all works out and you have a great trip!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I would just be sure of all the terms and conditions before paying anything AND I'd get anything questionable in writing. For example, your offer could be completely different that the one on this Bluegreen website, but here's some info on that one that stuck out to me, and that you might want to check on while researching your own offer (my comments in blue):

http://www.timeshareorlando.com/resorts/bluegreen/

For married or cohabiting couples 25 yrs of age or older with an annual household income of $50,000 or more. Married couples may combine their incomes to meet the income requirement, and, if married, the couple is required to visit and tour together. Cohabitants must attend together. Attendance at an approximately 90-120 minute Bluegreen Vacation Club® sales presentation on the benefits of vacation ownership is also required to qualify for this offer. (Sorry don't mean to get personal but you mentioned it's the only way some members might get to WDW - make sure they meet the financial requirements or they'll end up getting charged the retail price )

If you have a reservation with us, we cannot offer another reservation to other friends or relatives of yours, but they can stay with you in your villa if the maximum occupancy allows it. A $350.00 penalty will be split between two or more families related in any way (relatives, friends, neighbors, etc,) travelling together with two or more different reservations. (This sounds kind of spooky since you say you're looking at friends going too - if the terms and conditions section on your offer also has a clause like this I'd get in writing that you will not be charged extra, even though the rep hasn't said anything about it. I know I wouldn't want a nasty little surprise like that!)

Good luck! I hope it all works out and you have a great trip!

Hmmmm, thanks Seahunt! That's more than a little questionable that she told me we could split our room w/ family for the first 1/2 of trip & then family could share their room w/ us for the 2nd 1/2. I do NOT want to be stuck w/ a $350 penalty!

As far as the income requirements, it will be fine for the family members I'm talking about. I just mean we're the only Disney nuts in the family--no one else really wants to come! My mom couldn't qualify which is one reason why we took her with us last summer. It was the trip of her life & she still talks about it!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

bumpity-bump!

 

[Straitlover]

Does it say you will actually stay at The Fountains??? A lot of those deals they put you up someplace else a lot less nice and you only just visit the actaul timeshare place. I would verify that before signing anything.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Does it say you will actually stay at The Fountains??? A lot of those deals they put you up someplace else a lot less nice and you only just visit the actaul timeshare place. I would verify that before signing anything.

Ooooh!!!! I'm not sure! I'm SOO not good at this! I need to double check on a lot of details. I don't like the idea of staying off-site anyway, & if it's going to be a hole in the ground, I certainly won't do it. Thanks for bringing this up, Straitlover.

 

[Girschle]

We have done a timeshare presentation numerous times when we have gone to Disney. If you don't have a problem saying "no" you shouldn't have a problem. Some places are more high pressure than others. The last time we went I brought a copy of someone trying to sell a timeshare at the same place we were taking the tour. I asked them if they could beat the deal that this person was offering. (I knew they wouldn't be able to beat the price) They couldn't and we were out of there within a half hour with our free Disney tickets!

Good luck.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

We have done a timeshare presentation numerous times when we have gone to Disney. If you don't have a problem saying "no" you shouldn't have a problem. Some places are more high pressure than others. The last time we went I brought a copy of someone trying to sell a timeshare at the same place we were taking the tour. I asked them if they could beat the deal that this person was offering. (I knew they wouldn't be able to beat the price) They couldn't and we were out of there within a half hour with our free Disney tickets!

Good luck.

That's awesome! This particular presentation isn't offering free tix, just discounted ones. The carrot they're dangling is the 5days/4nights free... I'm wondering, are there better offers out there that we're missing?

Isn't this ridiculous, I'm LOOKING for timeshare presentations! Truth is, if we could justify the monthly maintenance fees, we'd be ALL over the DVC! But, I just can't imagine paying at least $600 per year even if we don't take a vacation. (Not to mention: NO tickets, NO dining, etc...)

 

[Vacation Lover]

Is it free or $249 for the 4 nights? If 2 families are each paying $249, you'd do almost as well to look for a vacation home near Disney for a 1 week rental. I've seen some 2BR condos at Windsor Hills going for $599 for a Saturday to Saturday rental, and I think this even includes Thanksgiving week. To me, the extra $100 would be worth it not to have to take time at the presentation and stress out about possibly having to pay more if we didn't qualify or whatever.

 

[tinkerbell423]

I agree with vacation lover. We also got some great deals for houses/condos.
The deal you are getting sounds good I would just make sure you couldn't do it easier (with out the tour...)

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Is it free or $249 for the 4 nights? If 2 families are each paying $249, you'd do almost as well to look for a vacation home near Disney for a 1 week rental. I've seen some 2BR condos at Windsor Hills going for $599 for a Saturday to Saturday rental, and I think this even includes Thanksgiving week. To me, the extra $100 would be worth it not to have to take time at the presentation and stress out about possibly having to pay more if we didn't qualify or whatever.

It's $249 for 5/4, but you get a Bass gift card for $75 (which we can always use.) So, it's about $174 for 5/4. If 2 families stayed, it would be $498 for 8 nights. (Then, subtract the $150 in gc, & it's like saying it's $348 for 8 nights.)

So, NO, it's not actually free. I thought it was close enough to free to label it "basically free." Sorry if that's misleading! BTW---it's free compared to what we normally spend on a WDW vacation! This doesn't include any tickets, food, or transportation, so I know it will all add up. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth it.

Yes, that 2BR condo does sound enticing. Honestly, I would rather do that than worry about going on a tour, having to "move" 1/2 through the trip, & having to worry about family qualifications. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Stargazer]

1st off, I definitely 2nd Cheshire Figment's post. Also, I would double check that you're actually staying at The Fountains. My experience has been that they'll usually have you stay in "similar accomodations" but not at the resort itself. Especially since she told you that the villa is 5 blocks away.

We're owners with Bluegreen, so I'll try to give you any info I can. The first thing is that it's not 5 blocks from WDW. It's actually closer to Sea World but on the "quiet" side of International Drive. It is only about a 15-20 minute drive (on an ideal day w/ minimal traffic).

We stayed at The Fountains in Building 2 in a 2BR on our 1st trip to WDW in 2007. Our room was really nice; 2nd BR has 2 queen beds and its own bathroom. Kitchen is fully stocked w/ all small appliances, cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, etc. They had lots of daily activities, but we never got a chance to do any of them, because all of our time was spent at WDW.

The biggest change that happened though, is that they now have a "water park" Wakoola Springs on-site. It's 75,000 sqft and has 2 twisty slides, fountains, pool bar, lots of swimming space, etc. I'm just giving you the description from the website, since we've not been back since it was built.

It doesnt' really have any dining options on-site, but for more of a snack, quick breakfast, you can go to Mug o'Joe's (coffees, pastries) or H2O (bar food and drinks).

Here's a few pics (in case you didn't know what it looked like; and yes it really does look like that, or at least our unit was very similar) that may help in your decision:

View of "water park" and buildings

"Old pool" at clubhouse

Living/dining area

Master bedroom

2nd bedroom

If you have any other questions about it, just let me know!

 

[momofpirates]

I would suggest looking for an off-site condo and just pay for it. We have a two week (14 night) stay booked in a three bedroom/two bath condo including Memorial Weekend for $800 total. This includes all taxes and fees. That's less than $57 per night. Did I mention it's 3BD/2BA? And we have a king bed in the master, queen in the second bedroom and twins in the third, full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. I did shop around and we are a few miles from Disney, but I don't mind a 15 minute drive to get to and from the parks.

Just a suggestion. If you would like more information, send me a PM.

MOP

 

[weHEARTmickey]

1st off, I definitely 2nd Cheshire Figment's post. Also, I would double check that you're actually staying at The Fountains. My experience has been that they'll usually have you stay in "similar accomodations" but not at the resort itself. Especially since she told you that the villa is 5 blocks away.

We're owners with Bluegreen, so I'll try to give you any info I can. The first thing is that it's not 5 blocks from WDW. It's actually closer to Sea World but on the "quiet" side of International Drive. It is only about a 15-20 minute drive (on an ideal day w/ minimal traffic). Hmmm....then they must not be offering a stay at The Fountains. She specifically said "5 blocks away." Why didn't I specifically ask "will we be staying at The Fountains?" live & learn!

We stayed at The Fountains in Building 2 in a 2BR on our 1st trip to WDW in 2007. Our room was really nice; 2nd BR has 2 queen beds and its own bathroom. Kitchen is fully stocked w/ all small appliances, cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, etc. They had lots of daily activities, but we never got a chance to do any of them, because all of our time was spent at WDW. We are the same way--we only sleep in the resorts, although we're learning to come back & chill in the afternoons! This sounds really nice, though

If you have any other questions about it, just let me know!

Thanks SO much!

I would suggest looking for an off-site condo and just pay for it. We have a two week (14 night) stay booked in a three bedroom/two bath condo including Memorial Weekend for $800 total. This includes all taxes and fees. That's less than $57 per night. Did I mention it's 3BD/2BA? And we have a king bed in the master, queen in the second bedroom and twins in the third, full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. I did shop around and we are a few miles from Disney, but I don't mind a 15 minute drive to get to and from the parks. WOW! $800 for two weeks? That's insane! I'll send you a pm about how nice it is & how many people can comfortably live there for 2 weeks. Thanks for the suggestion!

Just a suggestion. If you would like more information, send me a PM.

MOP

 

[muffyn]

1st off, I definitely 2nd Cheshire Figment's post. Also, I would double check that you're actually staying at The Fountains. My experience has been that they'll usually have you stay in "similar accomodations" but not at the resort itself. Especially since she told you that the villa is 5 blocks away.
If you have any other questions about it, just let me know![/QUOTE]

I agree biggie to check on that. & also there is no way they will ever let you and another group that knows you ( family friends whatever) take the same dealwhen you are there. for some reason they think you will talk each other out of it. I suppose there are ways to get around it.. act like yoiu do NOT know each other..... but thatwouldn't work for your plan of sharing the condo & then moving to theirs at their turn. nope, not gonna work.

we have done timeshare things, & don't mind ,, but if there are several poeple going ,, a house rental is the best deal.