Best Interval Exchanges with kids?

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

OK, after 14 years straight going to WDW (only 7 years with DVC), it's time for a change.

Our girls are 8 and 4. Our dates are flexible from December 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007.

Have you been to a great II resort -- that also offers lots to do for kids other than DVC?

Thanks!

 

[WDWNewbie]

Have you considered a summer exchange to the Marriott Manor Club in Williamsburg, Virginia?

We have been there with our daughter and some friends with young teens, and everyone loves this place!

The resort itself is beautiful, and while there aren't a ton of activities for kids right at the resort, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and other area activities (Colonial Williamsburg if you are interested) makes this a fantastic area for families with kids of all ages.

One of our favorite places to go! (and looks like driving distance if you live in CT)

(oops...edit to say I misread your dates, I thought you had a whole year--not just a month!) Have you ever been to Vero Beach?

 

[Danthesand]

I guess I'll add to the breadth of this thread by throwing in the secondary issue of "how realistically available is (exchange name)?" The sense I've gotten over the years is there is only a small universe of exchanges that are:

(a) truly up to DVC standards

(b) in desireable locations

(c) realistically available (e.g. one has a decent likelihood of getting the exhange for desired time periods in a realistic timeframe, say no more than a a year to 1.5 years out).

The short list of places I've heard mentioned that seem to consistently meet all these criteria include a few Marriott properties in the Caribbean (Aruba is most often mentioned), and a handful of placea in Hawaii. But this subject gets little mention overall on the DIS, so I've never seen a really substantive discussion on it or list of properties worth focusing on.

Anyone with insight/experience, please chime in!!!

 

[Dean]

See my recent post on Caribbean II resorts. Some of these will be very kids friendsly. For the time you listed, I'd also consider Marriott's Manor club. Though not that much on site, there's a lot to do in the area. Gatlingurg and the NC mountains are another consideration. Of course it's hard to beat HI.

 

[Daitcher]

I know you guys mentioned exchanges specifically but as another poster mentioned, what about Vero Beach? We stayed there this past October in a Beach Cottage and I have to tell you the resort is fantastic. I really feel this is one of the top oceanfront resorts in Florida. It has a great beach, great pool with waterslide, scheduled activities for the kids, campfires with smores at night, bike rentals, 9 hole mini golf, socer field, basketball court, tennis, stocked lake for fishing, archery and 2 decent restaurants plus poolside food and bar. Service is great as well. You might want to consider making it a backup plan and trying for an exchange. As for exchanges I feel the Marriott proerties are of similiar if not better quality. We just returned from the Aruba Marriott Surf Club so I'd be glad to share about that. Good luck and it certainly will help your case that you are flexible.


DAVE

 

[schatterjee]

(not with our DVC points) and stayed at the Royals. While it's low-key my kids loved the ceramic painting, snow-cones at the pool, great beach, jet-ski rentals, swimming with dolphins, snorkle trips, etc.

We loved the amazing views and beautiful evenings!

It's one choice.

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

Thanks to all. Anyone else?

We've been to VB twice. And, we agree, it is a lovely resort.

To clarify - our dates are December 2006 to January 2007. So, we do have some time.

We would prefer a place with a "kids club" so that Mom and Dad can get some down time, too.

Did the Surf Club have a kids club? Is it nicer than the Marriott Ocean Club next door?

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[Dean]

Thanks to all. Anyone else?

We've been to VB twice. And, we agree, it is a lovely resort.

To clarify - our dates are December 2006 to January 2007. So, we do have some time.

We would prefer a place with a "kids club" so that Mom and Dad can get some down time, too.

Did the Surf Club have a kids club? Is it nicer than the Marriott Ocean Club next door?

Thanks again for your thoughts.

For the higher demand times I don't really think you have time. Many timeshares owners can and do deposit a full year out or more. To get the best options during peak times one should really be looking a year out. Once you decide what you want, get the reqeust in. Remember you can always change or modify it later. If you list early Dec, that is what you will likely get.

 

[Daitcher]

Thanks to all. Anyone else?

We've been to VB twice. And, we agree, it is a lovely resort.

To clarify - our dates are December 2006 to January 2007. So, we do have some time.

We would prefer a place with a "kids club" so that Mom and Dad can get some down time, too.

Did the Surf Club have a kids club? Is it nicer than the Marriott Ocean Club next door?

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Surf Club, Ocan Club and the Marriott hotel all share the same large Kids Club I believe. Surf Club is much nicer than Ocean Club although much larger. Good luck with the exchanges.


DAVE

 

[caven553]

We traded into the Royal Resorts in Cancun and even though there was still a lot of hurricane damage to the area the resorts were wonderful. I would highly recommend them as long as you enjoy lots of beach time.

 

[treloarf]

We are looking for an all-inclusive resort in either the Caribbean or Mexico. Since we probably wouldn't be able to trade into one, we could sell our points & go - anyone have any recommendations with kids 10 & 13?

 

[Dean]

Many timeshares have AI or similar meals plans, some are better deal than others. Maybe look at Paradise Village in Puerta Vallarta, they have several meal plan options that are reasonable. I can't speak to the infinite list of AI type resorts, you may want to talk to a TA.

 

[dvcersfromva]

Have you looked into the Tanque Verde in Tucson? It's part of the concierge collection, and while the points might seem high, you get a lot for those points! All meals are included (and they're very good), all the horseback riding you could want, lots of kids programs, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Check their website if you're interested in finding out more.

 

[shellbelle1971]

If you have the points you might consider some of the Adventurer Collection with kids. Those are amazing! A ton of points, though...you would probably be better off to rent out your points and book your travel directly with the providers on those. FWIW, there's an A.C. river rafting trip in Moab, which our kids love to do. We don't do it through the collection, though...it's in our backyard, so to speak, and you can do it a lot less expensively by paying cash.