Can you tour the grounds w/o an invitation

[Lorix2]

You know how you can visit onsite properties as a visitor?

Can you do this with timeshare properties? I mean, I don't expect them to let me into their rooms, but can you walk around and see the pools, amenities? Most properties are gated and I wonder if this is allowed.

Have you done this?

 

[Melynny]

My DH and I have done this several times. We just usually just tell them the truth. "We are thinking of staying there our next vacation and would like to take a look around". This has worked and given us a real opportunity to check out several properties in the Orlando and Branson area. The only place that was not friendly was at the Polynesian Isles resort. They were not helpful and not friendly. We were told where to park and that we could only get out of the car to inquire at the front desk for a brochure. This was right after 9-11 so I am not sure if they were being super careful or what. Needless to say, we have not stayed there yet.

 

[spiceycat]

Disney wants you to visit their restuarants and gift shops - so unless the resort is fully booked - you will be given a 2 to 4 hour pass - he will ask for a Driver license and you will have your tag written down.

just tell them you are interested in their restuarants or gift shops. If you have a reservation at one of the restuarants you will be let in - unless the resort is full.

they just don't want you to use the resort parking to go the parks - which before they started this program they had a bad problem.

to park at the AKL you must have a dinner/lunch/breakfast reservations or be staying there - they don't want non-staying guesting seeing the animals - or they did.

if you have a PS reservations at one of the MK restuarants - just tell the security gate (the front entry) which restuarant you have you reservations at - he will direct you to get there - (no charge for parking) - again at the security gate at the hotel you need to tell the guard where you are eating.

the deluxe resort have both self parking and valet parking - careful valet parking is charged. self parking is not.

 

[Lorix2]

Melynny - that's exactly what I intended to say, of course because it's the truth, like you said. I just thought you needed to receive one of those postcards in the mail with the offers, etc..

Where have you toured that you'd like to stay? Which ones made an impression?

spiceycat - thank you so much for so much information, you've been very helpful too We did go to the boardwalk twice and parked and walked thru a breezeway of a resort, but can't remember which one it is. We made our way over to Beaches & Cream..so it must have been the Beach or Yacht club I think -GORGEOUS!!

 

[Melynny]

Let's see,, Westagate, Celebration World resort ( ended up trading into there) Vistana Villages.. ( stayed there too!) ****Vacation Village at Parkway,**( Hapimag at lake Berkley, Orange lake ( stayed there). ***The Palms,, now the Wyndham palms ( I think). Summer Bay ( stayed there) , ***Lindfields reserve, **Star Island, ***Calypso Cay, **High Point ( this was a real surprise, ok, friendly clean in ok repair, and these have been quite plentiful at bonus weeks with RCI) **Silver Lake, ***Barefootn in the Keys at Old town. ** Blue tree,**1/2 Cypress Point, **Ramada-leisure Lakes, Oasis Lakes (ended up staying there),***Polynesian Isles (not friendly but looked nice from what I saw), Embassy Grand Beach ( and the Sunterra Part, stayed there) maybe more..

Not time shares: HIFS,Gaylord palms ,Tropical Palms. I am sure that there are others, but I don't keep track of this.

it seems that each trip down, I have a list, my RCI book and a map ( sometimes it takes Mapquest). We go so often, it's a good way to spend the day when it rains.

Here are few on my list for the next trip: Kingstown Reef at Crowne Plaza, regular Vistana, New Hilton Grand vacations Club at the outlets. note, Above with a * is the star rating I'd give them... * is lowest.. **** is highest I did not rate where I have stayed before. How confusing is this!

 

[Lorix2]

wow Melynny - you mean business! THe new HGVC was the timeshare I want to tour the most actually.

Thanks!

 

[Melynny]

If you want to torture yourself, a timeshare tour is the easiest way to "check out" a resort for future stays. At some, we ask to take the tour and DECLINE any incentives. This leaves the tour in my control, no 90 minutes... no pay backs.. Just show me the resort and tell me what it costs. Usually, we get a better and more honest tour than if we were getting paid oops.. compensated. If you are truely interested in touring HGVC... whatever at the outlets I'd just drop in the sales center and request a tour without compensation. Most of the time, they tell you where the models are and send you on your way. We have done that several times at Branson.. even bought a few that way also. I need to change my tag line to "Timeshare poor"