Does anyone own a non-Disney timeshare?

[Jeafl]

My MIL has FIVE timeshares that she has never once used. Over the years she has lost many points by not using them. She finally is allowing us to use one of them rather than lose any more points. The problem is, no matter where or when I want to go somewhere the timeshare company says nothing is available. They say that there is a 2-5 year wait list for some properties. Does this seem right to you? Some of the timeshare properties that she has are Interval, RCI, Bluegreen, Epic and Surrey.

It seems to me that one year in advance should be plenty of time to plan, but maybe I'm wrong. Any advice?

 

[Growin'upDisney]

Wow - this sounds horrible. MAybe she is paying alower price on these timeshares with such stringent guidelines. My mom and stepdad own a timeshare with Hilton Grand Vacations - their homebase is Oahu, Hawaii and their points guarantee them one week in peak season in a 2 bedroom. They can give anywhere from 1 month to 1 years notice. The closer in time to their departure they will be more subject to availability. But usually 3 months is more than sufficient. They can try for other locations up to 9 months in advance.

I have heard horror stories from many other people about less than reliable timeshares. And I do know that on some the point schemes can be very confusing. Again, I am going to guess the ones you MIL has are probably very well priced with all the restriction tied to them.

It's a shame she doesn't use them. Keep hounding the people at the company to work with you to find something you would like. And call back often for cancellations.

 

[Dan Murphy]

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Where does she own the timeshares?
And where are you trying to go?

We own 2 at Massanutten, VA. Both go through RCI and I'm always able to get a timeshare in Orlando.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I own points with Shell Vacations Club, and usually exchange through RCI. The only time I've been told a place is booked was for a 4 star deluxel resort in Scotland in the late spring.....and I can certainly understand why. I'll have to book it for 2006 if I don't choose something else instead. I've never been turned away from a Shell property.

As a matter of fact, I'm using up some points 'banked' from last year to do WDW in October (at Celebration World Resort, exchanged through RCI).

 

[Jeafl]

She owns two in Las Vegas (one I know is the Jockey Club), 2 in Branson, MO, and one in Florida near the Everglades. I was more interested in exchanging for a place in Maui, which seems to be the problem.

 

[lovemygoofy]

We are doing the "trial run" for Bluegreen and was told that there would never be a problem getting a place when needed if we did a few months in advance. I know for a fact that Bluegreen does have places in Hawaii but the exact location I don't know. If for some reason you can't get on location with Bluegreen, I was under the impression that they would put you up in a comprable hotel for the same points. Just out of curiosity, do you think your MIL maybe just letting the points roll over or selling them back to the company for money? That's what we have been doing to try to let the timeshare pay for itself. Maybe she's making money and not sharing ;o)

PM if you have some questions about Bluegreen and I'll try to help.

Good Luck,
Tina

 

[webprinter]

We own a few timeshares through different companies. We have reserved units in Hawaii, but have had to do it 6-18 months in advance. We don't have timeshares that trade well, but have always been able to use or trade them. The farther in advance and the lower the season, the easier they are to use. If you are trading through II or RCI, you need to remember to deposit your week with them at least 12 months in advance for maximum trade value. If you are trying to book a summer or holiday week, it is much more difficult than an off season week. From what I have heard, the Branson week is probably not a very good trader. It also depends on what company the timeshares are with. Some of them have an internal trading policy that would be easier to book. You can also do an ongoing search with RCI and II. If you don't have an ongoing search, you need to check availability frequently as Hawaii resorts are usually snapped up quickly. Many resorts also do bulk banking into RCI and II once or twice a year. At that time, they deposit many units at one time and it is easier to get a trade. Debby

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Jeafl
My MIL has FIVE timeshares that she has never once used. Over the years she has lost many points by not using them. She finally is allowing us to use one of them rather than lose any more points......

This is THE gift-giver? Maybe have her gift you points each year.

 

[Jeafl]

lovemygoofy, I know she hasn't been selling her points back because she is completely clueless on how all of this works. That is the main reason she has never used any of the timeshares. They own TWO timeshares in Las Vegas, and yet every year when they vacation in Vegas they stay at a hotel. I've asked her and her husband to explain to me how all this works and they really don't know.

Her main problem is that she just can't say NO to any salesperson. I remember when she put $28,000 worth of new windows at 24% interest on a house that was only worth about $60,000. My husband nearly had a stroke when he heard that one. Those windows ended up costing much more than the house by the time she was done paying for them.

Dan, yes she is the "gift giving challenged" MIL. I wish she would give us the points instead of a singing rooster, but then what would I have to talk about every year?

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Jeafl-- I understand totally what you and your mom are going through. We own at Westgate in Orlando (the Villas) and have the same problem. We have only gotten 1 exchange that we wanted. I know that part of our problem is that we want high demand times, but that is how we travel. (Example, Myrtle Beach in the summer) When we bought the condo, we were told we would have no trouble exchanging whenever we wanted- HA!!!

Westgate is a wonderful place and we have very few problems w/ them when we go to Disney. Great location and all. However, we can't go to Disney every year and we rent it out when possible, but this year is looking like we are paying mega $$s for maint. and taxes and are not going to be able to use it. I know we can deposit it, etc., but it gets really frustrating knowing we have this and are paying way more for it than we are using it. I am ready to sell it for a few thousand and be done w/ it. I would be much happier using the maint. and tax money to rent a house in the area when we go to Disney and the years we didn't go to DW, we can use that $ for a place to stay wherever we go.

Anyone interested in a very nice timeshare property at a good price?

 

[psupple]

We own two timeshares, one in Newport, RI that we use every year and one in Falmouth, MA which we have never stayed at but use to exchange to other properties.

Both our timeshares are off peak (what they call flex weeks), which is when we like to travel. I've made three exchanges to Orlando and never had a problem. However, we've never gone anywhere else with our timeshare, so I don't know how hard it is to get a place somewhere else.

It's probably worth doing some additional research on this, as you can save lots of $$ for a weeks stay...we usually pay a$119 exchange fee for a one week stay.

Good Luck!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Try Summer Bay on Route 192-
summerbayresort.com

 

[gallaj0]

I own one on Cape Cod, a floating week assigned at the beginning of every year, that we always trade in for an exchange at WDW. It's an interval international resort, and we've never had problems getting an exchange; but you have to do your homework first.
I like to check the II website, they will list places that are available under the "Getaways" section, which is basically places that have been deposited and not picked up yet. That lets you know what's available. I've always traded way over what my timeshare should be getting, like 3 bedrooms, lockoffs, etc.