Going to Disney by way of a timeshare co...

shannon71474

Earning My Ears
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
19
I have received an e-mail from a timeshare company and they are offering a 5 night/6 day stay at a 3 star hotel in Orlando and the only thing I would have to pay is $466.00 (the price of tickets). Of course you have to sit through a 2 hour presentation about a resort they want you to join (we can't afford and would not buy into). This may be the only way we can go to Disney this year. We would prefer to stay on site but I am not sure we will be able to afford to stay on site and pay for 6 days of tickets, plus meal, etc.

My question is has anyone ever gone to Disney through a timeshare company with no problems? Would it be worth it?

I have included a link in case anyone would like to see the program I am talking about.

http://www.fairfieldgetaways.com/Offers/specific.asp?Package=1833

Thanks for your help.

Shannon
 
I have read that some of the timeshare presentations are high pressure and last longer than advertised so I think if you are firm that you are only doing the presentation for the accommodations and let them know up front that you are only giving them 2 hours you will be fine. Personally, I wouldn't want to get stressed during vacation having to deal with them.
 
You should only do timeshare presentations under two circumstances.

1. You are able to keep saying no and mean it...and also you have absolutely NO worries about what other people think of you. Timeshare sales people are masters at getting people to purchase emotionally.

2. If they make a good offer you can afford to pay for it.

Which leads me to my final suggestion. Anyone choosing to get accomodations by way of a timeshare presentation should do their homework before going on the trip to discover the average sales price of a timeshare by way of resale. A thorough fact finding mission will help support your "just say no" campaign during the sales presentation. Except for a few big players or exceptional circumstances (for example Disney or ski units in winter) you will be better off buying a timeshare on the resale market. If you know that plus what the market price is going into the presentation it won't matter what the rep says.

PS. Timeshares are a great way to stay in Orlando whether you choose to buy one or just rent. It is just HOW you buy that could make a difference.
 
You may want to wait to see how people feel about this company before you sign-up. We have done Marriott and would do it again in a heartbeat. No pressure and a great deal. I know people have problems at other places that are really hard sell so you may want to see what others have to say about it.
 

shannon71474 said:
My question is has anyone ever gone to Disney through a timeshare company with no problems? Would it be worth it? Shannon

THIS IS one of the best packages I've seen yet. 6 days and 5 nights in either the Wyndham or Governors' in DTD - PLUS You get 2 - 4 day HOPPER passes. THE tickets are worth it all by themselves!! I was going to take advantage of this package, but my family refuses to go with me this summer (we are going to Mexico), so we are gonna go either in December 05 or January 06!

Now, to ease your mind a bit Fairfield is a worldwide chain and they use less pressure tactics, but just in case I've put together some sure ways of getting out within the 90-120 minutes asked for the presentation. Read carefully and enjoy!!!

1. NEVER EAT THEIR BREAKFAST/lLUNCH/DINNER!!!! Almost always they offer SOME KIND of meal. Your presentation time does not begin until AFTER you finish your meal/coffee, etc.

2. If you already know what resort your touring, do some research on it!!!! Find out how much "resale" prices are off of different websites. And most importantly BRING IT WITH YOU!!! Nothing gets under their skin more than an "educated" buyer. Some will say not to buy from other resellers because you loose the resort "star" treatment!!! I simple say, "I wouldn't want to buy from a company who does not treat ALL its owner with the FULL respect they deserve"!!!!! Just because some have since enough not to end up paying 17% in interest they should be punished!!!

3. DON'T BE AFRAID OF BEING RUDE!!!!! Some people are afraid to be rude to people who have no problems being RUDE to them!!! I have gone so far as to bring materials to read!!! A friend of mine laid her head down and went to sleep (AFTER A FEW HOURS OF BEGGING from the Salesman)!!!!!! Our first presentation lasted well over 4 hours!!! TRUST ME BE RUDE!!!!!

4. If you know for sure that your not interested in buying (absolutely sure) and you didn't eat their food - make it CLEAR from the beginning that you have to pick up your family or friend at the airport within 2 hours!!!!

5. If you have been thru a presentation before tell them you have!!! That way you don't have to go thru that speech of how good of an investment the timeshare is, and how much money you'll be saving. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!

6. If you have ANY complaints about the property (particularly if you are staying on that site). Bring a list of every reason why you would not buy from that property.)

7. Show your disinterest in your face. These people are trained to "pick up" on those interested. Let me give you an example. My first tour was at Westgate (VERY HARD SELL - if you can survive a Westgate presentation you can survive any of them), anyway, A friend of mine (who had their presentation before ours) bought a Timeshare there ( a 2-bedroom) for around $13,000. The next day, when we had our presentation, the same 2 bedroom lock out was offered to us at $7500. Because we really were not interested and the price kept getting lower. During August 03 we were offered a 2 bedroom at Westgate Palace for $5000 (we were almost tempted!!!) If you look on ebay right now I'm sure someone is selling a 2 bedroom (at Westgate Lakes) for every bit of $3000-$5,000. You do the math!!!!

8. If you are doing a timeshare at a world wide chain like Marriott or Starwood, they are usually low pressured but still do your research!!!! These are the most expensive.

9. Let them know that you are maxxed out financially (including credit cards) and have NO means for a down payment!!! NO ONE will let you leave without some kind of down payment.

10. If they get you to buy and you immediately realize (after leaving the parking lot) that you don't want it or can't afford it. Immediately send your letter to the resort within I believe 3-4 days (it could be more or less) to cancel because after that grace period - ITS GOING ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT!!!!

11. If you don't own a home yet you have to perfect excuse, Why would I buy vacation property before a home, I must prioritize and right now its not even a option!!!

12. If you have children, BRING them!!!! Children especially impatient ones (that includes about 99.9% of them)!!!! Let them cry, encourage temper tantrums, and most importantly let the toddler future track star (you know the one that keeps running away from ya) Let them do their thing!!!!

Sounds like a lot, I know but still it can be worth it, if the stay is nice (or you are getting a great "gift"). I have a friend and her husband who get a kick out of getting something for "nothing" (if time is nothing). While in Orlando last year they bragged about their $200 cash in 3 hours ($66.66 an hour doesn't sound so bad now does it!!) Their presentations NEVER went over 90 minutes. They did Tip #4 and said they had to pick up her mother at the Airport. Each time leaving with $100 bills. Another friend of mine did a presentation recently for (4) 4 day disney hoppers for $135 a piece!!!! Hope this helps! It was at Orange Lake and they said the presentation was not a hard sell!
 
I am still unsure what to do. But knowing that if I do like the resort we are offered, I can find it cheaper going through a current owner who wants to resell. Why would I want to join any other way?!

Ya'll have been a great help! I love this board.

Oh by the way...I will definitely bring my two children with me (ages 2 and 3). Maybe it will be naptime and they will want to get us out of there as soon as possible!

Shannon
 
I received a call from the Fairfield people about a timeshare in Pigeon Forge, TN. First of all, I had never heard of them and not one time did they use the word timeshare. Call me stupid, but I just did not catch on that it was a timeshare presentation. I was told it would be an hour tour of the resort because they wanted us to encourage our family and friends to book rooms there. It sounded really good. Well, when I received the information in the mail, it was clearly a time share and it said the presentation would be a minimum of 2 hours. I reported them to the BBB, as I felt there tactics were dishonest. I also did some research about them online after that, and I found a lot of bad reviews - including that it is very high pressure. Hope that helps you some.

Stephanie
 
Ok, maybe this is rude, but...
My husband attented one of these time share deals in ocean city maryland. We got a cheap resort stay, but had to attend the sales pitch. When we got to the presentation they had more families waiting then agents ready to go (although they didn't tell us this). My husband and I encouraged our 4 girls (under 6 at the time) to go ahead, run around, have fun, splash hands in the fountain, etc. My girls were not acting loud or bratty, just playing happily. After 30 minutes the lady in charge called our name, handed us some freebies (cash, restaurtant certificate and something else I can't remember) and politely told us we were no longer obligated to stay for the presentation.!!!! So go ahead-bring the kids!!
 
shannon71474 said:
I have received an e-mail from a timeshare company and they are offering a 5 night/6 day stay at a 3 star hotel in Orlando and the only thing I would have to pay is $466.00 (the price of tickets). Of course you have to sit through a 2 hour presentation about a resort they want you to join (we can't afford and would not buy into). This may be the only way we can go to Disney this year. We would prefer to stay on site but I am not sure we will be able to afford to stay on site and pay for 6 days of tickets, plus meal, etc.

My question is has anyone ever gone to Disney through a timeshare company with no problems? Would it be worth it?

I have included a link in case anyone would like to see the program I am talking about.

http://www.fairfieldgetaways.com/Offers/specific.asp?Package=1833

Thanks for your help.

Shannon

Don't do it! Fairfield is the worst for High Pressure sales. I left crying after being 'held hostage' there after nearly 3 hours (Williamsburg). The first guy was great....but when we said no thanks..the mean people appeared and wouldn't let us leave. I had to practically beg for our vouchers when we got ready to leave. It was awful. If it can happen at one place, I'm sure it can at others.

-HM

PS: Marriott knows how to run their timeshare sales. No pressure. If you get a chance to do one of theirs, go for it.
 
Hi,
I live in Orlando and am very familiar with many of the different timeshares. Fairfield is notorious for being one of the worst as far as presure and being scammers. In my opinion I would rather not take the vacation then have to deal with all the pressure that I think you may encounter. There are certain vacations that I would do anything to go on so I understand your dilemna.I hope the info. you get here helps. Good Luck!
 
shannon71474 said:
My question is has anyone ever gone to Disney through a timeshare company with no problems? Would it be worth it?

I'm interested to know too. Not so much about Fairfield but about a timeshare company in general with no problems.

Basically using the timeshare company for the accomodations which is worth a mint right there.
 
My parents did this, and ended up buying a timeshare at a Marriott in Orlando. Beautiful place! Do your research and stick to your decision... if you are dead set on not buying, just ignore everything, take your free stuff and leave. I love the idea of a timeshare, and once you stay in one (as long as it's a nice one) you'll never want to stay in a hotel room again!!! But I know they're not for everyone... good luck
 
We have been thinking about going to a presentation for money or tickets or something. We stayed at one with my dad in the poconos in January and are staying again in May in Orlando. We would like to get more info and my actually be interested, although I would definately by a resale. Which ones are the best in Orlando to check out? Does anyone know a good place to do research a head of time?
 
I looked at the offer. The two hotels are on International Drive, the Wyndham is on the SE Corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road while the Radisson Barcelo is also on I-Drive a little South of the Wyndham. BTW, they misspelled the name of the Barcelo in their promotional material. The promo material lists those two hotels or "comprable area hotel rated 3 stars or higher; I wonder what they consider comparable and who is doing the rating of the hotels.

They also offer "A $25 Dinner Certificate to a popular area restaurant such as Chili's or Macaroni Grill." I wonder what they actually give the certificate for' this is also very weasel-worded.
 
Do your math as well....$66 an hour is worth it....but if your two hour presentations turns into four (which is often the case) and what you get at the end is a timeshare stay for $100 less than you could have booked it without the presentation, you are probably better off spending a few Saturdays stocking at WalMart to pay for the trip. I always figure time on vacation is worth twice as much as time normally is - after all, I have a limited amount of vacation time, spent money on airfare, and those Disney tickets are for a whole day, not a half day.

I know there are some really great timeshare rental deals out there you might want to look into.
 
elvis loves disney said:
Hi,
I live in Orlando and am very familiar with many of the different timeshares. Fairfield is notorious for being one of the worst as far as presure and being scammers. In my opinion I would rather not take the vacation then have to deal with all the pressure that I think you may encounter. There are certain vacations that I would do anything to go on so I understand your dilemna.I hope the info. you get here helps. Good Luck!

Are they worst than Westgate?
 
Cheshire Figment said:
I looked at the offer. The two hotels are on International Drive, the Wyndham is on the SE Corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road while the Radisson Barcelo is also on I-Drive a little South of the Wyndham.

When I called they told me the only rooms they had available were Wyndham and Governors' Resort - both were Downtown Disney hotels. I wanted to stay on I-Drive (because we were planning 6 days for Universal and 7 days on Disney's property), but they didn't have any available during our July/August stay. And I was told that in Missouri that package was $349 for that 6 days 5 nights. It varies per state I guess! I don't care how bad the presentation is - My DH knows how to be rude and as long as we give them our 90-120 minutes - we will leave with gift in hand (right after that 90 minutes or 120 minutes). As long as you don't eat or drink what they offer - your time begins as soon as they shake your hand. Let them know that you are going to keep your word if they keep theirs (90-120 minute presentation) and time is a ticking - so they need to say what they need to say within that time! Period!!!
 
So, anyone know of any good companies to go through? And how do you "sign up" to get invited to attend one of these?
 
We did a Fairfield tour in Destin this summer. It was well worth the incentives (2 nights free room, $100 free restaurant certificates and 1 free night at any Ramada). It lasted the stated 120 minutes and was not high pressure.
 
We are using a timeshare rental for a week, for $264, through a military vacation thing. It says in writing "that you are NOT required to attend any presentation". I plan on making many copies of that and handing them to anyone who even tries to speak to me!! :cool1:
 


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