How many DVC/Fairfield owners?

[jekjones1558]

We adore our DVC but hate to use DVC points for trading. We like the points system. I've been trying to get up-to-speed on FF so that I can buy a resale. Would like Midwest, but don't like Wis. Dells or Branson. Considering FF Nashville (154,000 points, $633 maint, $3995). Anyone been there? Or have overall suggestions of a FF resale? I am totally green, only used DVC before, but think that the price to experiment FF is not too bad. Will I ever really like anything else that's not DVC? Thoughts?

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I looked at several timeshare programs. I was not impressed by Fairfield, but that is just my opinion.

The two I liked in addition to DVC were Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) and the Marriott timeshare program. It is something along the lines of Marriott Grand Vacations.

Dean may be able to help us if he see's this post. He is really up on the other programs and has great information. But I think Marriott is the closest in quality to DVC. But double check, because I think they exchange with International Interval as well.

Hilton is also a nice program and they exchange through RCI, which will offer you a lot of exchange options. I know two families that are members of HGVC and they love it. Hope this helps.

Dean....please correct me if I have any wrong information here.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

I had the Hilton Grand Vacation Timeshare for about 10 days and I cancelled it.I wanted DVC for two reasons and the best reason is location location location.The other reason is I can pick when I want to go where the others you have to buy a particular week.It's also how much are you willing to spend to get prime weeks (Platinum,gold.silver,bronze).You could trade weeks but that cost you extra.I was in love with the HGVC at Sea World and I was at the silver level for $11,000 in 2000 with a august week.DVC was more but im happy with my choice and I have gone 5 times more over the years then staying with HGVC.

tiggerguy2000

 

[ralphd]

I know this has been posted before, but the best source of general timeshare info is at:
' www.tug2.net/ '
The forums and resort ratings (by members) are informative. The member resale listings and timeshare resaler listings are a source of timeshare inventory. Just remember that even TUG members tend to overprice units for sale.
If you make an offer to buy a unit, do not be afraid to bid below the amount you think the unit is worth. Always lowball your offer.
If you are interested in FF or RCI points, you must calculate the number of points required for the locations that interest you personally.

ralphd

 

[Lisa P.]

FF Nashville is a very nice resort but their maint fees are a little high, IMHO. It's easy to use other FF points to stay there (or trade up from a FF studio week via RCI) so no need to own at Nashville and pay those fees. We haven't stayed at either of our FF home resorts so far. Home resort is even less important with FF than with DVC, unless you want to spend prime beach weeks at a particular beachfront resort.

We spent our spring break this year at FF Nashville. Had a great time visiting the local tourist sites as well as the awesome Mammoth Caves Nat'l Park in KY! The resort hosts a fun, free, weekly welcome party on Sunday evening with local musicians and tour operators who perform and share info about their offerings. Door prizes (free tix) are given away and it's quite entertaining.

Will you ever like anything other than DVC??? Depends on you. Some people love what they love, don't need or want other than that. Some prefer more variety than what they already enjoy, even if it's not their favorite. Some find that their tastes change.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am off to do more research. Thanks again, all. Lisa, you are something else!

 

[Joe T.]

Our first timeshare purchase was Fairfield in 1993. DVC followed in 1995, and Marriott in 1997. We are very happy with all three purchases. DVC is strictly for WDW, and Marriott is for trading and conversion to Marriott Reward points (only available if purchase through Marriott). Fairfield has a very flexible points system and offers an extensive lists of resorts. Not as many as Marriott, but they do not charge for using points at any of their resorts. We recently added points to obtain VIP status, which offers additional benefits and upgrades.

Please feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions.

 

[jekjones1558]

Joe T.
What kinds of perks come with VIP status? How many points must one own? I thought I read something about a program like that but you had to buy from the developer, not resale. Or was that something different? We are crazy about DVC and don't want to use DVC points to trade elsewhere.

 

[JudyS]

Yahoo Groups has a Fairfield owners' group, with tons of detailed Fairfield information.

Check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fairfield_timeshare/

Remember, this is a big investment, so some time spent researching will likely pay off handsomely!