How many own multiple timeshares?

[shantay1008]

Another thread on here got me wondering about how many people own DVC plus another timeshare? Would you be willing to share some info, like what made you decide to purchase a second timeshare, how the costs compare to DVC, where you can travel, etc.? Thanks!
Shannon

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

We own Fairfield points. We enjoy the flexibility of points. The costs on Fairfield are much lower than DVC making it a great cost effective timeshare for our non Disney vacations.

 

[littlestar]

We just bought a Marriott EOY (every other year) lockoff week. That means we can lock off the unit and get a vacation every year out of it. One year is a studio and one year a one bedroom. We will join Interval and trade out from our home resort most of the time. Probably trade back into Orlando with it. We wanted another timeshare besides DVC so we could join Interval and have access to their low cost "getaway" weeks for extra vacations for our kids. When you use a getaway through Interval, you don't have to give up your timeshare week. We travel a lot off season, so the Getaway weeks will be a valuable option for us and our kids.

Dues on our Marriott week will run about $570 every two years (or $285 a year). Plus Interval membership fee of about $100 a year (we're buying gold because we get a better price on Interval's getaway weeks with gold membership). There's a fee of $75 to lock off the unit. And if we trade the unit through Interval, there's a $89 trade fee for Marriott to Marriott, or $135.00 fee to trade out to non Marriott resorts. So for a trade back into an Orlando Marriott for a week, here's my cost:

285.00 Dues
100.00 Interval Gold Membership (approx.)
37.50 Lock off fee
89.00 trade fee back into Marriott in Orlando
511.50 Total Costs

So I figure for around $500, we can trade back into Orlando Marriotts (probably trade up to 2 bedrooms since we go in September and January - low demand times).

We'll stay on our DVC points twice a year and once a year in a larger unit at Marriott in Orlando (most of the time - maybe go other places every once in a while). Also, I could try to trade back into DVC with our Marriott week through Interval since January and September are possible for trades back into DVC.

 

[Dean]

We own Marriott in HH, a MX resort and several weeks at an Aruban resort. We use them for different things. Marriott we use every other year and rent off time much like we approach our DVC. Mx we use every few years and either rent or trade off time including direct trades. We are in the process of converting our Aruba points to Bluegreen points. We previously owned there to trade. We have owned others over the years and sold or traded them permanently and that includes other DVC contracts. They all give us different benefits and it is great having all the options to approach a given travel goal.

Anyone DVC member who is looking for regular timeshares should spend time getting educated. As a rule, I suggest they find something they'll use part of the time but fits their other expectations well also in terms of trading or renting. Join TUG and get educated for a few months. Do realize that most timeshares are not in the league of DVC but there are exceptions. And with rare exceptions, never buy from a developer or base the purchase price on the retail price.

 

[Beth]

We purchased an EOY at Cocoa Beach (approx 2 hours from home.) Ownership allows us to stay at the resort at significantly reduced rates, so we've been able to enjoy it during the "off year" for long weekends. It also gives us access to their beach, pool, towels, and facilities any time we want to just drive over for the day.

All of this was a perfect fit for us. We really enjoy the resort, and I doubt we will ever trade out for any where else.

 

[RobDoc]

We own 4 weeks at a timeshare in French Lick, IN (one of the DVC/II exchange options), 2 weeks at a resort in Door County, WI (purchased for $950 and $1100 ), a week in Gatlinburg, TN and 2 weeks at Big Canoe in the north GA mountains an hour north of Atlanta (purchased the two weeks for $1500 combined). Maintenance fees at those resorts run between $385 and $485 for each week - less than DVC. All of these were purchased from the owners association (foreclosed weeks) or thru private resales.

We enjoy using the 2 weeks in WI each year (they are consecutive weeks), but we mostly exchange the other weeks and have used them in many places including several in the Orlando area.

 

[Bmwdsny]

We also own a week at Marriott Oceanwatch Villas in Myrtle Beach, SC. Will be staying there for 1st time next summer of 2007.

 

[Dwilliams]

I own two Marriott's. One in HH and one in Hawaii (Maui). Both I use occasionly and the rest of the time I either trade out or rent them. DVC is great for WDW but stinks for trading IMO. By owning the Marriott's I have all bases covered. I like them both and they have proven to complement each other. Dues are lower for Marriott.


Dave

 

[drise]

Dave,
Do you own Marriott Ka'anapali in Maui? I was looking at II to trade dvc pts. for Nov. 07. Everyone says it's near impossible. I haven't called ms yet, still checking airfares too. Is the dvc pt. trade worth the value?

 

[TEK224]

I have another TS I purchased in Orlando. I actually purchased it because I was going to WDW often. Then I had my first stay on-property at WDW and I was hooked. I knew I'd never stay at the off-site timeshare. Then I bought into DVC.

I use the other ts to trade through II. So far, I've traded twice to CA and am looking to do so again this year. I bought my unit off ebay at a very good price. I've more than gotten my money's worth from it already!
The maintenance fees are $500.

Terri

 

[Sherri]

First we bought Westgate and paid full price for it. Then we picked up another week, same unit size (2 bedroom and a loft) on a resale site for like $4000.00 much less then what we paid originally. That really was a tough wake up call. We love having those timeshares for trading. We have gone many wonderful places by trading them out.
We decided while in Disney that we only want to stay on property so we purchased DVC. We don't rent or trade this one.
I guess ideally, we would have just DVC and one other westgate.
When we decided to purchase DVC we hadn't discussed it with one another, we both kind of wondered over to the both at DTD and signed up for the tour for the next day and knew that we would buy.

 

[nicki c]

I own Orange lake country club.
I love it as a second option to my DVC points. I also liek the option of belonging to RCI for other trade out vacations.
The compliment of both is wonderful..
BUY resale though not from the resort.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I own Marriott in addition to my DVC points, and I am beginning to love it now that I am getting used to how they do things. I have always gotten my trades, now that I know that I have to book a holiday week at my home resort, and not trade it in until II finds what I want in exchange! I always use DVC for myself, or I rent the points out, but if I want to trade, I use the Marriott. I bought it resale for under $6000, pay $700 in dues per year, and we thought that at that price, we couldn't lose our shirts on the deal, so it's been great for us.

 

[spiceycat]

I own Westgate (okay I hate it and trying to sell it again)....I also paid full price for this loser.

I also own a nice timeshares on Panama City Beach - Landmark Holiday - sometimes I use it sometimes I trade it. brought on resale market for $1,500. I wanted something on the Panhandle of Florida and I thought this was a good deal - it has been for us. This was brought for my nephew to use every other year. (he will be 18 this year). This property rents as easily as DVC does.

I also own a South Africia - brought to trade only. Now if I get over my fear of flying I might go visit it... It trades very nicely to all the RCI resorts in Orlando. this was $500 from a broker. (you can't get that price on SA these days - they have gone up in value).

I love my DVC...

 

[dvc_john]

Besides DVC, I own Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott. They all complement each other perfectly.

DVC is the most flexible, and is great for on-site WDW visits. When I stay at WDW DVC, I don't even go off-site for anything.

Hilton is nearly as flexible as DVC. I always use my week at Sanibel Island, and my other points I use within the Hilton system for Hawaii, Las Vegas, and even Orlando. When I stay at an Orlando Hilton, I often go to Universal, Seaworld, and off-site restaurants and shopping. Hilton also has last minute (30 days or less) reservations at a low cost for anything that's available. Right now I'm using that perk at Miami Beach, and next week will be at Marco Island.

The Marriott is in Palm Springs, and usually I use it one year, and trade to another Marriott the next. Marriott has by far the most resorts to choose from. Also, the Marriott comes with II membership, so I can take advantage of the II getaway weeks.

The Hyatt I use to trade within the Hyatt system. They have resorts in more unusual places. This trip will include stays in Key West and Bonita Springs (Naples). I've also used my Hyatt points to stay in Puerto Rico, Lake Tahoe, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, San Antonio, and Sedona.

 

[shantay1008]

Wow! Thanks so much for the responses, everyone. Since this is a DIS board, I don't want to take up too much space asking about non-DVC topics. So I'll ask this DVC-related question: Do you think DVC takes suggestions for locales to add to the exchange list? I'm reading A Trip to the Beach by the Blanchards and now of course I really want to visit Anguilla. (So, do any of your timeshares include properties on Anguilla?)

Thanks again,
Shannon

 

[KLR-wlv]

Well- still responding to your first question since no one mentioned Starwood. We bought an EOY at Sheraton Mountain Vista in Colorado on Ebay for a good deal. MF are $230 per year. I traded it this past year for Harborside at Atlantis, which I was pleased to get. I would love to buy a Hyatt and a Marriott week. But I'm happy having a cheaper trader - and EOY is sufficient for us at the moment - but I'm always looking on ebay....

 

[spiceycat]

Wow! Thanks so much for the responses, everyone. Since this is a DIS board, I don't want to take up too much space asking about non-DVC topics. So I'll ask this DVC-related question: Do you think DVC takes suggestions for locales to add to the exchange list? I'm reading A Trip to the Beach by the Blanchards and now of course I really want to visit Anguilla. (So, do any of your timeshares include properties on Anguilla?)

Thanks again,
Shannon

I couldn't find anything - but you can look for yourself

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1500

http://www.rci.com/RCI/CDA/rciInfo/RCI_InfoDefault.jsp?request=RCIW_rdMain

DVC only trades with II

but you could probably want someone on the tug board to trade with you for most anything in RCI.

RCI is much bigger....

 

[Dean]

Wow! Thanks so much for the responses, everyone. Since this is a DIS board, I don't want to take up too much space asking about non-DVC topics. So I'll ask this DVC-related question: Do you think DVC takes suggestions for locales to add to the exchange list? I'm reading A Trip to the Beach by the Blanchards and now of course I really want to visit Anguilla. (So, do any of your timeshares include properties on Anguilla?)

Thanks again,
Shannon

I found no evidence of a timeshare currently in Anguilla. I did find a listing in II of the island with no timeshares listed which suggested either there was one planned or is one in the works. Regardless, I'd doubt it's be added to DVC because DVC tends not to add new resorts or resorts that have little availability. They do take suggestions but it appears not to carry much weight. They know from their end what they want to add and what they do not.

 

[bwvBound]

Another thread on here got me wondering about how many people own DVC plus another timeshare? Would you be willing to share some info, like what made you decide to purchase a second timeshare, how the costs compare to DVC, where you can travel, etc.? Thanks!
Shannon

What made us decide to purchase a second timeshare? LOL! Is there a something special about the "second" one vs the first, third, fourth, fifth or beyond? For context, DVC was our fifth ... breakdown of the influence factors below:

• 1998: First timeshare "tour" at DVC Boardwalk Villas. The idea struck a chord - but we weren't ready to commit to vacationing each year in Orlando. This particular trip (a land/sea package on the DCL Magic) is significant as it opened our eyes to both "timeshare" and "cruising." Our first step on the slippery slope!
• 2000: First timeshare purchase was a point-based system with resorts located along the West Coast states, BC, Mexico and HI. The system continues to grow both eastward and internationally. This may be the "perfect timeshare" for us offering both drive-to and more distant locations as well as excellent exchange options through RCI Weeks, RCI Points, and Interval International.
• 2001: The second timeshare purchase was a fixed summer week at a lovely property 20 miles from home. The primary decision factors were: a) DAY-USE of the resort property any time!; b) strong trading week through RCI; c) 2-for-1 trades for the first several years of ownership; d) option to purchase a lower-cost "every other year" ownership while still retaining full-owner benefits.
• 2002: Purchased an inexpensive South Africa week for more RCI-based exchanges. Primary reasons behind the purchase: a) low buy in costs; b) low dues (noted risk: dues vary based on exchange rate!); c) option to pre-pay 6-10 years of RCI dues at a "one-time" reduced rate.
• 2003: Purchased a ranch share close to home. Primary reasons: a) DAY USE for golf, equestrian, tennis, and other resort activities; b) flexible reservation model ("first-come, first served") allowing us to stay several weekends each month if we wish; c) mineral hot-springs pool; d) allows us to exchange ~12 weeks/year with II; and number of other reasons. Unique factor I hadn't expected: the high-level of interaction with the other owners (translation: friendships). I thought we bought a "timeshare" -- but later discovered the model was closer to a country club with access to Interval International.
• 2004: DVC at Saratoga Springs. Purchase decision was linked to a work-related conference and our insisting on staying on site. No off-site substitution will do!

As for your question on costs compared to DVC ... here are a few comments.

• DVC is our most expensive buy-in. Dues are higher than all others except the ranch -- but it is an important vehicle for booking Boardwalk Villa when no other timeshare option can guarantee us the same.
• The fixed week property added in 2001 would have been a "close 2nd" to DVC on both buy-in and dues if we had purchased an annual week. However - owning the "every other year" version with bonus weeks for each exchange has helped. We also tend to book a better week than we own when exchanging. (Our 1BR August week booked a 3BR holiday July week on its first trade and a 2BR holiday July week on its second. Both trades were back into the same resort.)
• The ranch was an inexpensive buy-in -- but dues are not easily compared to DVC. We pay ~$160/month for a 'half-share" ownership (half-share= access to the ranch every other month). The dues cover our costs for golf, horseback riding, tennis, etc. when visiting the property and provide one free mid-week stay per use-month. Additional stays start at ~$30/night depending on the unit type. To exchange with II, prepay for a week's stay, choose your own unit type and dates - and make the deposit. (I paid about $270 for an early August week I currently have banked with Interval International -- and it is easily pulling attractive resorts in tempting locations!)
• The point system purchased in 2000 is next in line for overall costs. Less expensive than DVC but not trivial. Lots of flexibility. (If there were a timeshare in Anguilla - I might have a chance to book it using this product and one of its exchange company affiliations.)
• The South Africa property is as close as they come to "cheap, cheap, cheap." It can't and won't pull DVC (for several reasons -- including quality issues and wrong exchange company affiliation) -- but it does its job in securing great vacations in fun places. For less than $450/week we've stayed in terrific 2BR and 3BR units in Coeur d'Arlene, Orlando and Williamsburg - each over holiday periods.

Where can we travel? Just about anywhere, I suppose. If timeshare is the right tool for the job - we use it. If not, we use an alternative. Owning timeshare doesn't rule out the ability to continue booking hotels, cruises, package-deals as before ... does it? ;-)

Bottom line -- our primary reasons for buying various timeshare products have been: a) access to Day-use; b) extending the flexibility; c) attempting to secure any given vacation with the lowest-cost product; ... and d) because we are addicted. (Our addonitis isn't limited to the DVC-strain so well documented here!)