I need ideas on where to "Exchange" to with 2 - 12 year old boys!!

[Ms. WDW]

Much to my dislike my son has requested that "maybe we go somewhere else for vacation next year". How dare he!!!

We usually travel with my friend and her son; hence the 2 - 12 year olds.

I don't have a clue about any of the destinations offered through the Exchange Program with the exception of Las Vegas which is an option for us. I've been there and know the area VERY WELL.

So if anyone has utilized the program and can recommend a location where there are things for the kids and us adults I'd really appreciate hearing about them.

Thanks..

 

[Dean]

Let me put my crystal ball on. .............OK, now I'm ready. First thoughts are the other DVC options, HH and VB. I'd definitely recommend against LV as a timeshare choice. Not much on the strip and no reason to go if you're not on the strip. Maybe a direct exchange with a Hilton member, but that's about it. For the East Coast/NE Boston (Marriott's custom House but only 1 BR units), NY, Manhattan Club (may be too close), Williamsburg (several choices), HH (other choices maybe even better thant DVC) and Myrtle Beach.

Then there are all of the smaller resorts in the NE but I don't know much about them, email me if you're interested in a specific location and I'll check on what I can. Next would be NC/TN lakes and mountains with not many great resorts but a lot of good ones. For FL other than DVC, Captiva/Sanibel, Miami, Palm Beach area and Key West come to mind though all are very difficult trades.Let me put my crystal ball on. .............OK, now I'm ready. Assuming you’re looking at summer. First thoughts are the other DVC options, HH and VB. I'd definitely recommend against LV as a timeshare choice. Not much on the strip and no reason to go if you're not on the strip plus rooms and food tend to be very inexpensive there. Maybe a direct exchange with a Hilton member, but that's about it. For the East Coast/NE Boston (Marriott's custom House but only 1 BR units), NY, Manhattan Club (may be too close), Williamsburg (several choices), HH (other choices maybe even better than DVC) and Myrtle Beach.

Then there are all of the smaller resorts in the NE but I don't know much about them, email me if you're interested in a specific location and I'll check on what I can. Next would be NC/TN lakes and mountains with not many great resorts but a lot of good ones. For FL other than DVC, Captiva/Sanibel, Miami, Palm Beach area and Key West come to mind though all are very difficult trades. Don’t forget New Orleans and Branson and the ski resorts (CO, Utah, Tahoe) for summer. Then there’s CA and HI but again difficult trades. Caribbean and MX (especially Cancun) also come to mind.

I know that’s a lot and very general but taking into account the preteens and 2 adults and assuming you are willing to exchange points for a 2 BR as well as will need to travel in the summer and will have a car, here are my top choices. HH Marriott’s Grande Ocean with a lot of bikes trails, very relaxing with many great restaurants. All units are going to be 2 BR. Several other HH Marriott’s also come to mind. Second would be Williamsburg, especially Marriott’s Manor Club. Third would be The Four Seasons in CA. Fourth would be the Four Seasons in AZ. Finally would be Marriott’s Beach Place Towers in Ft. Lauderdale. There are many other great choices depending on what you like to go and your specific circumstances. For out of the Country, my first thought would be the Royals in Cancun and several resorts in Canada.

Some of these options will very difficult and you may want to consider direct exchanges or the use of an alternate exchange company to get your best chances of success.

 

[Andrea T]

Just to add my two cents, I'd try HH DVC which is one of our favorite vacations! There's biking, fishing, the beach, dolphin watch cruises (we got to pet many from our boat), and lots of great food!
Williamsburg would be great for both boys too...there's Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg. It's a great area.
Another great vacation is Acadia National Park in Maine. Again, there's plenty to do...the park rangers have some really nice programs. I believe there's a timeshare we can trade into up there but I don't know anything about it.
Happy planning!

 

[Dean]

Acadia Village (ACR) rated 7.0 on TUG ACR and the most recent TUG review is:

7/9/00 - Date of Visit: 5/20/00
This was our first exchange into this resort and we were pleasantly surprised. The existing phase 1 units are all 2 br./2-1/2 bath two story townhouses with a nice size kitchen with more than adequate cabinet space. All the units have a washer and dryer in the downstairs full bath and a small jacuzzi room with a large jacuzzi upstairs. The staff was friendly and helpful and the unit was in very good condition. The clubhouse has video rentails, games, and a nice indoor pool. There is a small exercise room(no weights). Check in and check out was quick and efficient. Local calls are free, but long distance is fairly expensive. I had no problems while there, as everything was, and remained in good working order.

Negatives for the resort include its location and lack of view and the 1/2 bath in the 2nd bedroom. It is a great base for a visit to Acadia National Park and the downeast Maine area. The phase 1 units have all received excellence in service awards from II for the past ten years. There are only 24 of these units. Phase 2 is underway and planned are 14 2br lock-off units (all on one floor). The buildings are prefab and 4 units were on the verge of opening for occupancy and others are expected to arrive any time. These lock offs have two joined 1 bedroom units which, when split provide 2 separate one bedroom units , each with a kitchen and jacuzzi. A single washer and dryer is in the entrance foyer. The wood furniture in the existing phase2 units was all hand custom made. One side of the lock-off is larger than the other and has larger appliances. The next buildings are planned to be 4ft wider. The tour (after a Tuesday morning coffee and, was informative and very low pressure-and only if you asked for it.

I would gladly stay at this resort again. It is comparable to the 5 * Harbor Ridge in the area, lacking only size and the view. Our next request in this area will be for either resort. Acadia Village is just off the main drag in Ellsworth and is more convenient to shopping and restaurants than its 5* neighbor. 

 

[Alysa]

If you are willing to wait until January, I went to Woodstock bed and breakfast this year. It was incredible. The place is beautiful, the room was gorgeous, there is tonnes to do but especially skiing. At certain times you can get free ski rentals and lift tickets (this saved us about $1000 CAN for my DH and me) and they have their own private mountain and will bus you to it - a five minute drive if you sleep in and miss the bus like we did! It is definitely a family resort with lots of kids learning and some of those helmeted kamakazie 5 year olds that tear down the hill doing about 50 kM an hour. It would be the perfect place for a family trip with two almost teen-age boys. Also as a bonus they have free breakfasts and you can order anything you like from their extensive and excellent menu. Remember all the food you need for teenagers. I think that saved us another $250 CAN. There is also a free tea at 5pm - perfect timing for when you start to get a little cold and tired on the slopes. After tea you can head over to the health club and go swimming or go snow shoeing, take a sleigh ride, etc. - it was a really wonderful trip! Check out their website, I think you will be impressed!

 

[smiley]

I don't know how many points you have, but if you feel like coming over to the west coast and have enough points, I think either river rafting on the Rogue River in Oregon or a stay at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona are both good options.

We tried a two day rafting trip on the American River last year and had a blast. In fact, we had so much fun we're planning on the 5 day Rogue River trip next year with our son who will be 12 years old.

I've also read posts regarding the Tanque Verde Ranch which were very positive. It sounds like a fun place, although I'm not sure you'd want to visit Arizona during the summer if you are used to cooler weather.

I have to agree with your son, WDW is the best, but sometimes it's fun to get out and enjoy something else for a change!

 

[Ms. WDW]

I really appreciate the replies. I have some idea now what's available and there's a couple I'm actually looking into!!

Again everyone, thanks for the help!! Oh if anyone else has a suggestion by all means post it!! I have a year to choose!

 

[normr]

Some people have traded out to Newport Beach California and went to Disneyland and the new park out there.