II Timeshares?

[waltherchic]

DH and I are planning on taking DD to Disney this summer. He's a teacher, so, we can't go off season (So sick of my mother and sister telling me to do that) Anyways, originally, we wanted to stay IN Disney, but, that doesn't seem to be working out. With Interval International, you trade your week and then you look up what weeks are available for you to exchange to. Right now, the only DVC resorts are for weeks that we can't go.

Anyways, for those of you who have stayed at or visited timeshares near Disney, what would you recommend? I was leaning toward the Marriotts or the Sheraton Vistana Resort, but, didn't know if I was missing out on something else. My sister has stayed at the Westgate something or other, but, she and I are completely different people and she would be miserable for a week to save a buck, so, I don't trust her opinion entirely.

One of DH's big concerns was that he figured it would be easier to stay IN the park and then just take a shuttle instead of a car. What do you think? What timeshares are close enough to the Park that you could take a shuttle instead of having your own car? Is it worth it?

Sorry for so many questions all at once, but, I did a ton of searches and I can't seem to find the answers.

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

lately Sheraton Vistana resort has some bad reviews. Will be there this May - so will tell you.

right now I would pick Marriott's Cypress Harbour.

No timeshare has free shuttles to the parks - you have to pay for them.

SVR free shuttles are for people who are renting - not timeshare owners.

no forgot besides DVC, RCI - Bonnett Creek has free shuttles to the parks , but it does not trade with II.

Marriott's Sabal Palms
Marriott's Imperial Palms
Marriott's Royal Palms
are part of the Marriott world center - so they are closer to Disney. but their reviews are quite as good as CH.
http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/

there is also the new Marriott's Grande Vista

Cypress Pointe is also in II these days.

so it might do - if you can't get the Marriott.

that say what days did you want?
got a BCV studio for May 30- June 6 - earlier this year using II.

 

[spiceycat]

forgot there is a group on yahoo - FoxrunOwners - some of the their members will post DVC dates that II has.

you need their permission to join it.

plus if you can see these DVC then you have enough power to pull a DVC - if you can't - then stick with Marriott.

but I really though DVC and Marriott were equal pulling power. if you could get the marriott then you should be able to get the DVC.

 

[waltherchic]

Thanks for the info. II isn't like RCI where you use points. Someone has to deposit their week for you to be able exchange to use it. I found a couple for Saratoga Springs and one for the Key West resort, but, they were either the week that DH starts teaching again, or over the weekend of a huge 50th birthday party that we have to attend up here. And since he teaches, we can't leave until the end of June when he is out.

I'll keep my eyes open on the Marriott resorts. I saw that Horizons has the waterpark, etc, I know DD would get a kick out of that.

Basically, I've just been checking daily to see what is deposited. When I find a good week at a good location, we'll jump on it.

 

[Taratink]

We like the Vistana Villages. It is a little further out but we love it there.

 

[littlestar]

If your daughter is young and likes cool pools with slides, I'd go for Marriott Horizons. Next would be Marriott Cypress Harbour, Grande Vista, Sheraton Vistana Villages, Marriott Imperial Palms or Royal Palms. I think Sabal Palms is still being renovated.

Cypress Pointe Phase I would be something to consider. It has a slide, too, but it doesn't have the extensive grounds like most of the Marriott Vacation Clubs do. But the unit we reserved in December for my sister at Cypress Pointe was extremely clean and nice on the inside. I don't know much about the older Sheraton Vistana resort through II (what phase you might get - but the grounds and pools look awesome).

 

[Brian Noble]

Keep searching in the mornings, but in the meantime, start an ongoing search for the weeks you can go with the DVC resorts. If you are seeing summer weeks, you stand a decent shot of getting something you can use if it is deposited.

 

[postalcop]

i vote for Cypress Pointe. we exchanged ours for Cypress Pointe the past 2 years. we love it there, it's about 2 blocks away. this year we were able to get Old Key Kest, only a studio. so if you want a DVC just be patient . but CP is still my # 1 vote!! good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

DVC timeshares are generally only on II after a member request an exchange to another II resort.

DVC doesn't do a lot of block posting like the other resorts. They can easily rent an unused villa.

good luck - hope you get what you want. oh these things go on the system like at 3 or 4 am in the morning Eastern time - so you best bid is then.

 

[MouseFan71]

Help me understand. We just purchased Marriott Horizons in Orlando and were told we could not exchange our week with Interval for a hotel within 50 miles of our home resort. Is this true? Is it an II rule or a Marriott rule? It would seem if it were II than if you were a DVC owner, you could not exchage for another Orlando resort.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Help me understand. We just purchased Marriott Horizons in Orlando and were told we could not exchange our week with Interval for a hotel within 50 miles of our home resort. Is this true? Is it an II rule or a Marriott rule? It would seem if it were II than if you were a DVC owner, you could not exchage for another Orlando resort.

It is an II rule at the request of the developer. DVC blocks any other Orlando timeshares from trading in so people don't buy cheaper Orlando timeshares and use them to trade into DVC. Marriott also blocks I believe, but some developers do not because my Marriott can trade into other Orlando resorts besides Marriotts. Usually they are of lower quality.

 

[spiceycat]

though if you got that Florida plan you cold trade no matter what with Marriott? or is that just for the other marriotts in florida - not DVC?

the developer is responsible - but the resort will tell you it is II.

i think at 60 days before you leave - most of these restriction are lifted. if that helps any. of course don't know anyone who wants to make an exchange that close to going - especially with the cost of travel these days - need more days to plan

 

[Brian Noble]

As I understand it, regional blocks are *not* lifted during flexchange. Here is an archived post from an II rep on TUG on the matter:

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=244209&postcount=3

I've booked during flexchange, but only as a "trade-up". I already had a lesser unit reserved, and cancelled the old unit when the better one became available.

 

[Lisa P.]

II has a regional block on exchanges between resorts in the same geographical area - in several locations. I know of Orlando FL and Hilton Head Island SC, after encountering it myself.

It's been posted on TUG in the past that there are several other affected areas too. IIRC, some Hawaiian islands and some parts of Mexico had this restriction too, some years ago (don't know if they still do).

High-end resort developers don't want potential buyers to purchase at a cheaper resort down the street and trade back into their nicer place. They want to press buyers to buy at their higher priced resort, if they like what they see. II has responded to this concern of the developers with the regional block. Resorts trading into a sister resort are exempted from the regional block.

 

[Brian Noble]

The II Terms & Conditions has the list of regional block areas. It is Clause 6 under Exchange Procedures and Priorities:

Some Members may be restricted from exchanging into resorts
located within the same geographical area as the Home Resort
accommodations that are being deposited or relinquished. There
are currently such restrictions in Aruba; Cancún, Mexico; Cyprus;
Dominican Republic; Door County, Wisconsin; Eastern British Columbia;
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Grand Bahama Island; Grand
Cayman Island; Guatemala; Hawaii (the Big Island); Maui, Hawaii;
Kauai, Hawaii; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Lake Tahoe, California;
Las Vegas, Nevada; Madeira, Portugal; Malta; Mazatlán, Mexico;
Kissimmee/Orlando, Florida; Palm Desert, California; Palm Springs,
California; Phuket, Thailand; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Stateline,
Nevada; Summit County, Colorado; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and
Williamsburg, Virginia. This restriction, however, does not apply to
Members requesting an exchange to Member Resorts under
common ownership or management with the Home Resort. Additional
geographic areas may be restricted in the future. Members affected
by any future restrictions will be advised in writing.

 

[Lisa P.]

DH and I are planning on taking DD to Disney this summer. He's a teacher... Interval International... Right now, the only DVC resorts are for weeks that we can't go.

Keep checking online but definitely put in an ongoing computer search request with II for all the resorts you want the most, and all the possible check-in dates that would be acceptable. The more flexible you are, the better your chances of a successful trade. Don't rely on spot-checks online to get a tough trade - use the search feature too!

If you are able to see some weeks at DVC resorts, you probably have sufficient trade power to get this, IMHO. Right now, I see a studio week available for August 3 at SSR. Just last week, there was a studio week at OKW or SSR, June 28th - July 5th. But those prime weeks don't last. You'll often need to have a search running or check constantly, to get a confirmation during school breaks. 1BRs have been coming and going quickly, and 2BRs are pretty rare. Let us know what happens.

If you don't get onsite, consider that Horizons Marriott - as littlestar said, terrific pools, not that far from the parks and a beautiful resort!

Anyways, for those of you who have stayed at or visited timeshares near Disney, what would you recommend? I was leaning toward the Marriotts or the Sheraton Vistana Resort, but, didn't know if I was missing out on something else.

The Sheraton Vistana Villages is much newer than the Sheraton Vistana Resort. The Villages has a pretty, zero-entry, waterfall pool that your DD may enjoy. Cypress Pointe is very, very close to Downtown Disney - very nice little resort in a great location. The 3 Marriotts which share grounds and amenities with the Marriott Orlando World Center hotel are quiet with nothing much for young children besides a regular pool and some are undergoing refurbishment and you could get an older room needing attention. But if you don't mind taking the shuttle van or a bit of a walk over to the hotel, the main pool area is fun, with a slide, sandy play area, waterfall pool and poolside food/beverage service. These are Royal Palms, Sabal Palms and Imperial Palms. Less of a resort feel in and of themselves - depends on what you want.

From what I've read, Liki Tiki/Ron Jon is an option in Kissimmee: Basic resort with a really nice pool play area for kids - several small slides and fountain sprayers, pleasant tropical feel. I haven't been there myself.

I'm not a fan of the Westgates - some rooms are wonderful, others... Not worth the risk, for me, unless I'm out of alternative options.

I'd forget about relying on a shuttle service from an offsite (except for Wyndham Bonnet Creek, which trades through RCI, not II). They're too infrequent and they usually charge per person per day. JMHO. We like to drive to the parks (except for MK) even when we stay onsite. HTH!

 

[Lisa P.]

The II Terms & Conditions has the list of regional block areas. It is Clause 6 under Exchange Procedures and Priorities:

Wow, Brian, I had no idea there were that many regional blocks! Whew!

 

[waltherchic]

Thanks for all of the great information. I'm 99.9% sure we're booking at Cypress Pointe for the week of June 21 - 28. After discussing it further with DH, he really wants to go at the beginning of the summer, so, we're looking to leave the day after school gets out. The reviews I've read on Cypress Pointe seem very good. He said he'd rather go early and stay outside the park, instead of waiting until August to get a room in the park. Since we rarely stay at hotels, DD would be thrilled with a 1970s style Ho-Jo's with a pool, so, she'll be happy.

 

[Brian Noble]

Cypress Pointe is a very nice resort, and has an excellent location. I think you'll be pleased.

My kids are like yours; they have three requirements of any vacation destination:
1: There must be a pool.
2: The pool must have water.
3: The water must be wet.

 

[spiceycat]

Cypress pointe is nice - just be aware that the older section Cypress pointe does not have an elevator and walking to that third floor when you are tired can be pretty bad.

the Cypress Pointe Grande villa does have an elevator.

the pool is cute - nothing special - but hey the kids don't care. any pool will do.

www.cypresspointe.net - if you get cypress pointe
www.cypresspointe2.com - if you get the gv at cp