Looking to add on timeshare in Orlando - dizzy with all the options!

[jaysue]

We currently own at BCV, SSR and VB - we are thinking of selling our VB and between those proceeds and other recent financial plus events, going to add to our timeshare folio in the Orlando area (I am open to other advice btw)

I have looked online at Marriot's Horizons, Fairfield Orlando Properties, Vistana and of course DVC add on as well

Frankly I am getting dizzy with all my choices

The ones I have looked at all look good - that is the problem - maybe I should back up and outline our vacation travel patterns

Myself, DW - both going to be 4oh this year - DS#1 is 7 this year and DS#2 is 3 this year

We think we need a points system since our vacation weeks tend to float a bit - usually are late December, early to mid March, and can be in May or November from time to time as well. We do like the flex of staying less than 7 nights but that would not be a dealbreaker for good value.

We used to think staying onsite was paramount but given our changing preferences to do some things offsite and also spend more time at waterparks, and non Disney venues, we are considering non-Disney options at this time.

Looking for properties that are comparable to DVC in quality, space and facilities/activities

Can anyone help me with advice get me out of dizzy mode into geez these are 3 or 4 properties you should focus on?

Thanks in advance for your assistance

Cheers
jaysue

 

[OnMedic]

Hi Fellow canuck!

Yes, Orlando is well developed!

Another option, which still provides the benefit of flexibility through a points based membership, is the Hilton Grand Vacation Club. We own there and find it retains the most developer benefits at an attractive resale price point.

I could go on further, and you will also more then likely receive many posts here about all the other clubs. If you would like more detailed information about the program, locations or approx. resale purchase prices currently seen on the market, please drop me a PM or phone call!

 

[4mcbjCtr]

Whatever you do, look on ebay or timeshare stores. You can usually get some of them for about 50cents on the dollar. DVC practices ROFR, so they are never there, but a lot of the other timeshares are.

 

[jaysue]

Whatever you do, look on ebay or timeshare stores. You can usually get some of them for about 50cents on the dollar. DVC practices ROFR, so they are never there, but a lot of the other timeshares are.

Thanks for the advice - do you own any of the timeshares/stay at any of them and if so any advice on specific properties?

thanks
jaysue

 

[boatboatboat]

why not keep the vero, and buy some more points there?

I would think that location would be GREAT for anyone wanting a winter get away.

 

[tomandrobin]

Do you want another timeshare to visit Orlando area or a Timeshare to trade to other destinantions? Expecting DVC quality is tough for most timeshares. There is no problem in owning in the Orland area, if thats what you want it for. However, if its for going to other destinations outside of Florida, I would not buy in the area. There is not much trading value of the Orlando area timeshares. The area is over built. I think you will like the hotel based timeshares like Marriott, Fairfield, and Starwood (Vistana/Westin/Sheraton).

I own in the Starwood program, so I can give advice on that. The others I don't know much about them, but have read good things. Go to the TUG board and read the threads there. Very informative about timeshares in general.

 

[JimC]

If you like the OKW property then go look at Cypress Harbour. It is a MVCI resort and is over near Sea World. We own there as well. Cypress Harbour are all dedicated two bedrooms so you can not lock off.

You can buy a week there for about 43% for an equivalent week in a one bedroom at OKW. Maintenance fees will be about the same for each.

If you compare Cypress Harbour to OKW - with both being two bedrooms - Cypress Harbour costs about a third and maintenance fees are about 3/4 of OKW.

Click on Cypress Harbour to get a better sense of the resort.

 

[4mcbjCtr]

We own Worldmark. We purchased it when we lived on the west coast. The west coast is flooded with Worldmark resorts, but they just aren't many here on the east coast. I am sure they will build more on the east coast as there is a demand for them.

I really love the Worldmark resorts on a whole. They run on a point system, which I love just for the flexibility. We rarely take whole week vacations, so I like being able to rent just a few nights as needed. The resorts they build from the ground up are beautiful. They often buy out portions of other resorts and renovate them or fix them up. These resorts don't seem to be the same quality as the ones they build. Thus is the case with the resort in Orlando. It is really nice, just not the same as the others.

So, if you are looking to stay in the Orlando area mostly, then I wouldn't rave to you about Worldmark. Now if you were traveling to other places like Hawaii, Las Vegas, California or some other places out West, then I would definately recommend you check them out. The maintenance dues are about $600 a year for a whole red week at prime resorts.

Good luck on your research. Stay away from Westgate. They are sharks.

 

[Dean]

Orlando is EASY to trade into. There are many points based systems and regular timeshares that will get you into Orlando at a fraction the costs of DVC. I'd never buy in Orlando other than DVC, unless I wanted something specific and/or to use it most of the time. As a rule, Orlando trade poorly to mediocre.

 

[jaysue]

JimC thanks for the link - nice property indeed!

4mcbjCtr, thanks for the heads up - much appreciated

Dean, thanks for the sanity check - I may need some more of your assistance as DVC is the only timeshare we have ever owned and we have never exchanged out it so the whole timeshare buy somewhere else exchange into Orlando would be new to me but I am a fast study - do you have any threads either here or on other boards that are good primers to that sort of purchase and trade?

cheers
jaysue

 

[Dean]

Dean, thanks for the sanity check - I may need some more of your assistance as DVC is the only timeshare we have ever owned and we have never exchanged out it so the whole timeshare buy somewhere else exchange into Orlando would be new to me but I am a fast study - do you have any threads either here or on other boards that are good primers to that sort of purchase and trade?

cheers
jaysue

Join TUG and spend 6 months learning the ropes. You may esp want to look at points systems like Bluegreen, Fairfield, RCI points, Sunterra, Worldmark, etc. I don't think I'd look as much at Hyatt and Hilton because they tend to be more expensive and don't seem to fit your thoughts right now. The choices are really endless.

 

[jaysue]

Dean, sound advice as always - I have joined the TUG BBS - I will also join TUG proper once I get my paypal account back online (have not used for a while) - your advice to become more educated is well put and taken

Thanks for the shortlist!

cheers
jaysue