Marriott Vacaation Club

[disneydawn]

A friend just approached me with a question about the Marriot Vacation Club. She was offered a good deal on a resort stay if they went to the presentation. Has anyone done this with Marriot? She was told it would be very low pressure and only take 90 minutes. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Covman]

We are Marriott and DVC members. We found the Marriott presentation (back in 1998) to be fairly low key. It was more direct than DVC, but nothing like other timeshare presentations. The one thing that is a bit high pressure is that the Marriott Reward point bonus is presented as good for "today only." If your friend wants to go to the destination, the 90 minutes is not probably not too bad a commitment to make. (Also let them know that there is an active resale market for Marriott if they are interested in purchasing).

There are some other MVCI members here, so hopefully they can help too (or maybe someone has attended a presentation more recently than I have).

Let me know if you have other questions.

 

[Richyams]

We took advantage of the offer for an unexpected, but very conviently timed little trip. The presentation was very low pressure. Not quite DVC's no pressure, but very low and very polite. We just did it last year. We have been DVC members for a long time and some family was making a trip and all our points were committed to other vacations, so it cam at a real lucky time.

Their deal is pretty good, if I was in the market for something to trade and use, it would probably be my choice.

The rooms and location were nice, but really not up to snuff when compared to OKW.

 

[KNWVIKING]

The MVC sent us an offer of 5days/4 nights & $75.00 in vouchers for $199.00. We accepted this offer & used it in May. It was a very nice resort,couple things we didn't like but that's also true of DVC. We had to take the 90 minute tour.We have done a few other presentations recently and MVC is using the same tactics: The salesperson spends the first 45 minutes or so making small talk,getting to know you,becoming your newest and bestest friend,someone whose feelings you couldn't possible want to hurt by rejecting such a wonderfull offer. They also pull the old " This offer is only good today" routine.When we explained we were DVC members he tried explaining how MVC was the perfect compliment to DVC. When we explained that having two kids in college wouldn't allow us to afford another luxury he came out with a lower priced option.When we finally made it clear that there was not going to be a sale it was amazing how cold our new best friend became towards us.Darn,probably not getting a Christmas card now.

We used the $75.00 vouchers toward the purchase of a 14 day Orlando Flex pass so we basically stayed 4 nites in a very nice,new resort for $124.00. As long as you are confidant in your ability to say "NO" to the pitch- unless it's something you think you really want- then I say do it. BTW,the pitch was exactly 90 minutes. It would have gone longer had we said yes and started signing papers.

 

[Joe T.]

We own both. I agree that the MVCI is not real high pressure. We have been happy with MVCI because of their Reward Points program and their exchange program. Their resorts are all tops, and service is good. We've had some minor problems making reservations, but nothing that wasn't corrected. They also offer a program that allows us to vacation with friends that agree to take the tour - a very good deal. We are off to Williamsburg next month on that program.

Basically, we use DVC to go to WDW every year and MVCI to trade or extend our time in the WDW area. As I mentioned on another post, this year we spend a few days in MVCI Imperial Palms (across I4 from EPCOT). IP is a 3 BR Resort. We moved from there to an OKW Grand Villa. In fairness, my guess is that IP would fit in the first floor of a Grand Villa. Two bathrooms at IP, 4 at OKW.

 

[Dean]

We own both. Two contracts at OKW and now 3 weeks at MVCI in HH. Which resort is you're friend looking to visit?

 

[disneydawn]

Dean...I'm not sure which one it is but it is in Orlando and they told her that there was a shuttle to the WDW parks. She said they are promoting the "Horizon" one. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[DisneyPoly]

I recently stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbor in July on the presentation offer. Same deal 4 nights/5 days $199 plus two tickets to US. We upgraded to a 2 bedroom villa and extended our stay to 6 nights ($650.00) for the week. We then went to the Poly for a week after that.

Our presentation was low key, we went in with the "we're comparing this to DVC" which was probably a mistake because our salesman spent the next 90 minutes telling us the downfalls of DVC. In the long run, it was worth the 90 minutes to get a good deal on lodging.

I would highly recommend going with the deal! It's more time in WDW!

 

[mickeyandme]

If I am not being too nosy, what is the cost for the Mariott Time Share? We received an offer a few times. Would purchasing that instead of adding on points be something to consider? We love DVC, but costwise it might be an option to get more time in Florida....thanks.

 

[disneydawn]

I have no idea of the cost...I told my friend to get as much info as possible. She really has no intention of buying in. She just wants a good deal on lodging for her family of 5 and they told her she would have a full kitchen but I'm not sure how many bedrooms.

 

[Covman]

Marriott Costs for weeks vary widely by resorts. I believe that Platinum weeks from the developer are selling in the mid $20,000 range now. Marriott offers 11.99% financing over 10 years with 10% down. If you are really interested in buying check the TimeShare User Group which has a Marriott section that can help answer more specific questions.

 

[Joe T.]

We bought MVCI about 5 years ago. At that time a 3 bedroom with lockoff sold for about $15K for Gold week and $18K for a Platinum week at Grande Vista. Marriot Gold week exchanges for Red at II. Covman is correct in stating that each resort has it's own pricing. When we bought an equivalent MVCI week in Park City was about $38K. The bonus also varies between resorts. We received 100,000 Marriott Reward Points at closing. We took the Williamsburg tour the following year and was offered double points.I am pretty sure that that program is not available on a resale. It is the main reason we bought.

 

[Dean]

Prices vary widely depending on quality and demand. Also resale, resale through Marriott or retail. Barony Oceanfront is $30.5K retail, so is Grande Ocean Oceanfront, resale through Marriott. I'm just completing a second GO week for barely half that through another company and my first week there was in the same range as I'm paying now.

Orlando Cypress Harbour can be bought for as low as $5K for a 2 BR without the reward points and depending on season. Maui Xmas is $54K I believe. Although the price will be that same for X resort at a certain time, the incentives will vary directly at the resort vs the telemarketing people.

Marriott Horizons is not really part of the Marriott Vacation Club so be careful with that one. You can buy an off season Marriott and trade within the system for a steal. That works especially well for those that are fairly flexible. For trading with II, Marriott is much better. The beauty of DVC is the flexibility of USAGE, not trading.

 

[mickeyandme]

Thanks for the info. I do not like the idea of being locked in for a specific week. That is one of the reasons we considered DVC such a great concept. We had looked into the timeshare concept since the 70's and all of them locked you into either a specific week or "season". I love my DVC!!!!! Now if only you could find inventive ways of getting more points)))

 

[Lisa P.]

There are also other points programs out there. Most are not as flexible as DVC but they do offer short stay options. If you are interested in variable length of stays at Disney, obviously DVC is most convenient. We do enjoy our Fairfield points though, for non-Disney vacations - though they have a few Orlando resorts that permit FF owners to book nightly stays. With more FF resorts along Florida's beaches now (Destin, Daytona, Fort Lauderdale / Pompano Beach), this is especially nice.

Some of the Marriott resorts are part of their own Florida Club, allowing split weeks between resorts. Hilton Grand Vacations Club permits nightly stays in both selected timeshares and their hotel system. I believe some of Sheraton's Vistana owners are able to book short stays as well. There are others that offer nightly stays (WorldMark, BlueGreen, Silverleaf, etc.) but I don't know which have resorts in the Disney area.

Also, RCI (the exchange company) has started their own points program for use at 300 (so far) of the RCI-affiliated timeshare resorts. RCI Points is in its infancy and we don't belong (yet?) so I can't say how good it will be in the long run. There are both strong proponents and emphatic detracters at TUG, so far. You can read more about it at TUG's bulletin boards.

One interesting thing is that RCI Points may be used for airline, auto rentals, cruises and regular nightly hotel stays at some of the major chains... AND this list of RCI Points Partners includes WDW Disney Resort Hotels! Again, I don't know if this is going to be valuable or just an expensive way to use up points subject to loss. It may or may not be better than just booking for cash. If we decide to convert our RCI membership to RCI Points when Fairfield completes their conversion from RCI Weeks to RCI Points (this autumn), I'll be able to get more info on the specifics of Disney Resort Hotel rates via RCI Points. I am quite curious.

Jsut wanted to let you know that if you enjoy a points system and want to use one to rgularly visit places beyond Disney's current offerings, there are options.

 

[Joe T.]

We also own a FF timeshare at Williamsburg, VA. Their point system attracted us. We use it for long getaway weekends. The downside is that reservations can only be made within 60 days, and are subject to availability. In truth, we have had only one time that we were unable to get reservations. Also, they do not allow use of borrowed points for the short stays. I am looking forward to the RCI changeover to points.

 

[Joe T.]

I no sooner finished the above post when the postman delivered the new FF Directory. The time for making less than full week reservations is 90 days, and it appears that points can be borrowed for taht type of reservation.