marriott vacation club

[nezy]

Hi Maria! I am just across the river in Rockland.

I am a DVC member. It is based on a points system and points are selling at The Beach Club for (I think) $80/pt. The minimum initial purchase is 150 points. The maintenance charges vary according to location of home resort. There is a great discussion board within these Dis Boards under DVC. We bought 170 initially and have since added on twice for a total of 295 points, which you get each year. If you have alot of questions check out the DVC board and post questions or just browse, as some of your questions may be answered.

Several years ago-3 or 4, we stayed at Marriott's Cypress Pointe and were VERY happy with it. The sales pitch was not a hard sell w/ the first guy. Then they brought in "the closer". He was a little strong. It was a very good program, but we had already decided on DVC, and have never regretted it. We really love DVC.

You may want to look on the DVC rent/trade board and try to rent points from a member to get the magical experience of the resorts.

 

[Lisa P.]

Maria/TiggerInNY, a week in a WDW DVC 2BR during October would be 232 points at OKW, up to 282 points at the other WDW DVC resorts. If you paid $70 per point on a 240 points resale, purchase would run ~$17,000 w/closing. At $80 per point on a 280 points purchase, it would be $24,200 w/closing. That's the range you'd be looking at. Annual maint fees would run from about $800+ (230 points at OKW) to about $1,100 (280 points BWV).

kwnancy, the Marriott resorts located on shared grounds with the MOWC hotel are only about a 10 minute drive from the parking lots at Epcot & Disney-MGM. Add 5 minutes to reach the parking lots at AK & MK, another 5-10 minutes to add the monorail for MK. Overall, they are about 5-10 minutes closer to the Disney parks than Grand Vista or Cypress Harbour.

These (Imperial Palms, Sabal Palms & Royal Palms) are supposed to be nice properties on lovely grounds. They're older than the other Marriott timeshares in Orlando but they're reportedly well-maintained. They do offer some advantages not found at the newer properties... access to the huge pool, pool slide, indoor pool, restaurants & shops at MOWC. HTH.

 

[bonnie w]

We just returned from Marriott Grande Vista this weekend. We went on a timeshare presentation special. We stayed in a 1 bedroom unit. It had not been remodeled yet but was still in great condtion. It was a very nice unit & it was nice having a screened porch & our own washer & dryer. The timeshare presentation want not too bad. Not overly high pressure. But make sure they limit it to 90 minutes because I had to cut ours off when it hit the 2hr mark.

 

[TiggerInNY]

Bonnie,

How did you cut it off? Did you just get up and leave? We are just obligated to a 90 minute presentation, right? I have two little boys that will be there, too. I know they said they have child care, but I don't want to leave them there any longer than I have to. Let me know.

Thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[bonnie w]

You are only obligated to a 90 minute time share presentation. I gave the salesman the benefit of an extra half hour but at that point I told him we only agreed to 90 minutes & it had already been 2hrs & we had to be somewhere else. He said that was fine that at the 90 minute point you can tell them that the 90 minutes are up & that they must sign off at that point & can't give you a hard time about it. He had no problem with us ending the presentation. If you have any other questions, you can e-mail me at txxw@earthlink.net.

 

[Julia M]

I purchased our timeshare (on the beach in San Diego), resale. With fees, the cost was $3600. Annual maintenance runs about $325, and the cost of exchanging is a membership fee with RCI (about $70 per year) and an exchange fee ($130).

It's not the best thing for everybody. But we tend to like to vacation at the same place for a week or two, and with three kids, really need more space than a hotel room. We have stayed at OLCC in 2001, and have booked Vistana for 2004. We have also exchanged for San Diego and gold country in CA. We own a one bedroom, and have always exchanged for a 2 bedroom.

At this point, based on what we would have paid out of pocket for these accomodations (Easter week at Disney, mid summer in San Diego, for example) we have made our initial investment back already, so our yearly expenses are about $525. For me, that's an okay deal........with our kids, staying in resort accomodations with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen is the only way to travel!

However, if DVC ever came to CA, I might have to buy......we just don't vacation enough at WDW to justify the expense.

 

[Lorix2]

We just returned from the Marriott Grande Vista and had wonderful stay.

Would be happy to answer any questions for anyone. We stayed in a 2 BR lockoff

 

[TiggerInNY]

Lorix2,

Thanks for the post. We will be staying at Cypress Harbour. Did you happen to see that property? We were originally supposed to stay at Grande Vista, but they claim that there are going to be upgrading those units in October when we go. How far are you from WDW? From what I heard, Grande Vista is supposed to be right across from Sea World. Am I right?

All info you want to give me would be great. My e-mail is

mdarco@optonline.net

Thanks,
Maria

 

[Lorix2]

TiggerInNY - I just emailed you.

 

[jtjcwise]

My family will be staying at Grande Vista In June. Was wondeing about the pools. Have 2 DSs, 6 & 3, and they are wanting to know about the pools. Also, how far to Seaworld and DTD.

Thanks

 

[TommyJoe]

Here's an unbiased review.

I'm not an owner of this or any timeshare and I am not one to subject myself to any sales pitch unless I had the desire to invest.

That said, my family and I(wife and two children 8 and 4 at the time) visited the MGV in June of '02, staying in a 1 bedroom unit for 6 nights. We rented this unit from a couple from Texas who were looking to rent out a week they couldn't use. We were promised no sales pitch obligation, and none was offered. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed the resort. Our room was large and well kept with a separate master bedroom with large whirlpool tub. All the appliances were clean, worked great and even included a washer and dryer in the unit which is a definite plus when traveling with kids.

Despite the renters' promise of no strings attached, I was still a little hesitant upon check-in, half expecting some question as to the validity of my reservation or a push to attend a sales pitch meeting, but none occurred. I found the atmosphere of the resort to be casual and very upscale for our tastes. There are several pools, great play areas for the kids, a general store which was very convenient, and the place is quite large so you can go out and jog or walk around to get some fresh air, or especially golf if that's what your into. My in-laws are avid golfers and told us that this is a renowned golf course designed by Nick Faldo. The location of the resort is pretty good too, considering it's kind of midway between the major theme park areas of WDW and US, and it's practically right next door to SeaWorld(about a 5 min. drive). I'd say it's about a 15-20 min. drive to DTD.

The only negative I would have to add was the weather while we were there. While I knew from my own trip planning that we would be in for some rain in June, I had no idea of the magnitude of the rain storms that Orlando experiences in the summer. Here in the Pacific Northwest we get much more precipitation, but it's spread out over 10-12 months. Not at all like the inches per hour that they get there. Even so, mornings and early afternoons were decent weather, so much so that my wife and I will be going back this June, although not staying at MGV.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have. Have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[Lorix2]

jtjcwise -

We used 3 of the pools there. The first being a quiet pool right behind building #91/92, it's heated. There is a whirlpool near it also.

There is another pool which is a lap pool, but only designated as such from 7-9 AM daily. This pool is not heated.

There is also the main pool which is like a horse shoe shape. It's 3 ft when you go in and only 5 ft deep in it's middle, then back to 3ft at each entrance to the pool, this one is extremely warm. It's a very busy pool and alot of activity going on here.

In this area is also a toddler pool, gated, right next to the bathrooms. The smaller kids loved to sit in this and play.

THere are 2 whirlpools on this side as well.

My son (5) loved the sand area. We brought sand toys and he had a blast. THere is a washoff shower area so you can get the sand off of the kids before you go to your room.

There is always kids activities going on and they will love the kids indoor play area. Each morning you will receive a newspaper and the list of activities going on for each day, hanging on your door in the morning.

You can bring them fishing there also, rent swan boats, bikes, etc.

As TommyJoe mentioned, SW is literally 5 minutes by car and DD is about 15-20 minutes.

My only tip for you is sunblock, sunblock, sunblock. I slathered my kids but never reapplied and their shoulders got really burned while swimming. I felt terrible, that Florida sun in merciless.

I'm sure you will not be dissappointed, have a great stay and feel free to email me if you'd like.

Lori

 

[vellamint]

pm me the info you sent TiggerinNY as I am also curious.

Thank you.

 

[TiggerInNY]

Vellamint,

I noticed that you are staying at Cypress Harbour in August. Are you an owner? Have you stayed there before? Can you suggest a particular building to request or to stay away from?

Sorry for all the questions. Just excited.

Thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

P.S. Nice picture...did you have that taken by WDW?

 

[vellamint]

TiggerinNY..

No I am not an owner....just the friend of one. I too am very excited and trying to find out anything I can. I have asked what is a better building but every answer says they are all good but ti ask for waterview and a top floor so you can see the fireworks at Seaworld (I dont know if there will be any at the end of August when I am going though).

I dont know if there are elevators..........trekking up with 4 kids might be alot!

They have Kids Nite Out which is supervised activities from 5 - 10 pm on selected days but am still trying to determine whether this is "babysitting" or if the parents need to be on hand....I would love a few hours with the husband alone. I have also heard they have great crafts and boat rentals for the kids too.

What information have you received?

 

[TiggerInNY]

Compared to you...I know nothing. I didn't know there was a "Kids night out". I have the phone number and I will give them a call. Do you know for a fact that you can see the fireworks at Sea World? That's news to me, too. I had called them for a brochure and still haven't gotten one (Originally we booked with Grande Vista). I think I need to make a phone call.

Thanks for the info.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[Lisa P.]

Justa few comments...
"Kids Night Out" occasions at timeshare resorts are generally always child care arrangements (i.e., Mom & Dad don't stay). This is true at Marriott, Fairfield, several other timeshare companies. A small number of very large resorts (perhaps spread over a golf/ski mountainside) ask parents to stay on the resort property. Most give parents a pager so you may leave and visit a show or restaurant away from the resort. We haven't used Marriott kids nights but we have read positive comments.

When parents are expected to remain with their children, the activity offered is normally of short duration, like a craft hour or a pool games tourney. Ask about it when you are at the resort.

The fireworks would not be visible from every unit, only some upper floor units facing the right direction. There are several stories (elevators in every building, btw) and buildings surround the lake with balconies facing the lake from every side. Don't know the fireworks schedule at SW. If it's a priority to you, make your request for an upper floor room with a fireworks view. The front desk will know which units have one.

Not all buildings overlook the lake. There are a handful that are toward the back of the resort, with landscape or woods views. Again, request lakeview if you wish to be near the lake (and therefore, near the pools on either side of the lake). Also, I don't know if there are any/many fireworks view rooms that also overlook the lake.

We've only visited CH, stayed at MGV. Both are very nice. HTH.

 

[vellamint]

http://www.cypressharbour.mvci.com/

This address will take you to a website where, if you scroll to the bottom, you can send in a room request.

Let me know what they tell you when you call them.

Thanks.

 

[TiggerInNY]

Vellamint,

Thanks for the website. Very informative. I will check into the Ammenities and I will put in my requests today.

Thanks again.

TTFN,
Maria