Need Orlando area Timeshare Promotion suggestions!

[DisneyBoyz]

We are planning a week long trip the first week in August to Orlando. Even though we travel 3-4 times to go to WDW, this will be our FIRST trip to Universal Studios. We are a family of four (the boys are 5 and 8 years old). Mostly we're interested in a discounted hotel/resort and at least two days of park passes to Universal Studios. We could possibly split our time between two resorts and double our incentives, but that is a lot on the kids, not to mention my DH who has to sit through a 90 minute presentation with me!!

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most timeshares will state a 90 minute requirement to get whatever they are offering

However... When you get there you will be invited to go into a lounge for snacks, coffee, etc.

When you are finally taken to the salesperson is when the clock starts. You will be invited, after a movie or something, to tour the property. Ths will be in a golf cart. You will be far from the sales office when the 90 minutes is up.

Once you get back you will still have more to go through, possibly a "manager" coming in to offer a better deal than the original salesperson.

Actual total time from arrival to departure will be closer to 2.5 hours rather than 90 minutes. Add in travel time both ways and how much time will you be spending?

Calculate your vacation time and hourly cost.

Take the total number of hours from the time you leave home until the time you return. Then subtract out the time sleeping or otherwise spent in your room. This gives you actual vacation time in hours.

Then take the total cost of your trip, transportation, tickets, lodging, meals, etc. Divide this by the number of hours. This gives you a cost per hour for your actual vacation time.

Now look at what you are getting, and consider how much it is really costing you.

BTW, almost any Disney ticket you get from a timeshare promotion (especially if you get a voucher) cannot be upgraded or modified in any way.

And you would have to find out in advance what incentives they are offering.

 

[DisneyBoyz]

I should probably clarify that we have been to about ten timeshare presentations in the past, so we consider ourselves to be somewhat experienced. Our trip is planned for a week, and we only anticipate being at "the parks" for 2-3 days, so the promotion period will not interrupt any plans we have, other than sitting poolside baking in the sun!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We got a two bedroom, two bathroom villa at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa last August for $69 per night. We also received a complimentary "VIP" card for unlimited access to all resort amenities for the duration of our stay (Pirate mini golf, paddle boats, sports equipment rental, bike rental, etc.). The resort had 7 pools, 7 hot tubs, and some great recreation areas. We had daily housekeeping too.

The timeshare presentation, however, was VERY high pressure and lasted over 3 hours. While we loved the room (ours was in excellent shape, and ideally located in building 500) and very much enjoyed all the amenities at the resort, the timeshare experience was dreadful. Like Cheshire Figment said, they started the presentation over breakfast at the Smokehouse Grill (on one end of the enormous resort, so we had to drive our car there) and ended it at the main building (on the OTHER end of the resort). Because we didn't buy a unit at the end of their high-pressure session, they left us stranded and it was necessary for us to hail a staff member with a golf cart to give us a lift back to our vehicle.

Take out that 3-hour period and it was a GREAT stay, and the price couldn't be beat. It is also very close to Universal Studios, with free shuttles to the park if you don't want to drive. The proximity to International Drive was excellent, and it was close to the outlet malls. There is a hospital next door, and a Super Walmart right up the street.

Here's a different package that includes Universal tickets:

http://www.westgatereservations.com/specials/orlando-3-nights-plus-2-universal-park-to-park-tickets/