One year living in our timeshares: 2 1/2 year update

[OhioDVC]

Thanks for the idea. I never heard of the Golden Spoon before. I'm gonna tray and find it

 

[dbs1228]

Thanks for the update! I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of your threads and have read parts of it to my DH. I am not sure going all the time would work for us since I also volunteer at a dog rescue and take in foster pups which I would miss but I certainly could do a condensed version. Keep us updated.

 

[lovin'fl]

Thanks for the idea. I never heard of the Golden Spoon before. I'm gonna tray and find it

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3106043

 

[robinb]

1.02.2014 1.04.2014 Grand Floridian 2 bedroom w/daughter

Hey! We were at the VGF at the same time. I loved that place.

Thank you for your review. We are starting to "outgrow" Disney and DVC so I'm going to check out the other timeshare companies that you are keeping.

 

[a742246]

Moody Blues concert...

Saw them a few years ago, they were great back then. How are they now?
They are playing up here in a month, thinking of seeing them.

 

[Sammie]

I found it interesting you flew for all those years and then a few days after retirement someone crashes into you and you get injured.

I don't think any military person is over paid and many are underpaid, thanks for your service and enjoy every minute of your retirement.

There is so much waste in the government, military salaries are never one of them.

 

[dbs1228]

I found it interesting you flew for all those years and then a few days after retirement someone crashes into you and you get injured.

I don't think any military person is over paid and many are underpaid, thanks for your service and enjoy every minute of your retirement.

There is so much waste in the government, military salaries is never one of them.

Totally agree Sammie!

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

Thanks for your service and thanks for taking the time to write this piece on "Timesharing" for a year, very interesting! The only thing that I would do differently is to fly to most of these great locations. Especially since Florida pan-handle, HHI and central Florida is so convenient for general aviation. We enjoy taking our Cherokee 6 to WDW, HHI, Vero Beach, and Merrit Island when we cruise. We are DVC owners only, while we really enjoy what we have, I'm certain we may add another timeshare to our portfolio.

In regards to timeshares along the Florida panhandle, what would you recommend? I would be interested in Destin and other areas with a nearby airport. Is the Intrawest system something you would recommend? What would be a good system to consider with our primary travels being in the southeast US?

I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your thread, please keep us posted on all the new adventures!

 

[AnnaS]

Thank you so much for your services and for the update. Love reading and following along. I think it is a dream for most of us. Enjoy it while you can, as long as you can.

If I ever run into someone and he/she tells me they are from Ohio or Ocala - will question them some more!!

I have always wanted to try a few places on the West Coast of Florida. An old time neighbor of mine moved to Ocala about four years ago and loves it.

Don't forget to check in once in a while. No pressure.

 

[OhioDVC]

Thanks for your service and thanks for taking the time to write this piece on "Timesharing" for a year, very interesting! The only thing that I would do differently is to fly to most of these great locations. Especially since Florida pan-handle, HHI and central Florida is so convenient for general aviation. We enjoy taking our Cherokee 6 to WDW, HHI, Vero Beach, and Merrit Island when we cruise. We are DVC owners only, while we really enjoy what we have, I'm certain we may add another timeshare to our portfolio.

In regards to timeshares along the Florida panhandle, what would you recommend? I would be interested in Destin and other areas with a nearby airport. Is the Intrawest system something you would recommend? What would be a good system to consider with our primary travels being in the southeast US=QUOTE]

We LOVE the Destin area. To us, it has the best beach for sand quality and amazing emerald green water. Totally beautiful. Unfortunately, Destin and Sandestin are becoming TOO popular and are getting the reputation as the "Redneck Riviera". It is not uncommon to have 5 boom boxes blaring near by and having drunk high school and college kids staggering and puking down the beach. Traffic is REALLY getting to be a nightmare. Fantastic place for off-season. Late Sept and early Oct are great.

We stay at Club Intrawest in Sandestin. I would rate them as the BEST small timeshare. They have great amenities and the staff is fantastic. Best maintenance, best housekeeping, best front desk and a great manager. CI is VERY high priced from the developer. I would only buy resale for $40 to $50 per points or CI will ROFR. Dues are higher around $7.25 per point. To me, they are at least on par with DVC.

We use to fly all the time when we were working. My last aircraft was a C421A. A great way to travel but too expensive now. We have the time to drive.

Other timeshares on the Panhandle that we stayed at:

Wyndham Panama City is nice
Wyndham Emerald Grande is a 5 star facility run by a 2 star staff. VERY,VERY noisy at night with all of the bars around. Not family oriented.
Wyndham Bay Club I and II - run down, past their prime
Majestic Sun is average

Its been a long time since I flew into the Destin airport, but they always gave me great service.

Merritt Island is on our "need to check-out" list

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Enjoying every word...we just left our beloved BWV today..enjoyed our usual June stay with son and family...
DH and I return in December..

 

[WDW_Diane]

This was a very interesting update and I thank you for writing it. I hope you get to continue your life in paradise for as long as you can. I'm impressed by the health benefits and inspired to follow some of your example.

Loved reading your report, shared it with a few people as well. I enjoy hearing about regular people who get to live their dream!

 

[Tink2312]

Fantastic update. I've really enjoyed reading about your experiences. I wish you all the best for the future

 

[granmanh603]

Wow thank you so much. I love your story and am thrilled for you both. And thank you for your service you deserve your pension, every penny.
Thank you for sharing and I wish I could meet you in the hot tub. LOL In the old days of DVC there were nice people in the Hot tubs but in the last few years not so much, like you said try not to have conversations any more with fellow "soakers" not worth it.
I always used to say I could live in an OKW 2bd and so just last year we purchased a 3br condo over on the other coast in St Augustine and it is just like living at OKW, I love the palm tree outside my window.

 

[kylmac]

Thank you for your 33 years of service! My baby brother is Navy and is making a career of it. So proud of him! May you have many more happy memories with your wife and family! What a life!
Elizabeth

 

[misskari]

This is amazing!!!

 

[marynvince]

Thank You fellow/Former Ohioan for the fantastic update. I had read the original and am glad you took the time to write this. I wish you continued success in an enviable retirement. I'm at all the Disney races (my company sells posters and shadowboxes) stop by and say hi next Disney race expo you attend.

 

[sue]

I love your thread.

I agree with all your comments about Wyndham. I have DVC, Wyndham, and Bluegreen. Wyndham is the worst of the three for exactly the reasons you explain.

We own DVC and traded for the Wyndham Shearwater resort on Kauai a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Very clean, sits on top of a 250 ft cliff above the ocean. Small resort but every condo has a full ocean view. I would highly recommend this resort. Location is in Princeville on the north side of the island about 1/2 hr drive from the airport.

Strip mall with full grocery store about 5 minutes from the resort.

 

[ACDSNY]

As a couple in your same age group I can absolutely understand and appreciate the choices you've made. In addition, you deserve this lifestyle after all of your service to our country. Thanks to you and your family for the many sacrifices I know you all have made during of those years.

We were in Kauai & Oahu when your update came out so I waited until we were home to catch up. We also had housekeeping issues on our visit to Aulani this year and notice the decline in the service as compared to our previous two trips. At least we only found Hello Kitty undies in the dryer and didn't receive our T&T service. We had 4 adults/4 kids on this trip and I can't believe I only managed to catch 3 sunsets out of 11 nights, that's just not right, I plan to get my priorities straight on our October trip.

I hope you enjoyed the Moody Blues, it's been a few years since we've seen them in concert.

May your next year continue to be paradise!

 

[OhioDVC]

We own DVC and traded for the Wyndham Shearwater resort on Kauai a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Very clean, sits on top of a 250 ft cliff above the ocean. Small resort but every condo has a full ocean view. I would highly recommend this resort. Location is in Princeville on the north side of the island about 1/2 hr drive from the airport.

Strip mall with full grocery store about 5 minutes from the resort.

Wyndham does have some NICE resorts. You just need to be very careful and research before you pick just any resort with Wyndham.