Other/additional timeshares

[mnlovesdisney]

We have always loved our DVC. Because of this we have been interested in looking into other timeshare companies to increase our traveling options. We just looked at Bluegreen and unfortunately they got us to sign. We are now having second thoughts. We are still in our grace period and could back out. I need advice. What other timeshares do DVC members have and what do you think of them compared to DVC.

 

[BeckyV]

Back out while you are able to. Then go to www.tug2.net and read the BB Boards about buying, exchanging, etc. You can buy resales at a better price unless you really want to stay at one particular resort. We own other weeks other than DVC and bought all of them through resales. Disney is the only one we bought from the developer. Dean on this board is the real expert in this area. Hopefully he will post soon.

Email if I can answer any questions. I do know about two red weeks in two bedrooms that trade well and have been reduced to $1500 for each week. These will go soon so if you are interested let me know and I will forward the info to you.

Becky

 

[Dean]

You can buy BG points for 40¢ per point on the open market. Definitely back out. From what I've heard, home resort doesn't give you much benefit with BG.

 

[Lisa P.]

If you are not absolutely certain that you want that developer purchase, back out while you still can. Make sure you follow the instructions from your contract paperwork precisely, with a written cancellation letter sent by certified mail (return receipt) within your allowable term. If you later decide (with confidence) that you want to buy from the developer, you could re-purchase. If you delay cancelling, there is no room for regret later.

All that said, you may enjoy another timeshare. Just investigate your options carefully so that your purchase is exactly what you want, will suit the way you plan to use it and it's at a price that satisfies you. HTH!

 

[Diznut84]

As others have indicated, immediately exercise your rights to recission as stated precisely in your contract. If you change your mind (which you won't), you can always get the same deal later. My conclusion is that the ONLY timeshare that does not devalue immediately is DVC. Please exercise your right to rescind and go visit TUG for at least 60 days prior to buying. Feel free to email me if you want some more strategies in buying!

Look on the bright side, you can still rescind. Most people don't post until it is too late!

 

[mnlovesdisney]

Thanks for your suggestions. The certified mail letter is on its way this morning. We still could use some suggestions on good reliable timeshares though. Right now we are leaning towards buying more Old Key West through resales, but are still curious about other timeshares that are out there. Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

[Diznut84]

I have a few questions for you:

1) Do you want to buy to use or to trade?
2) How large a unit are you likely to need?
3) Where do you anticipate travelling over the next five years? It doesn't need to be cast in stone, but have some idea what you want to achieve in buying.

Thanks!

 

[mnlovesdisney]

We are looking to buy mostly to use. We would usually need a 1 bedroom, occasionally a 2 bedroom. Our kids are 10 (boy) and 14 (girl) so sharing 1 pullout sofa bed is starting to get iffy. We love the flexibility of Disney and really do not want to be tied down to one place to use a timeshare at. I know in the next few years at least some of us will get to Texas, Louisiana, and Nevada (Reno and Las Vegas). We also have enjoyed Hilton Head and of course Florida (Orlando and Fort Myers) as well as Disney cruises. We really need flexibility and are just curious if there are other plans out there as flexible as DVC or not. Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

[Dean]

Besides BG, other useful points systems include Fairfield, Hyatt, Hilton, Worldmark, Starwood (Sheraton/Westin). There are others like VRI, RCI itself and Shell that I know less about and I'm not sure that Shell is even still in existence. Maybe others like Werner, Lisa P., Spiceycat, BeckyV, etc will have additions to the list. BG certainly has promise for your location with locations like Wisconson Dells and Branson along with many others.

 

[MM1102]

MN/others--

We have wrestled with this ourselves, having become completely spoiled by DVC spaciousness and quality. Our difficulty with other timeshares (and DVC for that matter) is booking 11 or more months in advance because of jobs/kids. This year on spring break we rented a condo via ResortQuest and that worked very well. They are basically a property management company (now a division of Gaylord Entertainment of Gaylord Palms and Grand Ole Opry frame). Would be interested in knowing if others have done similarly or if they have a timeshare strategy that allows for less lead time on booking.

MM1102

 

[JudyS]

Good move on rescinding! You can always buy it again later if for some reason you want to.

It generally is not cost effective to trade a DVC week for a vacation somewhere outside of the DVC. So, if you think you will want to use the DVC most, but not all, years, I'd suggest buying a small DVC contract and banking/borrowing points for those years that you visit Disney.

There are other flexible plans, yes. RCI (the biggie in timeshare exchange) now has a points system. You can use it at about 3700 resorts. Many resorts charge an inflated fee to get into RCI Points, but if you ask around on www.tug2.net you should be able to find a reasonably priced RCI point contract. About a $1000 investment and $250 to $300 a year would get you enough points to stay in a "Gold Crown" (RCI's top rating) 2 bedroom in high season every other year. For $2000 and $400 a year, you could get a Gold Crown 2 bedroom in high season every year. You can rent out your points if you don't need that many.

Bluegreen, Sunterra and Fairfield are other point systems, but I don't know much about them. A lot of Fairfield owners like the program, but my impression is that it costs more than RCI points.