RCI TImeshares

[JJLJ]

We are going in Nov with our 3 and 4 yr old and are looking at 3 resorts..Sheraton Vistana, Orange Lake-the new section with a water park and Farfield Resorts at Bonnet Creek. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with these properties? Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

Are you able to see confirmable exchanges into all of those, or are those the ones you are hoping for?

I've never heard anyone claim to have exchanged into Bonnet Creek; if you are able to, you'd be the first. Knowing it was possible would be interesting information indeed. OL-River Island isn't *that* much easier, but I've read some sporadic reports of it happening after Orange Lake was split into several different resorts in RCI.

If you are focusing on the parks, Bonnet Creek would be your best bet; it's located inside the WDW gates, but not technically on Disney-owned property. If you are looking for a resort that itself is a destination, I'd go with Orange Lake. Tons to do.

If you can actually see FFBC and OLRI as confirmable exchanges, you must have one heck of a tiger trader.

 

[swilshire]

I agree with Brian. I doubt you would see any of those except Vistana, which is a good resort for the family. I much prefer it to the older sections of OLCC. If you can get Bonnet Creek, grab it for sure.

Sheila

 

[spiceycat]

he might have fairfield points - so then he could see the fairfield (now Wynham resorts)

I would also go with Bonnet Creek first - but then I would pick Sheraton Vistana - more things to do closer to it.

OL- River Island has even appeared on mind and believe it is not a good trader.

 

[Brian Noble]

spiceycat: that's exactly why I bought fairfield points. Resale, of course.

 

[mamaT]

Just popping in...I'm going in 2008 (late spring) and I have Bonnet Creek and Vistana on my list...I'm glad to hear they are good choices! In fact, I think they are number 1 and number 2 on my list. My parents' RCI timeshare is one where they can exchange anytime, anywhere, gold crown...so I'm hoping for the best!

 

[swilshire]

My parents' RCI timeshare is one where they can exchange anytime, anywhere, gold crown...so I'm hoping for the best!

Where is this magic resort that your parent's own. I've never heard of such an animal. I believe they've been listening to too many timeshare salesmen!


Sheila

 

[mamaT]

Where is this magic resort that your parent's own. I've never heard of such an animal. I believe they've been listening to too many timeshare salesmen!


Sheila

They own here in Phoenix. Scottsdale actually. The Camelback Resort and Spa...was a pretty good decision they made about 15 years ago to purchase there. I have used it several times getting top choices all over the place. That's the only inheritance I want !

 

[motherhen17404]

Just popping in...I'm going in 2008 (late spring) and I have Bonnet Creek and Vistana on my list...I'm glad to hear they are good choices! In fact, I think they are number 1 and number 2 on my list. My parents' RCI timeshare is one where they can exchange anytime, anywhere, gold crown...so I'm hoping for the best!

You might want to double check on the Bonnet Creek exchange. My parents also own the Gold Crown "exchange anytime, anywhere", but they can not pick Bonnet Creek. You have to own Fairfield points to do an exchange for Bonnet Creek. Believe me, we tried for our Nov. '07 trip. We got "stuck" with Orange Lake. But we are going to make the best of it.

 

[Brian Noble]

Even other fairfield owners can't see BC in RCI---despite the internal system trade preference. I've just never heard it happening.

There are some reasons for this, due to the way FF handles owner deposits to RCI---presently, owners cannot choose what unit to deposit, FF picks the unit for them, and it can be at any resort, not just one the depositor owns. Add to this the fact that BC doesn't really need to book exchanges to sell units. As I understand it, those units are selling so well that the newer towers are being built taller than originally planned!

The hypothesis among the owners on the FF Yahoo group is that FF simply never deposits BC, because it is more valuable to rent unbooked units out directly (which FF is allowed to do at 60-30 days), and the exclusivity works even better than 1-in-4 rules to help them convince folks to buy there.