Time Shares our only option? Recommendations?

[beynac]

Greetings All:

I am new here and looking for some information from this extremely knowledgeable group of people.

We're looking to travel to Orlando next September. Myself, husband, and two kids ages 1 and 4 at time of travel. We'd like to stay at a nice resort with kid-friendly pools, restaurants on-site so we don't always have to leave to eat out, and 2 or 3 bedrooms with a kitchen (or kitchenette - we don't plan to do major cooking). Grandparents may join which would determine 2 or 3 bedrooms. We're planning a 5ish night stay - we may spend 2 days at the Disney parks, but we would also like some relaxing time at the pools, so the resort facilities are important. We would like to stay at a place that has daily housekeeping. Cost is not a major concern - we're more interested in finding a good match for our needs.

In the research I've done so far, it seems like every nice resort is a time-share place. We are not interested at all in buying into one of these and will be severely disappointed if we stay at a place that is high-pressure or if they constantly try to get you to attend a sales session.

Can anybody recommend a place that would fit our needs? Are there resorts like this that aren't time shares? Perhaps there are timeshare places that are low/no pressure? Can anyone stay at a timeshare place who are not owners - similar to a hotel?

Please enlighten me if you can - I have a lot to learn!
Thanks!

ETA: We could also be okay with an Embassy Suites type of set-up where we could at least have a living area and a separate bedroom. Our main goal is to not all stay in one big hotel room. We could pass on the kitchenette if the resort facilities are top notch.

 

[calgarygary]

There are plenty of great timeshare resorts that fit your description, if you are that concerned about sales tactics, unplug your phone.

 

[spiceycat]

timeshare generally do not include daily housekeeping - unless you pay extra for it.

so if you give up the daily activites might go with a owner - rental - that is vrbo.com

especially if cost is not a problem.

you don't have to attend any timeshare sales pitch - unless you brought a package that includes the pitch - they have to tell you these days.

so just rent from an owner or skyauction

condodirect - but it is more expensive

www.redweek.com - there are some bargins but you have to look
www.tug2.net - classifed
www.myresortnetwork.com


you might include DVC units - since cost is not a problem.
OKW has some great 2-bedrooms villa - they also have activities.

 

[Brian Noble]

so if you give up the daily activites might go with a owner - rental - that is vrbo.com

You'd also be giving up onsite restaurants.

Having been to several timeshares now, it's pretty easy to avoid any high-pressure sales tactics. But, if you really don't want to chance it, you might also look into Residence Inn or something similar.

 

[beynac]

Thank you all for the quick responses.

you might include DVC units - since cost is not a problem.
OKW has some great 2-bedrooms villa - they also have activities.

Can someone clarify what this is? Is it Disney time-shares? If you stay at one of these properties are you eligible for things like the extended park hours and dining plan? Do you book them through an owner, or can you book them through Disney?

Thanks again.

 

[dgaston]

You can rent points from a DVC member. Read about that here on mousesavers.com http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#rentpoints or you can rent studios, 1 or 2 bedroom villas or even the extravagant 3 bedroom grand villa through Disney's regular CRO. Here again you would forego daily housekeeping without an extra charge if you rent points. If you make the reservation thru CRO daily housekeeping is included. There are some lovely condos, townhouses (with private splash pool) and pool homes in the area, but you wouldn't necessarily have activities. I believe Cypress Pointe and Bonnet Creek both offer activities.

 

[Detailor]

Thank you all for the quick responses.



Can someone clarify what this is? Is it Disney time-shares? If you stay at one of these properties are you eligible for things like the extended park hours and dining plan? Do you book them through an owner, or can you book them through Disney?

Thanks again.

OKW is the Old Key West resort in the Disney Vacation Club system (a points system that's Disney's version of timesharing). If you stay at a DVC you do get all the perks that go with staying on property (free parking, busses from the resorts to the parks, extended magic hours, access to purchasing dining plans, etc.). You'd typically rent points from an owner to get access to a DVC.

Dick Taylor

 

[Brian Noble]

If it is in your budget, that is absolutely the way to go. All of the DVCs have some form of on-site eatery, the pools are all kid-approved, etc. If you book through an owner, you have to add daily housekeeping, but that can be done for a fee.

A 3BR will require an early commitment---by late October of this year---but the 3BRs at OKW are stunning.

 

[utahkennedys]

We have stayed at Homewood Suites in Lake Buena Vista...it may have changed names but it was a 2BR (smaller then DVC or Marriott timeshares...not nearly as nice grounds...) and it was decent as we could even walk to Winn Dixie. I have NEVER experienced high pressure sales at DVC or Marriott...and now I would never go back to a hotel room! They are SO nice!

 

[The Thomas Fam]

First, welcome from a fellow North Carolinan


If you don't want to deal with the timeshare presentations, you could always do a condo rental or house rental depending on the number of guests staying with you. My family is planning on staying in the Mickey Condo at Windsor Hills. I was alittle nervous about doing that but I've heard so many positive things about doing this.

Good luck on your planning.

 

[dioxide45]

Unless you stay at a Westgate timeshare, you should have no problem saying no to a tour. Those guys are relentless.

Marriott has some great timeshares and are very low preasure. They will ask you to take a tour, but won't push it if you say no.

 

[beynac]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

My family is planning on staying in the Mickey Condo at Windsor Hills. I was alittle nervous about doing that but I've heard so many positive things about doing this.

This place looks incredible! I guess we'd sacrifice on-site restaurants, but I suppose everything has a trade off.

 

[The Thomas Fam]

This place looks incredible! I guess we'd sacrifice on-site restaurants, but I suppose everything has a trade off.

You can always make ADRs for the on-site restaurants even though you are not staying on-site. You would just have to call everyday at the 180 mark for each day that you want to eat at on of the restaurants. That's what I'm planning on doing.