Time Shares?

[lisa and john]

Hi, I am new to the board, and was glad to see a Canadian section!

I am wondering what peoples' experiences have been with using timeshares? I am worried about the aggressiveness factor, as we have no intention of buying into a timeshare. Can anyone comment on their experiences and if the "harrassing" is worth it?

Also, has anyone stayed at Orange Lake resort? It is a timeshare about 4 miles from Disneyworld. Would be interested in hearing experiences. Thanks!

Looking forward to my first trip to Disneyworld in March '05!!!!

 

[Sandyincanada]

Depends if your getting a deal on the place by going to a timeshare presentation....those are horrible, very high pressured. I've stayed in timeshares (no special deals) where they just sent me an invite which I ignored....those were fine.

You can get great prices on condos by going to www.skyauctions.com or www.hotelkingdom.com without presentations.

Sorry, we've never been to Orange Lake, can't help you there

and Welcome Aboard!

 

[Quadman]

If you're talking about 'them' offering you somekind of a deal in exchange for a time share presentation..... Sure it's high pressure....BUT.....go...and tell the salesman in your most serious face...I am here for the freebie... I am not interested in this presentation, I can assure you that by talking to me you are wasting your valuable time which you could be suing to go after a more real prospect. I repreat, I am here nly for the freebie. Then open up a book and put on a walkman.

Some of these deals can be pretty good......I've haven't taken this approach in a good few years, but it use to work like a charm.

 

[louisaho]

i thought those are just for american, you mean canadian is also welcome? what kind of freebie can i expect? i want free ticket to universal...

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi Lisa and John,
I own a timeshare in Kissimmee and have also traded my timeshare week to stay at Orange Lake. I went in 2000 and at that time it was really nice. You could see WDW fireworks from the villa that we were located in. There are nice pool area's and because it is laid out over Golf courses it is really spacious.
We woke up one morning to see Crane's calmly walking behind the villa along the golf course.

I bought into timeshare 10 years ago at a really reasonable rate (my unit at my resort now sells for double the price I paid for it) and have never had any regrets. My kids have grown up with the experience of going to Florida for 1 or 2 weeks every year because of it and to them it feels like "going to the cottage" even though we don't own a cottage in Canada.


The timeshare sales people are aggresive these days.
But if you are looking for tickets to all the major parks and have at least 2 hours free and know that you won't be persuaded and pressured into buying a timeshare, then go for it.

I am approached every year to go to an "Owners update presentation" which is really another attempt at selling me a second week. I usually go, have a free breakfast, get the free tickets and then tell them politely that I have no intention of buying a second week. You don't have to be rude, but be firm.
Hope this helps!

Carol

 

[KissMeKenley]

My parents own several time shares in the U.S. I have always had wonderful expereinces when staying at the ones they own. The only time I have had any discouragement is when we exchange the weeks to go to other timeshares. It really is not all that much of a bother. You get the tour of all the resort, free breakfast, and just for listening you can get two extra days at DW or tickets to one of the dinner shows. It is totally cool with me. I can have fun anywhere with my hubby.

I will not stay in a hotel when I can have two or three full bedrooms, living and dinging room, two baths with jacuzzi, full kitchen, and a bar.

I am a total fan of resorts!!!

 

[hockey mom]

We have stayed at Orange lake and loved it. I paid $450/week using skyauction. We also tried Silver lake which is closer to Disney and also very nice. This was only $261/week using Skyauction. Neither week required a timeshare speech.

We did do a presentation once for $100 disney dollars and it was not worth the hassle.

 

[iluvflorida]

Timeshares are great. It is cheap to rent them. You can stay in a 1200 sq ft. 2 BR unit on a rental for less than you would pay for a good motel with two double beds. We have been doing this for several years and would never, never go back to a motel/hotel even in the centre of WDW.
As for OLCC. It is one of the top resorts. The only downfall we find with it is that it is to spread out. They have three main rec/pool areas. Most of the actities we enjoy are at the West Village so if you are in North of East Village you either walk for 30-40mins or drive down. A lot of kids activities are at North Village. I think a water park of some sort is to open in 2005 when I don't know in the East Village area.
As for presentations, if you did not rent with the obligation to attend you do not have to but will be invited at check in but are not obligated. If you can say no easily and go first thing in AM for Breakfast (90mins) it is a good way to score a couple of free tickets to a theme park. (Don't take first offer of tickets for $20 etc. dicker for free ones). We do not find it that high pressure. The one exception is Westgate, we usually do not take it as it is more high pressure but if incentive is good enough we do it too.

 

[lisa and john]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone! They have all been very helpful! We have not found a rate on skyauction yet, but we'll keep checking.

Iluvflorida, how did youi usually book your timeshares?

Hockeymom, thanks for the info regarding what you paid - something to compare to.

have fun planning, everyone!

 

[KissMeKenley]

one exception is Westgate, we usually do not take it as it is more high pressure but if incentive is good enough we do it too.[/QUOTE]

Too funny, I had the same experience in Kissimmee. Some guy telling me that I was not serious about considering to buy because I told him I just got married and did not want to take on any more bills

 

[iluvflorida]

Lisa and John: Usually on skyauction but some private of people I get to know in Florida, or hotelkingdom.com

 

[spiceycat]

skyauction is an auction

you can also try II version
www.condodirect.com
this is not an auction - the best supply is about 90 days before you arrival - the best price is around 60 days before your arrival