Timeshare deals!

[Daisy-J&D]

Im hoping someone can help with ths! I've often heard of people getting cheap accommodations at timeshare resorts if they agree to tour/etc. I know I used to work with a girl who stayed in a condo timeshare in FL for $300 for the week!!
My family needs to get away last minute due to a renovation (not one we want to do, but have to!) and are looking for someplace reasonable to stay for a week since we can't be at home.
How do you find these deals? We'd be happy with a time share anywhere, not even just Florida... If we can get a deal. Disney isn't really in our budget this time (parks or resorts).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[mjohnson96]

Try to contact Vacation Upgrades or Vacation Strategy. They do the timeshare resell of points so you don't have to do a tour. We are staying at Bonnet Creek this May and was able to get 3 BR for a decent price through Vacation Upgrades, very nice ppl and easy to work with as well.

They don't just do Orlando either, they work with many of the Wyndham properties.

 

[momto4obkids]

We have used skyauction.com several times

If you are in the military or a veteran you can use

www.veteransholidays.com

http://www.afvclub.com

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Im hoping someone can help with ths! I've often heard of people getting cheap accommodations at timeshare resorts if they agree to tour/etc. I know I used to work with a girl who stayed in a condo timeshare in FL for $300 for the week!!
My family needs to get away last minute due to a renovation (not one we want to do, but have to!) and are looking for someplace reasonable to stay for a week since we can't be at home.
How do you find these deals? We'd be happy with a time share anywhere, not even just Florida... If we can get a deal. Disney isn't really in our budget this time (parks or resorts).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Westgate resorts offer 40% off their room rate with a resort preview, plus they have various packages that include a discounted rate with theme park tickets if you agree to their timeshare presentation.

For our August vacation, we have a two bedroom, two bathroom suite with full kitchen, laundry facilities, etc., all resort fees waived, and VIP passes (ie free unlimited access) to all resort amenties (mini golf, fishing, paddle boats, bike rentals, etc.) for $69 per night at Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa. You must "qualify" for that rate (be married or co-habitating, have a minimum income of $70,000 if I remember correctly, be a US or Canadian citizen, etc.). And I got a better rate by calling and asking a few questions than was offered on the website. Yes, we have to attend a timeshare presentation, but we can say no.....and will.

For our second trip in 9 months, we had to get an amazing rate on a hotel and flights or else the summer getaway wouldn't happen. Yet we wanted our suite with at least one separate bedroom (we hate cramming into a regular hotel room .... we need our space) AND we wanted somewhere that had lots to do right at the resort (this is supposed to be our "relaxing" vacation....we'll see how that goes ).

 

[kmacht]

No need to sit through a timeshare presentation to get a good deal. We usually rent through vacationcentralflorida.com. They are advertising a rate of $299 per week for May 26th through June 8th. If it is a last minute getaway they also usually send out and e-mail (if you get on their list) when they have a unit that isn't rented out. The 2 bedrooms can sometimes go for as little as $199 for the week.

Keith

 

[bankr63]

I am a bit reluctant to post this, as I think attending timeshare presentations is about as much fun as having my chest waxed. I think timeshares are great, especially when bought on the resale market (we own 3 weeks in Orlando at a net investment of under $1000), I just don't do the presentations. But, if you are set on this path, and can't find a better deal any other way, try:
http://www.timeshareorlando.com/
This site lists several resorts that offer deals with presentations and you can check out the price online for your specific dates and find out what additional benefits they offer.

Of the resorts currently listed, I know that Silver Lake has a reputation for very low key sales pitch and that VV at Parkway has a reputation for high pressure (based on reviews in other posts here and on tug). The others I don't really know.

 

[DCTooTall]

If you aren't really wanting to check out the Orlando Area (I noticed you are in Toronto, and you mentioned not being locked into the Orlando experience), You might also want to check out some other timeshare resorts in other parts of the country that you'd want to check out.

The Wyndham system in particular (since it's the one I'm most familiar with) has some nice resorts in different parts of the country, Including the Washington DC area (free museums and other places you can explorer...and learn). Their website is www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com and you can look thru the various resorts by locations to see if anything jumps out at you.

Since it's part of the same system as the Bonnett Creek Resort on Disney's Back-door, you can use the same renters people have recommended for that resort to stay at one of these other places. Points and Points, so while they may not have pricing readily posted or advertised for some of the other Wyndham Properties, there is no reason they can't use some of the points they'd use for the Florida resort to book you someplace nice in another part of the country.

 

[spiceycat]

these are not timeshares - but heard the deals were generally very reasonable

http://www.lastminutevillas.net/

 

[badiggio]

vrbo.com vacation rentals by owner

some pretty amazing deals there.