What is a lockout in a timeshare?

[tyco]

I know I must sound pretty stupid asking this! I'm renting a timeshare at Silver Lake Resort in August - One bedroom for 2 adults 2 small kids (taking advantage of a timeshare promo/thinking of purchasing/not sure where yet) I've been doing some reading and I'm seeing a lot about lockout rooms - Does this mean a door in your condo is locked and other guest on the other side? (like a hotel room) Or do they split condos? How could they if everyone gets their own kitchen/washer&dryer? Can anyone explain? Also, do I want to avoid this if at all possible? Thank so much guys.

Take care
Sue

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I don't know about Silver Lake, but a lockout in the DVC parlance means a one bedroom with a studio (locking door between). The studio has it's own entry (and when the door between the two is locked, it's a separate distinct unit) and patio, as does the other one bedroom villa. The studio makes it a two bedroom. There are units that are dedicated two bedrooms (one main entry) and the lockout units with two main entries. The lockout is nice if you have others with you who may want to come and go on a schedule different than yours. However, if it is solely your family, then you probably won't need a second separate entry.

Hope that helps.

 

[tyco]

Thanks so much for the info.

Sue

 

[Lisa P.]

Sue, here is the "Villa" webpage for Silver Lake Resort, which has all their floorplans. By looking at those, you'll get an idea as to whether you would be happy in a 1BR or not.

With a lock-out, it could be 1BR-1BR or 1BR-2BR or Studio-1BR, etc. Depends on the resort. The larger side is usually the side with the full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, washer/dryer, balcony/patio. The "lock-out" or "lock-off" side is the smaller side, usually with a partial kitchen and a standard hotel-type bathroom, with or without a washer/dryer (again, depending on the resort) or balcony. Besides the added amenities on the larger side, it's also often twice the square footage or more, with more spacious rooms and a balcony/patio for relaxing.

Most folks who enjoy the larger side don't want to settle for a smaller unit later. If your children are very small, it may matter less to you. HTH.