What is your favorite time-share type resort and why?

[Leader of the Club]

Nothing like and essay question, huh?

What is your favorite time-share type resort in the WDW area? What makes it your favorite?

 

[SammieG]

Hilton Grand Vacations International Drive!

We have stayed in many different time shares in Orlando area but this is the only one we bought! We have stayed in many beautiful hotels/resorts across the world, but this one, particularly the communal areas like the pool etc were spectacular. Sitting by the pool every day was like a 7th heaven.. like being at a very rich movie stars house!!!!

We cant wait to go back!!

 

[spiceycat]

Disney Vacation Club - why - it is on WDW property - so you get all the benefits on being on-site at Disney!!! Every WDW resorts (either DVC or WDW) is different. Disney changes the theme of the resorts and generally makes up a cute story to go with it. Now the inside of the resorts hasn't changed since BWV - (OKW is different) - but the theme - colors, fabric, look of the resort is always different.

then I have to agree - HGVC - it is one of the best!!! It is a beautiful property. I love the facust in the whirlpool tub - looks like a waterfall! it is pretty cute! this is with RCI

with II - I would go with the Marriott Vacation Club - there are several - I have been in Marriott's Grande Vista, visited - Marriott's Cypress Harbour, and Horizons by MGVC.

then I would go with Sheraton Vistana - this is a beautiful resort. Lots to do here and plenty to kept everyone busy.

I haven't stay at either Cypress Pointe, Orange Lake, Silver Lake, Summer Bay, Fairfield Orlando Bonnett Creek all very nice resorts and RCI resorts.

I have found one that excepts pets - Celebration World Resort - now there is not alot of things to do here - it is still building - but who cares - Spicey can stay in the room with me for a fee of $50!!! So I might (in a few years) look at a resale here!

we are going to Celebration World in a fews day - and I can't wait!!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Have a great time, Pat. Make sure you tell us all about it when you get back.

I have only stayed at Vistana Resort and have friends that have stayed at Cypress Pointe Grand Villas, so I'm still learning myself.

But Vistana was one great resort. Now, we got a newer section, Fountains, so that might have made a difference. But there wasn't anything we didn't like about the resort. The location is perfect. Cypress Pointe isn't too far away from Vistana, so it has the great location also.

 

[jeff968]

We just got back and had a great time. We have stayed at many of the timeshares and the family likes this resort best. The reasons:

Size - not too big, not too small
Activities - Lots to do, remote control race cars for my 12 year old sun, crafts for my 5 YO, pools for my 15 yo., and famaily activities for everyone like the luau.
Location - very quiet, the resort is 13 years old now but Marriott has remodeled the unit and the landscaping has grown in to make the place look great. There is a small lake which is beautiful, the resort is surrounded by a golf course which keeps it quiet. And it is easy to get to from rt 4.

We may purchase there this year, we'll see.

 

[spiceycat]

Marriott also has something that the other timeshares don't

they have a wine tasting EVERY week - this is really great for around $5 per person -you can taste around 8 wines from all over.

the person presenting it is a buyer for a local wine store and is GREAT.

this sell outs early - so if you are staying in a Marriott and want to do it - get your reservation early!!!!

 

[Sandyincanada]

What would make this thread even better is if people put the approx rates of the places and where they book.

We've only stayed at 2 timeshares in Orlando, prior to that were hotels but we have stayed at many 4-5 star resorts over the years. I'm still sticking with Cypress Pointe, not the fanciest resort we've stayed at but by far, the best value I've seen yet. Hotelkingdom - 70.00 a night for a 2 bdrm.

 

[carolina traveler]

I have used www.bidshares.com they have rental timeshares by owners, it's easy,you can compare prices, and have rental posts for in and out USA.
It's like ebay but just for timeshares and much easier and also have a lot more variety and dates than skyauction. And its free to register and bid.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I have used www.bidshares.com they have rental timeshares by owners, it's easy,you can compare prices, and have rental posts for in and out USA.
It's like ebay but just for timeshares and much easier and also have a lot more variety and dates than skyauction. And its free to register and bid.

Carolina traveler..........I like the website, but some of the prices are wacky. A one bedroom at Star Island with a reserve of $1750!! Are they kidding??? Reserve means that the auction has to meet at least that minimum, right??

Sandy.............I don't mind posting what I paid, but I think because it was Skyauction, it could be misleading maybe. But I guess it does give the possibilities......

Vistana resort/2 bedroom......$301 (I'll never see THAT again )
Cypress Pointe Grand Villas/2 bedroom.....$220
Bryan's Spanish Cove/2 bedroom.....$271
also won CPGV for a friend/2 bedroom....$281

I would love to rent at a Marriott, but I don't know the best way to do it. Maybe tug2.net?? Any other places?

 

[spiceycat]

I am a member of both RCI and II

I got the Marriott studios and 1-bedroom for $199 thur II

I got the Celebration last year through RCI for $149 - this year the villa I got (which was worst than the one I got last year) - I won on a bid with skyauction for $224.

the Sheraton vistana was an exchange using my SA - for $149 exchange fee + $150 maintence fee = $299 for this one

HGV - the first time I stayed in a Hgv I took their offer - $365 for 4 nights - then I got a special for $299 for 5 nights - then I joined RCI - again $149 exchange fee + $0 maintence fee (this was a bonus for buying) = $149.
the first two were studios - the last one was a 2-bedroom.

of course I own my DVC - so other than maintence fees - I paid around $1,435 - I stay in studios so for around $49 a night - I stay 29 nights on WDW property. - When I need to rent this - I get $10 a night - so $3,500 for the full rental (which I have never done - like to go to often).

this year I exchanged my Landmark got a SSR studio - $125 (exchange fee) + $435 (maintence fees) = $560 - this units rents for $1,500 - so I think it is a good deal! My cousin got my AC (this was new and I didn't know I would get it - all vacation were planned so I gave it to her) - $299 (exchange fee) - Marriott's Cypress Harbour.

I had to cancel my July trip because of work - so I got the Celebration (but only because Spicey can stay here - otherwise I would not have bid).

 

[Sandyincanada]

Thanks, its always interesting to see what others do or have found. Our problem is that our flights are just not flexible from here. So many insist on Sat - Sat, we can't always do that but I do keep checking. You guys got some fantastic prices

 

[carolina traveler]

Carolina traveler..........I like the website, but some of the prices are wacky. A one bedroom at Star Island with a reserve of $1750!! Are they kidding??? Reserve means that the auction has to meet at least that minimum, right???

Prices are set by owners so you are going to see a wide variety of prices. Reserve,is the owner asking price. You can bid a bit lower and would be up to the owner to accept or not your offer. I have seen very reasonable prices, some owners are just looking to recoup their maintenance fees. Just click under How to bid and it explain all the details. Since they have sales and rental be sure to select rentals.

 

[spiceycat]

there are marriott here
www.condodirect.com
but they can be expensive.

 

[luvdisney14]

spicey cat

how did you get the HG for 299.00 for 5 nights. The place looks great.

 

[spiceycat]

oh this is old.

well my timeshare has fees of $250 + $149(exchange fee from RCI) = $299

however I think the exchange fees then was only $129.

this was a RCI exchange.

 

[bubba73]

I have stayed at several timeshares in the Orlando area over the years. I would have to say that my two favorites that I have been at was SummersBay and Westgate. At SummersBay, we were "lucky" enough to get a 3 bedroom, 3 bath house with a private screened in pool and a 1-car garage. It was like we never left home. Westgate was very special to me for that was the first time that we went to a resort like that and I took my parents with us. Instead of them taking me, I took them. I felt like it was my special way of saying thank you for all the times they have taken me somewhere.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I just stayed at the HGVC on International Drive this weekend for $185 per night for a 2BDR and it was very nice.

 

[disneymom3]

I have stayed at Cypress Point for $85 a night thru Hotel Kingdom. Liked it just fine but it was not my favorite.

Stayed at Vistana Villages through an RCI exchange so around $200 (it is not our timeshare so we pay the exchange plus a guest fee.) It is a beautiful resort but would never ever stay there again due to several issues.

Stayed at Westgate Vacation Villas--yucky yucky yucky, can't say that enough. Paid about $35 a night through SkyAuction.

Several stays at Vistana resort--two exchanges, one on Hotel Kingdom way back when you could get it on there, and several stays at a nightly rate. This is by far our favorite. Many pools to choose from, stunning grounds, cute little store, great restaurants, good amount of space in the villas and we have always had awesome customer service. One of the times we had to request two cribs, the guy with the cribs got to the villa before we did and we had only asked for them at check in!

 

[mhuber92211]

So here is my 2nd post Woohoo, this site gets addiciting real quick doesn't it?

Anywho, I am using RCI through my family who purchases cheap, tradeable timeshares on Ebay and such. Basically the week I am using was banked in 2004 (a south african resort) so the fees and such were paid back then. I guess all I have to pay is the $149 exchange fee. I have a small list to choose from that seems to change everyday but there are some resorts that remain. How is the Oak Plantation, FairField @ Cypress Palms and Embassy Grand Beach?

As a side note, I used to manage the daily operations of a timeshare resort in Palm Springs (Club Intrawest) so I have some "insider" information on the whole timeshare presentation experience. I am not sure how some are staying for 3 hours and such (time does fly at times) but Its very easy to get out of the presentation with a gift. All you have to do is ask them financial questions. Most sales people aren't too up to date with the interest rate requiremments, deeded propertites and out of town land purchases. Most presentations are sales trickery. THey find something that intrigues you to hook you into sitting and listening for awhile. For me the easiest way to get out of the presentation in a hurry was to ask them "Why should I spend $10,000 more to you right now then I would have to on a reseasle". The typical answer is that buying through them gives you certain "bonuses" like an extra week or right of 1st refusal on a resale. When I mention that with the added cost involved, these "bonuses" turn out actually more expensive, they just let me go rather then fight with me. Using logical arguments in a noncombative way usually works! Good Luck!