Where should I use timeshare?

[dr&momto2boys]

We want to plan a "cheap" vacation next year. We ran up debt this year and plan to pay it off by tightening up our vacation budget next year.

We have a timeshare we can exchange through Interval and we have airline credits of $200 each for the 6 of us that need to be used before October.
I'm thinking of going somewhere on the East coast because we have not traveled to that area before. Basically staying at a resort and maybe some day trips if we rent a van.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[pixiemama91]

Hilton Head is supposed to be really nice. There are a bunch of resorts down there. They fill up fast though. We are thinking going there this year, possibly around March if we can get space and the airfare isnt too expensive.

What about Myrtle Beach or Virginia Beach or on one of the coasts in Florida

 

[bearzabout]

I just love Williamsburg. You can walk through the historic area for free so you don't have to buy passes. Virginia Beach is a short drive from there.

Myrtle Beach is worth a visit. Hilton Head is nice, but most of the communities are gated so it is hard to do many road trips.

We loved the Outer Banks in late May / early June before it got too busy.

Cape Cod makes a great base for day trips.

I also love Sedona AZ, Santa Fe NM and Durango CO. Have you ever been to that part of the world? They all offer great day trip opportunities.

I stayed in timeshares at all the above locations except Cape Cod and loved them all.

 

[McKelly]

Do your kids like to swim? If they do, how about Glacier Canyon Lodge in WI Dells? TONS of stuff to do right at the resort. Besides several indoor and outdoor swimming/waterpark areas, there is mini-golf, arcades, bumper boats, laser tag and a ropes course. Everything is on-site, no need to travel outside of the resort, but if you want to, the Dells is FULL of family friendly activities. BUT, it can get expensive. Looking at the age of your kids, on site activities would probably be more than enough to occupy them.

 

[swilshire]

Hilton Head is supposed to be really nice. There are a bunch of resorts down there. They fill up fast though. We are thinking going there this year, possibly around March if we can get space and the airfare isnt too expensive.

What about Myrtle Beach or Virginia Beach or on one of the coasts in Florida

We are currently in Hilton Head. Typically we go to Florida this time of year, but I had to work right up until Christmas and Hilton Head is a pretty easy drive for us. This is our fourth or fifth visit here and I always leave with no real desire to come back. It is definitely not beach weather in December, and would be iffy in March. You could probably snag an exchange from II in March, but we came to Edisto Island, which is nearby, one year in March and it definitely wasn't warm.

Unless you like to golf or bike, there isn't really a lot to do here other than hang out on the beach and shop. We always enjoy going to Savannah for a day or two while we're here.

As another poster suggested, Williamsburg can be a good choice if you like history and Busch Gardens has good ticket specials if that is in your budget. Don't go in July or August, though, unless you really like the heat. Our last visit there it was over 100 degrees every day and we spent the middle part of the day hiding out in the air conditioned condo.

Cape Cod would be a good choice if you can go in June before the prices go up. Not sure how many II resorts are there. Maine could also be a good choice.

We went to Sedona for Spring break this year and had a great time without spending a ton of money.

Sheila

 

[crisi]

If you can get an exchange in Alexandria Virginia, and then get passes to the Metro, there is a TON of stuff to do in Washington DC that is free.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks, everyone!

Any specific resort recommendations?

We went to Williamsburg a couple years ago and D.C. also. We've been to Florida way too many times. And we live in Northern IL so WI Dells is a yearly experience for us. We used to have a vacation cabin an hour from there. Now we have one in Northern WI that we're renovating...that's why we have to tighten the travel budget next year. But we love to travel and homeschool on the road.

I like the sound of Cape Cod or Maine (or another state near there.) Since we've never travelled to that area, I'm a little lost with where a good location would be and also what to do. I think we would travel in September once most kids are back to school and while it's still warm.

 

[swilshire]

I like the sound of Cape Cod or Maine (or another state near there.) Since we've never travelled to that area, I'm a little lost with where a good location would be and also what to do. I think we would travel in September once most kids are back to school and while it's still warm.

September is perfect for Cape Cod and the Islands. Decent weather and the crowds are all gone.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

If you can get an exchange in Alexandria Virginia, and then get passes to the Metro, there is a TON of stuff to do in Washington DC that is free.

I think the resorts in that area are RCI only. None exchange with II.

Sheila

 

[McKelly]

How about Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, Missouri? They have timeshares.