williamsburg questions

[pickles]

Who has used points for that? Where did you stay how did you like it? Have any pics to share?

I was thinking of buying the current AKV offer with the 160 developer points and using it for a Williamsburg trip. Would this work for mid sept? is Williamsburg still open then?

 

[Connears]

Who has used points for that? Where did you stay how did you like it? Have any pics to share?

I was thinking of buying the current AKV offer with the 160 developer points and using it for a Williamsburg trip. Would this work for mid sept? is Williamsburg still open then?

We stayed at Ford's Colony (Marriott) in Williamsburg June 2003. We were in 1bdroom and it was beautiful..full kitchen and dining room, washer/dryer, fireplace(yes my ds and his friend tried the gas fireplace in June..90 degrees!), master bedroom had jacuzzi, private screened porch. The resort has lots of activities for kids and adults, there are 3 pools, there is a store with a pizza hut and sandwich take-out(and breakfast), the staff is wonderful and will help with planning and dining reservations. They also have tennis courts, outdoor grill for you to use and its on the ground of a golf course. It is convenient to Busch Gardens and Colonial williamsburg. We really enjoyed this vacation, it was the first time we used point other than a dvc since joining in 1994 and would return in a heart beat! Well worth 160 points for the week.

Connears

 

[Bopsmom]

Thanks for the info. We too want to do Williamsburg, but next summer. We aren't able to book because the dates/charts aren't up yet. There seems to be quite a few places to stay. I hope that others will share thier experience too.
We thought this would be a great trip since DD wants to visit her GodMom in Alexandria,VA and go to DC too.
(We are planning to add the DC Hotel(Manderian?) to the trip too).

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Colonial Williamsburg is open year-round. (Christmas there is beautiful.) Busch Gardens is open until October 26th, but goes to weekends-only after Labor Day.

 

[magicaldisney]

Would love to hear everyone's opinion on this, we are thinking of making the same trip.

 

[Connears]

When we went in June, it was very hot, but pools were great after park touring. Also Busch Garden stays open late and has fireworks. We purchased a multi-pass that allowed unlimited entrance to colonial williamsburg, busch gardens, jamestown for the 7 days we were there. It was a picture ID and you activate it on the day you start and its good for 7 days upto 14 days from activation. It really worked out well. We purchased them online at williamsburg website. We had 2 12-year-old boys who really enjoyed all of it and loved the resort(played tennis every night) and pool and the accomodations.

Connears

 

[Laxmom]

We have also stayed at Marriott's Ford Colony. Really nice resort. Williamsburg is open all year round while some of the parks - Busch Gardens and Water Country - have reduced hours in the off season. The water park is a must do with kids! We had a blast!! There is so much to do there, you won't be bored.

 

[rocketriter]

We also liked Marriott Fords Colony and recommend it. If you wish to visit Colonial Williamsburg for more than 2 days (you will), buy the Annual Pass. It's much less expensive than Disney's and it will get you into many Williamsburg tours. Be sure to sign up for a couple of the nighttime "trial" re-enactments, which are held in the House of Burgesses by candlelight and are fascinating.

 

[Lisa P.]

I was thinking of buying the current AKV offer with the 160 developer points and using it for a Williamsburg trip.

Buying DVC points and planning to use them for exchanging, right from the start, is a very expensive way to do things. If you already knew this and it's fine with you, great. But many (especially newer) people here don't realize that they could rent out their DVC points and use only a portion of the proceeds to rent a week from a Williamsburg owner... especially for a September (offseason) trip. Renting in Williamsburg is generally pretty reasonable. Area attractions sometimes offer good package deals too. Paying DVC prices for this particular vacation is completely unnecessary, and only a good (moneywise) idea if you would have lost the points otherwise (expiring). Some do it if they're deadset on the convenience of using DVC for all their vacations.

We too want to do Williamsburg... DD wants to visit her GodMom in Alexandria,VA and go to DC too.
(We are planning to add the DC Hotel(Manderian?) to the trip too).

Have you considered doing a direct exchange of reservations with a Wyndham owner? Wyndham has very nice resorts in Williamsburg and in Alexandria. This would probably save you a LOT of points, too.

Would love to hear everyone's opinion on this, we are thinking of making the same trip.

Love Williamsburg! Been twice with all the kids and their friends, exchange students, etc.... and look forward to going back, just with DH. Summertime is HOT (!) and humid though it's only an hour's drive to VA beach for a daytrip and the water park is open too. Most of the timeshare resorts in Williamsburg do have several pools. We prefer spring and fall in Williamsburg and the colonial sights are all open year-round. Have fun!!!

 

[Donald is #1]

How many people do the one and 2 bedroom units sleep? I am considering taken my niece and nephew down to the Williamsburg area sometime in the next couple of years.

 

[ldo]

for mid-Sept., if you post over on tug2.net under "direct trades," you will certainly get quite a few people willing to trade a mid-Sept Wllmbg week for DVC points. You could also specify Marriott only, and likely get the trade (although there are several very nice Wllmbg timeshares--so I would not insist on MArriott). You could likely offer less points, say a reservation for up to 120 points, and still get a 1 or 2 BR for mid-Sept.
Wllmbg is a great place to take kids and mid-Sept is lovely weather. 2nd and 3rd week are homeschoolers weeks--I think you get a Wllmbg pass for $5. BG is open Sat and SUn and some Fridays in Sept.

 

[Laxmom]

We stayed in a dedicated 2 bedroom and it slept 6 - 4 privately, 2 on the sofa bed.

I have always wanted to do a ghost tour at Williamsburg. I think it would be so cool! I am fascinated by that kind of stuff!

 

[Connears]

How many people do the one and 2 bedroom units sleep? I am considering taken my niece and nephew down to the Williamsburg area sometime in the next couple of years.

We had a 1 bedroom which slept 4. King in master and pull out sofa in living room..not sure what 2nd bedroom configuration is..sorry.

Connears

 

[Donald is #1]

We had a 1 bedroom which slept 4. King in master and pull out sofa in living room..not sure what 2nd bedroom configuration is..sorry.

Connears

That helps, thanks!

 

[Bopsmom]

Thanks LisaP and Ido for the information about trading/renting points. I never considered doing that, it might be the way to go.
I will talk with DH

 

[pickles]

Buying DVC points and planning to use them for exchanging, right from the start, is a very expensive way to do things. If you already knew this and it's fine with you, great. But many (especially newer) people here don't realize that they could rent out their DVC points and use only a portion of the proceeds to rent a week from a Williamsburg owner... especially for a September (offseason) trip. Renting in Williamsburg is generally pretty reasonable. Area attractions sometimes offer good package deals too. Paying DVC prices for this particular vacation is completely unnecessary, and only a good (moneywise) idea if you would have lost the points otherwise (expiring). Some do it if they're deadset on the convenience of using DVC for all their vacations.

That is an interesting idea. The developer pts can be used for SSR which i have no desire to stay at or trips like williamsburg. You are suggesting renting the points to someone who likes SSR and then using the cash earned for paying for the trip?
Course, my husband would just want to keep the cash and pay something practical with it.

 

[Starr W.]

for mid-Sept., if you post over on tug2.net under "direct trades," you will certainly get quite a few people willing to trade a mid-Sept Wllmbg week for DVC points. You could also specify Marriott only, and likely get the trade (although there are several very nice Wllmbg timeshares--so I would not insist on MArriott). You could likely offer less points, say a reservation for up to 120 points, and still get a 1 or 2 BR for mid-Sept.
Wllmbg is a great place to take kids and mid-Sept is lovely weather. 2nd and 3rd week are homeschoolers weeks--I think you get a Wllmbg pass for $5. BG is open Sat and SUn and some Fridays in Sept.

That's when my sister and I went last year. Used a II getaway for Manor Club. Beautiful weather and not crowded at all.

 

[pickles]

That is an interesting idea. The developer pts can be used for SSR which i have no desire to stay at or trips like williamsburg. You are suggesting renting the points to someone who likes SSR and then using the cash earned for paying for the trip?
Course, my husband would just want to keep the cash and pay something practical with it.

Ok, I am not seeing it. I went to
https://www.marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-rooms/phfcw-williamsburg-marriott/

I would need a 1 bedroom like a a dvc would have(I have 5 people and need a door between us and the kids), so I assume that is 2 rooms at the marriot? at approx $164 a room makes the point trade out at $20 a point..why would I want to go thru the hassle of renting out my developer points and renting a marriot room on cash, if I can just use my points directly? maybe I am looking at the wrong place?

 

[Pete W.]

We just stayed for a week in Williamsburg 6/27 - 7/4 and enjoyed it very much. My in-laws gave us a week of their timeshare and we used it for a 2-BR unit at the Powhatan Plantation Resort (booked thru RCI). Great location, nice grounds, pool area. Rooms are dated and a bit tired (but clean & roomy). The resort was just purchased by Diamond Resorts and it looked like they were gutting and remodeling some of the units so I suspect they will all be 'refreshed' eventually.

I highyl recommend the 'park hopper' passes available thru Busch Gardens. We purchased four 7-day passes which gave us unlimited admission to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and Colonial Williamsburg for ~$450. We also spent one day in Virginia Beach but be aware that is is a solid 75 minutes without traffic -- and you can expect some traffic in Hampton as you approach the bridge-tunnel on I-64.

 

[Lisa P.]

Sounds like you really want a 2BR. Visit the TUG classified Marketplace ads or Redweek and see what the timeshare owners are asking for a rental week. You ought to be able to rent out your SSR points for at least $8-$10+/pt, yielding $1,280-$1,600+. A weekly rental in Williamsburg, 2BR by an owner, ought to be relatively easy to obtain for well under $1,000, even in summer. If you post a message on the bulletin board (forum) for Rentals Wanted, the max price permitted is $700 for the week.

I'd be very, very surprised if you didn't find a good 2BR September rental at that price or less. Marriott is not out of the question. Wyndham Governor's Green would be my next choice (or possible Wyndham Kingsgate) and there are other nice ones too. No II exchange fee either. If you select a 2BR that sleeps 8, all the kids can sleep in the 2nd BR, leaving the LR/kitchen available to those who want to be up later or earlier than everyone else.