WooHoo- I got Harborside Atlantis

[Dean]

What do you think is the likelihood of getting a week (1-bedroom) at any of the nicer II resorts in the Caribbean in Feb or March??? We've never traded in before, but have deposited our points this year to hopefully get something this winter. Are we nuts or is there a chance we will get something???

Yes, you are nuts, LOL. Feb and March are the highest demand along with Xmas & NY. The exception is starting right at 2 months before when things tend to pop up here and there. You must have an ongoing search or be looking online early, early AM or BOTH which DVC members can't do. You need to search at least a year out to have the best chance of success and 2 BR units are very unusual even when units come available. This is true because there less 2 BR units, more competition for them and many of them are lockoff's and thus not deposited as 2 BR units. But the only sure way to not match is to not try. I'd list everything you would consider acceptable. You might even want to make plans and get air with a cancelable cash reservation while searching hoping something does come through.

 

[Dean]

Well, we had wanted to try for our 10 year anniversary which is in Sept of 2010. We could be flexible for anytime between sept and nov and would only want a 1 bedroom for our family of 4. But, I go back and forth as to whether we just try to book it and pay oop or try to use our points for it. Thanks for the tips, it is encouraging to know that sept or oct is doable for this type of trade. One more question, when you stay at harborside, can you participate in the dining plans available at Atlantis?

If you're planning the trip anyway and paying cash, you have the best chance. You can book the trip while still searching as long as you have cancelable hotel reservations.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Tom and Robin tipped me off that the weeks had just been deposited, so I immediately called....

I jumped on it becuase I've tried unsuccessfully to book both The Grand, Macinaw, and Tanque Verde Ranch, and both times it was unavailable, so I ended up booking cash.

But I would do more II trades.... if I could ever get them.....

So that's why I was so excited to get this.

I'll ask for more tips on the resort when I get closer....

Right now this is a surprise XMAS present for Hubby and DD so I don't want to post to much in case they read my thread.

Goldi

 

[CheapMom]

...
sidenote - The hotel across the street which gives full access to Atlantis facilities is a Comfort Inn, not Days Inn.

I think it is actually Comfort Suites Hotel.

 

[tomandrobin]

Well, we had wanted to try for our 10 year anniversary which is in Sept of 2010. We could be flexible for anytime between sept and nov and would only want a 1 bedroom for our family of 4. But, I go back and forth as to whether we just try to book it and pay oop or try to use our points for it. Thanks for the tips, it is encouraging to know that sept or oct is doable for this type of trade. One more question, when you stay at harborside, can you participate in the dining plans available at Atlantis?

Well good news for you is September is the easist month to trade into Harborside. The only thing about the II trades to Harborside is the size of the one bedroom. Most of the units on II are for the "deluxe" units, which are half the size of the "premium" one bedroom.

Cash rates are about $2500 for a week in Sept. Renting a deluxe unit from an owner will be about $1500-$2000, a premium unit will be $1700-$2500 from an owner. There are various sites with rental ads by owners, just like DVC.

Yes you can purchase in dining plan. The dining plans are not worth the cost, in my opinion. Maybe for a short weekend. Check rates and menus to see if it works for you.