what should i buy

[aclust]

Im trying to choose between Vistana Villages or Marriott Harbor Lake but am up for other suggestions

1) Where do you want your home resort to be?
I would prefer to have my home resort to be in Orlando. I have a 7 month old and plan on using it to visit Disney.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
I would prob visit 50% and trade 50%

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Cape Cod and other New England beach areas, Myrtle Beach, and possibly ski resorts

4) How many people do you usually travel with?
6-8

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
My wife works in the school system so I'm locked in to summer months or school vacation weeks.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
yes

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
prefer 4-5

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
looking at no more than $1000

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
$1000-$1200

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
not really but my wife is sometimes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
yes

 

[aclust]

forgot to mention I have stayed at Vistana Resort on a golf trip with co-workers and liked the place. Just thought Vistana Villages may be a little better with the kid.

 

[VacationForever]

If you are down to the two, I would say Vistana Villages, Bella or Key West phases is a no brainer. This enables you to use their internal trading system without the need to pay an external exchange fee for resorts (Myrtle Beach and ski locations) within the Vistana system.

 

[PamMo]

For your budget consideration, here are some of the 2017 SVV annual MF's for Bella and Key West phases (including mandatory Vistana membership fees, and taxes):

$1,284.44 - Key West 2BR (1,070-1,120sf/sleeps 8)
$1,329.06 - SVV Bella 2BR (1,080sf/sleeps 8)
$1,665.59 - SVV Bella 2BR Lock off (1,400sf/sleeps 8)
​

The Vistana Resort 2017 MF's do not include membership in the Vistana network. You'll have to join an exchange company (Interval, RCI...) and pay membership and trading fees if you want to trade (between $200-300 on top of your MF's).

$854.81 - SVR Spas 2BR (1,400sf/sleeps 8)
$1,182.59 - SVR Cascades 2BR Lock off (1,326sf/sleeps 8)​

Also, be aware that Orlando is an easy trade due to the sheer number of timeshares in the area. Even during the summer, you can always buy Getaways and Extra Vacations for about the same or less than MF's --- w-a-y less if you can travel in early June or mid/late August. Prime ski weeks (holidays when kids/teachers are on vacation) in 4-5* locations are extremely tough trades to get. Summer on Cape Cod and other New England beaches will also take a lot of planning and good luck.