My Survey

[intrwrks]

1) Where do you want your home resort to be? Looking in Orlando but really don't have a preference

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? trade more

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations? eastern states for the foreseeable future.

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

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? kids in school

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? No

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time? I can but may prefer to do multiple 3-4 day trips

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? 3+

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing? $10,000

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? $1,500

11) Are you a detail oriented planner? No

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

I have friends that have HGVC which is where I have mostly looked and researched. Found this website and thought I would see if there are better options, or at least get some other people's opinions given my answers.

Thanks!

 

[vacationhopeful]

Your $10,000 buy in will get you a pretty nice place .. .but the $1500 yearly MFs won't pay for the top tier resort's MFs in a year or two.

Except DVC (Disney Vacation Club resorts) .... buy a small points package directly from DVC to get owners' benefits like discounts on Annual Disney Passes. Then buy the balance up to your price & yearly MF limit. But first, decide WHICH resort should be your home resort (priority booking window)... mine is Animal Kingdom Villas ... and I own 90 AKV points ... which every 3 years, I have 270 points by saving, borrowing and using current year points.

 

[GT75]

I see you have completed the survey but haven't had too many responses. I will try to add my thoughts. First, up front, I am only familiar with HGVC. I don't know anything about the others. They may be a much better fit for you.

It looks to me that you have enough money to get into the HGVC system. I would think that you would want a 3-Bd with 6 people. I don't know the ages but they will be growing anyway. You would be looking at 8400-9600 points in the Hilton system. I think that you have enough for MFs to cover your points. So that is the positives. Everything else looks good except for planning. I think that all system (if not then Hilton anyway) only works if you can plan for your vacations at especially the 9-month mark. This is when the club window (anyone with points available can book) opens.

HGVC has resorts in Orlando, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, but that is it for the East Coast. HGVC is over-built (IMO) in Orlando so you usually can book there much less than 9-month window. I have read some Tug members post that you can actually book Orlando cheaper via other means than TS. I don't really know because I haven't been to Orlando. I have been to Myrtle Beach and will soon be at Hilton Head.

Anyway, these are some of my thoughts. If you have any interest, please ask and I will add more information.

 

[WinniWoman]

What sticks out for me in the OP's survey is he/she cannot make plans 12 months out, which pretty much eliminates being a timeshare owner.

 

[WalnutBaron]

What sticks out for me in the OP's survey is he/she cannot make plans 12 months out, which pretty much eliminates being a timeshare owner.

I do think it's possible to actively participate as a timeshare owner if planning less than 12 months ahead, but I do agree with your basic premise: if you want to own timeshares, you simply must be able to plan ahead by several months at least. The OP might be better served in the short run by renting--both because it offers an alternative to those who can't plan too far ahead, and also to allow the OP and his/her family to visit several different properties over time to decide which one they like best. Fortunately, their target area of Orlando has many, many really good choices which should make renting easier.