Need some help getting started!

[justmeinflorida]

Thanks to some very nice people here on TUG, we're rescinding our retail purchase at RJCC...thanks again everyone! Now here's what I need help with, keep in mind I'm not asking for you to help us choose per say, just a little point in some directions we could start looking. There's SO MANY resorts out there, it really is overwhelming. We'd also like to be able to stay at different resorts in the US & International.

Here's a little about us and what we're looking for:

Two adults, two children 13yrs. & 17mo.
Location: Orlando/Kissimmee
Amenities: Pools, restaurant, game room, kids activities
Accommodations: 2br/2bth, balcony, kitchen, laundry
Availability: weekly & weekend
Available via re-sale purchase

Any idea where we should start our search

 

[DeniseM]

1) Start by joining TUG so you can read the members only TUG reviews and ratings for Florida Resorts.

2) Then start reading the Florida Forum on TUG, including the stickies at the top of that forum, and start asking questions.

3) I would NOT buy for 6 mos. - I guarantee what you will buy in 6 mos. is completely different that what you would buy now.

4) If you are dying to get your feet wet - do some Florida rentals from owners at resorts you are interested - cheap and plentiful.

 

[justmeinflorida]

1) Start by joining TUG so you can read the members only TUG reviews and ratings for Florida Resorts.

2) Then start reading the Florida Forum on TUG, including the stickies at the top of that forum, and start asking questions.

3) I would NOT buy for 6 mos. - I guarantee what you will buy in 6 mos. is completely different that what you would buy now.

4) If you are dying to get your feet wet - do some Florida rentals from owners at resorts you are interested - cheap and plentiful.

Thanks for the reply...believe me we're not planning on getting anything anytime soon. I was just looking for a point in the right direction on what places fit what we're looking for, so I can start doing my research there.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I would look at some of the hotel based systems - both Marriott and Hilton have several properties in Orlando. Starwood has Vistana Village and Vistana Resorts.

Then there is Wyndham who has a point system and has resorts all over including Orlando --- Bonnet Creek, one of the Wyndham properties is closer to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios than almost all of the Disney Vacation Club Properties (Beach Club and Boardwalk being the exceptions).

I have 2 DVC contracts that I dearly love but I would never buy them knowing what I know now --- they are simply too expensive compared to Marriott, Hilton, Starwood. I don't think that the premium that we paid for being onsiter is worth the significantly higher price. Still, of the 7 weeks that I own, those two are my favorites.

Lots of places to look. Happy hunting!

elaine

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

As an owner - and Orlando resident - of Wyndham, I would HIGHLY suggest them. You can get a 2-bedroom deluxe suite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, get a free shuttle to ANY Disney resort, and plenty of gorgeous amenities! The reason is, Wyndham runs on points. You can stay a couple days, or a week, any time of the year, at ANY of the 90+ resorts in North America/South Pacific/Caribbean. Other resorts are Fixed/Floating Weeks, which doesn't give you much flexibility.

TS

 

[justmeinflorida]

As an owner - and Orlando resident - of Wyndham, I would HIGHLY suggest them. You can get a 2-bedroom deluxe suite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, get a free shuttle to ANY Disney resort, and plenty of gorgeous amenities! The reason is, Wyndham runs on points. You can stay a couple days, or a week, any time of the year, at ANY of the 90+ resorts in North America/South Pacific/Caribbean. Other resorts are Fixed/Floating Weeks, which doesn't give you much flexibility.

TS

Thanks for the reply I was up all night looking at different resorts based on what glypnirsgirl pointed out and we happened to really like Wyndham. The points based system really works for what we need it for, mini vaca & weekly's as well. Bonnet Creek is exactly the kind of resort we are looking for, great activ. for the kids, close to the parks, good tradability. I spent most of today reading up on Wyndham on the forum and have learned a lot already and have "Wyndham Information and Advice Articles" bookmarked for easier referencing and I've already joined the "Wyndham Owners Group Forum" on another site...more very knowledge and helpful people, just like yourselves We'll be holding out purchasing for a little till we get more info. under our belt and we can find a good deal to snag up.

So glad I found this site or I'd be locked into a retail when I could've bought a few dirt cheap re-sales. Lesson learned and advice all around taken with much appreciation.