Are there major problems at Wyndham Oceanwalk?

[littlestar]

I read this review over at timeshare forums and it's very troubling. It said evidently Wyndham has lost control and management of the north tower.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forums/timeshare-reviews/115696-review-wyndham-ocean-walk.html

How many other Wyndham's are mixed use?

 

[Twinkstarr]

I think this is more of a Daytona issue imho. Someone posted an article from either the Daytona or Orlando paper about how bad it's gotten. Who knows the whole owners are probably of an age where they don't want a pool or lazy river. My sister's HOA here has factions on who wants to pay for snow removal(how many inches before we call) and grass watering in the summer.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140008

It says a lot when I look at packages for Speedweeks or 4th of July race and they always include hotels in Orlando and they bus you over.

We up to Daytona 2 yrs ago when we were at Vero Beach to see the track and museum(which has closed). I don't think I would stay there.

PS-any Oceanwalk owners probably know this but the 2012 Daytona 500 has been moved back a week. It won't be Sunday of President's Day weekend.

Due to the fact the NFL may go to a longer season, but we know they need a new labor contract first which negotiations are stalled.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I think this is more of a Daytona issue imho. ..

any Oceanwalk owners probably know this but the 2012 Daytona 500 has been moved back a week. It won't be Sunday of President's Day weekend...

Yes, basicly disclosed when this year's attendees were checkin/out of their various hotels this year! What a cluster-f$%* for the OceanWalk owners who booked the "normal" time 30 days earlier, making those points virtually worthless as cancelled reservation points for all of 2012 (90 day booking usage). And what about Bike Week dates which follows 'THE 500'?

The Chamber of Commerce had BiketoberFest listed for the wrong weekend two years ago.

As for the North Tower whole unit owners and the lawsuit - it is ongoing.

 

[Twinkstarr]

Yes, basicly disclosed when this year's attendees were checkin/out of their various hotels this year! What a cluster-f$%* for the OceanWalk owners who booked the "normal" time 30 days earlier, making those points virtually worthless as cancelled reservation points for all of 2012 (90 day booking usage). And what about Bike Week dates which follows 'THE 500'?

The Chamber of Commerce had BiketoberFest listed for the wrong weekend two years ago.

As for the North Tower whole unit owners and the lawsuit - it is ongoing.

The announcement of the move of the D500, was last weekend to the surprise of many of the NASCAR press that I follow on Twitter. And there are usually one or 2 of them that "hear something before hand".

Since we get a 4 day weekend for Pres Day, I was thinking about booking something in Orlando, and hitting the Truck race Friday night. Oh well back to plan B, skiing up in Michigan again.

Looks like the Shootout might be Pres Day weekend, but they didn't announce anything. Some are speculating NASCAR will cut down the length of Speedweeks.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I heard about the change at the MCO airport on President's Weekend Monday from a race fan who was waiting for their plane home. I got a bump on Southwest for a decent credit ... did little to improve my disbelief that a major (and the season's kickoff) Nascar race could just be move because of the Super Bowl?

Wasn't that 3 day Holiday Weekend in mid-January still open or good enough for another football game? How long can they possibly make the Football season and expect players to be ready to play after shorter & shorter offseason break? And does this change when the 'ProBowl" is played?

OR maybe, the NFL/AFL owners need more time to plan their big event a little better after the Dallas' seat problem.

 

[Twinkstarr]

I heard about the change at the MCO airport on President's Weekend Monday from a race fan who was waiting for their plane home. I got a bump on Southwest for a decent credit ... did little to improve my disbelief that a major (and the season's kickoff) Nascar race could just be move because of the Super Bowl?

Wasn't that 3 day Holiday Weekend in mid-January still open or good enough for another football game? How long can they possibly make the Football season and expect players to be ready to play after shorter & shorter offseason break? And does this change when the 'ProBowl" is played?

OR maybe, the NFL/AFL owners need more time to plan their big event a little better after the Dallas' seat problem.

Besides avoiding the SB, this will get rid of that rather stupid off week they have in mid March. I know it goes back to the Nationwide race in Mexico City(trying to get Cup guys down there), but silly to have an off week 3 events in.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Besides avoiding the SB, this will get rid of that rather stupid off week they have in mid March. I know it goes back to the Nationwide race in Mexico City(trying to get Cup guys down there), but silly to have an off week 3 events in.

As for having an off week 3 events in or having the THE 500 on a Holiday Weekend, let NASCAR put another race on the schedule for the down week.

Truly, this is about TV draw and market share (IMHO). Nascar has been losing market share and attendance has been down due to various reasons (age of racers, age of attendees, THE ECOMONY, major sponsors, regional base, etc). The winner of this year's race could breathe new life into this aging "sport" IF he wins or places very well during the season. Fluke? The fluke was his car just didn't have a sponsor, but he has been well schooled and showed enough promise - someone paid for that car and entrance fee. A wreck or two got him into the winner's circle, but he didn't just drive off RT 17-92 onto that oval in his street rod.

 

[Twinkstarr]

As for having an off week 3 events in or having the THE 500 on a Holiday Weekend, let NASCAR put another race on the schedule for the down week.

Truly, this is about TV draw and market share (IMHO). Nascar has been losing market share and attendance has been down due to various reasons (age of racers, age of attendees, THE ECOMONY, major sponsors, regional base, etc). The winner of this year's race could breathe new life into this aging "sport" IF he wins or places very well during the season. Fluke? The fluke was his car just didn't have a sponsor, but he has been well schooled and showed enough promise - someone paid for that car and entrance fee. A wreck or two got him into the winner's circle, but he didn't just drive off RT 17-92 onto that oval in his street rod.

I think moving it from the holiday weekend is a big mistake, from a logistic and yet another move from tradition that really seems to bother old time fans. A lot of fans haven't forgiven the Big Wigs for moving the Labor Day race from Darlington to Fontana. Maybe they've gotten a few back by moving it to Atlanta.

Could Trevor be the next Jeff Gordon or the next Derek Cope? Who knows?

 

[timeos2]

Mixed use often a problem. Different goals for owners

I read this review over at timeshare forums and it's very troubling. It said evidently Wyndham has lost control and management of the north tower.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forums/timeshare-reviews/115696-review-wyndham-ocean-walk.html

How many other Wyndham's are mixed use?

Trying to steer this thread back on subject there is a serious problem at Oceanwalk. There are many other (dozen or more?) Wyndham resorts that are only partially timeshare and share buildings with whole owners and/or hotels.

This conflict with whole owners who don't usually care about resort amenities is ongoing in many areas where the two co-exist. Not all are Wyndham by any means. Who pays for what is usually a big problem area.

This is also a big potential problem for mega-resorts that way over-develop costly things like water parks. Once the developer finally sells out & stops supporting them the owners will get sticker shock as to how much they cost to operate and maintain. OLCC, Wastegate and a few others come to mind for that issue.

Best to stick with owner controlled, reasonably sized resorts that have been built out (not forever expanding which kills value in a number of ways) and that offer reasonable amenities for their size. The minute mixed use and over development kick in there are big problems brewing down the road IMO. Oceanwalk a classic example it seems.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I think moving it from the holiday weekend is a big mistake, from a logistic and yet another move from tradition that really seems to bother old time fans....

I went to college in that particular neck of the woods. My NJ uncle who never seemed to go on vacation showed up at my college, because he was at the race (went every year, unknown to 18yo me). And that was before Disney opened. And 2011 is Disney's 40th year of operation.

I fully agree - traditions may not be a number included by calculation of a MBA, but due to the sudden nature of this change, it must have been one very unhappy business meeting when it was shovelled downhill.

 

[bnoble]

making those points virtually worthless as cancelled reservation points for all of 2012 (90 day booking usage)

Cancel points can't be used for ARP, but they can be used for Standard (10 month) bookings.

 

[Twinkstarr]

Cancel points can't be used for ARP, but they can be used for Standard (10 month) bookings.

That could put a crimp in someone's plans to book a week for the race. Which seems why people own at Oceanwalk. The only time it seems to be booked up is anytime a race is going on over at DIS(Daytona Int'l Speedway).

 

[vacationhopeful]

Trying to steer this thread back on subject there is a serious problem at Oceanwalk. ...
Best to stick with owner controlled, reasonably sized resorts that have been built out (not forever expanding which kills value in a number of ways) and that offer reasonable amenities for their size. The minute mixed use and over development kick in there are big problems brewing down the road IMO. Oceanwalk a classic example it seems.

John,
Oceanwalk's biggest problem is its location - Daytona Beach. If you haven't been there in the past few years, you can't understand how bad the whole area is. I live in NJ which has its share of old shore towns - the seedy underside of Atlantic City, Asbury Park, etc with chronic unemployment, halfway houses, condemned buildings, hurricane damaged oceanfront old motels, welfare motels, empty storefronts, Broadwalk beggars, etc. For some strange reason (man-made maybe more so than climate, IMHO), Daytona Beach should be next door to Atlantic City vs Palm Coast, Gold Coast, Cocoa Beach, etc. There is no way that the Hilton Hotel or Oceanwalk Resort can be standalone destinations on a Florida beach with extremely limited dining and shopping without getting into the car and driving thru a rundown, closed, shabby and boarded up neighborhood block after block - it is not a return place memory generating vacation destination. There is a whole lot of nicer places in Florida. Therefore, in my opinion, ANY timeshare in Daytona Beach has issues with keeping its owners paying and happy ... Oceanwalk full share condo owners are just more visible.

And if Oceanwalk was in Pompano Beach, it would be totally different. In my opinion.

 

[Free2Roam]

I guess i'll be changing my plans for the family summer vacation

I visited Ocean Walk not too long after it opened....it was a nice property. I thought it would be nice to take the kids this year. I'm definitely changing those plans.

 

[WeLovetoTravel]

We stayed at Ocean Walk from Dec 25- Jan 2 this year. Our room was clean. You could tell it was recently renovated. One outdoor pool was open, the indoor pool was open. The tiki bar was closed. I don't know if it's permanently closed or if it was just too cold outside to open it. Yes we could really tell the area is very economically depressed. It sure has changed in the last 10 years. We were there to visit with family for the holidays and had a great time. I agree that there are nicer areas to stay in Florida, but I have no complaints about our stay at OW. The staff was very friendly and accomodating, the grounds were well kept, and the room was in good shape. We stayed in a 3BR.
-Deb

 

[vacationhopeful]

Was the lobby bar open? If so, then the TIKI bar might have been closed for the cooler season.

 

[WeLovetoTravel]

Yes the lobby bar and the restaurant were both open

 

[timeos2]

John,
Oceanwalk's biggest problem is its location - Daytona Beach. If you haven't been there in the past few years, you can't understand how bad the whole area is. I live in NJ which has its share of old shore towns - the seedy underside of Atlantic City, Asbury Park, etc with chronic unemployment, halfway houses, condemned buildings, hurricane damaged oceanfront old motels, welfare motels, empty storefronts, Broadwalk beggars, etc. For some strange reason (man-made maybe more so than climate, IMHO), Daytona Beach should be next door to Atlantic City vs Palm Coast, Gold Coast, Cocoa Beach, etc. There is no way that the Hilton Hotel or Oceanwalk Resort can be standalone destinations on a Florida beach with extremely limited dining and shopping without getting into the car and driving thru a rundown, closed, shabby and boarded up neighborhood block after block - it is not a return place memory generating vacation destination. There is a whole lot of nicer places in Florida. Therefore, in my opinion, ANY timeshare in Daytona Beach has issues with keeping its owners paying and happy ... Oceanwalk full share condo owners are just more visible.

And if Oceanwalk was in Pompano Beach, it would be totally different. In my opinion.

You make a very valid point and it is part of the issue (but so is the mixed use part). In fact the development of Oceanwalk was at least in part to "improve" a more than slightly seedy area - one that may draw Oceanwalk down to it's level rather than Oceanwalk raising the quality/desirability of the property. It was a ral risk and Oceanwalk may have lost the bet.

If it was in Pompano Beach it would be a premier resort IMO. As it is it is a troubled resort heading the wrong way. Too bad for owners and those of us who liked it for a visit or two.

 

[joestein]

We stayed there in 2006 and LOVED it. We always talk about going back. What a shame!

But what another poster said is correct. The Oceanwalk area is beautiful and the rest of the town is a dump and then some.

The funny thing is that I always see people complain that Wyndham controls the boards, but when I have heard about the boards taking control away from Wyndham, I often see negative results follow.

I am thinking about this property and the bluebeard castle(not sure if that is the right resort) fiasco.

Peronally, I do not think it is to anyone's benefit to let amenties rot.

Joe

 

[vacationhopeful]

We stayed there in 2006 and LOVED it. We always talk about going back....But what another poster said is correct. The Oceanwalk area is beautiful ...
Joe

Hi Joe,
GO BACK! Eat at the nearby restrauants. Yes, you might feel that you are just one family, but you would be just one MORE family on vacation VS one FEWER family not there.

Shop at the BRICK & MORTAR stores which are in business year round. Go a tour; buy a tee-shirt with a local historical site. People travel overseas to help under-developed countries and their economies. Here you have safe water, no passport required, few Subways (and other chains). Have you or your family toured a Historic Black College - just a mile or so away from OW? Or the first settlement in the US (70 miles away). Or the space center (south by an hour)? Or the oldest college in FL (just 25 minutes away) - which has an excellant law school (trial lawyers)? Or a town which for years was a spiritual camp for palmists?

Just a suggestion...

 

[Trinity524]

Being new and being an Ocean Walk owner has me worried about this. What is the worst that happens? Let's just say it all goes to the wasteside. What is the absolute worst thing that can happen? Would they transfer my points elsewhere? Or do they send me a letter saying, sorry, you no longer have a timeshare?

 

[timeos2]

Being new and being an Ocean Walk owner has me worried about this. What is the worst that happens? Let's just say it all goes to the wasteside. What is the absolute worst thing that can happen? Would they transfer my points elsewhere? Or do they send me a letter saying, sorry, you no longer have a timeshare?

They cannot simply terminate your timeshare rights there without proper notice, options, etc. But the resort could turn into a poor stepchild - as happened at Bluebeards - and while you still have ownership, points & use it is at a location that virtually is orphaned. Not a great thing but it wouldn't affect your legal ownership only the desirability of that ownership and lessen the already low resale value even more.

Hope for everyone's sake that they get this straightened out - an abandoned lazy river in the middle of an already less than perfect resort setting doesn't help anyone and two warring Associations are never a good thing.

 

[Trinity524]

Forgive me for being silly, but why am I paying maintenance fees for a pool that doesn't work? I know, silly question. Seems there would be some type of recourse for that.

 

[vacationhopeful]

- an abandoned lazy river .

John,
Is the lazy river working?

 

[rrlongwell]

Forgive me for being silly, but why am I paying maintenance fees for a pool that doesn't work? I know, silly question. Seems there would be some type of recourse for that.

The deeds and related paperwork at the time of sale would need to be reviewed. I would suspect that part of the responabilities of the Property Owners Association would be to perform maintance. A attorney would need to review the paperwork. If their is a violation, I do not know if a attorney would take it on a contingency basis or not. You could probably get a free or negligable cost review. The Bar Association in Flordia I think has a referral service that the initial review was something like 15 dollars.