Come to Orlando Jan 22 for our 2020 TUG meeting!

[rickandcindy23]

We leave Orlando to go back home on the 20th. I guess we will miss the fun times. I am disappointed. I loved meeting people last time. I wanted to meet Alan Cole, too, who couldn't make it when we were there. I think he had a hip replacement, which I just had done myself.

 

[AwayWeGo]

If memory serves me right there are several HGVC locations very near this address.

HGVC Sea World, HGVC International Drive, HGVC Parc Soleil, HGVC Las Palmeras.

We snagged an RCI exchange reservation for HGVC Sea World 1 time. It was outstanding in all respects. I can only assume that the other HGVC locations are equally good.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[AwayWeGo]

I wanted to meet Alan Cole, too, who couldn't make it when we were there. I think he had a hip replacement, which I just had done myself.

I would like to meet you, too.

My hip was replaced in January 2016. I get around just fine now. The only downside to having a hip operation was missing out on our Orlando-Kissimmee timeshare vacation that January. We (partly) made up for that by taking an August 2016 week at Vacation Village At Parkway. (Our son & daughter-in-law & grandson were staying in an Air B&B double-wide out near Orange Lake that same week.) We made it back to Orlando-Kissimmee timeshares every January since then, & we're signed up for a January 2020 timeshare week in Kissimmee (Jan. 18-25), with optimistic hope of snagging more timeshare reservations when the RCI Last Call window opens for early January.

BTW -- in January 2019, there were 2 TUG meet-ups at Golden Corral -- the "official" event organized by Joan, plus a preview event at the same Golden Corral location 7 days ahead of the "official" meet-up. That happened because several people who were going to be in & around Orlando the earlier week didn't want to miss out. The Chief Of Staff & I went both times & had a great time twice. There's no reason people can't do something similar this coming January. All it takes is showing up about 2PM at Golden Corral. We plan to be in town. Anybody else up for January 15th?

PS: One January when we were staying at Wyndham Cypress Palms, we met an enthusiastic timeshare couple at 1 of the resort's morning activity sessions featuring coffee & snacks. We told them about the Golden Corral event that was coming up & urged them to show up & be part of that. They arrived on time & joined right in. Everybody had a nice time.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[mcsteve]

HGVC Sea World, HGVC International Drive, HGVC Parc Soleil, HGVC Las Palmeras.

We snagged an RCI exchange reservation for HGVC Sea World 1 time. It was outstanding in all respects. I can only assume that the other HGVC locations are equally good.

​

We've stayed at both HGVC Sea World and Tuscany. Both were excellent facilities. I'm looking at to see if we can snag a few nights at Sea World as that would likely be the closest of the choices.

Hopefully we'll see you there.​

 

[Marilynmayer]

Hi I’m new to all this. Is this gathering a good way to learn ways to maximize our HGVC points etc?

 

[AwayWeGo]

Is this gathering a good way to learn ways to maximize our HGVC points etc?

Even though it's more a fun social occasion than a strictly instructional event, you're still apt to meet experienced timeshare people who know a thing or 2 about the various points systems, quite possibly including HGVC. If so, you can pepper them with questions & get useful HGVC insights.

We've been learning since 2002, but there's still more we don't know about the various timeshare systems than things we do know. Still, we like playing the game & we specially enjoy spending time in person with people we formerly knew only via TUG-BBS.

I hope you'll be part of the crowd on Jan. 22, 2020.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[suskey]

Turns out I will be at Marriott's Imperial Palms that week, so I plan to attend.

Susan Lynskey

 

[ronandjoan]

Great! Looking forward to it!

 

[AwayWeGo]

BTW -- in January 2019, there were 2 TUG meet-ups at Golden Corral -- the "official" event organized by Joan, plus a preview event at the same Golden Corral location 7 days ahead of the "official" meet-up. That happened because several people who were going to be in & around Orlando the earlier week didn't want to miss out. The Chief Of Staff & I went both times & had a great time twice. There's no reason people can't do something similar this coming January. All it takes is showing up about 2PM at Golden Corral. We plan to be in town. Anybody else up for January 15th?

Today we snagged Last Call reservations for Jan. 4-18, 2020, at Vacation Village At Parkway, so we will be in town Jan. 15, in case TUG people who won’t be there for Jan. 22 would like to get together Jan. 15 at Golden Corral.

No need to sign up. Just show up. (But let us know if you’re going, & we’ll be sure to go, too.)

— Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Carol C]

Now I really want to go! I've only been to one and got to meet Alan, and Rick and Cindy, and others I'd only known by their written words on TUG. I always love seeing Joan and Ron...and I can say I've been holding onto a cup they loaned me. A good excuse to return a cup...downsizing!

 

[ronandjoan]

Now I really want to go! I've only been to one and got to meet Alan, and Rick and Cindy, and others I'd only known by their written words on TUG. I always love seeing Joan and Ron...and I can say I've been holding onto a cup they loaned me. A good excuse to return a cup...downsizing!

Wonderful Carol .. and I have actually forgotten about the cup!

 

[Carol C]

Wonderful Carol .. and I have actually forgotten about the cup!

Check your email. I sent you a photo of it...too delicate to mail so I was holding it for safekeeping. If it's not yours I would keep it of course as I am a crazy cat lady!

 

[AwayWeGo]

Reminder: If you're going to be in the Orlando-Kissimmee area of Florida on January 22, 2020, mark your calendar for a casual afternoon of eating & greeting your TUG friends starting 2PM at Golden Corral, 8707 Vineland Avenue,
Orlando FL. (There are several other Golden Corral locations in & around Orlando & Kissimmee, so set your GPS navigator app to this location.)

Hearty thanks to Ron & Joan Dungey for setting it up once again. It's always a highlight of our January Orlando experience.

We're unsure how many are interested in a preview meet-up the week before the Jan. 15 2PM event at Golden Corral.

We did get a nice message from a person interested in a preview gathering the prior week, but only if it came later in the week -- e.g., Friday (Jan. 17) or Saturday (Jan. 18) instead of Wednesday (Jan. 15) -- because the people expressing interest won't be checking in till Jan. 17 & if the preview TUG meet-up is Jan. 15 they'll miss it. But if it's Friday or Saturday, then they'll be in town for both events -- the real deal 2PM Jan. 22 & the preview meet-up 2PM Jan. 17 or Jan. 18 -- & they don't want to miss either 1.

That's the only expression of interest we know about for a preview meet-up, regardless of the day of the week.

We're certainly not locked in to Jan. 15. We'll be just as happy to see TUG people Jan. 17 as any other day, specially if Jan. 17 makes it possible for people to participate who otherwise would miss out.

We think Jan. 17 (Friday) is slightly better than Jan. 18 (Saturday), but only because Saturday is check-in day for so many timeshare vacationers (including us) who'll be dealing with front desk issues, schlepping suitcases, getting settled, & so forth. (We'll already be in town, but we'll be checking out of 1 timeshare & checking into the next on Jan. 18.)

To any who are thinking about getting together at Golden Corral the week of Jan. 11-18, 2020, let us know what you think, whether you're planning on taking part in the preview meet-up, & what day of the week works best. It will be great meeting face to face, then & again the following week at the real January TUG Orlando meet-up.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Synergy]

I am not an established member, but I've been following this thread hoping I might be able to make one or the other dinner. I live in Florida, and am in Orlando frequently for work. I'm almost never there on weekends, but I can usually make Wednesdays work. We leave for Hawaii on the 23rd, so the 22nd isn't exactly the best day for me, but I am almost definitely going to be in Orlando that day, so...

Anyway, obviously, I don't want you to plan anything around me, but know that there's at least one random lurking and hoping to join you!

 

[pedro47]

I was trying this morning to figure out how I could attend this years get together. I found a deal on lodging but could not find a deal on airfare. One of these years I’m going to get down to this get together

The increased in air fare to Florida and trying
to book a direct flight is becoming a big problem unless you are living in a big city.
Examples:
Norfolk, Va to Orlando flight Norfolk to Charlotte then to Orlando.
Norfolk to BWI then to Orlando
Norfolk to Atlanta then to Orlando
Norfolk to Chicago then to Orlando
We are now driving to Richmond, Va to book a direct flight Richmond, VA to Florida direct. Jet Blue.

This is on my bucket list of things to do.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

The increased in air fare to Florida and trying
to book a direct flight is becoming a big problem unless you are living in a big city.
Examples:
Norfolk, Va to Orlando flight Norfolk to Charlotte then to Orlando.
Norfolk to BWI then to Orlando
Norfolk to Atlanta then to Orlando
Norfolk to Chicago then to Orlando
We are now driving to Richmond, Va to book a direct flight Richmond, VA to Florida direct. Jet Blue.

This is on my bucket list of things to do.

I can so relate, I had to take Southwest for a trip I have to Fl in Feb and our schedule looks similar to what you listed above

 

[dioxide45]

This looks to be the week that we will be at Sheraton Vistana Villages! I work during the day from the room, but will see what I can do to be there for the meetup at 2:00pm.

 

[Jan M.]

This looks to be the week that we will be at Sheraton Vistana Villages! I work during the day from the room, but will see what I can do to be there for the meetup at 2:00pm.

Don't worry if you can't get there right at 2pm because we will still be there. You could private message one of us to exchange phone numbers so you can check to make sure we are still there.

We closed the place down last year but I don't think they were very happy with us for staying that long. We did leave extra tips and they were never so busy that the room we were in was needed. If it breaks up earlier someone will offer to have everyone come to their unit.

Also some of us will be there the days before and after and would be interested in getting together.

 

[dreamin]

Wish we could make it again this year as last year was so much fun. Lots of interesting conversations, new people to meet and very casual. We're leaving for Hawaii next week to attend my niece's wedding but I encourage others to attend this event if you've never been. Jan was right....watch out for the evening Manager as last year he approached our group with an offer of a discounted rate on the dinner menu. I'm guessing he was not happy with our group paying for lunch but staying right through the evening! Have a good time at the TUG get-together! Betty & John

 

[AwayWeGo]

Today at Vacation Village At Parkway we met a couple from Michigan, Leon & Charlotte, whom we 1st met 3 Januaries ago at Wyndham Cypress Palms. We got to talking 3 years ago about timeshares & RCI & points & Wyndham & RCI Platinum & I don’t know what-all. We invited them to the TUG Golden Corral get-together, & they showed up. Today we invited them to be part of this year’s TUG Golden Corral meet-up set for Jan. 22, 2020. I hope they’ll be there again, along with lots of TUG folks.

— Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[hjsweet2002]

Hey TUGGERS!

Once more we'll be hosting our annual get-together at Golden Corral, this year on January 22nd.

Hope to see you all there this year!

More info later, we are posting now since several have already asked about the date!

Until then.
Ron and Joan

Mary and I hope to be there. We are visiting family in Zephyrhills

 

[mcsteve]

My spouse has been trying to navigate some very inflexible meetings to make time to get away but, unfortunately, could not get things to work out. Yesterday she said “just go get some sun for a few days and get away” so I booked a flight and will be at HGVCLUB AT TUSCANY VILLAGE from the 19th to the 24th. Looks like I’ll be able to attend and finally put some faces to some names. This will be my first meet and greet with the TUG group and I’m looking forward to it.

 

[Dbostron]

Today we snagged Last Call reservations for Jan. 4-18, 2020, at Vacation Village At Parkway, so we will be in town Jan. 15, in case TUG people who won’t be there for Jan. 22 would like to get together Jan. 15 at Golden Corral.

No need to sign up. Just show up. (But let us know if you’re going, & we’ll be sure to go, too.)

— Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

We are a party of 2 at the 'preview' on 1/15 right now! Oh, well... Did not look for cancellation or reschedule info when we found it early last week. We'll be back next Wednesday. We're at Vacation Village also. Just haven't seen you yet Alan.
Come to bingo tonight. We will be those with dragging bellies!

 

[pedro47]

Starting at 2PM means we old folks get in for the sr. citz. lunch rate, but it's late enough so that before long Golden Corral brings out all the supper items, & the feast goes on.

Yum.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

This is our men senior‘s class goal at Golden Corral to have a little lunch and also be able to enjoy a hot dinner meal. Spouses do not cook on the third Wednesday of the month. LOL

 

[AwayWeGo]

We are a party of 2 at the 'preview' on 1/15 right now! Oh, well... Did not look for cancellation or reschedule info when we found it early last week. We'll be back next Wednesday. We're at Vacation Village also. Just haven't seen you yet Alan.
Come to bingo tonight. We will be those with dragging bellies!

We would have shown up for the preview if we had been alert enough to realize anybody else was planning on being there. Sorry we missed it.

For lunch, we had Walkabout Wednesday steak at Outback. For supper, we got a sack of tacos from Taco Bell to eat back at our timeshare unit while we watched John Wick Chapter 3 on Redbox DVD. (I enjoyed it. The Chief Of Staff didn’t care for it.)

I did not look at TUG-BBS till after the movie. Otherwise we would have shown up for Bingo.

— Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​