AlohaAmbassador
Guest
Having just returned from our Hawaiian vacation, thought I'd share some of the details of our owner update/sales pitch at HGVC Kings Land.
First off, this wasn't a high pressure pitch such as those we've experienced at HGVC Orlando. It was quite congenial, and we let them know right off that we were just interested in finding out what the numbers were.
We were a bit surprised to find out that our affiliate contract (2400 points at Seawatch in Ft. Myers Beach) did not count toward obtaining Elite status...not that we really cared, but of course that is the "Golden Ticket" for all sales presentations at HGVC. (I later confirmed that in the Club rules, as we had purchased it as a foreclosure from the association at Seawatch.)
Also, while they mentioned how much expansion Hilton Vacation Club is doing, such as the Trump property in Vegas and Hokulani in Waikiki, they didn't know anything about the rumored Ocean Tower conversion to timeshares at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, and they made no mention of any further expansion at Kings Land (nor was there any sign of any construction taking place).
As far as "the pitch" goes, they were willing to take our 7,000 point, 2BR Orlando platinum week on trade toward a 14,400 point platinum season unit at Kings Land, with a balance to finance of around $51,000. Then we could achieve Elite status!
(So basically, they wanted around $82,000 for the 14,400 point unit.) Coincidentally, they only had one of those units in available inventory, and it would probably be snapped up quickly. 
To sweeten the deal (because it was Easter, and this was a one-time only offer, of course), they were giving 50,000 Club bonus points as an incentive. My wife and I looked at each other and both said, "How the heck would we possibly use 50,000 bonus points over the next two years, in addition to the 14,400 points annually?" We don't have that much vacation time, or that many kids to share it with. It was almost ridiculously funny.
Needless to say, we didn't bite on the offer (or the other two lower point value offers he had at the ready), as we almost always use our points to stay during low season in the smallest available units to maximize value. Told the guy that even with what points we have we can stay at our home resort in Orlando for two weeks in a studio or 1BR each year and have plenty of points for a 1BR in Kings Land for two weeks the year after (and keep that pattern up indefinitely).
He was quite gracious, gave us our Holo Holo card and the $100 Hilton bucks, and we headed for the pool.
All in all, not a bad experience for two hours first thing on a Sunday morning...and we got to provide all you TUG folks with (hopefully) some valuable information.
First off, this wasn't a high pressure pitch such as those we've experienced at HGVC Orlando. It was quite congenial, and we let them know right off that we were just interested in finding out what the numbers were.
We were a bit surprised to find out that our affiliate contract (2400 points at Seawatch in Ft. Myers Beach) did not count toward obtaining Elite status...not that we really cared, but of course that is the "Golden Ticket" for all sales presentations at HGVC. (I later confirmed that in the Club rules, as we had purchased it as a foreclosure from the association at Seawatch.)
Also, while they mentioned how much expansion Hilton Vacation Club is doing, such as the Trump property in Vegas and Hokulani in Waikiki, they didn't know anything about the rumored Ocean Tower conversion to timeshares at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, and they made no mention of any further expansion at Kings Land (nor was there any sign of any construction taking place).
As far as "the pitch" goes, they were willing to take our 7,000 point, 2BR Orlando platinum week on trade toward a 14,400 point platinum season unit at Kings Land, with a balance to finance of around $51,000. Then we could achieve Elite status!
(So basically, they wanted around $82,000 for the 14,400 point unit.) Coincidentally, they only had one of those units in available inventory, and it would probably be snapped up quickly. To sweeten the deal (because it was Easter, and this was a one-time only offer, of course), they were giving 50,000 Club bonus points as an incentive. My wife and I looked at each other and both said, "How the heck would we possibly use 50,000 bonus points over the next two years, in addition to the 14,400 points annually?" We don't have that much vacation time, or that many kids to share it with. It was almost ridiculously funny.
Needless to say, we didn't bite on the offer (or the other two lower point value offers he had at the ready), as we almost always use our points to stay during low season in the smallest available units to maximize value. Told the guy that even with what points we have we can stay at our home resort in Orlando for two weeks in a studio or 1BR each year and have plenty of points for a 1BR in Kings Land for two weeks the year after (and keep that pattern up indefinitely).
He was quite gracious, gave us our Holo Holo card and the $100 Hilton bucks, and we headed for the pool.
All in all, not a bad experience for two hours first thing on a Sunday morning...and we got to provide all you TUG folks with (hopefully) some valuable information.
