Adding another timeshare....opinions requested

[mdurette]

Looking for opinions on my thoughts. I have been thinking/researching for a while about what I want for the next time share. We own 2 now and only trade them. I would like the next one to be a good trader, but also to a place we may stay every few years.

Background: We currently have:
3 BR EOY Lockoff Float 1-52 in Williamsburg that trades in II and RCI. I have been depositing with RCI. Recent trades are for San Diego and DVC Vero Beach. I use RCI extra vacations a lot for New England trips.

1BR New Smyrna Beach, Float 1-52. This trades with II. Last few years it has been used for Marriott and high demand ski weeks in New Hampshire. ACs for deposits are used for Orlando Marriott stays.


I see future travel in the next 10 years to be:
Orlando Marriott once a year
New England 2/3 weeks per year
1 "new" place per year - in a NICE resort

My habits:
Only trade a week if the resort I want will cost me more than say $250 OOP per night. If I can buy a getaway/extra vacation for the week I want for less than $700, I will do that instead of giving up a week/TPUs.

My first thought was to get another trader for RCI to build up my TPUs for the one "new " place per year. We like non-Disney world DVC - but haven't seen a deposit for any of them in about year.

My second thought was to buy a Marriott which should cover all three. (yes, I do drool over the Marriott preference that I don't have).

My third thought was Marriott Cypress, Royal or Sable because they trade in both and I can mix up the companies. BUT..I don't believe they have LOs at either of these and I do like the 2-1 you can get out of the lockoff.

Now that our child is getting older I am more reluctant to pull her from school and I am find us traveling the dreaded school vacation weeks. Although we have always found a place to go, it is getting harder.

I'm pretty sure I have narrowed it down to a Marriott 2/3 BR L/O EOY (opposite of my Williamsburg years).


Am I missing anything I haven't thought of yet?

 

[alwysonvac]

Just some thoughts...

Now that our child is getting older I am more reluctant to pull her from school and I am find us traveling the dreaded school vacation weeks. Although we have always found a place to go, it is getting harder.

JMHO... with the dreaded school calendar, the highest priority is to add something that that gives you 1st dibbs whether that's with Marriott's priority preference in II or some other mini-system that gives you full access to their available inventory (instead of a subset that may or may not be deposited with an exchange company).

My second thought was to buy a Marriott which should cover all three. (yes, I do drool over the Marriott preference that I don't have).

LOL, I think we all drool a little when those sightings under Marriott preference appear. :rofl:
But so far, knock on wood, I've managed to resist the urge. I don't want to buy another timeshare and pay more MFs

Background: We currently have:
3 BR EOY Lockoff Float 1-52 in Williamsburg that trades in II and RCI. I have been depositing with RCI. Recent trades are for San Diego and DVC Vero Beach. I use RCI extra vacations a lot for New England trips.

1BR New Smyrna Beach, Float 1-52. This trades with II. Last few years it has been used for Marriott and high demand ski weeks in New Hampshire. ACs for deposits are used for Orlando Marriott stays.

I see future travel in the next 10 years to be:
Orlando Marriott once a year
New England 2/3 weeks per year
1 "new" place per year - in a NICE resort

I don't know how hard it is to book New England.
Does the two weeks you currently own still get you New England 2/3 weeks per year during school vacation weeks (which are normally peak travel times for families)?

If not, you might want to consider a New England timeshare with guarantee access during peak travel periods (basically whenever the kids are out of school).

Good Luck

 

[got4boys]

If you want Marriott Orlando every year, buy a every other year Platinum Willow Ridge lockout. Lockout and deposit into II. This way you can get the Marriott Orlando preference.

Yes the Marriott Orlandos are very nice.

 

[mdurette]

Thanks all for your thoughts so far.....

Yes, I want Marriott Orlando at least once a year. In the past I have always been able to get what I want with an AC or cheap getaway. But, now that we are looking more at school vacations weeks...it is getting harder and since my II trader is only a 1BR - it is almost impossible to get a 2BR.

New England high demand weeks. Between II and RCI - I have managed all high demand weeks with either an II trade or a getaway/extra vacation purchase. But, getting much harder.


Why Willow Ridge? In my research I have noticed many use this place for a trader. Looks like the MFs are couple hundred lower than most. If I want say Orlando week 52 every few years.....why not a platinum Orlando week? I vaguely recall regional blocks....could be it, will research.

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks all for your thoughts so far.....

Yes, I want Marriott Orlando at least once a year. In the past I have always been able to get what I want with an AC or cheap getaway. But, now that we are looking more at school vacations weeks...it is getting harder and since my II trader is only a 1BR - it is almost impossible to get a 2BR.

New England high demand weeks. Between II and RCI - I have managed all high demand weeks with either an II trade or a getaway/extra vacation purchase. But, getting much harder.


Why Willow Ridge? In my research I have noticed many use this place for a trader. Looks like the MFs are couple hundred lower than most. If I want say Orlando week 52 every few years.....why not a platinum Orlando week? I vaguely recall regional blocks....could be it, will research.

As you have experienced, availability during lower demand periods (when the majority of kids are in school) and high demand period(when the majority of kids are out of school) are completely different.

Yes, it's much easier to trade up, use ACs and get great getaways during lower demand periods as long as you're flexible with your travel dates. However when you have to compete with the majority of families with school age children during times when most kids are out of school at the same time (late June through mid August, weeks around Easter and XMAS/NYE school vacation weeks) you'll definitely find less availability due to the high demand especially for two bedrooms or larger.

Just a thought....You may want to replace your existing one bedroom ownership if you need a two bedroom during school vacation weeks.

Also, you didn't mention week 52 in your first post. This is also a major factor if you truly want week 52 every few years. It's one of the highest demand periods in Orlando (see II demand index below). Disney World is a mob scene during this time of year with the potential of reaching maximum capacity on some days.

If you're planning to purchase a Orlando week with plans to book week 52 every few years, I would find out how harder is it to book week 52. I found this old 2013 thread on the Marriott forum regarding week 52. I don't know if this is still true but you may want to ask some questions on the Marriott forum - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203327

 

[bnoble]

If I wanted a guarantee of repeatedly spending Week 52 in Orlando in one of the top resorts there, I would want to have something that gave me an internal booking advantage. I would not rely on exchange, even with an in-system preference.

Almost any other week? I'd take my chances with exchange.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

You do not need a Marriott to book an Orlando Marriott, even week 52. I see plenty of weeks 51/52 right now without Marriott preference, and this is after the early OGS and preference periods.

If inventory starts to "dry up" then I am guessing Marriott will finish the existing build outs. I do not see a Marriott Orlando being an exchange issue any time soon. To each their own but I would never waste a 1BR Marriott deposit on an Orlando exchange.

 

[alwysonvac]

I believe the OP is interested in a two bedroom for week 52.
I've posted what I currently see on the Sightings Forum - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239523

I don't normally post Orlando sightings except for the occasional Lakeshore sightings so I don't know what's generally available

 

[mdurette]

Thanks again....you are both correct.

Once a year we go to Orlando, that is a given. (If my DH had his way it would be 4 weeks there....but I am done with it) We consider Orlando it a "resort" vacation...not a theme park vacation. Cheap getaway, cheap airfare. NOW...working school vacation cancels all of that. I am more inclined now to go week 52, Presidents day week in February or 3rd week in April (school vacations).

Yes, I can see week 52 Marriott Orlandos right now with my II trader. But, it will only pick up studios. Technically, I only need and would be ok with a 1BR. A 2BR would just be a bonus.

I have never been disappointed in a Marriott and would love to explore some of their other resorts (Hilton head, Tahoe, Arizona, etc) Again...during a prime season.

I'm watching resales, tough to find a 3BR LO EOY - but I'm not in a rush, one will come along. If not, would aim for 2BR LO.

If I want Orlando Marriott week 52 every few years.....is it better to buy somewhere else and exchange (with fingers crossed) or is it best to just buy something like Grand Vista.

I would prefer Lakeshore....but MFs are much higher for whatever reason. Not willing to pay those.

 

[tschwa2]

Hilton Head during prime season is going to be quite difficult even with a Marriott trader especially if you only want the ocean front resorts and can't travel during mid to late August. I don't follow prime Arizona but prime Tahoe will also be difficult especially in a 1 or 2 br vs a studio.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I believe the OP is interested in a two bedroom for week 52.
I've posted what I currently see on the Sightings Forum - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239523

I don't normally post Orlando sightings except for the occasional Lakeshore sightings so I don't know what's generally available

I was referring to 2BR units, which I can see for week 52 without preference. Not every property but it is fairly safe to say that with an OGS you can get any Orlando Marriott in a 2BR except for Lakeshore, which is iffy at best.

2016 is one of those years with a week 53. To me this year is week 52/53 since week 51 does not cover Christmas Day.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Yes, I can see week 52 Marriott Orlandos right now with my II trader. But, it will only pick up studios. Technically, I only need and would be ok with a 1BR. A 2BR would just be a bonus.

Then unfortunately your problem is trading power, not availability. There are 1BR's available and a few 2BR's depending on the definition of week 52. Yesterday there were more 2BR's including week 53 available so they come and go.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Not to back peddle but a Marriott is definitely easier and more convenient, it just isn't necessary for just Orlando exchanges. I always keep at least one Marriott trader but I have never used it on an Orlando exchange. If I was forced to only have one trader it would definitely be a Marriott.