Chances at this late date?

[dougp26364]

Our Christmas lights trip to Branson has now become a family Christmas lights trip to Branson. For years we've asked our kids to go with us and have always been turned down. Now that DD is married, it's suddenly become a good idea, which makes us happy.

At issue is the accomadations. My intention were to exchange what we own for two 2 bedroom units in the same resort. We're traveling on a very low demande week and I didn't imagine getting two weeks in the same resort might be an issue. So, I took a week at Horizon's by Marriott online expecting that another 2 bedroom unit would still be available. Mostly since they have a new building and, because we've traveled this same week and this resort hasn't been full in the past. Opps, there was no second 2 bedroom unit available for the same dates. I've also looked on the Getaways page and there is no Horizon's two bedroom unit available through that route.

My opinion is since it's so close to our travel dates, the chances of that particular week being deposited by someone else or becoming available are slim and none. I have two I.I. accounts (one is a DRI corporate account) to look with and three different units to shop online with. None pull that second 2 bedroom unit.

I'm feeling that I should bite the bullet and take a good unit at one of the other resorts. I'd prefer for us all to be together but, we are now within the flex change period and I don't see what I'd like.

What do you guys think. Sit and watch for another week or two or just grap a good unit at another resort while it's available?

 

[allenh91801]

What were the dates you were looking for. I saw lots of 2 brs in december.

 

[dougp26364]

What were the dates you were looking for. I saw lots of 2 brs in december.

There are plenty of 2 bedroom available. The problem is I need one specific resort to check in for 2 specific dates. What I'm trying to do is obtain a second 2 bedroom unit at Horizon's by Marriott with a check in date of either 12/4 or 12/5. There is a two bedroom unit available for 12/6 but, we will be using he unit for the weekend only and need to check in on Friday and depart on Monday.

So the questiong becomes, is there any chance another Horizon's by Marriott will show up for either of these dates or should I just go ahead and book the second unit at a different resort?

 

[djs]

FWIW, I can see 1-Bedrooms, full kitchen there for arrival on both the 4th and 5th (2B on the 6th). This is using the 1-B half of my Tahoe timeshare.

 

[BevL]

Maybe this would work.

I can see a one bedroom and a studio for both of those dates, the 4th and 5th. If the studio is a lockoff, and if you are using a two bedroom deposit to pull what's available, you might consider asking Interval to give you both sides of the unit, so that you're getting a two bedroom for your two bedroom. You'd have to pay an extra exchange fee, but it might be worth it if you really want to be together.

I'm not familiar with that area or resort at all, so I have no idea if the units are lockoff units or not.

 

[dougp26364]

FWIW, I can see 1-Bedrooms, full kitchen there for arrival on both the 4th and 5th (2B on the 6th). This is using the 1-B half of my Tahoe timeshare.

A 1 bedroom won't work unless our DD's MIL wants to sleep on the couch. I don't think that would fly very well.

I can see a one bedroom and a studio for both of those dates, the 4th and 5th. If the studio is a lockoff, and if you are using a two bedroom deposit to pull what's available, you might consider asking Interval to give you both sides of the unit, so that you're getting a two bedroom for your two bedroom. You'd have to pay an extra exchange fee, but it might be worth it if you really want to be together.

I'm not familiar with that area or resort at all, so I have no idea if the units are lockoff units or not.

I had thought about that but, the two units that I need to work with (we're in the process of selling our DRI units) are a 1 bedroom and a studio. I would hate to burn both of them and pay two exchange fee's. I think I'd be better off just taking a second unit in a different resort.

So the question remains, does anyone think additional availablity will turn up at this late date? I know I have other options and those are fine. I've never exchange this close to a travel date for ourselves and I don't know if additional units tend to show up within that 59 day window of if I should pick from what's there right now.

 

[barza11]

MHZ

Have you tried to just book 2 (1) bedroom units? There seem to be lots available and at really good prices since that's what they call mud season....

 

[dougp26364]

Have you tried to just book 2 (1) bedroom units? There seem to be lots available and at really good prices since that's what they call mud season....

Yes, but, as I mentioned, I don't want to burn two units on deposit for exchange and I don't want to pay two exchange fee's.

I'm pretty certain, at this point, additional inventory won't be added. I guess I'll just wait for another week or two and see what happens. If there's not movement then I'll book a unit at a different resort.

 

[LLW]

A 1 bedroom won't work unless our DD's MIL wants to sleep on the couch. I don't think that would fly very well.

There are studio Getaways for $299, and 1BRs for $369, for both Dec 4 & 5. Perhaps it would work with the couple in a 1BR and the MIL in a separate studio? It would cost less than one exchange might cost for many timeshares, and each party would have more privacy.

 

[dougp26364]

There are studio Getaways for $299, and 1BRs for $369, for both Dec 4 & 5. Perhaps it would work with the couple in a 1BR and the MIL in a separate studio? It would cost less than one exchange might cost for many timeshares, and each party would have more privacy.

It's a thought but, I have weeks deposited that I need to use and, the $139 exchange fee is less than paying $668 for a studio and a one bedroom. Besides, this isn't going to be anything more than a weekend trip. We'll have the units reserved for a week but, we'll be coming home either late Sunday night or early Monday morning, depending on if everyone can take all or part of Monday off.

In watching I.I. I'm pretty certain that all the inventory that's going to be deposited will have been deposited. I could take the two units I have to exchange and make two trades for a one bedoom and a studio, then have them assigned side by side to make one 2 bedroom unit or I can just put them into a different resort that's not to far away. Since I'll be paying for the exchange fee's and I'd sort of like to hold one of those two units back for another opportunity, I'll probably just book them into a different resort.

Branson has a lot of fine resorts and both Westgate's Branson Woods and DRI's Fall Creek resorts are nice. I'm not really sure how much time we'll be spending in the units other than perhaps for meals or just hang out. Even if we're at two different resorts, we can still all hang out together at one of the resorts.

I had hoped that, since I was looking for a 2 bedroom unit using either a 1 bedroom or a studio that inventory might open up at the flexchange window. But, having peeked using our DRI's THE Club points and not seeing what I was looking for, I didn't have a lot of hope.

I guess the only way something would pop up now would be if someone made a really late deposit. While that could happen, it'd be a bad thing for whomever was making the deposit. That particular week is about as weak of a demand week as there is for Branson in red season. Couple that with depositing in Flexchange and they'd be giving up almost all the exchange power one could have in Branson.

 

[djs]

Just a thought, but have you tried to just book the few nights you need through the resort? Seems a shame to waste a week's deposit when you're really only looking to stay a few days. Sure you have the weeks to use but perhaps you have a friend of family member who can use a full week and if they're willing to pay the exchange fee and guest fee that might be a "better" use of your week and money.

 

[dougp26364]

Just a thought, but have you tried to just book the few nights you need through the resort? Seems a shame to waste a week's deposit when you're really only looking to stay a few days. Sure you have the weeks to use but perhaps you have a friend of family member who can use a full week and if they're willing to pay the exchange fee and guest fee that might be a "better" use of your week and money.

I've thought about it and may still look into do that. Renting from Marriott ususally isn't inexpensive and the weeks I have are one studio LO that usually gets used for just this purpose and a cheap 1 bedroom (both price and MF's) that's also often used for this purpose.

It's not the most efficient usage for a timeshare but hey, I bought timeshare because I like to travel in something nicer than a hotel room and, if I can use my ownerships for what I want PLUS get a couple of condo's for weekend trips, it's just a bonus in my mind.

There's another dark horse in the running that's staying in the back of my mind. I had reached an agreement with DRI to sell back two of our units. Their timeline has the deal closing after the first of the year. There is also rumor that, due to the credit crunch they've suspended all buy backs. If I have to pay MF's for 2009 and club dues for 2009, then I'll want usage of those points for 2009. I can get a unit using the DRI points at half the cost it would normally run outside of flexchange. I'm going to have to contact DRI to be sure the deal is still on and who will have usage of the units for 2009.

 

[dougp26364]

Ouch! $605 for 3 nights in a 2 bedroom unit. I think I'll pass.

 

[djs]

Ouch! $605 for 3 nights in a 2 bedroom unit. I think I'll pass.

Which is one of the reasons many of us have purchased timeshares. Who knew it would be THAT much to book 3 nights.

 

[dougp26364]

Which is one of the reasons many of us have purchased timeshares. Who knew it would be THAT much to book 3 nights.

I could book hotel rooms considerably less expensive but, it might not look good us staying at the Marriott timeshare while I have the rest booked into the Yellow Rose Motel with AC, TV and a pool.