Colonies WBurg buy or wait?

[RiesTravels]

I am considering purchasing an annual summer week but I really only want to use it every other year. Will I be able to rent it out or deposit it for something else? I am first timer and have been lurking here but still not sure what makes sense. I don't want to spend money on MF annually and not recoup or use it. I am pretty sure I won't go every year, but need the space for my extended family.

Its my understanding the Colonies has the II and RCI option (if I pay to join) and is a VV property. Is that correct?

 

[mdurette]

The Colonies do offer EOY contracts. I think with MF due right about now you may be able to find one out there if you are looking at all outlets. But, to asnwer your question, yes you can rent or exchange the year you don't use. If you are looking at the 4BR, I think that locks off into 2 2BR so you could actually get 2 rentals/exchanges those years. If you do exchange, will you have the time to vacation and actually use them?

Also, just a side note: if you are looking at the one that is for sale on ebay right now, be mindful that is Week 35, which usually falls around last week August/first week in September. If the extended family you need room for has kids, they may be already in school during that time period depending on where you are.

 

[pedro47]

A plus about The Colonies timeshare resort during the summer months. This resort is located next door to Water Country USA and Busch Garden amusement park. Plus, the resort is near Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Festival Park.

 

[RiesTravels]

The Colonies do offer EOY contracts. I think with MF due right about now you may be able to find one out there if you are looking at all outlets. But, to asnwer your question, yes you can rent or exchange the year you don't use. If you are looking at the 4BR, I think that locks off into 2 2BR so you could actually get 2 rentals/exchanges those years. If you do exchange, will you have the time to vacation and actually use them?

Also, just a side note: if you are looking at the one that is for sale on ebay right now, be mindful that is Week 35, which usually falls around last week August/first week in September. If the extended family you need room for has kids, they may be already in school during that time period depending on where you are.

I saw that after I looked at the weeks. I started looking late last summer off and on and haven't found one I like yet. I saw a few at Kings Creek and Greensprings but Colonies looks like the better fit. VV Williamsbug seems to trade good but doesn't seem well maintained. So I'm sticking with wanting The Colonies

 

[escanoe]

I own a week 30 as a trader (mostly through II), but I stay there frequently for weeks different than what I own using RCI. I have had two years of usage and am happy so far. For location and family usage, I would prefer the Wyndham Kingsgate, but I don’t want to own Wyndham at this point.

 

[RiesTravels]

I own a week 30 as a trader (mostly through II), but I stay there frequently for weeks different than what I own using RCI. I have had two years of usage and am happy so far. For location and family usage, I would prefer the Wyndham Kingsgate, but I don’t want to own Wyndham at this point.

Any thoughts on Kings Creek? The reviews don't seem that great on TA

 

[NiteMaire]

Its my understanding the Colonies has the II and RCI option (if I pay to join) and is a VV property. Is that correct?

Yes. It is a Vacation Village property, and you have the option of using II and/or RCI.

Will I be able to rent it out or deposit it for something else?

We've had some amazing trades to Hawaii with it. Here's a post with a list: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/resale-prices-vacation-village.317666/#post-2596689
I call it the "little timeshare that could".

 

[RiesTravels]

Yes. It is a Vacation Village property, and you have the option of using II and/or RCI.

We've had some amazing trades to Hawaii with it. Here's a post with a list: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/resale-prices-vacation-village.317666/#post-2596689
I call it the "little timeshare that could".

Wow it really has! Gives me great feelings so I won't hesitate on getting even if it's annual. I just need it for the right week. Praying someone comes along with a great deal soon

 

[wackymother]

Any thoughts on Kings Creek? The reviews don't seem that great on TA

We own a cottage at King's Creek. We've been able to reserve summer weeks every year and we get quite a few TPU for it in RCI every year. It exchanges through both RCI and II--it just happens that we usually use RCI, but I think it does well in II. We haven't visited in a few years (we were supposed to go in 2020!), but the units and grounds were very nice last time we were there. HTH!

 

[CPNY]

Is the 4 bd colonies EOY the same as regal vista in that you get 2 bedrooms annually on an internal exchange rather than a true EOY 4 bedroom?

 

[mdurette]

Any thoughts on Kings Creek? The reviews don't seem that great on TA

I own an EOY 3BR lock off there. Trades very well in II and as Wackymother mentioned she does fine with RCI TPUs too. I know both her and I book high demand summer weeks for exchanging purposes.

Can't help on what it is like though, never been.

 

[pedro47]

Is the 4 bd colonies EOY the same as regal vista in that you get 2 bedrooms annually on an internal exchange rather than a true EOY 4 bedroom?

The Regal Vista at Massanutten are liked duplex homes . IMHO

Suggestion only I would do a YouTube search of the The Colonels and The Regal Vista, to see a visual view of both resorts and both resort amenities. Suggestion Only.

 

[escanoe]

Wow it really has! Gives me great feelings so I won't hesitate on getting even if it's annual. I just need it for the right week. Praying someone comes along with a great deal soon

I suggest patience. I looked for about 9 months. There were several I could have bought for $2k or more. I ended up getting an annual week 30 with only paying transfer costs. I would have paid something, but didn't have to.

 

[RiesTravels]

The Regal Vista at Massanutten are liked duplex homes . IMHO

Suggestion only I would do a YouTube search of the The Colonels and The Regal Vista, to see a visual view of both resorts and both resort amenities. Suggestion Only.

Thanks we went to Massanutten for a freeish long weekend. It was nice but not enough to do in the area outside of the resort and shopping. If I missed activities let me know

 

[rboesl]

Thanks we went to Massanutten for a freeish long weekend. It was nice but not enough to do in the area outside of the resort and shopping. If I missed activities let me know

Really? We were there last June and had a wonderful time. Several very nice wineries. Monticello is not too far away. And the Shenandoah National Park is even closer.

 

[NiteMaire]

Is the 4 bd colonies EOY the same as regal vista in that you get 2 bedrooms annually on an internal exchange rather than a true EOY 4 bedroom?

It's a true EOY 4BR. You could LO into 2 2BRs and have a vacation every year if you trade. Great thing is it trades in II, RCI, and SFX. I presume it's possible to trade with other niche exchange companies, but haven't tried (and don't know for sure).

I considered divesting it (purely due to # of weeks we own), but DW refuses to let it go since it's a great trader. She, however, agreed to divest SVR...yes, we kept Colonies instead of SVR! For now, we still own more weeks than we can vacation. The 2BRs come in handy considering we don't have to pay an upgrade fee to get into a 2BR.

We own week 26, which includes July 4th some years. Williamsburg typically sells out for July 4th, so it has the potential to be a rental during the years it includes July 4th.

 

[RiesTravels]

Really? We were there last June and had a wonderful time. Several very nice wineries. Monticello is not too far away. And the Shenandoah National Park is even closer.

Oh I don't drink wine. Not really into Monticello. Wanted Colonies becuase of the location (driving distance). One of my sibs can't afford to vacation and i want to do trips with them and their kids. I cant afford to pay for hotel or ABNB rentals for 12 people but thought this would be a good way for us all to get together. Colonies resorts have pools, mini golf, and with some coupons we can do at least 1 day at Busch Garderns or Wild Water. It also doesn't seem so weird, funny, using a timeshare vs saying hey I'll pay for yall hotel ( which I can't afford unless we staying really low budget)

 

[RiesTravels]

It's a true EOY 4BR. You could LO into 2 2BRs and have a vacation every year if you trade. Great thing is it trades in II, RCI, and SFX. I presume it's possible to trade with other niche exchange companies, but haven't tried (and don't know for sure).

I considered divesting it (purely due to # of weeks we own), but DW refuses to let it go since it's a great trader. She, however, agreed to divest SVR...yes, we kept Colonies instead of SVR! For now, we still own more weeks than we can vacation. The 2BRs come in handy considering we don't have to pay an upgrade fee to get into a 2BR.

We own week 26, which includes July 4th some years. Williamsburg typically sells out for July 4th, so it has the potential to be a rental during the years it includes July 4th.

What's SFX and SVR?

 

[NiteMaire]

What's SFX and SVR?

SFX: San Francisco eXchange (small exchange company with lots of Mexico inventory...some Hawaii inventory as well as other places)
SVR: Sheraton Vistana Resort

 

[RiesTravels]

Update: I found a very low cost unit (<$1000 not including fees) 4 bedroom wk 24 in The Colonies via SMTN, paid it and am now in the 10 day waiting period which ends tomorrow. Right after I paid I saw a wk 23 for free no fees or anything but that doesn't work for us. I was told even if closing isn't complete by the week in June I would be able to use it this year. Very excited that I will be able to provide this vacation with my mom, sisters and our kids. Its definitely worth the minimal cost although I would of loved free I was antsy about waiting longer or passing up this unit.

Thank you everyone for the tips and sharing with me how to take best advantage of my unit! I will be joining RCI and II to plan other affordable vacations for us. So glad I found this site and didn't pull the trigger when I was in Mexico a few years ago or at Massanutten. The Colonies is driving distance, affordable fees and a great trader from all I have learned here. I may purchase more in the future but want to take some time with this unit, to learn more about RCI and II.

 

[chapjim]

Update: I found a very low cost unit (<$1000 not including fees) 4 bedroom wk 24 in The Colonies via SMTN, paid it and am now in the 10 day waiting period which ends tomorrow. Right after I paid I saw a wk 23 for free no fees or anything but that doesn't work for us. I was told even if closing isn't complete by the week in June I would be able to use it this year. Very excited that I will be able to provide this vacation with my mom, sisters and our kids. Its definitely worth the minimal cost although I would of loved free I was antsy about waiting longer or passing up this unit.

Thank you everyone for the tips and sharing with me how to take best advantage of my unit! I will be joining RCI and II to plan other affordable vacations for us. So glad I found this site and didn't pull the trigger when I was in Mexico a few years ago or at Massanutten. The Colonies is driving distance, affordable fees and a great trader from all I have learned here. I may purchase more in the future but want to take some time with this unit, to learn more about RCI and II.

In a few years, you'll forget all about the purchase price.

 

[escanoe]

Good deal!

To me, I would give a little more value to the weel 24 you are getting. If purchasing as a trader, I like to shoot for closer to the middle of 150 TDI territory. Week 23 is also 150 TDI, but it is on the edge.

I expect you will enjoy using and trading this unit.

Seems to me you are getting a good deal. And I would describe it as an excellent deal if SMTN had more reasonable user fees. Keep your fingers crossed, review all the paperwork closely, and I expect all will go well.

I had an SMTN deal go sideways, but it was because the seller hadn't posted what they own correctly. I caught it before signing the sale contract.

Update: I found a very low cost unit (<$1000 not including fees) 4 bedroom wk 24 in The Colonies via SMTN, paid it and am now in the 10 day waiting period which ends tomorrow. Right after I paid I saw a wk 23 for free no fees or anything but that doesn't work for us. I was told even if closing isn't complete by the week in June I would be able to use it this year. Very excited that I will be able to provide this vacation with my mom, sisters and our kids. Its definitely worth the minimal cost although I would of loved free I was antsy about waiting longer or passing up this unit.

Thank you everyone for the tips and sharing with me how to take best advantage of my unit! I will be joining RCI and II to plan other affordable vacations for us. So glad I found this site and didn't pull the trigger when I was in Mexico a few years ago or at Massanutten. The Colonies is driving distance, affordable fees and a great trader from all I have learned here. I may purchase more in the future but want to take some time with this unit, to learn more about RCI and II.

 

[NiteMaire]

Good deal!

To me, I would give a little more value to the weel 24 you are getting. If purchasing as a trader, I like to shoot for closer to the middle of 150 TDI territory. Week 23 is also 150 TDI, but it is on the edge.

I expect you will enjoy using and trading this unit.

My 1st Colonies was week 23. I haven't noticed any difference in trading power compared to my week 26. I think the key is having a 150 TDI week. I'm not sure it matters which one.

 

[RiesTravels]

Good deal!

To me, I would give a little more value to the weel 24 you are getting. If purchasing as a trader, I like to shoot for closer to the middle of 150 TDI territory. Week 23 is also 150 TDI, but it is on the edge.

I expect you will enjoy using and trading this unit.

Seems to me you are getting a good deal. And I would describe it as an excellent deal if SMTN had more reasonable user fees. Keep your fingers crossed, review all the paperwork closely, and I expect all will go well.

I had an SMTN deal go sideways, but it was because the seller hadn't posted what they own correctly. I caught it before signing the sale contract.

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I got the week 24 for personal use. The week 23 would make a great trader but I am not sure I am ready to jump in the trading pool yet. I would only ever use the week 23 as a trader or rent it out. Not sure its worth the annual fees if I can just buy a random week on II or RCI even if I use my week 24. I may regret passing the week 23 up but I'd rather not be the next person selling it and paying fees for someone to take it off my hands

 

[escanoe]

I got the week 24 for personal use. The week 23 would make a great trader but I am not sure I am ready to jump in the trading pool yet. I would only ever use the week 23 as a trader or rent it out. Not sure its worth the annual fees if I can just buy a random week on II or RCI even if I use my week 24. I may regret passing the week 23 up but I'd rather not be the next person selling it and paying fees for someone to take it off my hands

You are starting smart. Good to see what works for you before getting one just to trade.

Note: I agree with @NiteMaire above. I believe any 150 TDI week will trade equal to another. I just worry a bit is I am near the edge of being 150, you may be riskier to shift down the road when things may be readjusted.