Current DVC owner. Considering adding WM/Wyndham.

[linzjane88]

Hi there!
We own at Saratoga Springs which was perfectly fine until I decided I mostly want to travel with friends and can't make a mere 225 points stretch quite that far. I am considering Wyndham or Worldmark but they just seem *SO* confusing in comparison to DVC with credits, programs, VIP, cleaning tokens, fees, etc. We love WBC and are almost as happy there as we are on site at Disney but the MF seems high and it doesn't seem to be necessary to own there. Every few months I circle around and think I should aquire some cheap or free Wyndham points but then I talk myself out of it. Ideally I would like something that would give us a 3bed/2 bath in Anaheim, Orlando, or Hawaii for a week every year or two (secretly, I have always wanted to book a presidential at WBC )

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Orlando -Wynham Bonnet Creek,

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Whatever we need to do to use our points in the below locations

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Cali (Anaheim), Hawaii (Oahu, Maui), Florida. Basically theme parks or beach.

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Eight (2 couples, 3 kids. 3 beds and 2 baths ideal)

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Flexible

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes but do like the option of some 'surprise' trips

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4/5 ....basically I am always happy at DVC and Bonnet Creek. Nice master bedroom, nice pools. Gonna be honest..... I don't like dated resorts.

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
2k

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
2k

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
I always think I am until I start reading the ins and outs of Wyndam and Worldmark

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes

Thank you for all the help and advice!

 

[sue1947]

Worldmark and Wyndham are 2 completely different systems. It's too confusing to try to learn 2 at once. Pick the one that has the resorts you want and focus on that one. Booking in the other systems via a resale account isn't an option so focus on the one you want. If you want Bonnet Creek, you want Wyndham.
Neither is 4/5 stars in quality but Wyndham is closer. That is especially true in Hawaii. WM is more 3 stars. Have you looked at Marriott? That seems like a better fit and opens up all the Interval International trades. With Disney, you have RCI already so Marriott would open up the other half of the timeshares for trading purposes.
If you want theme parks, go with Wyndham.

 

[HDiaz1]

I would suggest to get 308K annual points. That would give you a 3 bed deluxe or a 2 bed presidential at bonnet creek during prime season. You do not need to own at WBC as it’s not that hard to get during prime season.

308K annual points would give you 4 reservation transactions, 2 guest certificates and 308 Housekeeping credits.
A 3 bedroom unit requires 140 HK credits. A 2 bed unit requires 77 HK credits.
Wyndham let’s you cancel for free up to 15 days prior to check in and you receive all your points plus HK credits back. You do not get your reservation transaction back. Once you have used all your RT you’ll have to pay $19 per RT.

I think Wyndham is a good fit for you if you’re looking to use it at Oahu, Florida and Anaheim.

My suggestion would be to buy a low MF resort (Grand Desert, Panama City Beach, National Harbor) and make sure you’re able to book right at 10 months to ensure you get the exact unit size.

 

[linzjane88]

So question : the cost for housekeeping credits covers your move out clean, right? Or is that something you pay for daily cleans if you prefer that?
I don't need them I'm just used to DVC where we don't pay for them at all and they do towels and trash on day 4 and then a full clean at 7 days. I mean I realize you pay for it in the long run but it's not a separate thing. It seems strange and unnecessary to have separate credits for them.

Thank you both for your great advice.. I was already leaning Windham so that sealed the deal. I didn't realize Wyndham and WM were so separate. I have looked at Marriott but I think I'd like easy access to Bonnet Creek without worrying about RCI (if those can even exchange) . I've never actually seriously looked into RCI cause I don't usually have an excess of DVC points I want to pay with. The few times I have looked the website seemed so clunky I lost interest quick.

 

[K2Quick]

Based on your trade preferences, I'd probably go with Worldmark over Wyndham. Worldmark has locations on Maui and in Anaheim for internal exchanges. If you don't mind a 10 minute drive to WDW, the Marriott resorts in Orlando are really nice very easy to trade into or to book via Getaways through Interval International. You can also use a Worldmark membership to trade into Bonnet Creek via RCI.