Ebay error...Which Orlando to purchase?

[efalkowski]

Hi all! I need your help! After reading your HGVC posts for about two years now, I am FINALLY about to become an HGVC owner! I won 2 Ebay auctions last week:

1) 5,000 annual points at Tuscany
2) 3,400 EOY at Tuscany

Of course, with Ebay purchases you have to be ready for some errors....I knew that and took my chances. So, here's the error: the annual 5,000 points is at SeaWorld NOT Tuscany (seller listed it incorrectly). It's not really a big deal, but in my mind I thought it was better to have all my points in 1 location (not sure why...maybe to take relatives with us and be able to book in the 12 month window, resale, etc).

Because of his error, the seller is offering me a choice of Tuscany or SeaWorld for the same purchase price...he has the inventory. Tuscany would cost about $39 more in MF's per year. Is it worth it? Which resort should I choose? Is one valued higher than the other? Thank you for your expert advice!

FYI... I also bought a 3rd contract in Vegas for 3,400 points EOY for a steal....from a different seller. I realize my MF's in total for all 3 will be high, but for a very little up-front investment (free closings and fees not due until next year), I will have 8,400 points EVERY year (by borrowing). Could not swing any 7,000 point contract because I do not have $8,000+ required to buy now. So, this was my solution, and I am happy!

 

[presley]

FYI... I also bought a 3rd contract in Vegas for 3,400 points EOY for a steal....from a different seller. I realize my MF's in total for all 3 will be high, but for a very little up-front investment (free closings and fees not due until next year), I will have 8,400 points EVERY year (by borrowing). Could not swing any 7,000 point contract because I do not have $8,000+ required to buy now. So, this was my solution, and I am happy!

I did the same thing. I have ended up with a lot of lower point contracts which adds up to a lot of MFs, but still a lot less than what would need to be shelled out the other way. It will take at least 10 years of paying MFs, and maybe even 15 to hit the point of what it would cost to purchase the higher point contracts immediately.

Regarding your question, I don't really know which resort is preferred. Does it really matter to you? Do you plan on using your points with the home resort advantage? If not, I don't think it makes any difference which resort you own between those 2.

 

[efalkowski]

Thanks. Maybe there is no big difference. Just wondering if the few extra $$ MF for Tuscany are worth it. Maybe some more tuggers can add opinions...

 

[SmithOp]

The 3400 is EOY (foot in the door), so if you plan on a yearly HGVC stay the 5000 is better suited to that. If you lived closer the smaller one allows 2 night minimum cash stays.

 

[PigsDad]

Could not swing any 7,000 point contract because I do not have $8,000+ required to buy now. So, this was my solution, and I am happy!

You can't afford an $8K purchase, but you are signing up for maintenance fees of about $1500+/year (which only go up every year). Are you sure you can afford this?

Timeshares are a luxury purchase. As such, I personally would be very concerned about the ongoing expense I was signing up for if I couldn't even scrape together a few $K for the purchase. JMHO.

Kurt

 

[efalkowski]

Although it may seem odd... there is some method to my madness. With 8400 points I can get two 2-bedroom vacations per year (one gold, one silver), which is exactly what my family of 6 needs (we have 4 kids!). We be using this mostly for florida because we can drive there (can you imagine the cost of airfare for 6?? ) 7,000 points cuts us short and then I know I would want to buy more points anyway. It will be a good 10-15 years before my purchases catch up. Timesharing seems perfect for us since we are over-occupancy on most other types of vacations (i.e. cruises, all-inclusives, hotel rooms), and we easily spend $1,500 - $2,000 on one vacation rental anyway. We will go on vacation every year regardless of HGVC or not. Now I just get to go more often.

The main point of my original post was to pose the question: If you were buying Tuscany vs SeaWorld for the same selling price, which would you choose? If anybody can answer this, I would really appreciate it!!

 

[Janann]

Assuming that there is no monetary difference and the mechanics of both locations are exactly the same, its a tough call. I have stayed at both resorts, but we own at HGVC Las Vegas. Full disclosure: I got back two weeks ago from HGVC Sea World.

The only thing about Tuscany that really bothered me is that there is a parking problem at night. We had no parking problems at Sea World. And of course at HGVC Sea World you can walk to Sea World and save $14 on parking. You also get "quick queue" line passes and a Sea World discount card at HGVC Sea World only.

I think the freeway access and getting to/from "home" is a little easier at the Sea World location. I remember getting stuck in traffic on the four lane roads just outside of Tuscany.

It will be great regardless of which one you choose.

 

[SmithOp]

Since you could book either one club season

it comes down to Maintenance fees, which will cost you less per point.

From the Annual Survey thread:
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180149&highlight=2013+fees

Sea World, 5000pts. Gold OVS II
Operating fee: 626.52
Reserve fee: 213.87
Real Estate taxes: 99.34
ARDA : 3.00
Total: 942.73

Tuscany/I-drive Orlando
3400 point gold 1-br
511.00 Operating
103.60 Reserve
106.38 R.E. Tax
720.98 Total

 

[xandern]

Thanks. Maybe there is no big difference. Just wondering if the few extra $$ MF for Tuscany are worth it. Maybe some more tuggers can add opinions...

If Seaworld unit being offered has lower MF, then just pick that one. We stay regularly at both these resorts and never had problems with availability. Even staying during Christmas / New Year, you can easily find the type of accommodation you need. For these resorts (in my opinion) you will not need to book more than 9 months in advance.

 

[alwysonvac]

Although it may seem odd... there is some method to my madness. With 8400 points I can get two 2-bedroom vacations per year (one gold, one silver), which is exactly what my family of 6 needs (we have 4 kids!). We be using this mostly for florida because we can drive there (can you imagine the cost of airfare for 6?? ) 7,000 points cuts us short and then I know I would want to buy more points anyway....

Hopefully you already know this....

Only Seaworld has Silver Season (the other two Orlando properties only have Platinum and Gold Season).
Seaworld Silver Season is from weeks 44 - 50.
A week in a two bedroom at SeaWorld during Silver Season is 3500 points. Although you can book less than a week if you only have 3400 points to use.

Good Luck

 

[Talent312]

You certainly do not need to book home-weeks at either resort, as there's plenty of availability at each during the club-window, and club bookings are way more flexible with your time, anyway.

Also, the difference in MF is negiigble. So, I say, "Whatever floats your boat."
.

 

[efalkowski]

Thanks everyone. I'm going with seaworld for the lower MF's. And yes, I do know about the silver season at seaworld.... it is perfect for us. Week 44 is teacher convention week in NJ....the whole state pretty much heads to florida!. This is a great for us!!!

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks everyone. I'm going with seaworld for the lower MF's. And yes, I do know about the silver season at seaworld.... it is perfect for us. Week 44 is teacher convention week in NJ....the whole state pretty much heads to florida!. This is a great for us!!!

LOL, yes several disney related sites refer to this as Jersey Week

Jersey Week is a perfect time but I just check HGVC SeaWorld availability during the teacher convention this year which is November 7-8, 2013. The online reservation system (Revolutions) is currently showing no two bedrooms with two double beds in the 2nd bedroom available at Seaworld on those two days. There are only two bedrooms with a queen and full size sleeper sofa in the 2nd bedroom available. I'm not sure if that makes a difference to you.
NOTE: Both room configurations have a queen size sleeper sofa in the living.

If you're planning to book NJ week in the future and you prefer two double beds in the 2nd bedroom, I suggest that you mark your calendar to book exact at the 9 month mark since you need to book SeaWorld to take advantage of the lower Silver Season point requirements. Just make sure you look at the two bedroom description to confirm two beds in the 2nd bedroom before reserving.

Enjoy your HGVC points