Exchanging into Florida Southern Gulf Coast

[wed100105]

We are considering going to the Southern Florida Gulf Coast next spring break (over Easter). How difficult is it to get an exchange in this area? We are Wyndham owners so we can use points or weeks.

 

[theo]

Don't shoot the messenger, but...

We are considering going to the Southern Florida Gulf Coast next spring break (over Easter). How difficult is it to get an exchange in this area? We are Wyndham owners so we can use points or weeks.

A very difficult objective. Demand consistently far exceeds supply in coastal SW FL during peak "Snowbird season", which you can essentially regard as being approximately weeks 5 through 15, inclusive. Your odds are likely long and slim, particularly since you'd start out now in line behind those with ongoing searches already in place, looking for the exact same thing.

Then again, Easter is definitely toward the tail end of the Snowbird season, so maybe you'll get lucky. On the other hand, Easter is also "kiddies out of school" time too, so you're essentially just "trading" (...no pun intended) one group of competitors for another.

In short, a tough gig --- but I wish you luck anyhow.

 

[elaine]

we got a RCI Easter exchange @ HGVC in Marco Island at 18 months out--but Easter is mid-April this year. In prior years, we have not been matched for 2 BRs with ongoing searches for Sanibel, Captiva, Marco when Easter is in late March/early April.

 

[wed100105]

Thank you. I pretty much expected those answers.

We're still trying to figure out where to go next year; I know I need to get some searches going now (as in a year ago).

 

[Ron98GT]

If you really want it, put in an ongoing search for all HGVC resorts that your interested in (Marco, Captiva, & Ft Meyers Beach). Ongoing searches get filled first. You might get lucky.

 

[wed100105]

If you really want it, put in an ongoing search for all HGVC resorts that your interested in (Marco, Captiva, & Ft Meyers Beach). Ongoing searches get filled first. You might get lucky.

Thanks. I am going to go do that now.

 

[Lisa P]

Since an Easter/Spring Break exchange into the southwest FL Gulf coast is so difficult, you may want to relax your standards a bit and broaden your resort list as much as possible. If Spring break access to warm Gulf waters, ocean sunsets, and white powder beaches is important to you, staying in simpler digs could turn out to be just as fun as an HGVC-type vacation. Depends on what you like.

The Marco Island/Sanibel/Captiva area has many of the HGVC affiliates. A little north of there, consider the resorts in the stretch from the Sarasota area up to the Bradenton Beach area (including Long Boat Key), or even up to Clearwater Beach or in toward Fort Myers. There are a number of smaller, older resorts which are generally clean/functional albeit rather dated. But a vacation at one of these still puts you in good general proximity to gorgeous beaches and abundant local activities, even if most don't offer much for resort amenities. Just a thought (often kiddies just want a nice pool anyhow).

(By the way, I've always thought that tiny photo of your cute little peach is darling!)

 

[wed100105]

Thank you. I also put DVC Hilton Head Island in our search. We have never been and it looks like it might be a good choice. We know the ocean will be too cold. Hopefully the pools wouldn't be.

 

[vacationhopeful]

The Atlantic Ocean side Delray Beach, Pompano, Lauderdale by the Sea, Ft Lauderdale has LOTS of timeshares ... google the addresses to make sure you are beach block.