Grand Vista Resale

[Letnes]

About 3 years ago I looked into buying a Florida Club Platinum 2 Bedroom at Marriott Grand Vista because everyone said they were great traders. They were selling for around $3000.00. I have just started looking again and prices have gone down to less than $1000.00. Is it the economy or did something else happen to make the price go down that much? Are they still great traders in Interval? I like to go to Hilton Head and it's hard to get Marriott resorts with my SDO.

 

[dioxide45]

Maintenance fees are now over $2000 for a week and II has made a lot of trading power adjustments this year that perhaps make these deposits not get what they used to get in the past.

 

[Danlop88]

About 3 years ago I looked into buying a Florida Club Platinum 2 Bedroom at Marriott Grand Vista because everyone said they were great traders. They were selling for around $3000.00. I have just started looking again and prices have gone down to less than $1000.00. Is it the economy or did something else happen to make the price go down that much? Are they still great traders in Interval? I like to go to Hilton Head and it's hard to get Marriott resorts with my SDO.

Trade power seems to have gone down but not exclusive to Grand Vista. Seems like other traders have I been tracking have been impacted.

 

[Dean]

About 3 years ago I looked into buying a Florida Club Platinum 2 Bedroom at Marriott Grand Vista because everyone said they were great traders. They were selling for around $3000.00. I have just started looking again and prices have gone down to less than $1000.00. Is it the economy or did something else happen to make the price go down that much? Are they still great traders in Interval? I like to go to Hilton Head and it's hard to get Marriott resorts with my SDO.

I would say that the current price is in line with the overall prices the last few years. There did seem to be a slight increase for a time 2 to 3 years ago but I think even when you were looking before you could have found one for $1000 plus closing for an annual. To be clear, I don't think any of the MVC "trader" resorts have ever been great traders. I've always thought of them as mid level traders but felt the internal trade preference boosted their value significantly. As long as you get a good week, deposit early, request early and have reasonable expectations they should do fine. Just don't expect to get the highest demand weeks at top resorts with any regularity.

Trade power seems to have gone down but not exclusive to Grand Vista. Seems like other traders have I been tracking have been impacted.

Agreed, my 2026 deposits for my "traders" all seem to trade less well than my 2025 weeks. I'm hoping it's temporary but we'll see possibly due to the difficulty those not in the US were having traveling here.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Shadow Ridge Villages and Enclaves are also suffering a drastic downturn in resale cost. The cost was $3-3,500 five years ago, and now I am seeing $1-2,000. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, even though the fees are around $2,400 with property taxes included.

I am realizing that trading power on Shadow Ridge (studios, to be specific) for March dates is better than my history of trading President's week. I think it's an ideal vacation for spring break, so I booked March and have 3 different weeks to test trading power for 2027.

I rented the one bedroom side of the Shadow Ridge Villages units to a repeat renter. This is my plan going forward, if I can get those rented.

 

[andre10056]

About 3 years ago I looked into buying a Florida Club Platinum 2 Bedroom at Marriott Grand Vista because everyone said they were great traders. They were selling for around $3000.00. I have just started looking again and prices have gone down to less than $1000.00. Is it the economy or did something else happen to make the price go down that much? Are they still great traders in Interval? I like to go to Hilton Head and it's hard to get Marriott resortsI with my SDO.

I don't know where you're looking but I regard most timeshare sales sites as having absurdly expensive listings. And I'm not just talking about the ridiculous "valuations" of sites like Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) but also Redweek. I and anybody else could as a seller choose whatever price to sell. Doesn't mean it ever will sell at that price.

To me, the only true indication of a timeshare's value is what is obtained at auction on ebay. Hence, 100% of the timeshares that I've bought over the years were from ebay.

So let's take a look at "completed" ebay auctions for a Marriott Grande Vista. Here's one (make sure you click on "See original listing):

3 BEDROOM LOCKOFF, MARRIOTT GRANDE VISTA PLATINUM SEASON, ANNUAL YEARS TIMESHARE | eBay

Size: 3 Bedroom / 3 Bath Lockoff. Marriott Grande Vista.

www.ebay.com

$5.50 for an annual 3 BR platinum season. The seller paid his 2026 maintenance fee but is himself going to be using the 2026 week so the purchaser's usage (and maintenance fee obligation) begins 2027. Buyer pays tiny resort transfer fee and "somewhat higher than I'd like to pay" closing fee. But, all in all, that's a pretty low price and, therefore, I conclude that Marriott Grande Vistas have a pretty low value.

 

[bnoble]

I am realizing that trading power on Shadow Ridge (studios, to be specific) for March dates is better than my history of trading President's week.

I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.

 

[CPNY]

I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.
I don't need another timeshare.

this was me a few years ago.... now I'm like, do I really need all of these timeshares ? I feel like im holding onto them just for the worthless Bonvoy status that I could probably get on my own via timeshare stays/marriott nights or obtaining a Bonvoy credit card that comes with it.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't know where you're looking but I regard most timeshare sales sites as having absurdly expensive listings. And I'm not just talking about the ridiculous "valuations" of sites like Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) but also Redweek. I and anybody else could as a seller choose whatever price to sell. Doesn't mean it ever will sell at that price.

To me, the only true indication of a timeshare's value is what is obtained at auction on ebay. Hence, 100% of the timeshares that I've bought over the years were from ebay.

So let's take a look at "completed" ebay auctions for a Marriott Grande Vista. Here's one (make sure you click on "See original listing):

3 BEDROOM LOCKOFF, MARRIOTT GRANDE VISTA PLATINUM SEASON, ANNUAL YEARS TIMESHARE | eBay

Size: 3 Bedroom / 3 Bath Lockoff. Marriott Grande Vista.

www.ebay.com

$5.50 for an annual 3 BR platinum season. The seller paid his 2026 maintenance fee but is himself going to be using the 2026 week so the purchaser's usage (and maintenance fee obligation) begins 2027. Buyer pays tiny resort transfer fee and "somewhat higher than I'd like to pay" closing fee. But, all in all, that's a pretty low price and, therefore, I conclude that Marriott Grande Vistas have a pretty low value.

It looks like the seller on that week has 0% feedback and their single review was terrible. That probably impacted the final bid. That said, I checked some others and pricing is certainly below $1000 on Ebay. I looked at ROFR.net and see that there hasn't been a reported transaction since May 2025. Interest in buying Grande Vista as a trader has dropped dramatically. Someone had to pay Marriott $400 to deed their week back because they got no interest in the Free Timeshare forum.

 

[andre10056]

It looks like the seller on that week has 0% feedback and their single review was terrible. That probably impacted the final bid. That said, I checked some others and pricing is certainly below $1000 on Ebay. I looked at ROFR.net and see that there hasn't been a reported transaction since May 2025. Interest in buying Grande Vista as a trader has dropped dramatically. Someone had to pay Marriott $400 to deed their week back because they got no interest in the Free Timeshare forum.

As a buyer, I'm less concerned about the seller (whoever it may be and whatever broker may be involved) because the closing company should make sure that everything's 100% on the up and up. But, if the closing company's questionable, then that's a problem. If I felt uncomfortable after checking out the closing company, that would be a deal killer.

Let's assume that this is all a scam and the alleged seller just wants to get you to send "the title company" (actually the alleged seller/scammer) the tiny resort transfer fee plus the title company fee. Would someone go to all that trouble to fraudulently have someone pay for a transaction that they have no intention of consummating? And it could only be done once because a complaint to ebay would get them shut down. I guess stranger things have happened.

Hence, I'd be 100% focused on the title company and totally unconcerned about seller's ratings and/or reviews. In fact, OTHERS' concerns about seller ratings and reviews may allow me to get a better deal.

Another issue: might ebay have some insurance for such fraud if you DID get scammed?

 

[dioxide45]

As a buyer, I'm less concerned about the seller (whoever it may be and whatever broker may be involved) because the closing company should make sure that everything's 100% on the up and up. But, if the closing company's questionable, then that's a problem. If I felt uncomfortable after checking out the closing company, that would be a deal killer.

Let's assume that this is all a scam and the alleged seller just wants to get you to send "the title company" (actually the alleged seller/scammer) the tiny resort transfer fee plus the title company fee. Would someone go to all that trouble to fraudulently have someone pay for a transaction that they have no intention of consummating? And it could only be done once because a complaint to ebay would get them shut down. I guess stranger things have happened.

Hence, I'd be 100% focused on the title company and totally unconcerned about seller's ratings and/or reviews. In fact, OTHERS' concerns about seller ratings and reviews may allow me to get a better deal.

Another issue: might ebay have some insurance for such fraud if you DID get scammed?

With the bulk of Ebay sales, the closing company is the same outfit as, or one closely related to, the seller. They are usually one in the same and they often do not let you select your own closing company. Regardless of what you might do regarding an individual auction or purchase, I don't have a doubt that the 0% feedback impacted the final result of this auction.

 

[andre10056]

With the bulk of Ebay sales, the closing company is the same outfit as, or one closely related to, the seller. They are usually one in the same and they often do not let you select your own closing company. Regardless of what you might do regarding an individual auction or purchase, I don't have a doubt that the 0% feedback impacted the final result of this auction.

If I were uncomfortable about who's doing the closing, I might offer the seller/broker a $300 "at closing" payment to allow me to pay LT Transfers $300 or so to do the closing. That's pretty much the same transaction as the seller in the above listing wants $550 for the title fee. But then there's no chance of anything going wrong. If they don't want to do that, see ya.

 

[WorldT]

I don't know where you're looking but I regard most timeshare sales sites as having absurdly expensive listings. And I'm not just talking about the ridiculous "valuations" of sites like Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) but also Redweek. I and anybody else could as a seller choose whatever price to sell. Doesn't mean it ever will sell at that price.

To me, the only true indication of a timeshare's value is what is obtained at auction on ebay. Hence, 100% of the timeshares that I've bought over the years were from ebay.

So let's take a look at "completed" ebay auctions for a Marriott Grande Vista. Here's one (make sure you click on "See original listing):

3 BEDROOM LOCKOFF, MARRIOTT GRANDE VISTA PLATINUM SEASON, ANNUAL YEARS TIMESHARE | eBay

Size: 3 Bedroom / 3 Bath Lockoff. Marriott Grande Vista.

www.ebay.com

$5.50 for an annual 3 BR platinum season. The seller paid his 2026 maintenance fee but is himself going to be using the 2026 week so the purchaser's usage (and maintenance fee obligation) begins 2027. Buyer pays tiny resort transfer fee and "somewhat higher than I'd like to pay" closing fee. But, all in all, that's a pretty low price and, therefore, I conclude that Marriott Grande Vistas have a pretty low value.

Is it normal to ask for the MF for 2027 for a Marriott auction that ended in March?

 

[dioxide45]

If I were uncomfortable about who's doing the closing, I might offer the seller/broker a $300 "at closing" payment to allow me to pay LT Transfers $300 or so to do the closing. That's pretty much the same transaction as the seller in the above listing wants $550 for the title fee. But then there's no chance of anything going wrong. If they don't want to do that, see ya.

In most cases using your own agent simply isn't an option. So that $5.50 bid isn't really a viable valuation of resale value. Ebay auctions are not an open and free market like traditional real estate. So "see ya" ends up resulting in lower demand and thus lower prices. Because of that, Ebay auctions aren't always "a true indication of a timeshare's value".

 

[andre10056]

Is it normal to ask for the MF for 2027 for a Marriott auction that ended in March?

I think they were trying to hammer home the fact that your usage begins in 2027. They would not be charging and therefore collecting for 2027 maintenance fees since they would not be owning beyond the next few months during this year of 2026.

 

[andre10056]

Of course, the above completed ebay auction that I highlighted is not the only recently completed sales auction for Marriott Grande Vistas:

Marriott Grande Vista for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Marriott Grande Vista at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

The above includes rental transactions as well.

If you happen to own a Gold season 2 BR, you can reasonably expect to pay this year's maintenance fee, allow the buyer to use that 2026 week, and pay for all resort transfer fees and title company closing fees. I would think it would be preferable to pay Marriott $400 for a deedback IF they'd agree to take it back under their Deedback Program.

For example:

Marriott's Grande Vista Timeshare Orlando Florida Gold Season | eBay

Marriott's Grande Vista. Marriott Reserves the right of first refusal . Refresh in the cool waters of our outdoor pools and energize your body in our fitness center. Perfect your swing at Grande Vista Golf Club or take a few lessons from the experts at Marriott Golf Academy.

www.ebay.com

 

[dioxide45]

Of course, the above completed ebay auction that I highlighted is not the only recently completed sales auction for Marriott Grande Vistas:

Marriott Grande Vista for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Marriott Grande Vista at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

The above includes rental transactions as well.

If you happen to own a Gold season 2 BR, you can reasonably expect to pay this year's maintenance fee, allow the buyer to use that 2026 week, and pay for all resort transfer fees and title company closing fees. I would think it would be preferable to pay Marriott $400 for a deedback IF they'd agree to take it back under their Deedback Program.

For example:

Marriott's Grande Vista Timeshare Orlando Florida Gold Season | eBay

Marriott's Grande Vista. Marriott Reserves the right of first refusal . Refresh in the cool waters of our outdoor pools and energize your body in our fitness center. Perfect your swing at Grande Vista Golf Club or take a few lessons from the experts at Marriott Golf Academy.

www.ebay.com

Of the Platinum weeks sold, here is the breakdown.

3BR Annual - $5.50 - This is the original one you listed. Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$670)
3BR EOY - $201.50 - Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$770)
2BR Annual - $875 - Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$570)

Given those amounts, it would seem that the prices the OP is seeing at around $1000 all in is not really out of line and I'm not sure what it is that you're trying to dispute.

Most private sales at $1000 + an LT closing and transfer fees isn't going to be much more than any of these completed auctions. Many people would prefer a private sale/purchase with the ability to select their own closing agent vs. an Ebay auction.

I agree with the assessment on Gold weeks, but I still think with reasonable enough effort, listing it in multiple places, one would be able to give a gold week away with the buyer paying closing costs. It might just take some time. Is that time worth the $400 savings vs. giving it back to Marriott? Only the owner can decide that.

 

[andre10056]

Of the Platinum weeks sold, here is the breakdown.

3BR Annual - $5.50 - This is the original one you listed. Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$670)
3BR EOY - $201.50 - Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$770)
2BR Annual - $875 - Closing costs and transfer fees to be paid by buyer (+$570)

Given those amounts, it would seem that the prices the OP is seeing at around $1000 all in is not really out of line and I'm not sure what it is that you're trying to dispute.

Most private sales at $1000 + an LT closing and transfer fees isn't going to be much more than any of these completed auctions. Many people would prefer a private sale/purchase with the ability to select their own closing agent vs. an Ebay auction.

I agree with the assessment on Gold weeks, but I still think with reasonable enough effort, listing it in multiple places, one would be able to give a gold week away with the buyer paying closing costs. It might just take some time. Is that time worth the $400 savings vs. giving it back to Marriott? Only the owner can decide that.

Not trying to "dispute" anything. As I wrote in my first post in this thread:

"I don't know where you're looking but I regard most timeshare sales sites as having absurdly expensive listings. And I'm not just talking about the ridiculous "valuations" of sites like Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) but also Redweek. I and anybody else could as a seller choose whatever price to sell. Doesn't mean it ever will sell at that price.

To me, the only true indication of a timeshare's value is what is obtained at auction on ebay....

I merely wanted to make him aware of another listing site that I, for one, believe is the only true way to assess value of a timeshare. He like you may disagree. In any case, if the reason he's looking at today's prices might be to buy another week, he should know about ebay.

I think it's pretty clear that whoever paid that $875 plus $570 that you listed above paid too much. One bid meaning THAT was the only bid. Just because the listing may have required an $875 opening bid doesn't mean you have to pay it. I would rather have been paid about $2000 (in the form of free use this year) with the seller paying 100% of all closing expenses for a 2 BR Gold week. Gold weeks have some pretty good available weeks and no doubt pretty good II trade value as well.

 

[Letnes]

I don't know where you're looking but I regard most timeshare sales sites as having absurdly expensive listings. And I'm not just talking about the ridiculous "valuations" of sites like Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) but also Redweek. I and anybody else could as a seller choose whatever price to sell. Doesn't mean it ever will sell at that price.

To me, the only true indication of a timeshare's value is what is obtained at auction on ebay. Hence, 100% of the timeshares that I've bought over the years were from ebay.

So let's take a look at "completed" ebay auctions for a Marriott Grande Vista. Here's one (make sure you click on "See original listing):

3 BEDROOM LOCKOFF, MARRIOTT GRANDE VISTA PLATINUM SEASON, ANNUAL YEARS TIMESHARE | eBay

Size: 3 Bedroom / 3 Bath Lockoff. Marriott Grande Vista.

www.ebay.com

$5.50 for an annual 3 BR platinum season. The seller paid his 2026 maintenance fee but is himself going to be using the 2026 week so the purchaser's usage (and maintenance fee obligation) begins 2027. Buyer pays tiny resort transfer fee and "somewhat higher than I'd like to pay" closing fee. But, all in all, that's a pretty low price and, therefore, I conclude that Marriott Grande Vistas have a pretty low value.

I had looked at the sold Ebay listings like the one you showed and rofr.net. I know that the prices on sites like Redweek, sellmytimesharenow, and other similar sites are not realistic market prices.

With all the changes that Marriott has made over the last few years I wanted to make sure that those changes hadn't negatively affected the trading power of the resorts in Interval and that's why the prices have gone down. Or if Marriott hadn't made other changes which made using these resorts as trades harder.

 

[dioxide45]

I had looked at the sold Ebay listings like the one you showed and rofr.net. I know that the prices on sites like Redweek, sellmytimesharenow, and other similar sites are not realistic market prices.

With all the changes that Marriott has made over the last few years I wanted to make sure that those changes hadn't negatively affected the trading power of the resorts in Interval and that's why the prices have gone down. Or if Marriott hadn't made other changes which made using these resorts as trades harder.

The main reason prices are down is maintenance fees are up. I think there is also concern regarding replacement reserve funding requirements in Florida that haven't completely taken effect which could results in even higher fees.

 

[Letnes]

The main reason prices are down is maintenance fees are up. I think there is also concern regarding replacement reserve funding requirements in Florida that haven't completely taken effect which could results in even higher fees.

Thanks.

 

[andre10056]

About 3 years ago I looked into buying a Florida Club Platinum 2 Bedroom at Marriott Grand Vista because everyone said they were great traders. They were selling for around $3000.00. I have just started looking again and prices have gone down to less than $1000.00. Is it the economy or did something else happen to make the price go down that much? Are they still great traders in Interval? I like to go to Hilton Head and it's hard to get Marriott resorts with my SDO.

I'm not surprised that the value of any timeshare has gone down but certainly not surprised that the value of Orlando timeshares in particular have gone down.

Orlando has so many options for vacationer's lodging, and they're so inexpensive, that maintenance fees that are approximately $2000 for a 2 BR make little economic sense. And that's particularly true during a time that airbnb allows anyone to become an airbnb landlord (i.e. "host") with their condos, townhouses or even single family homes. Here among many thousands of alternatives, is one for June 6 thru 13 when pretty much the entire south is in school summer vacation time:

Townhouse in Kissimmee · ★5.0 · 4 bedrooms · 5 beds · 3.5 baths

Disney Escape w/ Private Pool + Resort Perks 3820W

www.airbnb.com

$1149 total for 7 nights rather than $2000? I'll let you decide which you might prefer.

That's in contrast to a place like Key West where the municipality allows few airbnb rentals and the hotels cost $600 and up per night. Doesn't matter that, in my opinion, Orlando is far more interesting than Key West which, in my opinion, has the worst beaches in the US, meh restaurants, and uninteresting live music. I'd much rather be in Orlando. But you can rent your timeshare in Key West for megabucks but probably won't get that much interest, particularly for big dollars, in Orlando.

Of course, I'm not talking about Disney which is in its own pixie-dust-filled bubble where the laws of nature and economics do not apply.

But I'm not surprised that timeshares in general, no matter where they are, have gone down in value. Timeshares are an old people thing. Younger people regard being locked into a single fixed week, or having to make an exchange reservation up to a year in advance, as absurd. Nor do they want to stay seven nights at the same location. Nor do they want the burden of a deeded ownership hanging around their necks. In my opinion, timeshares aren't quite like the Catskills resorts of the 50s and 60s that are now all closed down, but they're still a thing of the past.

Oh. By the way, you may have an interest in checking out this ebay auction which is just about to close:

Marriott's Grande Vista Timeshare Orlando Florida Platinum Season | eBay

Marriott's Grande Vista. Marriott Reserves the right of first refusal . Refresh in the cool waters of our outdoor pools and energize your body in our fitness center. Perfect your swing at Grande Vista Golf Club or take a few lessons from the experts at Marriott Golf Academy.

www.ebay.com

 

[jme]

I'm not surprised that the value of any timeshare has gone down but certainly not surprised that the value of Orlando timeshares in particular have gone down.

Orlando has so many options for vacationer's lodging, and they're so inexpensive, that maintenance fees that are approximately $2000 for a 2 BR make little economic sense. And that's particularly true during a time that airbnb allows anyone to become an airbnb landlord (i.e. "host") with their condos, townhouses or even single family homes. Here among many thousands of alternatives, is one for June 6 thru 13 when pretty much the entire south is in school summer vacation time:

Townhouse in Kissimmee · ★5.0 · 4 bedrooms · 5 beds · 3.5 baths

Disney Escape w/ Private Pool + Resort Perks 3820W

www.airbnb.com

$1149 total for 7 nights rather than $2000? I'll let you decide which you might prefer.

That's in contrast to a place like Key West where the municipality allows few airbnb rentals and the hotels cost $600 and up per night. Doesn't matter that, in my opinion, Orlando is far more interesting than Key West which, in my opinion, has the worst beaches in the US, meh restaurants, and uninteresting live music. I'd much rather be in Orlando. But you can rent your timeshare in Key West for megabucks but probably won't get that much interest, particularly for big dollars, in Orlando.

Of course, I'm not talking about Disney which is in its own pixie-dust-filled bubble where the laws of nature and economics do not apply.

But I'm not surprised that timeshares in general, no matter where they are, have gone down in value. Timeshares are an old people thing. Younger people regard being locked into a single fixed week, or having to make an exchange reservation up to a year in advance, as absurd. Nor do they want to stay seven nights at the same location. Nor do they want the burden of a deeded ownership hanging around their necks. In my opinion, timeshares aren't quite like the Catskills resorts of the 50s and 60s that are now all closed down, but they're still a thing of the past.

Oh. By the way, you may have an interest in checking out this ebay auction which is just about to close:

Marriott's Grande Vista Timeshare Orlando Florida Platinum Season | eBay

Marriott's Grande Vista. Marriott Reserves the right of first refusal . Refresh in the cool waters of our outdoor pools and energize your body in our fitness center. Perfect your swing at Grande Vista Golf Club or take a few lessons from the experts at Marriott Golf Academy.

www.ebay.com

The value is greatly enhanced if it's a lockoff at GV (or anywhere), such that the owner can split it and then use two weeks.
Even better, TRADE for two weeks and end up upgrading to two 2BRs and sometimes even a 3BR.
The lockoff essentially cuts the maintenance fee in half when you end up with two great weeks on trades.
Upgrading the split weeks is the KEY, and it's easily doable. You'll end up getting two weeks whose mf's are theoretically $4,000.

 

[jp10558]

I'm not surprised that the value of any timeshare has gone down but certainly not surprised that the value of Orlando timeshares in particular have gone down.

Orlando has so many options for vacationer's lodging, and they're so inexpensive, that maintenance fees that are approximately $2000 for a 2 BR make little economic sense. And that's particularly true during a time that airbnb allows anyone to become an airbnb landlord (i.e. "host") with their condos, townhouses or even single family homes. Here among many thousands of alternatives, is one for June 6 thru 13 when pretty much the entire south is in school summer vacation time:

Townhouse in Kissimmee · ★5.0 · 4 bedrooms · 5 beds · 3.5 baths

Disney Escape w/ Private Pool + Resort Perks 3820W

www.airbnb.com

$1149 total for 7 nights rather than $2000? I'll let you decide which you might prefer.

My only concern about AirB&B is the surprise fees, though even then I would guess it would at worse match a $2000 MF. Orlando 100% makes no sense to pay MF rates, and seeing that probably not much reason to pay exchange rates either for an MVC. Maybe the next time I'm looking at Orlando I'll consider a VRBO, though the getaway rates sometimes are sub $500 so there's that.

But I'm not surprised that timeshares in general, no matter where they are, have gone down in value. Timeshares are an old people thing. Younger people regard being locked into a single fixed week, or having to make an exchange reservation up to a year in advance, as absurd.

This isn't a young person thing IMO, it's a planner vs not a planner thing. I know plenty of GenX and Boomers who couldn't plan their way out of a paper bag, and plans are only good literally as they're driving to a place, and even then it's only like 90% fixed. This is fine if you're well off and can just pay the last minute price increase. I also know that hotels more often than I'd expect sell out now than "back in the day". IDK if that's predictive staffing and not really sold out but just can't turn those rooms over or if I'm now more often going to places when an event is happening, but unless you want "random hotel a ways off the highway" I've found it often pays to book in advance. Maybe not a year, but often months+.

Nor do they want to stay seven nights at the same location.

I think this might be something people age into? I mean, pre timeshares I never stayed 7 nights because I couldn't afford it, or didn't want to burn that much time off back then, or didn't have the time off etc. Now that I'm middle aged, and have a WFH job, I have no problem staying in one location for 7 or more nights. First, it's a vacation, I don't want to have it be more work than work rushing to do everything possible in the 3 nights I'm in an area. But if I've flown somewhere, I don't know if I'll be back, and so would like to do as much as possible that interests me. Even pre-timeshares I'd try and spend 9 nights going around a place or at least 7 because it's expensive to fly somewhere and a PITA so I want to get as much value as possible. Even driving 3 days to get somewhere isn't cheap in the overnight hotels and such. Time to rest once you've arrived is golden.

Ok, so my point here is just - we all talked about Millennials not wanting timeshares and wanting something else, but the ARDA reports now show that Millennials are a huge portion of owners. We're just as likely repeating with with GenZ - it's not a generational thing, it's a time of life thing IMHO. After you turn 30, it starts to get harder to squeeze 4+ people into a hotel room or to stay at hostels. After 40 you start to slow down a little and maybe can't keep up go go go every day of a trip. At least you'd prefer not to. Or maybe it's just me IDK.

Nor do they want the burden of a deeded ownership hanging around their necks. In my opinion, timeshares aren't quite like the Catskills resorts of the 50s and 60s that are now all closed down, but they're still a thing of the past.

The killer is what you posted above - it has to make financial sense. I think Orlando is the worst example, it's more of a sales center than it is a place that makes sense to own at. That said, I think many other locations it's hard to find comparable options at cheaper prices, though that's of course buying resale. I just think the continued success of the sales process has it's own sales irrelevant of reality and unless regulation or something forces a change there, I think it'll continue into the future indefinitely.

 

[Big Matt]

The value is greatly enhanced if it's a lockoff at GV (or anywhere), such that the owner can split it and then use two weeks.
Even better, TRADE for two weeks and end up upgrading to two 2BRs and sometimes even a 3BR.
The lockoff essentially cuts the maintenance fee in half when you end up with two great weeks on trades.
Upgrading the split weeks is the KEY, and it's easily doable. You'll end up getting two weeks whose mf's are theoretically $4,000.

That's exactly how I use mine. I've never traded for anything less than a 2BR and have stayed in 3BR units (at Grande Vista) using my studio.