Nowaker
TUG Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2021
- Messages
- 1,144
- Reaction score
- 913
- Points
- 173
- Location
- Wilson County, Texas
- Resorts Owned
- HGVC: 41,520 points - Coylumbridge, Flamingo, Elara, Trump, 2x Boulevard
ClubPoints booking of a 3 BR for the spring break appears impossible in any HGVC resort in Orlando. 2 BR is somewhat easy in Las Palmeras, but rather hard for others.
Theoretically, 2 BR / 3 BR Platinum deed in Orlando would be very useful to secure a spring break with home week reservation.
However, the real question is whether purchasing a timeshare in Orlando area makes sense, given an extremely competitive rates on non-timeshare market (think hotels.com or direct resort bookings).
While HGVC offers almost unbeatable 4-star accommodations in Vegas (and even 5-star at Trump), and in several other locations, Orlando is full of 4-star timeshares.
Therefore, is there a reason to fork out around $5k on acquiring a platinum deed, and then around $1.5k each year, when you can book something comparable for the same price on free market or timeshare exchange?
For example, Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts appears equal to HGVC Orlando resorts (correct me if I'm wrong!) and 2 BR can be booked today for the spring break for $1348 (villa, 1000 sqft) or $1465 (condo, 1300 sqft). With free cancelation until March, 9th. And with hotels.com reward program, it's effectively 8% cashback, and even 16% if you have their credit card (I do).
Or an RCI exchange to the above would be 4800 pts + $239, and with cheap Vegas points, the total cost is around $900-$1100, depending on what deed one has. And it's only two months until the spring break. Dates further out, like Thanksgiving or the summer, have even more options in RCI. (in fact, I have a booking for Thanksgiving in 2 BR Sheraton Vistana Resort, which also appears very nice)
On the other hand, 3 BR is a different topic, and this size of accommodation doesn't appear very ppopular on free market or RCI, and that's where HGVC 3 BR could be valuable. But only when hottest season is involved - spring break and, I guess Thanksgiving and Christmas (no data at this moment for me to validate these two). The summer, not so much, since 3 BR is available at SeaWorld almost all summer no problem.
So, to the best of my understanding and research:
1. It doesn't make any sense to buy 2 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC.
2. It doesn't make much sense to buy 3 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC when targeting for the summer.
3. It makes sense to buy 3 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC if targeting for the spring break, or the summer in Parc Soleil or Tuscany.
4. HGVC, while being top notch and hard to match in other locations, is matched by many other resorts in Orlando area. (Still luxury but ubiquitous, so to speak)
Please share your thoughts. If I'm completely wrong, please let me know. I want to learn and see all points of view. I'm sceptically contemplating acquiring a 3 BR Platinum at Parc Soleil so I would really want to know.
Theoretically, 2 BR / 3 BR Platinum deed in Orlando would be very useful to secure a spring break with home week reservation.
However, the real question is whether purchasing a timeshare in Orlando area makes sense, given an extremely competitive rates on non-timeshare market (think hotels.com or direct resort bookings).
While HGVC offers almost unbeatable 4-star accommodations in Vegas (and even 5-star at Trump), and in several other locations, Orlando is full of 4-star timeshares.
Therefore, is there a reason to fork out around $5k on acquiring a platinum deed, and then around $1.5k each year, when you can book something comparable for the same price on free market or timeshare exchange?
For example, Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts appears equal to HGVC Orlando resorts (correct me if I'm wrong!) and 2 BR can be booked today for the spring break for $1348 (villa, 1000 sqft) or $1465 (condo, 1300 sqft). With free cancelation until March, 9th. And with hotels.com reward program, it's effectively 8% cashback, and even 16% if you have their credit card (I do).
Or an RCI exchange to the above would be 4800 pts + $239, and with cheap Vegas points, the total cost is around $900-$1100, depending on what deed one has. And it's only two months until the spring break. Dates further out, like Thanksgiving or the summer, have even more options in RCI. (in fact, I have a booking for Thanksgiving in 2 BR Sheraton Vistana Resort, which also appears very nice)
On the other hand, 3 BR is a different topic, and this size of accommodation doesn't appear very ppopular on free market or RCI, and that's where HGVC 3 BR could be valuable. But only when hottest season is involved - spring break and, I guess Thanksgiving and Christmas (no data at this moment for me to validate these two). The summer, not so much, since 3 BR is available at SeaWorld almost all summer no problem.
So, to the best of my understanding and research:
1. It doesn't make any sense to buy 2 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC.
2. It doesn't make much sense to buy 3 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC when targeting for the summer.
3. It makes sense to buy 3 BR Platinum Orlando HGVC if targeting for the spring break, or the summer in Parc Soleil or Tuscany.
4. HGVC, while being top notch and hard to match in other locations, is matched by many other resorts in Orlando area. (Still luxury but ubiquitous, so to speak)
Please share your thoughts. If I'm completely wrong, please let me know. I want to learn and see all points of view. I'm sceptically contemplating acquiring a 3 BR Platinum at Parc Soleil so I would really want to know.