Looking to join Marriott

[DJensen]

I am new to TUGS BBS and would like some advice from those more experienced. We have stayed at Marriott Shadow Ridge with friends and just finished a rental at Grande Vista in Orlando (building 78 - great view and close to the entrance - would recommend this side of resort).

We are currently in the process of rescinding an EOY at Horizons in Orlando purchase because of price as we found TUG and also many other resale sights.

Question is: what TS to purchase? We enjoyed Orlando and seems to have good exchange power, but wonder what to resort to purchase. We are leaning towards Horizons (two kids ages 9 and 7), but wonder if we will outgrow it, Cypress Harbor (saw it from the golf course) or Grande Vista (may be too big). Other ideas? Other locations?

Our friends stated it doesn't matter where your home location is because of exchanges, thoughts??

Thanks!!

 

[pwrshift]

There are some very nice timeshares in Orlando including a new one recently announced at Grande Lakes (opening 2010) - you can search for more info on TUG threads on that one. Other than that one, however, I'm not a big supporter of Orlando as it is considered 'oversold' with multiple timeshares and you can often get in there with Interval Getaways for less than owners pay in annual maintenance fees. Orlando is great while you have kids, but families age and Mickey becomes less interesting than perhaps a beach location. You have to look carefully at your vacation needs now and for the future when buying a timeshare...and if you'll be happy with going to Orlando for the next 10 years buy there. If there's any chance you will get tired of it, buy elsewhere...perhaps on a beach where you don't have to use airlines to get there.

Buying resale does save you significant upfront costs, but the main loss is the ability to trade your week for Marriott Reward points every other year (some are annually). That may or may not be of value to you depending on the size and ages of your family. It takes 540,000 MR points to take a wonderful (air+hotel pkg) biz class trip for two to Europe and stay two weeks in Category 7 (highest) Marriott hotels ... some could compare that to a $12,000 cash trip or more if paying cash. Compared to the upfront bonus points you get buying direct, it would take an eternity to get that number of points without trading TS weeks in as you earn 10 pts per dollar spent in Marriott hotels or are limited to buying 100,000 pts a year (spouses).

So study www.marriottrewards.com before you make a decision not to buy direct and see if that benefit could be of potential use to you. For me, as an empty nester, it's been a terrific benefit and probably one that I wouldn't have had if I had joined TUG before buying as there are so many here against points use.

Brian

 

[applegirl]

Welcome to TUG!

I'm glad you have enjoyed a couple of MVCI properties already! So you know what good quality they are. We own at Shadow Ridge and enjoy it very much. We live less than 2 hours drive so we even go ocassionally for day use!

Many people on here will advise that you buy at a property that you would like to actually vacation at half the time. Why? Because if your trade request doesn't come through, at least you can enjoy your home week. But, if you learn the exchange system real well and read all the tips and hints here on TUG, you will probably get your trades the majority of the time. Sounds like you will be tied to vacations during school schedules? If so, that does make it a little tougher. If you buy the best season you can afford at your resort and request high demand weeks on years you want to exchange, plus you deposit and request as early as possible, you will have the greated chance of getting your request.

Where to buy? No one can really answer that besides you! Something that would influence my choice though is airfare. Buy at a resort where airfare seems to not be increasing as much as other places. If Orlando is likely to remain decently priced, but Ontario or Palm Springs is getting very expensive, that would probably sway my decision. Owning a Marriott property gives you a big advantage for exchanging with other Marriott properties. There is a 24 day Marriott priority within II. That is, for the first 24 days a Marriott property is deposited into the system, only other Marriott owners have access to that properpty. Then, after 24 days if no Marriott owners have a request for that week for those dates, it then opens up to all members of II.

I have heard that Marriott Horizons in Orlando is the best property for kids because of the pool area and all. But Orlando is also very overbuilt with timeshares, so this may decrease the demand for a property. Palm Springs has a lot of timeshares too, but not many "high end" properties like Marriott.

You are so lucky to have found this site before buying your first T/S. Be sure to read these boards for several months before making any decisions.

Janna

 

[Lawlar]

MFs

Remember to give consideration to the maintenance fees. They go up about 10% a year.

We could enjoy a nice vacation for the maintenance fees we are paying.

 

[Dave M]

They go up about 10% a year.

Not exactly.

Historically, since 2001, Marriott MFs have averaged about a 5% increase each year. This past year (2007 to 2008) the median increase (after adjusting to eliminate special assessments) was 6.5%. 22 MFs were higher than a 7% increase; 24 were lower than a 6% increase.

The 2008 range includes two decreases (Timber Lodge and Heritage Club) and seven double-digit increases, led by Manor Club at 19%. Four resorts had special assessments in 2008 compared to three in 2007. The median fee (again, adjusted to exclude special assessments) for a high season (e.g., Platinum) week is now $935 and could well exceed $1000 in 2009. The high is the Maui Lahaina 3BR at $2,059, followed by the other Hawaii resorts and the weak dollar Euro resorts in France and Spain, most of which are over $1,300. The lowest fees are at Horizons Branson ($694) and Timber Lodge ($699).

The complete chart of Marriott historical fees for the past eight years is accessible through the FAQs for this Marriott forum.

 

[Eric F]

You should read this TUG thread before you decide that a resale purchase is in your best interest.

Here's the link: http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78099

Do you want to own typical t/s of Marriott direct ownership options?

 

[laxmom]

Here is a link that might be of interest regarding trades from Marriott to Marriott. You can draw your own conclusions about how an Orlando resort like Grande Vista trades. BTW, we own there but have never stayed there but almost always occupy our other Marriott on HHI, following the buy where you want to stay (or wouldn't mind staying) and drivability if airfare gets too outrageous.

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77137

 

[DJensen]

Thanks to all that responded!! Much to think about in making the purchase. Being from Minnesota, most Marriott locations would be via flights or very long drives.

I just posted a new thread about clarifying Marriott resale details, please take a look and respond if you have a moment. http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78155