New to Vacationing family of 8 and timeshares / Survey [MERGED]

[SerKillZ]

Hello, I have been wanting to get into vacationing with my wife and 6 kids and have went and got a venture card and have been making it a habit to plan a weekend trip once a month on a budget of course about -$1000 each trip. So I have been checking out family/beach resorts and like the prices in Mexico and near North California, Palm desert etc. Mainly favoring the Marriott resorts. Anyways I have been learning a bit about timeshares and checked out Disney which was pricey but not sure if Marriott or Hilton was worth it and don't want to just trust a sales representative. I do want flexibility and ability to take family out somewhere nice. Just asking for advice am interested in nice meals, snorkeling, and family activities.

 

[Janann]

We can better help you if you answer the questions in the first post on this thread: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/what-to-buy-questions-for-new-timeshare-owners.208742/

 

[alwysonvac]

Hello, I have been wanting to get into vacationing with my wife and 6 kids and have went and got a venture card and have been making it a habit to plan a weekend trip once a month on a budget of course about -$1000 each trip. So I have been checking out family/beach resorts and like the prices in Mexico and near North California, Palm desert etc. Mainly favoring the Marriott resorts. Anyways I have been learning a bit about timeshares and checked out Disney which was pricey but not sure if Marriott or Hilton was worth it and don't want to just trust a sales representative. I do want flexibility and ability to take family out somewhere nice. Just asking for advice am interested in nice meals, snorkeling, and family activities.

Yeah, don’t trust the sales folks. They are known to stretch the truth. They will only tell you what you want to hear (not what’s best for you and your family). Most won’t mention that you can purchase their same product for drastically less on the resale market.

Just continue renting your weekend getaways. It will give you the most flexibility and allow you to take advantage of last minute deals for transportation, accommodation and entertainment expenses.

 

[andre10056]

Hello, I have been wanting to get into vacationing with my wife and 6 kids and have went and got a venture card and have been making it a habit to plan a weekend trip once a month on a budget of course about -$1000 each trip. So I have been checking out family/beach resorts and like the prices in Mexico and near North California, Palm desert etc. Mainly favoring the Marriott resorts. Anyways I have been learning a bit about timeshares and checked out Disney which was pricey but not sure if Marriott or Hilton was worth it and don't want to just trust a sales representative. I do want flexibility and ability to take family out somewhere nice. Just asking for advice am interested in nice meals, snorkeling, and family activities.

You didn't mention where you lived. I can't imagine a family of eight going anywhere economically without being able to drive (rather than fly) there. And if we're talking weekend trips, we're talking closeby rather than a ten hour drive away.

So I'm not sure either North Carolina or Mexico would even be feasible given wherever you might live.

As for lodging options, that might be a tough one as well. Most timeshares have limitations on occupancy depending upon unit size. Studios and 1 bedrooms might be limited to four people. Two bedrooms might be limited to six. Although there are 2 bedrooms that are "rated" for eight people. And those occupancy limits are established via fire marshall inspection according to his/her interpretation of the fire code.

Do people "sneak" five people into a unit whose occupancy limit is four? Of course they do. But it's easy to have a party of five at the pool if the resort has two bedrooms that sleep six. Not so easy to have a party of eight at the pool if the resort has a max occupancy in any of its units of six.

An additional feature of timeshares per se is that they're normally seven night ownerships. You might be able to find some great, even some magnificent deals in the "last minute rental" section on TUG but they will likely be for seven nights. And they might also be during school times.

With all the life's challenges to be thrown at you with six kids, I would hesitate to become a timeshare owner. You will most often have to commit to a certain week of traveling either via a fixed week ownership or a points ownership in which you have to reserve many months in advance to get your preferred week. There's no way to plan like that with six kids. In my opinion anyway.

 

[jp10558]

If you're renting what you want and need for your family I think I agree with @andre10056 - timeshares really aren't designed for weekend getaways especially if they're somewhat spontaneous. I think the Vacasa and Airbnb of the world are better fits.

Where timeshares fit IMO are week long trips and mostly 2BR. Not saying you can never get 3 or even 4BR but they tend to be much more limited and cost a lot more.

That said, you potentially could (with enough planning) get 2 2br units but idk if you'd want to split up the family like that. And obviously that costs double.

 

[aandmrun]

I don't mean to discourage you, but I would like you to know that timesharing is a big commitment. We have been doing it for over 25 years and I will tell you that it does take a lot of preplanning. You will need to schedule your week or weeks vacations at least a year in advance in order to get exactly what you want. Also, a lot of the 2 bedrooms are lock-offs, which means that one bedroom can be used as it's own stand alone unit. Depending on the age of your children, you may not want them that separate from your own room. We did vacation with the grandkids a lot but didn't really leave them in the lock-offs until they were in their teens. As much as we have loved our timeshares, I think that today there are a lot more choices with travel packages from Costco, AAA, AARP, just to name a few and the Airbnb units as well as other vacation clubs that can be used just as needed instead of making a life long commitment. It is not an investment (as some salesperson may say), it is just an organized way of traveling. I hope you end up with what you need for your family.

 

[andre10056]

As soon as you say eight travelers, timeshare owners think "lockoff 2 BR". So what is a lockoff 2 BR?

You will enter your unit door after walking to it via the hallway and then find yourself in a small foyer or vestibule with a door on the left and a door on the right.

One side will be what is known as an A unit 1 BR. That side will oftentimes offer a King sized bed in the one bedroom, a full kitchen, a good sized living room with a dining setup and a foldout couch, a full bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, and a fairly good sized balcony.

The other side will be what is known as a B unit 1 BR. It will be smaller than the A unit and oftentimes have a queen bed in its one bedroom, a partial kitchen with cooktops instead of an oven, a smaller living room with a dining setup and a foldout couch, a full bathroom but no jacuzzi tub, and a smaller sized balcony or perhaps even no balcony.

As each side has its King or Queen bed which sleeps two plus a foldout couch that sleeps two, each side sleeps four.

Obviously, if you combine both the A unit plus the B unit (by keeping both doors in the vestibule open) , your entire 2 BR lockoff sleeps eight.

Those types of units may be an option for you, and you can rent them via expedia, booking.com, hotels.com (and other places) for as little as a single night, if available. However, many resorts only rent their least desirable views (or whatever) via expedia, for example. If you wanted a pool,view, the resort might even tell you they CAN'T give you a pool view since you rented from expedia. Indeed, they'll offer you the ability to pay an upgrade fee to get what you want. A way around that upgrade fee and still pay expedia lower prices (lower than you could get from the resort directly) is to print out the expedia (or whatever) ad and bring it into or send it to the resort. They WILL match the price and still give you a pool view (for example) if that's what you want.

 

[Janann]

So what is a lockoff 2 BR?

You will enter your unit door after walking to it via the hallway and then find yourself in a small foyer or vestibule with a door on the left and a door on the right.

Or it will be a one bedroom, with an adjoining door to the studio unit next door. So the two units can be booked by the resort as a completely separate one bedroom and studio with the door between them locked, or the door can be unlocked to create a connected one bedroom and studio (two bedroom).

 

[andre10056]

The room layout of one type of lockoff 2 BR (this happens to be the Vacation Village at Weston version):

 

[andre10056]

Here's a thought.

The Armed Forces Vacation Club SAYS that only active duty military or veterans...or one generation up or down...may join. So I don't know if you or your spouse or your parent is a veteran.

Nor do I know if they really care if you're a veteran or not. I said I was, I am, but they never asked to see my DD-214 or VA medical ID card or ID.me credentials or whatever. Nor has anyplace I've booked asked me for such credentials.

And that might be a good option for you. Week-long "R&R" rentals are dirt cheap, and are available everywhere in the country. And they even have short stay rentals like I saw at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando. So you might find some good options there although you'll have to pay attention to total occupancies.

 

[SerKillZ]

Sorry I forgot to mention I live in southern California.

 

[SerKillZ]

Hello, I have been wanting to get into vacationing with my wife and 6 kids and have went and got a venture card and have been making it a habit to plan a weekend trip once a month on a budget of course about -$1000 each trip. So I have been checking out family/beach resorts and like the prices in Mexico and near North California, Palm desert etc. Mainly favoring the Marriott resorts. Anyways I have been learning a bit about timeshares and checked out Disney which was pricey but not sure if Marriott or Hilton was worth it and don't want to just trust a sales representative. I do want flexibility and ability to take family out somewhere nice. Just asking for advice am interested in nice meals, snorkeling, and family activities.

Yeah, don’t trust the sales folks. They are known to stretch the truth. They will only tell you what you want to hear (not what’s best for you and your family). Most won’t mention that you can purchase their same product for drastically less on the resale market.

Just continue renting your weekend getaways. It will give you the most flexibility and allow you to take advantage of last minute deals for transportation, accommodation and entertainment expenses.

I like the idea of this, I was just wondering if maybe I am wasting money if not putting into a more better vacation investment. I don't mind taking vacation days to have a longer time with family knowing it wouldn't be as often as every month. Especially when considering adding up all my costs over a whole year if it is better to get a timeshare at the cost of a few hundred bucks a month. I would prefer a 2 to 3-week vacation as a beach resort over weekend once a month.

 

[4TimeAway]

Sorry I forgot to mention I live in southern California.

NOOOOOO!!!!
I'm sooo sorry. Us too.

You'll figure it out. It will take some time.
We started with a HGVC on the Big Island deal. (you might be able to use CC points and moles to get fre airfare)/ Please don't buy retail, but the pitch sounds good. Know you can save 80-90% resale, but it might take a month or two. Really worth it. $4k vs $40k+.

Also, AFVC is an option, but a bit more limited.

TImesahres are a game that takes years to understand. Do not rush in or you will 90%+ get burned. Read, Ask Questions, but most importantly take vacations.

I posted my thoughts in the past, read other also and then ask us tough questions like would you do it agsin or what would you buy if you wanted to do...

 

[alwysonvac]

I like the idea of this, I was just wondering if maybe I am wasting money if not putting into a more better vacation investment. I don't mind taking vacation days to have a longer time with family knowing it wouldn't be as often as every month. Especially when considering adding up all my costs over a whole year if it is better to get a timeshare at the cost of a few hundred bucks a month. I would prefer a 2 to 3-week vacation as a beach resort over weekend once a month.

If you're looking for a 2 to 3 week timeshare stay at a beach resort then look at post #2 to complete the questionnaire (link)

With timeshares, some resorts/locations may be harder to book than others especially during high demand periods (anytime the kids are out of school). Whenever the kids are out of school expect lots of competition from families seeking vacations within that same travel period. Like a Black Friday sale, ideally you'll want to be online as soon as the booking window opens for peak summer beach months.

NOTE: Marriott (link) and HGVC (link) annual maintenance fees are not cheap and they normally increase every year.

Another option is rentals from timeshare owner.

• https://www.redweek.com/featured/last-minute-timeshare-rentals
• https://www.redweek.com/featured/bargain-timeshare-rentals

Good Luck and Welcome to TUG

 

[jp10558]

One thing though is you can drive down the MFs/pt quite a bit buying strategically in both HGVC and MVC. That said, you do run the risk if you do so of really struggling to book when the general booking window opens if you're at a very in demand resort and time. Like I can only seem to book a 2BR on Miami Beach in December, and only right at 9 months (for HGVC). OTOH, if you are on at 9 months Orlando, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Hawaii isn't so difficult. It all depends. If you like the idea of beach resorts in Hawaii, then I think HGVC can work for you. Especially if you can get a points generator in Las Vegas or Scotland. These will be a significant savings over renting in Hawaii, that's for sure.

 

[SerKillZ]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

I think either Cancun Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, or Utah in that order.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
More than half

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Cancun Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, or Utah and Colorado

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
6-10

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Anytime

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3.4-5
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
4k-10k per year including everything
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
200-500
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yeah that is why I am here to learn

 

[SerKillZ]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?



I think either Cancun Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, or Utah in that order.



2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?

More than half



3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Cancun Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, or Utah and Colorado



4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

6-10



5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

Anytime



6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Yes

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?

Yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?

3.4-5

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

4k-10k per year including everything

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?

2000-7000

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

Yes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?

Yeah that is why I am here to learn

 

[Pennytx]

Why are you asking this? Frankly it’s weird

 

[SerKillZ]

Why are you asking this? Frankly it’s weird

I was asked to answer survey and post it.

 

[vacationtime1]

Very few timeshares are 4* or 5*; only a few Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton units really quality. Marriott/Westin/Hyatt were probably 4* a few years back, but diminished services and housekeeping have probably lowered those to perhaps 3.5*. Certainly upscale, but definitely not luxury.

Your group size of 6-10 is awkward. The majority of "large" timeshare units are two bedroom units with two king/queen beds and two sofabeds, You know who sleeps with whom, so you can figure out if you would need two units. If so, AirBnB or similar may work better.

Maintenance fees are what pays for the utilities, housekeeping, gardening, front desk, and all of the amenities you seek. Think of what a hotel would charge for a seven day stay in a two bedroom suite; you can discount that slightly because you are an owner, but it is not $200-$500/week. Typical MF's for a Marriott/Westin/Hyatt two bedroom unit exceed $2,000/week, and are considerably higher in Hawaii.

 

[SerKillZ]

Very few timeshares are 4* or 5*; only a few Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton units really quality. Marriott/Westin/Hyatt were probably 4* a few years back, but diminished services and housekeeping have probably lowered those to perhaps 3.5*. Certainly upscale, but definitely not luxury.

Your group size of 6-10 is awkward. The majority of "large" timeshare units are two bedroom units with two king/queen beds and two sofabeds, You know who sleeps with whom, so you can figure out if you would need two units. If so, AirBnB or similar may work better.

Maintenance fees are what pays for the utilities, housekeeping, gardening, front desk, and all of the amenities you seek. Think of what a hotel would charge for a seven day stay in a two bedroom suite; you can discount that slightly because you are an owner, but it is not $200-$500/week. Typical MF's for a Marriott/Westin/Hyatt two bedroom unit exceed $2,000/week, and are considerably higher in Hawaii.

When you say $2,000 a week you mean just for one stay or that is the maintenance fees?

 

[SerKillZ]

One thing though is you can drive down the MFs/pt quite a bit buying strategically in both HGVC and MVC. That said, you do run the risk if you do so of really struggling to book when the general booking window opens if you're at a very in demand resort and time. Like I can only seem to book a 2BR on Miami Beach in December, and only right at 9 months (for HGVC). OTOH, if you are on at 9 months Orlando, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Hawaii isn't so difficult. It all depends. If you like the idea of beach resorts in Hawaii, then I think HGVC can work for you. Especially if you can get a points generator in Las Vegas or Scotland. These will be a significant savings over renting in Hawaii, that's for sure.

It sounds smart but being new to timeshares I have no idea what you mean by these abbreviations

 

[SerKillZ]

Hello, I have been wanting to get into vacationing with my wife and 6 kids and have went and got a venture card and have been making it a habit to plan a weekend trip once a month on a budget of course about -$1000 each trip. So I have been checking out family/beach resorts and like the prices in Mexico and near North California, Palm desert etc. Mainly favoring the Marriott resorts. Anyways I have been learning a bit about timeshares and checked out Disney which was pricey but not sure if Marriott or Hilton was worth it and don't want to just trust a sales representative. I do want flexibility and ability to take family out somewhere nice. Just asking for advice am interested in nice meals, snorkeling, and family activities.

I have been looking at the tug marketplace timeshares for sale. Is there a place where I could learn what everything means on the listings? For example, what the week means and floating or EY and the check-in and checkout dates etc?

 

[Passepartout]

When you say $2,000 a week you mean just for one stay or that is the maintenance fees?

First, there are VERY FEW timeshares that will accommodate 6-10 people. The higher rated (3.5 to 4*) are hotel branded resorts, and will have annual fees north of $3,000 for their biggest units. Timeshare (generally) works with 7 night stays, so that price is for one week. There are also often 'resort fees' that are paid at check-in and can be pretty high if you are not prepared. ($25 to $50/a day) Guests are often restricted to one parking place per unit- or you pay to park elsewhere. Something to consider with your occupancy estimate.

I think that your expectations are unrealistic. Either pare down your occupancy needs, or be happy with more 'independent' resorts.

Jim

 

[SerKillZ]

First, there are VERY FEW timeshares that will accommodate 6-10 people. The higher rated (3.5 to 4*) are hotel branded resorts, and will have annual fees north of $3,000 for their biggest units. Timeshare (generally) works with 7 night stays, so that price is for one week. There are also often 'resort fees' that are paid at check-in and can be pretty high if you are not prepared. ($25 to $50/a day) Guests are often restricted to one parking place per unit- or you pay to park elsewhere. Something to consider with your occupancy estimate.

I think that your expectations are unrealistic. Either pare down your occupancy needs, or be happy with more 'independent' resorts.

Jim

I do not mind upwards of 3K a year. I am just so new to this. I do not know the lingo or how to look at timeshares for sale. I was looking at some of the ones for sale here on tug and a few of them say they are two to three bedrooms but there's some abbreviations. I do not know what they mean. For example, I was looking at couple here for sale.