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Need help on vacation planning

squeeze

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Ok.....I am going to attempt to use a week I have in II to plan a vacation, but need some help.

We would like a couple of things:

Either 12/30/2012 (for 7 days) in NY
or

sometime in July at some place like Mass. (maybe Cape Cod) or CT--Martha's vineyard.......(something like that).

Our kids are teens (1--DD-- first year in College this year and 1--DS--is a Junior in HS this year)

It does not have to be a Starwood property. We have never stayed at a starwood property anyway (owned for 7 yrs now). :eek: :doh: :ignore:

What I need:

To know best locations, what properties (Marriott, Hilton, etc) and how to go about making the reservation (meaning, best time to call to find an opening).

It appears to be very difficult to ever get what you are actually looking for. So, I thought a few pointers may be in order (to avoid frustration).

Thanks for any input any one can give in advance. I know this may not be all info. you need, but feel free to ask questions if some other info. is needed. Obviously, these are 2 very different types of vacations; but either sound appealing for my family.
 
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scootr5

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Are you talking about july 2012 or July 2013? If it's 2012, you are probably starting too late to get a good exchange. Even he December one is unlikely now. You probably need to be able to plan at least 10-12 months ahead, or look for very last minute stuff.
 

glypnirsgirl

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Even though it is late, go to the II website, and put in an on-going search for a range of dates and a location. The more flexible you can be, the more likelihood of success.

For instance, last year I put in an ongoing search for June 1, 2012 to August 15, 2012 and listed Aruba, Curacao, and several other Carribbean islands. I matched Aruba within three days -- for mid August.

Good luck!

elaine
 

squeeze

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yah. I've been looking and searching since early Dec. 2011.

I am talking about 2012, it's too early for 2013, correct?

Can I request either one of those locations 2 years out?

If anyone has any idea's, I will continue searching for 2012. I am just curious what's the best time and day to have better luck & any specific locations (or TS) that might be better than another.

I will try the continous search listed above. I've done this is the past, and it has not been successful, but willing to try again.

Thanks again for the ideas. If any one has any other ideas or input, please feel free. We are looking for a sailing, horseback riding, etc. experience.
 
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DeniseM

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Have you read the II FAQ at the top of the forum?
 

scootr5

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yah. I've been looking and searching since early Dec. 2011.

I am talking about 2012, it's too early for 2013, correct?

Can I request either one of those locations 2 years out?

If anyone has any idea's, I will continue searching for 2012. I am just curious what's the best time and day to have better luck & any specific locations (or TS) that might be better than another.

I will try the continous search listed above. I've done this is the past, and it has not been successful, but willing to try again.

Thanks again for the ideas. If any one has any other ideas or input, please feel free. We are looking for a sailing, horseback riding, etc. experience.

No, it's not too early for 2013. When you say you've been searching since 2011 do you mean you have a request in, or have you just been searching the II website? The stuff on the website is just the leftovers after all the requests have been filled.
 

squeeze

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Have you read the II FAQ at the top of the forum?

I have read, but maybe I should read it again.
Just trying to figure out where to plan and how to get what you wish to plan for.

I will re read. Thanks Denise.

No, it's not too early for 2013. When you say you've been searching since 2011 do you mean you have a request in, or have you just been searching the II website? The stuff on the website is just the leftovers after all the requests have been filled.

No request until tonight, just searching the site and calling. Maybe if I can do 2013 I can do New York in December, thoughts?

WSJ or HS look very appealing, but probably unlikely to be able to get that. Any ideas on one of those since in II Starwood should have 1st preference on those?

We really want to go take the teens whale watching, horseback riding, and sailing. Of course, DH and DS love to parasail as well.
 
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jarta

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Given what the OP is posting, what does this thread have to do with Starwood? ... eom
 

glypnirsgirl

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If they love parasailing and horsback riding, have you considered Westin Lagunamar in Cancun? Lots of activities there.

elaine
 

glypnirsgirl

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Given what the OP is posting, what does this thread have to do with Starwood? ... eom

The reason that it is here is because the deposit is a starwood deposit.

elaine
 

jarta

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Yes, but not to use to use the Starwood preference or to ask advice about how to make a Starwood deposit. It's merely a request for advice on where to go - and Starwood is not an option the OP would consider. The OP wants to go to NY, MA or CT.

Valid questions - but for other forums. ... eom
 

squeeze

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Yes, but not to use to use the Starwood preference or to ask advice about how to make a Starwood deposit. It's merely a request for advice on where to go - and Starwood is not an option the OP would consider. The OP wants to go to NY, MA or CT.

Valid questions - but for other forums. ... eom

I did add WSJ and HS since they may fit a criteria the family may enjoy. We did S Padre last summer and they loved it, but I was just trying to figure on something different for this year.

Maybe I should consider Lagunamar. Although these appear much different than my original thoughts (CT, MS, NY)......sound like those may not be possible this year (but I would still like to try).
 

DeniseM

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Keep in mind that your deposit has priority for Starwood to Starwood trades. It won't have the same trading power when you trade outside the system.

12/30 is New Year's week, and New York is usually a difficult trade to get because there is more demand than supply, so you want to have a back up plan.

WSJ and Harborside are also difficult exchanges due to supply - to be successful with those resorts, you need to put in a very broad request.

If you join TUG, you will have access to our extensive resort reviews and ratings - it's the first place I go when I am considering a trade.

Since Starwood and II have unique trading rules, it was completely appropriate to post your question here. ;)
 
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squeeze

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Keep in mind that your deposit has priority for Starwood to Starwood trades. It won't have the same trading power when you trade outside the system.

12/30 is New Year's week, and New York is usually a difficult trade to get because there is more demand than supply, so you want to have a back up plan.

WSJ and Harborside are also difficult exchanges due to supply - to be successful with those resorts, you need to put in a very broad request.

If you join TUG, you will have access to our extensive resort reviews and ratings - it's the first place I go when I am considering a trade.

Since Starwood and II have unique trading rules, it was completely appropriate to post your question here. ;)

Thanks Denise.
I have been considering joining TUG for a while now, and I may do so very soon.

I'm not sure it's the reviews I need. I really need to borrow of few of the TUGGERS brains for a bit. ;) I just need to get 'in front' of our timeshare instead of 'behind it' since what we were told we were buying is not what we bought.:annoyed:

I am determined to make a good thing out of what we were sold. :whoopie:
 

DeniseM

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To know best locations, what properties (Marriott, Hilton, etc)

I use the ratings and reviews to select the resorts to request when I do an exchange. Nothing wrong with asking in the forums, but there is a wealth of info. already available in the reviews.
 

squeeze

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I use the ratings and reviews to select the resorts to request when I do an exchange. Nothing wrong with asking in the forums, but there is a wealth of info. already available in the reviews.



ok. Will do.

But, if anyone else has input on ideas of where to go, or how to get the above areas listed.......please chime in and help me out. I will be PM ing Denise about some sign up questions.
 

funtime

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Try the mountains!!

If you are using II it is not too late to put in a summer request for 2012. RCI starts earlier and 2013 is more appropriate there. One thought would be a two bedroom at Marriott Summit Watch or Marriott Mountainside in Park City - sounds like your kids love the outdoors and these are great timeshares and there is a lot to do in the summer. You can go online and do a search without making a deposit, but you will see better stuff if you make a specific request. Even with a specific request you can use your unit to search the online inventory. You also have to know what each trading group speciallizes in. In addition to Park City, consider Vail and Avon. There is a Sheraton Mountain Vista in Avon (nextdoor to Vail Colorado) that is nice. If you were talking about NYC - that is super difficult.
 

Passepartout

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For these REALLY popular places, you can't just 'look & search'. You'll never see them as 'available'. You have to deposit your week(s) and set up a request, as the requests are filled before any 'leftovers' are posted. And there are almost never 'leftovers' of the most popular places. And you have to set it up as early as possible- even using your Starwood-to-Starwood preference.

As I understand the way it works, anyway.

Another advantage to parting with your hard-earned &15 to join TUG is seeing the 'Sightings' where another community-minded TUGger can report seeing a high demand, and scarce week available. Only TUG members get to see these things. And the sightings only work when members post what they see.

Jim
 
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