Hi all! Well, we took the tour and drank the Kool-Aid in Aruba on Thursday. It was a tour of the Surf Club, but we were staying at the Ocean Club and really preferred that so that is what we bought (2BR Gold). Now we have 7 days to decide if we're going to go through with it and are anxiously trying to gather information.
We liked Aruba very much, but our biggest use of the TS will most likely be trading. How easy is this going to be for us? Sales Rep Aruba is among top 5 of Marriott destinations and we'll be able to have our pick of other places pretty much. Does this sound reasonable? Even if we go to Aruba we'll most likely want to exchange into the platinum season. I believe we have priority for Ocean Club or Surf Club as an owner of OC. Anyone with this experience?
From things I'm reading I'm worried about how far out we're going to have to start doing our vacation planning? Nowadays planning might be 4 months out. Are we going to have to start doing this a year in advance now? In essence, what's the process going to be like?
Oh - another question - if I'm exchanging do I need to reserve a week first at my home club in my home season or do I just call up my VOA (is that the term?) and say I want to exchange my week ("Request First" right?).
What else can people tell me about being owners? I'm kind of nervous we've bitten off a bit more than we're prepared to chew. This exchange business is a little confusing. What's the good, the bad, and the ugly about being an owner?
OK - I've rambled enough. Thanks for any and all input.
-dragon
We liked Aruba very much, but our biggest use of the TS will most likely be trading. How easy is this going to be for us? Sales Rep Aruba is among top 5 of Marriott destinations and we'll be able to have our pick of other places pretty much. Does this sound reasonable? Even if we go to Aruba we'll most likely want to exchange into the platinum season. I believe we have priority for Ocean Club or Surf Club as an owner of OC. Anyone with this experience?
From things I'm reading I'm worried about how far out we're going to have to start doing our vacation planning? Nowadays planning might be 4 months out. Are we going to have to start doing this a year in advance now? In essence, what's the process going to be like?
Oh - another question - if I'm exchanging do I need to reserve a week first at my home club in my home season or do I just call up my VOA (is that the term?) and say I want to exchange my week ("Request First" right?).
What else can people tell me about being owners? I'm kind of nervous we've bitten off a bit more than we're prepared to chew. This exchange business is a little confusing. What's the good, the bad, and the ugly about being an owner?
OK - I've rambled enough. Thanks for any and all input.
-dragon
Last edited: