Ocean Pointe

[2Blessed]

I am looking to pickup a Marriott week that I can use and trade. I am trying to decide between OP and HH. I see that that there are quite a few OP weeks listed for sale here on TUG. Just curious to know if folks are selling their silver week(s) because of the rising mf, or because the silver season is an easy season to trade into? Thanks.

Brenda

 

[puckmanfl]

good evening

OP locks off , HH doesn't... If you are purchasing to trade, there is your answer....!!!

Always better to have a lock off for trading....you can get 2 Flexchange chips for the price of one!!!!

just sayin''''

 

[dioxide45]

Silver season is a pretty easy trade in to at Ocean Pointe. We almost always visit Ocean Pointe during silver season and haven't had any issues trading in with our Grande Vista and Harbour Lake weeks. Ocean Pointe also has some fairly high MFs.

That doesn't mean there isn't any value in owning at Ocean Pointe. If you want to guaranty a view or have a villa preference, owning will get you that at Ocean Pointe.

 

[jdunn1]

Also, the dues at Ocean Pointe are among the highest in the Marriott system. I can't wait to stay there this summer, but I'm not sure I would like paying those dues every January.

If you would like to stay at Ocean Pointe in off season (even prime season to an extent) I think you can trade into there most years. Hilton Head is a tough trade (maybe the hardests trade outside of Myrtle Beach) in the summer but all other seasons, you can trade in there routinely enough and in off season, it is a sure thing.

If you mostly want to trade then I hight suggest you look into a Willowridge platinum. Locks off, super high trading power and dues less than $900 a year. Sure, it is Branson and you may never want to stay there but it's such an awesome trader and with II changing the TDI for Branson to 150 for all of summer, I think it has become an even better trader. And those platinum Willowridge weeks are about $1 on ebay right now. Crazy!!!

Good luck.

 

[2Blessed]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I know that locking off OP would be a great deal. I am a little concerned about the rising mf. I know that we would use this resort as well, so we would need a 2 bd for the family.

JDunn I have read with interest all of your post regarding Willow Ridge. I do believe that it is a great trader, but I do want to purchase resorts close to home that we are able to drive to. With the timeshare market changing and trading power subject to change at any given moment, I would feel more comfortable knowing that if I was never able to trade my week again, that I could always use it. In my heyday, I would have jumped at WR, I am a little more cautious these days. Thanks for all the info.

We love HH, so I know that we will visit at least once a year. In the past, we have visited at least 3 times a year. I would prefer to own a fixed week or season. I will keep looking. I am also thinking that I need to take another look at Grande Vista.

Brenda

 

[puckmanfl]

good evening

2 bedroom at GV might fit the bill..you could probably pick up a plat for about $3-4k. Mf's 900 great trader that locks off. Not badto occupy as well... About 10 minutes from the mouse house... 2 minutes from Sea world. Driving distance from your house...

Dioxide can fill you in.... He has done some great trades with a gold unit....

p.s where in Florida do you call home...

Tampa for me....

 

[jdunn1]

Hi Brenda. I think Grande Vista would be a great alternative and most units are in the Florida Club? Anyone else but me would be good at explaining what units are and aren't in the Florida Club at Grande Vista. As big as I am about Willowridge, I think Grande Vista (especially the 3 bedroom owners) owners are very happy as a whole. For what it is worth, I have heard of people buying Legends Edge platinum for nearly free and using that week to trade into Ocean Pointe via the Florida club. Might be an even better option for you.

Good luck deciding Brenda. And whatever Marriott you buy, I think you will be very happy.

-Jim

 

[2Blessed]

I am located in Jacksonville. Orlando is only a few hours away. GV is looking better by the minute. I have read where people have had some pretty good trades using a Gold week. Do you think it is overkill purchasing a plat week?

JDunn I would also consider LE. It it is a great resort, just located away from all the action. Please pm me if you run across a "free" one.

Brenda

 

[JBRES1]

Florida Marriott

I wouldn't buy a gold Grande vista week for a few reasons.
1- the Platinum weeks are going to out trade the gold week.
2- the gold week can often be had for less than the annual fees on II.
3- The Platinum weeks are going so cheap, why even think about the gold week.
4- If you own a platinum week at GV, you have some of the highest demand weeks within the seasons. Christmas, spring break, Easter, and July 4th.

I've owned at GV years ago and was hapy with the trades, but it doesn't trade like the OP platinum weeks do.

All that posted are correct, OP has high fees. Those damn hurricanes have caused the insurance rates to go up. Taxes are also very high at OP.

Jim Breslin

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning...

I agree plat GV is the way to go. I own2 3 bedroom plats atGv. Before DCdid killer trades. Now I play inpoints...

A 2 bedroom Plat GV will out trade gold OP....with cheaper MF's... Obviously Plat OP will outtrade both but will cost more to purchase and higher MF's.

You can always trade into OP gold/silver season with GV plat. Dioxide, as the resident GV guru please chime inhere!!!

I am on the prowl for a cheap plat 2 bedroom GV, just to have 2 Flexchange chips annually.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree about a Grande Vista platinum unit. While we have gotten some great trades with our gold Grande Vista and even Harbour Lake. We regularly trade in to Ocean Pointe using II with our Grande Vista week. We have often been able to upgrade in unit size, trading our 1BR for a 2BR, with our gold unit. The only time you may have trouble with that is trying to go during a holiday week. Memorial Week so far is the only week where we were not able to exchange a studio for something larger.

Given the chance to buy again, we would probably look at platinum Grande Vista. The reason is that Platinum is now selling cheap in Orlando. I would even consider a 3BR unit. With the 3BR unit you get a studio and 2BR if you lock off and that 2BR can get you some great exchanges with a studio to spare. The only drawbacks are MFs close to or now over $1000.

With Grande Vista you also have the Florida Club option. However if you are looking to travel to Ocean Pointe in the silver season, you won't be able to use Grande Vista to get it since with the Florida Club you can only reserve in the season you own at your or any other Florida Club resort (Grande Vista doesn't have a silver season). Here is the list of Florida Club resorts and if you look at Grande Vista, do confirm that it is not on the list of units not in the Florida Club.

 

[m61376]

Since you mention needing a 2BR for the family and also wanting to own where you'd use it if you can't trade (always a good way to purchase, btw), I am assuming you have kids. Consider what your needs will be in 5 - 10 years too. If your kids are little now, the school calendar may not be important now but may be in a few years, and that might dictate when you can travel and, therefore, should be considered before you buy. If the kids are older, then that may be less of an issue, if the school calendar will only be in play for a short while or not at all. So don't look purely at the trading value when thinking about what season- think about when you want to go.

 

[pedro47]

I am located in Jacksonville. Orlando is only a few hours away. GV is looking better by the minute. I have read where people have had some pretty good trades using a Gold week. Do you think it is overkill purchasing a plat week?

JDunn I would also consider LE. It it is a great resort, just located away from all the action. Please pm me if you run across a "free" one.

Brenda

May I suggest that you purchased at a resort you can drive to under two (2) hours. GV is a great resort with outstanding amenities.

 

[EKniager]

We love HH, so I know that we will visit at least once a year. In the past, we have visited at least 3 times a year. I would prefer to own a fixed week or season. I will keep looking. I am also thinking that I need to take another look at Grande Vista.

Brenda

Harbour Point at Shelter Harbor is inexpensive to buy, has fixed weeks, and depending on your specific week, is a good trader. Unfortunately, no lockoffs.