Should I buy Orlando Grand Vista time share

[Cartiec]

I have an opportunity to buy orlando grand vista time share for $800.
Is it worth it? Concerns? Comments?

 

[dioxide45]

A lot depends on the season and size. I would suspect that at that price it is a gold 2BR unit? Or is it a 1BR? My only concern would be with it being able to get past Marriott's ROFR. Other than that, you can't really go wrong with a 2BR Grande Vista for $800. If it is only a 1BR, I would probably avoid it since the MFs are high for a 1BR unit.

 

[Cartiec]

More info

It is 2bd/2ba. Lockout but floating weeks 18-21 and 35 to 50. Does that mean u can only use it those weeks?

 

[dioxide45]

It is 2bd/2ba. Lockout but floating weeks 18-21 and 35 to 50. Does that mean u can only use it those weeks?

So it is a 2BR Gold unit. You can only book it during the gold season at Grande Vista. Though if you join II ($89/yr) you can exchange it in to other properties. The exchange fee to exchange in to other Marriott properties is $124. Though it could be $5 more than that as II increased the exchange fee, but I haven't seen anyone confirm if the Marriott to Marriott exchange fee also increased. If you exchange outside of the Marriott system, the exchange fee is $174.

 

[stoler527]

Grande Vista trading

I have been hesitating about buying in Orlando because I read that it is overbuilt and doesn't trade well.

While we like Orlando, we don't necessarily want to go there every year.

Does the location make that much difference, or is the unit size and season deposited the big factor?

Is there a big trading difference in Orlando between gold and platinum?

 

[dioxide45]

I have been hesitating about buying in Orlando because I read that it is overbuilt and doesn't trade well.

While we like Orlando, we don't necessarily want to go there every year.

Does the location make that much difference, or is the unit size and season deposited the big factor?

Is there a big trading difference in Orlando between gold and platinum?

So much depends on your expectations. You can probably do pretty well if you are willing to trade the whole 2BR. You will also do great if you are willing to travel in the off/shoulder season. If you need a 2BR in prime season at premier resorts (HHI, Hawaii), it may be tough.

We have done well with trading our 2BR gold Grande Vista unit. We also lock off most years and trade smaller units for larger ones. BUT, we travel in the off/shoulder season. It would be much harder to almost impossible to do this if we were trading in to prime season 2BR units with out studio and 1BR outside of flexchange.

 

[stoler527]

ROFR

I also read that Marriott is using ROFR a lot more recently. I was hoping that they would be less interested in gold rather than platinum.

Since we could travel during gold season, we were hoping to avoid a ROFR hassle.

 

[dioxide45]

I also read that Marriott is using ROFR a lot more recently. I was hoping that they would be less interested in gold rather than platinum.

Since we could travel during gold season, we were hoping to avoid a ROFR hassle.

ROFR is a hard thing to predict, though I think the only sure fire way to avoid Marriott exercising ROFR is to seek out an EOY week. Gold or platinum, if the price is cheap, I think Marriott will snap it up.

ETA: Check out the ROFR Database link in my signature. Marriott waived on a 2BR gold week at $750, so you may be okay. I wouldn't however let ROFR affect the price you pay. There are a lot of 2BR gold weeks out there and what Marriott exercises on today they may pass on tomorrow.

 

[m61376]

I think it's important to reiterate what Dioxide already posted- don't let the fear of ROFR shape your decision. What fails today may pass at a lower price tomorrow; there is no rhyme or reason. Negotiate the best deal you can, and don't get so "in love" that you lose sight of the fact that there are dozens of the same out there, so if one gets nabbed, just try again. It can be frustrating, but that's the only way not to over- pay.

If you intend to go to Orlando when you use the unit during those weeks, and will likely in the foreseeable future, then buy Gold. Think about your needs though in 5 and 10 years. Family dynamics change- if you have little kids, school schedules become an issue. No kids or older ones- school schedules become less important and off season travel becomes easier. If you're a teacher, you have to continue to worry about school vacations, etc.. Or maybe you just personally like a summer vacation- all imp. Considerations. Remember- its more about the annual MF'S than the up front cost, so think about how/where/when you wan5 to go before purchasing, and feel free to ask opinions here like you're already doing. Only you can decide what's best for your family, but others can at least guide you as to what are the important considerations and realistic expectations.

Welcome to Tug!!

 

[kjd]

Don't be afraid of ROFR. The only thing you can lose is your time. Grand Vista trades very well. I've owned there for years but have only stayed there twice. One of the stays was a tour. Orlando has so many Marriott TS that what you buy is almost irrelevant. Except, that GV is a lockoff and therefore you'll get more trading options. If you want Orlando GV is one of the better choices, IMO.

If it were me, I'd go ahead with the deal and see what happens. There is no shortage of units for sale at GV. You can always get on the next bus.

 

[saturn28]

I have been hesitating about buying in Orlando because I read that it is overbuilt and doesn't trade well.

While we like Orlando, we don't necessarily want to go there every year.

Does the location make that much difference, or is the unit size and season deposited the big factor?

Is there a big trading difference in Orlando between gold and platinum?

Don't forget that when you own at Grande Vista that you are in the Florida Club. That allows you to reserve your week at either BeachPlace Towers in Ft. Lauderdale or Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach Shores. You can then use that week for trading. Both of those resorts are good traders.

 

[momeason]

Don't forget that when you own at Grande Vista that you are in the Florida Club. That allows you to reserve your week at either BeachPlace Towers in Ft. Lauderdale or Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach Shores. You can then use that week for trading. Both of those resorts are good traders.

Is this true of a resale? Also, I did not think you could specify which week you were trading in II. You can do that in the smaller exchange companies.
If you are looking for a good trader and do not care what system you are in, then I would not buy this unit.
There are other units you could get for a similar price that would trade better and have lower MFs..non Marriott though. If you want Marriott, this may be a reasonable option, it would work best if you trade non peak as others have said

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Is this true of a resale? Also, I did not think you could specify which week you were trading in II. You can do that in the smaller exchange companies.
If you are looking for a good trader and do not care what system you are in, then I would not buy this unit.
There are other units you could get for a similar price that would trade better and have lower MFs..non Marriott though. If you want Marriott, this may be a reasonable option, it would work best if you trade non peak as others have said

Florida Club passes with a resale. It is not an option, it is attached to the deeded rights. There are a handful of units at Grande Vista that are not in the FC.

With Marriott's you always specify the exact week you are trading if you want to. You can defer to Marriott's choice if desired.

 

[saturn28]

Is this true of a resale? Also, I did not think you could specify which week you were trading in II. You can do that in the smaller exchange companies.
If you are looking for a good trader and do not care what system you are in, then I would not buy this unit.
There are other units you could get for a similar price that would trade better and have lower MFs..non Marriott though. If you want Marriott, this may be a reasonable option, it would work best if you trade non peak as others have said

Yes, I own platinum resale weeks at Marriott Grande Vista and Legends Edge and have used the Florida Club route for both. Since I own 2 weeks in the Florida Club, it allows me to make a reservation through the Florida Club 7 months in advance instead of 6 months. For 2014, I was able to get Ocean Pointe for March 1st check-in and BeachPlace Towers for March 8th check-in (Spring Break). Spring Break at BeachPlace Towers is an easy rental. Last year I was able to rent my spring break week at Beachplace in a 2 bedroom for $2200. In addition, that week is a good trader if you decide to go that route.

 

[ScubaKat]

Marriott lets you choose weeks to deposit unlike Starwood..

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, I own platinum resale weeks at Marriott Grande Vista and Legends Edge and have used the Florida Club route for both. Since I own 2 weeks in the Florida Club, it allows me to make a reservation through the Florida Club 7 months in advance instead of 6 months. For 2014, I was able to get Ocean Pointe for March 1st check-in and BeachPlace Towers for March 8th check-in (Spring Break). Spring Break at BeachPlace Towers is an easy rental. Last year I was able to rent my spring break week at Beachplace in a 2 bedroom for $2200. In addition, that week is a good trader if you decide to go that route.

To make a Florida Club reservation 7 months out, do you not need to be making concurrent or consecutive reservations at a resort? My guess is that both weeks wouldn't even need to be a Florida Club resort. You could use one FC week and one non FC week to make a concurrent or consecutive reservation at 7 months with one of them being the use of your FC week?

 

[saturn28]

To make a Florida Club reservation 7 months out, do you not need to be making concurrent or consecutive reservations at a resort? My guess is that both weeks wouldn't even need to be a Florida Club resort. You could use one FC week and one non FC week to make a concurrent or consecutive reservation at 7 months with one of them being the use of your FC week?

You are right.

 

[1965]

is it true that Marriott grande vista (2) bedroom gold season
will actually pull Hawaiian Marriott (2) Bedrooms during Summer Season?
If you start the interval Marriott Search at least (8) months in advance?

I think I read on tug2.net that a (2) bedroom Gold Marriott Grande Vista
actually has more trading power than the most powerful (1) Bedroom
Marriott trading week?

 

[dmharris]

Don't forget that when you own at Grande Vista that you are in the Florida Club. That allows you to reserve your week at either BeachPlace Towers in Ft. Lauderdale or Ocean Pointe in Palm Beach Shores. You can then use that week for trading. Both of those resorts are good traders.

However, if they buy the Gold 2BR Lockoff, they will lose the ability to lock it off if they go the Florida Club route, no?

 

[Saintsfanfl]

However, if they buy the Gold 2BR Lockoff, they will lose the ability to lock it off if they go the Florida Club route, no?

No. All FC reservations can lock off, even if you don't own a lock-off. The reservation works the exact same as if you owned at that resort. A 3BR can even be used as a triple lock-off, although it is a poor method of usage IMO due to the lack of studio trading power. You would only lose the lock-off ability if you used a 2BR to book at Doral or Legends which do not have lock-off units.

 

[dmharris]

So, not to hijack this thread, I may have been missing an opportunity for the past 7 years. Where can I go to learn the ins and outs of the Florida Club? Is there a sticky somewhere?

 

[dioxide45]

So, not to hijack this thread, I may have been missing an opportunity for the past 7 years. Where can I go to learn the ins and outs of the Florida Club? Is there a sticky somewhere?

Check out the FAQ. There is a link in there to some information on the Florida Club.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Also, if your unit is part of the FC, you would see it as a drop down in your account. The online options include booking at another FC property including locking off.