• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 31 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $23,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $23 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

TUGGER meeting January 24, 2024 - Orlando!

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
2,403
Reaction score
416
Location
Seattle area
Resorts Owned
Telemark, Townhouses at St Augustine Beach and Tennis Club, Stoneridge Resort (ID)
Once again we will be hosting a get-together for interested timesharers to meet for food and conversation. We have had wonferful times together for years. It will be at Golden Corral in Orlando.
More details later.
 

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
2,403
Reaction score
416
Location
Seattle area
Resorts Owned
Telemark, Townhouses at St Augustine Beach and Tennis Club, Stoneridge Resort (ID)
Hope you can come!!

We will be meeting at the Golden Corral On Vineland for early dinner:
8707 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, FL 32821
At 3 pm..
we can stay as late as we wish!!!
looking forward to it!

We'll be in St Augustine all of January if any of you would like to visit there too.

Ron and Joan
 

moonstone

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,966
Reaction score
3,078
Location
Moonstone, ON
Resorts Owned
The Beach Club at St. Augustine Beach, FL (1 floating week, purchased in 1982)

77,000 RCI points (Sunrise Ridge Resort, TN)
We'll be in St Augustine all of January if any of you would like to visit there too.
We will be missing it as once again we'll be in St Augustine from November 1st until Dec.20th then back again from March 4th to April 28th 2024. One of these years maybe I can convince DH to quit going to Belize for Jan & Feb (where its much warmer than St. Augustine for him) and stay at our condo for the whole 6 months. Then we could take a trip over to Orlando for the get-together.


~Diane
 

AwayWeGo

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
15,799
Reaction score
1,728
Location
McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.
Resorts Owned
Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
That is outstanding !

The TUG Orlando meet-up has become a highlight of our January timeshare vacation.

Looking forward to it with enthusiasm.

Also, starting to get serious about searching out timeshare reservations.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 

TheHolleys87

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
2,360
Reaction score
1,773
Location
Texas
Resorts Owned
DVC Boardwalk Villas, Kona Coast II
I’m sad that we’ll miss it again. We had BWV booked for that week, then were hoping to trade into one of the Disneyland DVC resorts, finally decided to cancel a parks visit in favor of a cruise. Our next anticipated visit to WDW is for the 2025 Marathon and a few days after - DD hopes to run, and it would be new DGD’s first Disney trip - so I guess we’ll miss the 2025 TUG get together as well, sorry.
 

goaliedave

Guest
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Messages
1,298
Reaction score
855
Resorts Owned
Raintree, Diamond (bought by Hilton), Shell (bought by Wyndham), Sheraton (bought by Marriott), Palace Resorts, a few independants
Golden Corral?!
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
50,733
Reaction score
22,223
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
Perhaps the title could be updated to say "Orlando Tugger Meeting" or "Orlando TUG Meetup" to provide more context for those just reading the title in the thread lists?
 

AwayWeGo

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
15,799
Reaction score
1,728
Location
McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.
Resorts Owned
Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
Golden Corral?
Absolutely.

All you can eat.

Not only that, the Golden Corral staff has been accommodating about letting the TUG gang hang around & visit as long as they want, rather than hurrying us out the door as quick as they can.

( Over the years, the TUG gang has adopted the custom of changing places every time they come back from the serving area after getting seconds, desserts, etc. That way, they get the opportunity for more face time with more different TUG people, instead of being seated with the same folks all afternoon & evening. )

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 

goaliedave

Guest
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Messages
1,298
Reaction score
855
Resorts Owned
Raintree, Diamond (bought by Hilton), Shell (bought by Wyndham), Sheraton (bought by Marriott), Palace Resorts, a few independants
But for timeshare owners?! Fast food buffet?

Most restaurants will do group seating and not rush you.
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
50,733
Reaction score
22,223
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
But for timeshare owners?! Fast food buffet?

Most restaurants will do group seating and not rush you.
I think the buffet option works for this type of situation. There is something for everyone and since they allow people to hang out longer it lets them also eat at dinner time based on lunch prices. As @AwayWeGo indicated, it also allows people to return and sit at a different table so people can mingle better. Sure this could work at a fixed seating restaurant, but people would probably be less inclined to do so because they really have no reason to get up. If you don't like the restaurant chosen, you don't need to go. Though I suspect you are just here being critical and judgemental for the sake of being critical and judgemental...
 

AwayWeGo

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
15,799
Reaction score
1,728
Location
McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.
Resorts Owned
Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
I think the buffet option works for this type of situation. There is something for everyone and since they allow people to hang out longer it lets them also eat at dinner time based on lunch prices.
For the past 2-3 years, timing for the TUG Golden Corral meet-up has been adjusted so that we show up after suppertime pricing is in effect.

Management at the restaurant is happier now that we no longer enter at lunchtime (paying the lunch price) & hang out till after the more expensive supper menu items come out (steak, etc.).

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
2,403
Reaction score
416
Location
Seattle area
Resorts Owned
Telemark, Townhouses at St Augustine Beach and Tennis Club, Stoneridge Resort (ID)
Yes, and we can stay as long as we want. Dinner starts at 3 pm ( instead of 4 as before) so it’s perfect for a late lunch/early dinner!
 

goaliedave

Guest
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Messages
1,298
Reaction score
855
Resorts Owned
Raintree, Diamond (bought by Hilton), Shell (bought by Wyndham), Sheraton (bought by Marriott), Palace Resorts, a few independants
It's not about the restaurant, it;s about the company!

I have never been to this, but if I could it could be at a coffee shop for all I care
Agree. A park bench and bring a sandwich would be better.
 

rickandcindy23

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
33,839
Reaction score
10,314
Location
The Centennial State
Resorts Owned
Wyndham Founder; Disney OKW & SSR; Marriott's Willow Ridge and Shadow Ridge,Grand Chateau; Val Chatelle; Hono Koa OF (3); SBR(LOTS), SDO a few; Grand Palms(selling); WKORV-OF ,Westin Desert Willow.
It can be cold in January, but mostly it's warm. Golden Corral is a perfect spot for this, and I can get all of the salad and veggies I want.

We won't be there in 2024 because we will be leaving about the 12th or 13th. We are going the day after Christmas, if you can believe it, because I cannot. I don't want to be at Disney for the holidays, but our kids don't want to take Elizabeth out of school to go to Disney anymore. She will just be in first grade. I don't get it.
 

silentg

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2005
Messages
6,305
Reaction score
3,416
Location
Central Florida
Resorts Owned
Fitzpatrick's Castle Holiday Homes,
Enchanted Isle.
Once again we will be hosting a get-together for interested timesharers to meet for food and conversation. We have had wonferful times together for years. It will be at Golden Corral in Orlando.
More details later.
We will be there next year! Thanks for keeping up the tradion!
 

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
2,403
Reaction score
416
Location
Seattle area
Resorts Owned
Telemark, Townhouses at St Augustine Beach and Tennis Club, Stoneridge Resort (ID)
It can be cold in January, but mostly it's warm. Golden Corral is a perfect spot for this, and I can get all of the salad and veggies I want.

We won't be there in 2024 because we will be leaving about the 12th or 13th. We are going the day after Christmas, if you can believe it, because I cannot. I don't want to be at Disney for the holidays, but our kids don't want to take Elizabeth out of school to go to Disney anymore. She will just be in first grade. I don't get it.
Sorry we won’t see you in Orlando at the get-together ( but we will be in St augustine if you’d like to drive over one day earlier!). We are also leaving home on December 26th so we can have Christmas with the kids — so often we miss it here— and then we’ll be on our way to St Aug as soon as we pick up our van at Ron’s brother’s.
Looking forward to see everyone.
 

moonstone

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,966
Reaction score
3,078
Location
Moonstone, ON
Resorts Owned
The Beach Club at St. Augustine Beach, FL (1 floating week, purchased in 1982)

77,000 RCI points (Sunrise Ridge Resort, TN)

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
2,403
Reaction score
416
Location
Seattle area
Resorts Owned
Telemark, Townhouses at St Augustine Beach and Tennis Club, Stoneridge Resort (ID)
I’m not sure we could stay there 4-6 hours, getting food throughout and having chairs altogether in one area and changing chairs very often.
Sometimes people who say they are coming are unable to and others are able to come last minute. We like to be able to completely accommodate everyone.
@ronandjoan , I don't mean to hijack this thread but did you see or hear about the fire in between our two timeshares last week? (https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/...t-augustine-beach/OG334M5NHREQXJUWJXKI2BGTJA/ ) Thankfully neither timeshare was involved or damaged, but no indoor pool use this winter.

~Diane
oh no, thank you so much for sharing ! Here I was planning on swimming everyday, it’s normally so cold to swim outside.
 

AwayWeGo

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
15,799
Reaction score
1,728
Location
McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.
Resorts Owned
Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
We are planning on being there for sure. The annual event has been a highlight of our yearly Orlando timeshare vacations even before it migrated from Marty Giggard's Bonnet Creek timeshare condo to Golden Corral. (Golden Corral, BTW, is fine with The Chief Of Staff & me.)

As usual, we have not yet secured our timeshare condo reservations. That's because we are again holding out till Thanksgiving for bargain reservations. That's when Last Calls & Bonus Weeks for January start to show up.

We've been looking at the Armed Forces Vacation Club offerings for their $409 R&R Vacations, as well as Platinum Interchange & of course RCI, although it's too early to expect any great bargains.

No doubt we'll be on pins & needles till late November or early December before the bargain reservations for January 2024 start showing up. But 1 way or another, we'll be reuniting with the TUG crowd on Jan. 24, even if we have to book a room at Motel 6 or Super 8.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 
Top