The pros and cons of owning a timeshare

Time to wrap up our vacation week. 
So - first we stayed five nights in Minnesota at my husband's brother's house - and then we moved on to Wisconsin Dells for five nights.  Wisconsin Dells is conveniently located on the route home - making it a convenient stop in the middle of the trip.  It's not quite halfway - a couple hours closer to Minnesota than to Michigan - but close enough.

It's also convenient in that we have a timeshare there. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post - our timeshare is something that we purchased before we started debt-proof living.  Would we have still purchased it if we were practicing debt free living?  I'm thinking probably not.  But are we glad we have it?  Mostly yes. We enjoy it.

Take this place, for instance. 

The way our timeshare works is on a point system.  We purchase nights wherever our network has space available (similar to calling and making a hotel reservation) and how many nights we get depends on how peak (in season) that week is and where. Wisconsin Dells in April is pretty low points.   But it suits us.  There are also options as far as what type of unit/how big we'd like. (one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom - cottage, townhouse, lodge...that type of thing)

We're also behind on using our points - something we're able to rollover and use next year. (with stipulations)  The points we used to go to Wisconsin Dells were actually from two years ago.  Had we not used them before May 1st (our renewal date) we would have lost them.  So it was a no brainer to go at this time. 

Then again - that's one of the hard parts.  We are often surprised at how quickly a year goes by and sometimes find ourselves scrambling to use our timeshare.  With Pa's work, we're seldom (never) able to make summer plans so our vacations tend to fall on Easter and Thanksgiving when the kids are off school.  I, however, have a hard time being gone for the holidays - it's not really something I want to do all the time.  So sometimes the year slips by and we've not used our timeshare.  There are options for the points - and we just have to become more energetic (organized) in doing that. It's not difficult - just another thing on this busy mom's agenda. 

What we love tho, as Pa often says, is that it forces us to take time just for us and to enjoy family vacations.  This was our second time to Wisconsin Dells (we went about six years ago), we've been to Myrtle Beach, Shenandoah Valley, Boyne, Branson-Missouri, Pigeon Forge and I think I'm forgetting one - it will come to me. 

We're also currently contemplating Orlando sometime within the next year, Oregon, Dorr County and Williamsburg Virginia.

And we do enjoy the accommodations.  Another thing nice about our options is that we can rent one unit for a long stretch or two units for a shorter stretch - so we've been able to invite friends and family to come along.  For this particular trip - we invited Pa's folks.  Our unit, in total, was 1500 square feet (less than 100 square feet smaller than our home) but it was split up 1100 on our side and 400 on the folks side. While each side had their own entrance, we could also access the other side from inside the unit - similar to a hotel suite.  I jokingly told my mother-in-law that once I was certain that this door closed and locked - I said, sure - you can come along. 

heh
The thing is - she was the one that closed it first each night.  Something about my wild hooligans I think.  :)

So within the 1500 square feet - we had five televisions (which for a bunch of tv-less Finns - is key), sleeping for 10 (both couches were sleepers), washer and dryer, two full kitchens (stove, pots and pans, dishwasher, full fridge, coffee pot, microwave) etc...

We never eat out on vacation (can you imagine??).  I always Google Costco and Walmart before we go, and we always bring the majority of our food - I plan our menu out before we ever leave home.

So our actual out of pocket expense while on vacation is actually minimal.  We've already paid for the timeshare (we do pay yearly fees and maintenance) and our food is no different than what we'd be doing at home.  Our only cost is entertainment.  In this case - all we paid for was for Pa and the oldest three to go to the Ripley's museum in town.  Our waterpark was free for listening to the upgrade meeting. 

There has been, in our experiences, also a lot of free things right on sight.  In Wisconsin Dells we've enjoyed free paddle boats, free putt-putt, a nice swimming pool and hot tub, and a constant list of optional activities at the clubhouse.  In Branson - there were even more options - tennis courts, horse riding.  Same with Shenandoah - more horse riding and rowboats..

I guess we more like it than don't.

So if you've ever wondered or considered one, those are some of our experiences.  We own thru Bluegreen.  It is something we own until we sell it, it is something our children will inherit. It's something I hope our kids will enjoy for their honeymoons and something that we've enjoyed making family memories with.  If you're ever considering buying or just want to learn more about it and listen to their presentation - let me know. (stormanen [at] gmail [dot] com) (We'd enjoy referall credits)  And we're always open for selling rental time.  It's wonderful for large families too - I can't imagine what staying in a hotel would be like when we have this option. 

Feel free to ask questions - I'll answer them on this post. 

But for now - I've got company coming today!!  Hooray!  Time for me to go get dressed!

Comments

[Maureen]

We did the timeshare in Williamsburg 2 years ago and Orlando this year.
We love timeshares, although we don't have any...my parents do and are generous about sharing with the kids :)

[chiara]

We have a time share and just did our first trip I love it.

[Kristine]

Ohhh..Oregon. I have always wanted to do that. Now when we have our camper I think in the next few years I'll convince him! This year was suppose to by Wyoming when Cheyenne Frontier Days was going. But I think maybe we'll try a few new places in our state! Maybe, just maybe, St. Johns I mentioned it and he didn't disagree! He acutally asked me later if we should try! It would be fun!

[Amanda Susan]

My parents own 2 weeks. One through RCI which is week based, and one through Hilton which is point based. It's great to use in Hawaii where hotels are really expensive. The nice thing about Hilton is you can convert them to hotel points so you don't have to stay in a condo.

As my mom says, if you're going to use it, it's a great deal but if you just let it sit there it's not. I've gone lots of amazing places.

[Summer]

Come to Orlando!!!!!
Seriously, we could get the kids together and by that time Paige will be over a year old so she could be ready to run after the boys. Really!!! Come to Orlando!!

[pcsmart]

the rents have timeshare and we have gone to a few places - i love the kitchen and washer/dryer feature!

[Tami Mayberry]

We were right down the street from a BlueGreen in Orlando. We stayed at Floridays Resort and it was awesome. They are timeshares too I believe. With a family of 7 it wasn't much more than getting 2 motel rooms and WAY nicer.

[timeshares for sale]

There are more pros of owning a timeshare than consequences. Owning a timeshare is a practical move too.

-peter