Timeshare Information

The number of people who visit the Disney theme parks is staggering - up to 17 million visitors a year per park. If your dream is to join that happy crowd, plan now to rent a timeshare and become one of those Disney visitors! What you may be surprised to know is that Disney security is all around you.

We all know that one of the reasons for Disney's phenomenal, and on-going, success is the company's high standards and attention to detail. So it will come as no surprise that in dealing with those millions of people, the security at the Disney parks is top notch. You've never seen a security officer at a Disney theme park you say? While a few uniformed security personnel are visible, the main thrust of Disney security is hidden so as not to intrude on the magical fantasy that is the Disney experience.

Disney security is equipped with "undercover hosts," security vans, investigators, loss prevention specialists, and communication dispatchers. Local County Sheriff deputies in cruisers are on the property around the clock, and their detectives are in place during park hours.

In order to blend in with the crowds the "undercover hosts" wear typical vacation clothes, and carry a security radio in a "tourist" type bag. Their main area of operation is the gift shops. These security people are trained to recognize shop lifters and work in conjunction with uniformed security personnel. Disney has a no tolerance policy regarding theft, meaning if someone is caught shop lifting even an inexpensive pencil they will be prosecuted by the company.

The unique Haunted Mansion ride has its own security measures. Have you ever been tempted to hop off the slow-moving doom-buggy and creep through the graveyard yourself? Don't try it. In busy seasons and times such as Grad Night Disney security personnel dressed in black are hidden through-out the ride. During other times security depends on pressure-sensitive mats strategically placed along the track which will detect and alert the operators if any non-ghostly form sets foot on them. If a mat detects an unauthorized intrusion the intrusion system responds with a shrill beeping sound and stops the ride system.

Disney security also monitors guests' safety with infrared (IR) cameras in most of the rides. These cameras are generally in plain site, and can be recognized as small pinpoints of purple light. The IR cameras in high security areas, such as gift shops, are monitored by security personnel 24 hours a day. The cameras on the rides are watched by Cast Members whom you can often see sitting in front of video screens in the ride's "tower" or control room.

So take the family on a Disney timeshare vacation, secure in the knowledge that Disney Security is all around you!

Did you know that you can have your cake and eat it, too? Or at least a scone, crème brulee, mandarin duck - and the best part is that it doesn't have to break the bank. We're all still looking for economic ways of traveling and for many families the "world is your oyster" idea is still a bit on the expensive side. The answer - rent a budget-friendly Orlando timeshare or a Disney Timeshare and tour the world through food at Disney's Epcot.

And here's where the cake and mandarin duck come in - at Epcot you can experience the cuisines of many different countries without stepping one foot off America's shores. The countries that are showcased in Epcot provide opportunities to sample food that is not only culturally traditional, but is cooked, and served, by citizens of that country, under the Cultural Representative Program.

Would your family like to visit Paris? The "Chefs de France" restaurant is nestled under the French Pavilion's Eiffel Tower. Here the food is inspired by classical French Brasseries Bocuse. You can try such things as the crème brulee, profiteroles (see photo), and samples from an award-winning French wine list.

How about a trip to Japan? The Yakitori House is built in the style of a traditional Japanese Tea House and is located next to the Pagoda. Or try the Teppan Edo, a "teppanyaki" type restaurant where chefs prepare stir-fried foods right in front you.

When you head to Morocco you're in for a real treat. At the Restaurant Marrakesh not only will you enjoy Harira soup, Pastilla appetizers, and even lamb shish kabob, but you'll do it in a sultan's palace setting complete with Moroccan percussion music and entertainment by belly-dancers.

In Germany it's Oktoberfest every day of the year at the Biergarten Restaurant. While being entertained by ompa-pa bands and traditional folk dances you can sample classic schnitzel and strudel, and enjoy German beer served in one liter steins.

You'll sit down for Norway's "kingly" feast in a replica of a Norwegian medieval castle, complete with high cathedral ceilings and huge iron chandeliers. The Restaurant Akershus is a good choice for those in your family who are more adventurous. For example kjottkaker is a meatball with beets added, and Stravanger is a traditional drink of vodka, raspberry and lime. Try the Rice Cream or the Velied Meiden for dessert.

And don't forget the mandarin duck in China!

A timeshare rental and a fun trip around the world at Epcot can give your family a real global travel experience that is nice and easy on the budget.

The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day (can you believe it?) is April 22, 2010. Founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in, it is now celebrated annually through-out the world as a way to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. Nearly 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day celebration and in the decades since, Earth Day has spread across the globe with thousands of events in more than 180 countries.

Of course, Earth Day is just the event that triggers the awareness that "earth day" should be celebrated 365 days a year. With that in mind, when you plan your next family timeshare vacation, know that there are a number of timeshare resorts that are "going green." In fact, the state of Florida has created the Florida Green Lodging program under the auspices of its Department of Environmental Protection.

Launched in 2004, this program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. "To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste," explains Florida's DEP director, DeDeas Bohn.

You and your family can support the messages of Earth Day by choosing Florida timeshares at the resorts that have been certified by the Florida Green Lodging Program. In Panama City you can enjoy "The Most Beautiful Beach in the World" and rent a timeshare at Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point resort. The powdery sand beaches and NASCAR can all be enjoyed in Daytona Beach, and you can "go green" by staying at the Daytona Beach SeaBreeze Resort.

In Key West rent a timeshare at either the Banyan Resort or the Coconut Beach Resort, both voluntary members of Florida's program. And on beautiful Marco Island it's Marriott's Crystal Shores.

Orlando timeshare resorts are definitely in the swing of "going green." Two Orlando resorts that are certified by the program are the luxury Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, and the family-friendly Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Of course you'd have to know that Disney would be involved with the Florida Green Lodging Program, cheering all the way. Every one of the Disney timeshares in Florida is certified. Whether you rent a timeshare at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Boardwalk, or any of the other themed resorts at Walt Disney World, you'll know that you are supporting a company that supports the worth and beauty of our planet, Earth.

Getting ready to plan your golf vacation? There are over 26 million golfers in the United States. If you're one of them you know the joy of participating in a sport that is a stimulating challenge combined with getting out in the fresh air in beautiful surroundings. It's a sport where you can play alone or in groups, and compete against others or against yourself. A golfer can be just old enough to be able to hold a golf club, or senior enough to appreciate a sport one can play for decades.

Some say the beginnings of this peculiar game - hit a little ball with a crooked stick into a little hole? - goes clear back to Caesar and the Romans and a sport known as paganica. Others say the roots are Chinese, based on a game called chuiwan ("chui" means striking and "wan" means small ball) played between the 8th and 14th centuries. The early sport chambot in France resembled golf, as did the ancient Persian game chaugan. Whatever its origins, it's safe to say that golf is a world-wide phenomenon and planning a vacation specifically around golf can be particularly enjoyable.

So let's get started planning your golf vacation. By renting a timeshare at a golf resort you will have plenty of time to work on that handicap, and still delight in a vacation that is wonderfully budget-friendly. The winter months can be the perfect time to plan a vacation since air fares are typically lower, and crowds are at a minimum.

California
From beaches to desert, from greater Palm Springs to greater San Diego there are dozens of championship public golf courses, including world-famous Torrey Pines in La Jolla (see photo). And check out The Westin Mission Hills Villas in Rancho Mirage with its 2 championship 18-hole golf courses on site. See California timeshares.

Arizona
You can't beat an Arizona golf course that showcases the beauty of the desert. With over 300 golf courses in the state your job is to choose which one - from Tucson to Phoenix, from Scottsdale to Lake Havasu. Each place has plenty of beautiful timeshares for rent in lovely resorts. See Arizona timeshares.

Florida
The great winter getaway destination of sunny Florida offers golf courses from stem to stern. Many timeshare rentals are available at resorts on the Treasure Coast, and while you are there, be sure to visit the Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort at Port St. Lucie that includes the PGA Golf Club and the PGA Learning Center. Rent a timeshare at a resort on Paradise Coast on the west and enjoy the Golf Capital of the World with over 80 golf courses. And don't forget Disney. Rent a Disney timeshare in one of any number of their resorts in Lake Buena Vista and enjoy the Disney 18-hole championship course. See Florida Timeshares.

(Photo provided by torreypinesgolfcourse.com)

For the first time in 18 years Disney Vacation Club has made changes to its points program. In an effort to get more of their vacationers to spend weekend nights in their resorts, DVC has reallocated the number of timeshare points required to stay on their properties.

Before this change, weekend stays required almost twice the amount of points as weekday stays. What you will notice as a DVC member is that you will now need more points than was previously required for weekday accommodations than for weekend dates at the Disney Resorts. But, because the points were redistributed more evenly across the week, and not really increased, the total number of points for a 1 week stay remains very close the same.

The DVC reports that the goal is to spread the demand more evenly throughout the week instead of having higher occupancy during the week and having the weekends more empty. Weekend nights are still more expensive than weekdays, but the disparity is less.

The Orlando Sentinel, who originally reported this news goes on to say that “State law allows time-share operators to reallocate points through the year, so long as the total number of points remains the same.”

See Disney Timeshares for rent and resale.