Timeshare Information

Life Circumstances 

• Owners with families are likely to make their vacation plans around school schedules - summer, spring and winter, school holidays. Year-round school schedules can add other options for vacationing.

• Business circumstances play a large part in decision making. People who are employed have to plan vacations well in advance. Companies may have regulations on when employees can vacation.  A recent trend noted is to book a timeshare around a company conference, or when calling on clients. It's nice to have a comfortable timeshare to come home to after a day of stressful work. You may be able to combine business with pleasure and use a few vacation days.

• Generally retirees have more flexibility in choosing vacation months. Retirement can be the perfect time to take advantage of the many timeshare options.

• Special activities or special events can be another factor in vacation decisions. Skiers want to vacation in the winter months and look for timeshares in ski resorts. A horse racing enthusiast may want to book resorts where major racing events are taking place.

• Where you live full-time plays a big part in vacationing choices. Those that live in colder climates want to escape in winter to sunny resort areas - those living in desert areas want to leave the summer heat for cooler beach areas. 

Type of Timeshare Plan

Timeshare Advantage

RCI, the global leader in timeshare exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, has significantly enhanced its RCI® Weeks program to allow members to know the trading power value of their vacation interval once deposited with RCI.

For the first time in its 36-year history, RCI Weeks members are able to compare the trading power value of their deposited week to the trading power value of the timeshare they want to exchange into. Plus, they can combine deposited timeshare intervals, allowing them to transact into higher-valued vacations. And to provide even greater benefit, RCI will for the first time be providing its Weeks members with a “Deposit Credit” if the trading power value of their deposited interval is greater than the interval they have exchanged into.

“In the increasingly transparent online vacation planning world that we live in, this is something our members have been consistently asking for. It’s one of the most exciting things we’ve ever done for our members”, said Geoff Ballotti, CEO, RCI (shown in photo).

“Transparency is important because people want to have more control over how they trade their timeshare vacation for another vacation they’d like to take. From our customer service, marketing and technology teams – we’ve brought together our entire company to solve for our members’ request to give them what they want in terms of knowing the trading power value of their deposited timeshare week and what it will take to get them to where they want to vacation, allowing them access to vacations that they might not have been able to book in the past”.

RCI began educating members on these new developments on RCI.com and in the October edition of its Endless Vacation magazine, explaining how trading power transparency, deposit credits and combining deposited weeks will greatly assist them in their future vacation planning and provide them with more choice, flexibility and value in their future vacation planning.

These significant upgrades follow RCI’s continuous work to develop new innovations for its members that make vacation planning fun and easy.

(News Source - Perspective Magazine)

Vacations are precious things these days. If you're like so many other Americans, you might feel like you shouldn't even take a vacation. So, when you do take the time, and the money, for a real vacation, you want it to go well. Avoid these 5 common mistakes and you might find yourself enjoying a dream vacation of a lifetime.

• Mistake #1 - Paying the cost of a Hotel
  Hotels are expensive. And these days hotels are jumping on the "extra fee" bandwagon started by the airlines (and many of the extra fees are hidden - see our previous post “Hotels Charging Extra Fees”), so, often your final bill is much higher than you planned on.
  
  Solution: A timeshare rental often offers up to 50% savings over hotel rooms. You'll find it also cheaper on a per person cost, since most hotels require you to pay for more rooms to accommodate more people.


• Mistake #2 - Eating Out for all of your Meals
  Restaurants are expensive. And fast food is not only getting more expensive, it can get tiring. How thrilling is it to spend your vacation eating cold pizza while perched on the edge of a hotel bed?
  
  Solution: Rent a timeshare that comes with a fully equipped kitchen.


• Mistake #3 - Settling for a Cramped Hotel Room
  Solution: Timeshare rentals offer space in which to spread out and relax. You'll have separate bedrooms, a living area, a dining area, a full-sized kitchen, and a balcony or lanai.


• Mistake #4 - Staying at Accommodations with no Amenities
  Many hotels have no amenities at all, and if a hotel does offer anything it's usually one small, crowded pool, for which you may even be charged an extra fee. Bed and Breakfasts and vacation homes also generally leave you high and dry.
  
  Solution: Timeshare rentals are attached to luxury resorts, and most of the resort's amenities will be included in your one-time rental fee. These amenities will almost always include multiple swimming pools (often with waterpark features), hot tubs, kiddie pools, children's playgrounds, and tennis courts. Other offerings might be dance classes, arts and crafts, arcade game rooms, volleyball, miniature golf, and the list goes on.


• Mistake #5 - Returning to the Same Location
  It's easy to fall into the trap of vacationing at the same destination every year, especially if you are on a budget and feel like you should go somewhere you already know you can afford.
  
  Solution: Check out the many listings for budget-friendly timeshare exchanges available not only across the country, but in Mexico, the Caribbean, and around the world. When you choose to vacation with a timeshare rental, your destination options are wide open.

The Big Island of Hawaii is an absolutely amazing place to plan a family vacation. Rent a budget timeshare here and explore an island that runs from desert to rain forest, and includes everything from coffee plantations to volcanoes. We have listed the top 5 places to visit on the Big Island to help you with your vacation planning.

1. The Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, showcases the results of hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity that has created a unique land with complex ecosystems. Visitors learn about Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, which has been erupting constantly for two decades, and about Moana Loa, the earth's most massive volcano.
   
   You'll appreciate the fact that you are in an area of active volcano eruptions when you drive the Chain of Craters Road which used to take visitors to a park entrance, but that portion of the road is now covered by hardened lava flow. And there are areas of slow moving lava that you'll be able to approach fairly closely.


2. Puuhonua O' Honaunau, the City of Refuge on the Kona Coast, was designated a National Historic Park in 1961. It is the best preserved of Hawaii's ancient places, covering 182 acres. Visitors here not only see fascinating archeological sites, but can watch builders make out-rigger canoes using ancient methods, and enjoy exciting demonstrations of ancient Hawaiian games such as spear throwing.


3. Parker Ranch, near Wiamea, is one of the largest working cattle ranches in the United States, covering 175,000 acres. Founded in 1847 it is also one of the country's oldest ranches. The ranch raises 30,000 Angus cattle, marketed under the Parker Ranch Angus Pride Brand label. Join a Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) for a fun horseback riding tour of the ranch. ATV tours are also available, as are tours of the historic ranch buildings.


4. The Rainbow Falls, Waianuenue, is a stunning waterfall in Hilo. Cascading for 80 feet, it is 100 feet in diameter. The huge volume water plunges over a lava cave, and creates mists where rainbows dance in the sun. It is accessed through the Wailuku River State Park, which also contains the Peʻepeʻe Falls and an area called the Boiling Pots, a series of small falls and pools.


5. The Kona coffee plantations are situated in the uplands of Holualoa and Moana Loa near Kona. Almost 600 coffee farms take advantage of the rich volcanic soil of this area to produce the prized Hawaiian coffee bean. In February and March you'll see the coffee trees covered in white blossoms known as "Kona Snow." In August the red coffee "cherries" begin to ripen, and each coffee tree will be picked several times between August and January, a prime time to tour the coffee plantations.

See all Hawaii timeshares.

Easter Parades! You know spring has arrived when you munch chocolate bunny ears and watch parades of people decked out in their bright and colorful finest. There are so many wonderful Easter parades across the country, that it'll be easy to find the perfect budget timeshare to rent where you can enjoy this welcoming of spring. We've listed a few Easter parades here to help you plan your family Easter vacation.

New York City
The most famous Easter Parade in the country marches down 5th Avenue in New York City (see photo). Rent a New York City timeshare and watch the parade that actually had a movie named after it ("Easter Parade" starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire). The quintessential Easter parade song "In My Easter Bonnet (With all the Frills Upon It)" came from this movie. This parade has been an annual NYC tradition since Civil War days, and features marchers in some of the most extravagant Easter hats you'll ever see.

Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Easter parade in Atlantic City is actually the oldest one in the country. Rent a timeshare in Atlantic City and watch this Easter parade "From the Beach to the Bay." Part of the route will take the parade right along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

New Orleans
As usual, the Crescent City pulls out all the stops, having more than one Easter parade, and they're all "interactive." Rent a New Orleans timeshare and enjoy not one, but two French Quarter Easter parades. The Historic French Quarter Parade marches down Bourbon Street Easter morning, after which you can join the participants as they attend Easter mass at St. Louis Cathedral. The Chris Owens Easter Parade winds its way through the French Quarter in the afternoon, but only after you've enjoyed a continental breakfast with the parade's participants at the Astor Crowne Hotel Ballroom.

And New Orleans isn't done yet - The St. Charles Easter Parade begins an entire day of Easter fun and frolic along beautiful St. Charles Avenue. Instead of just watching this parade, you're invited to ride in a carriage. Your fun will start with a continental breakfast and Champaign reception complete with musical entertainment. After the parade, as a participant you'll be invited to a seated Easter dinner buffet.

San Francisco
In the City by the Bay it's The Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade, which has been an eagerly anticipated annual event for almost 20 years. This Easter celebration lasts all day and includes a street fair, special performances, outdoor dining, children's activities, and, of course - Easter bonnets. Rent a San Francisco timeshare and enjoy this wonderful Easter celebration for the entire family.

(Photo provided by About.com)

It’s time to start planning your Spring vacation. There is nothing more glorious than Spring in full bloom. The riotous explosion of color that is nature's way of celebrating a renewal of life makes us want to pack winter away. Vibrant azaleas, delicate dogwood, feathery gold forsythia, pink and white cherry blossoms - spring is spectacular. There are a number of places where you can rent a timeshare and take your family on a vacation that celebrates all of the wonders of spring.

Rent a Gatlinburg timeshare or Pigeon Forge timeshare and explore the fabulous Great Smokey Mountains National Park - also known as America's "Wildflower National Park." Hiking trails will take you through intoxicating acres of azaleas and rhododendrons. Renting a Branson timeshare in Missouri will get you hooked up with special wildflower tours that show off the Ozarks in their stunning spring regalia.

Colonial Williamsburg celebrates spring as the colonists did, with everything from the small backyard gardens of cottages to the massive formal gardens of the Governor's mansion overflowing with colorful tulips, daffodils and irises. Even your timeshare resort will be wrapped in a floral tribute.

Spring Festivals abound and one of the most famous is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Rent a timeshare at the Old Towne Alexandria, and be part of this world-renowned celebration of spring. The beautiful pale pink and white cherry blossoms surround the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin, and are the focal point of a festival that includes entertainment near the monuments, special events at the Smithsonian museums, and the Cherry Tree Festival parade. As you stroll along the National Mall you'll be walking under spectacular blooming tulip trees. And don't forget to check out the cherry blossoms at night. Special lighting gives a wonderfully ethereal experience. The 2010 festival will be held March 27 - April 11.

Renting a California timeshare in Southern California will not only give you a great beach vacation, you'll also be able to celebrate spring as the spectacular purple blossoms of the jacaranda trees put a soft lavender haze over the world.

(Photo provided by freefoto.com)

When planning your vacation consider the Big Island of Hawaii. Rent a Hawaii timeshare here for a family vacation experience unlike that of any of the other Hawaiian Islands. This island is so different that we are listing 10 facts that will help make your vacation on the Big Island even more fascinating.

1. The Big Island is the eastern most and the southern most island of the Hawaiian chain, and thus is the southern most point of the United States. It is larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined.


2. The Big Island was formed by the overlapping eruptions of 5 different volcanoes. The volcanoes of the Big Island are: Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualalai (active but not currently erupting), Mauna Loa (active), and Kilauea (very active, erupting almost continuously for the past two decades). Because of the two active volcanoes, the Big Island is still growing.


3. As recently as 1990 Kilauea completely destroyed two towns on the Big Island - Kalapana and Kaimu.


4. Moana Kea is the highest mountain on earth. Rising directly from the sea floor its total height is 33,476 feet, making it taller than Mt. Everest.


5. Due to the relatively young age of the Big Island most of its coast is lava rock with only a few scattered sand beaches. The few beaches it does have are primarily "black sand" beaches formed by the action of the ocean grinding down the hardened lava.


6. The rich lava soil makes agriculture one of the island's leading industries. Today's major crops include Macadamia nuts, papaya, orchids, tropical vegetables. Any coffee that is labeled "Kona" must come from coffee plantations in the Kona district of the Big Island.


7. One of the largest cattle ranches in the United States is the Big Island's Parker Ranch by Waimea, at 175,000 acres.


8. Astronomy is also a major industry on the Big Island due to the remarkable clarity of the atmosphere and the lack of light pollution on the summit of Moana Kea.


9. Hot molten lava from Kilauea runs to the shoreline and drops into the cold ocean, causing huge billows of steam. At night the steam is lit up by the hot lava, giving it an orange glow. This process is continually occurring as Kilauea constantly erupts.


10. An undersea volcano, Lo-ihi, is just 18 miles off the Big Island's southeast coast. Its continued active eruptions will eventually cause it to "breach" the sea and attach to Kilauea, adding even more surface area to the Big Island (in 50,000 years or so).

See all Big Island of Hawaii timeshares.

Spring Break season generally stretches from the middle of February to the first week in April. There are plenty of budget timeshare rentals available during this time, so start planning and reserve one now. You'll be sure to find one available at just the destination you are looking for when you are finally let out of classes for some well-deserved relaxation and fun.

It's easy to plan your Spring Break vacation by first deciding the kinds of activities you'd like to enjoy, skiing, beaches, theme parks etc... Choose a place where you can find those activities, and then match a budget timeshare rental at a resort there.

Besides sunbathing on a beach vacation, a popular Spring Break activity is snorkeling. See our previous post "Plan a Snorkeling Vacation and Get in Over Your Head" for a list of some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Or rent a Miami timeshare in Florida and enjoy great snorkeling at Coral Cove Park, Red Reef, and Biscayne National Park. And you'll find spectacular snorkeling down in the Florida Keys at the John Pennekamp State Park off shore of Key Largo.

If you want to let your hair down - and let it fly - there are numerous amusement parks from which to choose. Rent a Williamsburg timeshare in Virginia, and enjoy Busch Gardens where the Griffin coaster, with its floorless coaster trains, can brag as being the tallest dive coaster in the world. Here you can also ride the hypercoaster, Apollo's Chariot.

You can incorporate thrilling roller coaster rides with theme parks, too. Rent an Anaheim timeshare in California, for Space Mountain at Disneyland. An Orlando timeshare rental in will get you to the zero-gravity roll of the Kraken at Sea World. Also in Orlando you can experience the unique up-hill launch of the Incredible Hulk coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

For those of you who plan to party 'til dawn, rent a timeshare on the beach in Cancun or Puerto Rico - both destinations are famous for their nightlife. No matter where you go, relax and have fun.

(Photo shown is the Golden Shores & Crown Paradise Club)

Shopping, music, casinos, nightlife, golfing… you’d have a hard timing finding something NOT to do in Las Vegas. Why not visit Las Vegas and make it your vacation destination for 2010. Here’s a few of the upcoming shows and attractions to get you excited planning your Las Vegas vacation. Plus, we also offer suggestions on where to stay. So get ready to have fun as you visit Las Vegas this year!

Love magic?
David Copperfield has been hailed by audiences and critics as the greatest illusionist of our time. Don’t miss David Copperfield An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion where he will conjure up magical stories to delight and amaze you. At the MGM Grand Jan 13 – March 31.

How about some music?
Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On comes to a close after thrilling audiences for 2 years at the Coloseum in Caesars Palace. The Divine Miss M delivers hit songs and bawdy humor with the flair that only she has which has made her such a showbiz legend. Through Jan 31.

Want to laugh?
Ray Romano & Kevin James will have you on the floor laughing as they deliver a double dose of comedy with their family friendly observations. Come see Ray Romano, best remembered from the television hit show Everybody Love Raymond, as he teams with the King of Queens leading man Kevin James and “Get Ready to Laugh Out Loud”. At the Mirage, March 5 – 6.

Stay in the Heart of Las Vegas
At the center of the Las Vegas Strip you’ll find Marriott's Grand Chateau. Evoking the feeling of French mansions, rent a timeshare with one-, two-, or three-bedrooms and enjoy fully equipped kitchens, separate living and dining areas, 42-inch Sony plasma TV, DVD player, stereo. Each room also has deep soaking tubs, an oversized shower, washer/dryer facilities, and Wi-Fi accessibility.

Stay on the Strip
Though it’s right on the Strip you can rent a timeshare at Polo Towers and avoid the noise that can sometimes accompany the activities there. You’ll enjoy a quiet getaway with luxurious one- and two-bedroom timeshare accommodations all with elegant living, dining, and sleeping areas plus all units are fully equipped with a kitchen, a TV in each bedroom, and private balconies.

Just off the Strip
Just off the Strip, but still close to the action, the Wyndham Grand Desert is great for family vacations. This timeshare resort offers one- and two-bedroom accommodations complete with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, air conditioning, and wireless Internet. Parents and kids will have endless fun in the three outdoor swimming pools, (one just for kids and one exclusively for adults) or watching a movie by the pool. Kids will enjoy poolside bingo, magic shows and kid's camp.

See all Las Vegas timeshares.

The excitement of the holidays is over, a new year has already arrived, and it's not too early to start planning your 2010 vacation. Here are 5 tips to help you organize your thoughts and get you on the road to planning an exciting family vacation on a budget:

1. Choose the Destination
   Where to go? That's always the foremost question, and probably the most fun one to answer. Beach, mountain, theme park, National Park? You can begin with a "wish list" and then pare it down in practical terms of budget and time. The internet makes destination research fun and easy and you can involve the entire family.


2. Allot Your Budget
   The second thing to consider is finances. If places on your wish list are a little extravagant for the current economic times, decide very precisely what you can afford and stick to that. You'll be much happier after your vacation knowing you stayed within budget and aren't buried under more bills when you return home.


3. Accommodations
   You can pack a tent for camping, or rent an RV for a road trip. If you will be vacationing in one spot, considering renting a timeshare rather than staying in a hotel. You'll not only save money on the accommodation itself compared to hotel rooms, but you'll save money on meals (use the timeshare kitchen to feed those constantly hungry kids) and on activities - you'll be able to take advantage of the resort's many amenities including swimming pools, playgrounds and tennis courts to mention just a few.


4. Go Light on Luggage
   Our best tip here is to pack light. We all have a tendency to take way more than we need on a vacation. You'll want to keep your suitcase number to a minimum if you're flying now that the airlines are charging up to $50 per checked bag. If you're driving, you'll have happier kids in a roomier car, plus less weight improves your gas mileage. An advantage to timeshare rental is the washer and dryer that come with most, so, it’s easy to pack less items and still have lots of clean clothes.


5. Plan Ahead
   If you plan to fly, there are many internet sites to help you find the cheapest air fares. Some sites will automatically watch for and compare all fares and alert you. If you'll be driving you can save up to 50 cents a gallon by keeping track of the cheapest gas prices along your route through sites such as gasbuddy.com and gaspricewatch.com.

The kids are getting out of school, which means summer is here! If you haven’t already started, it’s time to plan your July 4th vacation getaway. In this economy, everyone wants to save money on travel, and timeshare rentals can do just that. You can even find some great last minute deals. Here’s a few suggestions for a fun and festive fourth of July:


Marriott's Custom House, Boston
Enjoy the beauty and architectural style of this resort which boasts an open-air observation deck that provides a 360 degree panoramic view of the harbor and city! Within walking distance to the historical harbor, this resort is perfect for enjoying the local July 4th festivities. You’ll find more than 200 events to celebrate Independence Day, including the Boston Harborfest which includes Children’s Day and Chowderfest. Marriott's Custom House timeshare rentals start at $143/night.


Wyndham Harbour Lights, San Diego
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter downtown, this property will keep you centrally located for all the July 4th activities. Go over the bridge to Coronado Island for their July 4th Parade, or visit the San Diego County Fair for the Hometown Heroes parade, patriotic contests, music by Smokey Robinson, and of course, spectacular fireworks. Or, stick close to the resort and view a no-holds-barred pyrotechnics display that shoots fireworks up from floating barges between Harbor and Shelter Islands. Wyndham Harbour Lights timeshare rentals start at $150/night.


Westin St. John Resort and Villas, St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands)
In St. Johns, you’ll be able to celebrate July 3rd and 4th with a number of holiday festivities. July 3rd marks their Emancipation Day where a re-enactment is performed by traditional dancers. After that, they hold a parade, which is one of the biggest events of the St. John Festival. It takes place in Cruz Bay and includes thousands of participants and viewers featuring: mocko jumbies, carnival royalty, and colorfully costumed troupes dancing to music. On July 4th, you find traditional U.S. Independence Day fun, with a stunning fireworks display over Cruz Bay Harbor. Westin St. John Resort timeshare rentals start at $179/night.