Do you go timesharing with family or friends or both?

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We have done a few timeshare vacations with our son and daughter but never both of them at the same time. This was because of conflicting schedules. We used to take my mother every year after my dad passed away until she was no longer able to travel. For the last 14 years, it has been just my wife and I. Our children have their own families and schedules. We do get together frequently but not for vacations other than a few of our 3-4 day getaways. We would never dream of taking friends with us. Both of us abhor schedules and planning when on vacation so traveling with others is not what we want to do.

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

I have been planning all of our trips for the last year and a half to be able to take a family member or friend with us.

I have booked according to where we are going and everyones interest. We did Hilton Head with DMom and DDad as Dad enjoys golfing and Mom shopping and sight seeing.

Booked the Dells for MIL and her BF as they enjoy Scenery and R&R.

For spring break last year Sis and kids for Massanutten as so much to keep kids busy.

Had 2 friends and family along for spring break this year in Myrtle beach.

I have 3 More Family members to go. 2 brothers and wives and kids/grandkids one BIL and Wife. One Brother and wife never have never seen the ocean and the other brother and Wife/Family will not fly. SIL from MN so looking for a good week up there. BIL and Wife would love Orlando so maybe a 3 bed for Spring Break 2010

Thus being said I guess mostly Family or any one that will watch the kids for a night so DW and I can have atleast 1 really good meal someplace we would not get to eat with kids.

I have also been the Babysitter for many Ladies nights out.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

We generally travel as a couple and if some friends seem interested in the area where we will be heading, we might invite them for all or part of the trip...friends who can be low-maintenance (i.e. don't rely on us to entertain them or keep them "busy") are the only ones we ever consider inviting.

We have only taken a few trips that included family members, but we found that was too hard to coordinate as our tastes and activity levels are too different. We like to prepare and eat most of our meals in the TS unit for the most part, and are not into "sightseeing" restaurants...so folks who want to dine out are really not interested in doing the timeshare thing with us.

What is your usual travel group?

We frequently offer the extra room, assuming we're in a 2 bedroom unit, to family or friends when we travel. Every now and then someone takes us up on the offer. Usually they'll say they want to go initially and then back out at the last moment.

If they go it's great. If not it's no big deal. The typical person seems to believe they have better things to do than take vacation. We're just the opposite in that we believe the best thing we can do is take vacation.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

The typical person seems to believe they have better things to do than take vacation. We're just the opposite in that we believe the best thing we can do is take vacation.

LOVE this statement.

It certainly is a mindset. I have friends that think a timeshare is going to "change" them. For some-it does-but as I explained to them-vacation is a priority for us-so a great timeshare is a must. For them, vacation is akin to pulling teeth. They think they want to buy a T/S but I believe a timeshare would only become an albatross around their neck and then I'd face the blame. It's not for everyone...but it is certainly for me

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Yes . . . every exchange any more is with others along.

[Dancingfish Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dancingfish]

We usually vacation with family or friends but have not done this with the TS except in Scotland (HUGE 3 bedroom 3 bath house) where BIL came for the weekend.

I am always worried that they won't give us a 2 bedroom and I will have to put adults on the couch... not my idea of a vacation. I also worry about the size of the unit... if its too smal we could kill each other by the end of the week...

And we too do most meals in the unit!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

It's usually just Kelli & me, but I have taken my next door neighbor to Las Vegas & we are going to Canyon Ridge in St George in September. shaggy

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

We travel by ourselves on family holidays, also with family and just friends.
Unless we've planned specifically for a trip to be just us, we generally invite others and book extra bonus weeks and exchanges for them.

For example, in April we went away with a few extended family. In July, we'll be going away with 4 other families we know through church and school. We booked 4 extra units as bonus weeks for them so that each family has their own private accommodation.

It's nice to be able to share and enable others to enjoy inexpensive holidays. I see it as a way of blessing others and enriching our lives at the same time.