I think I've caught Branson (Stormy Point) fever

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

I almost feel that I would offend our best friends if I did not say that our best friends of today came to us via the Internet and visits to the Margaritaville Dock.

It's been awhile but I remember the first group, 2 couples in a van from Michigan, and another couple, maybe Tom and Barb. The couple arrived first. Then the van with the two couples. They just sat in the driveway and stared at us for awhile. Then they got out and said something like, "We were really concerned about what kind of wierdo would invite complete strangers to their house, dock, boat."

I'm sure I said something like, "This kind."

Then it turned out we were in the same business and had been at shows together. Oh yeah, we know you!

BTW, their van left a puddle of transmission fluid in the driveway. I called them and they had it checked. They would not have made it back to Michigan.

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

We did not buy at Stormy Point but exchanged into Stormy Point using II for the $135 exchange fee and a $50 UDI Oak Timbers CMV white week that makes a total out of pocket cost to us of $185 for that exchange.

I do not have to buy the cow to get the milk.

I just did a search with a $50 2008 Sept 27, 2008 UDI Oak Timbers CMV white week for Stormy Point.


As you can see below most of the summer inventory is gone compared to what it was early January but there still are some 3 bedrooms available.

If you have any questions feel free to call me at our home 1-262-878-7566 between 8 AM to 8 PM CST.




Stormy Point Village Resort • SMY
Branson, MO, USA
Resort Details & Photos

Aug 17 2008 - Aug 24 2008 2 6 6 266
Aug 24 2008 - Aug 31 2008 2 6 6 266
Aug 31 2008 - Sep 07 2008 2 6 6 266
Aug 31 2008 - Sep 07 2008 3 8 8 388
Sep 07 2008 - Sep 14 2008 2 6 6 266
Sep 14 2008 - Sep 21 2008 2 6 6 266
Sep 14 2008 - Sep 21 2008 3 8 8 388
Sep 21 2008 - Sep 28 2008 2 6 6 266
Sep 28 2008 - Oct 05 2008 2 6 6 266
Sep 28 2008 - Oct 05 2008 3 8 8 388
Oct 05 2008 - Oct 12 2008 2 6 6 266
Oct 05 2008 - Oct 12 2008 3 8 8 388
Oct 12 2008 - Oct 19 2008 2 6 6 266
Oct 12 2008 - Oct 19 2008 3 8 8 388
Oct 19 2008 - Oct 26 2008 2 6 6 266
Oct 19 2008 - Oct 26 2008 3 8 8 388
Oct 26 2008 - Nov 02 2008 2 6 6 266
Oct 26 2008 - Nov 02 2008 3 8 8 388
Nov 02 2008 - Nov 09 2008 2 6 6 266
Nov 02 2008 - Nov 09 2008 3 8 8 388
Nov 09 2008 - Nov 16 2008 2 6 6 266
Nov 09 2008 - Nov 16 2008 3 8 8 388
Nov 16 2008 - Nov 23 2008 2 6 6 266
Nov 30 2008 - Dec 07 2008 2 6 6 266
Nov 30 2008 - Dec 07 2008 3 8 8 388
Dec 07 2008 - Dec 14 2008 2 6 6 266
Dec 07 2008 - Dec 14 2008 3 8 8 388
Dec 14 2008 - Dec 21 2008 2 6 6 266
Dec 14 2008 - Dec 21 2008 3 8 8 388
Dec 21 2008 - Dec 28 2008 2 6 6 266
Dec 21 2008 - Dec 28 2008 3 8 8 388
Dec 28 2008 - Jan 04 2009 2 6 6 266
<< Back

Branson is an exceptionally easy trade into most resorts for most times. But, as we all know, the exchange playing field is prone to change and being shaken up from time to time. If it's inexpensive enough I still feel the best policy is to own where you want to go rather than buy cheap and hope you can always exchange into the resort you want to be at.

However, Branson could very well be the exception to the rule. Since 2001 we've used our studio lock-off silver season Ocean Pointe unit to get 1 and 2 bedroom exchanges into Branson for Spring, Summer and Fall without difficulty. For that matter the 1 bedroom non-five star unit we own in Branson trades up easily into 2 and 3 bedroom units at most resorts for any season of the year. I've even seen 2 bedroom exchanges back into my home resort if I just want to pay the exchange fee to do it.

On the other hand, as easy as Branson is to trade into, the units there do reasonably well through I.I. (never looked through RCI). That non-five star unit could get us around the country pretty well if that's what we ever decided to do with it. For now it's just a nice, quite, inexpensive home for one week per year during the Fall or Christmas season.

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Branson's Stormy Point affiliation with Festiva vs. Summer Winds

Weird. The other day [Branson's] Stormy Point's website said it was a Festiva Resort which traded with II, but today (with no fan fare or explanation) it casually refers to itself as a Summer Winds Resort who trades with Trading Places. I guess things change fast in TS world!

Karyn

I'm confused because when I called Branson's Stormy Point to ask about rental rates I also asked if they'd recently switched from Festiva to Summer Winds, but she said it was the opposite...that they used to be a Summer Winds Resort, but are now with Festiva. I mentioned that the website used to say Festiva, but now says Summer Winds...and the rep. simply said the website may be messed up. She seemed pretty confident that stormy Point is now a Festiva Resort, so I guess I'll believe her. I like the Festiva family of resorts better anyway--at least for Orlando (Blue Heron) Maybe it doesn't really matter since both are with II, it's just hard to keep straight!

BTW, Stormy Point's summer (non-owner) rental rates were stated as $179/n for a 2BR, $229/n for a 3BR and you must reserve 60 days in advance.

Karyn

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

As cute as Stormy Point is, it still bothers me that it is that close to the lake, but not on the lake, much like a SW FL resort that might be that close to the beach, but not on the beach or an Orlando resort that is that close to Disney but not in Disney.

There is nothing else on site, like a magnificent golf course, that makes it special. It is what it is, a cute idea in the middle of nowhere.

It makes it almost a really nice place.

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Stormy Point

As cute as Stormy Point is, it still bothers me that it is that close to the lake, but not on the lake, much like a SW FL resort that might be that close to the beach, but not on the beach or an Orlando resort that is that close to Disney but not in Disney.

There is nothing else on site, like a magnificent golf course, that makes it special. It is what it is, a cute idea in the middle of nowhere.

It makes it almost a really nice place.

Interesting observation to hear, JLB, since I've never been there or seen it. That's been confusing for me...some SP descriptions have mentioned a beach, others have said it's near a beach... So just how far does one have to go to find a swimming beach from there? Are there sandy swimming beaches around or how does that all work in Branson?

I like the private summer cottage feel at SP (except for the fact that we wouldn't have the benefits of a lock-off) and I could sacrifice the water/beach not being in my back yard if was still easily accessible by car.

My dh golfs and has bought our 8 yr. old her own clubs for some father-daughter bonding, but with young kids, we've never golfed on vacation. I don't know if golf will ever play a bigger role in our family vacations or not (probably not unless I take it up too!). Something to consider.

We've gone to Disney 6-7 times and have never stayed on property, so we're used to being "close by, but not in Disney." Just can't justify the cost, but still prefer nice and new nearby.


Thanks,
Karyn

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

Be very careful,timeshares are forever with increases for just as long. Please go and take a long look first and do not buy anything on the spot. If it is a great deal today, it will be the same great deal later. Don't fall for " today special only " crap. I have had great luck in renting from timeshare places. Many times you can get a great last min. deal if you bargin with them for a rent price. Lot's of places will rent for something rather than let a place stand empty for nothing. It's a lot cheaper than all the trouble with ownership ! When you are done,your are done. No strings !
Timeshares are like almost everything else. It's great for some, not for others. Not everyone needs a timeshare.

[brucecz Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close brucecz]

Be very careful,timeshares are forever with increases for just as long. Please go and take a long look first and do not buy anything on the spot. If it is a great deal today, it will be the same great deal later. Don't fall for " today special only " crap. I have had great luck in renting from timeshare places. Many times you can get a great last min. deal if you bargin with them for a rent price. Lot's of places will rent for something rather than let a place stand empty for nothing. It's a lot cheaper than all the trouble with ownership ! When you are done,your are done. No strings !
Timeshares are like almost everything else. It's great for some, not for others. Not everyone needs a timeshare.

I try to be to be carefull but I just bought another Lindo Mar Purto Vallarta ebay resale while vacation at our ownership unit in the USVI.

Woe is poor old me.

Bruce

[brucecz Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close brucecz]

Be very careful,timeshares are forever with increases for just as long. Please go and take a long look first and do not buy anything on the spot. If it is a great deal today, it will be the same great deal later. Don't fall for " today special only " crap. I have had great luck in renting from timeshare places. Many times you can get a great last min. deal if you bargin with them for a rent price. Lot's of places will rent for something rather than let a place stand empty for nothing. It's a lot cheaper than all the trouble with ownership ! When you are done,your are done. No strings !
Timeshares are like almost everything else. It's great for some, not for others. Not everyone needs a timeshare.

Not all timeshares are forever. Some are RTU and leases.

Bruce

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

If you buy RTU I garn o tee you will not ever get a penny back.

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

Be very careful,timeshares are forever with increases for just as long. Please go and take a long look first and do not buy anything on the spot. If it is a great deal today, it will be the same great deal later. Don't fall for " today special only " crap. I have had great luck in renting from timeshare places. Many times you can get a great last min. deal if you bargin with them for a rent price. Lot's of places will rent for something rather than let a place stand empty for nothing. It's a lot cheaper than all the trouble with ownership ! When you are done,your are done. No strings !
Timeshares are like almost everything else. It's great for some, not for others. Not everyone needs a timeshare.

Which is why buying resale is heavily promoted on most timeshare sites. If you buy one for $100 and then resell it 10 years down the road for $1, how much have you really lost? If you read through this entire thread you would have found a link to a completed E-bay auction where, if any one person had bid, they could have picked up a week at Stormy Point for $1. From that point on the only cost is the MF's if you only want to use that resort. How much money would anyone lose on that deal if they decided to sell it a few years down the road?

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

What's RTU stand for?

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

In general, I would agree that TS are not a place to invest money. However, just like in cars, if someone else pays full price and drives it off the lot, I'll let them take the hit of depreciation. At this point I'm not interested in exchanging or renting, but if I could pay $1 (+closing fees, etc.) to buy into a place where I hope to actually vacation, I'd be happy with spending $429 for a week's lodging.

My dh argues that I've successfully found good rental deals before, so why would we ever want to buy a TS. While I agree with the argument in theory, the fact is that I have not been able to find this place for anywhere near $429/w for summer use. I would not pay thousands to buy it, but if it fell in my lap for $1 I wouldn't have to lose too much sleep on buyer's remorse. I think $429 for a week's stay would be a pretty good deal.

Karyn

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

If you buy RTU I garn o tee you will not ever get a penny back.

We actually made money when we sold a couple of DVC contracts and they are RTU.

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

What's RTU stand for?

Right to use...there is no deed, you can use it for a specified number of years

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

dumb question about Branson

Do you have to be a county music lover to fully enjoy downtown Branson? I know there are non-music venues like the Chinese acrobats (a must-see for us since one year ago we were in China adopting our now five year old!), but am I fooling myself to think that this northern, non-country luv'n girl is going love Branson??

I'm drawn to the landscape and lake, the theme park for the kids, the fireworks & water shows at of Celebration City and Branson Landing, and the private Cape Cod cottage feel at Stormy Point...but not so much to honky tonk music.

Is it possible to love Branson even if you're not a fan of country music??

Thanks,
Karyn

P.S.
I live near Chicago and I'm not a Blues fan either