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

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

I just joined yesterday--one of those Northerners with cabin fever that JLB has referred to We currently do not own any TSs, but I recenlty started looking into Branson (thus my familiarity with the informative JLB! Thank you!) and found a site for Stormy Point which looks amazing. I now have Branson fever which which opened the can of worms that led me here to do some research. I'd always ruled out TS ownership since I've been successful getting good deals on vacation rentals, but I was bummed when I couldn't find any rentals for Stormy Point. I did however find a few resales which led me to ponder the feasibility of such an endeavor.

To be honest, we've never even been to Branson yet, so it'd be premature to take the plunge on any financial commitment, especially since there won't be too many resale bargains on a new resort like Stormy Point. But after reading about Branson I'm very interested in visiting soon!

One thread here mentioned the possibility of getting a membership at RCI to take advantage of the Last Call deals which sounds interesting, but I wondered if Stormy Point ever shows up on any of the last minute rental deals. Is it only affiliated with II? Does II have it's own last minute deals? And even if it does, can someone who does not own a TS access them? Was is Bruce who got a week there for $200? I'm interested in checking the place out and would be interested to find out how.

With all the complaints about Festiva (after their takeover of Tamerack), is this a company to steer clear of?

We live in Suburban Chicago, so if we're going to drive 8(?) hours, we'll want to spend a week. We've got two girls (5 & 8), so we're stuck working around the school calendar...so it looks like we'll have to wait until summer. Hopefully June weather in Branson would be just right--not too hot, not too cold.

Thank you all for offering so many posts for a newbie to read. I'm sure I haven't even made a dent in all the info, but I've been trying to take it all learn and learn from those who've BTDT.

Sorry for the novel! If anyone is still following, I'd appreciate hearing any opinions on Festiva or Stormy Point. Also, is there a way to get cheap summer (June?) rentals at Stormy Point Village? And, if it can be rented out cheaply in the summer, would there be any point in spending much money to buy a TS there?

I'm not expecting anyone to do my homework for me (I'm still reading and learning here and at TUG), but would love any feedback from those of you who are well versed in this stuff

Thanks,
Karyn

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

Karyn,

Welcome to TS4M's

Owning a timeshare can be a wonderful experience. However, it's best to stick around here a while, and learn all there is to know before purchasing one.

What time of year where you planning on taking your vacation? Branson is normally an easy place to exchange into, or to rent. Summer would be more difficult, than other times of the year. You might want to first try renting the timeshare that you're thinking about purchasing, and make sure that's what you really want, before taking the plunge.

II offers getaways which are similar to RCI's last call deals, but I don't think that you can become a member of II without depositing a timeshare.

Maybe you have a good friend who is a member of II, that could help get you a getaway?


Good luck!!!

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

Don't rule out resales at Stormy Pointe. I've seen a decent amount come up on E-bay including one no reserve auction that recently went unbid on. If you had been the only bidder for that auction, you would have picked up a 2 bedroom unit for the low price of $1.

Stormy Pointe does not come up as often on E-bay as does Surrey, Fairfield or Roark but it does come up. Just check the adds daily and you'll evetually find what you're looking for. Personally, from watching E-bay off and on I'd wouldn't venture over $500 for one of their units. You'll most likely get one for much less. Of course you'll have to add in closing costs and transfer fee's, which can add another $500 or so to the price but resales on Stormy Pointe aren't that difficult to find. This is a link to the closed auction 2BR BRANSON Missouri RED Float WEEK Timeshare DEED - eBay (item 320222954859 end time Mar-04-08 06:36:03 PST) . Just be patient, it DOES come up for resale at bargain prices.

I can't say if Stormy Pointe is even a member resort to RCI. I own most of my timeshares with I.I. and never even consider RCI as an option. The only two resorts I own that are with RCI I own for personal usage. I've allowed my weeks account with RCI to expire with no intention of renewing with them. Stormy Point is not that difficult of an exchange with I.I. I can pull it almost anytime even with my lowest exchange week. Rental prices will depend on the season. Between the months of June and August rental prices will be higher. Shoulder season months like March, April, and Sept. will be lower and off season weeks (wks 1-10) like Jan., Feb. and early March they'll almost be giving away.

Branson is one of the over developed area's of timeshare and is very easy to exchange into. Despite that I own two units there that we have for personal usage. When I do look at how the one that is with I.I. exchanges, it actually exchanges reasonably well. Especially if I want to go to another over developed location like Orlando or Williamsburg. It's a great exchanger if I want to wait until the flexchange period (less than 59 days) with I.I.

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

I've searched through today's offerings of Branson Timeshares (what I type in for a E-bay search. Resort names don't often come up on a search for specific branson timeshares due to how they're typically listed) and did not find a Stormy Point Village with the exception of one over priced week at $5,000 (I'd never touch that one myself. FAR to expensive for this resort).

What I did come up with was this 2 BR Lockoff FIVE STAR Float Red Week BRANSON Timeshare - eBay (item 310034885568 end time Mar-29-08 18:45:00 PDT) which is a red float week 11-52 at Escapes! to Stonebridge Village. It might not be a cute as the Cape Cod style houses at Stormy Pointe but it is similar in that it's more out of town and into the woods.

I'm not saying you should change your mind but, it's something to consider. Things I'm not fond of with this auction is that they want their 2008 MF's paid at the auctions closing. Unless they've reserved a week you want to use this year, you might not get usage out of it. Keep in mind that this particular auction is a Bi-annual ownership that is even year usage only. If you miss out on being able to make use of this years week, you won't be able to use it again until 2010. For this reason the current owner MUST have a week reserved that you can use and I wouldn't bid very high for the week. Maybe $200 tops would be my personal limit. Good weeks at Escapes! to Stonebridge Village come up reasonably often if you're patient.

Be aware that there is another Escapes! to Stonebridge Village week that is up for auction but, it's a week #2. You couldn't give me a week in Branson that falls into weeks 1-10. IMO, all they're good for is to use as exchange bait for Flexchange (less than 59 days) with I.I.

Here are some pictures of our stay at Stonebridge Village from last year. We were in one of their standard units. They do have fancier units but, I'm not certain how the listings go to be able to discern the difference between a standard unit and a villa at this resort. JLB could probably help you with that one. Click on the picture to access the photo album for Stonebridge Village.

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Thanks for the welcome, Angie & dougp26364! I'll have to keep on reading and also watching eBay. Thanks for the heads up that good deals do exist even though Stormy Point is new

I was thinking that if we took the plunge, we might have to buy an older/cheaper II affiliated TS in order to trade into Stormy Point... but if we really could snag Stormy Point for $1+, would there be any benefit in buying elsewhere? The mf are only $429 so I don't know that I could do much better with that elsewhere anyway, as long as there isn't a big rate hike or or special assessments down the road.

It'd probably still be a good idea to visit it first which won't be possible until June, but but it's nice to know that snagging one for a bargain is a possibility

Oh, and with two little princesses in the house, we go to Orlando about every year so we know all about oversaturated housing markets that enable us to get good deals Up until now I've just been able to benefit from the oversaturation and have never bought in an oversaturated market, but I wouldn't mind dividing vacation time between Orlando at Christmas and Branson in the summer

My dh's brother owns a TS at Orange Lakes in Orlando...I'll have to find out if they are a member of RCI or II to see if we can get a last minute deal for Stormy Point in June.

Thanks again!! I'll have to keep an eye on eBay!

Karyn

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Thanks, dougp, for all the eBay info!! I must have been typing my last post when you posted. I'll have to check out the pix of Stonebridge Village. I really appreciate your input!

I suppose I need to stop an make dinner at some point--how'd it get to be 6:30?! Time flies...

Thanks again,

Karyn

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

Why don't you come down this summer and look things over? We can play golf and hang out at the Margaritaville Dock.

I've got a nice 2-bedroom condo at StoneBridge you can have for the maintenance fee.

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

Why don't you come down this summer and look things over? We can play golf and hang out at the Margaritaville Dock.

I've got a nice 2-bedroom condo at StoneBridge you can have for the maintenance fee.

That's probably a very good idea. They would have a place to stay and could take timeshare tours until they couldn't stand them anymore. At least they could hit the resorts that might be of interest to them. It'd be a great way to compare resorts and their individual benefits.

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Thanks for the nice offer, JLB. I've already emailed my sister-in-law who owns a TS to see if they have access to rental deals at Stormy Point, but I'll keep your Stonebridge offer in mind if nothing pans out there. What is the MF there anyway? It's hard to beat the Cape Cod cuteness factor and having a single family home, but Stonebridge didn't look too shabby.

By the way, what exactly is the Margaritaville Dock? It sounds like fun, but are kids allowed?

Karyn

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

...they could take timeshare tours until they couldn't stand them anymore. At least they could hit the resorts that might be of interest to them. It'd be a great way to compare resorts and their individual benefits.

Is there a way to see units without having to sit through a high pressure sales pitch? Or did you just mean meandering around the grounds and common buildings?

Thanks,
Karyn

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

Margaritaville Dock: JLB's private boat dock on Table Rock Lake, where all ages are welcome. It is an old wooden resort dock, with swim deck and shaded sitting deck, that has been the scene of thousands of wonderful lake experiences. As my brother would say, it has great Carmen.

It is home to the BTSRN, a boat which has taken many victims out on Table Rock Lake, most of whom returned.

When we were in Key West we went to the hardware store and picked up paint chips of all the Key West pastel colors. We took them to Wal Mart here and have painted the dock in those colors.

We have doodied it up with crab traps, floats, nets, tropical plants, Mile Marker 1 signs, and so forth.

If there was a Project Runway for boat docks, this would be one of them.

We get thumbs up from a lot of folks fishing our cove.

I don't have my avatar activated, but if you do, it is of the dock before we painted it. We have more painting to do on it, but have had other things come up.

You're second line now for our StoneBridge condo in July. As of an hour ago, someone from Atlanta said they want it. But we haven't seen the money yet.

Still have Christmas week.

Thanks for the nice offer, JLB. I've already emailed my sister-in-law who owns a TS to see if they have access to rental deals at Stormy Point, but I'll keep your Stonebridge offer in mind if nothing pans out there. What is the MF there anyway? It's hard to beat the Cape Cod cuteness factor and having a single family home, but Stonebridge didn't look too shabby.

By the way, what exactly is the Margaritaville Dock? It sounds like fun, but are kids allowed?

Karyn

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

Sounds like fun! I have fond memories of Key West, and apparently you do too! I've seen you extend the offer to others who are coming to your neck of the woods, but I didn't know you extended it to newbies, too. Thank you. That's very gracious of you. I don't know yet exactly when we'll be making our way down there, but I'm honored just to get the invite

Karyn

P.S.
I saw in one of your news updates that Branson is getting an airport next year. I would guess that the area now caters to more of the "drive to" crowd...wondering how many more people will come if flying is an easier option. Do you think it'd be enough to make TSs there more valuable vs. being an oversaturated market? Trying to build a case for buying now My dh is very skeptical about anything having to do with TSs... I can't put all the blame on him, there are plenty of reasons to be wary... but outside of ownership I have yet to find a way to stay at Stormy Point And the MF is only $429...

[kmansen Member Find all posts View Profile Close kmansen]

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

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

Is there a way to see units without having to sit through a high pressure sales pitch? Or did you just mean meandering around the grounds and common buildings?

Thanks,
Karyn

I haven't found to many resorts that are fond of the idea of allowing you to just look at a unit without their sales staff getting a crack at you. I guess they figure if you're interested enough to look at one of their units you might be interested enough to buy one.

We haven't tried very often but, the couple of times we did approach resorts to explain we were only interested in what the units looked like for exchange potential, we got the cold shoulder. Essentially they told us you'll have to sit here and wait until we can find someone willing and with available time to show you a unit.

I suppose if one wasn't interested in the freebies, you could sit through the part about how timeshare in general works, how their program works and why they think it's the best program out there, go see a unit and, at the end of seeing the unit (where they start talking money), say "no thanks" and just walk out without any gifts. I'm sure that would stun and surprise the salesman but, what are they going to do? They don't have any leverage if you're a walk in and didn't hand one of the body snatchers a twenty as insurance you'd even show up for the tour.

[brucecz Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close brucecz]

I just joined yesterday--one of those Northerners with cabin fever that JLB has referred to We currently do not own any TSs, but I recenlty started looking into Branson (thus my familiarity with the informative JLB! Thank you!) and found a site for Stormy Point which looks amazing. I now have Branson fever which which opened the can of worms that led me here to do some research. I'd always ruled out TS ownership since I've been successful getting good deals on vacation rentals, but I was bummed when I couldn't find any rentals for Stormy Point. I did however find a few resales which led me to ponder the feasibility of such an endeavor.

To be honest, we've never even been to Branson yet, so it'd be premature to take the plunge on any financial commitment, especially since there won't be too many resale bargains on a new resort like Stormy Point. But after reading about Branson I'm very interested in visiting soon!

One thread here mentioned the possibility of getting a membership at RCI to take advantage of the Last Call deals which sounds interesting, but I wondered if Stormy Point ever shows up on any of the last minute rental deals. Is it only affiliated with II? Does II have it's own last minute deals? And even if it does, can someone who does not own a TS access them? Was is Bruce who got a week there for $200? I'm interested in checking the place out and would be interested to find out how.

With all the complaints about Festiva (after their takeover of Tamerack), is this a company to steer clear of?

We live in Suburban Chicago, so if we're going to drive 8(?) hours, we'll want to spend a week. We've got two girls (5 & 8), so we're stuck working around the school calendar...so it looks like we'll have to wait until summer. Hopefully June weather in Branson would be just right--not too hot, not too cold.

Thank you all for offering so many posts for a newbie to read. I'm sure I haven't even made a dent in all the info, but I've been trying to take it all learn and learn from those who've BTDT.

Sorry for the novel! If anyone is still following, I'd appreciate hearing any opinions on Festiva or Stormy Point. Also, is there a way to get cheap summer (June?) rentals at Stormy Point Village? And, if it can be rented out cheaply in the summer, would there be any point in spending much money to buy a TS there?

I'm not expecting anyone to do my homework for me (I'm still reading and learning here and at TUG), but would love any feedback from those of you who are well versed in this stuff

Thanks,
Karyn

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
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