posted 01-08-2005 11:02               

What are your experiences with HGVC at Sea World? We will rent a car so we can go to the parks easily. This is the first time we will be visiting an HGVC resort as we just purchased in December 04!

We will be staying in Disney over my birthday and I can hardly wait. I am a HUGE Disney fan who refuses to pay for a 50 year membership to DVC, so HGVC fit the bill. I only wish we could stay on-site, but the flexibility of a 3 bedroom condo with a full kitchen will save a ton of $$$ that we would have spent for a regular hotel room on property. When we went to Disney Christmas of 03, we had 2 double bed rooms for 9 people at a moderate resort. I figure we spent $2400 just for the rooms, so this year will be a HUGE difference!

Dreaming of Disney....

posted 01-08-2005 11:10               

You will have a blast. We stayed there last June. You will be closser to Universal Studios that Disney. I am not sure what the exact driving time is to Disney is because we only went to Universal.

One thing I would do is request to make sure you get a three bedroom. Others might will be able to verify this but I think sometimes they use a studio and a 2 bedroom to make up a 3 bedroom. We got a 1 bedroom and a studio to make a two bedroom for us.

The pool area is great at HGVC Seaworld. And happy hour is good.

posted 01-08-2005 12:15            

After I bought at Seaworld I discovered the honeymoon was over. I have received horrible customer service, the resort staff gave me keys to a villa that was occupided by other naked people and once informed of this the manager never once said sorry, instead she made excuses.

A fellow owner reported his villa was filling with smoke from the studio next door and was informed by the staff he was in a NON-SMOKING building, and no one was going to ask those in the studio to stop smoking.

The Villas are 9 years old and in bad shape. The pool is always overrun with children and the activities are expensive and poorly conducted.
I've had to ask 2 or 3 times in a single day for towels or trashbags. Once I had 4 lightbulbs out in various parts of the villa, called 3 times for replacements after 3 days I went to Publix and bought them myself.

I met with people at the corporate office and always hear the same things, They're sorry, they've had turnaround in staff, they're Hilton (what ever that means) but my favorite is "Complaints are Rare!" I say NO THEY'RE NOT, complaints are 38% of all calls into the 3 HGVC call centers. That number doesn't include those people by their own nature don't complain, imagine the jump in percentage if they did complain.

posted 01-08-2005 12:33               

quote:

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Originally posted by sb1070:
Before the blind advocates start posting let me share my EXTREMELY unpopular position on HGVC.

After I bought at Seaworld I discovered the honeymoon was over. I have received horrible customer service, the resort staff gave me keys to a villa that was occupided by other naked people and once informed of this the manager never once said sorry, instead she made excuses.

A fellow owner reported his villa was filling with smoke from the studio next door and was informed by the staff he was in a NON-SMOKING building, and no one was going to ask those in the studio to stop smoking.

The Villas are 9 years old and in bad shape. The pool is always overrun with children and the activities are expensive and poorly conducted.
I've had to ask 2 or 3 times in a single day for towels or trashbags. Once I had 4 lightbulbs out in various parts of the villa, called 3 times for replacements after 3 days I went to Publix and bought them myself.

I met with people at the corporate office and always hear the same things, They're sorry, they've had turnaround in staff, they're Hilton (what ever that means) but my favorite is "Complaints are Rare!" I say NO THEY'RE NOT, complaints are 38% of all calls into the 3 HGVC call centers. That number doesn't include those people by their own nature don't complain, imagine the jump in percentage if they did complain.

Travel Girl I could sight many more examples but my point is only to respond to your post with just a taste of my experiences with HGVC and to tell you the truth, before those who must be on HGVC's payroll come in and paint their Rosie picture.

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I guess I am one of those blind advocates you speak of.

You have come here before and posted this stuff. As I and others said before we are sorry that your experience has not been good.

But, why do you want to pop Travel Girls bubble? How does that help you? She is excited, and I hope that her travel plans work out well. She may or may not have a positive HGVC experience, that is subjective. I just don't understand why a total stranger would want to poison someone elses potentially good experience.

My suggestion is that you sell your HGVC and move on. Life is too short for you to be so bitter over a timeshare club.

posted 01-08-2005 13:55            

I'm amazed at all the self-righteous attitudes about the truths of HGVC membership. I want to see where it's written that only positve posts are welcome? So as a consumer you have no interest in all aspects of the product you're buying? You could care less about the cancer disclamer on the label? (sarcasm)

posted 01-08-2005 14:52               

I am the kind of traveler that usually has a good time no matter where I am and/or what happens - with the exception of my in-laws crashing my Vegas get away with the hubby. I have been to Disney and stayed on property in a moderate room. We had 2 adjoining rooms for 7 people and not much space. My in-laws complained the ENTIRE vacation over the small things. I was in Disney - my favorite place in world, so what did I care. The lesson I learned was not to travel with the in-laws, thus the frustration when the "showed up" in Vegas!

As far as HGVC experiences, I am new as we just purchased in December, but have had nothing but good experiences thus far. Everyone I have spoken to (I have already made a doezen phone calls) has been VERY nice and helpful. I am hoping never to have the negative experiences that sb1070 has had. I am truly thankful for all the advice I have gotten on this board (I have lurked for 2 years!). I am so thankful, that I just joined officially today and hope my signature shows member soon.

Happy traveling!

posted 01-08-2005 18:25               

Do read the review section. I have been to HGVClub at Seaworld 3 times in the past 5 years, 1999, 2001 and 2004.

I'm really picky about the accomodations. There are some things that have been said on the above posts that are true. It depends on what units you get. Some are three bedrooms that aren't lockouts. The first two times I went - 1999 and 2001 - I used my Club Points, in 2004 - it was an RCI exchange (not using Club points). All three times I've stayed in the 3 bedrooms. Twice in non lock out - the last time in a lock out.

I will tell you that since 1999 and 2001 compared to my most recent visit - December of 2004, things are not what I consider "Hilton" quality. I loved it in 1999 and 2001. I thought the accomodations and quality were great! This time in 2004, things were not as great as before. I thought they were good but not great.

Have a great time. You definitely love the space!

posted 01-08-2005 19:49               

I can't comment on the activities or many of the amenities because we didn't use them. The unit itself was very nice. I have no problems with the decor, cleanliness or maintenance. In fact it was one of the nicest TS I have stayed in.

I really don't like staying offsite but the access to DW was very easy.

posted 01-10-2005 14:59               

Enjoy your trip and HGVC Seaworld

posted 01-13-2005 18:09               

quote:

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Originally posted by ricoba:

I guess I am one of those blind advocates you speak of.

You have come here before and posted this stuff. As I and others said before we are sorry that your experience has not been good.

But, why do you want to pop Travel Girls bubble? How does that help you? She is excited, and I hope that her travel plans work out well. She may or may not have a positive HGVC experience, that is subjective. I just don't understand why a total stranger would want to poison someone elses potentially good experience.

My suggestion is that you sell your HGVC and move on. Life is too short for you to be so bitter over a timeshare club.

Rick

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Ricoba:

Do you work for HGVC? Why are you so angry? We all have right to express our opinion. If you do not like it do not throw temper tantrum!! You need to follow your own suggestion: life is too short, just move on!

SB1070:

I am glad you expressed and shared your opinion about HGVC. I would not pay attention to teh comments of Ricoba et al. from timeshare industry. Best wishes!

------------------
Essie R.

posted 01-13-2005 19:50               

quote:

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Originally posted by eipheltower:

Ricoba:

Do you work for HGVC? Why are you so angry? We all have right to express our opinion. If you do not like it do not throw temper tantrum!! You need to follow your own suggestion: life is too short, just move on!

SB1070:

I am glad you expressed and shared your opinion about HGVC. I would not pay attention to teh comments of Ricoba et al. from timeshare industry. Best wishes!

---

o i had something here....but i am going to forget it...cuz there is no point...

[This message has been edited by ricoba (edited 01-13-2005).]

posted 01-14-2005 00:17            

quote:

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Originally posted by ricoba:
[B] o i had something here....but i am going to forget it...cuz there is no point...

B]

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Enough to say that everyone should hit the "info" button at the top of a post and read through several other threads that a poster has contributed to. That gives you a fairer idea of their 'perspective'.

posted 01-14-2005 11:52            

Message boards are for everyone. I've never attacked anyone for their opinions or positions on this board or any other. I will once again remind everyone that this thread was started by a person who asked for owner experiences. I'm glad everyone has great experiences and I'm skeptical at best that I'm the only one that HGVC jerks around.

posted 01-14-2005 11:58               

Overall I think HGVC seaword is a great property, nice amenities, great pool area, centrally located about 10 minute drive to any of the attractions. 5 minutes away from Intl. Drive, great restaurants (Vito's Chophouse is my favorite) and shopping. All my experiences with the staff members have been very pleasant. The units are very nicely maintained, the landscape and common areas are in great condition, overall I feel that the resort is doing a good job.

sb1070

I have read your previous postings. As a member, you have the right to speak your mind and present your concerns to your fellow members during the annual owners meeting. Since you are one of "us", we want you to enjoy the same quality of service we have enjoyed. One humble note of advice is to avoid using insulting phrases such as "worthless front desk employee" and avoid using some of the 4 letter words you have posted before.

posted 01-14-2005 13:11               

I'd be pissed at HGVC too, but I'd be bashing the sales staff and not the resort and there employees.

I love when people with almost no posts on Tug, accuse someone of being an employee of a resort, a broker or a sales agent.

Rick posts on many different topics, not just HGVC.
It would make more sense to accuse someone that only has .. like under 100 posts that constantly bashes a timeshare. I'm thinking someone like that might work for Marriott or a competitor of Hilton.

I've never stayed at any HGVC resort except the 3 Vegas properties.. that's where Rick and I work
anyway, the resorts are all top notch and the service has always been great.

posted 01-14-2005 13:37               

quote:

---

Originally posted by calihockey33:
I'm not sure if it's sb or Essie that bought a worthless 2400 point package from the developer for like $10K, financed it and is pissed that they can't pay it off if they sold.

I'd be pissed at HGVC too, but I'd be bashing the sales staff and not the resort and there employees.

I love when people with almost no posts on Tug, accuse someone of being an employee of a resort, a broker or a sales agent.

Rick posts on many different topics, not just HGVC.
It would make more sense to accuse someone that only has .. like under 100 posts that constantly bashes a timeshare. I'm thinking someone like that might work for Marriott or a competitor of Hilton.

I've never stayed at any HGVC resort except the 3 Vegas properties.. that's where Rick and I work
anyway, the resorts are all top notch and the service has always been great.

Of course I don't spend my vacation sitting in the room the whole time, worried about how many towels I have and the light bulb maintenance schedule.

---

Seth is that you??????

posted 01-14-2005 13:53            

The desk personnel are worthless. Most of them can't speak clear english and those who can very clearly inform owners staying in NON-SMOKING buildings they have to put up with their villa filling with smoke from the unit next door, I'd say that make them WORTHLESS!!

Service is paramount in any hospitality based industry. When a room is completely dark and basic amenities are promised and not delivered on time and time again, even after calls it's a problem not a guest hangup over something trivial!!!

When an owner is given keys to a villa that is occupided by other people and the manager makes excuses and doesn't even say those meaningless words "I'm Sorry" it's a problem worth mentioning to someone who asks!

HGVC consistantly delivers poor unacceptable service and as an owner experiencing it first hand I will not keep quiet about it.

This thread could have been done along time ago if those who got involved knew the true meaning of a message board and didn't try to suppress my opinions and make me out to be a liar.

posted 01-14-2005 13:59               

quote:

---

Originally posted by sb1070:
The 4 letter word reference suggests I've cussed in a post which is total LIE!!

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You used the word "d**n" in one of your first posts.

posted 01-14-2005 19:21               

quote:

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Originally posted by ricoba:

Seth is that you??????

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posted 01-15-2005 05:09               

I find myself in agreement with your view that negative comment is just as welcome and important as the more usual positive variety within this board. It sounds as though you have previously received a poor service from HGVC.

However, there are ways and methods to go about passing on these negative comments, and my feeling is that you have gone somewhat overboard.