TimeshareGuru

Description — Diamond Resorts (formerly Sunterra Embassy Suites) Kaanapali Beach Club (DR KBC) Maui Hawaii for 7 nights - Offering 1BR Scenic View, Ocean View, and Deluxe Ocean View  for most available 2009 Jan-Apr dates!!  There is one Spring Break week at a higher rate. Please inquire about my rates for other units and dates (See below for my pre-reserved inventory, but I’ll gladly check any available dates!). I can provide Studios, 1BR and 2BR units at the Westin Kaanapali, sometimes the Marriott also!

Contact — Peter 714-328-7121, for photos see www.capecomputers.net and click on “Timeshares”, see below as well as a partial pre-reserved inventory at Pre-Reserved Units!

I’m a Platinum Elite owner and can place requests for you such as early checkin and room preferences! There are requests, not guarantees, but are often honored! The least honored request is for corner rooms (more successful when reservation is made 10-13 months in advance), but I have very good success with early checkin and ocean front units for the DOV reservations! You will be my named guest, which means you do not need to attend a timeshare presentation. Please also see my FAQ section just below the pictures!

AVAILABILTIY ON 12-Nov-08:

Kaanapali Beach Club
- * SV = Scenic View, OV = Ocean View, DOV = Deluxe OV which is in the ocean front section of this ocean front resort!
Prices for reservations less than 60 days in advance:
- Most of Nov-Dec! SV $650 PCa
- Most of Nov-Dec! OV $850 PCa
- Most of Nov-Dec! DOV $1,200 PCa
- 01/10/2009 - 01/17/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 PCa
- 01/11/2009 - 01/18/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa drops to $1,200 on 13-Nov-08
- 01/12/2009 - 01/19/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/13/2009 - 01/20/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/14/2009 - 01/21/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/17/2009 - 01/24/2009 2BR OF Presidential $6,500 PCa - The ultimate 2BR Ocean Front Unit!
- Please Call for Availability!
- 2BR 22-29 Nov-08 $1,600 PC Thanksgiving!
- 12/19/2008 - 12/26/2008 1BR OV $1,095 (PC) - Christmas!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR SV RENTED!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR OV $1,095 (PC) – Christmas, 1 unit RENTED! 1 unit available!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR OV $1,195 (CH) - Christmas, 2 units RENTED! 3 units available!
Prices for reservations more than 60 days in advance:
- Most of 2009! SV $1,100 PCa
- Most of 2009! OV $1,450 PCa
- Most of 2009! DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/04/2009 - 01/11/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 (PC)
- 01/09/2009 - 01/16/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 (PC)
- 01/16/2009 - 01/23/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 02/14/2009 - 02/21/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 02/17/2009 - 02/23/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 02/28/2009 - 03/07/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 03/06/2009 - 03/13/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 03/06/2009 - 03/13/2009 1BR OV $1,450 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 03/13/2009 - 03/20/2009 1BR OV $1,450 (PC)
- 03/20/2009 - 03/27/2009  1BR SV  $1,100  (PC)
- 03/20/2009 - 03/27/2009  1BR OV  $1,450  (PC)
- 03/28/2009 - 04/04/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 units available!
- 04/04/2009 - 04/11/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 04/10/2009 - 04/17/2009  1BR SV  $1,300  (PC)
- 04/10/2009 - 04/17/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- 04/11/2008 - 04/18/2009  1BR SV  $1,300  (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 04/11/2009 - 04/18/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- 04/18/2009 - 04/25/2009  1BR SV  $1,100  (PC)
- 04/18/2009 - 04/25/2009  1BR OV  $1,450  (PC)
- 07/03/2009 - 07/10/2009  1BR SV  $1,665  (PC)
- 07/03/2009 - 07/10/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- Other units are available!

Westin Kaanapali Original/South Phase
- * IV = Island View, OV = Ocean View, OF = Ocean Front
- Reservations made less than 8 months in advance do not have a view guarantee, but I almost always use OV and OF units for reservations!
- Other dates avail, please call!
- Nov-Dec Many last minute dates available, $1,250-$5,000!
- 2008 Studio $1,250, 1BR $1,500 and 2BR $2,750 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 2009 Studio $1,800, 1BR $2,900 and 2BR $4,700 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 Studio $1,250 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 1BR $1,500 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 2BR $2,750 PCa
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 Studio GV $2,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 1BR GV $3,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 2BR GV $5,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/26/2008 - 01/02/2009 2BR IV $4,800 (DDr29a) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 1BR GV $3,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 Studio GV $2,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 1BR GV $3,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 2BR GV $5,500 (B22o) – New Years!
Look! Ocean Front units for 4th of July 2009!
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 Studio OF/OV $2,200 (CH)
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 1BR OF $3,000 (CH)
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 2BR OF $5,200 (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 Studio OF/OV – two units $2,200/unit (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 1BR OF $3,000 (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 2BR OF $5,200 (CH)
- Call For Other Dates!
Westin Kaanapali North Phase
- Nov-Dec Many last minute dates available, $1,250-$5,000!
- 2008 Studio $1,250, 1BR $1,500 and 2BR $2,750 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 2009 Studio $1,800, 1BR $2,900 and 2BR $4,700 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 Studio $1,250 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 1BR $1,500 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 2BR $2,750 PCa
- Call for other dates!

ON-SITE AMENITIES: — Enjoy the comfort and service of a hotel with the independence and convenience of a condo complete with suites twice the size of luxury hotel rooms featuring oversized tubs and separate showers in the luxury bath.

Resort Highlights

• » Oceanfront restaurants, Beach, Parking On-Site (Resort may charge for parking)
• » Fitness Center, Spa, Barbeque, Game Room, 18 hole Miniature Golf Course
• » Outdoor One Acre Heated Pool w/ HUGE water Slide, Hot Tub, Kiddie Pool
• » 24 Hour Front Desk, 24 Hour Security, Safety-Deposit Boxes
• » Activities Dept, Concierge Assistance, Guest Services, Massage Services
• » Kids Programs, Babysitting/Child Care, Dry Cleaning, Gift Shop, Housekeeping Service, Laundry Facilities
• » And much more!

IN UNIT: — You can see more info at Kaanapali Beach Club.

Room Highlights

   UNIT OPTIONS
• » Select floors have Plasma TVs now and my Platinum Elite status can help put you in those rooms!
• » Balcony / Terrace (Lanai, a small number of units do not have Lanais, corner units have double Lanais!)
• » Partial Kitchen w/ Microwave, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Sink, full galley counters, ask housekeeping for electric skillet in lieu of stove!
• » Granite counters and tile floors!
• » Whirlpool Jet Tub
• » Air Conditioning
• » 35″ CRT TV or Plasma TV, Cable / Satellite TV, DVD Player
• » Voicemail Answering Service, High Speed Internet Access

FAQ: — .

   Q&A
• » You allow 30 day refunds?
• » Well, not exactly. The EBay auction doesn’t allow me to enter the criteria correctly, so here it is:
• » - Reservations are generally non-refundable.
• » - If you need to cancel, you or I can find someone to take your reservation. If you provide the person, I’ll change the guest name for free. If I find someone I return 50-75% of your payment, depending on how much the new person pays and the time I spent finding them.
• » - For Diamond Resorts reservations only:
• » - If you pay $125 at time of booking, you may cancel until 75 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » - If you pay $200 at time of booking, you may cancel until 21 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » - If you pay $300 at time of booking, you may cancel until 05 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » Do I have to attend a timeshare presentation?
• » No, not at all. You are my named guest and will be treated almost exactly the same as if I was using the resort.
• » Do we have to stay 7 nights?
• » No! If you book a 7 night stay but must arrive late it is important to let me know so I can notify the resort. Otherwise they might cancel your reservation. Guests have arrived 1-3 days late without problem because we properly notified. You may also book a stay thru me for 2 to 40 consecutive nights at any Diamond Resorts location.
• » Is the room guaranteed?
• » The winning or BIN bidder is guaranteed the specified unit or their money will be refunded. Pre-reserved units are already booked, so you have no concerns there (I can rent them to other people though, so make certain you let me know you are interested in it! If I specify a view type, you will receive that view type. Requests such as corner unit, unit with Plasma TV, 12th floor, etc, are requests and not guarantees, but are often honored. I’ll even request a specific room number if you wish! Corner unit requests are not likely to be honored unless made 10-13 months in advance. So far, 100% of my DOV reservations have been provided an Ocean Front unit, but a customer requesting OF and Plasma TV increases the chance of not getting one or the other request!
• » Where is the resort located?
• » Diamond Resorts Ka’anapali Beach Club 808-661-2000 is located at 104 Kaanapali Shores Place, Lahaina, HI 96761 in the Ka’anapali section of Lahaina Maui
• » Will I have to pay anything when I’m at the resort?
• » Yes, there is an occupancy tax of about $5/night and the resort might charge a $13/night parking fee. This is their official position on the parking fee, but none of my guests have mentioned to me about paying it. Any other fee would only be incurred if you took advantage of the Resort’s fee based services such as local calls, Kids Activities programs, restaurants, etc.
• » How do I know I have a valid reservation?
• » After I provide your confirmation e-mail you’ll be able to imediately call the Club number (877) 374-2582 to verify you are the named guest on the reservation. It is difficult to access people at that number though, I recommend you call the resort directly after 1-2 days at 808-661-2000 to verify you are the named guest!
• » How do I reach you if I need your assistance?
• » Call me at (714) 328-7121 anytime, you’ll also be able to e-mail me.
• » All the dates you list are F-F, Sa-Sa, and Su-Su. Can’t I check in mid week?
• » Yes, at Diamond Resorts I can check you in any day of the week! Mid week stays might be 10% more though, and stays other than 7 nights might have odd pricing. Fri and Sat each cost 30% of a full week stay and at times stays other than week long do not get the best prices.

Check out my other items!

Description — Diamond Resorts (formerly Sunterra Embassy Suites) Kaanapali Beach Club (DR KBC) Maui Hawaii for 7 nights - Offering a 2BR unit 22-29 Nov-08!!  Other dates and units are available! Please inquire about my rates for other units and dates (See below for my pre-reserved inventory, but I’ll gladly check any available dates!). I can provide Studios, 1BR and 2BR units at the Westin Kaanapali, sometimes the Marriott also!

Contact — Peter 714-328-7121, for photos see www.capecomputers.net and click on “Timeshares”, see below as well as a partial pre-reserved inventory at Pre-Reserved Units!

I’m a Platinum Elite owner and can place requests for you such as early checkin and room preferences! There are requests, not guarantees, but are often honored! The least honored request is for corner rooms (more successful when reservation is made 10-13 months in advance), but I have very good success with early checkin and ocean front units for the DOV reservations! You will be my named guest, which means you do not need to attend a timeshare presentation. Please also see my FAQ section just below the pictures!

AVAILABILTIY ON 12-Nov-08:Kaanapali Beach Club
- 2BR 22-29 Nov-08 $1,600 PC Thanksgiving! - This is the featured unit
- * SV = Scenic View, OV = Ocean View, DOV = Deluxe OV which is in the ocean front section of this ocean front resort!
Prices for reservations less than 60 days in advance:
- Most of Nov-Dec! SV $650 PCa
- Most of Nov-Dec! OV $850 PCa
- Most of Nov-Dec! DOV $1,200 PCa
- 01/10/2009 - 01/17/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 PCa
- 01/11/2009 - 01/18/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa drops to $1,200 on 13-Nov-08
- 01/12/2009 - 01/19/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/13/2009 - 01/20/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/14/2009 - 01/21/2009 1BR DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/17/2009 - 01/24/2009 2BR OF Presidential $6,500 PCa - The ultimate 2BR Ocean Front Unit!
- Please Call for Availability!
- 2BR 22-29 Nov-08 $1,600 PC Thanksgiving!
- 12/19/2008 - 12/26/2008 1BR OV $1,095 (PC) - Christmas!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR SV RENTED!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR OV $1,095 (PC) – Christmas, 1 unit RENTED! 1 unit available!
- 12/20/2008 - 12/27/2008 1BR OV $1,195 (CH) - Christmas, 2 units RENTED! 3 units available!
Prices for reservations more than 60 days in advance:
- Most of 2009! SV $1,100 PCa
- Most of 2009! OV $1,450 PCa
- Most of 2009! DOV $1,955 PCa
- 01/04/2009 - 01/11/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 (PC)
- 01/09/2009 - 01/16/2009 1BR DOV $1,200 (PC)
- 01/16/2009 - 01/23/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 02/14/2009 - 02/21/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 02/17/2009 - 02/23/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 02/28/2009 - 03/07/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 03/06/2009 - 03/13/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 03/06/2009 - 03/13/2009 1BR OV $1,450 (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 03/13/2009 - 03/20/2009 1BR OV $1,450 (PC)
- 03/20/2009 - 03/27/2009  1BR SV  $1,100  (PC)
- 03/20/2009 - 03/27/2009  1BR OV  $1,450  (PC)
- 03/28/2009 - 04/04/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC) - 2 units available!
- 04/04/2009 - 04/11/2009 1BR SV $1,100 (PC)
- 04/10/2009 - 04/17/2009  1BR SV  $1,300  (PC)
- 04/10/2009 - 04/17/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- 04/11/2008 - 04/18/2009  1BR SV  $1,300  (PC) - 2 Units Available!
- 04/11/2009 - 04/18/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- 04/18/2009 - 04/25/2009  1BR SV  $1,100  (PC)
- 04/18/2009 - 04/25/2009  1BR OV  $1,450  (PC)
- 07/03/2009 - 07/10/2009  1BR SV  $1,665  (PC)
- 07/03/2009 - 07/10/2009  1BR OV  $2,128  (PC)
- Other units are available!

Westin Kaanapali Original/South Phase
- * IV = Island View, OV = Ocean View, OF = Ocean Front
- Reservations made less than 8 months in advance do not have a view guarantee, but I almost always use OV and OF units for reservations!
- Other dates avail, please call!
- Nov-Dec Many last minute dates available, $1,250-$5,000!
- 2008 Studio $1,250, 1BR $1,500 and 2BR $2,750 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 2009 Studio $1,800, 1BR $2,900 and 2BR $4,700 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 Studio $1,250 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 1BR $1,500 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 2BR $2,750 PCa
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 Studio GV $2,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 1BR GV $3,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/21/2008 - 12/28/2008 2BR GV $5,000 (RH14o) - Christmas!
- 12/26/2008 - 01/02/2009 2BR IV $4,800 (DDr29a) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 1BR GV $3,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 Studio GV $2,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 1BR GV $3,500 (B22o) – New Years!
- 12/28/2008 - 01/04/2009 2BR GV $5,500 (B22o) – New Years!
Look! Ocean Front units for 4th of July 2009!
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 Studio OF/OV $2,200 (CH)
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 1BR OF $3,000 (CH)
- 07/04/2009 - 07/11/2009 2BR OF $5,200 (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 Studio OF/OV – two units $2,200/unit (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 1BR OF $3,000 (CH)
- 07/11/2009 - 07/18/2009 2BR OF $5,200 (CH)
- Call For Other Dates!
Westin Kaanapali North Phase
- Nov-Dec Many last minute dates available, $1,250-$5,000!
- 2008 Studio $1,250, 1BR $1,500 and 2BR $2,750 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 2009 Studio $1,800, 1BR $2,900 and 2BR $4,700 thru my booking, other owner units can be higher
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 Studio $1,250 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 1BR $1,500 PCa
- 11/15/2008 - 11/22/2008 2BR $2,750 PCa
- Call for other dates!ON-SITE AMENITIES: — Enjoy the comfort and service of a hotel with the independence and convenience of a condo complete with suites twice the size of luxury hotel rooms featuring oversized tubs and separate showers in the luxury bath.

Resort Highlights

• » Oceanfront restaurants, Beach, Parking On-Site (Resort may charge for parking)
• » Fitness Center, Spa, Barbeque, Game Room, 18 hole Miniature Golf Course
• » Outdoor One Acre Heated Pool w/ HUGE water Slide, Hot Tub, Kiddie Pool
• » 24 Hour Front Desk, 24 Hour Security, Safety-Deposit Boxes
• » Activities Dept, Concierge Assistance, Guest Services, Massage Services
• » Kids Programs, Babysitting/Child Care, Dry Cleaning, Gift Shop, Housekeeping Service, Laundry Facilities
• » And much more!

IN UNIT: — You can see more info at Kaanapali Beach Club.

Room Highlights

   UNIT OPTIONS
• » Select floors have Plasma TVs now and my Platinum Elite status can help put you in those rooms!
• » Balcony / Terrace (Lanai, a small number of units do not have Lanais, corner units have double Lanais!)
• » Partial Kitchen w/ Microwave, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Sink, full galley counters, ask housekeeping for electric skillet in lieu of stove!
• » Granite counters and tile floors!
• » Whirlpool Jet Tub
• » Air Conditioning
• » 35″ CRT TV or Plasma TV, Cable / Satellite TV, DVD Player
• » Voicemail Answering Service, High Speed Internet Access

FAQ: — .

   Q&A
• » You allow 30 day refunds?
• » Well, not exactly. The EBay auction doesn’t allow me to enter the criteria correctly, so here it is:
• » - Reservations are generally non-refundable.
• » - If you need to cancel, you or I can find someone to take your reservation. If you provide the person, I’ll change the guest name for free. If I find someone I return 50-75% of your payment, depending on how much the new person pays and the time I spent finding them.
• » - For Diamond Resorts reservations only:
• » - If you pay $125 at time of booking, you may cancel until 75 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » - If you pay $200 at time of booking, you may cancel until 21 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » - If you pay $300 at time of booking, you may cancel until 05 days before checkin for any reason with full refund of the rental payment.
• » Do I have to attend a timeshare presentation?
• » No, not at all. You are my named guest and will be treated almost exactly the same as if I was using the resort.
• » Do we have to stay 7 nights?
• » No! If you book a 7 night stay but must arrive late it is important to let me know so I can notify the resort. Otherwise they might cancel your reservation. Guests have arrived 1-3 days late without problem because we properly notified. You may also book a stay thru me for 2 to 40 consecutive nights at any Diamond Resorts location.
• » Is the room guaranteed?
• » The winning or BIN bidder is guaranteed the specified unit or their money will be refunded. Pre-reserved units are already booked, so you have no concerns there (I can rent them to other people though, so make certain you let me know you are interested in it! If I specify a view type, you will receive that view type. Requests such as corner unit, unit with Plasma TV, 12th floor, etc, are requests and not guarantees, but are often honored. I’ll even request a specific room number if you wish! Corner unit requests are not likely to be honored unless made 10-13 months in advance. So far, 100% of my DOV reservations have been provided an Ocean Front unit, but a customer requesting OF and Plasma TV increases the chance of not getting one or the other request!
• » Where is the resort located?
• » Diamond Resorts Ka’anapali Beach Club 808-661-2000 is located at 104 Kaanapali Shores Place, Lahaina, HI 96761 in the Ka’anapali section of Lahaina Maui
• » Will I have to pay anything when I’m at the resort?
• » Yes, there is an occupancy tax of about $5/night and the resort might charge a $13/night parking fee. This is their official position on the parking fee, but none of my guests have mentioned to me about paying it. Any other fee would only be incurred if you took advantage of the Resort’s fee based services such as local calls, Kids Activities programs, restaurants, etc.
• » How do I know I have a valid reservation?
• » After I provide your confirmation e-mail you’ll be able to imediately call the Club number (877) 374-2582 to verify you are the named guest on the reservation. It is difficult to access people at that number though, I recommend you call the resort directly after 1-2 days at 808-661-2000 to verify you are the named guest!
• » How do I reach you if I need your assistance?
• » Call me at (714) 328-7121 anytime, you’ll also be able to e-mail me.
• » All the dates you list are F-F, Sa-Sa, and Su-Su. Can’t I check in mid week?
• » Yes, at Diamond Resorts I can check you in any day of the week! Mid week stays might be 10% more though, and stays other than 7 nights might have odd pricing. Fri and Sat each cost 30% of a full week stay and at times stays other than week long do not get the best prices.

Check out my other items!

Wyndham Vacation Ownership announced Jan-08 it bought the Royal Garden Hotel and Spa in Waikiki from the Royal Hotel & Spa LLC, which is owned by Jupiter Holdings Group.  The 140-room hotel will operate under Wyndham’s FairShare Plus resort portfolio after renovations.   Hotel and 1BR units have been made available to Wyndham owners Sep-08 and I can provide reservations for you now!  Currently units are available for 2008 and the 1BR units are booking out quickly!  Soon we will see 2009 availability, primarily in Hotel and 1BR units.  But as the renovations are complete owners will be able to use and offer for rent Studio, 1BR and 2BR units.  The time-share resort will include a swimming pool and sauna, restaurants and fitness center.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, a member of Wyndham Worldwide, has 13 resorts in Hawaii.

Art Clokey, grandmaster of stop-motion animation and the artist behind beloved icons from the early years of children’s television - Gumby, Pokey, Davey and Goliath - is the focus of this fascinating documentary by Robina Marchesi. In his 80s when interviewed, Clokey reflects on his playful work and life, which included time in an orphanage, seminary school, divorce, years as a hippie and spiritual quests in the East. Featuring a rich assortment of film clips and interviews with leading animators, including Ray Harryhausen.

 Gumby Dharma was broadcast on local PBS station KQED and other Public TV stations in California, and will have its national broadcast premiere on the Sundance Channel later this year.

GUMBY DHARMA BROADCAST DATES

SUNDANCE CHANNEL!  DirecTv chanel 549 for Los Angeles customers

Mon, Sept 15, 2008 — 9:00pm EST
Fri, Sept 26, 2008 — 11:00pm EST
Tues, Sept 30, 2008 — 10:00am EST

WORLD PREMIERE OF GUMBY DHARMA:

15th HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
October 20 - October 29, 2006

Malco Theater - 817 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR
www.hsdfi.org

Screening times:
Tuesday, October 24th, 2006 @ 7:10PM Theater 1
Friday October 27th 2006 @ 6:45PM Theater 1 (with filmmaker Q & A)

Here is a 2009 list of most likely school spring vacation dates. The schedule is useful in determining what weeks will likely be very busy at various resorts but should not be relied on for your own school district plans, since schedules often vary among school districts within a state.

Where multiple weeks are listed and separated by “or”, each such week is vacation in at least one school district. Easter falls on April 12. The weeks immediately before and after Easter are popular vacation weeks. Also popular are the last two weeks of March and (in New England) the third week of April.

AL – 3/16-20
AK – 3/9-13
AZ – 3/9-13
AR – 3/23-27
CA – 4/6-10 or 4/10-17
CO – 3/23-27 or 4/13-17
CT – 3/23-27 or 4/8-17
DE – 4/10-19
DC – 3/23-27
FL – 4/6-10
GA – 4/6-10
HI – 3/23-4/3 (two weeks per state law)
ID – 3/23-27 or 3/30-4/3
IL – 3/30-4/3 or 4/6-13
IN – 3/30-4/3
IA – 3/16-20
KS – 3/16-20
KY – 3/30-4/3 or 4/6-10
LA – 4/13-17
ME – 4/20-24
MD – 4/6-13
MA – 4/20-24
MI – 4/6-13
MN – 4/6-10
MS – 3/16-20 or 4/10-17
MO – 3/16-20 or 4/6-10
MT – 3/30-4/3 or 4/6-10
NE – 3/9-13 or 4/6-10
NV – 4/6-10 or 4/13-17
NH – 4/20-24
NJ – 4/6-10
NM – 3/23-27
NY – 4/9-17
NC – 4/13-17
ND – 4/9-13
OH – 3/23-27 or 4/6-10 or 4/8-13 or 4/2-8
OK – 3/16-20
OR – 3/23-27
PA – 4/6-10 or 4/9-13
RI – not yet available
SC – 4/6-10
SD – 4/10-13
TN – 3/16-20 or 3/23-27
TX – 3/16-20
UT – 4/13-17
VT – 4/20-24
VA – 4/6-10
WA – 3/30-4/3 or 4/6-10
WV – not yet available
WI – 4/6-10 or 4/10-17
WY – 3/16-20 or 3/23-27 or 4/9-13

I’m reserving Spring Break now so call me for your weekend or weekly vacation!

Peter

714 - three two eight - 7121

www.capecomputers.net

www.timesharevacationnow.com

A word about Deeds:

I have often been asked the difference between a Quitclaim Deed and a General Warranty Deed and I would like to explain it more thoroughly to my customers. A “deed” is a document which meets certain legal requirements and has the effect of transferring ownership or some other interest in land.  A deed is used to determine “title” to land; that is, who has an ownership interest in land.  A deed offers conveyance of ownership. The title to land in any state depends upon the nature of the deeds used in the transactions affecting the land.

One of the most important differences between a Quitclaim Deed and other types of deeds is that the seller makes no guarantee or promises that the property is free of debt. Additionally, the seller makes no promises that no other party claims to own the property. The Quitclaim Deed says, in effect, that the seller is signing over whatever ownership interest he or she may have in the property and does not guarantee that the seller has any ownership interest at all.  A Quitclaim Deed is the worst form of conveyance that you can receive in real estate.  It is usually used in quitting a title to one’s property, such as a divorce to remove a former spouse, for example.

A General Warranty Deed is a deed in which the grantor warrants generally the title to the property conveyed to the grantee. That General Warranty of Title is a promise and representation by the grantor that the grantor will defend the title which the grantor conveyed to the grantee against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever, back to the beginning of time. If anyone else (other than the grantee) comes along claiming any interest in the title conveyed, the grantor is obligated to defend the title of the grantee against any and all such claimants.

For these reasons, I would always recommend a General Warranty Deed over a Quitclaim Deed

RCI Points benefits

RCI introduced
the world’s first points-based global exchange program in 2000, a revolutionary
enhancement to traditional week-for-week exchange, offering vacationers additional
flexibility. From the length of a stay to how the points are applied (toward
accommodations or other travel products), points-based exchanges have given
owners an ever-expanding wealth of options. 
As is customary for points based programs though, use of points for
timeshare lodging provides optimum value and most other use for points is best
utilized only when points would otherwise expire.

Why Points?

In 1974, RCI
introduced the RCI Weeks exchange program. This concept of week-for-week
timeshare exchange provided timeshare owners with the ability to trade one
vacation week for another. As of today, the program serves over 2.7 million
subscribing members worldwide, more than any vacation exchange program in the
industry.

Nevertheless, in
looking at changing lifestyles and demographics, RCI anticipated that there
would be growing demand for a more flexible exchange system as well. When
surveyed, many RCI subscribing members confirmed that they would like more
flexibility and greater ability to leverage the value of their timeshare
purchases.

The RCI Points
exchange program has grown quickly. Today, the program serves
more than 550,000 subscribing member families in North America; more than
660,000 worldwide. There are currently more than 900 RCI Points
affiliated resorts in destinations around the globe, from Mexico, the
Caribbean, South America and Europe to the Middle East, Asia, China, and the
Pacific region.

Key reasons to participate in RCI Points:

1: RCI Points offers flexibility. Unlike
traditional week-for-week exchange, the RCI Points program allows subscribing
members to stay a single night or longer at hundreds of RCI Points affiliated
resorts. RCI Points subscribing members can convert a one-week interval into
several vacations. This valuable feature can benefit subscribing members even
when returning to their home resorts. For example, the owner of a two-bedroom
unit who booked a studio during the same interval would use only the amount of
RCI Points needed for the studio and still have the RCI Points differential
“in the bank” for future vacations.

2: RCI Points can be saved and used in the
future. Because unused RCI Points can be saved for up to two years and
borrowed up to a year in advance, owners can “save up” to splurge on
a vacation they desire. Subscribing members who are shy a few RCI Points to
book their vacations might carry over some RCI Points from the previous year
and borrow from next year’s allotment.

3: RCI Points can be exchanged for
travel-related products. Choices include airfare, cruises, car rentals, and
hotel accommodations from leading travel service providers, including American
Airlines, Avis, Ramada, Hyatt and Carnival Cruise lines.

4: RCI Points subscribing members get access
to budget-friendly non-exchange vacation options. RCI’s non-exchange travel
benefits such as special rates on cruises, non-exchange resort stays and
last-minute getaways, long enjoyed by RCI Weeks subscribing members, are also
available to RCI Points subscribing members.

5: RCI Points subscribing members use their
ownerships more. With .92 annual exchanges per member (1), the RCI Points
program has one of the highest usage rate of any
global vacation ownership exchange program in the industry.

Getting Started

Owners at RCI
Points affiliated resorts have the option to become RCI Points subscribing
members. Once accepted, subscribing members can exchange within the RCI Points
system. Many existing RCI Weeks affiliated resorts have also joined the RCI
Points program. These affiliated resorts then can offer owners the option of
converting their ownerships to RCI Points for a fee. People whose resorts don’t
offer RCI Points conversions sometimes persuade their
boards to participate in the RCI Points program.

For RCI Points
subscribing members who also own vacation weeks at RCI Weeks affiliated resorts
which are not participating in the RCI Points program, RCI offers a
“Points for Deposit” program.. This allows RCI Points members to convert vacation weeks at RCI Weeks
affiliated resorts into RCI Points and deposit those RCI Points into their
account.

One question that
often arises is why affiliated resorts charge owners to convert from the RCI
Weeks program to the RCI Points program. One explanation provided  is the operational costs resorts incur
in changing over systems from weekly to more frequent check-ins. Operating a
resort with varied check-in dates is also more expensive than a fixed-date
weekly turnover in terms of bookkeeping systems, front desk and housekeeping
services. The conversion costs and pricing to owners varies greatly from resort
to resort.  But the primary reason is
that resorts want to offer new services and products which they can profit
by.  If the initial reasons were truly
significant cost, those costs would be added to the timeshare owners’ annual
maintenance and the RCI exchange fees and thus the up front
fee has nothing to do with actual costs to manage the points
participation.

Assigning RCI Points values. Each purchased or
converted vacation week is assigned an RCI Points value. The RCI Points value
of a specific week is based on several factors, including the supply and demand
at that particular resort location, the season of ownership, the type and
location of the unit, and evaluations from members who’ve stayed there.

RCI and the
resorts allocate points at the beginning of each member’s Use Year and
subscribing members can view their RCI Points balances
and expiration dates at any time on RCI.com. On line, subscribing members will also find the
RCI Points values of resorts worldwide. Additionally, on-line booking is
available or in the works in most regions of the world.

Saving and borrowing. Each membership is based on a
Use Year, a recurring 12-month period. Use Years always start at the beginning
of a month and end on the last day of the previous month. For example, if a Use
Year begins on July 1, 2007, it ends on June 30,2008.

Unlike many
traditional exchange programs, the RCI Points exchange system allows owners to
save and borrow points. As long as some RCI Points are utilized within a Use
Year, the balance is “saved” and automatically carried into the next
Use Year. If a subscribing member does not utilize any RO Points in a Use Year,
those unused RCI Points can be extended for a fee. However, RO Points cannot be
saved indefinitely and can only be carried over for two Use Years.

RCI Points also
can be borrowed at no charge from the next Use Year as long as annual
subscribing membership fees are up to date through the next Use Year. For example:
a subscribing member and his or her RCI Guide have determined that a vacation
will require 40,000 RCI Points. The subscribing member has a balance of 34,000
RCI Points. So, the member is 6,000 RCI Points shy of what is needed. The
subscribing member can then borrow the 6,000 RCI Points from the next Use Year.

Planning Ahead. RCI Points Reservation
Windows make it easy for owners to plan in advance. Each type of reservation
has a different “window of opportunity” when home resort or home
group reservations can be requested with little competition from other RCI
subscribing members.

Easy exchanges. One of the big advantages
for RCI Points subscribing members is ease of use. Vacations are not limited to
a week and owners exchange their RCI Points only for the days they use. Owners
whose resorts are very desirable might leverage several vacations out of a
single week. On the other hand, owners of less desirable vacation weeks can
save and borrow points to upgrade their vacation experience.

RCI is always
looking at ways to better serve its affiliated resorts and their owners with
new options and enhanced services. In fact, RCI plans to make some enhancements
to RCI Points to make the program even better and more valuable for its
affiliated resorts and its subscribing members.

 (1) With ..92 annual exchanges per member,
the RCI Points program has one of the best utilization rates of any vacation
ownership exchange program in the industry.

OK, I know this has nothing to do with timeshares, but I’m a big fan of prudent retirement planning!  If oyu can plan to have the cash to take advantage of this Social Security planning, I highly recommend it! 

Wall Street Journal 16-17 Aug-08 page B2ASK ENCORE | Focus on Retirement - By Kelly A Social-Security Play: Paybacks for Bigger Checks 

I started taking Social Security at age 62, and now I am 70.I read someplace that Social Security will allow me to return all the money I collected from 62 until now and let me restart. This would mean I would collect a much higher monthly rate, and after eight to 10 years, I would get back the money I sent in because of the higher monthly payments. Can I do this?

It may sound too good to be true, but the strategy is legal. You can pay back your Social Security retirement benefits— and then file a new application allowing you to receive larger monthly checks, based on your older age.Consider this example: A married couple, both 70, started collecting Social Security retirement benefits in their early 60s and each will get $13,250 this year. But if they had waited to apply now, each would get $20,693 a year, or 56% more, according to an example developed using ESPlanner, a computer program designed by two economists to calculate “your highest sustainable living standard.”(To read about this example in more detail, go to www.ESPlanner.com click on “Case Studies,” and then click on “Double Dip on Social Security”)There is some paperwork involved. You must file Social Security Form 521, “Request for Withdrawal of Application.” (You can download it at ssa.gov/online/ssa-521.pdf. Instructions at: ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.15/handbook-1515.html.) When you return your past benefits, you won’t owe any interest, and there’s no adjustment for inflation. You also may be able to recover federal income taxes you paid on those benefits. Internal Revenue Service Publication 915 has instructions and worksheets, starting on page 15, to help you work through the taxes. (Go to irs.gov, click on “More Forms and Publications,” and then scroll down to Publication 915.).What’s the catch? There really isn’t any in your situation, given that you already have received Social Security retirement benefits for a number of years. Assuming you have the cash on hand to pay back the money, you can start collecting bigger monthly checks shortly thereafter. “It’s very straightforward,” says B.J. Jarrett, a Social Security Administration spokesman in Baltimore.For people in their early 60s who are considering taking Social Security payments earlier than they otherwise would specifically to use this strategy, there is an outside chance that the rules could change before they would be able to do so. But that seems unlikely—unless an onslaught of retirees with the discipline and financial wherewithal to pay back the money suddenly start doing the same thing.  

I couldn’t resist sharing a deal like this, even if I found it almost two months after it started!

Summer Fun Pass Begins

This week [Mid Jun-08] begins the Southern CA Resident only promotion, the new Summer Fun Pass for the Disneyland Resort. You can pick up the Ticket (Gift Card) at most major Southern California Supermarkets (Stater Bros., VONS, Ralphs, Food4Less, Albertsons and Gelson’s). These tickets are also available at the Southern California Disney Stores and Disney Desks (Concierge style locations at selected Shopping Malls), but you MUST buy them in advance, and are not available at the Main Entrance Plaza at the Disneyland Resort.

This ticket is just for Southern California Residents, and are clearly marked that every person who uses the ticket should have proof of living in the correct zip codes (US ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California, Mexico residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999.) In the past, Disney has not checked every person using similar types of tickets, but they do check, at least on occasion, so be prepared to have the proper ID. For a kid, the parent/adult needs to have the proper ID. The same ticket is valid for adults and children at the same promotional price.

This special promotion requires that the first day of use to be on or before August 30th, 2008, and then you have 45 days to use the other 2 days. (Ticket is Blocked out on July 4th, 2008).

The current price of a regular 3 day ParkHopper is $189 for adults at the Disneyland Resort Ticket Booths, or $169 if you buy it in advance at Disneyland.com. (Kids 3 through 9 are normally $30 less, but the Summer Fun Pass price of $99 is for all ages), so this offer is about half the price, and instead of the normal 2 week period to use all 3 days, the “Summer Fun Pass” allows you more than 6 weeks to use the last 2 days.

Disney is also allowing the full price of $99 to be applied to upgrading to any Annual Pass, including both Southern California versions. So for someone who does not have a current Annual Pass, you can visit 3 times during the summer, which is blocked out for Southern California Annual Passes, and then on the third day, take the ticket to the Bank of Main Street and for just a few dollars more, get a Southern California or Southern California Select Annual Pass.

OK, I’ve been writing off and on for about a month now, hoping to learn a few things about blogging!  I’m looking forward to seeing user comments, I mean REAL comments!  I receive 2-20 spam comments each day for drugs, sex, and other misc items I know nothing about!  So please be kind to me and let me know I have interesting words for you!  Let me know a few tips of your own for timesharing, such as what resort you like to buy with the best ability to secure exchanges for other resorts.  Or better yet, tell me a few things you like about your resort, the points system you use, the best discounts you receive and why you receive them (Direct purchaser, elite level achieved by buying xxx amount of units/points).  I’d love to hear what you don’t like (OK, Pandora’s box, don’t tell me everything!).

So go ahead and help me feel better!  Show me you like my simple blog!  Submit a real comment!

I’m receiving notices for annual meetings at a number of timeshares I own.  What strikes me as most inconvenient is Diamond Resorts International setting dates for proximity related resorts a week apart.  For example, the DRI US Collection owners meeting (Formerly Club Sunterra Vacations I, or the “Florida 19 Resort Trust) is October 14 in Las Vegas but the DRI Polo Towers annual meeting is on October 8.  What’s an owner to do if they want to attend both meetings?  Two trips to Las Vegas or an 8 night trip.  I think they do this on purpose in order to REDUCE the number of owners attending.  I haven’t been to the DRI Greensprings Vacation Resort and The Historic Powhatan Plantation Resort annual meetings yet but they used to be on two separate days, one day apart.  A gentleman who is a very large owner (far larger than me and I own about 250,000 annual Club points as well as about 30 contracts which are not in Club) said DRI changed the meeetings to be about a week apart to allow the resorts to better prepare and support owner needs.  What a bunch of popycock!  How is it better for owners who own at both resorts if the meetings are father apart?

Anyway, I’m going to create a page on my blog to keep track of the annual meetings for all resorts.  I’ll probably only add dates as I receive notices so it will take a year for me to list all the annual meetings for resorts I own.  Anyone who wishes to help me may contact me thru my blog, post comments for me, call me at 714 - three two eight - 7121 or e-mail me at bus01 @ mnop . biz or check out my websites to contact me www.TimeshareVacationNow.com or www.TimeshareRentalsNow.com

Here’s my initial list of owner meetings

DRI Diamond Resorts International

- DRI Daytona Beach Regency Wednesday, November 19, 2008, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

- DRI Greensprings Vacation Resort

- The Historic Powhatan Plantation Resort Sunday, December 2, 2007 2:00 p.m. EST, at the Bruton Heights Education Center, 301 First Street, Williamsburg, Virginia

- DRI Polo Towers October 08 2008 in Las Vegas

- DRI US Collection (Formerly Club Sunterra Vacations I, or the “Florida 19 Resort Trust) October 14 2008 in Las Vegas

ROYAL HOLIDAY CLUB ASSOCIATION April 24, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. local time at the Resort Hyatt Cancún Caribe Villas & Resort, in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Wyndham Vacation Resorts

- Daytona Bech Ocean Walk on or about 22-May-08

- FairShare Vacation Owners Association Annual Meeting in Orlando on May 29 2008

I haven’t been keeping track of my current complaints, but heres a sample.  Note how some issues come back even after they get fixed!

21-Jan-08

• I submitted about 6 feedbacks, didn’t start recording them until the one below
  • In previous I said dates and location change back to an initial entered date after I last cleared my cache, too short time before my session is terminated, sometimes I get week before and week after but others I get only the week after when unite the week before are available, I could use a download ability, want to be a beta tester
• I am searching DBR and when I pass 17-Jan-09 the search results say there is no availability.
• 1) At the minimum this should search to 21-jan-09 for checkin, but since I’m in DRUSC (CSV1) I should be able to see to late Feb-09.  Yesterday I did a similar search for Feb-09, had the same problem, and had to call Club reservations to check the availability, which there was, right up to just before Race Weeks BIG SUNDAY on 15-Feb-09!  Why can’t I do it online?

22-Jan-08

• Hi, It’s Peter Chocholak again! 

-        When making a reservation the conf page does not show my room request information.

-        The e-mail confirmation also does not show the room requests I submitted.

-        After making a reservation I am not able to add a guest online.  I was able to do this on the Sunterra system.

-        When I need to look up an existing reservation, I can no longer (as I could in the Sunterra system) click ahead or to the end of my reservations.  I have about a dozen pages and if I need to get to the last reservation I must click a dozen times to get to it.

-        Currently the reservations are in conf order.  Please allow me to search and sort by conf number, resort, date, unit type, etc (search or sort on each field available in the Itinerary table)

24-Jan-08

-        The reservation search keeps “bombing” - yesterday I could close the page, start a new session, log out, log in, and get a search.  Sometimes I had to clear my cookies.  But today it just keeps bombing, or when I search for 7 nights it shows me avail for 3.  I think this last problem is because when I click the checkin date and then click the checkout, your system is running so slow it changes the checkout to 3 days after checkin even though I just set it to 7.

18-Mar-08

-        For the past few days the website is very slow for the login.  Once I reach the reservations page it’s not as bas, but still slow.

-        For three days now when I try to book a unit I am dumped to a page which says an error ocurred.  I believe it is due to my 0 available points in 2008, but I actually have 10,586 (soon to be less because I’m on the phone to make a booking) prepaid points remaining from “borrowing” from 2009.  Yesterday I was told I should still be able to book online since the system should first tell me I don’t have points, but then still allow since I actually have the 10,586.  I’m about to book using 1,200 points.

20-Mar–08

-        This is my second submittal, but for a week now the site is excruciatingly slow?  Is this happening to everyone or is it a direct result of when I borrowed 2009 points on

14-Mar-08?

-        Coincidentally my problems with the site began after I borrowed the points.  My 2008 bal is 0 but I still have prepaid 2009 points (about 10k) to use for 2008.  Peter 714-328-7121

24-Mar-08

-        I can only see contract 1351006 rather than all my contracts under the Summary Page

27-Mar-08

-        Hi! It’s Peter Chocholak 799522 again!  When I book a reservation online and add a guest, the confirmation page includes the guest and when I e-mail the conf it also includes the guest.  HOWEVER, if I book the reservation over the phone, then log into my account, the guest name is not shown online AND is not shown when I e-mail a conf!  I believe if I later log into my account to look at a reservation I made online, I have the same problem!

18-May-08

-        I see there is now an inline method to add/change a guest at a later time after making the intitial reservation!  I tried it today and while it would allow me to change the Guests’ e-mail, phone, address, it would not let me change the Guest Name (non-editable fields for FNam and LName).

-        My apologies for my “I can’t add a guest after the fact”.  I noticed the option to change farther to the right of the screen!  However, after I added the guest to the reservation and saved, I am returned to a home page.  Please return the user to the reservation which has just been updated!

LODGING-        Exchange No. 011490109 Confirmed To: 
Westgate
Flamingo
Bay 5625 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV, 89103  702-251-3435 • WFB Unit: UUU2 (2 bedrooms) Week: 21 Sun, May 27, 2007 to Sun, June 03, 2007-        http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&&itid=&itdx=&itty=new&from=m-        Expedia has good info on the resort, go to Expedia and search for “

Westgate
Flamingo
Bay”-        http://www.wgflamingobay.com/resort.asp-        I’m liking the BBQ, pool/hot tub, awesome looking room, and interesting activities-        Activities http://www.westgateresorts.com/resources/pdfs/activity_guide_flamingoBay.pdf

-        The activities are a bit more focused on kids than at the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya (Best resort I’ve Stayed at yet!), but there’s still hoops competition, ping pong, mini golf competition, horse shoes, a blackjack and poker night, a Pool Party BBQ, and wine and cheese social!  They also have board games, water basketball and water volleyball, shuffleboard (old folks, look out!), but the morning exercise walk was disappointing.  I mean, take me on a walk to see something interesting.  If I want to walk thru boring neighborhoods I can do that on my own!

ACTIVITIES

-        Legends of the Fall - great impersonators  [we got these at the half price ticket places]

-        Cirque du Soleil:  KA (awesome) and Zumanity (interesting but not a performance to go back to)

-        Lance Burton - best magician in Vegas.  He’s not as campy or flashy and doesn’t profit off of exotic animals. He just puts in an honest  night’s work making stuff disappear and reappear, with a great deal of square humor.  At The
Monte Carlo, 702-730-7160. Wednesday-Saturday, 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 p.m. Price: $66.50 and up.

-        UltraLounges

1.     Caramel, Bellagio Hotel Hours: Nightly, 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. Cover charge: None Information: 702-693-8300

2.     Light, Bellagio Hotel Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Cover charge: $20, or complimentary for local women Information: 702-693-8300

3.     Risqué, Paris
Las Vegas Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Cover charge: $20 for men, $10 for women and local men, complimentary for local women Information: 702-946-4589 At Risqué, the male and female restrooms are separated by a translucent wall creating silhouetted views of the opposite gender.

4.     Tabu, MGM Grand (

5.     Mist,
Treasure Island Hours: Nightly, 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Cover charge: None Information: 702-693-8300

6.     After a decadent dinner at Ah Sin, the stylish pan-Asian restaurant downstairs, couples can nuzzle on private terraces and enjoy treats by a French pastry chef at the city’s first free-standing dessert bar. Unattached patrons can ogle female servers in short black dresses or, at one of the bars, Kama Sutra dolls in various sexual positions.

7.     Playboy Club/Moon Nightclub (The Palms? 4321 W. Flamingo Road; 702-942-7777; cover $40), a unique two-in-one ultralounge and dance club connected by escalators and a uniform cover charge on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the Palms’ new Fantasy Tower. The lower level is the sleek Playboy Club.  For a more energetic experience, there’s the upper-level 12,500-square-foot Moon Nightclub with the only retractable roof over a dance floor in
North America.

8.     Pure (

9.  Light (

10.  Ghostbar - exquisite sidelong view of the Strip (

11.  Studio 54 (

12.  Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub (Treasure Island

13.  Seahorse Lounge One of the cutest, most clever lounges in Las Vegas is the Seahorse Lounge (

-        First Friday - (702-384-0092), a monthly four-hour crawl among about 50 galleries, restaurants, thrift shops and other funky locales in downtown
Las Vegas. The event usually runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with a special trolley that ferries attendees between nine stations in an area of about two square miles. This event was generally disappointing.  It is not comprised of attractive arts as the
Laguna Beach art & wine (held first Tuesday or Thursday each month), and most places offering refreshments charged for them.  This is more of a teenagers’ street fair with twenty somethings in funk also having fun.  In my opinion, even for the twenty somethings this event would rate fairly low, except for the possibility
Las Vegas doesn’t offer them anything better.  There are many antique stores with amazing collections, but you won’t find any bargains.

Remember me when you’re booking lodging!  Peter 714 - three two eight - 7121 www.TimeshareVacationNow.com and www.TimeshareRentalsNow.com

It’s bad enough that DRI changed their buyback program.  If you didn’t know, DRI has a buyback program where (until mid 2008) an owner who paid $16,000 for a timeshare could sell it back to DRI for $800 to $2,000.  That sounds pretty bad, especially since DRI re-packages the timeshare into its sales program and re-sells it effectively for $5,000 to $20,000.  But since mid 2008 DRI now buys those units for $100 to $700 and charges the timeshare owner $300 to $600 to transfer the unit back to themselves!  DRI often charges more to transfer a timeshare back to itself than timeshare closing companies do!

Add to that a new policy in Jul-08 where DRI has decided to charge a $250 transfer fee for all sales and transfers (except in a few cases where legally they are not allow to), and their 2008 $70 assessment to Club owners (Club owners pay about $155 to $300 each year depending on ownership/membership type) which might be incorporated as a standard additional fee.

But what really rips me today is what appears to be a new policy affecting Club owners with short term reservations made at their own resorts.  Until June or July 2008, owners in Club were allowed to reserve at their resort anytime of the week without incurring a 10% point premium other Club owners would pay if they were not direct owners of the resort.  This was true regardless of whether the reservation was made 60 days or more in advance, or during the discount window of less than 60 days in advance.  For the past two months I have had to call central reservations becuase the DRI website has included the 10% premium.  When I called in and explained I was an owner at the resort, the reservations people, after conferring with their supervisors, would properly adjust the reservation to remove the 10% premium.  However, today I was told this had not been policy EVER.  Even after providing dozens of examples and asking to elevate the issue to a lead, then a supervisor, DRI would not admit they implemented a policy change.  After extensive review of documents and examples DRI finally admitted deeded owners were not subject to the 10% mid week premium at their resorts, but any discounts available for sub 60 day stays were based on “THE STANDARD POINTS RATE” for the reservation.  As DRI sees it the standard rate for mid week checkin is 10% higher than checking in Fri/Sat/Sun and as such I now pay 10% more.  They now view my rate during the week as a waiver of the standard rate rather than an exemption to the 10% premium.

Clever of them, I must admit.  Now if I just could contact a large enough group of owners to consider alternatives to DRI managing our Club membership, or other such actions to regain control of our benefits … call me or comment!

Well, I finally bought a rare 2BR unit on the resale market at the DRI Kaanapali Beach Club.  My primary intent is to re-sell it but I want to be a weeks owner for a while so I can see how the resort reservations works compared to the corporate Club reservations.  In the process I am experiencing one of the most troublesome closing experiences ever.  The company selling the unit to me is great, and is very customer service focused in resolving problems.  But Summit Title in Orlando, FL 32801 is HORRIFIC!  They fail to deliver documents, then want to charge a fee to “re-deliver”, then deliver docs via e-mail in 8.5×14″ (Legal) format for std 8.5×11″ docs (when I attempted to print, the top of the docs got cut by my printer since it didn’t know what to do with the 14″ doc), and since I’m buying two time shares from the seller, Summit Title mixed the paperwork together.  When they send e-mail they refer to one timeshare in the header but discuss the second timeshare in the message!  Very confusing.

In the meantime www.timesharetransferonline.com recorded a deed from another seller which referred to two different fixed week units.  They have been very responsive in fixing the problem, but took 5 months to complete the close.

I do my own closings now when I sell timeshares.  I completed a close in 40 days for a DRI Powhatan Plantation this month, my first closing!  I don’t understand why it takes closing companies 60-90 days to do the job.  Check me out www.capecomputers.net and soon www.timesharevacationnow.com and www.timesharerentalsnow.com

Depending on how long the timeshare has been owned, or the policies of the timeshare company/resort, units at the same resort can be weeks or points based, or both.

The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas timeshare is a delightful experience, and this summer with the oil and airfare crisis there is no better time to stay at the resort!  1BR units which rented from timeshare owners last summer for $4,000/wk (and directly from the resort for $4,500-$8,000/wk) can be had for $2,700 right now!  Studios for $1,700 and 2BR for $4,400/wk!  And you can’t rent 2BR units from the resort, you have to rent from an owner!  Call Peter at 714-328-7121 www.mnop.biz to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

Westin has two phases on Maui, both in the same complex.  The original phase which is about 5 yrs old is also referred to as the South Phase and the new phase is officially Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas North, or North Phase.  North opened in 2007.  Westin recently opened the Westin Princeville in 2008 as well!

I rent timeshares for a living.  Admitting I’m involved in the timeshare industry makes me feel dirty.  A very large portion of all my experiences with timeshares is not positive.  Every portion of the “not positive” has to do with people in the timeshare industry though!  Using and enjoying the benefits of timesharing have been extremely enjoyable.  Why can’t the people in the timeshare industry be just as honest and enjoyable?  I’m stiving to change that … one timeshare rental or sale at a time!  Check me out at www.mnop.biz or www.capecomputers.net - I’m about to launch timeshare related websites this month as well!

Back to “the last minute”.  80% of the people inquiring to rent a timeshare attemt to do this less than 60 days in advance, and most of them attemt to plan less than 3 weeks in advance.  This conflicts with the basic timeshare process being that timeshare availability to owners is best four to twelve months in advance.  To be certain, a lot of owners get nervous holding onto a reservation to the last minute and so renters at times can secure fantastic deals for lat minute planning because the owners don’t want to have an unused unit!  Please reconsider!  Timeshare owners already offer tremendous value in contrast to renting directly from the resort.  I know you want a great bargain, but nearly ANY price an owner offers their unit for is far lower than the cost of paying the resort direct.  Just wait until you are a timeshare owner (hey, never say never!) and want to rent your unit.  You won’t believe the number of scams you must be aware of, people promising to rent your unit if you just pay them $300 to $900 first!  Then bargain hunters want to rent a unit with $900 annual maintenance for $600 when the resort charges $2,500?

I rescinded my Wyndham purchase (Fairfield at the time) by fax AND certified mail.  They were very straight about it and the fax method was fine.  Can never be too certain though.

While I feel Wyndham has degraded the VIP status, re-sale is not they way for a number of people.  I ended up buying 1.3 million points re-sale but there are two significant VIP benefits I am not eligible for.
- Free room upgrades when booking less than 60 days in advance
- 50% points discount when booking less than 60 days in advance
OK, not many people will use 1 million points/yr, but if you do then if you book most of your trips less than 60 days in advance then buying 1 million points and using them like 2 mil (or more if upgrades are available)effectively means you are paying half the maintence.  Granted, it would take a lot of time for that to pay off, but it does pay off. 

Throw in early checkin and a few other perks and the direct purchase has very specific value.  I’m not going to buy direct for that, but I do think it’s worthwhile.  I’ve bought direct with Diamond in order to get rtesale purchases back into full Club benefits.  That’s proven to be very worthwhile for me.  But I understand a lot of people don’t want to pay the extra money.  It’s OK, just remember there are people who will decide the money is worth it for the added benefits.  But if you don’t know your options, many people are also missing out on the resale market values!