Hilton Grand Vacations Club Timeshare Presentation - Tuscany Village Orlando

2024-12-13 - Tags: #Timeshares #Saving Money #Travel

If you're looking to enjoy a luxurious Orlando getaway at a fraction of the cost, Hilton's Grand Vacations Club timeshare presentation might be worth considering, as long as you can say 'No' to their sales team. I ended up getting a $557.72 stay for 87% off with just a couple hours of my morning.

After my initial timeshare presentation with Westgate Resorts, I sought out more opportunities for timeshare previews. I found the Hilton had many published offers on their website. For just $223.88, we enjoyed a 4-day, 3-night stay at Hilton Grand Vacations Club Tuscany Village Orlando, conveniently located near Disney World. Even better, the package offered 25,000 Hilton Honors Points, worth about $150, bringing the effective cost of the room to $75 after the presentation. This is a significant savings compared to the rack rate of $557.72, which included taxes and fees. Here's what you need to know if you're considering this experience.

The Setup

Our stay at Tuscany Village was from August 15-18, 2024. The package included the room and the promise of 25,000 Hilton Honors Points after attending the required timeshare presentation. One huge perk was that there were no taxes or resort fees due at check-in.

The room itself was basic but clean, modern, and well-maintained. It featured a king bed, a mini fridge, and a microwave, which was perfect for quick meals. While it lacked a full kitchen, this wasn't an issue for our short stay. Tuscany Village also had a huge pool, where we spent several relaxing hours.

The Tour and Presentation

The required timeshare tour took place on August 16, 2024, at 9:00 AM. Unlike Tuscany Village, the tour was held at the Hilton Grand Vacations Sales Center, located at the Parc Soleil resort, about 1.5 miles away. We had to drive to the location, but it wasn't a major inconvenience.

Upon arrival, we were offered a very basic breakfast consisting of beverages, packaged muffins, and a small selection of snacks. I grabbed about 10 snack bags of white cheddar Cheez-Its for later, but overall, the offerings were underwhelming.

The presentation itself started on time and was initially pleasant. The sales pitch, though persistent, wasn't too high-pressure. However, we made two key mistakes:

Acting too interested. This encouraged our salesman to push harder as we approached the end of the presentation.
Not being assertive when our alarm went off. We had set an alarm for the promised two-hour mark, but instead of politely ending the pitch, we let the conversation drag on.

By the time we declined the offer, our salesman became visibly irritated and stormed off to fetch his manager, also known as the "closer." After rejecting the closer's offer, the "guy from corporate" appeared with a last-ditch pitch for a sampler package. This is a common tactic where they offer a short-term timeshare trial for a few thousand dollars. We politely declined this as well.

The Gift and Final Cost

At the end of the tour, we received our promised 25,000 Hilton Honors Points, worth about $150, and left with no additional gifts besides my stash of Cheez-Its. With the points factored in, the effective cost of our stay was just $75, making this an excellent deal.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

Stay firm but polite: Show minimal interest during the presentation to avoid excessive pressure.
Set an alarm and stick to it: Don't hesitate to politely excuse yourself when your time is up.
Prepare for multiple pitches: Expect to hear from a closer and a corporate rep with alternative offers.

Final Thoughts

Despite the pushy ending to the presentation, the experience was worthwhile. The cost savings were substantial, and the Tuscany Village resort was a great place to relax and enjoy Orlando. If you're organized and prepared to handle a timeshare pitch, this program can offer significant value for your next vacation.