Whether you’re a current owner or are considering purchasing a timeshare at Grand Timber Lodge, understanding the reservation process is an important part of getting the most out of your ownership. This article provides a detailed overview of how the summer and winter reservation systems work, including the steps owners need to take to secure their vacation weeks. Additionally, we’ll break down the lottery system used when demand exceeds availability. Whether you’re an owner navigating the process or a prospective buyer exploring your options, this guide will help you make informed decisions.
Reservation Procedures for Owners
Grand Timber Lodge has a structured reservation system to ensure fairness and accessibility for all owners. Here’s how it works:
- Booking Windows: Owners can reserve their vacation weeks during designated booking windows:
- Winter Reservations: The booking window typically runs from the second Monday of December to the second Friday of January for the following winter season.
- Summer Reservations: The booking window usually spans from the second Monday of May to the first Friday of June for the upcoming summer season.
- Submission of Preferences: During these windows, owners submit their preferred check-in dates:
- Two-bedroom owners must provide at least 15 preferred check-in dates.
- Three-bedroom owners must submit a minimum of 10 preferred check-in dates.
- Assignment Process: After the booking window closes, the Breckenridge Grand Vacations Owner Relations Department assigns reservations based on owners’ preferences. The system prioritizes first-choice dates and continues to allocate based on second, third, and subsequent choices until all available inventory is assigned.
- Special Requests: Once confirmations are sent, owners can make additional requests, such as renting out their unit or depositing it into an exchange program.
Understanding the Rotational Lottery System
When demand exceeds availability for specific weeks, Grand Timber Lodge employs a rotational lottery system to ensure equitable access. Here’s how it works:
- Historical Data: The system considers up to four years of reservation history to determine each owner’s priority. If an owner has fewer than four years of data, the system uses what is available. For new owners with no prior data, a random priority value is assigned, excluding the range of values for owners who were not assigned any check-in days based on their preferences.
- Assigning Values: Each reservation match is assigned a value:
- A 1st choice match is assigned a value of 1.
- A 2nd choice match is assigned a value of 2, and so on.
- Owners who were not assigned any check-in days based on their preferences receive the highest value.
- Averaging Scores: The system calculates an average score for each owner by dividing the total of their assigned values by the number of years of data available.
- Reversing the List: The list of priority values is reversed, so owners with the highest average values (indicating fewer successful matches in the past) are placed at the top of the list. In the event of a tie, the system randomly orders the tied values.
- Assignment: Starting from the top of the priority list, reservations are assigned based on each owner’s preferences. If an owner’s 1st choice is unavailable, the system moves to their 2nd choice, and so on. If none of an owner’s choices are available, they are placed in the “unassigned” group and given the highest priority for the next reservation cycle.
This system ensures that all owners have a fair chance to secure their preferred vacation weeks over time.
Special Considerations for Multiple Week Owners
For owners who hold more than one week of vacation ownership at Grand Timber Lodge, there are additional options and priorities available during the reservation process:
- Winter Owners: If you own multiple winter weeks and prefer not to reserve weeks 7–13, you can request consecutive or simultaneous check-in days through the online reservation system. These requests are given priority over owners who only own a single winter week.
- Summer Owners: Similarly, summer owners with multiple weeks who do not wish to reserve weeks 24–31 can also request consecutive or simultaneous check-in days. These requests are prioritized over single-week summer owners.
Conclusion
Grand Timber Lodge offers a well-organized and equitable reservation system, ensuring that all owners can enjoy their vacation weeks in the stunning Breckenridge area. The lottery system adds an extra layer of fairness, while the resale restrictions emphasize the need for careful consideration when purchasing a timeshare on the secondary market. Whether you’re a current owner or exploring the idea of timeshare ownership, understanding these procedures and policies is key to making the most of your investment.
