Plan a Florida Timeshare Vacation in Hurricane Season

Planning a Florida timeshare vacation —or for Caribbean timeshare, Mexico, or South Carolina getaway right in the middle of hurricane season might be a better idea than you think. First consider that hurricane season is … it officially begins on June 1 and doesn’t end until November 1. That’s a full six months that take you from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving and include many of the months that families want and need to plan a holiday at a Florida timeshare or other “hurricane zone” location.

Instead of giving up on the idea of taking a timeshare vacation in hurricane season, just do a little extra planning.

• Look at the peak of the season’s activity in the area where you are headed. For a Florida timeshare vacation, that peak would the last two weeks in August and the first two weeks in September. Although hurricanes can happen at any time during “hurricane season,” more than 90 percent of those that impact land in Florida occur during the peak four-week window.
• Find out if your timeshare offers a cancellation protection plan, such as the Points Protection Plan offered by Bluegreen Vacations, which helps you protect your valuable timeshare points during hurricane season. The Bluegreen Vacations Points Protection Plan is available for $39.95 per reservation, with discounts for Premier and Traveler Plus™ members. To learn more about Bluegreen Vacations Points Protection, go to Bluegreen Online or call 800.456.2582.
• Enjoy the fact that if you do vacation during September, you will benefit from smaller crowds at restaurants, attractions, and theme parks. This has nothing to do with hurricane season, but reflects the fact that many parents are unwilling to take their children out of school during the first month back in session.
• Lastly, if you do find yourself on vacation during severe weather, don’t be a thrill seeker. Follow the directions of authorities regarding evacuations and other storm relevant guidelines. While it may seem exciting to say you rode out the storm at your timeshare, even the most appealing resort loses its charm if it also loses electricity and drinking water, and if you are stuck inside day after day. Be safe and be smart when it comes to knowing when to head for another location.