As discussed earlier in this chapter, much of the timeshare market in the outheast revolves around the city of Orlando, Florida, because of the nearby Walt Disney World and other theme parks. Disney itself has gotten into the timeshare game with the Disney Vacation Club, which includes a handful of properties in Orlando as well as others in up-and-coming Southeast timeshare locations such as Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Here is a look at a few Southeast timeshares that continually receive high rankings from exchange companies and consumer groups alike.

Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, North Carolina

This Resort Condominiums International Gold Crown property is in the picturesque Blue Mountains and includes an on-site restaurant housed in a restored 1800s estate building. Hiking is a main activity, with twenty-six miles of trails adjacent to the resort. Other things to do include seasonal paddle-boating and trout fishing on the nearby lake.

Charlotte is the nearest international airport, about ninety miles away. Units are one- or two-bedroom, with the larger sleeping six people privately. All the units have full kitchens, private laundry facilities, and fireplaces. The resort itself offers tennis, a swimming pool, a game room, a health club, and more — including conference facilities for business travelers.

Disney's Beach Club Villas, Orlando, Florida

Pastel colors and Atlantic seaside décor contribute to the ambience at this timeshare resort — which is within walking distance of Epcot and a boat ride away from Disney-MGM Studios. Units come in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom configurations. The smallest units, the studios, sleep four people — in one queen-size bed and one double-size sleeper sofa. Also in the studios are kitchenettes with microwave ovens, under-counter refrigerators, wet bars, and coffee makers.

The resort's amenities include Martha's Vineyard Lounge where you can sample fine wines, a dueling piano bar that hosts audience sing-a-longs, a boardwalk-style area called Wildwood Landing full of skill games such as Tin Can Knock Down, and more. There is also a marina on site offering rides aboard pontoon and canopy boats, as well as specialty cruises.

Disney's Old Key West Resort, Orlando, Florida

This timeshare resort has all the tropical ambience that made Key West so famous, right down to the steel-drum music and Jimmy Buffett beats. There are four heated pools on site in addition to a kid-die pool, and the Disney Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is close by for duffers of all ages and skill sets. In addition to several eateries on site, guests can use the first-come, first-served barbecue grill areas to prepare inexpensive dinners.

Units at this resort come in studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations, with the largest timeshares sleeping twelve people on two levels that include one master bedroom, two guest bedrooms with two beds apiece, and one sleeper sofa in the living room. These large units also have full kitchens and private laundry facilities.

Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

This Interval International Five Star Award resort is just south of Myrtle Beach on the Wachesaw East Golf Course, former home of the LPGA (ladies' section) Myrtle Beach Golf Classic. There are nearly 125 championship golf courses in the area, including the one on site, which is part of Interval International's Golf Resort Program — giving members access to greens fee and lesson discounts, advance tee times, and more. Additional on-site activities include adults' and children's swimming pools, a playground, a hiking and exercise trail, a driving range, and a practice green.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive, Orlando, Florida

This is one of two Hilton Grand Vacations Club timeshare properties in Orlando (the other one being at SeaWorld). The International Drive property occupies thirty-four acres right next to the Orlando Premium Outlets and is just minutes from Walt Disney World. Its atmosphere is Mediterranean, with touches of Tuscany throughout the décor — including a piazza, gardens, and lakefront walking path.

Units come in studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations, with the largest timeshares sleeping six people privately or eight people altogether. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas all have full kitchens, private laundry facilities, and air conditioning. The resort itself offers a children's playground, several swimming pools and whirlpool spas, and picnic areas with barbecue grills. Parking is also on site.

Southwind Villas, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This Resort Condominiums International Gold Crown property boasts eight miles of paths. In addition to air conditioning, full kitchens, and private laundry facilities, each townhouse-style timeshare unit also comes with a balcony and two bicycles for you to use on the resort's paths or as transportation to the nearby beach. The nearest grocery store is two miles away, and the nearest airport is about a forty-five mile drive from the site. Other activities include a sauna, swimming pool, whirlpool tub, and tennis courts. A golf course is nearby, as are opportunities to go boating, fishing, shopping and horseback riding.

The Highlands at Sugar, Banner Elk, North Carolina

Located on Sugar Mountain in the famed Blue Ridge Mountain chain, this Interval International Five Star Award resort offers year-round activities including hiking, white-water rafting, inner tubing, fishing, bicycling, canoeing, horseback riding, ice skating, downhill and cross-country skiing, golf, tennis, and more. There are caverns and attractions nearby to keep your kids happy, while the adults in your group might enjoy touring nearby antiques shops, crafts stores, and shopping outlets.

On site at this resort, you will find an enclosed heated pool, exercise room, redwood sauna, game room, children's play area, and more. Each of the one- and two-bedroom timeshare units includes a whirlpool tub, stone fireplace, balcony, and full kitchen.

he Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Orlando, Florida

Though it is located in central Florida, this timeshare is designed with the Pacific Northwest and the great American West in mind. It has a rustic look and feel thanks to Native American and wildlife motifs that permeate its décor inside and out.

There are studios, one-bedroom units, and two-bedroom units that sleep as many as eight people. The two-bedroom units are nearly 1,100 square feet and include one master bedroom with king-size bed, another bedroom with either two queen-size beds or one bed and one sleeper sofa, plus an additional sleeper sofa in the living room. Private laundry facilities and a full kitchen are also included in these units.

The resort amenities are designed with a rustic touch, as well, including spring pools that appear to have been carved from rock, a re-creation of the Old Faithful geyser, and a game room decked out with rocker-recliner chairs.