So, you’ve probably heard the name Bluegreen tossed around when folks chat about vacation ownership or timeshares. But what the heck is it, really? And more importantly—should you even bother booking their deals? I’m gonna walk y’all through the whole shebang, from what Bluegreen even means to whether their deals might be worth your hard-earned cash. Spoiler alert: It’s not as simple as “buy and chill.”
What Is Bluegreen, Anyway?
Okay, picture this: It’s 1966, and a company pops up promising you a slice of paradise—not just once, but year after year. That’s Bluegreen for you. They’re basically a vacation ownership company that’s been around forever, dealing in timeshares and vacation club memberships.
- Founded way back in the day: 1966 (yeah, they’ve got history)
- Type: Timeshare and vacation ownership company
- Offerings: Timeshares, points-based memberships, and access to resorts
- Resorts scattered all over: From Florida’s sunny beaches to the Smoky Mountains (and even beyond US borders)
Honestly, the whole idea is to let you lock down vacations in advance so you’re not stressing over flights or hotels every year. Sounds dreamy, right?
How Does Bluegreen Work? The Nitty-Gritty
So here’s where it gets a bit tangled—Bluegreen uses a points system. Nope, not Monopoly money, but real points you buy and redeem.
- You purchase points or timeshare weeks.
- Points can be spent at tons of resorts in their network.
- Want to swap your week or points for another location? You can, usually via an exchange program.
- Flexibility is the name of the game here, but, like, with fine print attached.
I learned the hard way that the points system isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. You think, “Cool, I’ll book that beach house in March.” Then you realize your points only cover a partial stay or it’s blackout season. Ugh.
Types of Bluegreen Ownership: Breaking It Down
Timeshare Weeks: The Classic Way
You get a fixed week—say, the third week of July at a resort. That’s your slot every year. Predictable but… kinda rigid.
Or, you might get a rotating week, which means your vacation week hops around the calendar. Fun? Maybe. Confusing? Definitely.
Points-Based Membership: The “Choose Your Own Adventure”
This is where things get fancy. Instead of owning a single week, you own points.
Points = more options.
Want a long weekend in the mountains or a full week at the beach? Your points decide.
But heads up: points don’t always translate neatly to days. Sometimes you need more points for a swankier room or peak seasons. Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged.
Vacation Club Membership
This is a newer-ish thing where you pay annual fees, get points, and can book stays across a wide network of resorts.
Sounds flexible, but I gotta ask—do you really wanna keep paying year after year? Maintenance fees are the sneaky ninjas here.
Bluegreen Resorts: Where Do You Get to Stay?
The company boasts over 60 resorts. They’re in:
- Florida (hello, sunshine!)
- Caribbean spots (beach vibes, baby)
- The Great Smoky Mountains (mountain air and hiking boots)
- And more random spots I bet you never thought about
My buddy Pete from down the street still raves about a Bluegreen resort near the Gulf Coast. Says the pool was wicked nice, and the kids had a blast. Meanwhile, I’m still haunted by the smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019. No relation, but hey, memories stick.
Booking Bluegreen Deals: What’s the Catch?
Promotions That Sound Too Good to Be True
Like clockwork, Bluegreen dangled discounted vacations or free weekends in front of me. I fell for it once—hella fun trip but then came the pitch. The dreaded timeshare sales presentation.
If you’re offered a “free” vacation in exchange for sitting through a presentation, brace yourself.
What Happens at These Presentations?
Salespeople armed with smiles and charts show you how owning a slice of paradise is a no-brainer.
They’ll talk financing, points, perks, and… fees.
Yes, fees—the ones that pop up every year like an unwanted relative at Thanksgiving.
Bluegreen Deals: Pros and Cons (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to lots of resorts | High upfront costs |
| Flexibility with points | Annual maintenance fees can be a pain |
| Nice resort amenities | Pressure sales tactics |
| Options to exchange points | Resale market is tricky |
Yeah, it’s a mixed bag. When my cousin tried selling his timeshare, it was like trying to get rid of an old pet rock. No buyers.
Should You Book Bluegreen Deals? My Two Cents
If you’re a once-a-year vacay kinda person, this might be overkill.
But if you love getting away, like clockwork, and hate last-minute booking chaos, maybe Bluegreen could work for you.
Just, please, do your homework.
Tips for Booking Bluegreen Deals Without Losing Your Mind
- Do your research. Read reviews. Ask questions.
- Attend presentations with a notebook, but also an escape plan.
- Don’t be shy to negotiate.
- Remember, you can always say no.
Alternatives to Bluegreen
Honestly, sometimes just booking a nice Airbnb or hotel is easier. Or snagging a hotel loyalty card.
Or maybe try other vacation clubs if you’re hellbent on ownership.
What Do Real People Say?
Some folks swear by Bluegreen resorts, praising the amenities and family vibes.
Others warn about the pressure sales and rising fees.
My neighbor Tina swears her kale patch cured her Zoom fatigue—and she’s not wrong. But that’s a story for another time.
The Bottom Line
Bluegreen isn’t a bad deal if you know what you’re getting into. But timeshares and points systems are complicated beasts.
Fast forward past three failed attempts at booking peak season stays: I’m sticking to hotel apps and hoping for the best.
