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[Q=bman2p] [Q=schultzie6] I always become perplexed by the complaint of being charged a fee for Massanutten amenities. When you go to Busch Gardens, Disney, Myrtle Beach or the OBX ... do you not pay for mini-golf? go-carting? waterparks? evening entertainment? Do you not drive to these activities? Do you not wait in long lines at a waterpark? There are plenty of *free* things to do at Massanutten - 2 playgrounds, hiking trails, 4 indoor/outdoor swimming pools, softball tournaments, horse shoe tournaments, family scavenger hunts, use of the indoor sports complexes (pools, racquetball courts, ping-pong, gymnasium for volleyball & basketball, weight room), use of the *dozens* of outdoor basketball, tennis & volleyball courts and trout-stocked ponds. I cannot speak for the Casa de Campo condos - I have heard that the quality of these units are not good -- but I cannot understand the complaint of 'driving' around the resort because if you vacationed at ANY of the locations mentioned above ... you would have to 'drive' to most family activities. Most people love the fact that you don't have to leave the resort property all week to find something to do -- yes, mini-golf is $5 -- that's what it costs when I am at home too -- yes, go-carting is $6 but when I went to Disney it was $8 --- yes, the magic show is $10 but when I went to the beach last summer I paid $20; if price is a concern you could attend Massanutten's family movie night on Tuesday evenings. The price is $1. I completely agree that Massanutten should build another pool but I really just don't understand why people complain about *paying* for activities at Massanutten & don't complain about it when they go to the beach or Disney. By the way, I own a year-round vacation house at Massanutten. If you have a question, feel free to ask.[/Q] I guess we are spoiled becasue we own at Smuggler's Notch, Vermont. We don't pay extra for these things. The nightly entertainment is included (with the exception of paying for a Bingo card at Bingo, but you also have the option of playing for candy for free). We don't pay for mini golf. There are no go-carts (thank goodness!) There are 5 pools, one of which is like a water park - we don't pay to use those either. The kids' camp activities are included with our ownership. We were particularly frustrated with the fact that we traded for Woodstone - within walking distance of the pool and activity center. We did this specifically so that our (teen) kids could go on their own to activities. Instead, we were put in Casa de Campo (Casa de Cheapo), a mile away. Yes, the kids can walk a mile -- but there is no sidewalk; you eiither walk on the road where cars speed, or have to walk through the golf course, which they know better than to do. And no, we don't have to drive to things at Smuggs either. Our car stays parked unless we leave the resort to go sightseeing. The kids can walk to everything, or call for a free shuttle. Clearly, our expectations were too high. Beyond these things, it was the general policies of the resort that we found aggravating. Thirty minute line to check in. Classes for the week already filled on the day we checked in so that we couldn't even taken advantage of the $100 activity card we paid for. Having to arrive 1 1/2 hours in advance for the evening entertainment in order to get a seat. Inconsistent policies regarding showing ID cards at facilities. Overcrowded everything. Things like that. I'm happy you're happy with Massanutten - we weren't, and we won't be back.[/Q] **We too own @ Smuggs (week 6 & week 25; with floating weeks) -- when I rent my Smuggs unit during the summer, the guest needs to pay a $255/family fee to use the pools with waterslides & also has to pay for kids camps & skate park camps. For a family with 3 children this would equal almost $1000.00 -- or someone could rent directly from Smuggs Resort and pay $2,850.00 for the weekly rental and full use of all facilities/camps. I agree that the check-in line is ridiculous and the administrative staff should certainly be able to diminish the chaos. Regarding driving, Massanutten Resort is a 6,000 acre resort. When we use our Smugglers Notch timeshare we have to drive down to the "Village" area since we own in the Sycamore units & when purchasing, the timeshare the owner needs to decide whether or not to purchase the 20 year Family Activity package (dependant upon the family size, this can run an extra $2,000 - $5,500) -- unless of course you purchased a timeshare from the resort sales staff which can run upwards of $35,000 for a 2 Bdrm unit (instead of on resale at 50% below the resort prices). I agree that Massanutten is not for everyone ... neither is Smuggs. But quite honestly, I own at both Smuggs and Massanutten ... personally, my family of 6 kids (9 - 21) prefer Massanutten. JMHO