By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
ISLAND FALLS — For 30 years, Vacationland Estates Resort has provided people with a chance to get away from the hectic pace of touristy resorts by offering rustic, log-style cabins with spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin.
It was created with the concept that people do not wish to fight the crowds of trendy vacation destinations. Instead, they offer something those resorts cannot possibly compete with — Mother Nature.
A four-season, family resort, Vacationland Estates is located in southern Aroostook County with picturesque views of Mt. Katahdin and the surrounding area.
From their website, “the rustic log cabin style units are fully furnished and there is an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub at the clubhouse. This a great place to relax and get away from it all. There are no malls nearby or mile-long beaches, but life doesn’t get much better than this. If you’re looking for a great place to spend time with your family in the outdoors, we’ve got canoeing, hiking, swimming, sight seeing and so much more nearby. We’re centrally located so you can take a day trip to the coast, a day trip to Baxter State Park or even a day trip over to Canada if you have your passports. If you’re looking for nightlife, step out of your unit and look up. The night sky is beautiful and it’s all right at your doorstep.”
Vacationland Estates Resort was created in 1984 by seven local businessmen who came up with the notion of offering vacationers worldwide an alternative to the fast pace of other resort destinations, by slowing things down and focusing on nature. The business has since become an owner-based property, meaning all of the individual timeshare owners are part owners of the company.
“Essentially, we have 1,800 owners,” explained Linda Smith, office supervisor. “We have 35 units and each unit could have 52 different owners.”
Ownership ranges in price, depending on the unit and the time of year sought. Rates are anywhere from $300 to $6,800. Each owner must also pay a yearly maintenance fee between $235-$340.
Each building offers four, five or six units, each with eight-foot wide decks, glass patio doors, two- to three-bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, full dining room, living room and Maine-made Moosehead furniture.
Timeshare owners have three options for their property. They can choose to spend their week at the resort; list the unit as available for rent; or trade it to another resort that Vacationland Resorts is affiliated with.
“There are resorts all over the world that owners can trade and stay at,” Smith explained. “We have some owners that have never stayed here before. They bought a unit just to trade it.”
The resort recently opened up its indoor pool, hot tub, exercise room, tennis courts and sauna to the general public with pool membership packages. A family package, which includes two adults and up to four children, is available for $150 for six months. Additional children are an extra $25 per dependent. A single package (one parent and up to four children) is available for $150 for a year or $75 for six months. And a senior package (for those over age 60) is available for $90 for a year or $45 for six months.
The pool can also be used to host birthday parties at a price of $100, plus $25 deposit. Pool parties are only held on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are for a maximum of 12 children.
“It used to be that you had to own a timeshare to use the pool,” Smith said. “We had a lot of local people that didn’t want to be tied down to a deed, they just wanted to come in and use the pool.”
Continuing the public theme, an open house/Halloween party will be held Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m. with children able to trick-or-treat at the various units at the resort.
For golf enthusiasts, Vacationland Estates is completely surrounded by an 18-hole golf course that offers challenging holes with spectacular scenery.
Visitors to the resort regularly compliment the friendly staff for making their stay more enjoyable.
Brenda Golder of Sun City Center, Fla., was one of the recent guests at Vacationland Estates. A native of Bangor, Golder purchased her unit at the beginning, in 1984. Although she purchased her unit in 1984, Golder did not actually come to Island Falls until 2009, instead opting to trade her timeshare to go elsewhere.
“My husband died in 2008 and I just decided the time was right to use the unit,” she said. “I brought my family and we have done it every year since. I would love to come here in the winter and go snowmobiling. I think it would be just special. The foliage this year has been unbelievable.”
Cliff Randall, who purchased his unit in 1989, added “I love the area so much, I bought land in Cary Plantation for a snowmobile camp. It’s a great starting point to golf throughout Aroostook County and western New Brunswick.”
For more information on Vacationland Estates Resort, visit www.vacation-landestates.com.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
FRIENDLY STAFF — Linda Smith, left, office manager of Vacationaland Estates, and Stefanie McNally, adminstrative assistant, are two of the staff members at Vacationland Estate Resort ready to answer questions on timeshares and pool memberships. For more information about the resort, call 463-2884.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
POOL TIME — The indoor pool at Vacationland Estates Resort is now open for the public to purchase memberships.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
COZY — A look inside one of the many units reveals the elegance and charm of the rooms.
