Discovering Adventure in Unexpected Places: The Experiences Collection Brings the Wagners Closer
Any couple that has been together for a long time will tell you that it was the similarities that initially drew them together. Maybe it was their shared love of salsa dancing, the way he took his coffee, or craving the same dish at a favorite authentic restaurant. Perhaps it was hiking to the top of a mountain together that seemed to be the telltale sign that love would last.
As the time passes, a shift occurs, or insight develops, and deep love may be rediscovered, perhaps somewhere unexpected. In the total surrender to each other's differences, love abounds as a couple. As the years go by, differences turn into a scorecard discussed over a glass of wine. The scorecard details memories of all the things you swore you would never do, then found yourself loving, as a selfless act for the other. Even if you don't want to admit it, as you are being cheered on, this is how you were won.
Kevin and Jodi Wagner recognized one of these moments relaxing in the Spa at the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carlsbad, California, one of the newest additions to the recently-introduced Experiences Collection by Welk Resorts. Prior to 2012, when the Wagners became Welk Owners, if you asked Jodi Wagner what her idea of a vacation was, you might be very surprised. Jodi will tell you "Traditional resorts never appealed to me before. I like to do the funky things when we travel. Once we stayed with a tribe of headhunters — well the tribe we stayed with gave that up 40 years ago — but you get the idea. We have also camped overnight in thatched huts. It's the out-there weird stuff that appeals to me."
Kevin was the catalyst behind the decision to become Welk Owners. Jodi tells us, "He liked the idea of traveling to a nice place without needing to go looking for it. I wasn't completely into it at first but I wanted to make him happy. My husband is still very happy about our Ownership and now I love it too. Since we have first purchased we have added more points multiple times. We are up to a few vacations a year now."
It was with Kevin's encouragement that Jodi decided to end her 28-year career in the airline industry, and take some time to explore the next season of her life. However, the thought of spending more time in an airport wasn't that appealing to them. At the end of last year, when they found themselves with unused points, they called the Welk reservation line. They were happy to hear there was availability at the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, which is just a short drive from their home. Jodi explains more about her reservations experience, "Welk has always been really good to us, Welk reservations always go above and beyond. We were originally offered a one-bedroom but when it became unavailable, they called us back and we were upgraded to a two-bedroom."
"We were able to have friends stay with us, who are also timeshare owners. They were very impressed with what we were able to do with our Welk points." Jodi goes on to explain just what impressed everyone. "We were blown away by the accommodations. It was the little details, like the extra rugs in the bathroom and the crown molding in the kitchen. These things just aren't typical for a timeshare. This was our Christmas present to each other to indulge. Kevin has a really good palate and he said the food at the restaurant was just excellent!"
We asked the Wagners where they're headed next. They told us, "We are very excited about the new destinations available through the Experiences Collection. I like the direction The Experiences Collection is headed. It seems like a great compromise for both of our travel preferences, new destinations at luxury resorts. Scottsdale and Santa Fe are on the top of our list. We have our fingers crossed to see a place in Napa Valley one day!"