If you’ve booked a promotional resort stay, the mandatory presentation is coming. Most people dread it. That’s understandable — the timeshare industry has earned its reputation through decades of high-pressure tactics and misleading promises. But the modern presentation experience, particularly at established resort chains, is significantly different from the horror stories you’ve read on TripAdvisor.

Here’s what actually happens, start to finish.

Before the Presentation

At check-in or during your first day at the resort, a concierge will schedule your presentation. This typically happens on your second morning. You’ll be told where to go, what time to arrive, and that both you and your partner must attend if you’re traveling as a couple.