Hello neighbour!,
Looks like a family venture to Vistana!
The DL form allows you to make special requests or notify the resort of special needs. For instance, it sounds like you are travelling with another party. DL is a great way to request that both parties be placed together. Or apart for that matter...
There really aren't any "bad" sections at Vistana; it is a very well thought out resort. Don't feel that you have to fill out a request form unless you have very particular needs. There are lots of posts on this thread covering the differences between the various parts of the resort.
You can access the form at this link: https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01
Don't send it too early as the resort doesn't get the relations from II or RCI until a couple of weeks prior; they will just hold your request until they can confirm. Trading through II will provide no penalty, it is the preferred company for Sheraton, although Vistana trades on both II and RCI.
Owners will alway have preferential access to their owned weeks - that goes without saying. If we travel in our own week, we will be placed in our deeded unit. Sheraton owners also get preferential access to trades on II - they are allowed to book available weeks before anyone else. But once you have a trade in place, there really isn't any preference given to any particular guest - trades are placed as run of resort. Once at the resort, there is no secret handshake, and I have never been asked if I am an owner. I even have to pay for the "owners' internet" (higher speed) just like non-owners. Ownership does not seem to bestow any additional benefits except that you get invited to the "owner's update" (timeshare presentation) instead of the "VIP welcome breakfast" (timeshare presentation).
I must say that whoever complained about a stair view is VERY picky. Many lower floor units have their entry doors situated under the stairs to the unit above. This is to avoid ANY windows looking at stairs, but it can make the entry a little gloomy. I have never seen a unit with a view of the stairs. The main views are out the back of all units, and there are generally no stairs there (with a couple of exceptions, but those stairs are well hidden - it took me half a week before I realized that a Springs unit we were in had a back stairs access). All the floor plans I have seen have the kitchen and 2nd bedroom at the front of the unit, which generally has the less desirable view of the parking/street side; but still no windows on the stairs.
Enjoy your stay, Vistana is a really wonderful resort!
Yes indeed, we are neighbours. You seem to know a lot about SVR and you are very informative. Thank you for your input, yes we are 5 of us travelling and we will all be staying in a two bedroom villa. The request that I want is for two full size beds instead of twin beds in our room and I would like a top floor unit. Generally, I do not concern myself with other opinions but that one strucked me and I just wanted to enquire about it. I have been staying at Old Key West for the past three years and I read bad reviews about it but there will always be bad reviews because some people are very picky, I mean very picky. I am just glad that I have the health to travel every year and I do appreciate it. Right now they have us staying in Fountains 1, room 1333 but they told us that it could change. Do you know why this is? Where do you prefer to stay? This resort looks huge, WOW.
Will I get pressured by presentations? I've read that they will call you in your room etc.