Bidding on WBC or Sheraton Vistana stays on eBay

[firefly_ris]

Has anyone here purchased a stay at either of these locations through a seller on eBay? If so, how successful was it, and did you have any repeat purchases through any particular/favorite sellers? I'm looking to plan a family trip for (possibly) February 2019 and I'm just doing some research here and there. I've also been browsing vrbo.com. Any other suggestions on booking units at either of these locations welcome.

I'm interested in these places because of their reviews, full kitchens/laundry, options for multiple bedrooms/bathrooms, and proximity to the parks. I'd also be interested in an Embassy Suites room if there are any good ones nearby for cheaper. We are a family of 5, three children all under 9 years old.

Obviously I'm not booking anything in any kind of hurry, but I'm just trying to outline some ideas so I know what sort of budget I can realistically start saving up for over the next year. Thanks!

 

[pate59]

For a last minute (1 month ahead) trip to Disney back in October 2016, used eBay for a 7 night WBC rental. It was listed by the timeshare owner, used the "Best offer" option. After a few back and forth negotiations, got a 1 bedroom
for $500.00 for the week. Can't complain - it was perfect for the two of us. I am also aware that is not the norm for WBC price wise( but it was very last minute as well).
WBC is an awesome offsite option for Disney - would do it again if we are unable to rent points for an onsite stay.
Have rented many time via VRBO (Hawaii) - awesome prices but now with all the additional fee's - that just increases the final cost. Have rented DVC points on at least 4 occasions with great success, but have also planned our vacations
at least close to the 11 month mark for the choice resorts we are interested in. It's almost at the point we plan a Disney trip based on finding an owner looking to rent points at a resort we would be interested in. That's why we are
heading out to Disneyland and staying at Grand Californian in September.

 

[Upatnoon]

Has anyone here purchased a stay at either of these locations through a seller on eBay? If so, how successful was it, and did you have any repeat purchases through any particular/favorite sellers? I'm looking to plan a family trip for (possibly) February 2019 and I'm just doing some research here and there. I've also been browsing vrbo.com. Any other suggestions on booking units at either of these locations welcome.

I'm interested in these places because of their reviews, full kitchens/laundry, options for multiple bedrooms/bathrooms, and proximity to the parks. I'd also be interested in an Embassy Suites room if there are any good ones nearby for cheaper. We are a family of 5, three children all under 9 years old.

Obviously I'm not booking anything in any kind of hurry, but I'm just trying to outline some ideas so I know what sort of budget I can realistically start saving up for over the next year. Thanks!

I've used ebay more than 30 times for resort reservations at various places, including many, many at WBC. Check out the completed listings in ebay. You'll also notice that many people sell WBC and other reservations as a business, so they will have plenty of completed listings and feedback.

Generally ebay is best when you are within a couple of months or so of your trip and you have some flexibility as to what reservation you can grab. As a family of 5, you will find it hard to go back to using hotels, even something larger like Embassy, after staying in a large unit like at WBC.

 

[firefly_ris]

Thanks! It's good to hear validating success stories. I think we could keep some flexibility with the date range to get an upper hand on a better price. I'll start saving some listings in my watch list and keep an eye on things as the year goes on. I definitely agree on finding it hard to go back to a hotel -- our last family trip down we were at Lake Buena Vista Village Resort in a 3 bedroom unit and I loved it. It's also great to have a kitchen to cut down breakfast costs (which is one of the reasons I mentioned Embassy as an alternative because while a smaller unit they have a great complimentary breakfast) and for late night snacks and such. I also love throwing a load of laundry in the night before leaving, and just unpacking clean clothes to put right in the drawer when we get home.

 

[bankr63]

You might also check skyauction. The listings there are overstock from the exchange companies, so there is less worry. Base price is good, but read terms carefully because there is usually a variable surcharge depending on the dates you want to book. I hear about folks getting amazing deals on Vistana through there. Well below owner maintenance fee levels.

 

[firefly_ris]

Thank you! I'm saving that to my bookmarks as well.

 

[Penmac]

Has anyone here purchased a stay at either of these locations through a seller on eBay? If so, how successful was it, and did you have any repeat purchases through any particular/favorite sellers? I'm looking to plan a family trip for (possibly) February 2019 and I'm just doing some research here and there. I've also been browsing vrbo.com. Any other suggestions on booking units at either of these locations welcome.

I'm interested in these places because of their reviews, full kitchens/laundry, options for multiple bedrooms/bathrooms, and proximity to the parks. I'd also be interested in an Embassy Suites room if there are any good ones nearby for cheaper. We are a family of 5, three children all under 9 years old.

Obviously I'm not booking anything in any kind of hurry, but I'm just trying to outline some ideas so I know what sort of budget I can realistically start saving up for over the next year. Thanks!

Hi There,

I have not booked on ebay, but I did get a good rate at WBC through a Cheap Ticket promo code I found through the Mousesavers newsletter. They have a new code each month. We paid $137/night for a 1 bedroom and we also got about $150 off the total with the promo code. This was by far the cheapest rate I could find after extensive research on this property. I did not book until 5 weeks before, and I think that helped. We paid just around $800 for our 6 night stay. We really could have used a 2 bedroom, but we were trying to do that trip on a tight budget. Good luck!

 

[firefly_ris]

Hi There,

I have not booked on ebay, but I did get a good rate at WBC through a Cheap Ticket promo code I found through the Mousesavers newsletter. They have a new code each month. We paid $137/night for a 1 bedroom and we also got about $150 off the total with the promo code. This was by far the cheapest rate I could find after extensive research on this property. I did not book until 5 weeks before, and I think that helped. We paid just around $800 for our 6 night stay. We really could have used a 2 bedroom, but we were trying to do that trip on a tight budget. Good luck!

Thank you. I get the Mousesaver newsletter so I'll keep an eye on that as the time gets closer. And honestly, a 1 bedroom would still be fine -- my kids are young and below average size (my husband and I are both short) so they can still easily share something like a queen sleeper sofa. 2 bedroom would be preferred but being budget travelers I wouldn't pass up the better deal. If they were all teenagers or adults it would be different.

And a random offshoot question -- there are "Fireworks View" units available at WBC -- are these Epcot or DHS firework views, does anyone know? And is the view worth the extra $$? The idea of sitting on the balcony with a drink watching fireworks is very enticing to me.

 

[Upatnoon]

Thank you. I get the Mousesaver newsletter so I'll keep an eye on that as the time gets closer. And honestly, a 1 bedroom would still be fine -- my kids are young and below average size (my husband and I are both short) so they can still easily share something like a queen sleeper sofa. 2 bedroom would be preferred but being budget travelers I wouldn't pass up the better deal. If they were all teenagers or adults it would be different.

And a random offshoot question -- there are "Fireworks View" units available at WBC -- are these Epcot or DHS firework views, does anyone know? And is the view worth the extra $$? The idea of sitting on the balcony with a drink watching fireworks is very enticing to me.

Many of the rooms at Bonnet Creek have a fireworks view. You can see the Hollywood Studios fireworks or the Epcot fireworks and off in the distance the MK fireworks. Some rooms can see all of them.

The good news is that it doesn't cost extra to have a fireworks view room.

The bad news is that while it doesn't cost extra, its all luck of the draw. You can't buy a view like at other properties. You can request a fireworks view when you check in, but they don't take call-in requests for fireworks views.

You can increase your odds a bit by booking a presidential-level room. They are all on higher floors and generally rent for more than the deluxe rooms. But remember, not all presidential rooms have a fireworks view.

 

[firefly_ris]

Thank you for the info. We last stayed at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and they had a specific "Fireworks View" room that cost about $20/night extra, but haven't researched WBC enough yet to know about there. I do wonder if people that are selling specific units on eBay would advertise fireworks view if they are visible from that particular room. Good thing I have plenty of time to research!!

 

[ranman1973]

Thank you for the info. We last stayed at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and they had a specific "Fireworks View" room that cost about $20/night extra, but haven't researched WBC enough yet to know about there. I do wonder if people that are selling specific units on eBay would advertise fireworks view if they are visible from that particular room. Good thing I have plenty of time to research!!

We stayed at the same hotel but turned down the fireworks view since we would only be there 1 night to watch them but had to pay the $20 every night. That worked out to $140! Yikes.

 

[Upatnoon]

Thank you for the info. We last stayed at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and they had a specific "Fireworks View" room that cost about $20/night extra, but haven't researched WBC enough yet to know about there. I do wonder if people that are selling specific units on eBay would advertise fireworks view if they are visible from that particular room. Good thing I have plenty of time to research!!

No one selling WBC reservations on ebay can guarantee a fireworks view. They may advertise the resort has them, because they do, but it isn't guaranteed you will get one.

 

[Penmac]

Thank you for the info. We last stayed at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and they had a specific "Fireworks View" room that cost about $20/night extra, but haven't researched WBC enough yet to know about there. I do wonder if people that are selling specific units on eBay would advertise fireworks view if they are visible from that particular room. Good thing I have plenty of time to research!!

I requested MK fireworks view but was told upon check in that it was not available. They placed us in Building 5, on the 11th floor in an end unit overlooking the pool. We could see Hollywood Studios Fireworks quite clearly each night, though. We were usually out at night but did have 2 nights in the condo and my kids enjoyed watching from the balcony.

To go back to you comment about the 1 bedroom, it would be very doable with 3 kids. The bedroom has a King which would easily fit 3 people, and the pullout is plenty big for 2. Our kids are little, too, so squeezing in was fine.