I checked into Vistana Resort last night...

[Robinrs]

Hi, Daisy!

Here's a link to the classified ads for Orlando on Tug. They change regularly so check every week. Email the ones you're interested in, sometimes they know more than what they advertise.

The Cascades are nice and so are the Lakes, where I am now.

HTH!

Robinrs

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok, I need help!!
Where do I go to make these reservations? I'm confused about the Tugs thing - still don't know what to do!
How far in advance can you make reservations? I'm planning my honeymoon for next march!
And how do I know what section to stay in? Someone mentioned the Cascades???

Hi Daisy ! Check here for reservations directly through Starwood Inc (Vistana) You can request reservations directly through the web site : http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5

The pics you see at the web site are mostly the newest Cascades sections. This section has both one and two bedroom villas.
If you do not have to attend a timeshare sales presentation---especially on your honeymoon ! Congrats btw ! I will give you a little head's up though......the sales staff will most likely phone your villa on your 1st or 2nd day stay to invite you to a breakfast/sales presentation. FIRMLY state "no thanks" and let them know you do not wish to be called again. They won't call again.
If you choose to rent through TUG classifieds : http://www.tug1.org/tugads/1-1sposted1.html
This option of securing a reservation at Vistana may take a little more legwork on your part. You will need to check ads frequently and ask many questions of the renter. These classifieds are Vistana timeshare owners wanting to rent out their weeks. Make certain the ad states sleeps 8 for a 2 bedroom. Ask the renter precisely what section they own in. If you want the Cascades and nothing less (there are 9 different villages or sections on the resort), then specify you want this section ONLY. Some Vistana owners who rent out own only specific/fixed weeks---these tend to be the older sections of the resorts. You want an owner who owns PRIME FLOATING week. Floating weeks allow the owner to call Vistana and secure most every week of the year.
March can be a little tricky in that sometimes Easter falls into this month towards the end and also need to be aware of Spring Break crowds. I don't have a calendar for next year with me, so not sure when Easter is. But I'd make a reservation soon, since this can be a highly desired month for travel.
If you choose to phone the resort for a reservation, call 1-800-847-8262. There is an option for non-owners to push on the menu for making reservations.
TUG classifieds can be very easy to use---you just need to know the right questions to ask the owner. Usually how it works, is they make the reservation in your name under their ownership account. Then you pay that person directly---the details are worked out among you and the owner, not Vistana. If you have any further questions Daisy, please feel free to post here or email me directly.

Well, folks, I'm about to jump in the jacuzzi!

Just rub it in Robin !!!!!!!!
I'm going to try and get ya back when I'm there in August ! LOL
TTYL !

 

[Daisy57b]

Wow - you guys are so helpful!!!

Ok, so I need to keep checking the Tug website and then email them when I see something. I don't see any March dates on there - or just it mean you contact them for dates?

Also, I need to look for the Lakes section or the Cascades section, right?

Easter is in April next year - its April 10th, and I should be coming back April 2. So I should be good, right?

I noticed on Sheraton's website that they don't offer non-smoking rooms. What's up with this???

One more question - what kind of deposit should I be expecting? One night - or the whole thing?

Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[Mjasp]

Maria...What is the reason for joining TUG? What benefits does it have?

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Daisy57b]

This may be a dumb question - but do I have to join tugs to make a reservation - or is joining just for owners to post?

 

[Daisy57b]

maria -

what's your email address in case i have questions in the future?

Thanks!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok, so I need to keep checking the Tug website and then email them when I see something. I don't see any March dates on there - or just it mean you contact them for dates?
Also, I need to look for the Lakes section or the Cascades section, right?
Easter is in April next year - its April 10th, and I should be coming back April 2. So I should be good, right?
I noticed on Sheraton's website that they don't offer non-smoking rooms. What's up with this???
One more question - what kind of deposit should I be expecting? One night - or the whole thing?

Hi again Daisy !
I suggest checking the TUG classifieds for the best prices. You don't need to look necessarily for Lakes or Cascades in the ads. Not every owner lists the specific section they have for rent. Are you interested in a 1 or 2 bedroom ? I noticed alot of the ads only state Vistana week in a general way. You will probably have to email the owners individually and ask them what section they own in. Here are the sections in order of newest to oldest :
Cascades, Lakes, Fountains (I & II), Springs, Palms, Spas, Falls and Courts. I own in the Fountains area.
As far as your dates....you look safe from the Easter crowds but may come up on Spring Breaker vacationers.
And, no......Vistana does not have non-smoking rooms. Once you make your reservation, either privately through an owner or with the resort itself, you can then go to the Vistana web site and click on the "Diamond Lane" icon. Here, you can make any special requests you might have, such as floor of villa, water or pool view etc. You can put in a message there to make certain the villa is deoderized from all smoke smells. Daisy, I'm a non-smoker myself and I've never had a problem with cigarette smell in all the years I've been vacationing at Vistana. It's very easy for Housekeeping to air out the villas too. It's not like a hotel room where you can't open windows. YOu can open the sliding balcony/patio doors and all the windows in the kitchen and bedrooms.
The deposit thing I'm not 100% sure of since I'm an owner and don't make cash ressies any more. If you book directly with Vistana, I doubt they'll want more than 1 night's deposit. If you book privately with an owner via TUG, you both will have to work out the details of payment. When you are looking at the "for rent" ads, simply click on the name of the resort in the ad and it will take you to the owners name and email address where you can get specific info.
Also, in addition to simply searching the "for rent" ads, you can also request a specific week/section from an owner. Here's the site to access for that on TUG : http://www.tug2.net/ads/wrentads.html
Hope I addressed all your questions---if I missed anything let me know. You can email me if you prefer : MiaSRN62@aol.com

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria...What is the reason for joining TUG? What benefits does it have?

Hi Joanna.....
No need to join TUG unless you're a timeshare owner really---though it's a great source of information if you're considering becoming one too ! I wish I had known about TUG when I bought. The classified ads are free to everyone, so unless you're really interested in reading reviews and seeing pics of all the different timeshares all over the world I don't think it's necessary to join. But, as I mentioned, if you're toying with the idea of becoming a timeshare owner, I'd join. There are private message boards just for TUG members----wealth of information on there. Hope this helped.

This may be a dumb question - but do I have to join tugs to make a reservation - or is joining just for owners to post?

Absolutely not Daisy. Joining is mainly for timeshare owners or those interested in becoming owners. All areas of the classifieds are open to the general public. You can make a reservation---through an owner---for free on TUG. You might want to call the resort first and ask what a week in the Cascades in March '04 would cost you and then compare the prices to the private ads from owners on TUG. This way you can make a more informed decision. Nightly rates for a 2 bedroom at Vistana can be obtained for as low as about $150/night to as high as about $250/night. I've seen private ads on TUG for Vistana 7 nights for $750. Now, this is an excellent price but that is depending on which section it's in. Good luck

 

[Mjasp]

Maria...Thanks for your response. I am an owner in Vistana Resort. Do you join only if you plan to trade to see what people are saying about the other resorts you are interested in. Sorry if I sound stupid regarding TUG, but for only $15, if its that you get info and enjoy the site then i'd join.
By the way, I belong to Interval Int. Do you belong to it also. Just wondering if its hard to trade your week with or not. For the future that is. This year its Vistana in August.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am an owner in Vistana Resort. Do you join only if you plan to trade to see what people are saying about the other resorts you are interested in. Sorry if I sound stupid regarding TUG, but for only $15, if its that you get info and enjoy the site then i'd join.

Hello to a Vistana neighbor !
I like TUG for the following reasons :
1) the TUG boards. There are some really saavy timeshare owners on there that can answer just about any questions you have. I've gotten tips on where is the best place to buy a week (South Africa, Hawaii come up shining because they trade very well and S.A. has very low maintenance fees). I feel timeshare-stupid next to some of them !
2) in's and out's of getting the best trades on your weeks
3) detailed info about specific resorts
3) narrative TR's from people who have stayed at all these resorts and give their objective opinions.
4) lots of nice pics of timeshares all over---if you're someone who likes to trade alot this can be a gem of an asset.
5) as a TUG member, you get 2 free ads per year I believe (I've never rented out my week so I may not have that exactly right).
This is it in a nutshell. The $15 fee helps the web site owner maintain the site. He and his wife set up the site to help fellow timeshare owners. There is usually alot of discussions on the points systems (Marriott, Starwood, DVC occassionally). I just feel TUG is a helpful tool for any owner.

I have not joined II or RCI because I don't exchange. We purchased in Orlando not only because of WDW/Universal/Sea World etc, but we have many family members that we visit with while we're down there. From what I hear on the boards, any Orlando week is not necessarily the easiest to exchange for. It's not high demand because Orlando is so overly developed with timeshares. But if you own in Lakes or Cascades and use the Starpoints I think there are some very decent exchanges offered. My friend just spent a week in the Bahamas at Sheraton Harborside resort ---next to Atlantis---and LOVED it. Since I own in the older Fountains section, I have to pay a fee to convert my week to starpoints and I just haven't utilized this option yet. I'm sure I will in the future---especially since we became members with DVC. After seeing those pics of the Harborside resort, I want to go there ! When I decide to do an exchange, I will choose II over RCI, just from the things I've read on the TUG boards. They seem more reasonable to deal with.
Guess what ? I'll be at Vistana in August too ! We check-in on Aug 2 and leave Aug 9----Fountains II. Any chance you'll be there that week ?

 

[Mjasp]

Hi Maria...We check in on the 8th and leave on the 15th. Maybe we can meet, on the 8th in the evening by one of the pools, if you are available. We are in the Palms.

Maybe we can plan something as it gets closer.

Thanks for all the TUG info, I appreciate it.

Joanna

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Maria...We check in on the 8th and leave on the 15th. Maybe we can meet, on the 8th in the evening by one of the pools, if you are available. We are in the Palms.

We'll try and do this.....I'll be in the Fountains II. I'll send you a PM and give you our last names so you can locate us via the Front Desk.
Glad to help out with the TUG info......

 

[Daisy57b]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has given me so much helpful information!


I'm planning on visting Orlando (Disney Corondo Springs) for a business trip (nice one!) in September. So I am planning on checking out the Vistana Resort while I'm there in Sept.

Thanks again!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm planning on visting Orlando (Disney Corondo Springs) for a business trip (nice one!) in September. So I am planning on checking out the Vistana Resort while I'm there in Sept.

Wish I could get a business trip like this ! That IS nice !

 

[Mjasp]

Hi Maria I sent you a pm. see you in 66 more days. Check out my countdown timer.

Joanna

 

[mamabear3710]

Thanks for all the info on the kitchen supplies, I really appreciate it. Hope you all have a great vacation............can't wait to get to Vistana!!!!

 

[Daisy57b]

Hi -

I have another Tug question! Hope you don't mind!

How do you read the Tug ads? There is a section that says week, and one that says Avail date. Under week, some ads have numbers such as 24 or 34. What does this mean? Is that the number of avail. weeks? Then under week it has a date. Does this mean this is the only avail. week?

How do I search for a particular week?

Thanks!

Robinrs: Can't wait to see your pics!

 

[DNBois]

Can anyone tell me what their website is? DH and I looking to book off-site this coming March. How far away from WDW and Universal is this place? Any help is much appreciated.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here's the main web site address : http://www.tug2.net/
There are several links on the site. Some are free to anyone, such as the classifieds, and others are for paid member access.

The classified section ( http://www.tug1.org/tugads/1-1sposted1.html ) lists the resort/week/price/etc. You need to click on the "resort name" in order to get the name of the owner for contact.

Under week, some ads have numbers such as 24 or 34. What does this mean? Is that the number of avail. weeks? Then under week it has a date. Does this mean this is the only avail. week?

Hi Daisy...the number you see if the week of the year the owner is deeded for. Some owners own fixed weeks, while others own floating weeks. You should check with the owners. Week #2, for example, would be approximately the second week of Jan. Week #52 is going to be Christmas/New Year's eve week. The summer weeks would be approximately weeks #25 thru #35. I don't have a current year calendar in front of me, so these are approximates matches. I believe the dates you see are the ones they are offering for rent---you'll need to check with the owners. If there is no date listed, it may be a floating week and the owner can make a reservation for whatever week you are interested in. Often, there is only 1 week available. Most owners will list each of their weeks separately, though if you inquire you may find they have multiple weeks for rent.
The best way to do a search for a specific week would be for you to place an ad here : http://www.tug2.net/ads/wrentads.html

How far away from WDW and Universal is this place? Any help is much appreciated

Hi DNBois......Vistana is 1 mile from the main entrance to WDW. It's a 4 min drive to the Marketplace/DD area. It's about a 15-20 min drive to Universal and Sea World. I can drive to many of the WDW parks in 10-12 min. The MK takes the longest to get into because of the parking situation at the TTC.
Hope this all helps

 

[Robinrs]

If you drive down to Palm Parkway it's a short straight shot to SeaWorld and Universal!! It was the best shortcut I found.

Okay, I'm back from Vistana and the Portofino Bay hotel. All I can do is think about Vistana! Yes, PBH is a top of the line LUXURY hotel, but I'm a practical girl. I liked my kitchen, I liked my general store, I LOVED my washer and dryer... and I LOVED my jacuzzi!! I wanted to go back!!

Oh well, you can't please everyone!

Ladies, have a great time at Vistana. I'm missing it already!