Sheraton Vistana Resort New Owner Question

[dizkids]

Ok here i go...new to posting. Hope I get it right. I have a question about Sheraton Vistana Resorts and I have seen some experts out there. I bought a property in the Springs 2 bedroom, 2 bath through a resale and we never stayed there.

However, I want to make a request to stay in the newer sections like Cascades or Lakes on our next trip 4 adults 4 kids. I heard the Cascades are smaller living space wise, but we will be out and about with parks and pool. More interested in a new room. Since we own do I have a good chance at getting my request filled.

We check in Sun. 4/9 and want to check in early around 11am even though I know the room wont be ready which is fine, but would like to use the pool. And last...we are actually checking out 1 day early bright and early by resort checkout time of 10am...is there any benefit to this if i notify the Vistana, such as getting my choice of newer property for the week. Thanks for any advice : )

 

[MiaSRN62]

Dizkids,
I also own at Vistana. Unfortunately, ownership states you stay where you own. I highly doubt you'll be able to stay in the Cascades. We own in the Fountains I & II and only got upgraded once (to the Lakes) since 1994. The reason was Vistana's fault. We checked in at 2 pm and by 6:30 pm our room was not ready. We were traveling with my mil who was undergoing chemo treatments at that time and I demanded to speak to a manager. They agreed we should have gotten a room and put us in the newer Lakes.
But you will be staying in the Springs for your trips using your week ownership. Sorry if this was not conveyed to you during the resale. Wish you would have come to these forums before you made the purchase if the new sections are really what you have your heart set on.

And last...we are actually checking out 1 day early bright and early by resort checkout time of 10am...is there any benefit to this if i notify the Vistana, such as getting my choice of newer property for the week. Thanks for any advice : )

Again, unfortunately I don't think they will put you in the Cascades dizkids. It's strict that owners stay where they own at Vistana.

 

[dizkids]

Thanks Maria, well that clears that up. I know we wont be disappointed as long as they are clean. I misunderstood a thread I read about requests. Vacations are super fun and we are going with cousins so my kids will only be caring about how to get to the nearest pool or pools.
I have another question about the sales pitch. My husband and I are the owners and my brother and his wife are coming. Will we be approached to go on a tour or something and will they be interested in my brother and his wife as well. I hope this was okay to respond and then ask again. Forgive me if I was supposed to start new and post a new questions elsewhere. Thank you again for your response. I have read some of your other posts in the pasts and they are quite informative and helpful. ~ Chris

 

[Del]

Well dizkids...now you know....Maria is the Godess of Vistana. How blessed are we to know her. She has answered many of my own questions.

Have a great trip.

Del

 

[luvdisney14]

Maria

Have you ever stayed at the villages, we are staying there this year. Just wondering if you have any tips.

 

[MiaSRN62]

My husband and I are the owners and my brother and his wife are coming. Will we be approached to go on a tour or something and will they be interested in my brother and his wife as well. I hope this was okay to respond and then ask again. Forgive me if I was supposed to start new and post a new questions elsewhere. Thank you again for your response. I have read some of your other posts in the pasts and they are quite informative and helpful. ~ Chris

You most likely will be approached in some manner about a tour---even if your brother and sil weren't there. Vistana would most likely try to sell you more vacation time in the Cascades section or one of their other properties. Yes, they would be interested in your brother and wife as well. When you check in at the front desk, they will direct you to a counter behind the main check-in desk and say it's for a "welcome packet" or "discount tickets" etc. After you are done checking in, just leave and avoid the back counter. Unfortunately, they will know you did this and try calling several times in your villa. We got several "annoying" calls last summer. This year we plan to disconnect the phone. Since we use our cell phones 100% of the time it won't be a problem.
And it's no problem that you asked this question on this thread. It's all in keeping with the topic of being a new Vistana owner as far as I can see. Welcome to Vistana and congrats ! The Springs are mid-range as far as age of the section but the units are clean and larger than the Cascades from what I've heard. There is a poster on these boards that really liked the Springs (Spiceycat). Maybe Pat will check in and give you her input on this section. The Springs is a smaller, compact section and has it's own pool/playground area, but you can use any pool on the property.
I wish you many happy trips to Vistana and if you have any further questions, just ask away.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Luvdisney14,
I have not stayed at the Villages, but know a couple people who have. They really enjoyed their stays there. I think it would be nice if the resort added a full service restaurant on the property, but I'm sure there are plenty of places to dine offsite in the general area.
I know bldgs 1-5 are closest to the pool area and probably furthest from the ongoing construction at the resort. You're free to use all the facilities at the main Vistana while staying at the Villages. I'm sure there are alot of people on these boards who can help you much better than I with questions about the Villages.
Take care,

 

[dizkids]

Thanks Maria! Great tips about the welcome packet and phone. Maybe I will just let my 4 year old answer : ) Will look for Spiceycat on these boards too. Thanks again~Chris

 

[dizkids]

Thanks Del!

I love all the repsonses on these boards : )

 

[gjw007]

Ok here i go...new to posting.

First, welcome to the disboards.
Second, Sheraton Vistana Resort is a nice resort, so you will enjoy your stay there. I have stayed in the Fountains II area and I liked the area. I don't know much about the Springs but the Fountain II area was really close to the pools and activity centers.
Third, you might consider joining www.tug2.net. It is a wealth of information.
Fourth, please ask all the questions that you desire. It is a learning process for all of us.
Fifth, enjoy your vacation.

 

[Sherri]

My brother in law and his wife and step children are staying at the Sheraton Vistana in May. Does anyone know if there is any sort of transportation to the parks from there? Is so do you know how much it costs, or do most people just rent cars?
-Thanks for any info. you can provide.

 

[dizkids]

Thank you Gary ! I heard about the tug website. I just need more time to be online...haha : )

 

[MiaSRN62]

Does anyone know if there is any sort of transportation to the parks from there? Is so do you know how much it costs, or do most people just rent cars?

Hi Sherri ~
I highly recommend your bil rent a car. There is a shuttle and it costs approx $6.50--$7.50/day/person and runs on a limited time schedule. I think it leaves maybe 3 times in the morning and returns 2-3 times in the evening. Very costly when you could probably rent a small car for much cheaper. The resort is large enough that you would most likely welcome having a car to get around.
Hope this helps some.

 

[Sherri]

Maria- Thanks so much for the advice. I will pass it on to my brother in law.
It looks like a beautiful place. They never get to go anywhere and we booked this for them for their honeymoon. I wish we were going.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sherri,
What a nice thing for you to do for your relatives. I'm sure they'll have a great time.

 

[mcnuss]

Hey all -- just back from our week at Vistana. I am an owner in Ftns II but was there on an RCI exchange. Was originally supposed to be in Springs but they put us in Ftns (which I wanted) very close to our unit. I have not been "home" since 2002 so was delighted to see the new decor - I really hated the old Floribean theme. It seemed like all the furniture was new except for the dining table. The beds were extremely comfortable and the linens were great. (Although they use those acrylic hotel blankets that I don't much care for...) My only beef with the place is that it's time to update the kitchens. Things are just old and worn and in need of replacement. Nothing is broken or anything, it's just that the years of service are really starting to show. The good news is that they are systematically replacing all the washer/dryer units and I think the kitchen appliances will be next (I suppose I should read through my owners newsletter, huh?). Our w/d got replaced on Friday, just in time to do my farewell laundry! Since Starwood took over, I think they have done an excellent job of balancing the hotel aspect of the property with the timeshare aspect. I very much enjoy and appreciate the amenities like a daily newspaper that we've never been offered any place else. They have also done a great job of keeping up the exteriors, given all the crazy FL weather these past few years. Everything is immaculate! This trip we balanced just having a resort vacation with doing parks, and of all the timeshare places we've gone all over the world, Vistana gets the resort part the "most right". The pools are wonderful, and having the general store and the restaurants right there makes life so easy!

To the OP, it does not matter where your unit is. It may be older, like mine, but it will be well tended and nicely appointed. I know people like Cascades bc they look more upscale, but honestly, they are really small and at the end of the day, you're going to be in FL and you'll want to be out of doors as much as possible. You will have a GREAT time there. We've gone 4 times and have never been disappointed.

 

[MiaSRN62]

it's time to update the kitchens. Things are just old and worn and in need of replacement. Nothing is broken or anything, it's just that the years of service are really starting to show. The good news is that they are systematically replacing all the washer/dryer units and I think the kitchen appliances will be next

Hi Mcnuss
Just wanted to say "hi" from a fellow Vistana owner (Fountains here too).
As for the kitchen....they must be updating these slowly, but our Fountains I villa last August had all brand new appliances. Here's some pics :

Our appliances were not old/worn out at all. Maybe they just haven't gotten to the Fountains II yet ? What unit were you in may I ask ? My pics are of #1434.
Thanks for the TR

 

[tofdel1]

you can use vistana resort if staying at the villages? I havent heard that.

Anyone know how to get upgrade in timeshare?