Sheraton vistana resort VIP check in

[MiaSRN62]

confused as to why they're trying to "sell you" when you already own? guess they're going for more weeks?

Yep....you got it.....more weeks

Glad u had a nice time.....you got a fantastic deal Keisha

 

[keishashadow]

Yep....you got it.....more weeks

Glad u had a nice time.....you got a fantastic deal Keisha

As an existing owner, do you get any special incentives to buy more?

I'm still confused about how their weeks work. TS store I work with sort of steered me away from SV. I thought you bought a specific week each year but, they said no - all weeks are considered red weeks? They also indicated that the yearly maintenance fees are considered "high".

Was afraid to ask guide for fear of getting corralled. They told me they didn't have a printed prospectus to give or send me...sent up a red flag for DH.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Keisha,
We bought way back in '94 when it was just owned by Vistana. It was not a Sheraton/Starwood resort at that time. All we got was $100. We bought a floating prime week. The older sections are fixed weeks (Courts, Falls, Spas, Palms). Not sure about the Springs. But the Fountains, Lakes and Cascades are floating weeks. Actually, some of the Lakes and all of the Cascades work on a points system. All is considered "red week". My maintenance fees run around $575-$625 but I'm actually deeded at the Vistana Beach Club on Hutchinson Island in southeast, FL. It's a shore front property though we've never been there. We purchased a defaulted loan during our stay at Vistana in '94. All that was available at that time was the Lakes for a starting price of like $17K. This was alot back in '94. Our sales person could see we were backing out and came up with this defaulted loan. He told us it was at the Beach Club but that we could trade to Orlando yearly for no charge. It's considered an internal trade. We paid $9,500 back in '94.
Last year, the recent hurricane damages caused ALOT of damage to the Beach Club. So we have been assessed $300 extra per year for 3-5 years. It stinks. I paid about $925 in maintenance this year. So I would say, YES, this is really high. Wondering where their insurance was ??? I don't believe DVC charged any assessments to Vero Beach owners and that resort incurred substantial damage as well. But that's Disney for you.
Perhaps someone who owns in the Cascades section can give you an idea of what their current maintenance fees run. Like I said, before the hurricane assessment, we were paying $575 approx/year.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks, all of the DVC main. fees went up (of course), think OKW & Vero were hit the hardest.

It's the main reason we're afraid to buy any points @ vero.

 

[MiaSRN62]

all of the DVC main. fees went up (of course), think OKW & Vero were hit the hardest.

True, but not as much as Vistana hit us up for the next 3-5 years. Buying at Vero would make me a bit nervous as well.

 

[erinch]

we like Vistana, and stay there about every other year. We prefer the springs section (bigger units, mature vegetation, not a high-rise.) I rent through TUG, and have never had a problem getting a rental for week or two for 1000 or less.

 

[MiaSRN62]

erinch,
I can totally understand where you're coming from. But when I don't know a person's particular tastes, I recommend the newer units because sometimes when compared with the older ones, people feel let down when they don't get them. The Lakes units are large----it's really just the Cascades that are smaller. But some feel the smaller living room/dining area is worth the sacrifice for having a much newer/more modern building with elevator access.
But I'm with you erinch....I much prefer my Fountains units to the Cascades. It's just cozier.

 

[Princess89]

Well, I am glad that I read this thread and inquired about certain things, because I just received "the call." I don't get VIP check in this is HGVC, but I was invited to the "owner's breakfast." But like I said previously, I would like to buy more time anyway, so I scheduled it and it will be waiting for me at check in. I really felt like telling the guy, yeah yeah I know you want to try and sell me more time, but he was not pushy and seemed uneasy with the whole thing, and when I told him yes, he perked up lol. So I didn't ruin it for him lol. I will let you all know how it goes. Its finally here.

 

[erinch]

We're the only people I know who are addicted to staying in the Springs!

We like being on the same side of the road as the main pools/general store etc, and love the units that overlook the pond. Love the quiet pool just outside the door. We even like the turquoise/peach decor, and the bathroom big enough to open a skating rink in. And really like having the jacuzzi in the bath, not the bedroom. We toured Cascades, but it never felt like home

So luckily for us, we've never once had a problem getting the unit we want.
Everyone's fighting for Cascades.

But I never recommend Springs if "new" and updated comes up in their requests.

erinch,
I can totally understand where you're coming from. But when I don't know a person's particular tastes, I recommend the newer units because sometimes when compared with the older ones, people feel let down when they don't get them. The Lakes units are large----it's really just the Cascades that are smaller. But some feel the smaller living room/dining area is worth the sacrifice for having a much newer/more modern building with elevator access.
But I'm with you erinch....I much prefer my Fountains units to the Cascades. It's just cozier.

 

[MiaSRN62]

but he was not pushy and seemed uneasy with the whole thing, and when I told him yes, he perked up lol. So I didn't ruin it for him lol. I will let you all know how it goes. Its finally here.

Thanks for the updates Princess....I'm thinking Hilton is not as aggressive as Vistana and some other companies though. Fingers crossed for you .....please post an update upon your return.