Sheraton Vistana Resort

[MiaSRN62]

one my husband and one my teenage son (18)! lol

Hey, my ds is 19. If your son gets bored and wants to hang out, I'm sure my son would love to escape his 2 sisters for a bit. Our mornings/evenings are pretty full at the parks, but during the heat of the afternoon we come back to either nap or relax by the pool. LMK before you leave next month

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

sounds good. He broke up with his gf last month so he will not be on the phone for 3 hrs per night.LOL

 

[MiaSRN62]

He broke up with his gf last month so he will not be on the phone for 3 hrs per night.LOL

LOL.....sounds like he needs a good vacation
I can relate to all the gf stuff that goes on.......

 

[keishashadow]

Any one know if they ever upgrade to 2 BR units?

Wondering if I should muster up my nerve (I'm shy in person & embarrass easily LOL) & ask for a gratis one for upcoming trip.

Found the site on Google Earth - bigger than I thought it would be!

Which section is the "nicest"...we're big on pool-scapes.

Any buildings w/elevators?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Keishashadow,
I think upgrades are the exception rather than the rule. Alot depends on what time of year you're staying. If the resort is slower, you might have a slightly better chance. During the summer/holiday months I'd say your chances are slim but it most certainly cannot hurt to ask
If you have a 1 bedroom booked you will be in one of the two newest sections----Lakes or Cascades. These are the only sections with 1 bedrooms and elevators. These sections also have the only zero depth entry pools. The Lakes section is smaller (also a smaller pool) and in a quieter section of the resort. The Cascades is the newest (and larger) section and more in the hub of the resort for the most part. I actually prefer the Lakes even though they are older than the Cascades. Fountains decor is more tropcial and the Cascades is more white/blue/floral. The Cascades' living/dining area is smaller (square footage wise) than all the other sections.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks Mia!

Either sounds nice to me. Must admit I wasn't too thrilled when I heard all the buildings didn't have elevators...after all day in the parks, the thought of climbing several flights of stairs is daunting.LOL

We're just trying to figure out how we'll "collect" our $100 that they promised the next day (w/o TS presentation). I do not plan on attending the free breakfast, hope they'll hold it @ the desk.

Speaking of which, is there one central check in area?

Additionally, we'll probably arrive around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. Do you think we'll get into our room or should we find something to do until 4:00 p.m.?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Keishashadow......
Yep...you should probably land an elevator bldg----if they do upgrade you to a 2 bedroom, take one in the Lakes or Cascades section. Steps don't bother us, but when we traveled with my mil who was weak from chemo/radiation we just requested ground floor and always had this request honored.
As for check-in, yes....there is only 1 central lobby check-in. If you enter Vistana via SR 535 you'll see the lobby right there (it will be off to your left slightly. Pull up to the circle only if you want Bell Service. Otherwise park in the lot right there and walk into the lobby. If your room is not ready, Bell Service will hold your luggage. We rarely use Bell Service (I think 2-3 times in 12 years of visits). One time we used them, went to the parks until closing and returned to Vistana to find all of our luggage waiting in our villa. They will even store perishable food in a refrigerated section if you need.
We have had pretty good luck getting our villa early some years. Last year we got into our villa at 2:30 pm. We've gotten in as early as 1 pm in the past. There is only 1 time we didn't get in until after check-in and that was 2002. By 6:30 pm I was fuming because our villa still wasn't done. I called one of the resort phones and asked to speak to a manager. I demanded we get a room right there and then (my mil was exhausted) and they immediately moved us to a Lakes unit. We own in the Fountains section so this was somewhat of an upgrade for us.
But 95% of the time, we've gotten in either early or right on time. So I would definitely give it a shot and check-in as soon as you arrive (2-3 pm). Good luck ! I hope you have a pleasent stay.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We're just trying to figure out how we'll "collect" our $100 that they promised the next day (w/o TS presentation). I do not plan on attending the free breakfast, hope they'll hold it @ the desk.

Forgot to address this......
Really not sure how your offer is stated. The few times we've done a deal where they paid us, it was contingent upon attending the "breakfast". I wish you luck with this. I would inquire at the front desk about this. Again....good luck

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks again Mia -

One more question (for now LOL).

Do you know if the Vistana will accept packages, i.e. Staples delivery of water, pop, etc.?

Know that WDW does, was planning it this trip (free S&H w/rewards card).
I called the Vistana but, the person I spoke to was "clueless" & just kept mentioning their pre-stock of grocery feature.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Do you know if the Vistana will accept packages, i.e. Staples delivery of water, pop, etc.?

I'm going to go with a "yes". It's been quite a few years, but we used Net Grocer about 7 years ago and they did accept the package for us (we were at the parks). Also, almost every year I have our wdw passes delivered to either Vistana or whichever DVC resort we're staying at they accept them. If we end up staying at Vistana first, we have Ticketmania deliver the tickets to the front desk and it's never been a problem.
I'd fill out the Diamond Lane request form and mention that you will be expecting a package on that form : https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
Not sure when you're arriving, but I usually fill out and submit this form 2-3 weeks before arrival.

 

[keishashadow]

Mia - good idea, thanks again.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You're welcome Keisha !
And I just noticed your dates in your siggy ---you can go ahead and fill out the Diamond Lane form now. Have a great trip

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Thanks Mia!

Either sounds nice to me. Must admit I wasn't too thrilled when I heard all the buildings didn't have elevators...after all day in the parks, the thought of climbing several flights of stairs is daunting.LOL

We're just trying to figure out how we'll "collect" our $100 that they promised the next day (w/o TS presentation). I do not plan on attending the free breakfast, hope they'll hold it @ the desk.

Speaking of which, is there one central check in area?

Additionally, we'll probably arrive around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. Do you think we'll get into our room or should we find something to do until 4:00 p.m.?

I can tell you how you will collect your 100....you simply go up to the window they designate and collect it!! Sound too good to be true? Well we had the same offer twice at V.V. and ALL we needed to do was go to the cashier and collect it. They did ask if we wanted to take a tour...we said no and that we had stayed there before. It is that simple...sometimes when things seem to good to be true they really are true. Last time we stayed in VV they put us in a 2 bdrm when we only paid for a 1. Also our price was 129 through the same type of Starwood offer as you got. They offered us 75 to take the tour and it just was not aworth it to us. All my experience with Starwood (ie vistana, vistana village) has been excellent.
The manager of Vistana used to be the manager of VV. Igot to know himREAl well when I was not happy at VV my first time.He bent over backwards for us. I think that he must have gotten a promotion to become manager of VR.

 

[keishashadow]

another satisified customer - bella the ball 360 - thanks, good to hear your experience was positive!

We'll just say "no" to the TS offer.

BTW, how long before they made you the 2nd offer? I sound like a greedy, little piggie.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

another satisified customer - bella the ball 360 - thanks, good to hear your experience was positive!

We'll just say "no" to the TS offer.

BTW, how long before they made you the 2nd offer? I sound like a greedy, little piggie.

It wasw about three years til they made the next offer. Keep in mind that you cannot go back for a year so you know the next year most likely is out. I purposely did not take the tour at VV just in the hopes that they would send me anohter offer. I think I am due for one this year. Idid the same with Marriott Grade Vista and they sent me anohter offer this year but we got your 14 days at Vistana so we could not take it.
Do not be afraid of TS offers. Usually the sales man's lead off question is how is your vacation and how do you like our resort. Right off the bat you say that the resort is only okay and you are not all that thrilled with it. No matter how much you love it. That tells them you are a losing propositon and they know there is no hope. When I stayed at Liki Tiki it was no lie I hated he place andthe salesman knew it from the outset. ONe of the worst mistakes in a time share is to gush about how nice the place is b/c then the salesman has leverage.

At places like Wyndham Palms you actually have to sign a statement saying that you were not harrasssed during the presentation. I think the more reputable places sell themselves if a person is in the market and the salesmen know it.