Sheraton Vistana Resort

[tink6137130]

A co-worker has given me her timeshare at Vistana Resort (she hasn’t used it for years) …has anyone ever stayed here? We haven’t been yet and I’m wondering how convenient it is to Disney and any other information would be helpful.

 

[wdwfan101]

It's a nice timeshare. I'm an owner in Springs. The Vistana has several sections. The original 3-story complexes are being renovated from 2007-2009 while the newest sections (Cascades, I believe) is a little more then 5 years old and is more nicely furnished.

There are several pools on site. The older sections have their own smaller pools but you can use any of them.

It is at a convenient location. It's about a 7-10 minute drive from the Epcot parking lot and 12-15 from the MK parking lot. It's about 1 mile south of Downtown Disney / CrossRoads and the Premium Outlets.

 

[tink6137130]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know if they provide free bus/shuttle service to the parks? Also, I see there is a miniture golf course on the grounds...is that free?

 

[wdwfan101]

The shuttle is $9 per person per day (I didn't know that myself, I read that on another thread). It only has 4 pickups and 4 drop-offs. I've always rented a car when I'm at the Vistana.

I don't know about a miniature golf course onsite. There is a minigolf course closer to I-4 and 535.

 

[wdwfan101]

Can you find out from your friend which section the unit is in (Springs, Cascades, Lakes, Fountains I & II) to determine if it has been recently renovated.

Also check if the timeshare is a floating week or a fixed week. The older units, such as my Springs unit, have a fixed week every year (coming up for me in less than 2 weeks!) If I don't want that week for a given year, I can turn it into the pool for a trade if one is available.

The newest units (Cascades, I believe) has a floating week within a season (peak, high, and off). Sheraton publishes a multi-year calendar on the owner's website on which weeks fall within those seasons each year. You can use either the owner's website or phone to pick your preferred week. I have another unit at Vistana Villages that works that way.

The Vistana has a small grocerette on site along with a Pizza Hut to go and a few other small restaurants but nothing fancy.

Within walking distance, there are a few restaurants just north on the property along Rt 535 (Landry's Seafood, Lonestar Steakhouse) and a Walgreen's. All are within walking distance. I would not walk south of the property due to the traffic (the Rt 536 intersection is just a block south).

 

[MiaSRN62]

I see there is a miniture golf course on the grounds...is that free?

Yes...there is one....it's very small and not fancy. We haven't played since my kids were little, but I do recall a fee of some sort. Something like $5/person. Not worth it in my opinion. This one should be free. But perhaps things have changed and it is now ?

wdwfan gave alot of good info. I think I was the one that posted about the shuttle charges on another thread. The shuttles to Sea World and Uni are even slightly higher.

I know the Cascades, Lakes and Fountains I & II are also floating. I own in the Fountains. Check and see which section your coworker owns in and then we can give you more specific info.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You can check out my pics from over the years at Vistana. Keep in mind some of these are older---dating back to the mid '90's and the units have since been rehabbed/remodeled. As WDWFAN101 mentioned, just about all the units are slated for MAJOR remodeling over this year and into the next. SO these units will look very different from the photos in my album.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9AZtXLNi0bOoA

Here's some photos of projected remodeling outcomes :

Falls section (before)

Falls (newly projected)

Also a few more projected new villas :
SPRINGS new :

FOUNTAINS I new :

FOUNTAINS II new :

Hope this helps.......

 

[tink6137130]

Thanks for the helpful replies….

The unit is in The Palms a fixed week in May that I won’t be able to use this year. Hopefully I will be able to trade for a week in June or July. I’m still waiting on the final paper work to be transferred to my name. I hope there won’t be a problem trading for another week. Would I be able to trade into a different section or would it have to be in The Palms? I didn’t realize the shuttle would be so expensive, I guess a car rental may be a better value. The pictures are great! We have always stayed in a room with 2 beds & 1 bath…my family will be so excited!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hopefully I will be able to trade for a week in June or July. I’m still waiting on the final paper work to be transferred to my name. I hope there won’t be a problem trading for another week. Would I be able to trade into a different section or would it have to be in The Palms?

Hi Tink,
RCI or II will be able to bank a week for you and you could end up in any section. One year we banked our Fountains Week and were assigned the Springs. I think they put you wherever there is availabilty. The earlier you bank, the better off you'll be. Good luck.

I don't see that the Palms has a specific time period for refurb or even if their association approved it. This is from the Starwood Owners site :

4 More Phases to Approve Refurbishments
Owners Eager to See More Improvements at Sheraton Vistana Resort
Following in the footsteps of the Lakes phase, four more phases at Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando, Florida, plan to officially approve major, multi-million dollar refurbishments, enabling thousands of Owners to enjoy their vacations in the most modern accommodations.
The boards of directors of the Fountains, Fountains II, Springs and Falls phases are unanimously supporting the generous renovations, which will deliver granite countertops, upgraded cabinets and furniture, electronic packages, new linens, lighting and more. "I believe you've got to maintain the resort and a person's investment in their unit," said Brian Bourbeau of Canada, a Springs board member and 18-year multiple villa Owner. "It's a home away from home and we should continue to make it feel that way."
Because of the different number of villas in each phase, refurbishment costs will vary. The current estimates are $7.3 million for the Springs, $8 million for the Falls, $10.5 million for the Fountains II and $16 million for the Fountains. Each renovation will take approximately four to seven months and will be funded with accumulated reserves as well as a small refurbishment fee to phase Owners.
"We don't pretend that these projects and the corresponding fees are inexpensive, but when you compare the appearance of a refurbished villa to its cost, it is well worth the money," said Shawn O'Brien, Starwood Vacation Ownership Director of Board Relations.
Villa models exist for all four phases, and visiting Owners can now register for a sneak preview tour by stopping by the Reception Center. The models were designed by Tampa, Florida-based Images Gallery & Design, the remodeling expert also responsible for recent refurbishments of Sheraton Desert Oasis in Arizona and Vistana's Beach Club in Florida. The company's work at Vistana's Beach Club earned the resort an award in the best refurbishment category of the 2007 American Resort Development Association Awards. The models highlight the elaborate improvements, which include:
• Granite countertops, upgraded cabinets and ceiling fans
• Stylish dining sets, bar stools, bedroom dressers and nightstands
• Comfortable queen sofa beds, coffee tables and sleek lounge chairs
• Cutting-edge, 42-inch LCD televisions with Bose® entertainment systems
• Modern linens, tasteful window treatments and lighting packages
• A contemporary style with fresh paint, new trim and carpet
"As you see the neutral colors, warm woods and overall beauty of the villas, you quickly understand the long-term value of these upgrades," said Resort General Manager Glen Vlasic. "It's going to provide years of positive experiences for not only our Owners but also their children and other family members who travel with them."
Additionally, the boards of directors at Cascades and Courts have approved construction of model villas and plan to survey them in December. Board members of the remaining phase, Spa, plan to discuss a refurbishment in future meetings.
Both new and long-time Owners at Sheraton Vistana Resort are proud of their resort. As standards are elevated to meet modern expectations, you'll enjoy a superior vacation experience and increased trading power.

Also found a couple more photos of the proposed rehabs :

Lakes master bedroom :

And the Fountains :

 

[tink6137130]

Hi Tink,
RCI or II will be able to bank a week for you and you could end up in any section. One year we banked our Fountains Week and were assigned the Springs. I think they put you wherever there is availabilty. The earlier you bank, the better off you'll be. Good luck.

Sorry for all the questions but I have another…

Will one month prior to the fixed week be enough time to bank? The transfer was started in January (I asked her to bank the week herself but she didn’t seem to want to do that) and I didn’t think it would take this long. I *think* I may have some good news this week.

 

[wdwfan101]

Maria, thanks for posting the pictures! The rehab of the old sections is very welcome. The rehab is going to cost each owner about $650 / yr in 2008 & 2009. Well worth it, IMO.

And thanks for the info on the mini-golf course. I'll check it out when I'm down there.

Tink, I also purchased my unit from a co-worker. For two years he was letting me use it just for the cost of his annual maintenance fee. After that he sold it to me. I've used the unit every year, so I haven't taken advantage of banking the week.

I heard when I bought my other timeshare that you can sell back your week to Vistana if you can't use it and they will try to rent it out and give you a portion of the proceeds. I'm not sure what % of your annual maintenance fee would be covered by the proceeds, but it's something if you can't use it that year.

You have the option of joining Interval International (a timeshare trading organization) for $99. It allows you to bank your week with II and gain access to similar value timeshares not just at Vistana but many in the US and internationally. They send a catalog every year with properties. One of the major rehab's benefits is it adds value to the booking value of your timeshare so you can trade for a better timeshare or one in a more valuable location.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Will one month prior to the fixed week be enough time to bank? The transfer was started in January (I asked her to bank the week herself but she didn’t seem to want to do that) and I didn’t think it would take this long. I *think* I may have some good news this week.

Hi Tink.....
While I am not an owner of a fixed week (I own floating), I can tell you that the earlier you deposit/bank your time, the better (MUCH better) chance you have of getting your request. Anything less than 60 days prior to a check-in date is considered a late deposit and worth less "on the open market", so to say.

That said, since you are trading right back into Vistana (essentially an internal trade), you may be "ok". I do not have alot of experiences with banking, as we usually use our weeks every year. I think your coworker was hesitant to bank the week because she didn't want to have to pay the $99 Interval International (exchange company) fee (as wdwfan mentioned).

If anyone has any different suggestion/opinion, hopefully they'll post it.

 

[tink6137130]

I just want to thank everyone for the info...this board is always so helpful!