sheraton vistana update

[2minny]

Okay, what did I do wrong? I called Sheraton Vistana directly and asked about getting a 2 bedroom suite for 8 nights. She quoted me $199/night. I asked about others getting better prices and she said well this is central reservations, I don't see better prices. I asked what section is it in, she didn't know. I told her I had a 50% starwood coupon, she said "well that's for 5 nights, you're staying 8". I said "well can I use it for 5 nights, then pay full price for 3 nights" and she said "well that's seperate reservations, you'll probably have to move rooms after 5 days". Then she said "okay, I have your 5 night price, it's $179". I said "I thought it was 50% off" and she said "yes, 50% off of $358"....so what happened to my original price of $199? I don't know, this place worries me! I've heard such great things about this place, why did I have such a mess?

 

[mareed]

I can tell you than any 50% off specials are generally applied to the full rack rate. The $199 would be the best discounted rate that was showing up, but you can't apply 50% to the discounted rate.

I can't explain how others have gotten lower rates. I know the Vistana Resort had really good deals a few years back, but they seemed to dry up for a while and I've found good deals at other places recently (Windsor Palms and Cypress Pointe come to mind.)

Good luck!

 

[DianeV]

When are you going? RCI may have a getaway week there for a good price

 

[2minny]

june 2-10th. I'm sorry to gripe, but I think my main problem is that the lady was so rude and difficult. When she told me I would have to move rooms, I was speechless. How is everyone finding out their room location, this lady acted like I was an alien when I asked what building.

 

[jctwizzer]

Okay, what did I do wrong?

Since you are going the first week in June, I suspect the first thing you did wrong was not schedule during a slow period. Bargain rates are used to fill resorts when things are slow---check the rate for the first week in February.
I suspect you'll be hard pressed to find any real bargain rates during the time you'll be there---unless you volunteer to sit through a timeshare presentation somewhere
l

 

[2minny]

I'm sorry, I guess when I said "what did I do wrong" wasn't specific enough. I've been to Disney MANY times, I know the crowds are worse at times and I'm fine with that. We can't seem to go in February, unless they move the Microsoft convention to that time to avoid the crowds I'm not necessarily looking for a "deal", just looking for a friendly person on the phone that tries to work with me. Besides February is too cold for my southern liking, we went in April last year, that was even too cold, we were putting on and off sweatshirts the entire day (and guess who ended up carrying them)...give me the Florida heat and crowds!!! Thanks for your friendly advise though!

 

[debden]

Try www.resideo.com

 

[ttfn3]

Try using the code from this link:
http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_svistana.htm

Also, you can sometimes find the Vistana Resort via Skyauction. We won a week for last summer for under $400.
www.skyauction.com

The Vistana is a wonderful resort. We have had excellent customer service at the resort. Don't let this initial experience taint your view. Good luck on finding a good price for this resort. It can be done, but the discounts are few and far between, especially during peak times.

 

[2minny]

Thank you for your encouragement, I'll keep trying, I'm not as concerned about price as I am about helpful/friendly operators. I also have ressies at Hilton grand vacations, 2 bedroom suite, so we may just keep those. Just checking options!

 

[2minny]

What would you choose? Lakes/Cascades or Fountains. I was told that Fountains has a "picturesque" area, Lakes/Cascades are newer but apartment-style area. Your thoughts? I want a really nice room, and still trying to decide if this is the route we want to go.

 

[jeff968]

I can't remember where the fountains was located exactly but I think it was across the enterance road. So, if you want to come to the main section for any of the activities you'll have a walk/drive in front of you. We stayed at the Cascades and walked there. The unit was very nice. On the other hand, if you want quiet you may like lakes/fountains better.

 

[MiaSRN62]

As for views. Part of the Cascades, Lakes and Fountains face the pool (and some rooms are quite close). Usually with these sections you have a slightly better chance at getting pool view/front if you check-in on a Friday.....but not a rule. Alot of the Fountains balcony views are "picturesque", but again....not a set rule. The vegetation and trees are more mature around this area as opposed to the Lakes and especially the Cascades. Last year we still noticed construction areas around "some" of the Cascades area.

I can't remember where the fountains was located exactly but I think it was across the enterance road. So, if you want to come to the main section for any of the activities you'll have a walk/drive in front of you. We stayed at the Cascades and walked there.

Actually activities are held all over this very large resort. The Fountains One and Two sections are very spread out (same with Cascades). Some of the Fountains villas are indeed a walk to the Activity Center or pool, but then other villas/buildings are mere steps away. Many of the Fountains One section are pool front and just a couple minutes walk to the Rec Center there and the Flamingo Cafe restaurant.
As for the Cascades.....some of these units are located near the front of the resort and are far to any Activity Center or pool (i.e. those units near the reception center and those backing up to SR 535). The Lakes is the smallest section of the three mentioned and you'd probably have a very easy walk to the Lakes pool and Rec Center.
To address 2Minny. So sorry you encountered a rude staff member. I think some of the people who have gotten such good prices at the Vistana did not go through central reservations and rather used some of the web sites listed (i.e. skyauction). The price you were quoted is about average. Even I, as an owner, was quoted $160/night way back in '99. But there's no excuse for the rudeness you encountered. I'd request Lakes or Cascades if I were you. Nice quiet area and all the buildings have elevators (particularily the Lakes section !). The Fountains area do not have elevators---highest floor is 3. I actually prefer the Fountains Two section but make sure you request "water view". Villas 1601 thru 1672 do NOT have any water view from balcony, but all the rest of the Fount Two area have a view of a pond/and or fountain with lush vegetation around. This area is obviously more mature than the newer Lakes and Cascades. I think those that describe the Lakes and Cascades as more "apartment-like" may be saying that because those buildings are 4 and 5 floors high and have elevators ? Other than that, I don't see why they'd say that. Hope this helps you some.

 

[2minny]

wow, that was very helpful. Thank you for the details. I actually ended up going through a small company that owns a few places at vistana, I'm just trying to decide what area I want. I was quoted around $800 for a week in June....wow. My last question (via e-mails) was "will I have to hear a sales presentation for this price?". Just trying to decide between this place and paying more for a 2 bedroom suite at Hilton Grand Vacation at Seaworld. I know I'm making this more difficult than I should! Thanks for your help!

 

[MiaSRN62]

"will I have to hear a sales presentation for this price?". Just trying to decide between this place and paying more for a 2 bedroom suite at Hilton Grand Vacation at Seaworld. I know I'm making this more difficult than I should! Thanks for your help!

Hi again. You will not have to listen to a sales presentation unless it is contingent on some special rate you may be offered. They will let you know if your rate is connected to a mandatory sales presentation. Also, another couple tips. If you decide to stay here. At the check-in desk (after you received your keys), they will tell you to go to the desk behind you to pick up some "special discounts" or something similar. Do NOT go to that desk. It is there where they will try to sign you up for the sales talk which can be high pressure---they may even offer you money which comes in the form of Vistana money usually. We took them up on an offer of $50 one time and lost 2 hours of our vacation to high pressure tactics. Never again---not even for twice that amount. Just take your keys and resort map and exit the Reception Center. You may still get a phone call in your villa after 24-48 hours of your stay inviting you to a breakfast buffet to discuss the resort.....again, just politely (and firmly !) state "no thanks", hang up and you will not be asked again. Good luck with your decision !

 

[2minny]

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[26555]

I actually ended up going through a small company that owns a few places at vistana, I'm just trying to decide what area I want. I was quoted around $800 for a week in June....wow.

What is the company? Do they have a website? It may be of use to others wanting to book a week.

 

[dbcnbc]

Hi,
We stayed at the Vistana Villages before and got a wonderful deal. When I started planning for our trip this year, I couldn't find any good deals for Vistana. Being the OCD person I am, I NEEDED to find a place as nice as the Vistana for a good price and this is what I found:
The Marriott Grande Vista has a Disney Visa special. You must book and pay for it using a Visa card. (you can cancel up to three days before)
The best deal is on a 4 night package.
You get 4 nights and two adult 4 day disney passes.
the passes are not hopper passes but I called the concierge at the hotel and they said that you can upgrade the tickets for $35 a ticket.
Anyway, we got a 2 bedroom, 2 bath for four nights w/tickets for $670. The tickets alone are worth $230 a piece.
We booked a guestroom (glorified hotel room) for my parents, 4 nights w/two 4 day passes for $448!!
You don't have to do any timeshare presentation crap either!!!
The promotion is directly from the Marriott and it's kinda hard to find so here's a link that I think will get you directly there.
http://marriott.com/property/specials/mesoffer.mi?marrOfferId=63236&marshaCode=mcogv

I only hope that I like this hotel as much as the Vistana Villages.
Good luck,
Diane

 

[MiaSRN62]

You're welcome

 

[2minny]

I went to www.tug1.org and found the rental ads to get the low cost. Still wondering if there's a sales presentation involved...we've been e-mail back and forth trying to my questions answered. The only thing I found is they only rent for 7 days, you can't do 6 or 8 days.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I went to www.tug1.org and found the rental ads to get the low cost. Still wondering if there's a sales presentation involved...we've been e-mail back and forth trying to my questions answered. The only thing I found is they only rent for 7 days, you can't do 6 or 8 days.

If you went to TUG and are renting through the owner you will not have to attend a sales presentation. You can only rent for 7 days because most of us owners (the non point-based ones) own in blocks of 7 nights. You'd have to add any extra days on through Vistana central reservations and risk the strong possibility of having to switch villas after the first 7 nights. It's one of the main reasons we bought into DVC. We noticed our vacations stretching out to 10, 12 or 14 nights at time. Vistana would require me (as an owner) to change villas after the first week. I finally got fed up and figured if we were gonna have to move, why not move to Disney property instead, since this is where we spend the majority of our time.
I'd say it's next to impossible to get more than 7 consecutive nights in the same villa at Vistana because of the way the timeshare system is based there.
EDITED to add : make sure you find out which section these owners have their weeks in !!!