Skyauction win at Vistana Resort

[LUV4SIMBA]

First, let me say this is a wonderful board and a wealth of invaluable information.

I have won a bid from SkyAuction at the Vistana (first win...yeah!!) and am totally confused on how it all works. They provide a wide range of check-in dates allowed but then also state specific dates on suites that sleep 6 or 8. If anyone is familiar with this site, I think you will know what I am talking about it (I hope) So my question is the check-in dates allowed are actually the specific ones they list?? Also, not sure about when we can travel, has anyone paid now and book in a few months for travel...lets say even as late as next Fall 2007?? It does state that the offer expires the end of 2007 but am leary on waiting that long in case of any changes on their part.

Most importantly one of my concerns, has anyone experienced being placed in their older sections because of a SA win? thanks to all for any advice and suggesions

 

[MiaSRN62]

but then also state specific dates on suites that sleep 6 or 8.

I've never done skyauction so I have no experience with how it works. I'm sure Spiceycat (Pat) will see this and be able to help you---or someone else who uses skyauction.
But I can tell u, that the sleep 6 is the older Falls section (2 twin beds in the second bedroom instead of 2 doubles), so definitely go with the sleep 8.
Congrats to you
PS: Welcome to the DIS !

 

[runwad]

First, let me say this is a wonderful board and a wealth of invaluable information.

I have won a bid from SkyAuction at the Vistana (first win...yeah!!) and am totally confused on how it all works. They provide a wide range of check-in dates allowed but then also state specific dates on suites that sleep 6 or 8. If anyone is familiar with this site, I think you will know what I am talking about it (I hope) So my question is the check-in dates allowed are actually the specific ones they list?? Also, not sure about when we can travel, has anyone paid now and book in a few months for travel...lets say even as late as next Fall 2007?? It does state that the offer expires the end of 2007 but am leary on waiting that long in case of any changes on their part.

Most importantly one of my concerns, has anyone experienced being placed in their older sections because of a SA win? thanks to all for any advice and suggesions

I'm still a rookie at SkyAuction but I've used them twice and the second time we won Vistana too in July '06 and are going over spring break 07. First off you only have so much time (72 hours if memory is right) to respond back to their email and pick your dates. Yes you must pick the specific dates that were listed in the bid. As Maria said pick a week that sleeps 8 to be ensured a chance of a better unit. After you do that keep all the papers they email to you for your trip. Then get back on here and do a search for Vistana and learn about the Blue Diamond Check-In lane and what buildings to request. Good luck and I hope my limited knowledge helped.

 

[MiaSRN62]

learn about the Blue Diamond Check-In lane and what buildings to request.

I'll add......
Once you've picked your dates, you can go to the Vistana online request form and fill in specifics (i.e. section, ground floor etc). https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5

Most people find the newest Cascades and Lakes sections most desirable. These are the only sections with elevators. If you have mobility issues in your family, you would need to request either these sections or a "ground" floor.
Hope this helps.

 

[ttfn3]

I won a skyauction week for the Vistana Resort a couple of years ago. You do need to pick a week that was listed in the auction - and I believe we had to respond within 72 hours with our date.

We actually were put in the Falls Section. I did sign up for the Diamond Lane. Our checkin date was for a Friday. My family actually liked the Falls section. We had a great room right across the parking lot from the Falls pool. And for the price we paid - around $350 - it was a great bargain for a week in a 2 BR.

We have since stayed at the Vistana in the other sections - and the only ones that I wouldn't want to be put in would the the Courts and the Springs.

 

[noodleknitter]

We've stayed in the Falls, the Fountains and the Courts. We had bugs in the Fountains. All were ground level due to my mom needing an ECV. We liked each of the areas for different reasons. I would certainly stay in any of them again. Of course, the Courts isn't the Boardwalk, but it had a sweet, vacation home feeling. Like staying in a beach house. Not crowded, etc. Had the giant cockroaches at the Fountains, and the Falls were definitely adequate. For the price paid on Sky Auction, I received more than I paid for!

 

[LUV4SIMBA]

But I can tell u, that the sleep 6 is the older Falls section (2 twin beds in the second bedroom instead of 2 doubles), so definitely go with the sleep 8.
Congrats to you
PS: Welcome to the DIS !

Thank you! Actually the dates that we can travel are all in the sleep 8 so it works out for us. We stayed at the Vistana before in 2003 on our own booking and remember asking them to change us after placing us in the Falls section and requested Lakes and Cascades (info from a friend who owns timeshare there). They did move us to the Lakes section which we LOVED!

Yes it is 72 hours to reply after winning which I am just waiting for a response from SkyAuction to confirm our dates.

If I remember correctly, I read here a while ago that certain sections are checked in on specific days and I believe that Friday check-in was in the newer (Cascades&Lakes) areas. Can anyone confirm this?? Thanks again!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I read here a while ago that certain sections are checked in on specific days and I believe that Friday check-in was in the newer (Cascades&Lakes) areas. Can anyone confirm this?? Thanks again!

Hi again,
For a "Friday" check-in you can be placed in the following :
Cascades, Lakes, Fountains I, Springs, Spas or Palms. You would not be placed in the Falls or Courts with a Friday check-in. Hope this helps !

 

[LUV4SIMBA]

Hi again,
For a "Friday" check-in you can be placed in the following :
Cascades, Lakes, Fountains I, Springs, Spas or Palms. You would not be placed in the Falls or Courts with a Friday check-in. Hope this helps !

Maria, thanks again. I thought "Friday" did not include Fountains, Springs, Spas and Palms. Not sure if any of these sections are newer or if these sections sleep 8.......would you happen to know??? I did pick a week that sleeps 8 and also requested Cascades or Lakes.

SkyAuction e-mailed me that they cannot place my specific request, I will need to do so myself only one week before arriving. I am now having second thoughts

 

[MiaSRN62]

I thought "Friday" did not include Fountains, Springs, Spas and Palms. Not sure if any of these sections are newer or if these sections sleep 8.......would you happen to know??? I did pick a week that sleeps 8 and also requested Cascades or Lakes.

Fridays definitely include these sections. From oldest to newest, they are :
Spas, Palms, Springs, Fountains I. These sections all sleep 8.
The only thing you can do is request a specific location via the online request form. But, unfortunately, there are no guarentees. What time of the year do u plan to travel ? If it's a slower time, you stand a better chance of getting what you want. Hope this helps.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I own in the Fountains I and II sections. On Fridays you stand a chance of getting placed in Fountains I. Here are some recent pics to give u an idea:

 

[MiaSRN62]

For some very odd reason, the DIS is filtering out my last pic (it was of the whirlpool tub). The numbers filtered out are : ****
I'd love an explanation of this from a mod please ? Thanks.
Edited to add : Ok, this is ridiculous ? The numbers are filtered out for no good reason that I can tell ??? They are : eight, two, three, three.
Mod ????

 

[LUV4SIMBA]

Maria those are wonderful pictures. Your unit looks very clean and well maintained. Thanks for sharing them.

We are actually planning the same time you are going this year......first week of December for the Xmas decorations. IMO, this is a slower time.

You have been a great help. Enjoy your vacation. Only four more days!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria those are wonderful pictures. Your unit looks very clean and well maintained. Thanks for sharing them.

Thanks Luv4Simba and you're welcome !
I wanted to give you an idea of what an older unit looks like. Now I have not stayed in the older units (older than Fountains I should say) in many years. Last time was 1999 in a Spas unit. I didn't even want to post pics from that trip because the room probably looks very different. Vistana is constantly updating and doing maintenance. I just wanted to put your mind somewhat at ease should you get an older unit. Of course, if you get into one that is not in good shape, immediately ask for a supervisor and demand to be switched. Yes, early Dec you should have more of a chance to get your request. Good luck !!!

 

[mbb]

For some very odd reason, the DIS is filtering out my last pic (it was of the whirlpool tub). The numbers filtered out are : ****
I'd love an explanation of this from a mod please ? Thanks.
Edited to add : Ok, this is ridiculous ? The numbers are filtered out for no good reason that I can tell ??? They are : eight, two, three, three.
Mod ????

Hmmm

I'm going to forward the thread along to one of the WM

I want to see what the tub looks like!! LOL!

Great pics, Maria!

 

[KathyTX]

There you go... I had to make a little adjustment in the filter.

(The filter does exactly what we tell it to do, but we sometimes tell it the wrong thing. )

 

[mbb]

Thanks Kathy!

Ahhh...love the long soaks after a long day in the Parks!
Thanks for the pics Maria!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks so much Kathy and Mary Beth Much appreciated ! I was wondering what I had done wrong there for a minute ! How could a bathtub be illegal on the DIS

 

[stapply]

We were at The Fountains section just last week and luckily had no problems with giant bugs or cockroaches! Maybe it was because we were on the 2nd floor, but I just wanted to say we were very happy with this section. We have also stayed in Springs & Cascades. I'd have to say Cascades is my favorite because of its proximity to the pool/bar/restaurant, but the Fountains section was very nice.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'd have to say Cascades is my favorite because of its proximity to the pool/bar/restaurant, but the Fountains section was very nice.

Part of the Cascades are close to the pool bar and restaurant. Also part of the Fountains is close to the Flamingo Cafe pool bar/restaurant. With either section, you just get lucky how close you get.
PS: been staying in the Fountains section yearly since 1994 and never encountered bugs/roaches.