Star Island resort vs Sheraton Vistana Resort

[3pletprincesses]

My dh has been looking and pretty much reading everything he could find about timeshares. He has been looking at 2 resorts lately. I was hoping it would be Bonnet Creek but no such luck LOL . The Sheraton Vistana(red-high) it's a 2bedroom and at the Star (week 10) it's a 3 bedrooms lockoff.

Has anyone stayed at any of those places and what is your take on the place?

One thing I don't understand is the star has a fixed week, can we change that week if it doesn't work for us?

 

[Brian Noble]

Vistana is closer, and possibly a little nicer. You cannot change a fixed week without using an exchange company, at an extra cost.

I would encourage him to look into buying Wyndham points on the resale market. IMO, it is a very good value, and will give you more flexibility as your plans change than owning at a specific resort. Plus, it will give you access to Bonnet Creek.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Now that's an idea that I like. Do you need to be part of an exchange company to use those points if you are not using them in your main timeshare resort ?

 

[aaronandterri]

yep if you intend to stay elsewhere you need to deposit your week with an exchange company, but then you can stay all over.

 

[Brian Noble]

Do you need to be part of an exchange company to use those points if you are not using them in your main timeshare resort ?

If you own points in the Wyndham system, you can use those points internally in any of Wyndham's "portfolio" of resorts. This includes both bonnet creek *and* star island. To go outside of Wyndham's portfoilo you would need to use an exchange company. You get a "free" account with such a company (paid for out of your annual fees), but using it is usually not a great value vs. booking internally.

 

[TotoToo]

I would encourage him to look into buying Wyndham points on the resale market. IMO, it is a very good value, and will give you more flexibility as your plans change than owning at a specific resort. Plus, it will give you access to Bonnet Creek.

Wyndham points at resale pricing represent one of the truly great values in all of timeshare right now. The Wyndham system is large and easy to use once you learn the ropes. You should look into it.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Thank you for your help. considering we have young kids, Dinsey will be the destination for several years to come but it's nice to know that other options are out there if and when we get tired of Disney. although, will I ever get tired of Diney ... not so sure of that LOL I"ll go to bed with a little more knowledge tonight

 

[3pletprincesses]

Now that's an idea that I like. Do you need to be part of an exchange company to use those points if you are not using them in your main timeshare resort ?

 

[TotoToo]

Now that's an idea that I like. Do you need to be part of an exchange company to use those points if you are not using them in your main timeshare resort ?

Yes - but Wyndham includes a full RCI Weeks account with your ownership so myou have access to the whole inventory at RCI as an option anytime.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Thank you so much. My poor Dh lost the battle. We will be looking for point resales from now on. As much I love Disney, staying in one cramped room can be chalendging and will only get worse as the girls grow up. Can't imagine 2 parents and 3 daughters trying to get ready in 1 bathroom

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you have the right idea. I have *never* shared a single hotel room with my children for more than one or two nights at a time. And, two nights is really more than I can take.

 

[allengray]

I've stayed at both the Sheraton Vistana and Star Island. Both are very nice. We had some of the newer accommodations at the Vistana, but had heard of some of the outdated units there. My take was that the Vistana was a bit livelier and therefore held the kids' interest a bit more. The central pool area was more of a hub of activity. Star Island comes across as a bit more upscale and therefore more subdued. Plenty of dining options are close to both properties. I don't think you can wrong with either of them.