Vistana experts needed!

[spiceycat]

timeshares lately have attracted people with money. People who are use to staying at Ritz Cartlon or Disney's BWV in a GV. these people want the best and expect it. They also own at HGVC, Hyatt and Disney plus some others.

alot of the richer folks would not join DVC. they only did when the GV at BWV was not available due to a member staying there.

I am happy to be at WDW not matter where I stay. Yes I love my DVC - OKW is one the better places. But I also liked motel 6. the room was fine. the management another story.

so take everything with a grain of salt.

Some people say how horrible the Springs at Sheraton Vistana were - torn out carpert, etc. but we stayed there and loved it!

Alot depends upon you!

A place has to be down right dirty for me say bad things about it. Hey even Celebration and they except pets have been very, very clean.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree with everything Spicey said. I most recently stayed in a Lakes unit in Nov '02. Normally we're assigned the Fountains I or II where we own but there was a problem with our unit (had to be steam cleaned due to a big mess I was told) so they "upgraded" us to a Lakes unit. I would hardly say it's dated, but like Spicey said, to someone who demands everything be top-notch and brand spankin' new, the Lakes may have appeared dated. Maybe I'm just not that picky or something, but I think the Lakes is great. And I'm with Spicey, if it's clean I'm happy. I feel the Lakes go beyond just being clean though. Not sure if you got a chance to see my Lakes pics, but I would think the average guest would be happy. I wouldn't worry about it. The Lakes were built in 1995 to 1996 or '97 (there were several phases). I believe Disney BWV were built around that same time frame.
So many brand new resorts popping up some people are always comparing.

 

[swilshire]

We rarely join either because we tend to mostly use our Vistana week and not trade out. But I have heard II trades a little better (nicer resorts).

I'm a member of both RCI and II. I like them both pretty well. They each have their quirks that you need to learn to work around.

If you were only going to use one of the exchange companies, it would depend a lot on which one has resorts in the areas where you want to vacation. They are definitely different in that respect. Our June trip included two II weeks and one RCI. I couldn't have arranged it without belonging to both. Our June 2006 trip is three RCI weeks.

If I could only use one, I personally would keep RCI. They have a lot more resorts. It's true that the quality varies, but sometimes location is more important that a fancy resort to my family. Your's may feel differently.

Sheila

 

[MiaSRN62]

If I could only use one, I personally would keep RCI. They have a lot more resorts. It's true that the quality varies, but sometimes location is more important that a fancy resort to my family. Your's may feel differently.

Thanks for the insight Sheila. I just read some reports over the years where people trading with RCI seemed a little more frustrated and got lesser quality resorts than what they owned. I'm on several boards, including TUG, and just got this impression. We don't necessarily need "fancy" but clean and not worn-out looking is what we'd like to aim for.

But from what your saying, sounds like you've had pretty good results with RCI.

 

[mabber]

With RCI, you will do very well in the exchange process if your home base is a quality resort in an in-demand location. We own a jr.suite (basically a hotel room) at a Gold Crown resort on the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Because of of the quality and location of that unit, we always are able to exchange into much larger units in decent resorts around the world. I'm sure this is how most of the timeshare companies operate but I can only speak for RCI.

 

[MiaSRN62]

With RCI, you will do very well in the exchange process if your home base is a quality resort in an in-demand location.

I feel Vistana fits into the quality resort category, but the in-demand part I'm not so sure of. FL timeshares have flooded the market (particularily Orlando), so not sure how much trading power Vistana has. Not sure if it would trade better with II or RCI , in relation to it's "power" ?

 

[spiceycat]

you would probably be better off with one of the independents.

II use to give even Westgate good exchanges. but because of the internet people learned not to trade/exchange/rent Westgate and they have gone way down in rating. they are still on record as a 5 star. but it trades like a regular (or worst) II resort.

My landmark is both RCI and II. I had heard RCI did not value it. and I had a problem with that. this resort had one the best views of the gulf. It is just beautiful. Yes the resort itself has had some trouble but the new management is working very hard. I believe shortly (if not already) it will be the most popular timeshare in PCB after the Marriott.

the Marriott is not on the beach. I prefer my PCB to be on the beach.

So I traded with II. II surprised me because they definitely valued it. It got me two weeks for my one. and these were good weeks!!! Of course they had been trying since I brought it to trade it. I register it as soon as I brought it because then tug members got to register with II for free!!!! but this program is no longer.

I love it. Beautiful views, on the quieter park of PCB, about a mile from the strip, it is a beautiful area. there is a condo going up next to it. would you believe for a 1-bedroom they wanted $350,000.....they know a good thing!

Anyway back to your trading - I would definitely go with one of the independents.

I though you loved Sheraton VIstana and were happy to always stay there???

I thought for a while I was sick of Orlando - so I traded to other places - we missed Orlando badly.....no other place is like it. No matter what your age, disabilities, or anything else - there is something in Orlando that you can do. other places aren't so nice.

 

[slenderella]

Can anyone tell me how far it is and how to get to the new Wal-Mart from the SVR?

 

[MiaSRN62]

I though you loved Sheraton VIstana and were happy to always stay there???

Hi Pat,
We love Vistana and the time we spend in Orlando. It also gives us time to visit with family in the area. I've owned there since '94 and have traded only 1 time. We haven't even joined an exchange company since about '97 or '98. We would like to visit Hawaii one day and just was wondering if Vistana would even hold up for a trade there. What do you mean by going with one of the independents ?

would you believe for a 1-bedroom they wanted $350,000.....they know a good thing!

Just had to say wow

 

[MiaSRN62]

Can anyone tell me how far it is and how to get to the new Wal-Mart from the SVR?

Slenderella,
I haven't been there yet, but from what I've read it doesn't sound much more than 5 min away or so. I believe you turn right coming out of Vistana onto SR 535 and keep on going past(cross over) SR 536. I think it's on the right across from the outlet malls.
If I'm wrong on this hoping someone will correct me.

 

[swilshire]

But from what your saying, sounds like you've had pretty good results with RCI.

Yes, definitely. If I had to choose only one exchange company to belong to, RCI would win out.

For years I exchanged only a 1br floating week in Gatlinburg and wasn't educated enough to even try to reserve the best weeks to trade. I still got some remarkable trades. Once I discovered TUG and learned a few things, it got even better.

I haven't always been successful in getting what I want when I want it, but I've done very well through the years.

Sheila

 

[luvdisney14]

I have a strange question, the soap provided is it face soap or deodorant soap?

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Great reports!!!