Vistana resort

[disneymom3]

So does that mean that Vistana is eventually not going to be traded via RCI at all? Do they even have control over that? Well, since I can't get Lakes, as we traded via RCI, I sure hope I get into Fountains......1 week to go.

 

[Taratink]

Spiceycat- good info thanks. We are getting a 2 bedroom villa.
Julie- I thought that fountains was a good section. I think falls is the one Jen is talking about.
Tara

 

[MiaSRN62]

Interval only has access to the newer rooms. Sheraton Vistana wants Interval to kept their gold rating - so they won't put you in a older unit.

I tend to agree with Spiceycat. Prior to Vistana's affiliation with Interval, they always retained the right to place a renter/exchanger wherever they saw fit (I think the fine print probably still states this). The affiliation with II is rather new (maybe 4-5 years ?). It does seem that they probably do want to keep the gold rating as Spicey stated, thus I feel the majority of guests are placed in the Lakes/Cascades. I can only assume alot of Lakes/Cascades owners are trading out with all this availability in those sections.

 

[MiaSRN62]

since I can't get Lakes, as we traded via RCI, I sure hope I get into Fountains......

Julie,
What day of the week are you trading into ? I consider the Fountains I & II good sections (some may disagree). But keep in mind, that a percentage of the Fountains II units do not have a water view. If this is important, double check your villa number during check-in. The following Fountain II units do not have a great view : 1601 thru 1612; 1631 thru 1642; 1655 thru 1672. If you are assigned any of these (and a water view is important to you), ask if there is any other availability. I actually chose Fountains I over a Fountains II unit this past August because they wanted to place me in one of those above units. I prefer the Fountains II because of the similar layout to the Lakes and Cascades, but a water view was more important to me.
Good luck.

 

[jdm]

Whenever I consider a trade through II into Vistana online- it always specifies the Lakes/Cascade section. Just take that with you. I'm sure that's where you'll be put. Ask to speak to a supervisor with II. When you booked, that's what you booked for and I would take nothing else. I'm tending to think the II rep was misinformed. It wouldn't specify that section, if thats not the area you are getting.

I've only stayed at Vistana once when we traded through RCI. It was Presidents week and I had requested Lakes or Cascade. I ended up getting Fountains (not sure I or II-- it had the tub in the bathroom). It was an older unit, but right by a fabulous pool and the unit itself was large and comfy. I prefer that section of the resort also. For what it's worth, we had a wonderful time there. One of our favs.

Jenn

 

[In Luv with Disney]

What's funny, is that the newer sections of the resort (Lakes & Cascades) are Interval International. And the new resort (Vistana Villages) is RCI. Go figure!!! (it's supposed to change eventually, but who knows when!)

 

[disneymom3]

I have stayed in Fountains before and I really like it. For that matter we have also stayed in Springs and liked that too. My first request on my Diamond lane check in was for Lakes. I am sure even if we are put in one of the oldest sections, we will still have a fabulous trip.

Maria, we check in on a Saturday. Should be able to get to Orlando by 4 as long as we don't hit any major traffic snarl ups. I will be looking at their map at check in because I would really prefer a water view. However, my biggest concern is going to be stairs so that will have to be our priority.

 

[MiaSRN62]

really prefer a water view. However, my biggest concern is going to be stairs so that will have to be our priority.

Disneymom,
I can most certainly understand how stairs can be a factor. Make sure you list this on the Diamond Lane form. We actually prefer the 3rd floor units in the Fountains because you get a vaulted living room ceiling and a skylight. But I can certainly understand your need for a ground floor or elevator bldg. I wish you luck with your requests.

 

[gjw007]

I think with Interval you will be fine. Interval only has access to the newer rooms. Sheraton Vistana wants Interval to kept their gold rating - so they won't put you in a older unit.

besides if you got a 1-bedroom then you have to have a new units - the older ones are 2-bedroom only.

they got mad at RCI (and who could blame them) for renting out their units to non-timeshare owners and went with II because of this...

they have only been a member of II for around 2 years....

There may be more to it than just this. I stayed in the Fountains II area, very nice rooms, and did the tour. The sales rep had said that they were planning on building numerious unit around the world and create its own exchange network. When they were large enough, they were going to drop the exchange companies. The sales rep did mention RCI in particular but I was left with the opionion that they would do like Hilton (and DVC for that matter) and have a company membership so that members can trade out but most exchanges would be done internally. I don't know if this is true or not but Maria may be able to shed some light. Sorry to hear about the poor treatment. My stay at Vistana was good.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

There may be more to it than just this. I stayed in the Fountains II area, very nice rooms, and did the tour. The sales rep had said that they were planning on building numerious unit around the world and create its own exchange network. When they were large enough, they were going to drop the exchange companies. The sales rep did mention RCI in particular but I was left with the opionion that they would do like Hilton (and DVC for that matter) and have a company membership so that members can trade out but most exchanges would be done internally. I don't know if this is true or not but Maria may be able to shed some light. Sorry to hear about the poor treatment. My stay at Vistana was good.

Yes, it is true. Vistana is now a member of STARWOOD VACATION NETWORK (SVN). Only owners of Lakes and Cascades can be a part of SVN. Here is a link to the list of resorts in our internal network:
http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/index.jsp

You don't have to pay an exchange fee to exchange into one of the other resorts that is NOT your home resort. Owners of a specific resort can make their ressies at that resort 12 months in advance. Other SVN members can make ressies at resorts OTHER than their home resort in the network 8 months in advance.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Kim is correct in what she explained. Lakes and Cascades owners can trade withing the Starwood Vacation Network. They convert their weeks into staroptions and then determine which resort she listed in the link, they can trade into.
I actually own Vistana's Beach Club on Hutchinson Island (southeast coast FL). We have free internal exchange into the Fountains I/II section. I purchased my deed at Beach Club because at the time we attended the sales presentation at Vistana in '94, the Lakes were the new section they were pushing. Developer costs were anywhere from $15K to $22K depending on what type of unit you purchased and fixed/floating/yearly/every other year etc. We told the sales rep that was too rich for our blood. They came up with this resale at Vistana's Beach Club for 50% less and we knew we could trade directly into Vistana for no up-front cost. The Fountains/Beach Club is not eligible for the SVN or staroptions. I don't think that will ever change. I can, however, convert my prime floating week at the Beach Club into starpoints. Starpoints give you the option to stay at Sheraton/Westin hotels all over the world depending on what your unit converts to. These points can also be used for air travel and rental cars I believe. I have never done this because of the large upfront cost. I actually recently called Starwood to inquire more about the starpoints from a Beach Club/Fountains owner point of view. It would cost a one-time fee of $599 to join "Vistana PLUS" which you must be a member of in order to use star points. Once you've paid this one time fee, you pay $99 to convert your week to star points. You can only convert every other year and each time it will cost $99 after the initial $599. I found out my week 5 floating prime at the Beach Club converts to 28,000 points.
The 28,000 point doesn't give me much. I went to the spg.com site to see what my 28,000 points would get me in, say, Hawaii for example. The hotels are rated from cat 1 (lowest) to cat 6 (most posh resorts). All I could get with my starpoint conversion (for a Beach Club owner) is 4 nights in a cat 3 Honalulu hotel called Sheraton Princess Kaiulani:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...wCheckAvail=yes

I can't see $700 upfront cost (PLUS my usual maintenance fees) to get 4 nights in a hotel room----albeit, Hawaii. I simply can't justify the cost to convert to the starpoints for me personally.

Now, the SVN system available to Lakes/Cascades owner who bought through the developer have alot better options trading directly into other timeshare resorts. I believe they have a mandatory fee of $99/year along with their maintenance fees to be members of the network. I've also heard it can be a little tough for some of the trades into the more popular Harborside and St John resorts.

 

[Shelly]

Isn't there certain units that are only in the newerr section. I thought someone mentioned this before. Which are those?

 

[DeeCeeSW]

1-bedroom units are in the newer sections.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Correct. 1 bedroom units are only found in the Lakes and Cascades.

 

[Taratink]

Maria- My paperwork says I will get a 2 bedroom unit that sleeps 6 private and 8 non-private. What area is that type of unit in? We have a Sunday check in. Do you ever get tired of all these questions? I know that I certainly appreciate all the info. you have provide.
TIA
Tara

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I can't see $700 upfront cost (PLUS my usual maintenance fees) to get 4 nights in a hotel room----albeit, Hawaii. I simply can't justify the cost to convert to the starpoints for me personally.

Now, the SVN system available to Lakes/Cascades owner who bought through the developer have alot better options trading directly into other timeshare resorts. I believe they have a mandatory fee of $99/year along with their maintenance fees to be members of the network. I've also heard it can be a little tough for some of the trades into the more popular Harborside and St John resorts.

I know what you mean about converting your week to starpoints. I don't think it's worth it AT ALL! Also keep in mind, when you are in SVN, you can only convert to starpoints every other use year. But if you are an elite member, you can convert every year (which I am). However, I still think it is a waste to do it this way. (IMHO)

Yes, you are right about the $99 fee. But I only have to pay it on the first week I own (I own three). There is a discounted rate on the second week and any additional weeks are FREE. However, I only get charged the $99 fee every year.

It is very difficult to trade into the premier resorts like Harborside and St. John...but I have been very successful for four years in a row. I have four villas reserved at Harborside in May! I always call 8 months in advance.

 

[MiaSRN62]

My paperwork says I will get a 2 bedroom unit that sleeps 6 private and 8 non-private. What area is that type of unit in? We have a Sunday check in. Do you ever get tired of all these questions?

Hi Tara,
I don't get tired of the questions at all.....I'm happy to help out if I can do so.
You could get the : Palms, Springs, Fountains I or II, Lakes or Cascades. All are 8/6 and have a Sunday check-in

It is very difficult to trade into the premier resorts like Harborside and St. John...but I have been very successful for four years in a row. I have four villas reserved at Harborside in May! I always call 8 months in advance.

That is great In Luv With Disney I would love to stay at Harbourside. Friends of mine own in the Cascades and stayed there 2 years ago. The resort looks amazing and villas were beautiful. Congrats on being so successful. I heard you really do have to call at the 8 month window for this resort.

 

[Taratink]

Thank you Maria! It looks like my odds are good for getting Fountains or better. I filled out the diamond lane check out site and I did not get any type of info. thru my email saying that they received it. I also sent it before I printed it and then it disappeared. Hhhmmmm. I wonder if I did it correctly? I am going to print it and re-send it in a couple weeks. I did not provide anymore info. than they already have. How will this save us time?
Tara

 

[MiaSRN62]

Tara ~
The DL saves you time in that there is a seperate check-in line for DL guests. So if you walk into the main lobby and see a big line for check-in/out, you go to the far corner and get to check-in in the usually much shorter DL. There have been times when I've gone into the lobby and neither line is very long. But the DL is also good for just restating your requests.
Sometimes I've gotten an email from Vistana acknowledging the requests and at other times I have not. One time the response from them came about 2 weeks after I sent the DL requests.
Good luck....hope you get what you want. I'm sure it'll all work out for you

 

[madge]

http://govarm.condodirect.com/web/cs?a=1014&r=0.32041673506810086&saveSearch=true

is condodirect a part of interval internatonal?

which of the 2 Vistana listings is the newer section-- VIT or VIO? Is there any way to tell?