Vistana timeshare vs ?????

[damianinpa]

All,
For the last few years I have been going to Vistana in July using my Father-in-law's timeshare. The place is 5 star resort and it is fantastic..no complaints at all. Realizing at one time Vistana set the bar very high in the timeshare resort area..my question is..are there any other 5 start resorts in Orlando that rival it?? I am thinking about buying a week from a timeshare resale place, but, I don't know what other 'resort's are in Orlando. I have heard of a place called Westgate, but, never been there. Anyone else have an opinion of other 5 star gold crown timeshares???
Thanks
Damian

 

[spiceycat]

don't buy in Orlando - much to easy to trade too - I can trade my SA for most of the timeshares in Orlando.

One exception to the rule - Disney Vacation CLub - commonly called DVC - this is an expensive timeshare to own - but if you love Disney - go at least every other year - then it is worth it!!!!

Most DVC members don't trade - they like me have another timeshares to trade - so it trade value is high - but don't buy to trade it - buy it to go to WDW - you will be much happier.

DVC is the only timeshare I know that value has increased not decreased - I brought more of mind at $52 a point - now DVC is selling it at $84 a point - the resale market is $70 a point - so if I want to get rid it of it - I won't lose any money - of course I won't lose money anyway - I brought long enough ago that I have gotten my orginial purchase back in my hotel saving.

this will not always be the case - sometime in the future - it is will decrease because the contract ends 2042.

anyway there are some great timeshares in Orlando besides Sherton - Hilton (these are newer they have been in Orlando very long) - Orange Lake - I have Westgate but I can't recommend it - if you want it cheap send me an email it is on the market and has been for a while.

if you still want a timeshare in Orlando - don't want DVC - then try the Hilton before you buy elsewhere.

don't buy from a developer - the resale market is very much alive...

if you are serious and want to know about your other choices then join

www.tug2.net

if will cost you $15 - but believe me it will be the best $15 you spend if you are serious interested in timeshares.

on the resale market you should be able to get one for between $1,000 to $5,000. - just not DVC.

how could I forget - there are several Marriott - also a much better value than the Sheraton

 

[Lisa P.]

Damian, visit TUG as suggested by spiceycat. If you join, you will be able to read reviews and see photos from almost every Orlando resort and compare for yourself. Different people have very different needs so research carefully.

Most importantly, consider RESALE, not a developer purchase. Resales for (non-DVC) Orlando area resorts (or any which will trade easily into the top Orlando resorts) range from $1,000-$6,000. There is no need to pay more than that to vacation yearly at beautiful Orlando resorts.

If you have more questions about timeshare, you are very wise to learn before you buy. There is plenty of info on the Disney Vacation Club forum here - frequented by true Disney fans (fanatics? LOL!). And there is plenty of other timeshare info on the TUG forums (free registration) - especially the Buying, Exchanging and Florida forums at TUG.

If you wonder how to select a timeshare that's right for you, your planned vacation style and your budget, there are also "Advice" articles on TUG. Feel free to send me a message with specific questions as well, if you want. I don't work in the industry, just a happy timeshare owner. HTH.

 

[mcnuss]

I believe the OP specifically stated that he was looking into a re-sale, not a developer purchase.

I went through Holiday Group and got a 2 br in Vistana for about $2000 inc. closing costs. It's an every other year deal, but it works for us. We love Vistana bc it's a resort in & of itself. Because we go to Disney so much, we love being able to say that of our 7 days, maybe we spend 1-2 just relaxing by the pools at Vistana. Our unit is huge, we are a family of 3, and always invite my parents. They take the master BR, we take the second, and my DD sleeps on the sofabed.

The thing you have to decide is whether you are going to use your timeshare or use it for trade. We have done both, and Vistana has very good trading power. One nice thing about Vistana now is that it is part of Starwood, and they have some very nice properties elsewhere that you get to trade internally to. We were supposed to go to their property in Scottsdale last winter, but ended up cancelling it due to scheduling. It looked wonderful though!

But if you plan to go to Disney most of the time, then consider DVC. Being on-site would be great. Many times I have rued my decision not to buy in there years ago, bc as spiceycat mentioned, the prices have just gone up & up. I should have known that the resale market for DVC pts would not be as lively as other timeshare markets.