Vistana Villages: What's the Catch?

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'm looking for some help/advice. In the mail yesterday I received an offer from Sheraton Vistana Villages. The deal was 5 days/4 nights in a 1 bedroom villa for $149. Plus a gift of $100 to use at the resort or for area attractions. It seems like a great deal, but I'm wondering what the catch is?

Is this a good deal? Do you have to spend a big chunk of time listening to a sales pitch about the timeshare? How far is it to WDW? Would I need to rent a car?

Thanks for any light people can shed on this offer.

 

[Weegl]

We've done these before and it is indeed a great deal. The cost of acquiring a new timeshare buyer is high, and this is just the cost of doing business.

They ususally offer a shuttle for free or a nominal fee, but I'd think that you might want a car for added flexibility.

Nothing on that side of Orlando is far from WDW...10 minute drive max.

I'd suggest that, if you can stand the 90 minute tour/pitch, go and enjoy!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for the reply Weegl. So that is the catch, you have to listen to a 90 min pitch?

 

[spiceycat]

in some cases yes you have to listen to the sale pitch.

but if this is the same offer that several people here a few months ago - you don't!!!

call the phone on the form and see.

 

[robinb]

I want to warn you that if you have to take a tour, you may be there for more than 90 minutes! That being said, that resort is really nice and the price is quite good, even if you have to take a timeshare tour.

Use the search feature for "timeshare tour" to get some hints on how to make it through one alive and in 90 minutes .

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

So I called, and they said there is nothing required of me "other than have a good time." Unfortunately, they said the spring break week of April 2006 is already all booked up. This sounds appealing, but it still sounds "too good to be true."

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I called and they said there is no sales presentation I need to listen to. However, there is also no availability for when I want to go: April, 2006. I paid $79 to reserve the deal for 12 months, and when I make a reservation I'll owe another $70. I'm hoping there will be some availability when there is a cheap flight sometime.

I'd still be interested to hear anyone else's experience with this offer.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I'm guessing you don't have to do the timeshare deal to get the $149 rate at the condo, but to get the $100 gift................I think you probably have to sit through it to get that. But that is still a great deal.

I would go but just not do the timeshare tour.

 

[thaggie]

How do I get that deal. i have stayed there before, yet have never gotten a postcard with a special rate. Is there a list i can ask to be put on?

 

[we3disneygo]

good question?? ive never stayed there but want to! anyone?????

 

[kilee]

That is a really good deal. After you do book and take the trip let us know how it goes.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Still looking for that cheap airfare. Oh how I wished we lived in a major airline market, and could get reasonable fares.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Still looking for that cheap airfare. Oh how I wished we lived in a major airline market, and could get reasonable fares.

I hear ya, mouse skywalker.........we are in Corning,NY which is worse! Actually, now we prefer driving since we have 3 children and need "our space" when we travel. We have a hi-top conversion van so that helps.

We made the trip twice already and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We will make the trip once next month, twice next year, along with a Myrtle beach trip in between...........so if we are not used to it already, we WILL be!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Mom of Sleepy, Bashful, and BabyDoc: That's so cool you're in Corning! We just moved to Rochester last January from Vermont for our jobs. Part of the reason we wanted to move here is because we love the Finger Lakes. We had been vacationing on Keuka Lake for the past 10 years, and my wife's grandmother used to have a cottage on Keuka for about 40 years. We would go down to Corning on rainy days. In fact, I was thinking of taking my girls down to Corning over Veteran's Day weekend.

So, evidently you like the Vistana. Seems like you've stayed there a couple of times. Were you at the Vistana Resort or Villages?