Vistanna Village question

[Disney 4me]

We have reservations at the Vistanna Village from April 18-25th. I was able to get a great rate on airfare through Delta - under $600 for 4 people roundtrip from Buffalo to Orlando. The only problem is, we are now staying 8 nights instead of 7, so I called VV. I can add another night for $200 but they said we would have to switch rooms for the last night. We will have to move to a smaller unit.Now they are also informing me that we may not even have the 2 bedroom lock-off for the first 7 nights. We will be assured a 2 bedroom big enough for 8, but we may not get the lock-off that we requested. There are only 4 of us in our family, but we are taking another couple and their daughter so we really want the lock-off. I was under the impression all along that this is what we would have.They did tell me that that put in my request, but that until the booking manager actually does the blocking, there is no way to tell if we will get it or not. Also, are there any areas of Vistanna Village that we would not like to be in? Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[spiceycat]

it depends upon how many owners want the lock out. You will probably get one - but they can't guaranteed it.

switching rooms - this is another thing they can't guaranteed.

however you can say that you will go elsewhere - that is generally enough for them to at least try. If they still can't - then go elsewhere for that one night since you will have to pack up anyway.

$200 is pretty high for one night.

 

[talicskai]

The resort is not that big so you should be happy in any of the buildings. The lock-off are sold as time-share as well so if too many owners want them for the same week as you - you probably won't get one. I can't imagine they are all booked but the manager would only know for sure. Why don't you stay in two hotel rooms in the area for the one night instead? The Marriott Village is literally around the corner from there and you can get a room at the Fairfield Inn for about $50-60 per room. $200 is pretty steep for one night and still having to change rooms. You will love the Villages though so enjoy your trip!

Teresa

 

[Disney 4me]

Thank you for your replies! Another question, will i be able to find a room once I get to Orlando for just the one night? that way I could actually see the room before I book it. We will need a room on April 25th. Thanks!

 

[MiaSRN62]

$200 is pretty steep for one night and still having to change rooms. You will love the Villages though so enjoy your trip!

I think you probably just got standard rack rate. Unfortunately I've had experience with Vistana making you switch rooms (Disney does the same thing).
I'm a Vistana owner. In '99 we stayed our 7 nights in our Fountains villa at the main Vistana resort. I had added on 1 extra night (at the end of our visit) about a month before we left. Even as an owner, I got charged rack rate ($165 in '99) for a 2 bedroom villa in an older section---the Spas. Yep, we had to move for the final night. I was so disappointed to be treated like that as an owner, that we bought into Disney's Vacation Club. I figure now, sure we still have to move, but I won't let Vistana ever again put me in a lesser unit that I presently own there. I did voice my displeasure to them about this considering we were vacationing in early November. Being that it was slow season I couldn't believe they didn't have a comparable Fountains unit at least. I felt if they didn't have Fountains available, we should have been upgraded to Lakes or Cascades. Spas felt like a downgrade to us and the resort was far from being sold out I later learned. Management felt the same and I was given a full refund for that last night.
Sorry you'll have to move for your final night but it doesn't suprise me. The only positive thing is that, (at least I know the main Vistana does this) Bell Service can move and store your luggage for you so you can go to the park that day and they will deliver your luggage to your villa around 3-4 pm (check-in time). On rare occasions with Vistana, I have been able to get into our room as early as 1 or 2 pm. Good luck.

 

[Disney 4me]

Thanks Maria! It is nice to be able to get first hand information. We actually were thinking of buying into Vistanna but now I am not sure.... Do you happen to know, if I call say a week ahead of time will they let me know then what unit I will be in?(lock out or not a lock out)I guess I am just surprised because last April when we purchased this package, they assured us(not in writing) that we would have a lock off. We also are required to sit through a 60 minute presentation.I just don't see where we are really getting any deal at all.Do you know of any person or department that I should ask for if I inquire as to where we will be? So far all I have gotton is a run around. The only good thing is that I have heard good things about the quailty of the place. I am by no means a snob, I do not mind paying extra for good service, I know what types of places I do not want to stay at though.I really think that if they realized that they may really lose a sale by what they are doing, they may reconsider our dilema and just let us stay in the same unit another night, at a reasonable price. By the way, the other couple going with us are owners. They were planning on staying in the other side of the lock-off, now we may all be in the same unit. If I had known this, I would not have invited them. They just recently bought, and are saving their points for next year.We will have a good time no matter what happens, we always make the best of any situation.... just wish I was getting better customer service right now.Thanks again for your help!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Wish I could help you more specificially with Vistana Villages but I'm not sure they do things the same as the main resort where I own. You could call the number listed on the website : http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/guests.jsp?resortID=1
Or call the resort directly and ask for the "Room Controller". I would think they'd know what sort of unit you'll be assigned to about 3 days prior to arrival. If you don't get the answer you want, ask for a manager and explain to them what you were promised during yout 60 min presentation last year. I am hoping it was just not a "hollow" promise made by an over zealous salesperson
We purchased our Vistana unit back in '94---before there were starpoints (before Sheraton took over). So my ownership is based strictly on the fact that I own a floating 7 night prime week in the Fountains section or Vistana's Beach Club on Hutchinson Island is SE FL. I pick the week I want and book the reservation. Your friends bought in more recently if they own points---I'm not as familiar with how they work precisely. But even though we felt we got snubbed in '99 when we added on the extra night we still enjoy our time spent at Vistana. We just realize now that we don't add on any of our extra days there---we prefer our DVC for that.
I have heard only positive things about the Villages so I do hope your request comes through and you all have a wonderful time there.