The Sheraton Vistana Resort Thread (key links on p.1)

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you so much for the reply! I seriously was wondering what I was missing since the price was cheaper than booking through interval. Did you book "buy-it-now" offered or did you actually bid on the condo?

We've booked both ways. If I just want to book and be done with it, I use the buy it now option. If I have lots of time before our travel date, I'll bid the minimum and see what happens (and if I lose it, then I'll go the buy it now route.....but all but once, I've been the only bidder on the week). I generally only save $20 or so over the buy it now price, but hey, $20 bucks is $20 bucks!

 

[pigletto]

Hi everyone.. nice to see some familiar faces .. especially my pals Gina and bankr!
I haven’t been around the boards much at all for months as I have been planning a three week epic driving trip from Ontario to Banff , Jasper , and Yoho national parks . We are currently on our second last day of the drive home as I type this!

We had a fantastic time but I am not one who can end one vacation without thinking when the next will be! So on yesterday’s drive Dh and I got talking about Orlando again. It’s so hard to coordinate our family school and work schedules now that everyone is older so really the only time that works for everyone is school holidays, which aren’t always the best or affordable times to go .

Despite a bunch of reservations we decided to price out March Break.

Onsite was astronomical even before the exchange rate and not enough space . Bonnet Creek was going to be really really expensive($1600 or more for the week we needed .. before awful exchange ) and neither of the two places I checked even had availability for March Break . But then Vacation Strategy emailed me back and said they did have that week in a 2 bdrm in the Fountains section if Vistana for $940 usd. Ummm .. that’s a phenomenal price for March break in a 2 bedroom at a beautiful resort . So before we knew it we paid the deposit and our trip is a go !
I just had to share because I’m so excited to go back ( haven’t been to the Vistana since December 2013 ) . Looking forward to planning with you all!

 

[dreajoy]

Trying to sort out if SVR is right for us. I have a couple of quick questions - has anyone (more specifically Canadians) booked here through Costco Travel? It seems like they offer a pretty great rate? Also, I noticed that SVR is listed as a Good Neighbour Hotel - so assuming they extend EMH and 60 FP window how do I go about booking that?

 

[bankr63]

Our first stay at Vistana (Villages, not Resort) was through Air Canada Vacations, but there would be no issues with booking through Costco. They are a TICO agency, so your vacation has all the protections of any other travel agent, and Costco books a TON of travel. Yes, Costco rates are often outstanding.

The 60 day FP is extended to the Disney Springs area hotels only. This does not include SVR - it's close to Disney Springs, but not on Hotel Plaza. EMH is not available at any offsite resorts that I am aware of. Still, I generally avoid the EMH park each day like the plague. EMH attracts larger crowds to the park that is offering it that day, and the smart touring tip is to go to any other park. Unless you are travelling at Christmas, it is pretty easy to get most FP+ at 30 days; maybe not the prime times, but if you play it well, you can still have a power touring experience. We are March break travellers and got FP+ for everything we wanted but FoP this year, which had only been open for weeks.

As a good neighbor hotel, SVR does offer free shuttles to hotel stays (like the Costco booking), but your own vehicle is still highly recommended.

 

[bankr63]

Hi everyone.. nice to see some familiar faces .. especially my pals Gina and bankr!
I haven’t been around the boards much at all for months as I have been planning a three week epic driving trip from Ontario to Banff , Jasper , and Yoho national parks . We are currently on our second last day of the drive home as I type this!

We had a fantastic time but I am not one who can end one vacation without thinking when the next will be! So on yesterday’s drive Dh and I got talking about Orlando again. It’s so hard to coordinate our family school and work schedules now that everyone is older so really the only time that works for everyone is school holidays, which aren’t always the best or affordable times to go .

Despite a bunch of reservations we decided to price out March Break.

Onsite was astronomical even before the exchange rate and not enough space . Bonnet Creek was going to be really really expensive($1600 or more for the week we needed .. before awful exchange ) and neither of the two places I checked even had availability for March Break . But then Vacation Strategy emailed me back and said they did have that week in a 2 bdrm in the Fountains section if Vistana for $940 usd. Ummm .. that’s a phenomenal price for March break in a 2 bedroom at a beautiful resort . So before we knew it we paid the deposit and our trip is a go !
I just had to share because I’m so excited to go back ( haven’t been to the Vistana since December 2013 ) . Looking forward to planning with you all!

Welcome @pigletto!

Safe travels for the rest of your trip! Hope you had a blast!

That is a killer rate for March Break; a bit less than Gina or I pay for our maintenance fees and property taxes.

You already know what to expect as you return "home", but with a 6 year gap, you'll probably see a few changes as well. The maintenance and decorating crews never seem to rest there. Fire away with the questions, and we'll answer as best we can.

 

[pigletto]

Welcome @pigletto!

Safe travels for the rest of your trip! Hope you had a blast!

That is a killer rate for March Break; a bit less than Gina or I pay for our maintenance fees and property taxes.

You already know what to expect as you return "home", but with a 6 year gap, you'll probably see a few changes as well. The maintenance and decorating crews never seem to rest there. Fire away with the questions, and we'll answer as best we can.

Thank you ! We are on the stretch from Thubder Bay to the Sault , so there is plenty of beautiful scenery today !
I am busying myself with reading old posts and reviews of Vistana to pass the time . Our booking with Vacation Stratedy says Fountains right on it , so I’m assuming that is where we will be put . I’m hoping so anyway as that is exactly the area we would like to try next . We were in Cascades last time and enjoyed it but would like to try the Fountains section this time .

 

[mckennarose]

We've booked both ways. If I just want to book and be done with it, I use the buy it now option. If I have lots of time before our travel date, I'll bid the minimum and see what happens (and if I lose it, then I'll go the buy it now route.....but all but once, I've been the only bidder on the week). I generally only save $20 or so over the buy it now price, but hey, $20 bucks is $20 bucks!

You're right....$20 is $20 and can be spent on something else down there! I haven't booked yet. They have check in dates on Fridays, which we can do if we have to, but I was waiting and watching for a few days to see if a Saturday or Sunday check in pops up.

Trying to sort out if SVR is right for us. I have a couple of quick questions - has anyone (more specifically Canadians) booked here through Costco Travel? It seems like they offer a pretty great rate? Also, I noticed that SVR is listed as a Good Neighbour Hotel - so assuming they extend EMH and 60 FP window how do I go about booking that?

The "good neighbor" thing threw me a bit at first too. Basically it means the hotels/resorts on the good neighbor list have met certain criteria for that distinction. From themouseforless site:
"

• Offer standard rooms, suites and villa-style accommodations:
• Are AAA-approved
• Meet Disney standards for quality and service
• Have a Guest Services desk to assist you with your Disney vacation planning and ticket purchases
• Provide guests with access to Walt Disney World Resort information prior to arriving in the Disney Theme Parks
• Are comfortable, convenient and close. All are 2-14 miles away from Walt Disney World"

And as bankr63 mentioned, some type of transportation to the parks. We've never used shuttles at any of the resorts we've stayed in down there. We prefer to use our own car to get around quicker.

 

[pigletto]

We will likely be looking to add a night at SVR at the end of our stay to make it 8 nights . Vacation Strategy doesn’t have the extra night . If I book another night in a two bedroom will the resort be able to link the reservation so we can stay in the same room ? Has anyone done this before ?

 

[bankr63]

Check the Dream Vacations link on this page for a possible discount; read back a few posts and you'll find that's how Gina extended hers. Yes, Vistana can and generally does link the two together as long as they are in the same class of villa (#BR and Sleeps arrangement) as long as they are able. I haven't heard of them NOT linking them for someone, but they do reserve the right to move you if necessary. Should only happen if the resort is very full and rooms are at a premium. I wouldn't worry too much about Ontario break, the resort is generally pretty busy, but not packed. Actually the resort is never really packed as there as so many owners who just no-show for their owner weeks; those units just sit idle for the week "just in case" the owner decides to appear later in the week.

This used to done with the Diamond Lane form, and there is still space on the form for multiple reservation numbers. Lately though it seems that contacting the resort, generally about 2 weeks prior to arrival once they have received the bookings from the exchange companies, is the best course of action.

 

[pigletto]

Check the Dream Vacations link on this page for a possible discount; read back a few posts and you'll find that's how Gina extended hers. Yes, Vistana can and generally does link the two together as long as they are in the same class of villa (#BR and Sleeps arrangement) as long as they are able. I haven't heard of them NOT linking them for someone, but they do reserve the right to move you if necessary. Should only happen if the resort is very full and rooms are at a premium. I wouldn't worry too much about Ontario break, the resort is generally pretty busy, but not packed. Actually the resort is never really packed as there as so many owners who just no-show for their owner weeks; those units just sit idle for the week "just in case" the owner decides to appear later in the week.

This used to done with the Diamond Lane form, and there is still space on the form for multiple reservation numbers. Lately though it seems that contacting the resort, generally about 2 weeks prior to arrival once they have received the bookings from the exchange companies, is the best course of action.

Thank you for the detailed answer . I will hope for the best with the understanding that we may need to move . I will check into the link you mentioned !

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you for the detailed answer . I will hope for the best with the understanding that we may need to move . I will check into the link you mentioned !

@pigletto .... about two weeks before your arrival, just email your reservation details (both your timeshare week and your stand-alone add-on night) to the pre-arrival coordinator at the resort. Request that she link the two together and I'm virtually 100% positive you will have no issues being kept in the same villa for your entire stay. Her name is Jennifer Bravo, and she's a rock star....responsive, helpful and super willing to accommodate.

Jennifer.Bravo@sheratonvistanaresortvillas.com

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Pretty sure I haven't had the chance to post any of these yet.....but here are some pics from our most recent stay (May 4th through 12th, 2018):

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Fountains Village, May 2018

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

May 2018

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Tacky Tiki Bar, May 2018

Dive-In Movies

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

3rd Floor Fountains Villa

The view from the balcony:

 

[pigletto]

Thank you for the contact info Gina ! It looks like a good discount will be hard to come by because it’s prime season. Looking at $240 usd or so . But it’s still early so hopefully I can get that lower.
And your pictures.. Wow!!! Beautiful and now I’m even more excited .

 

[mckennarose]

We've booked both ways. If I just want to book and be done with it, I use the buy it now option. If I have lots of time before our travel date, I'll bid the minimum and see what happens (and if I lose it, then I'll go the buy it now route.....but all but once, I've been the only bidder on the week). I generally only save $20 or so over the buy it now price, but hey, $20 bucks is $20 bucks!

We went ahead and booked through skyauction for our September stay! The best deal through Interval was $527 so we saved by going through skyauction.

I did speak directly to a skyauction agent and she said I can call the resort about 2 weeks prior to our stay with any room requests. We did a room request when we stayed in May and got Fountains near the pool, but I'm wondering what you all would recommend for a one bedroom? I'm not sure which areas have the one bedroom units? We LOVED the two bedroom unit we had in May; the decor and privacy, not facing a pool. I'm thinking we would like one with a jacuzzi tub. Not sure which units have those.

TIA!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We went ahead and booked through skyauction for our September stay! The best deal through Interval was $527 so we saved by going through skyauction.

I did speak directly to a skyauction agent and she said I can call the resort about 2 weeks prior to our stay with any room requests. We did a room request when we stayed in May and got Fountains near the pool, but I'm wondering what you all would recommend for a one bedroom? I'm not sure which areas have the one bedroom units? We LOVED the two bedroom unit we had in May; the decor and privacy, not facing a pool. I'm thinking we would like one with a jacuzzi tub. Not sure which units have those.

TIA!!

Rather than call the resort, I'd send your request in writing to the Pre-Arrival Coordinator, Jennifer Bravo. Her email is Jennifer.Bravo@sheratonvistanaresortvilla.com . She is super responsive and always willing to help whenever possible. Definitely plan to reach out to her two weeks before your check-in date with your specific requests.

When we booked a 1 bedroom villa through Skyauction, we requested that we be placed in a one bedroom premium in Lakes....which they happily honored (not guaranteed, of course.....the resort was not at 100% occupancy during our stay, so that made the premium unit possible). Lakes is on the same side of the resort as Fountains, and has these kinds of views from several of their buildings:

A couple of the buildings are close to the pool, though......a couple of them, REALLY close.

That said, the Lakes pool is a "quiet pool" and closes early each night. You'll just be a short walk to the Fountains pool, though, that is open until 1 am.

We were in one of the poolside buildings, and didn't have a single issue with noise all week.

The one bedroom premium had 960 square feet of space, and was HUGE. It had a full kitchen, a separate bedroom with a jacuzzi tub (unlike the Fountains villas, the jacuzzi tubs are in the bedroom in the Lakes villas rather than in the bathrooms), in-villa laundry facilities and a screened in balcony. Here are some pics of the one bedroom premium that we were assigned in Lakes building 1.

If they can't give you a premium one bedroom, it is my understanding that you will have a kitchenette (versus a full kitchen), no balcony, no laundry, and no jacuzzi tub (just a regular bathroom). You will be in either Lakes as shown above, or Cascades as they are the only two sections of the resort with one bedroom villas.

 

[mckennarose]

Thank you again, Gina! You've been so helpful!
It looks like you had a top floor villa? (Skylight?) We generally like the top floors because we don't like foot noise above us. I'm guessing we can request that as well?
I will definitely contact Jennifer and request a premium. We like to have coffee on the balcony in the mornings. Fingers crossed that we get our request!