Sheraton Vistana Orlando Resale Purchase

[SabresFan]

I’m a current DVC owner (300 points at Saratoga, bought resale in 2011). I’d love to add on to that for more Disney time, but their prices are insane, both retail and resale (looking at minimum $95 per point for resale now).

I’ve been looking at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and had been focusing on trying to pick up some Wyndham points to be able to book there. But I have also noticed that Sheraton Vistana looks very attractive as a resale purchase. Basically free or nearly free for new owner looks like the standard offering. And unlike most of the resorts you usually see at these prices, the maintenance fees seem reasonable, at least based on the quoted rates on the ebay sales I have been monitoring. I also know that Vistana is not the same as Vistana Villages. (Thanks TUGGers!)

Here are a couple of sold listings on ebay that look pretty good to me – both are Platinum in Fountains 1, quoting MF of $961 per year. Both of these sellers have decent feedback scores.

This one, the seller is sumdayvacations

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BEDROOM-...113671?hash=item5b514e5b87:g:5~gAAOSwL7VWlRqt

This one, the seller is seans0302

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERATON-V...254905?hash=item2ce4cdd1f9:g:zZwAAOSwZVpcW4M0


It looks like depending on the phase the original owner purchased at, it will be either a fixed or floating week. Seems like Fountains 1 and 2 and Cascades phases are set up as floating.

So, I’d consider trying to pick up a Platinum floater in one of the phases that offers that. The purpose would be to use it for an extra week at Disney (we have the AP there) and possibly branch out to Universal or Sea World or the rest of kids Las Vegas opportunities in the Orlando area that we have never been to. So not concerned about renting out the week. Trading power might be a consideration someday, but it’s not my primary concern right now. One daughter is a teacher so we need to travel on the standard teacher’s schedule.

So some questions I have for Vistana owners

1. Can you think of anything wrong with owning at this resort?

2. When I go to make a reservation, can I only reserve at my own phase or is the entire resort equally available?

3. Is there any ability to trade within the Sheraton system (assuming I don’t have any kind of points upon closing the purchase). Or would I have to trade through either II or RCI? And is it possible to convert to points for a fee (hopefully kind of reasonable, knowing it would be paying the developer)?

4. Are there any kind of additional fees that a seller might not report as maintenance fees?

5. Is there any kind of shuttle to Disney / Universal / Sea World? And if yes, how frequent, is there a charge, etc.?

6. How to get to/from airport to the resort? (No Disney Magical Express I assume, lol).

7. Let’s say I bought one of these platinum floaters (for example, the Fountains 1 Phase 2 BR I saw on ebay said it could be used in weeks 5-35, 40-47, 50-52). Let’s assume 3 months to close and transfer (or let me know if you think it will take longer). How realistic would it be to get President’s week in 2020? Or Easter week in 2020?

8. Again assuming I get one of these platinum floaters, what kind of trading ability within either II or RCI is likely to be available?

Many thanks to any and all!

 

[LisaRex]

Vistana is a complicated system because the developer originally sold deeded weeks and then a few years ago switched to a Sheraton flex points system. If you buy a deeded week, you have to consider whether to buy a voluntary resort or a mandatory resort. The big difference between a mandatory and voluntary resort is that resale owners MUST buy into the internal exchange program (SVO) while voluntary resale owners are not allowed to participate in SVO. ALL SVO owners pay fees of ~$150/year for the privilege of being an SVO member, whether you ever exchange into another resort. Voluntary owners only pay their annual MFs. Mandatory resorts in Orlando can usually be bought for ~$3500 all in, but they've retained their value over the years so you'll probably be able to sell them for what you bought them for. Voluntary properties in Orlando have no resale value, though they certainly can have value for those who buy them to use their deeded week.

Mandatory owners get a complimentary membership in Interval International, while voluntary owners must buy into the program, if desired.

In Orlando, there are two Orlando properties: Sheraton Vistana Villages (SVV) and Sheraton Vistana Resort (SVR). Within those two campuses, there are distinct phases (that were built in different years) and each has its own HOA and MFs, though I believe that the MFs are all within the ballpark of each other (~$1200-1500/year for a 2 bdrm). There are only TWO phases in Orlando that are mandatory: Key West and Bella phases of SVV. So if you want the ability to exchange within SVO, you must target one of these two phases.

I'm not acquainted with each phase, but if I were going to target a freebie, I'd come back and ask when it was last remodeled. I believe all HOAs have been diligent about building a Capital Expenditure reserve so that SAs will no longer be required, but I cannot be absolutely certain of this. Once again, it'd be worth asking another owner if they have a robust reserve for occasional upgrades and refurbishments.

1) There's nothing wrong with owning at any timeshare that you'll use and enjoy. Just know coming in that you may have to give it away or even pay for the transfer when you decide to sell. The MFs aren't outlandish, but all hotel-branded timeshares have a cache markup.

2) When you own a voluntary resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance. When you own a mandatory resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance. Beginning at 8 months out, you can use StarOptions to exchange to other resorts or other phases or other size units.

3) See above. No matter which resort you own, you're allowed to deposit that week in II (and/or RCI, depending on the phase).

4) There are SVO fees for mandatory resorts. Once you target a week, confirm the MFs as some owners under-report this. I don't believe that there are any SAs on any Orlando property right now.

5) There is a complimentary shuttle to Disney, but you have to reserve it ahead of time and it's not all that convenient, acc to my daughter. IOW, it doesn't do a continuous loop as you might imagine. Since she didn't rent a car because she was under 26, they relied on taxis and the I-Ride shuttle to get to non-Disney attractions and restaurants. Personally, I'd rent a car.

6) All kinds of options if you don't rent a car, including taxis and shuttles. Not sure if Uber is available. I pre-paid for transportation to and from the airport ahead of time.

7) 3 months is doable for a closing. I haven't tried reserving a popular week, but the owner's window opens at 12 months out, so that's probably your best bet.

8) I used to own a platinum SVV Key West. Within II, I could see mid-tier resorts such as Sheraton Desert Oasis and the desert Marriotts, but I never saw the top tier resorts (which I could see with my Westin Ka'anapali timeshare), such as Four Seasons Aviara or Harborside or the Hyatts in Key West. You do have an owner's priority for other Vistana resorts, in theory, but your exchange power isn't going to be high enough to see Westin Kierland or Westin Ka'anapali. Westin St. John never seems available on II.

 

[dsmrp]

On the Buying, Selling forum, several have said SumdaysVacations is a reputable seller. Likely you could search for feedback on seans0302.

1) I have Vistana resort, SVR, just cause in-laws owned there. Many people on Vistana forum say it has no value because it is voluntary (no star options on resale) and Orlando is overblown with timeshares. So when you don't want it anymore you will have to give it away if you can find a taker. Some have, others take longer.

3&8) You'd have to pay way too much to be able to convert a SVR week to use star options. And they're only selling Sheraton Flex now with high maintenance fees. With a resale you'll need to trade in the external exchange companies II or RCI. II is better because you'll get Vistana preference to other Vistana resorts.
I have traded my 2 bdrm SVR unit for Westin Nanea (Maui) and Westin Los Cabos in shoulder season, both November weeks. But you have to time it right for the mini bulk banks and/or have an ongoing search.
If you want a 2 bdrm unit, look for a 2 bdrm lockoff, so you could deposit 1 bdrm and studio in II, and possibly do size upgrade for a fee. The lockoffs have slightly higher MFs than straight 2 bdrms. The older phases such as Spas, Courts. Springs etc only have straight 2 bdrms. I think Fountains & Lake phases have lock-offs. They are also in the other section of resort. See map

5&6) Best to rent a car, especially if there'll be more than 2 of you.

7) I think you could get Easter or Prez day week most years when reserving right at 12 month window. Probably not Prez week 2020. Maybe Easter 2020 between 8-12 months out.

8) You won't be able to trade a 2 bdrm in II for a 2 bdrm in say Scottsdale, Westin Kierland, Sheraton Desert Oasis or Westin Lagunamar Cancun because those resorts have lockoffs so are split into the 1 bdrms and studios.
Maybe you could get a 2 bdrm in the 2 Westin resorts in Palm Desert area; I'm not sure as I've never tried.

If you really are going to use your week almost every year, then I guess owning at SVV or SVR would be all right.

 

[dioxide45]

I believe Vistana Resort has lower MFs overall for comparable units vs Vistana Villages. So that may be one thing to consider if you plan to go there every year.

 

[SabresFan]

Vistana is a complicated system because the developer originally sold deeded weeks and then a few years ago switched to a Sheraton flex points system. If you buy a deeded week, you have to consider whether to buy a voluntary resort or a mandatory resort. The big difference between a mandatory and voluntary resort is that resale owners MUST buy into the internal exchange program (SVO) while voluntary resale owners are not allowed to participate in SVO. ALL SVO owners pay fees of ~$150/year for the privilege of being an SVO member, whether you ever exchange into another resort. Voluntary owners only pay their annual MFs. Mandatory resorts in Orlando can usually be bought for ~$3500 all in, but they've retained their value over the years so you'll probably be able to sell them for what you bought them for. Voluntary properties in Orlando have no resale value, though they certainly can have value for those who buy them to use their deeded week.

Mandatory owners get a complimentary membership in Interval International, while voluntary owners must buy into the program, if desired.

In Orlando, there are two Orlando properties: Sheraton Vistana Villages (SVV) and Sheraton Vistana Resort (SVR). Within those two campuses, there are distinct phases (that were built in different years) and each has its own HOA and MFs, though I believe that the MFs are all within the ballpark of each other (~$1200-1500/year for a 2 bdrm). There are only TWO phases in Orlando that are mandatory: Key West and Bella phases of SVV. So if you want the ability to exchange within SVO, you must target one of these two phases.

I'm not acquainted with each phase, but if I were going to target a freebie, I'd come back and ask when it was last remodeled. I believe all HOAs have been diligent about building a Capital Expenditure reserve so that SAs will no longer be required, but I cannot be absolutely certain of this. Once again, it'd be worth asking another owner if they have a robust reserve for occasional upgrades and refurbishments.

1) There's nothing wrong with owning at any timeshare that you'll use and enjoy. Just know coming in that you may have to give it away or even pay for the transfer when you decide to sell. The MFs aren't outlandish, but all hotel-branded timeshares have a cache markup.

2) When you own a voluntary resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance. When you own a mandatory resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance. Beginning at 8 months out, you can use StarOptions to exchange to other resorts or other phases or other size units.

3) See above. No matter which resort you own, you're allowed to deposit that week in II (and/or RCI, depending on the phase).

4) There are SVO fees for mandatory resorts. Once you target a week, confirm the MFs as some owners under-report this. I don't believe that there are any SAs on any Orlando property right now.

5) There is a complimentary shuttle to Disney, but you have to reserve it ahead of time and it's not all that convenient, acc to my daughter. IOW, it doesn't do a continuous loop as you might imagine. Since she didn't rent a car because she was under 26, they relied on taxis and the I-Ride shuttle to get to non-Disney attractions and restaurants. Personally, I'd rent a car.

6) All kinds of options if you don't rent a car, including taxis and shuttles. Not sure if Uber is available. I pre-paid for transportation to and from the airport ahead of time.

7) 3 months is doable for a closing. I haven't tried reserving a popular week, but the owner's window opens at 12 months out, so that's probably your best bet.

8) I used to own a platinum SVV Key West. Within II, I could see mid-tier resorts such as Sheraton Desert Oasis and the desert Marriotts, but I never saw the top tier resorts (which I could see with my Westin Ka'anapali timeshare), such as Four Seasons Aviara or Harborside or the Hyatts in Key West. You do have an owner's priority for other Vistana resorts, in theory, but your exchange power isn't going to be high enough to see Westin Kierland or Westin Ka'anapali. Westin St. John never seems available on II.

Thanks very much for the reply.

"Within those two campuses, there are distinct phases (that were built in different years) and each has its own HOA and MFs, though I believe that the MFs are all within the ballpark of each other (~$1200-1500/year for a 2 bdrm)."
That's interesting that the phases each have their own HOA. This caught my eye on the map of the resort
https://www.vistana.com/destinations/sheraton-vistana-resort/maps
It looks like each phase has its own check-in area, and that they don't all operate on the same schedule. Looks like Falls Phase only has check-in on Sunday, Courts Phase only on Saturday, Lakes Phase on Friday-Saturday-Sunday. Am I reading that correctly?

So far, the SVR 2 bedroom units I looked at have all been quoting maintenance fees of around $960-ish, so definitely cheaper than SVV in the Mandatory sections. But if SVV is including the add-ons like SVO and II membership that would account for the difference in MF.

"2) When you own a voluntary resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance."
So if I own a floater week at one phase (e.g. Cascades), I can only book a week within that phase as a floater, and would not be able to book at Fountains even if the desired week was available?

"8) I used to own a platinum SVV Key West. Within II, I could see mid-tier resorts such as Sheraton Desert Oasis and the desert Marriotts, but I never saw the top tier resorts (which I could see with my Westin Ka'anapali timeshare), such as Four Seasons Aviara or Harborside or the Hyatts in Key West. You do have an owner's priority for other Vistana resorts, in theory, but your exchange power isn't going to be high enough to see Westin Kierland or Westin Ka'anapali. Westin St. John never seems available on II"
That's ok about the top-tier resorts - I would assume that any timeshare I can get for free doesn't have massive trading power. I just would like to know I have some other option if I ever decided not to go to Orlando.

 

[jmhpsu93]

I just purchased two platinum floating SVV 2BR lockoffs from seans0302 and am waiting very, very patiently for the closing process. Figuring 3-5 months, but it was clearly stated as such in the ebay add. Got each for about $150 all-in with 2019 use included, so basically free. Voluntary section.

As we want to use our Florida weeks as kind of a "snowbird" option SVR would also interest me because of the low maintenance fees relative to SVV and Marriott Orlando properites. I've stayed there twice in the past and the section makes a big difference. I think the first time we went we were in the Cascades section and it was really nice, the second time in Lakes and it was in desperate need of an update. This was 10+ years ago so assuming some changes have happened.

 

[SmithOp]

I just purchased two platinum floating SVV 2BR lockoffs from seans0302 and am waiting very, very patiently for the closing process. Figuring 3-5 months, but it was clearly stated as such in the ebay add. Got each for about $150 all-in with 2019 use included, so basically free. Voluntary section.

As we want to use our Florida weeks as kind of a "snowbird" option SVR would also interest me because of the low maintenance fees relative to SVV and Marriott Orlando properites. I've stayed there twice in the past and the section makes a big difference. I think the first time we went we were in the Cascades section and it was really nice, the second time in Lakes and it was in desperate need of an update. This was 10+ years ago so assuming some changes have happened.

The delay in closing is not caused by the resort. I took ownership of a Falls SVR unit from TUG Bargain Basement and it closed in 2 weeks. I later passed it on and took about the same time. It was recently listed again on TUG, an excellent fixed week 12 trader.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[VacationForever]

I just purchased two platinum floating SVV 2BR lockoffs from seans0302 and am waiting very, very patiently for the closing process. Figuring 3-5 months, but it was clearly stated as such in the ebay add. Got each for about $150 all-in with 2019 use included, so basically free. Voluntary section.

As we want to use our Florida weeks as kind of a "snowbird" option SVR would also interest me because of the low maintenance fees relative to SVV and Marriott Orlando properites. I've stayed there twice in the past and the section makes a big difference. I think the first time we went we were in the Cascades section and it was really nice, the second time in Lakes and it was in desperate need of an update. This was 10+ years ago so assuming some changes have happened.

All SVR phases have been renovated and brought up to standard and continues to be on a regular refresh cycle. SVR maintenance fees are lower than SVV and is attractive to those who want to stay there.

 

[SabresFan]

All SVR phases have been renovated and brought up to standard and continues to be on a regular refresh cycle. SVR maintenance fees are lower than SVV and is attractive to those who want to stay there.

Thanks for the info. Would you know, if you got a platinum float week in one phase, if you would be able to book a similar float week in a different phase? I think some phases are all fixed weeks, so presumably those are essentially considered to be booked all the time. Just wondering how much of the total inventory is available to owners among the various phases.

 

[VacationForever]

Thanks for the info. Would you know, if you got a platinum float week in one phase, if you would be able to book a similar float week in a different phase? I think some phases are all fixed weeks, so presumably those are essentially considered to be booked all the time. Just wondering how much of the total inventory is available to owners among the various phases.

There are many phases, for the earlier phases, you may only book within your phase starting 12 months out. If it is Fixed, then you cannot swap it out for a different week within SVR. However, if you want flexibility, look for Cascades, Lakes where it is Fixed/Float 1-52. These phases are also part of the Vistana Vacation Club where you can book within the group of SVR Lakes and Cascades phases and Sheraton PGA with internal booking rules for free and allows for split week (3 or 4 nights) reservation.

 

[jmhpsu93]

The delay in closing is not caused by the resort. I took ownership of a Falls SVR unit from TUG Bargain Basement and it closed in 2 weeks. I later passed it on and took about the same time. It was recently listed again on TUG, an excellent fixed week 12 trader.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Understood - I was relaying my experience with the Ebay seller, not Vistana.

 

[LisaRex]

Deleted. Will re-do.

 

[LisaRex]

It looks like each phase has its own check-in area, and that they don't all operate on the same schedule. Looks like Falls Phase only has check-in on Sunday, Courts Phase only on Saturday, Lakes Phase on Friday-Saturday-Sunday. Am I reading that correctly?

That is probably correct, though your link doesn't take me to a page where this is described. Note that check-in day is important when you're booking either a voluntary resort or a mandatory resort in the 8-12 month booking window. One of the advantages of buying a mandatory resort is that at the 8 month mark, you can book in any phase that is available and you're not restricted by check-in days or having to book 7 days. You can check in on a Wednesday and stay for 5 days, or 12 days, whatever is your pleasure. You're only restricted by availability and the number of SOs you have.

Also note that the Bella phase didn't follow everyone else when they created their seasons (see the note under the SVV SO assignment), so if you buy in this phase, make sure you're buying the season you want.

https://vistana-web-static.s3.amazo...assets/pdf/charts/staroptions_value_chart.pdf

Also note that each phase also has its own unique floor plan. Some 2 bdrms are much larger than than in sister phases, for example, and this explains the difference in MFs more than whether they are voluntary or mandatory, as MFs are usually based on square footage. And some phases have stupid floor plans, IMO, such as the Bella phase, which has a jacuzzi tub IN the master bedroom. So be sure to check out the different villas here:

https://www.vistana.com/destinations/sheraton-vistana-resort/villas/800#two-bedroom-villafountains-i
https://www.vistana.com/destinations/sheraton-vistana-villages/villas/1100#two-bedroom-villakey-west

2) When you own a voluntary resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance."
So if I own a floater week at one phase (e.g. Cascades), I can only book a week within that phase as a floater, and would not be able to book at Fountains even if the desired week was available?

That is correct. One of the disadvantages of owning a voluntary resort is that you don't have the option of booking outside of the season you own. You can still split off a lockoff into two weeks, but you have to stay within your season and phase if you book internally. And you can only book weeks at a time on one of their pre-assigned check-in days. If you deposit it into II, you can book whatever is available, and there are normally tons of weeks available on II, but you're still going to be restricted to full weeks, unless you can find a Short Stay.

If you buy a mandatory phase, you're restricted to the season and size only in the Home Resort priority period of 8 to 12 months out. After that, you're free to mix and match based on how many SOs you have.

 

[silentg]

I’m a current DVC owner (300 points at Saratoga, bought resale in 2011). I’d love to add on to that for more Disney time, but their prices are insane, both retail and resale (looking at minimum $95 per point for resale now).

I’ve been looking at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and had been focusing on trying to pick up some Wyndham points to be able to book there. But I have also noticed that Sheraton Vistana looks very attractive as a resale purchase. Basically free or nearly free for new owner looks like the standard offering. And unlike most of the resorts you usually see at these prices, the maintenance fees seem reasonable, at least based on the quoted rates on the ebay sales I have been monitoring. I also know that Vistana is not the same as Vistana Villages. (Thanks TUGGers!)

Here are a couple of sold listings on ebay that look pretty good to me – both are Platinum in Fountains 1, quoting MF of $961 per year. Both of these sellers have decent feedback scores.

This one, the seller is sumdayvacations

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BEDROOM-...113671?hash=item5b514e5b87:g:5~gAAOSwL7VWlRqt

This one, the seller is seans0302

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERATON-V...254905?hash=item2ce4cdd1f9:g:zZwAAOSwZVpcW4M0


It looks like depending on the phase the original owner purchased at, it will be either a fixed or floating week. Seems like Fountains 1 and 2 and Cascades phases are set up as floating.

So, I’d consider trying to pick up a Platinum floater in one of the phases that offers that. The purpose would be to use it for an extra week at Disney (we have the AP there) and possibly branch out to Universal or Sea World or the rest of kids Las Vegas opportunities in the Orlando area that we have never been to. So not concerned about renting out the week. Trading power might be a consideration someday, but it’s not my primary concern right now. One daughter is a teacher so we need to travel on the standard teacher’s schedule.

So some questions I have for Vistana owners

1. Can you think of anything wrong with owning at this resort?

2. When I go to make a reservation, can I only reserve at my own phase or is the entire resort equally available?

3. Is there any ability to trade within the Sheraton system (assuming I don’t have any kind of points upon closing the purchase). Or would I have to trade through either II or RCI? And is it possible to convert to points for a fee (hopefully kind of reasonable, knowing it would be paying the developer)?

4. Are there any kind of additional fees that a seller might not report as maintenance fees?

5. Is there any kind of shuttle to Disney / Universal / Sea World? And if yes, how frequent, is there a charge, etc.?

6. How to get to/from airport to the resort? (No Disney Magical Express I assume, lol).

7. Let’s say I bought one of these platinum floaters (for example, the Fountains 1 Phase 2 BR I saw on ebay said it could be used in weeks 5-35, 40-47, 50-52). Let’s assume 3 months to close and transfer (or let me know if you think it will take longer). How realistic would it be to get President’s week in 2020? Or Easter week in 2020?

8. Again assuming I get one of these platinum floaters, what kind of trading ability within either II or RCI is likely to be available?

Many thanks to any and all!

Just FYI Bonnet Creek has just become a Disney Resort.

 

[chalee94]

Just FYI Bonnet Creek has just become a Disney Resort.

The Hilton hotel, not the Wyndham. (i.e. NOT the timeshare.)

 

[chalee94]

The purpose would be to use it for an extra week at Disney (we have the AP there) and possibly branch out to Universal or Sea World or the rest of kids Las Vegas opportunities in the Orlando area that we have never been to. So not concerned about renting out the week. Trading power might be a consideration someday, but it’s not my primary concern right now. One daughter is a teacher so we need to travel on the standard teacher’s schedule.

Before you purchase in Orlando, consider buying outside of Orlando and trading in.

The downside would be the risk of increasing II fees for trading. But I own in NC and my annual dues for a 1BR run $400 or so, and I can easily trade into Marriotts and Sheratons in Orlando for 2BRs for about all times of the year with a little planning...

 

[SabresFan]

The Hilton hotel, not the Wyndham. (i.e. NOT the timeshare.)

This is also only for 2019 (at the moment) - Disney has not committed to extending this beyond 2019. I believe this is true for all the Disney Gateway and Disney Springs hotels, which are hotels within the boundary of WDW but not really Disney hotels.

 

[SabresFan]

Before you purchase in Orlando, consider buying outside of Orlando and trading in.

The downside would be the risk of increasing II fees for trading. But I own in NC and my annual dues for a 1BR run $400 or so, and I can easily trade into Marriotts and Sheratons in Orlando for 2BRs for about all times of the year with a little planning...

Interesting idea - what are the current fees for doing something like this in II and/or RCI? (I know Marriott is II only, Sheraton a little of both, and Hilton and Wyndham are RCI only).

 

[chalee94]

Interesting idea - what are the current fees for doing something like this in II and/or RCI? (I know Marriott is II only, Sheraton a little of both, and Hilton and Wyndham are RCI only).

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...nge-fees-membership-fees-as-of-1-1-19.282795/

this is a little dated but gets you more details if you are curious:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...uently-asked-questions-and-information.74057/

II membership starts at around $99 per year. (My last renewal was $311 for 5 years.) Since I have 2 1BRs (split apart from a 2BR unit in my timeshare) to trade each year, I figure I'm spending $31 per trade just for the II membership.

II also charges per trade, so that is now $209 (up from $179 a few years ago).

So if I trade a $400 (in annual dues) 1BR for a 2BR in Orlando, I figure it costs me $400 + $31 + $209 = $640, which is still much less than annual dues for the Marriotts and Sheratons I have been able to trade for... (last year I stayed in a Marriott Cypress Harbour 2BR in March and a 2BR in November at the Marriott Royal Palms - also did a 2BR Sheraton Vistana in Sept with a $224 getaway - very low season but worked out for my situation since I had free time and an Annual Pass.)

I get much better trade power for my resort in II, so I am not up to date on RCI (although my resort can trade through RCI if I wanted to go in that direction).

 

[VacationForever]

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...nge-fees-membership-fees-as-of-1-1-19.282795/

this is a little dated but gets you more details if you are curious:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...uently-asked-questions-and-information.74057/

II membership starts at around $99 per year. (My last renewal was $311 for 5 years.) Since I have 2 1BRs (split apart from a 2BR unit in my timeshare) to trade each year, I figure I'm spending $31 per trade just for the II membership.

II also charges per trade, so that is now $209 (up from $179 a few years ago).

So if I trade a $400 (in annual dues) 1BR for a 2BR in Orlando, I figure it costs me $400 + $31 + $209 = $640, which is still much less than annual dues for the Marriotts and Sheratons I have been able to trade for... (last year I stayed in a Marriott Cypress Harbour 2BR in March and a 2BR in November at the Marriott Royal Palms - also did a 2BR Sheraton Vistana in Sept with a $224 getaway - very low season but worked out for my situation since I had free time and an Annual Pass.)

I get much better trade power for my resort in II, so I am not up to date on RCI (although my resort can trade through RCI if I wanted to go in that direction).

There is an upgrade / upsize fee of $99 per one room size upgrade. In your case it would have been $400 + II yearly membership fee + $209 + $99.

 

[chalee94]

There is an upgrade / upsize fee of $99 per one room size upgrade. In your case it would have been $400 + II yearly membership fee + $209 + $99.

True - I think my Spring trade was inside the window to avoid the upsize fee (I booked about a month and a half in advance) but I did get hit with that in November, yes.

Also, my Sept trip was not a getaway - instead, I used a free AC to get that Vistana week...

I'm getting too old to try to do this from memory...

 

[dsmrp]

That's interesting that the phases each have their own HOA. This caught my eye on the map of the resort
https://www.vistana.com/destinations/sheraton-vistana-resort/maps
It looks like each phase has its own check-in area, and that they don't all operate on the same schedule. Looks like Falls Phase only has check-in on Sunday, Courts Phase only on Saturday, Lakes Phase on Friday-Saturday-Sunday. Am I reading that correctly?

2) When you own a voluntary resort, you can reserve the unit you own in the phase you own in the season you own up to 12 months in advance."
So if I own a floater week at one phase (e.g. Cascades), I can only book a week within that phase as a floater, and would not be able to book at Fountains even if the desired week was available?

Yes each phase section, e.g. Cascades, Lakes, Falls etc has their own HOA, and they set their own MFs. They do have different check-in days for weeks owners.
I own in Spas and Lakes, and the Lakes MF is about $75-$100 more each year than Spas. I'm not sure about the square footage of each.
Spas is fixed weeks, even fixed unit for some of them. I think my Lakes is all float; I think I can reserve 1-52 in Lakes, but never have since it is in the Vistana Network. I believe Cascades has some fixed/float units. It is also the largest in terms of # of units, and mostly close to the main pool.

If you do decide to go after an SVR unit be sure to check the estoppel carefully; not all units in a particular phase float or have same reservation windows & conditions.

We last stayed at SVR about 4-5 years ago, about a week or so after Prez day week.
I remember the Spas pool attendant saying it had been so crowded during Prez week: the entire resort was full, and people were fighting over pool lounge chairs
The Spas pool isn't as big as Cascades pool; but neither has enough chairs if every unit is occupied.

 

[SabresFan]

Yes each phase section, e.g. Cascades, Lakes, Falls etc has their own HOA, and they set their own MFs. They do have different check-in days for weeks owners.
I own in Spas and Lakes, and the Lakes MF is about $75-$100 more each year than Spas. I'm not sure about the square footage of each.
Spas is fixed weeks, even fixed unit for some of them. I think my Lakes is all float; I think I can reserve 1-52 in Lakes, but never have since it is in the Vistana Network. I believe Cascades has some fixed/float units. It is also the largest in terms of # of units, and mostly close to the main pool.

If you do decide to go after an SVR unit be sure to check the estoppel carefully; not all units in a particular phase float or have same reservation windows & conditions.

We last stayed at SVR about 4-5 years ago, about a week or so after Prez day week.
I remember the Spas pool attendant saying it had been so crowded during Prez week: the entire resort was full, and people were fighting over pool lounge chairs
The Spas pool isn't as big as Cascades pool; but neither has enough chairs if every unit is occupied.

LOL - we are pretty aggressive about being in the parks from open to close as much as possible - no time for swimming pools!

Although my daughter was at WDW for the early part of President's week this year - she said the parks were even more crowded than they were when we were there for this past Christmas.

 

[SabresFan]

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...nge-fees-membership-fees-as-of-1-1-19.282795/

this is a little dated but gets you more details if you are curious:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...uently-asked-questions-and-information.74057/

II membership starts at around $99 per year. (My last renewal was $311 for 5 years.) Since I have 2 1BRs (split apart from a 2BR unit in my timeshare) to trade each year, I figure I'm spending $31 per trade just for the II membership.

II also charges per trade, so that is now $209 (up from $179 a few years ago).

So if I trade a $400 (in annual dues) 1BR for a 2BR in Orlando, I figure it costs me $400 + $31 + $209 = $640, which is still much less than annual dues for the Marriotts and Sheratons I have been able to trade for... (last year I stayed in a Marriott Cypress Harbour 2BR in March and a 2BR in November at the Marriott Royal Palms - also did a 2BR Sheraton Vistana in Sept with a $224 getaway - very low season but worked out for my situation since I had free time and an Annual Pass.)

I get much better trade power for my resort in II, so I am not up to date on RCI (although my resort can trade through RCI if I wanted to go in that direction).

Thanks for the info and the links!

 

[wmp0719]

Hello,
I am thinking of purchasing a resale timeshare at Vistana resorts Orlando. It is a floating week (1-52). How hard is it to exchange a week through II or RCI? This is all new to me. Will owning at this resort allow me to exchange into the Westin timeshares, or Marriott?