General Availability Question

[uiucguy81]

Hi everyone. New member, but longtime lurker. Not currently an owner anywhere. I am considering acquiring a resale Sheraton Vistana Villages, Key West, 44,000 star options. I am frankly buying this to get maximum points to exchange into other places such as Atlantis, Lagunamar, Kierland, etc. I am satisfied with the cost (or lack thereof) to acquire at this property and package.

I have a few questions. I have read through some threads and FAQ and really thank you in advance for my follow up questions. Firstly, how would you characterize likelihood to get a reservation at six to eight months prior to checkin at these resorts? We don't travel around Christmas/New Years, but rather, long weekend trips, spring break, fall break, etc. Am I being naive to think availability is good with some optionality, or is availability severely limited? Do many of the deeded week owners scoop up all the availability? Do I need to be on the reservation website at 8mo + 1 day prior to check in?

Thanks again in advance.

 

[andysnovel]

Hi everyone. New member, but longtime lurker. Not currently an owner anywhere. I am considering acquiring a resale Sheraton Vistana Villages, Key West, 44,000 star options. I am frankly buying this to get maximum points to exchange into other places such as Atlantis, Lagunamar, Kierland, etc. I am satisfied with the cost (or lack thereof) to acquire at this property and package.

I have a few questions. I have read through some threads and FAQ and really thank you in advance for my follow up questions. Firstly, how would you characterize likelihood to get a reservation at six to eight months prior to checkin at these resorts? We don't travel around Christmas/New Years, but rather, long weekend trips, spring break, fall break, etc. Am I being naive to think availability is good with some optionality, or is availability severely limited? Do many of the deeded week owners scoop up all the availability? Do I need to be on the reservation website at 8mo + 1 day prior to check in?

Thanks again in advance.

81,000 star options resale should be your goal, this will get you a one bedroom in high season, in most Vistana Resorts and a 2 bedroom at some other resorts. Study the Vistana Star Options chart, see what resorts you want to go to and see what 44,000 SO will get you in various seasons, Fall travel to Atlantis will be the easiest season to book, You must book exactly 8 months out to have a shot in the summer or wintertime, with perseverance you can get in there. I am not familiar with the other properties you mentioned.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

I agree with 81000 being minimum to buy. We started with 1 timeshare thought it would be plenty . We are now waiting on ROFR for our 4th . You get addicted and always need more points.

 

[buzglyd]

I agree with the 81,000. I picked up 81k for next to nothing ($100). That gets us 2 gold season partial weeks in a 1br.

I’ve booked 6 nights at Lagunamar and 5 nights at Harborside for this year but both were at 8 months.

 

[Smithsingeneva]

I have never had an issue getting into Lagunamar on SOs at 8 months out. In my experience, Harborside is a bit more difficult but not impossible - went there a few weeks ago for the first time and only booked 3 months out.

Never been to WKV, but imagine it is difficult during the baseball spring training season. St John has been impossible - even before the hurricanes.

I have always found something that fits my timing - especially booking 8 months out. It may not have been my first choice, but there is availability within the network.

 

[uiucguy81]

Thank you all. Sounds like 81k annual points should be our goal.

 

[jordathyspg]

WKV was booked up for the last 2 weeks of March this year prior to the 8 month window opening. We just got back from the resort and can confirm it was at or very near 100% capacity. With that said it was busy but never felt uncomfortably crowded.

We are going to try booking on SO for late fall in one of the Maui resorts for 2020 and probably HRA for 2021. Sounds doable if we are on it at 8 months out.

 

[mauitraveler]

WKV was booked up for the last 2 weeks of March this year prior to the 8 month window opening. We just got back from the resort and can confirm it was at or very near 100% capacity. With that said it was busy but never felt uncomfortably crowded.

We are going to try booking on SO for late fall in one of the Maui resorts for 2020 and probably HRA for 2021. Sounds doable if we are on it at 8 months out.

We always book KORV for the first week of October with SO, and have never had any problems. Happy travels to you! CJ

 

[blondietink]

We have stayed at WKORV-N twice now in late Sept. and early Oct. and have not had a problem booking. We have a reservation at Harborside at the end of April this year that was pretty easy to get. We also stayed there one September with no issues booking. Lagunamar is easy most any time, but that might change when/if Marriott owners get any preference in booking. Florida resorts have been very easy even just a few days before you want to stay.

 

[uiucguy81]

Quick update. I've been racking up the hours looking at online listings. Any screaming deals out there? Please email me, would really appreciate it. levraiphilosophe@gmail.com