Sorry for posting this reply so long since it started, but I just joined WDWMAGIC today and I stumbled upon it! I am a Sheraton Vistana owner (not the Villages) and I have to say that I am EXTREMELY happy about my ownership! I own two weeks; one in the Cascades and one in the Lakes. The first time I ever went to Orlando in 1997, my boyfriend (now husband) and I stayed at a Doubletree Suites resort on West Irlo Bronson Hgwy...anyway, we went to see the timeshare because we got free tickets to one of the parks. We had no intention of buying anything....well, we ended up buying a 2 bedroom and it was the best move we ever made! Then, they weren't affiliated with Sheraton and Starwood, and we still loved it! Well, since then, we bought another week and the benefits just get better and better! We are actually going to The Atlantis resort in the Bahamas as part of our deal...COMPLETELY FREE...no $75 fees, no exchange fees, NADA. The room we are staying in rents for over $800 per night in May (when we'll be there). And we are also going back to Vistana for a week in August.
If anyone has an opportunity to buy at Vistana Resort, you should really jump on it. It is LITERALLY right next to the entrance to Disney World. It is also a lot cheaper than owning in the DVC and you own it FOR LIFE. You can leave it to your kids or grandkids in your will, and THEY will have vacations for life, and so on. It doesn't expire in 40 years like the DVC does. The only drawback is that it's NOT in "The World", which a lot of people feel is necessary when visiting Disney. Well, it's close enough for me and we have a HUGE villa with lots to do at the resort...you seriously NEVER have to leave if you don't want to! I could go on and on...
If anyone has any questions about Vistana, I will be more than happy to answer them.
:wave: