Vacation Villas January 2012 at FantasyWorld Resort News & Views
A Message from Your Board President by Jeff Weinland
Fellow Owners,
2011 was a very busy year at the Resort and the time has come to reap the benefits. I am writing today as I watch our fellow owners swimming in our new pool, floating around our lazy river and speeding down our slides. It sure looks like a lot fun!
The completion of this second phase of our amenities refurbishment has created some changes at the Resort that everyone needs to know about. The good news is that owners are returning to the Resort in droves. It is a very exciting time. The bad news is that with all of this activity, it will be more difficult for owners who delay requesting their reservations to get the dates that they want. As a result, we are asking owners to plan as far in advance as possible. Remember, owners can reserve weeks up to one year in advance of their planned arrival date. And before you ask, yes, you must pay the maintenance fee in order to make your reservation. Owners paying fees before the annual billing is sent out are asked to pay an amount equal to the prior year’s fees, and any necessary adjustments will be made to their account when the bills are sent out. The best weeks are selling out quickly!
I am sure that you are all aware that the 2012 maintenance fees remained at $586.00. This is the fifth year in a row that we were able to keep fees from increasing, but this came at a cost. The Board did not approve Management’s request to increase Staff to compensate for the increased owner demand. As a result, owners are asked to be patient with our Staff as they process owner requests. Maintenance fee payments can be paid via mail, or on the online system. Reservation Requests can be processed via fax, mail, e-mail or you can complete the form on our new website for the fastest processing. Owners are discouraged from calling the Resort for payment and reservation processing as there is not enough staff to handle the large volume. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, but the alternative was an increase in fees that owners are constantly asking us to avoid. We appreciate your support on this issue.
Speaking of the new website, we have launched a new website: www.FantasyWorldOwners.com to keep owners informed of the happenings at our Resort. This website is a work in progress and we will continue to add content throughout the year. Please feel free to e-mail your ideas about the information that you would like to have available.
On behalf of the Staff, Management and your Board of Directors, we wish you all a safe, healthy and prosperous 2012.
Happy Timesharing! Hope to See You at the Resort!
Resort Revenue Centers
To help offset expenses, the Resort has created several revenue centers as follows:
Virtual Golf is available for rent in the new clubhouse. It offers twenty different courses throughout the US and Canada. This game is played with a real golf ball and clubs, which are provided. The introductory price to use this amenity is $15.00 per person, per round. Time limit of one hour and 15 minutes, maximum of 4 players. $10.00 per half hour to use the driving range and $10.00 per half hour to play anyone of seven different games such as “Window Smash” or “Field Golf Challenge.” Golfers under the age of 18 must play with an adult age 21 or older. Reservations can be made by calling the Activities Office at (407) 396-8530 extension 5542. No wet clothing is allowed in this area.
Cabanas: There are ten cabanas at the main pool available for daily rentals. The introductory rental rate is $40.00 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and includes a television, lounge chair, chair with ottoman, table, ceiling fan, small refrigerator fridge with six sodas and six waters. A refundable deposit of $100.00 is required at time of rental. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance by calling the Activities Office at (407) 396-8530 extension 5542.
Meeting/Banquet Space: The Resort now offers Meeting/Banquet Space available for rent. Any functions requiring food and/or bar service must be provided by the Resort through one of our preferred catering companies. To make reservations and plan your events, please contact Sandy Carey at (407) 396-8530 extension 5556. Page 2 Vacation Villas Resort News & Views
General Manager’s Report by Diana Cherveny
We are right on schedule with the Unit Refurbishments!
In 2010, forty-one villas were completed! The new look includes: new tile in the lower level, new mirrors in the bathrooms, carpet and padding on the upper level, end tables, coffee table, 52” dining table and 6 chairs, television cabinet, lamps, box springs and mattress, head- boards, dressers, mirrors, bedspreads, art work, blackout drapes, blinds, interior paint, new kitchen cabinets with knobs, improved kitchen lighting, new patio furniture, upgrading the queen bed to a king-sized bed and installing a closet insert in the master bedroom, 37” flat screen televisions in the living room and 32” in the master bedroom, and the installation of clean steel appliances and above-the-counter microwaves.
Starting on April 17, 2011, an additional forty-two units were renovated with the same upgrades that were done in 2010. Additionally, the upper bath tubs and the lower bath shower stalls were replaced, and the popcorn ceiling was replaced with a knock- down texture. This texture is a rough, earthy, uneven finished surface, and is much easier to maintain while giving the units an upgraded modern look.
All units now have new patio furniture, which includes a table with four chairs, a chaise lounge and a tea table.
The installation of pavers continues at the front walkways to the unit, as well as the entrance alcoves. This will eliminate the mulch in this area. We are also installing a paver step at the back door of the screened patio.
Reminders Worth Repeating
Reservation Reminders
Submit your reservation request as soon as possible each year to stay at the Resort, to deposit for a future exchange or release your week for rent.
All reservation requests, changes or cancellations must be submitted in writing. This can be done by mail, fax or e-mail.
Please do not include reservation requests with your maintenance fee payment. Reservation requests must be directed to the Resort, and the processing of your payment is not handled at the Resort location. Sending your reservation requests directly to the Resort will help ensure your request is handled promptly.
For early travel (February – April 2013), remember to pre-pay your maintenance fee for next year. Send a payment equal to this year’s assessment. Please note on your payment: “2013 Fees.” Reservations can be booked up to one year in advance.
Vacation Villas is a sold out Resort. There is an owner assigned to every week of the year. If you do not submit your request to book a reservation to visit the Resort, exchange or rent your unit; you may loose your week. Sorry, week(s) cannot be carried over to the next year. NEW WEBSITE AT VACATION VILLAS Check-In Reminders Visit our new website: Check-In begins at 4:00 p.m. www.FantasyWorldOwners.com Check-Out ends at 10:00 a.m. This site has been created as a Your unit is equipped with a full kitchen and enough pillows, sheets, towels and pool resource for the owners of Vacation towels for a party of six (6). We also provide a starter kit that includes coffee, cream, Villas at FantasyWorld Timeshare sugar, filters, trash bags, dishwashing detergent, tissue paper, paper towels and laundry Owners Association. Here you will find detergent. the latest news from your Resort, along
Pets are NOT Allowed with tips for making your visit as enjoyable as possible. Should you have a pet in your unit, you will be asked to remove the pet from the property and an $85.00 fee will be charged to cover the cost of pest control and cleaning Another function that owners have of the unit. been requesting for many years is the
DO NOT Smoke in Your Unit ability to request their annual usage Please, out of courtesy toward fellow owners and guests, do not smoke in reservation online. This feature is now available at this website! your unit. For those of you who would prefer to smoke, please do so in the convenient screened-in porches. Other owners/guests using the unit after Owners will also find a link to the your stay may suffer from allergies or severe asthma. Thank you for your SPM Resorts maintenance fee payment assistance and consideration in this matter. portal. Vacation Villas at FantasyWorld Amenities Complex, featuring the Aquatics Amenities, Pool, Hot Tubs, Lazy River, Slides and Splash Pad. Vacation Villas at FantasyWorld Amenities Building, featuring the Owners’ Lounge, Activities Center, and Exercise Room. Page 5 Vacation Villas Resort News & Views
Paying Maintenance Fees Made Easy
Remember: Maintenance Fees are due every year on January 1st.
Avoid Late Fees – Save Money
If you have not received your annual maintenance fee billing statement, please call the Resort. It could have been lost or your address may need updating.
Late fees are assessed on January 16th. Be sure your payment is mailed with sufficient time to reach us.
Please include the payment stub with your check to avoid further delays in posting your payment to your account.
Do not include any correspondence or reservation requests with your payment. The payments arrive at a processing center, and it takes several days to get the mail back to the Resort.
To save time, please pay by sending a check by mail. Please make sure to send it to the P.O. Box printed on the payment stub. If in doubt about the correct mailing address, you may call the Resort at (407) 396-8530. Payments may also be sent directly to the Resort at 5005 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, Florida, 34746.
You may also pay by credit card online at www.spmresorts.com. When accessing the SPM Resorts website, please enter your Owner ID where prompted; your password is your five digit postal code. If you need assistance logging on, please call the Resort.
Pre-Pay – Book Early and Get the Week You Want
Pre-paying in full allows for bookings up to one year in advance!
Maintenance fees can be paid at anytime during the year for the next year. Payments can be made in advance monthly, quarterly, etc. based on the prior year’s dues. For example, if your maintenance fee is $500, and you paid $25 per month for 10 months leading up to the due date, you would only be billed $250 for the next year.
The point is you don’t have to wait to receive your annual billing statement in order to make payment(s). Management’s Financial Services Department will keep track of all payments you make throughout the year and deduct these payments from your annual billing. When the current year billing is received, any remaining balance or credit will be reflected on your statement. This also allows for easier budgeting throughout the year.
As always, if you have any questions, you may call the Resort at (407) 396-8530.
Attention Owners! Fantasy Surf Moving???
We want you to receive your Resort Don’t forget to visit our Fantasy Owner communication is one news and information as quickly and cost Surf Complex, located at 5151 of the key elements in providing effectively as possible. Please send your e-mail Kyngs Heath Road. The patented you with our highest quality in address to [email protected] as soon as FlowRider™ system has the look of customer service. If you are possible so that we can begin communicating with surfing and wakeboarding in a safe moving or have changed your you via e-mail. and controlled environment, and the telephone number, it is important padded walls, floor and beach is As we look to bring more information online, that you notify us immediately so covered by a three-inch sheet of wa- utilizing e-mail to send out newsletters, Resort infor- that we can update our records. ter that creates a surfable wave. mation and other SPM Resorts news helps reduce the cost of printing and postage. In turn, we all become Once you get “hooked” on the Please submit updated infor- better stewards of the environment and your Associa- wave, Stop into the “Offshore” Surf mation to us: Shop, stocked with some of the lat- tion’s finances. In addition, our owners’ online reser- Fax: (407) 396-6697 vation system (coming soon) and owners’ login will est surf attire and fashions. soon utilize your e-mail address as sign-in validation. E-mail: vacationvillas Open Daily — See the Resort Staff for Hours of Operations. @spmresorts.com Sending your e-mail address to us now will afford us the time to update your owner record with this Mail: information prior to the validation project going live. Vacation Villas at FantasyWorld Your email address is held with the strictest confi- Attn: Owner Services dence and will not be sold or shared for solicitation 5005 Kyngs Heath Road purposes. Kissimmee, Florida 34746
Thank you for your cooperation and participation. 5005 Kyngs Heath Road Kissimmee, Florida 34746 Phone: (407) 396-8530 Fax: (407) 396-6697 E-Mail: [email protected] NEWSLETTER
Professionally Managed by:
We’re Here For You! SPM Resorts Corporate Office Board of Directors 1051 Shine Avenue,
We are happy to assist you in every way Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 President possible to answer any questions you may Phone: (843) 238-5000 Jeff Weinland have regarding your vacation ownership at Fax: (843) 238-5001 [email protected] Vacation Villas. Please note the following:
Financial Services Representative Vice President For inquiries regarding your account: John (Jack) Sladkey General Manager Chad Martin [email protected] For information about [email protected]
the Resort, contact: Phone: (843) 238-5000 x-3082 Diana Cherveny Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan Ejuwa dcherveny@ Director of Financial Services [email protected] spmresorts.com Bill Schultz
(407) 396-8530 [email protected] Director
Assistant General Manager Arthur Washington Exchange Company [email protected] Christina Moquin [email protected] Interval International Member Services 800-843-8843 Director Regional Vice President of Operations Exchanges 800-828-8200 Richard Furlong Trish Docherty www.intervalworld.com [email protected] [email protected]