ttfn3
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2000
Since we have stayed at the Vistana Resort 3 times in the past year, I'm beginning to feel like this resort is truly our home in Orlando! (don't I wish!). We just got back yesterday from a wonderful 7 day stay. We drove over after staying 4 nights at the Marriott on Hutchinson Island (great resort!) and arrived about 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 24th. We had signed up for Diamond Lane checkin. We had just a few minutes wait until our turn. The regular line had at least 10 families. Make sure you are in the right line. The Diamond Lane is to the back of the checkin (right hand side). I've got to say the checkin procedure is the worst part of the trip. It usually takes us a good 1/2 hour (minimum) - and it's very stressful. I'm not sure what system they use - but it must not be a very good system to let their people know what all is available. We were very nice to the ressie person and got a great unit - 1426 Fountains. Our room wasn't ready so we headed to the Super Pool for 2:00 BINGO (and a swim). We headed back to get our keys around 4:30 - man the lines were HUGE!! We were greated with the jello "shots" LOL. (no thanks!). DS stood in the kids checkin to get a balloon sword. The line was pretty long just to get keys. I'm not very patient ;-) so I let DH take care of this. We got our key cards and headed to the room to unload our stuff - then make a quick trip for a few things at the Publix on Vineland Ave. The traffic was crazy on 535. If you need to turn left on 535, make sure you take the road by the back section (Fountains/Lakes). It will take you to a traffic light by Walgreens.
Our unit was gorgeous - and had been recently renovated. Seaside decor and lots of light. We had so much room. The unit was well stocked (even had packets of salt/pepper), so we just had to buy food and some laundry stuff. The beds were very comfortable. I was glad I had brought nightlights for both bathrooms since the rooms do get dark at night. The beds were so comfortable! We had daily housekeeping - and it was a real treat to come back to a clean room each day.
We spent the whole week hanging out at the resort and participating in the activities. We really like the college interns that work in the activities department. They are from all over the world and so nice. My DS hit it off with one of the guys from Holland (hi Eric!!) and they had a shared birthday celebration while we were there. DH is hooked on the poolside BINGO and the water volleyball. We also went to the Casino Night (South Korean theme that night), Extreme Mini Golf, BINGO mania, free throw contest, scavenger search, pool games, newly wed/oldie wed game, etc.
The weather was very HOT so we were glad we didn't go to the parks. (We did have dinner at the CG after dropping DS off at the Neverland Club - and then watched Wishes from the Poly beach - and hit Downtown Disney, of course!). Some of the pools got a bit warm while we were there (we hit them all except the Springs). You needed to put on your shoes to walk in the pool area.
It was very fun being in Florida during the tax free holiday and I enjoyed shopping in the early morning/late evening ;-) Got to GREAT bargains. We were fortunate to see the shuttle launch (from an open parking lot) WOW! We also did a bit of touring of other resorts (HGVC on International, Caribe Royale, Gaylord Palms, Orange Lake CC, etc) which reaffirmed our love of the Vistana Resort.
Our unit was gorgeous - and had been recently renovated. Seaside decor and lots of light. We had so much room. The unit was well stocked (even had packets of salt/pepper), so we just had to buy food and some laundry stuff. The beds were very comfortable. I was glad I had brought nightlights for both bathrooms since the rooms do get dark at night. The beds were so comfortable! We had daily housekeeping - and it was a real treat to come back to a clean room each day.
We spent the whole week hanging out at the resort and participating in the activities. We really like the college interns that work in the activities department. They are from all over the world and so nice. My DS hit it off with one of the guys from Holland (hi Eric!!) and they had a shared birthday celebration while we were there. DH is hooked on the poolside BINGO and the water volleyball. We also went to the Casino Night (South Korean theme that night), Extreme Mini Golf, BINGO mania, free throw contest, scavenger search, pool games, newly wed/oldie wed game, etc.
The weather was very HOT so we were glad we didn't go to the parks. (We did have dinner at the CG after dropping DS off at the Neverland Club - and then watched Wishes from the Poly beach - and hit Downtown Disney, of course!). Some of the pools got a bit warm while we were there (we hit them all except the Springs). You needed to put on your shoes to walk in the pool area.
It was very fun being in Florida during the tax free holiday and I enjoyed shopping in the early morning/late evening ;-) Got to GREAT bargains. We were fortunate to see the shuttle launch (from an open parking lot) WOW! We also did a bit of touring of other resorts (HGVC on International, Caribe Royale, Gaylord Palms, Orange Lake CC, etc) which reaffirmed our love of the Vistana Resort.