Can you convince my wife that Vistana Villages is better than HIFS?

[Vinnie The Pooh]

We have been researching the Vistana villages and the Vistana Resorts and are definately leaning toward the Resorts and I think your wife would like the resorts better as well. The Vistana Resorts (not the village) is very close to WDW near LBV and is set up (IMHO) just like a WDW Resort with seperate sections and pools in each section. There are also many restaurants at the resort and really nothing but a deli at the village. The village is newer and therefor I think the accomadations may be a tad less worn but other than that I think the Vistana Resort would have more to offer you wife and your kids. They are currently advertised at hotel Kingdom for 119 per night

Starwood Sheraton Vistana Resorts at a glance

 

[baileybrad]

You are right that VR is closer to onsite than VV. It is also a huge resort much bigger than anything that Disney currently has. It is spread over probably a a few square miles. You never know as a cash renter what "section" that you will be placed in. Though these are well maintained timeshares, there is a big difference in the age of some of the condos. You gain no more than probably 2 minutes of commute time from VR, compared to VV. By the time that you wind your way out of the VR it could take a couple minutes, then you usually catch the light. At VV you pop right out onto S.International Drive. VV was $109 a night last time I checked with the seventh night free. The only thing that that VR has on VV is if I remember is a pool slide at one of its main pools. I tend to ride a resort while it is new. If one could be guaranteed a "new" condo at VR then I would consider it, but remember there is no guranted to a cash renter and it is more expensive. Just some food for thought.

Sorry for the person who had "pillow" allergy problems. We found the bedding to be about as comfortable as any we had ever experienced at a hotel/resort, there was no first night adjustment. I use a foam pillow but slept great on what was provided. The throw pillows that are provided on the King bed could be used if one were allergic to "down".

 

[BGill]

Hi Jasper, Just wanted to let you and your wife know that we just got back from the Vistana Villages and loved it. It was the best place we ever stayed. There was plenty of space for the six of us. The pool was great. The kids loved it. Barbara

 

[clm3]

I have ressies at ASMO right now for 2 rooms. After seeing this thread
and HotelKingdom offering such a great rate for 2bdrm villa I'm thinking of
moving. How bad is the drive and parking at the parks ??? I don't want
to have to walk forever from the parking lot. My last visit was on property
so this will be a new experience.

Please convince me this is better ... I really want to stay at
VV, its almost half price

Thanks,
Cheryl

 

[Tense]

Hi... you'll be 5 minutes from Seaworld and Universal Studio by car ,and about 10-15 to Magic Kingdom. My daughter just came back from the Vistana Villages, and said it was great. As far as the parking is concerned, you'll be better off with VV too, since self park at Disney can be a hike...depending on the hotel! Here you park right outside you building. I've stayed on property for many years, UNTIL we stayed at the Vistana. Let me tell you, there is no comparing the rooms to Disney. We have 2 children, b13, and g8. One hotel room for all of us is not a do-able thing anymore. My kids WILL NOT share a bed, and 2 Disney rooms are out of the question. Here, with a 2 bedroom at 129.00 a night Mom and Dad have their own bedroom!What a concept!) the kids can share a room( there are 2 double beds in the second bedroom) or Ds can have the fold out couch in the living room. Much more convient in the mornings as well because there are 2 bathrooms. Master bath has a two person shower, and a Jacuzzi (nice touch after the parks). In the mornings while the crew gets ready, you'll be able to sit at the dining room table(not the edge of the bed or a desk chair) read the paper and have breakfast because you have a fully equipped kitchen. Even if you say...I'm not cooking, it's nice to have a full size fridge, and a toaster for toast in the mornings! Can I say anymore?!!! Any questions you have I'll be glad to answer! Hope this helps.

 

[Nagle]

Interesting reading folks. For those that stayed at Vistana Villages, who did you book through? Are you all timeshare owners, or cash renters. We would probably be interested in staying there, and are curious as to how to go about booking there.

Thanks
Nagle

 

[Tense]

Nagle...
Book through Hotelkingdom.com...they by far have the best prices.

 

[baileybrad]

We used Hotelkingdom and it works just like the process that is described on their website. Painless. I actually talked to a representative over the phone using their 1-800 number. The reservation system folks are much superior to the Disney operation. My brother uses HK all the time for stays in Miami and in the Orlando area. This resort will not disappoint many people, it is quite lovely.

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi, really glad I found this thread, we are going to Vistana Village in 5 weeks, can`t wait and after reading all the excellent things you have all said it sounds better than I thought it would be.

Could you please advise me as to which `block` would be good for us - we want a pool view (our DD is 6 and loves water and swimming) so one nice and central would be brilliant.

Did anyone try the free scheduled transport they advertise in the brochure (we are from UK and have booked with Virgin) does it run often or would we be better taking the car.

Do the pools tend to get busy (August)? and would it be Ok for my DD to take her inflatables to pay with in the pool.

And finally we will be taking detergent for the washing machine, will we also need to pack dishwasher tablets?

I am grateful for any help and info you can give me.

Thanks Phil

 

[Lorix2]

I was told by Hotelkingdom that they no longer offer Vistana Villages on their website, something about them being too expensive and cannot offer it at wholesale anymore.

Katie's Dad - you will not need dishwasher tablets, the powder detergent in individual packets are provided.

You will need to buy your own laundry detergent though.

I cannot help you with transportation, but can tell you that you and your family will be extremely happy here.

You may take your own inflatables to the pool.

I believe buildings 1-4 are around the pool, but mostly reserved for owners, but I'm sure you can at least request one of them.

Have a great vacation

 

[Belle5]

Unless things have changed since our visit there the "free" shuttle to the theme parks isn't free in the sense that Disney property busses are "free". We felt VERY compelled to tip our shuttle driver. There is a huge tip jar by the driver and with tipping $1 per person each way (there and back --seemed like that's what most folks were doing) for our family of 7 we were tipping $14 dollars per day round trip. Sure wouldn't have wanted to try coming back for naps!!!!

 

[cymru]

Hi, i have stayed in both places. HIFS is a great resort but Vistana Villages is a tremendous place to stay. The Villas are huge and beautiful inside and definitely more complete than HIFS. www.Hotelmartusa.com has a special for Vistana. Any booking gets the 5th night free. That is a great deal. We have already booked to go back to Vistana in August.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

As you can see from my profile we have stayed at VV for three years and would have gone back again if the rates had been what we had experienced in the past. How did you get 99 per night? When are you going? We checked and checked it it was up over 150 for August and I was not going to pay that.
I do not know about the Holiday INN. I have never stayed there but I do know that the Holiday Inns I have stayed in left a lot to be desired. I am not saying that this one is not nice but I REALLY cannot see how it could even come close to VV. Three tv's three pools, water fall, beautiful decor, maid service, huge two bedroom, two bathroom suites. ALL the amenities of home but much more coordinated.

I am not really doing it justice. All I can say is that I stayed three years in a row and the first year when we walked in we just stood with our mouths open. We had stayed on site at Disney, and in a private home that was rented from a friend. I STILL say this was by far the best. I am jealous. I am only hoping you got the rate for a time other than summer. I cannot believe you got it that inexpensively.
Here is a thought, spend half the vacation at HI and half at VV and then decide if you return where you will stay. Keep in mind you may not get VV for that rate again.

 

[momof2inPA]

Bella,

This is an old thread, 2/2002. I couldn't find any good V V rates for October, either, so we are staying at the Wyndham Palms.