Great time at Sheraton Vistana villages

[Taratink]

We just got back tonight from a wonderful 8 day stay at VV. It was located a little out of the way which made it extremely quite with little traffic. We would stay there again in a heartbeat.The room was clean and beautiful. The staff was so friendly and really helpful when my kids got the stomach bug. I would highly reccomend this resort to anyone. The pool was incredible and the food at the little deli was reasonable and good. I was ready for a long check-in line like the ones at the Vistana Resort but there was'nt one. I walked in and there were 3 people waiting to help me and it was 3 pm on a Sunday and my room was ready an hour early. The kids activities were fun and the activity staff were really energetic and friendly. I could go on and on. I can answer anyones questions.
Tara

 

[snowwite]

I stayed there with my parents in 1977! Have they remodeled?

 

[calgarygary]

Vistana Villages wasn't open in 1977. You may be thinking of the Vistana. They are 2 separate resorts - the Villages is the newer resort, I think it opened around 2001.

 

[snowwite]

Vistana Villages wasn't open in 1977. You may be thinking of the Vistana. They are 2 separate resorts - the Villages is the newer resort, I think it opened around 2001.

I pulled out my scrap book. It was the Vistana vacation Villas.

 

[mhaley]

Where is this one located? We are looking to do just Universal and Sea World this fall, not Disney. Would this be a good location?

 

[cey]

Have they re-opened the main pool and restaurant yet? Both were being renovated in January. Unfortunately, they were not forthcoming with that information and letting vacationers know up front.

 

[MiaSRN62]

snowwite says : I stayed there with my parents in 1977! Have they remodeled? I pulled out my scrap book. It was the Vistana vacation Villas.

To my knowledge... the main Vistana wasn't opened in 1977, let alone the Vistana Villages. My records show that Vistana acquired the preexisting Courts condo development in 1980 and then built the rest of the areas between 1982 well into 2000+ (this is the main Vistana resort).
As for the Villages, I think that opened in the general time period of 2000/2001. It's a fairly new resort depending on the phase. So it would not have been possible for you to have been at the Vistana Villages in 1977 Snowwite.

 

[Taratink]

Where is this one located? We are looking to do just Universal and Sea World this fall, not Disney. Would this be a good location?

This resort is 4 miles from Sea World and 7 miles from Universal. This place would be a perfect location. We loved this place! The Marriott Grand Vista was down the street from the Villages too.

Cey- the pool and deli were open on the 4th when we were there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Tara ~
Sounds like you had a fantastic stay. Any pics to share ?! What section did you stay in ? Is construction still going on at the resort ?

 

[Taratink]

Hi Maria,
I have talked to you in the past about the VR when I panned our trip last year. I think that the section we were in was called the Garden Section bldg. 9 second floor. There was a new section built that looked completed called Key West. It had a different layout. I did not get a chance to look inside. The interior of the villages seemed smaller that the VR but the decorating was really nice. The set up of the VV was similar to the VR. The feel of the resort was different than the VR. We loved the Vistana Resort but it was a lot busier. The Villages property was much smaller and there were fewer units and we liked that. The staff at VV was great and very friendly. I will post some pictures soon.
Tara

 

[Mick]

Hi Taratink,

We are thinking of staying in a 2 bedroom at this resort but I have a couple questions I hoped you could answer.

1. On the website it states that there are 3 kinds of villas, Amelia, Keywest & Bella. In each the 2 bedrooms are either called 2 bedroom lockoff villa or just two bedroom villa. Do you know the difference?

2. How far of a drive to each WDW, Universal & Seaworld?

Thanks,
Mick

 

[Taratink]

Hi Taratink,

We are thinking of staying in a 2 bedroom at this resort but I have a couple questions I hoped you could answer.

1. On the website it states that there are 3 kinds of villas, Amelia, Keywest & Bella. In each the 2 bedrooms are either called 2 bedroom lockoff villa or just two bedroom villa. Do you know the difference?

2. How far of a drive to each WDW, Universal & Seaworld?

Thanks,
Mick

I believe that it was 11 miles to WDW, 4 miles to Seaworld and 7 miles to US/IOA. They did not use any of those names for the section we stayed in. I think they might have called it the garden section. I know that the Key section is new. The whole resort was really nice. i don't think that there is a bad unit in the place. People have complained in the past that it was noisy there but it seemed really quite to us. I think that the lock offs are a two bedroom and a one bedroom unit connected but I am not 100% sure. Those are rare to get. We are a family of 4 and we were really comfortable there. This is one of the nicest places that we have stayed. We love the Villages and I would highly recommend it. If you have any more questions I would be happy to answer them.

Tara

 

[Mick]

Thanks for replying Tara.

Have you stayed onsite before? I was wondering the comparison between VV and on-site for going back to the hotel for afternoon breaks.

 

[Davefrompgh]

thanks for all the info...we are also a family of 4...Did you stay in a 1 bedroom with a pull-out or a 2 bedroom? We have a 1 bedroom booked, I am hoping it is big enough. I would love to see some pictures, too. We also have a car....I heard the shuttle service is not up to "our" needs..DH is an early riser going to the parks and we "move". Is there 1 large pool? Was it big enough to accomodate all the guests? Thanks again

 

[sandshal]

We stayed at the VV in 2003 in a 2 bed unit (family of 4) and my mum and her partner had the 1 bed unit, if you are able to, I strongly advise you go for the 2 bed unit. Far more space and the 2nd bedroom has twin beds - perfect for 2 tired kids and parents who need a lounge to chill in. Also the main bedroom with whirlpool was superb. Can't wait to return this October!!!!!!!!!! Definately prefer the VV over a villa.

 

[dana1003]

do they have sutlle service to the parks or do you reccommend a rental?