Help...Vistana with 21 mo. child & grandparents

[Jim from Jersey]

I will be staying at the vistana in Oct. on a friends RCI trade. I have read just about all the threads regarding this resort and will try making a request as it can't hurt to ask. I figured I would request a room in either the cascade, lakes, palm, or fountains area. Would any one of these be especially better for traveling with a small child and 2 senior citizens (70 ish) - 5 of us total. Yes, I have looked at the grounds layout, but sometimes that really doesnt depict the proper information. Any suggestions on this issue and traveling with 21 mo. old would be great, as this is our first vacation traveling with a child. Thanks for your help!

 

[snoopy]

The Lakes section is great for a toddler as they have a zero entry pool.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Any of the sections within Vistana will work for you. I wouldn't worry too much about the grandparents enjoying the resort. They will find something to do and great places to walk around and enjoy the facilities.

Some people, and I am not suggesting that you would, get so hung up in specific sections of a resort that, if they don't get assignments there, they start the vacation all flustered.

You will find that this resort will be a great place for the 5 of you to stay.

 

[jx3smom]

My dad (73) visited us at Vistana last March and loved it there. He was disappointed that we weren't going until April this year because he'll already be back up here from his 2 mths in Fl. and he does not fly. He loved walking around the resort, the different pools, and the on site Pizza Hut. We went to the parks some of the time but he just hung around Vistana.

Vistana will supply you with a high chair and crib. We always brought a few toys and our own bedding for our DS. A crib blanket from home is better than what they supply.

 

[Gretchen]

I have posted about my experience with the Vistana Resort, I won't go into detail here. Try your requests on their site, use the Diamond Lane option. You can request stuff, and use the Diamond Lane check in upon arrival. I would request an area with an elevator (Lakes is nice, new zero entry pool 3 stories and elevators) 'cause with all your stuff, baby and older folk, you don't want to be trudging up and down stairs the whole time.
Bring your own bedding for the baby-they only have regular full size sheets. They have graco porta cribs and pack and plays. Any of the areas have nice grounds. The only really bad looking are was the Fountains. I would also rent a car if you are flying. The food/service wasn't that great. You will love the space, extra room etc. I just reread your post, how old is your small child? My son was 21 months when we went (Jan 18 - Jan 24 2004) He could open all the doors-even the front door to the villa. They have the paddle type door knobs, even the front. There isn't a chain lock only a dead bolt that opens when you turn the door handle. By the last day of our visit, my son could open the door with the dead bolt locked. It was kinda a drag to see him boogie out the front door on the second floor. Anyway, have fun planning, the Vistana is a pretty resort.
Gretchen

 

[Jim from Jersey]

Thank you all for your replies! Gretchen....I read your post regarding your trip and it was very informative. The baby will be 21 months when we go which is why we are bringing my wifes parents with us! This is the first time we are traveling to WDW, or anywhere for that matter, with a child so this is all new to us! This site is so very helpful when it comes to getting advice; I actually have a notebook next to the computer now to write things down as I come across them. One other question that I have is that in my original post I stated that my stay at the vistana was a trade from RCI, however, that is not true. The trade will be from Interval International. Does anyone know if all trades get treated the same or do they just have something against RCI? I believe all the posts I have seen that complain about where they get "housed" on a trade seem to be RCI - no mention of any other time share companies. I may be wrong as I have not had a lot of time to really get back into the forums and read them in depth, but the ones that I have read, again, only mention RCI. Any thoughts? Thanks......J from J

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We were there once on a RCI trade and had no problems at check in or any other time. We also used the Diamond Lane check in and processing went smoothly and I don't think that Vistana has something "against" either II or RCI. Those trades happen each and every day.

 

[spiceycat]

Vistana just recently went to II - so yes I would expect them to give you a good room.

II has higher standard (not offense RCI - I love you -) than RCI.

I love the trades with RCI for my SA. with II I have loved trades my Westgate (use to get) - but I really love their getaways.

II uses their rating much more than RCI (they go on demand) - II goes on rating - if you resort did not rate as high - you don't get to exchange to a higher rating using II. RCI does not care about rating as much as demand - if the demand is there you get it.

So if you have a lower resort - white week - you love RCI and hate II -

however if you have a higher resort - like Marriott and a good week you love II and find RCI not as good trade.