Hi Guys!! I'm back from Vistana Villages!!

[sandyneck]

Hi! We just got back today! Returned to snow after having 9 days of 86-92 degree weather. It was gorgeous!! I am posting a full trip report on the trip reports board, but I know many of you were anxiously awaiting my return for a report on the resort. Everything was wonderful. You know they have been having the overbooking problem, so I called the Saturday before I left and asked them if they were still overbooked, they did not give me a direct answer, but checked my reservation and when it came up, there must have been a note from Hotelkingdom attached because they told me there was no possible way I would not get a room. That was great news for me, but it was implied there would be others not so fortunate. My advice would be to call HK and VV several times and express your concern about their overbooking. I believe they will make sure you have a room. We arrived at 12 noon, but check in was not until 4 and our rooms were not ready. We checked in around 2:45. This seems to be the norm, so if you are arriving early, be prepared. There are lockers and changing rooms by the pool you can use until your room is ready. We were in Building #2 which I think is probably the best building in my opinion. You are right by the pool and the views are great. #1 may be a little too close to the pool, #4, 7,8,9&10 were the least desirable only because of their further location from the pool. #9&10 are the least desirable. My inlaws stayed for a night in #9 which is located close to Intl drive and you could hear the traffic from their balcony, building 10 is even closer and the views are of the basketball court with the pool in the distance. 5 or 6 would be good also, but you have to walk over a bridge to get to the pool. The rooms were awesome as usual. For those worried about smoke smell, there was not a trace in the three rooms I was in, my sister had a two bedroom and my family had one also. I did smell smoke a few times walking down the stairs coming from other rooms.
I could go on and on about everything so I will let you guys ask the questions and will be glad to answer even the silliest or smallest question. I am very picky about accomodations as are my husband and dad, both who were with me, and we all love the place. The deli seems to have expanded their menu slightly and we ate a few lunches there and it was good. Maid service was excellent as usual. They also have added a welcome pack for you with coupons, maps, coloring pages for the kids and other small items. When you pick it up they tell you about the timeshare but I never got the hard sell to do it so I just said we would think about it. I was a little concerned since I knew the resort was full about crowds at the pool, but we could always find a chair. OK, I have gone on long enough. Questions please!!

 

[markski]

Hope you had a great trip. How long did it take to get to the parks?

 

[Lorix2]

Welcome back Sandyneck! I've been eagerly awaiting your return. I'm so glad things went smoothly for you. I'm going to look for your trip report. Sounds like HK made sure things were in order for you....I hope my checkin will be uneventful also...I WILL be calling from the road as we're getting closer...ok, I'm going searching for your report now..thank you!

 

[ttfn3]

Sandyneck,
Thanks for posting so quickly! It sounds like you had a great trip. We're planning on staying at the V V in May. Thanks for the info on the building numbers. You mentioned that Building #1 had "great views". What exactly is the view? Did you notice a playground for young children? Did you see the game room? If so, what type of games were in the room? Did they work? Was there a whirlpool in the master bath? Did the 2 BR units have a hairdryer? Where there elevators? How was the neighborhood? I think that's enough questions for now. Thanks for your patience.
TTFN

 

[preb]

Welcome back!

What restaurants and grocery stores were in the area? Did they have any "childrens activities"?

We're getting ready to book with Hotel Kingdom and I'm so glad to hear everything went great for you!

 

[sandyneck]

Ok, lets see, ttfn3, here goes. There is a playground for kids with a jungle gym type thing to climb on. We had kids with us that were 3, 6 & 7 and they all loved it. There is sand all around it and they enjoyed playing in that as well. Building 2 is actually the one that I thought had the best view. It was of the pool and lake and you could see a lot of the pool area. Building 1 has a view of the pool also but it was very close to the pool and probably gets a lot of people walking by, which would only matter if you were on the 1st floor. They did have listed activities for children, they had a big calendar with all kinds of things, but some of them were bogus. My dad and husband waited all week for a billiard tournament and made sure we were back at the hotel for it, and it turned out there wasnt one. Another time we wanted to do face painting and were told it was cancelled because they only had one color paint?! The activities desk finally fessed up and said they put some activities on just to make it look full and to see what people really want to do. I did see kids making big canvas beach bags and painting them and they had water volleyball. We weren't at the pool much during the day, so other activities may have gone on. The game room is small and has an air hockey table, a Star Wars game, Deer Hunting and one other thing. We went to the Contemporary Resort to the big arcade when the kids wanted to play games. There were elevators and the 2 bedroom has a huge whirlpool and hairdryer. There is not much around the area of the hotel except a couple other big resorts. That is one reason we like it so much. I will also add that all the buildings have some sort of water view. There are no rooms overlooking parking lots. But like I said, #9&10 are too close to the road. Just a few minutes down the road you get to all the restaurants on Intl drive. There are too many to list, I am sure you would find something. There is a grocery store about 2 minutes away. It took us 15minutes to get to the Grand Floridian from our hotel We never parked at the TTC so I don't know how long that would take. There was never any traffic and it is an easy ride. For people comparing HIFS to VV, I timed it and HIFS is only 4 minutes closer to the parks. I think I answered everything so ask more if you have them!

 

[momzofsixboyz]

Sandyneck,
I was wondering if there was a reason why you parked at the Grand Floridian and not at the TTC.

 

[Robinrs]

Welcome back, sandyneck!! Sounds like you guys had an awesome time!

 

[sandyneck]

We did not set out to park at the GF, but we went there for dinner our first night and had valet parking, the ticket said unlimited all day parking, so we went back to the GF on the day we were going to the MK and asked if we could park for the day and they said yes. I do not know how long they will keep this in effect. It is much easier to bypass the TTC. YOu get right on the monorail and it takes you to the MK gate. THe TTC was not letting people on until close to 9am. We arrived at 8:30 and beat the rush. It was also very nice to be able to go bakck to the GF at closing instead on fighting the rush for the monorail back to the TTC and then a tram to the car. I will say that one morning we had breakfast at the GF and when we went thruough the MK parking toll the guy made us pay him 6.00. THis has never happened before. When you are going to a resort, they never charge you to park, but I guess this guy was a real stickler. He was very grumpy!! We still paid the 6.00 for the valet. It was well worth the 12.00 for the ease of it all.

 

[Rolo]

Sandyneck, Welcome back. I'm glad everything went well for you at VV and that you had a great time. Although, I must admit I am a bit jealous, I sure wish my family had been able to stay there.

 

[sandyneck]

Rolo, just gives you a good reason to plan another trip!!

 

[Tense]

Sandyneck... sounds like you had a great vacation! Tell me ... in building 2 could you hear the pool noise at night? We'll be down in 2 weeks and requested a building Not near the pool, but it sounds like I don't want to be in 9 or 10 either? Which buildings were near the basketball court?Thanks!

 

[sandyneck]

Tense, I was slightly concerned about that also, we do not like AC and always have the windows and balcony door open. It was mainly families there, so there were no real loud people at night by the pool. Once during the day I was taking a nap and had to shut the windows because of the noise and I was surprised how well the windows were soundproofed. I could not hear a thing. One night around 10pm I could hear people in the Jacuzzi, but I just shut the balcony door. We were there 8 nites and that was the only time I had to have the doors and windows shut due to noise. The basketball courts are in front of building 9 and 10. Building 7 would also be close to them. Last year we were in #3 which was nice because you were on the same side as the pool, but away from it so you did not hear any pool noise, but it was a very short walk. The buildings on the far side, which are away from the pool but not near the road are #4,5,6 and 7. Any of those would be fine. I have 2 small kids and I found I was always having to run back up to the room for something, that is why I liked being in #2. If it was just hubby and I, I wouldn't have minded being in another building. I got friendly with the front desk supervisor and he did tell my buildings 1,2 and 3 were where they put owners, so they consider those the prime buildings. Have a great time!!

 

[ttfn3]

Sandyneck,
Thanks for all the great information about Vistana Villages. May I ask which floor you were on in Building #2? Were there elevators in the buildings?
Thanks!

 

[sandyneck]

I was on the fourth floor, last year I was on the second. There are elevators and stairs. My sister was right next to me and had some loud people over her room for a few days and she can't stand any noise, so if you are like that try to request the fifth floor, which is the top. I have never been bothered by it. I did hear someone running their washing machine around 6am but I am usually up by then so it was not a big deal. Hope this helps.

 

[sillyminny]

We stayed at VV last year and we loved it. No overbooking problems. It is definitely up there in star rating. We have stayed in 5 stars and VV is great. I would say the deli is just fine but the pool needs to be WARMER! Do you agree with me or has this changed? I would rather stay at a hotel with less stars than have a cool pool in January.

VV is great. Thanks for your report and fine comments! Elaine

 

[Boots]

Great review! Thanks for giving us your imput!

 

[sandyneck]

sillyminnie, it was 88-90 when we were there so a cold pool was not a bad thing. When we were there last March it was in the 70's and the first day we were there the pool was a little cool. I heard a few guests complained that day and for the rest of our stay it was like bath water. This would be your best bet. They can turn the heat up in the pools, but if no one says anything they probably try and save a few bucks. They are very accomodating to the guests request in my experience. Also, I think the deli has expanded since my last visit. The selection of sandwiches seemed bigger to me and the food was always good.

 

[bigs1923t]

Sandy we just returned from V V , cant say enough good about it. We were there from March 18th to the 25th so we may have crossed paths . It is interesting that you were put in bldg 2. I requested many times on the phone and in person the day before check in that we be put in bldg 1 or 2 and 2nd floor or higher. I was told each time it would be no problem. When I went to check in it was early and the rooms were not ready and once more made my request and was told no problem. When I returned later in the day I was checked in and they said you are in bldg 9. I told them "I was told 1 or 2 would be no problem". Then they told me bld 1 & 2 are "owner only" and would NEVER be given to a non owner. I just said this wont do I was told it was no problem. The girl said there was nothing she could do because they were full so I said let me speak to a manager because this isnt even close to what I was told. She went in the back and returned to tell me I could be put in bldg 3 on the 3rd floor. That was fine I told them. The rest of our stay was perfect. We have a handicap permit so we could always park right by the entrance , our wheelchair fit nicely in the elevator. We also discovered later that bldgs 1, 2or 3 recieve morning sun on the balconies and afternoon shade which was a great asset to us in the Fla heat. I loved being able to lay in bed and hear & see the fountian in the lake. The more I looked things over my fav bldgs would be 2 or 3. Cant wait to return. We didnt have to see a timeshare presentation but were contacted on the phone to "welcome " us shortly after we got there. They asked if we were interested and I said no, there was no pressure to get us to see one.

PS I have never complained about room placement at a hotel before, just took what they gave me. I guess it does pay to be firm in what you want or were told you would receive.

 

[sandyneck]

Bigs1923t, glad you had a good time. We were in #3 last year and it was very nice. It is correct that they usually only put owners in #1&2. I cannot explain how I got #2, except that I pray a lot! I engaged in a conversation with a manager and we became friendly and he really bent over backwards to get me the room I wanted. That was a month before I left though. I know they were full the nights you were there, so that is great you got #3!! That is annoying to be told your are all set in one building and then be moved. #9 is not a great location, so I am glad you stood your ground. We almost always change our room once we get somewhere. The hotel is usually more than willing if they have the room, so don't be shy if you do not like where you are. I am sure we saw you around the pool! Glad it all worked out for you.