I am so confused about the differences in these resorts....

[talulabelle]

I am so confused between the following:

Sheraton Vistana, Cypress Pointe and Windsor Hills

I don't get it.

Will someone please explain the differences. I understand that with WH, I am renting directly from an owner. And Sheraton looks like a timeshare property, and Cypress Pointe a hotel? Or is it a timeshare? I read that WH is 5 min from Disney and Cypress Pointe is next to DTD.... how far away is Shereton Vistana?

I have read so many reviews, my eyeballs are about to fall out. Is there anyone who has experience at at least 2 of these that can compare the difference? CP and SV seem to have mixed reviews, and WH seems to have all good, but with so many different owners, its not really apples to apples.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[sympatico]

Sorry, I've only stayed at WH. I think Vistanna and Cypress Pointe are both timeshares. All three places are close to Disney but to different parts of Disney. Disney is huge therefore even though these 3 aren't really near each other they are near to different parts of Disney.
WH is close to Animal Kingdom, Cypress Pointe and Vistanna Resort (not Vistanna Village) are close to the DTD and Epcot area.
On this map WH is #1, Vistanna is #114 and Cypress Pointe is #153 and Disney is all the pink markers. Zoom in for a better look.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

I'll let others like Spiceycat and BrianNoble tell you what the differences are.
With WH there is no front desk like a hotel. You deal with individual owners and their management company. There are attendants in the clubhouse and shop but they are only there to help with the amenities for the resort not with your condo/home. There are no planned activities like a true resort but there's a fitness room, sports stuff, mini theatre, playgrounds etc. There is a manned gate and when you get there you show them your rental papers and they issue you a parking pass. You have to show this each time you enter. Keep it out of sight otherwise.
I've stayed there 3 times in townhouses and a 6 br pool home and it is very nice and close to Disney and many restaurants along 192.
Not too helpful but I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the three.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sheraton Vistana is a timeshare resort. Owners, renters and timeshare exchanges stay here. Vistana is indeed about 4-5 min from DD. Takes us about 7-8 min to get to Epcot.

The resort itself is very large. It's divided into 9 different sections or neighborhoods. This entire resort is undergoing a major rehab. Some sections are complete.....some in transition....and others lined up to be remodeled. Most villas are 2 bedroom/2 bath. But there are some 1 bedrooms as well and in the oldest section are a few townhomes that sleep up to 10.

There are 7 pools on property. There is one full service restaurant and a few snack stands/pool bars as well as a general store that sells various grocery and toiletry items, as well as offering a deli with rottisserie chickens. Newly added is a Pizza Hut and KFC as well. All these places offer room service to your villa.

There are basketball courts, tennis courts, fitness rooms, opportunities for massages and limited spa services. They rent surrey bikes. Upon check-in, you will be provided with a calendar of activities that will take place during the week. Some are free, others charge a nominal fee. Certain nights the resort has movie nights by the pool, or kareoke nights. There is also usually a family BBQ night.

Highly recommend a rental car to get around even though the resort does offer shuttle service. The shuttle service is somewhere around $8/person/day and has limited pick up and drop off times. And there is only one stop for the shuttle so everyone must meet at the front of the resort. For some this is a short walk, and for others, depending on where your room is, can be a bit of a hike.

Some photos of Vistana :

Maria

 

[QT Pooh]

I've stayed at both Windsor Hills and Cypress Pointe. Cypress Pointe and Sheraton Vistana are both timeshare resorts - the best deals are right from the owners on e-bay or on myresortnetwork.com. Last year we got a weekly 2BR/2BA unit in Cypress Pointe Grande Villas (Phase II) for $450. We thought it was great and would stay there again. Pros: Proximity to the park (especially Sea World - great back route), swimming pools, miniature golf, small resort, access to many restaurants, if you rent directly from an owner - you pay the weekly fee - no taxes, no cleaning. Cons: The carpet was kind of gummy, you have to pay for internet access, you will get the timeshare calls, you have to inventory your unit upon arrival

Have stayed twice at Windsor Hills - once was fantastic with a very nicely furnished unit, the next in a unit that was cheaper, but not as nice. And that's one of the problems - you never know what you're going to get. Pros - lots of room in a 3 BR, the pool, internet is free if you have a laptop...Cons: it's a pretty big development, it can be a little tough (not terrible) to leave the entrance in the morning (there's no traffic control at the entrance and you have to turn left to go to Disney), you have to pay the 13 or so % sales tax.

With all of that said, you really can't go wrong with any of your choices. None of these are 5* resorts - but they are nice and provide a lot more space than a typical hotel room.