I see so much talk about the Vistana...

[kristinemomof3]

Is this the vistana resort or the villas? I would like to find out some info on them. I need to find a place & book. We are going June 23 & desperately need a suite (3 kids) or family suite. I have been looking for days & reading some reviews of other places scares me. Any suggestions?

 

[SammieG]

There are two.. Vistana Villages on I-Drive and Vistana Resort on 535 -

We have stayed at both. At both you can get a 2 bedroom Condo with full kitchen and washer/dryer etc. In general the Villages is a newer resort. We did not like Vistana Resort as we were in a horrible old Condo (c1982 and never re-decorated!) and despite asking to be close to the pool, they actually could not have put us further away if they tried. Plus I found the staff rude.. the resort was empty and they absolutely refused to move us.

That apart.. its a nice resort..
Vistana Villages is newer and so, you wont get a horrible apartment! Both have similar facilities. Villages is smaller, so you will be potentially closer to the pool, but Vistana Resort has more pools..

I would go back to the Villages, but not to Vistana unless they could guarantee that I got a newer apartment (which they wont, so I wont go back!)

Hope that helps!

 

[thaggie]

I stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at Vistana Villages last September. LOVED it!! Staying again in Dec. About 5 minutes further away from Disney, but no chance in getting a bum room!

 

[darlene9947]

How is the traffic at Vistana Villages?

When I was looking for a resort, I had heard horror stories about the traffic on International Drive so I chose Vistana Resort. I know I will be getting one of the newer units as I require an elevator and only the Lakes and Cascades sections @ the Resort have them. But I am thinking that maybe I would like to try the Villages next time I'm down there. It all depends on I-Drive traffic.

 

[thaggie]

never encountered any traffic while on our stay at the Vistana Villages. Maybe I-drive is more congested up by Universal. We never had any.

 

[SammieG]

no traffic at all near Vistana Villages.

And Darlene - we too requested an elevator, but were put on the first floor of the yucky section..

 

[darlene9947]

Hey, Sammi,
I talked to someone with the Diamond Lane Express check in and he told me we had a unit in the Lakes. I'll be calling again to confirm around the 15th of the month.
I'm glad to hear that I-Drive traffic is not bad by the Village. Hopefully, I'll be back in 2007!!

 

[isla bonita]

The amenities are beautiful but we were on the third floor yuck!!!!!! You have to drive to everything yuck!!!!! For the money I would want something better.

 

[SammieG]

Hi Darlene, it sound like you will be fine!! we joined Diamond Lane too, but it made no difference to us.. however, when we called before we left, they would not say which section we were in - as it was allocated on arrival. This was the week after 9/11 so things have probably moved on since then..
its a shame though.. as I wont go back there.

 

[Emily and Jack's Dad]

Stayed at the Vistana Resort in early April for 6 nights with dd2 ds1, dwife and dmother. We switched suites 3 times (1st was on a ground floor and was beat up, 2nd already had someone in it and 3rd was a dream). Suite was 3rd floor 1817 in Lakes section. Could see the pool and parking was available. Unit was very nice, clean, staff attentive. Check-in and check-out processes are horrible, especially given all the staff sitting idle across the room at the timeshares counter.

We thought the resort was located easily to WDW, Sea World and had restaurants nearby. A super WalMart was close and the outlet malls were very close as well. Easy ride to WDW and back. Would stay again, but would be careful of unit assigned. I think if you just check out the unit and be willing to return to the reservation desk if the unit is not suitable then it's okay. Also, must use Diamond Lane reservation, otherwise you can triple your wait.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Check-in and check-out processes are horrible, especially given all the staff sitting idle across the room at the timeshares counter.

Check-in can be very simple if you go to Vistana's Diamond Lane reservations: https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
from Vistana's website :
<<<<<<Get into the fast lane with our Diamond Lane check-in form, and use Express Check Out for a quick, convenient way to check out of your villa. For more information on these services or if you need to change your reservation, please call Sheraton Vacation Ownership toll-free at (888) SV-OWNER (786-9637). >>>>>>>>>>

If you give a major credit card at check-in, you don't even have to step foot in the lobby for check-out......just give the security guard your room key as you exit the resort. It's just as easy as Disney's Express check-out imho. I've been checking in and out of Vistana almost every year since '94.
The idle staff at the timeshare counter are there strictly to book resort tours, timeshare presentations and assist with discounts etc.

but we were on the third floor yuck!!!!!!

We love the 3rd floor and often request it because you get the vaulted ceiling and skylight. If stairs are a problem for you, you can request a ground floor villa or a unit in one of the newer elevator buildings. We did this on 3 occasions because my elderly mil was undergoing chemo and radiation. Vistana obliged our requests every time.