Just back from Vistana Resort

[dixielander]

Hi, Just got back from a one week stay at Sheraton's Vistana Resort. We have stayed there several times over the past 10 years, and I am still very very pleased.

We had a refurbished villa, in Building 9 in the Lakes Section. It was very convenient to the Fountains Pool, as well as the Lakes Pool, which is the zero depth entry pool. The villa was awesome! The master bedroom has the jacuzzi tub right in the room, which was all redone with new tile, as was the master bath. The unit was spotless when we arrived, with everything in working order the entire time.

The buildings and grounds were beautiful and very well kept. One thing that I noticed that I had not seen in the past was the security patrol car. You could almost always see it patrolling the grounds and the parking lots. It made me feel very safe. The pools were all sparkling clean, and all of the common facilities were immaculate.

Of course, I can't go without saying how convenient it is to drive to the parks. You can be in the Epcot parking lot in less than 5 minutes, and MK and AK are about 10-15 tops. We left the parks each day, and returned later on in the evening. It was a breeze! Only stinger with that is the $14 parking fee each day!! But the amount of money saved by staying at Vistana, and having a large 2 bedroom/2 bath condo, makes it well worth it!

Can't wait to stay there again soon!

 

[julie4cps]

Thanks for the update on vistana! We are headed there in June and I CANT wait!!! Do you think an air mattress would fin on the floor in the living room dinning room?

 

[Drkaito]

Is the Vistana a timeshare or just a regular resort hotel? I'm looking to find a very tropical looking resort for October/Novemeber and saw info. about the Vistana online. I do not want a timeshare, but just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

 

[dixielander]

Hi, To answer both questions;

An air mattress would definetly fit on the floor in the living room, but keep in mind that the sofa has a pull-out queen sleeper in it. Mind you, it's only as comfortable as a sleeper sofa can be... my 24 year old nephew slept on it, and he said it was "OK", but for 2 adults, I think the mattress was a little thin.

To answer the question about Sheraton being a "timeshare", yes, it is. We did get a voicemail on our phone daily, wanting us to pick up our "welcome" package at the registration building. I knew from reading these boards that going back to the registration building would give the staff an opportunity to try and get us to do the sales presentation. We never went back to the registration building, and never returned any of the phone messages. It was really no bother at all, as they never "rang the phone", they just left messages on the phone. No big deal. We got a really decent rate by booking on the Sheraton Website, using the "Dreams Unlimited" code. You can find that right here on the top of the screen. We paid $129 a night for a 2 bedroom unit. It was awesome!!!

 

[GetGlowing]

There's room to put an air mattress in the living room, the master bedroom, the tub, the 2nd bedroom ... We really liked the resort when we visited in November. We were in the same section.

@ Drkaito - I would not say this resort has a tropical feel. To me, that's something like the Polynesian. Vistana Resort is "Florida" to me. It's a HUGE HUGE resort that was developed over several phases, and each is different. It's a Sheraton timeshare resort, which means you have owners staying there on their points or weeks, but also hotel-type guests with daily check-in/check-out.

 

[julie4cps]

Thanks for the info on the air mattress. We are staying in a 2 bedroom with our friends so 4 adults 4 kids. We really wanted to get the kids in the living room and the adults have the bedrooms. We planned to use the pull out and the air mattress but now we are thinking 2 air mattress so they are not fighting over who sleeps were.

 

[kathy884]

Glad you had a great stay. My parents stayed there last month and had a great week too. I think it's a terriffic choice in the area, especially with all the remodeling that has been completed.

21 trips since 1971 Camping offsite 71, 72, 74 , 75, 77 / Camping Fort Wilderness 75, 76 / Onsite Hotels: Contemporary 93, 99 Port Orleans Riverside 07 / Offsite Condos: Marriott Royal Palms 86, Polynesian Isles 94, Cypress Pointe 01, 04, Sheraton Vistana Resort 03, 04, 07, 08, Cypress Point Grand Villas 07 / Offsite Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Sea World 09, 10

 

[GetGlowing]

@ julie4cps -- I should say, our condo in the Lakes section was VERY spacious. But there are many different unit types, so check with the resort to see which section you'll be in, or put in a room request for a larger unit via the Diamond Lane Checkin. We are not owners at this resort, but were still able to use the Diamond Lane form to put in our room requests, and best of all, bypass the huge check-in line and head straight to the Diamond Lane counter at the back of the lobby.

 

[jjj444]

Our stay here starts Thursday night and we got an e-mail saying you can only use the Diamond Lane fri.-sun check ins. One question: do the rooms have safes?

 

[leanne11]

pix??? pix?? where to find them.. looking for a condo after bcv.. but still close enough w/baby to rest and go back...anything for a baby.. pack-n-play or anything?/
restaurant kid friendly near by?? did you get yr free root beer float??

 

[GetGlowing]

As I remember, there's a Chick-Fil-A on the corner where we turned in to the resort, and also a CiCi's Pizza across the street (not my favorite, but it was sure quick and cheap when we needed it to be). Wal-Mart isn't too far away. Google Maps is your friend.

Here are photos from our unit, Lakes Bldg 1, 2BR ground floor. More pix here.

More pix

 

[I'd rather be diving]

We are heading to the Vistana Resort in May 2011. I can't wait. Your pics were great and it's nice to see those pics that are not on the website. Too many times the ones on a website are not accurate.

My question is this...did you see any RVs on the property? I think the info I received said RVs are not allowed. My husband's son's family is thinking about taking their RV and I am wondering if this would work out. Thanks.

 

[GetGlowing]

The roads between some buildings are Vistana are pretty narrow, so I wouldn't be surprised if RVs aren't allowed. You could call their front desk, they may have a parking option.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

hi, we also just got back from a week at the Vistana. We had 2 2-bedroom units in the Springs section. Every section except half of one (I think Cascades?) has been renovated. The units are very well kept.

Yes, there is a safe in the master bedroom closet.

No RV's are allowed on property.

Even though we loved the resort, it is not tropical, unless you are by a pool, like the Spa's pool. This was our first stay here, and was GREAT with tweens and teens as they could walk to the Cascades, Spa and Springs pools and the game rooms with no worries.

We actually prefer Orange Lake Country Club, but it's very big and difficult to get around for the kids. But it is much prettier and not as "concrete".