Just got a week at the Vistana Resort!!! I have some questions...

[Skinsfan]

...for any one who's stayed there. (The search feature doesn't work) It's a looooong ways off,(next May), however, it's never too early to plan! We got a 2Br that sleeps 8(privacy for 6)through RCI Here's the vitals:
We try to go to WDW every other year, our last stay was at Orange Lake Country Club. It will be my wife and I,(thirtysomethings!)and our 13 yr old son. My parents may be joining us. Experience shows that some timeshares try to stick RCI folks into older units, and you can't usually request something different until you've arrived. We'll be staying Friday thru Friday and would prefer to be walking distance from a pool. From reading these boards, it appears as if the Palms sections, next to highway 535 should be avoided and that the Lakes, Cascades or Fountains II sections are the place to be. Any and all of your suggestions, opinions(good or bad), would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Everyone!!!

 

[Cyndiu]

You're going to have a great time! We have owned at Vistana for 5 years now and always have so much fun there. FYI, virtually all villas are "near a Pool" although some are nearer than near, if you know what I mean.

In terms of the units near Rte 535. If you absolutely have to be in there, don't despair! It is preferable to be farther away from the road but there are walls surrounding the property and the road noise you'll get certainly won't ruin your vacation.

We stayed in the Springs section last year and it was just fine, so I wouldn't worry about that section either. In general I have found that even the older units are well maintained and clean, so again, getting into one of these sections shouldn't spoil your fun. In the past 5 years we have had only one problem (ants) and someone from maintenance showed up right away, sprayed, and no more problem!

Other suggestions: If you have a car you should grocery shop at Publix on 192. (Take a right out of Vistana and Publix is on the left of the intersection of 535 and 192). They're the least expensive (we have found) in the area. The general store on Vistana property is fine for one or two items but it is pricey to grocery shop there. They do have free coffee in the early morning though. DH and I like to walk there while our DD (13) and DS (11) are showering and dressing for the day. That way we're away from the bickering!

The restaurants at Vistana are very good and we always eat at Zimmies on our first day.

If you come up with any other questions, ask away!

 

[Disney Fool]

It is true that Palms is an older section, but in no way is it "the pits"!!! You may request the newer sections but they are not guaranteed. I don't think you'll have any trouble being located near a pool --there are 8 of them. The units are very large and there are televisions everywhere! I think you'll be very, very happy at the Vistana Resort. I'll be there from May 3-10th. I own at Vistana, and you cannot beat the location. On exiting the drive onto 535, take a right and then another right onto World Drive and you're at the entrance to Disney. Go left out of Vistana, drive under the overpass of Rte 4 and take the left at lights onto Hotel Plaza Drive and you'll be at Downtown Disney at the end of the road. I hope you have a great time. Please post when you return and let us know about your trip.

 

[Skinsfan]

Thanks for the quick replies! The location seems great! Vistana Resorts was actually our first choice, last year, but we couldn't get in, and stayed at OLCC, which was wonderful, BTW! Thanks for the suggestion, Cyndiu, being old WDW vets, we always hit the Publix for groceries, beer, etc. Thanks, again!!

 

[DianeV]

The section to really avoid is the Courts. There is a diamond check in you can fill out about 2 weeks before your vacation to put in any requests. You also will be giving them all your info so there is a special line at checkin too which helps.

Cascades is right near the newer main part and are newer units. Lakes is nice but back further into the resort, 2nd newest units.

 

[mcnuss]

We own in the Fountains area, and before buying, had rented in there twice. We love Vistana and I agree with all the previous posters. There is no better off property location, it is just so convenient. It is a true resort.

For those of you interested in timeshares, I bought my unit from Holiday Group (www.holidaygroup.com). They sell foreclosed timeshares at unbelievable prices. We got our odd-year, 2BA/2BR unit for $2500!! Just before buying it, I had been at Vistana and did the presentation. The starting price on 2BRs which are new, but smaller, was close to $20k. (Of course, that was a yearly, and mine is every other, but still...) We figure it pays for itself after 2-3 trips.

 

[Cyndiu]

Wow! That is a great price. I'm going to that site and look for another week. We own every other year (even) in Fountains and every year in Cascades and I want to add the every other (odd). $2,500 is amazing! Thanks for the tip!

 

[MiaSRN62]

We'll be staying Friday thru Friday and would prefer to be walking distance from a pool. From reading these boards, it appears as if the Palms sections, next to highway 535 should be avoided and that the Lakes, Cascades or Fountains II sections are the place to be. Any and all of your suggestions, opinions(good or bad), would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, we've owned (Fountains) for about 8 years now. I've stayed in the Lakes, Fountains II, Fountains and Spas over the years. As a Fountains owner, I prefer the Fountains II, but I noticed you have a Fri-Fri ressie. It's pretty difficult, if not impossible, to get Fountains II for a Friday check-in. IF you do get it, make sure you don't get the following villas : # 1631 thru # 1672. They have no water view and back-up to a fence and a small grassy area. I-4 is just over the fence. I love the other Fountains II areas. But, as I stated, they are usually for Sat and Sun check-ins and this is the reason I make my reservations for those days. Actually, Fountains I is closer to the pool. So if that is a priority for you, then this section would be better suited for you. In fact, Friday check-ins at the Fountains tends to get pool-view, though nothing is carved in stone.
As far as the older units go, I agree they're not awful, but I much prefer the Fountains and newer. It's just a preference I suppose.
As far as the Lakes go, it's my favorite section and pretty much every building is a very short walk to the pool.
The Cascades, the newest and a more spread-out section, has buildings both very close to a pool and some buildings quite a hike imho. So, perhaps if you can put in any request, go with "close to pool" or "pool view" with RCI. About 2-3 weeks prior to your check-in, go to the Diamond Lane reservation form at the Vistana website and put in your requests. http://www.starwoodvo.com/overview.jsp?resortID=5
Good luck ! Hope you enjoy your stay at Vistana !

 

[Tiger Fan]

We are also timeshare owners and trade through RCI. We've stayed in the newer Tennis Villas at Orange Lake and the Springs section at Vistana and think they are very comparable. We actually liked the layout at Vistana better. We were directly by the Springs pool and loved the convenience. We called ahead and requested Springs based on tons of research I did before we left (check in day determines which unit you could be assigned). If you email me I have a document I can send you with my research from this board mostly that I simply compiled for easier reading. It was circulating on this board at the end of last year, but since search is down it's gotten bogged down. My email is bigtigerfans@aol.com. Have a great trip.
Lisa

 

[Julia M]

Hi Skinsfan,

We are also staying at Vistana (next August). We stayed at OLCC in April 2001. We exchanged our Sn Diego timeshare.

I loved our unit at OLCC...it was fantastic, but the one my parents got wasn't nearly as nice.

I am really looking forward to Vistana with the kids; the pools, and how close it is to WDW. I didn't like the extra driving time from OLCC.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Skinsfan]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great replies!!!