Looking for timeshare suggestions

[mommy2jack]

Hello all!

I'm starting to plan our next trip to Disney which will be in October 2015. We own a timeshare and just recently registered with RCI. We've stayed at several timeshares in Orlando in the past with my inlaws but this is the first time I'm doing most of the planning. We've stayed at the Sheraton Vistana twice before, our last stay was about 4 years. We enjoyed that resort so we're considering staying there again. I'm also considering the Wyndham Bonnet Creek but I am open to any and all other suggestions. It will be me, my DH, our 2 kids (DD 4, DS 6) and possibly my mother-in-law and my mother. Looking for a place with great pools (a lazy river is a plus!), a nice playground and good amenities (activities for the kids, movies on the lawn, mini golf??). I know both the Vistana and Bonnett Creek have most of what we're looking for. Just looking for some suggestions and opinions.

Thanks!!

 

[chalee94]

here is the thread for the Sheraton Vistana Resort (not to be confused with Sheraton Vistana Villages):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3148502

i've stayed there in May 2012 and May 2013 (as a II member, not RCI) and really enjoyed it.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello all!

I'm starting to plan our next trip to Disney which will be in October 2015. We own a timeshare and just recently registered with RCI. We've stayed at several timeshares in Orlando in the past with my inlaws but this is the first time I'm doing most of the planning. We've stayed at the Sheraton Vistana twice before, our last stay was about 4 years. We enjoyed that resort so we're considering staying there again. I'm also considering the Wyndham Bonnet Creek but I am open to any and all other suggestions. It will be me, my DH, our 2 kids (DD 4, DS 6) and possibly my mother-in-law and my mother. Looking for a place with great pools (a lazy river is a plus!), a nice playground and good amenities (activities for the kids, movies on the lawn, mini golf??). I know both the Vistana and Bonnett Creek have most of what we're looking for. Just looking for some suggestions and opinions.

Thanks!!

here is the thread for the Sheraton Vistana Resort (not to be confused with Sheraton Vistana Villages):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3148502

i've stayed there in May 2012 and May 2013 (as a II member, not RCI) and really enjoyed it.

Another vote for the Vistana Resort . Its awesome. We can't imagine staying anywhere else!

 

[JimMIA]

A couple of comments.

One, looking at some of the pictures of SVR, I'm a little underwhelmed. But then I read good reviews from Charles and Gina -- both of whose opinions I value. So from the pictures, I think Wyndham Bonnet Creek may be nicer, but I trust those two posters and I've never heard anything negative about SVR.

For comparison, I would look at the "Love Bonnet Creek" thread and/or the WBC photo thread. Just for reference, WBC has six pools, all but one zero entry, and two lazy rivers. And they are real lazy rivers -- not silly ones like the little whirlpool at SAB at Beach Club!

From the pictures in the SVR thread, I think the WBC villas may be a little bigger, but that is hard to tell from photos sometimes.

Depending on what specific timeshare you are using a) you may not be able to exchange into anything at WDW at all because of geographical restrictions, or b) you might be able to exchange into not only offsite resorts, but also to Disney Vacation Club. If you let us know what your exchange vehicle is, we can give you better input.

 

[Letterhead]

I've stayed at Vistana Resort on two separate occasions (and the Village as well) and I personally think it is excellent. The rest of my family would agree with me. My only complaint, and even then it's a very small one, is the apartments feel slightly dated compared to the Villages. However, I wouldn't let that put me off staying there again.

 

[chalee94]

One, looking at some of the pictures of SVR, I'm a little underwhelmed. But then I read good reviews from Charles and Gina -- both of whose opinions I value. So from the pictures, I think Wyndham Bonnet Creek may be nicer, but I trust those two posters and I've never heard anything negative about SVR.

yeah, i mentioned i was trading in II and not RCI, which means WBC was not an option for me. i've heard great things about that resort also but can't compare them personally.

here are some pics of my 2BR villa:

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

When we were seeking accommodations for last years vacation, the short list came down to WBC and SVR. In the end, we chose SVR because they had onsite basketball courts where WBC did not (a very important feature for our basketball-loving DS), the units were all remodelled within the last several years (while WBC had many reports of worn or ripped sofas, etc.), SVR is rated higher on TripAdvisor, and the low-rise buildings appealed to us far more than the tall tower-style of WBC.

Our 2 bedroom villa in Spas was 1260 square feet. We loved the layout....it was so spacious! And we loved the jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom.

Both resorts get a lot of love here on the Dis. I am guessing you would be pretty happy at either one .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

But then I read good reviews from Charles and Gina -- both of whose opinions I value.

Aw, thanks Jim!!

Charles, that last photo of the Lakes pool makes me homesick every time I see it. Its gorgeous!!!!

 

[Beth D]

I second Sheraton Vistana. My folks have owned there for 15 years, and we love it.

I just noticed that you can book many of the timeshares in Orlando on hotels.com . Try also looking on there, they may give you a good snapshot of the amenities at each, plus include some reviews…