Marriott Horizons or Sheraton Vistana Villages??

[Boomer Sooner 99]

We are thinking of staying off site for 2 nights when we arrive and then transferring to Swan (gov. discount for 4 nights). Our children are 3 and 8. The pool area at Horizons looks like alot of fun. Can someone compare Horizons and Sheraton Vistana Villages and please give their opinion. This will be our second trip to Disney. Our first trip was on-site at the Swan.

 

[jeff968]

We stayed at the Vistana villages a few years back and it was a nice resort. We are staying at horizons next February. We've toured horizons a few times. If you are going to hang out at the resort (which we do) your children will like horizons better as it is more themed towards them with lots to do and see. I have a 9 YO so we decided to try horizons next year as the resort looks beautiful.

 

[dzone1]

Vistana has nice pools, Horizon's has awesome pools for the little ones. Vistana is in a better location in my opinion, alot more restaurants around & DTD right around the corner. Horizons rooms are way nicer than Vistana's unless you get a newer section of Vistana. Vistana has a little grocery store, ice cream parlor on site, Horizon's does not. It's a tough call, Horizon's in definitely a nicer resort, Vistana has a few more perks. If I could switch their locations, it would be an easy decision-Horizon's. Horizons, also has a pretty good pool bar & grill, the food is pretty good. I wouldn't eat anywhere at Vistana-garbage. Having said all of that, we are going to try Bonnet Creek this year.

 

[Brian Noble]

dzone: I think you are thinking of Vistana, not Vistana Villages. VV is a little farther out.

 

[dzone1]

You are correct Brian, I'm not excatly sure where the Villages are.

 

[Brian Noble]

They are up I-drive a little ways. Vistana is "A" in this map, and Villages is "B":

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=....375618,-81.489029&spn=0.049238,0.064888&z=14

 

[ljsmom]

I have stayed at both resorts with my three sons. You can't go wrong with either - they both have different benefits. Vistana Villages has nicer units, whereas Horizons has better public areas for children. Vistana Villages was much quieter than Horizons. As far as location, I think they are both good. If you are looking for a place to enjoy with the children without going to the parks, I would choose Horizons.

 

[jlp879]

Marriott Harbour Lake (used to be Horizons) has the best facilities for children. We could not get our kids to want to leave the resort to do any park hopping. They also have an excellent kids program.

It's true the Sheraton Vistana Villages are nicer inside, but the amenities make it Marriott for our kids!

 

[Janet Hill]

Stayed at both and kids loved both locations. However, they favor the pools and theming at Horizons.

 

[jmpellet]

We stayed at both of them during the same trip last July so I can compare them well. Vistana Villages had nicer grounds and rooms; very lush and tropical themed. Pool was nice and conveniently located. No pool slide. Horizons is natical themed and good for your children's ages. You can see I-4 from some rooms and there is still construction going on. The two pool areas are great. I believe they compare in quality well. Location is just fine for both - close to Seaworld.