Need info on Sheraton's Vistana Resort

[DisDee]

We may be staying here in Jan. 2008. I would appreciate any info...good, bad and ugly. We would stay here courtesy of an extended family member and their generosity in allowing us to use their timeshare. Thanks for any and all info!!!

 

[isla bonita]

Take them up on it it is a lovely resort. Clean, kitchen to cook, nice large bed, washer dryer, whirl pool tub. Our kids are part fish and enjoy any thing that holds enough water.

Dislikes no elevator and we had a third floor unit. Not fun carring a little one when tired. My husband did not join us until the last night and then we went to our rental home. Driving to some of the pools. Liked once we arrived and they were beautiful pools and worth it.

Very miner stuff.

Go enjoy you will not be sorry.

 

[Del]

We loved the 2 bed, 2 bath. Loved the pool. close drive to WDW. great activ. for the kids.

cons....none

 

[MiaSRN62]

We would stay here courtesy of an extended family member and their generosity in allowing us to use their timeshare. Thanks for any and all info!!!

DisDee,
Do your relatives actually own at the Vistana or rather is this a trade/exchange into this resort ?

The resort is divided into 9 different sections. Some are older and a little dated (though Vistana does a good job with keeping up with maintenance and rehab) and other sections are pretty new and modern.
The two newest sections are 4-5 stories high and do have elevators. All the other sections are either 2 or 3 stories high with no elevators.
There are 7 different pools at the resort. You are usually within easy walking distance to at least one of them. You can visit any one you like and use it, but may need a car to get to some that are further away.

There are 2 sitdown restaurants onsite, as well as a Pizza Hut and a poolside eatery. All provide room service to your villa (menus will be in your villa when you check-in).

My only con is that they can tend to bug you about attending a timeshare breakfast where they try and sell you a week at the Vistana. I find this annoying as I have no plans to acquire any more time here. Not because I don't enjoy our stays there, but rather because I simply am not interested in anymore timeshare weeks. (And also because renters often stay there cheaper than owners, so I don't see the need to get more time there).
They can bug you at check-in, as well as in your villa via the phone in the room. We just unplug them.

 

[grgich]

We stayed in a 2 BR, 2BA unit on the top floor, can't recall which section it was though. At night, we could see fireworks off in the distance. We did have an elevator. Large unit, full kitchen, screened porch off the back. For us, it would have been "nicer" if we felt safer there. I did not feel safe there at all. I got a strange phone call from the guard about a "cab" that was trying to get onto the property and was giving my villa as the one they were visiting. Lots of people wandering around after dark, lots of cars in and out of the parking spaces. 2 of my children slept in the 2nd bedroom, and that made me uncomfortable as well. The second bedroom is on the front of the unit with a window. The windows were not very secure, and I didn't sleep well worrying about them. And the king size bed in the master bedroom was very uncomfortable as well..... I would not choose to stay there again, but admittedly, I prefer to stay on-site. But if you are looking for SIZE, it's definitely a large unit....

 

[MiaSRN62]

For us, it would have been "nicer" if we felt safer there. I did not feel safe there at all. I got a strange phone call from the guard about a "cab" that was trying to get onto the property and was giving my villa as the one they were visiting. Lots of people wandering around after dark, lots of cars in and out of the parking spaces. 2 of my children slept in the 2nd bedroom, and that made me uncomfortable as well. The second bedroom is on the front of the unit with a window.

I have been an owner there since 1994 and have never ever felt unsafe. There are guards posted at all gates 24/7. They even wall'd off the area by the older Spas so people couldn't sneak in there. At least the guard called you about the cab ? It could have been an innocent mistake and they were given the wrong villa number ? Lots of "people wandering around at night" ? Most likely staff and guests ? Alot of the pools don't close until 1 am and people are on vacation. Cars in and out of parking spaces ? What is the problem with this ? People are constantly coming and going places on vacation. For some pools even on the property you have to drive to at Vistana. Also, Vistana offers food delivery to your villa so lots of that going on. People back and forth to the theme parks and after park closing. We often come home after park hopping, eat dinner in the room, then off to Downtown Disney or mini golf etc. This is a very active family centered resort.
Respectfully, I don't see the basis for your concern about your safety. Of course, people can sneak in anywhere (it's been known to happen many times on disney property). Several years ago there was a thief breaking into OKW. Another incident where a couple was tied up and robbed at one of the disney deluxe hotels and I could go on.



But I feel Vistana does a really good job in guarding the resort the best they can.
As an example.....
We're owners. Several years ago, while staying at the Wilderness Lodge, I wanted to get into Vistana to pick something up at the gift shop. The guard would NOT let me in even though I had the paperwork showing I was an owner ! I had pre-planned from home to visit Vistana during our stay. I was directed by the security guard to the main lobby where I had to go inside, stand in line and ask for a "temporary pass" after showing our ID's and giving them the reason for our visit.
On another occasion, my aunt and uncle drove down from Flagler Beach, FL where they live to visit us. We had to approve their entry into the resort when the guard called us.

Also, as far as offsite locations go, I find the SR 535 area to be better than some places on 192 and International Drive I've stayed at (though there are nice areas in those locations as well). It's just that SR 535 feels particularily safe as far as the whole Orlando touristy area goes.

The second bedroom is on the front of the unit with a window. The windows were not very secure, and I didn't sleep well worrying about them.

How are they not secure ? They have locks ? And you said you were on the "top" floor ? Respectfully, not trying to sound facetious ---but did you think someone would scale the building to the top floor and try to get in ? Really not sure what you were concerned about ? Maybe you can elaborate ?

I find Vistana security very solid and feel very safe there (NOWHERE is 100% safe). I wouldn't be vacationing there year after year since '94 if I felt my family was at any risk. I really can't understand what you are basing your statements on ?

 

[grgich]

At least the guard called you about the cab ? It could have been an innocent mistake and they were given the wrong villa number ? Lots of "people wandering around at night" ? Most likely staff and guests ? Alot of the pools don't close until 1 am and people are on vacation. Cars in and out of parking spaces ? What is the problem with this ? People are constantly coming and going places on vacation

Yes, the guard called us. It was around midnight, scared the heck out of us. It could have been a mistake, but it still made us feel uncomfortable. Maybe I'm used to a more quiet location, but I didn't like hearing lots of activity outside of the building late at night. It made *me* uncomfortable.

How are they not secure ? They have locks ? And you said you were on the "top" floor ? Respectfully, not trying to sound facetious ---but did you think someone would scale the building to the top floor and try to get in ? Really not sure what you were concerned about ? Maybe you can elaborate ?

I don't recall which section we were in, I think it was one of the "newer sections". It was a pastel color, I'm thinking it was peach or pink, and I think it was 4 stories. To walk into the units, you would not need to "scale the building". You would simply walk up the stairs or take the elevator. The front door to the unit is directly on the "walkway" as is the front bedroom window (and the kitchen window). Basically the front of the unit faced the parking lot. There seemed to be lots of people walking past that bedroom window and our door at all hours of the night. The front door did have a lock, but the door itself was about 2 inches too short, so there was a pretty large gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. And the window did have a lock as well, but the window was very "loose" (drafty). Both of which could have contributed to the outside "noise" I could hear.

I really can't understand what you are basing your statements on ?

My gut feelings when I was there is what I am basing my statements on. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions based on their own experiences. It is true that I've only been there once, and *I * personally was uncomfortable during that visit. You have been there many times and have never felt uncomfortable. It's all a matter of personal perspective and what makes different people feel unsafe.

They even wall'd off the area by the older Spas so people couldn't sneak in there.

Personally, I read into this fact that there have been problems that they were trying to "fix" by walling off an area. But then again, respectfully, that's my *opinion*.

Respectfully, I don't see the basis for your concern about your safety. Of course, people can sneak in anywhere (it's been known to happen many times on disney property). Several years ago there was a thief breaking into OKW. Another incident where a couple was tied up and robbed at one of the disney deluxe hotels and I could go on.

Respectfully, I don't care if you "see the basis for my concern about my safety". The original poster asked for the "good, bad, and ugly" and I responded with my personal opinion. You are free to offer your personal opinion, but I have to tell you that your "respectfully" comments really aren't very respectful.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You are free to offer your personal opinion, but I have to tell you that your "respectfully" comments really aren't very respectful.

Well I'm sorry you read me that way. I just was very curious about your statements and trying to understand them better. Most people on these boards would categorize me as respectful. I've been on these boards since 2001. Sorry you see it differently. I just don't know how Vistana differs that much from most other resorts in the Orlando/Disney area. It is a gated/guarded resort.....more than I can say for some resorts in the area ? I was really just trying to gain some perspective on what you were describing and relaying to the OP. And truthfully, I still don't get it, but you are entitled to your own opinion.

And also, I just felt you were giving a perception of Vistana as being unsafe when it is really not. Of course, no resort is 100% safe but you'd have to offer concrete examples of security or safety issues that occured to convince me.

I think after over a decade of stays there, if it was unsafe, we would not keep going back and taking our kids there year after year. It's a lively resort....pools stay open until 1 am and often there is karaoke until 10 or 11 pm. Pool parties go on later in the evening sometimes. But because you saw tourists/guests walking around late at night and cars going in and out, I don't consider that worthy of saying a resort is unsafe. We usually stay up until at least midnight when we're on vacation and often don't get in until 1 or 2 am (and this goes for Vistana and disney resorts). We've come back from some late Extra Magic Hours around 2 or 3 am along with ALOT of other disney guests and headed to our disney rooms. For you, I guess it could be seen as unsafe but maybe not because it's a "disney" resort ? For me, it's what alot of people do on vacation. They stay out late and have fun. I can honestly say we've moved our car in and out of it's parking space many times during the course of a day/night. And we do this on disney property as well. You mentioned your kids slept in the second bedroom and the window weren't "secure" ?

you said :The windows were not very secure, and I didn't sleep well worrying about them.

How so I am wondering ? They do have locks on them. Is there something else you would be looking for with the windows that maybe another resort had that you stayed at ? These are the questions in my mind that prompted my second post. I was trying to understand what you are basing "unsafe" on ? If window have locks (which they do), what would make them more secure to you personally ? I was just looking for clarification from you because I was trying to understand your side.

If you personally felt unsafe, for general reasons (because nothing specific you mentioned would categorize the resort as unsafe by security standards), then I felt the OP deserved to know. You admit to prefer to stay onsite. Some people feel anything offsite is "unsafe". They feel if it's not disney, then it's open to all the bad things of the outside world. I've seen this mentality on these boards in the past. I'm not saying you do or don't feel this way....honestly, I don't know ? Have you stayed at other offsite properties and felt safe or unsafe ? If so, which ones may I ask ? Just curious.
There have been numerous crimes committed on disney property at disney resorts. From burglary, to sexual assault, to assault and battery to drunkeness......so you give the impression that Vistana is not safe and wdw resorts are safe ? The values and moderates are set up the same way as Vistana as far as outdoor walkways. We've experienced people jumping in the pools and screaming at POP as well as the WL at all hours of the night. The values and moderate disney resorts also have the bedroom window facing the walkways. Any ground floor wdw deluxe resort is also open to foot traffic. I cannot agree with alot of the statements you're making about Vistana---and we are also DVC Members so we stay onsite as well alot. But of course, you and I are both entitled to our opinions. I agree---it's a free world. I just feel I could agree with you more if you had some concrete reasons to feel unsafe (i.e. stranger knocking on your door at night....someone sneaking around the doors or windows.....overt rowdiness.....no security). Security actually walks the grounds after hours. We witnessed them chasing guests out of the Fountains pool one night when the pool hours were officially closed. Stayed at POP in October and kids were screaming in the pool by the 90's section around 3 am. It woke me out of a dead sleep.

Security is on top of things at Vistana. As I mentioned....I was not even allowed to enter the grounds one year when I was staying at a disney resort and I'm an owner at Vistana. They took alot of precaution allowing me to enter to just visit the General Store for 30 minutes while there. And they looked me up on their computer system and asked for ID to confirm I was an owner. I don't think I would have gotten in at all had I not been an owner. I got a 1 hour pass that day.

Again, this is a question and answer forum where there is give and take among posters. You are making security statements and questioning the safety overall of the Vistana resort, yet I am not seeing anything specific that would concern the average tourists. I'll have to respect the fact that you find the things you mentioned as unsafe. But the things you mentioned can be found and seen at ANY resort either on or offsite. I asked a few questions of your quite general (in *my* personal opinion) statements. I tried to be respectful in my wording and I am trying in this post as well. Your post really suprised me as I know the Vistana resort very well. Sorry if you saw what I had to say as disrespectful. But that's not my nature.

 

[dwheaton]

This doesn't relate to the security (which doesn't worry me), but is a question about this resort so I thought it fit with this thread.

We're also planning on going to Orlando in late January and are considering using a relative's timeshare exchange to stay at the Sheraton Vistana Resort. The major draws are the location near Disney and the positive reviews online and in the Unofficial guide.

Since we're going in the winter, I have one question:

Are the pools heated?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Yes they are heated......
We found the pools warmer at Vistana than when we stay on disney property.

 

[Victoria J]

We stayed at the Vistana in December 2006. It was our first time staying off site and I was VERY concerned about the whole concept. My husband and I, and now our son, have been to Disney 5 times since we spent our honeymoon there in 1999. We have stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Dolphin, Boardwalk Villas, Coronado Springs, and Polynesian (for reference). We did not use the restaurants while there other than Pizza Hut delivery, which is like Pizza Hut everywhere in the country I think. Staying at the Vistana has made us realize that we may possibly never stay onsite again. Don't get me wrong, we love staying onsite, but for "what you get for the money" I have begun to realize it may be a better option. Having a kitchen made such a difference! We did not use the Vistana's transportation to the Disney parks, but found that driving our own car (even with parking and walking or taking the tram) actually took less time than the Disney buses. It's really close to everything! The pools, at least in December, were definitely warmer than the Disney pools. By the way, we stayed at the Polynesian for part of this same trip. We were on the 4th floor of the Lakes building in which there was an elevator. I kind of understand the previous poster's concerns regarding the front "kid's" bedroom. In general I am a cautious person and always have concerns for safety, etc. However, I did not feel stressed about my DS (just 2 weeks shy of 3 years old at the time) in that room. We thought the resort was great in general. The only glitch, which of course I feel inclined to mention, was our room safe. The first morning of our arrival we decided to go for a swim and (being the sometimes over anal person I am) locked all of our important belongings, including car keys, all money, park tickets, etc. into our room safe. Yes, I did test the safe before using it! Unfortunately the battery died. Two visits from "security", several calls to customer service, one desperate call directly to the resort's engineering department, and 3 hours later we were on our way to the parks. It certainly could have been dealt with in a more efficient manner, but I refused to let it ruin the trip. Even with that "glitch", we had a great time there. I hope this helps with the good, bad, and ugly!

 

[mulanrouge]

We have stayed at Vistana at least 4 times in the last 8 years. We love it. There was one year that we thought we would try "something different". We sort of regretted it. We love Sheraton Vistana. The pools are great, restaurants are good, it has everything we need. We rent a car and drive to the parks, it works very well for us. We are making another trip this November, and of course our property of choice is the Sheraton Vistana. As for the security at the resort, I am going to have to side with MiaSRN. We have NEVER had a problem with security or not feeling safe. I put my kids in that front room and have never had a problem. Just my 2 cents. I don't think the OP will regret taking up the offer to stay here. Go and enjoy!!!

 

[Julia M]

We had exchanged our timeshare into Vistana 2004. We were very happy with it. My parents own two MArriotts, and came over and visited and were very impressed.

We happened to be tehre during hurricane Charley. I was extremely impressed at how the reort handled things. Flashlights were available, and we were left phone messages regularly about what was going on.

There was an electrical short in our building as a result of the storm, and our smoke detectors kept going off. They had maintenence out tehre in the middle of a storm!

Because of the storm, the food service that was supposed to close stayed open and made people meals, meaning they didn't get to go home to their families, and they were nice about it!!

I never felt that security was an issue, and don't remember being bugged to take a timeshare tour, either.

I would recommend the resort to anyone.

Julia

 

[cacgac]

We are really looking forward to staying at the Sheraton Vistana. We are checking in next Saturday. We requested 2 bedroom 2 bath at the Cascades and Lakes sections using the Diamond Lane form and are keeping our fingers crossed. We should be arriving after 5:00pm. Thanks to you all for the great information.

My brother-in-law who owns timeshare properties with RCI has let us stay using his points. When we arrive, we usually make a stop at PUBLIX for groceries, and odds and ends. What else do I need to bring? I was wondering, (and I hope not) do I need to bring towels? Thanks!

 

[littlestar]

My brother has stayed at Vistana. He really liked the resort and the location. He said the pools and the activities for the kids were great.

Whether you're staying on Disney property or offsite, it pays to be aware of your surroundings. Vistana has guards like Disney property - so that's a good thing.