Recommendation - Sheraton Vistana Resort or Wyndam Palms Resort

[soiabea]

If you had to choose between one of these 2 facilities (with children of ages 7 & 9), which resort would you select?? From what I have read on these boards, they are both very nice. The only advantage I have been able to determine are the pools at the Vistana. I am wondering if I am missing something. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[soiabea]

Bump!

 

[lorilori]

Hi. I've never stayed at Vistana but we just got back Sunday from a week at Wyndham Palms. My kids are 4, 6 and 10 and we had a great time. The 2-bedroom villa is over 1500 sq.ft, large screen TV, etc. I'm sure you've read all about that so I'll tell you our experiences. We stayed in building 20, right across from the zero-entry quiet pool and it was great to just walk across the street to swim. We did 2 Disney days and the Halloween party and 2 Universal days so we had a good bit of downtime at the resort. We brought our own alligator float to the pool which was I think 3 1/2 feet at the deepest. My 4 year old liked playing under the big mushroom that spouted water. My 6 year old liked the (free) mini golf and my 10 yr. old liked the main pool (don't remember the water depth there). There was also a little playground by the mini golf and some kids activities each day, things like sidewalk chalk, etc. It is a large complex though so if not staying in a villa near a pool you would either have to drive to one of the pools or call for a golf cart to drive you. My husband golfed quite a bit and they were great about driving him back to the villa when he was finished. I wouldn't say it is the most exciting place to stay comparing it to the Hard Rock Hotel where we stayed Friday and Saturday, but this vacation we were looking for more space and a little quiet so it was perfect for us. Any other questions, please just ask!

 

[soiabea]

lorilori,

Thanks so much for responding. I am really confused! I originally was hoping to book the Vistana Resort as I heard so many great things about them. We got a super deal for the Wyndham and it was a no brainer to book it. Then, along game Vistana with a fantastic offer, albeit a little more than the Wyndham. I have been reading great reviews on both, and don't know which to go with. I am glad you had a fantastic trip. How did you like the Hard Rock Hotel? We also will be spending the last 2 nights of our trip there to take adv. of the front of the line benefit at Universal.

Again, thanks for taking the time to respond with such a wonderful description. It was very helpful.

 

[pocohontas2004]

Where would you recommend looking for a great deal at the Wyndham Palms? My kids are about the same ages as the other 3 mentioned above...

 

[Lorix2]

pocohontas - try www.hotelkingdom.com, that's where these rates are coming from - very reputable company, have used them myself.

 

[antmaril]

We stayed at the Wyndham Palms in July and booked thru hotelkingdom.com -- no problems with hotelkingdom at all.
We had a rate of $89 for a two bedroom, two bath villa. It was great. I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[lorilori]

Hi again. We LOVED the Hard Rock. The staff there was great! We stayed for EXACTLY the same reason - front of the line. It wasn't that busy but since we don't do the big thrill rides, we like to go on some of the other rides more than once, a great benefit to staying onsite. Saturday night we hung out poolside, ordered chicken fingers from the poolside bar/snack place and watched their Dive-In movie. It was a lot of fun! My older 2 swam for most of the movie and my youngest fell asleep on a lounger before the end. Oh, also, wanted to mention, the pools at Wyndham were NOT heated. They weren't cold but did take a minute or two to get used to. The front desk told me they can heat them when it gets too cool, they just didn't have them as warm as the Hard Rock. Enjoy whichever you choose!

 

[soiabea]

Well, after looking closer at my email confirmation for the Vistana res., I noticed that the second bedroom had twin beds instead of the double/queens guaranteed at the Wyndham Palms. That shouldn't be a problem, but we are having a guest stay for 2 nights and was hoping to put the kids together in one bed. Was not gonna count on the sleeper sofa, as the last rental we were in, we depended on the sleeper for 2 of the 16 guests in the house and the sleeper was completely trashed. I learned my lesson from that experience. Anyhow, I contacted the Vistana to verify the bed situation and did not receive satisfaction from the hotel. They transferred me to corporate res. where I was informed that there are 2 different "2 Bedroom villas". I booked the deluxe. The luxury has the double beds. I questioned which section the luxury models were in, however they didn't know. I contacted customer support on the Vistana website inquiring hoping to have the situation clarified. I received a quick response matter of factly stating the confirmation of my reservation. The email response also stated that I was assigned to the Falls section but my request for the Cascades had been "noted". That was quite a shock to me as it was quite contradictive of what I had been told "villas aren't assigned until check-in". I agree with another posting I have read that the Vistana does treat "renters" different. Well enough said, after that I think I will go with the Wyndham were I can guarantee not being stuck in an old musty villa.

 

[disvis2003]

My family stayed at Vistana last March. We rented from a timeshare owner and did the Diamond Lane registration. We then called for confirmation and they told us that we were booked in one of the older sections. We requested a newer area at that time. When we got there to check in, they put us in Cascades. I'm guessing they pre-assign for record keeping purposes and then change it at the request of the guest once they actually check in, providing space is available.

I've stayed there twice in the past and I was very happy with the place. The pools are nice and are in walking distance (some more than others depending on which building and section you get). The rooms were great, I had no complaints.

The only thing about the place I didn't like was the parking. I felt they could've had more parking available. I ended up parking some distance (a few minutes walk) from my building a few times because all the spots were filled up.

In a few years, when I can afford to go on vacation again, I'll probably stay somewhere else. Not because I didn't like Vistana, but because I want to try something new, see a different area, etc...

I'm sure you'll be happy with either place.

Nathan