Sell me on Vistana

[frisco]

We could use my mother's points and stay in a 2 bedroom this summer for 2 weeks. I hate staying offsite when I go to Disney. I'm also not crazy about huge resorts. A few questions:

-How big is it compared to say, Caribbean Beach Resort?
-How long does it take to drive from Vistana to Magic Kingdom? Any further than from the All Stars?
-How far from Downtown Disney?
-Is it easy to get around the property?

 

[sympatico]

Here's a map with an aerial view so that you can see how big and where it is. Vistana is #114 Caribbean Beach Resort is #32. Downtown Disney is # 177.
It's very close to DTD but probably 10 min to MK parking lot.
I presume you mean Vistana Resort and not Vistana Villages which is further away ( #122 on the map)
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

 

[frisco]

Looks very close to DTD which is great. I suppose a 10 minute drive to Magic Kingdom isn't bad. We've stayed many times at the All Stars, and never had a problem.

The tough sell for me is going to be losing the Disney atmosphere at the resort. I love going down to the lobby and seeing Disney everywhere. I love having the Disney stuff on the TV's at the resort. I love taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours.

 

[disneyagogo]

We stayed in June 2008 in a newly refurbished 2 bedroom suite in the Lakes building at the Vistana. Thanks to the great advice from this board, I knew a lot about the resort.

Here's a link to photos from our stay: http://picasaweb.google.com/disneyagogo/SheratonVistanaResortJune2008#

Now you wanted to be SOLD on Vistana, so here goes:

Cost--Sounds like it will be free compared to around $2600 for two weeks at even CBR, with the savings you could decorate the heck out of your suite with Disney souvenirs
Location--It was very easy to get to all the parks from the Vistana; we enjoyed Bahama Breeze and Publix which are very close; The Mary, Queen of the Universe was very convenient as well (for Catholics).
Space--Two weeks in one room in even a great resort gets old, the 2 bedroom suite was wonderful with a full kitchen and 3 televisions plus the balcony. If you are taking children, the joys of having separate rooms can't be underestimated .
Time--Two weeks in the parks are great, but you may want some down time and you can get to other attractions easily from the Vistana

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

disneyagogo

 

[swilshire]

My family would never stay in a hotel room when they can have a multi bedroom/bath condo. The kitchen is wonderful in the morning and evening because all can eat on their own schedule and no waiting for restaurant seating. It's also easy to freeze bottles of ice and store snacks.

We compared vacation costs with a friend who stayed at the All-stars and ate out three times a day. We ate, at most, one meal a day in the parks. Had snacks from our cooler the rest of the day and ate at the condo. We saved a ton of money.

Vistana is my family's favorite resort. We've stayed in many of the ones in the area and will be back there in March.

Sheila

 

[MiaSRN62]

The tough sell for me is going to be losing the Disney atmosphere at the resort. I love going down to the lobby and seeing Disney everywhere. I love having the Disney stuff on the TV's at the resort. I love taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours.

You feel the same as I do frisco. We are always torn when staying offsite. The Disney themeing and atmosphere is big for us as are the onsite perks.

That said however, Vistana is a pretty nice place. Villas are spacious. And may I ask, what points does your mom have ? Vistana consists of several different sections or villages......some have been totally remodeled and some have not. Do you know what section your mom can get into ?

The resort is very large.....and requires alot of walking when trying to get to some areas. I'd say the amount of walking at CBR and Vistana are very similar. I actually believe CBR is larger in amount of acres than Vistana.

anything else you have any questions about, feel free to ask. I'm a timeshare owner at Vistana so try and find out from your mom which section she can get into.

Maria

 

[frisco]

Found out last night, it wouldn'e be free. We'd have to pay the taxes for 2 years plus $179 a week. Came out to $1,800 for 2 weeks. No doubt, it's not a bad price, but not enough to get me off of Disney property.

 

[Buzz2001]

We could use my mother's points and stay in a 2 bedroom this summer for 2 weeks. I hate staying offsite when I go to Disney. I'm also not crazy about huge resorts. A few questions:

-How big is it compared to say, Caribbean Beach Resort?
-How long does it take to drive from Vistana to Magic Kingdom? Any further than from the All Stars?
-How far from Downtown Disney?
-Is it easy to get around the property?

I enjoyed our stay there in April 2006. Its very close to Disney property and DtD. It took me less than tens minutes to drive to CSR.

We spent 2 days at the resort and found it to be very close to WDW and highway access to Universal. We stayed there 2 days before heading over to CSR. I couldn't find a single room on Disney property for the 2 days so I found this place on the internet and got a great rate of $175.00 (very good for Easter/Spring break week) per night for the 2 bedroom villa. We stayed in the PALMS section to be close to friends of ours also staying there, rooms 642 & 719. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the suites. The rooms were huge, 3 tv's, a vcr, 2 bathrooms, very clean and well maintained. We had no complaints.

We didn't get a chance to use the pool but to a walk over to view it. The general store had a Pizza Hut Express but the overall store was small.

I would stay here again if I could get a similar rate.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Found out last night, it wouldn'e be free. We'd have to pay the taxes for 2 years plus $179 a week. Came out to $1,800 for 2 weeks. No doubt, it's not a bad price, but not enough to get me off of Disney property.

I can understand that....big difference from "free".
Good luck with the rest of your trip planning..........