Sheraton Question

dtripli

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
658
Does anyone know the differences between the Sheraton Resort Villas and the Sheraton Villages? If so is one nicer than the other?
 
wrong board

sheraton vistana resort
and
sheraton vistana village

are two different resorts.

SVR is the oldest and closest to WDW.

SVV is surpose to be nicer - can't say never stayed there.

have stayed at SVR 3 times.
 
wrong board

sheraton vistana resort
and
sheraton vistana village

are two different resorts.

SVR is the oldest and closest to WDW.

SVV is surpose to be nicer - can't say never stayed there.

have stayed at SVR 3 times.

Oh - thank you. I was under the impression that they were "sister" resorts, side by side (sort of like the Swan & Dolphin)
Anyway how did you like SVR? We have reservations for September at GF (our first time there so Im excited) but we are bringing our new baby with us (will be about 7 months old then) and Im starting to think we should have more space. Even though GF will accomodate 5 plus a crib. Its me, my husband, our 14 year old son and daughters 11 and 9 and now baby! What do you think? I appreciate any info on SVR you have.....:confused3 :confused3
 
it is okay - not great. but just fine.

It is BIG. with lots to do for kids, especially teens.

I take you don't care if you are on property or off - right?

if you want onsite (no free dinning) then might suggest either OKW - 2-bedroom - plenty of room - or AKV 1-bedroom (also sleeps 5) - but is a real 1-bedroom. - renting a reservation from a DVC owner. OKW is the biggest of the DVC properties - bigger than some villa at SVR.

if you still want free dinning onsite - then the same places only rented through CRO (Disney) - you will be paying alot - alot more than SVR would cost almost twice as much as renting from a dvc owner.

there is also another choice but with your kids ages not sure - you should still get free dinning - 2 rooms at a value. you would get 4 beds (double - full size), 2 bathrooms. a value resort would be more fun for your kids than GF - it was designed with little ones in mind.

the problem would be getting connecting rooms. if you don't get connecting rooms you and your husband might have to get separate room. In each room at Disney (unless it is connecting) they require one person over 18 years old in each room.

2 values room with 2 bathrooms would probably work. but if you only stayed at deluxe resort just not sure.

you could also go with VWL - 2-bedroom if you want to be close to the MK.

soon - hoping next year but might not happen until 2010 - the building going up next to the CR might be a DVC resort.

so shortly DVC members and guests (you if you rent one) could be within walking distance of 3 parks - MK (CR - BLT @ DCR), Epcot and studio (BCV and BWV)

cr is the only MK resort you can actually walk to the MK. (or monrail)

now back to SVR - a 2-bedroom can be anywhere on property. 1-bedroom is generally the newest ones - Cascades or Lakes. they are about twice the size of a hotel room.

their maintence can be iffy. got great maintence at Lakes - no maintence what so ever at Fountains.

Maria is the expert - so hopefully she will post. She owns their - right now they are rehabing the Fountain area. I think they have done Falls or Springs.

Springs has much bigger rooms than lakes or fountains.
 

I have stayed at both and much preferred the SVV on International Drive. At SVR I've stayed in the Cascades section and all the way in the back at the older section (can't remember name). It is huge and hard to walk the whole place and while they do have alot of onsite amenities, some seem out dated. Haven't stayed here in the last 5 years so hopefully they've updated things.

SVV is great. It is newer and more condensed so you can walk everywhere. Their main pool area is really gorgeous and they have full size basketball courts if your teen is in to that. The rooms are really nice. and grounds beautiful. They have a newer section called The Keys which is nice, just a 5 minute walk to main pool but they also have their own clubhouse and smaller pool as well. SVV has less dining options than SVR but overall it's just a much nicer resort.

Both are in good locations, and about 3 miles apart. SVR sits right on 535 and SVV is on the very South end of I-Drive, near the Prime Outlets.
 
Hi,
Sounds like you got some good reviews.

Sheraton Vistana and Sheraton Vistana Villages are sister resorts----but not next to eachother like the S&D. I feel the main Vistana is closer to WDW (by maybe 10 min) than the Villages, which is closer to Sea World/Universal.

I've never stayed at the Villages, but I can compare a little.

The main resort is much larger. Also has older sections. I feel the exterior and landscaping of the main Vistana has been very good. Because it's an older resort, the landscaping is more lush and mature imo.

Vistana Villages is newer and more modern.

Because the main Vistana is older, there are some sections that were constructed based on an older blueprint for timeshares----condo style buildings with no elevators. The older sections at Vistana are 2 or 3 stories high with only steps. So if you have a villa on the 3rd floor, be prepared to walk the steps. There are two newer sections at the main Vistana that do have newer/more modern buildings with elevators. These are the Cascades and Lakes section. If you plan to stay at the main Vistana and have younger children and strollers, request either the Cascades or Lakes. If you are a cash paying customer, vs a timeshare exchanger, you will most likely get the section you request. The Lakes has been newly modernized and remodeled too---as of only a couple months ago. I heard they are beautiful with granite countertops and flat screen TV's. I personally, love the Lakes section. The older sections to follow for remodeling will be : Fountains II, Springs and Falls. I own in the Fountains I and II and never had any issues with houskeeping or maintenance. I have always had clean rooms and in good repair. I'm sure there can be exceptions to every rule---even with disney rooms.

The other difference is food options. Vistana Villages has a store and a deli-like eatery. The main Vistana has a sit down restaurant, a Pizza Hut, and an outdoor bar and grill, as well as a General Store which was recently majorily rehabbed and now offers Starbucks coffee, rottisserie chicken and other food items. I can vouch that the main Vistana offers room service from the available eateries onsite. Maybe someone can confirm or deny whether or not the Villages offers room service ? I know a couple years ago they did not.

Both resorts have tennis, basketball and volleyball. The main Vistana has 7 pools vs 1 at the Villages (more pools may be planned as I know construction is going on). The main Vistana has 3 playgrounds vs 1 at the Villages. I know that the main Vistana also offers bike and surrey bike rentals-----not sure about the Villages.
Both have spas and fitness centers.

To compare the GF and either Vistana is like comparing apples and oranges. Here's the way I see it :
The GF is a beautiful, full service hotel. With young children, it is right on the monorail with easy access to the MK---and even Epcot via the TTC. Worth it's weight in gold right there. And you will pay a big price for a room there too. I'd be concerned about all the people in your family staying in that one small room and sharing one bathroom. I think it would be tough for your husband and yourself to have some downtime while the baby sleeps.

Either Vistana will allow your family to stretch out in a glorious amount of room. You'll have 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, full kitchen, washer and dryer in the room etc. But, you won't be immersed in disney magic. You won't see the fireworks from your hotel.....you won't wake up and see the Castle or the monorail going by your room. No Extra Magic Hour in the parks. You will NEED to rent a car if you stay at Vistana. So factor in the extra money for the rental too.

It's a tough call. While I feel you would all be more relaxed and comfortable in a Vistana villa, I don't think you all might feel as "wow'd" as you would at the GF. You know your family best. If they are all die hard disney fans----they might not enjoy being down the road from the World, and smack dab in the middle of touristy area. Somehow, when you stay on wdw property, you feel you are further away from the outside world. However, your family may really prefer and enjoy having their own space and not being on top of eachother in one room.

I wish you all the best with your decision and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
 
I own at both of these resorts, and have stayed at both. Though SVV is newer, I always find myself staying at SVR. I love the location and how much there is to do on property. Last year, we went down to Orlando for 18 days. Stayed a week at VR and never left the property. NO PARKS! We had SUCH a nice relaxing time! We REALLY enjoyed the resort. Then we moved to POP Century for 10 days. We went from a nice, big villa to a closet...:rotfl2: . But I digress...

Vistana Resort has 3 restaurants (Zimmies, Cascades Bar and Grill and Flamingo Cafe), an ice cream parlor (Edy's...located in Zimmies), a General Store with Pizza Hut, etc. EVERYTHING is right there! Are you looking for activities for the kids? There is TONS to do all day, every day! They have numerous video game rooms, they have a small mini golf course, 7 pools as Maria said and countless basketball courts. The list goes on and on!

VR property actually TOUCHES the back side of WDW property. But that means nothing since WDW property is so big. I can say that before kids, we have walked back to VR from DTD...far walk and I'd probably NEVER do it again! But you get my point...it's REALLY close to the DTD entrance.

The Lakes section has been totally remodeled; I think the entire section is slated to be complete by late summer. I just received a letter about my Cascades section...it, too, will be refurbished soon. No set date, but I'm sure I will see an assessment come January 1st. :headache:

Whichever you choose, you will be pleasantly surprised with the comfort of the villas. The 2 bedrooms are quite large and have full sized kitchens with washers and dryers. LESS TO PACK! :banana: Even though you aren't FULLY immersed in the Disney Magic 24/7, I don't think my vacations were less magical when I stayed off site.

Oh, and from the entrance of my Lakes villa, we saw the Epcot Fireworks every night. Not in its entirety, but we were able to see SOME of them from where we were standing each night, right outside the front door of our villa. :smickey:
 
Vistana Resort has 3 restaurants (Zimmies, Cascades Bar and Grill and Flamingo Cafe),


Sadly, and disappointingly Kim....Flamingo Cafe has been shut down. There is a Pizza Hut there now :mad: I wrote a letter to the food management person at Vistana and have yet to receive a response or acknowledgement. I let him know I was not pleased with this change.

I've seen the Epcot fireworks from our Fountains Villa too. Also was able to see the Planet Hollywood restaurant in DD from another Fountains unit.

Oh....and even though they are not super close to eachother, being that they are "sister" resorts, you can use the facilities at each no matter which resort you choose. So if you end up, i.e., staying at the Villages, you can drive over to the main Vistana and use the facilities and amenities there. The guard will let you through the gates.
 
"If you are a cash paying customer, vs a timeshare exchanger, you will most likely get the section you request"



that's interesting. we leave in 2 weeks for SVR - we've gone through a travel agent not a timeshare exchange. we have a 2br and I specifically asked for either Cascades or lakes for the elevators or the 1st floor of another section as my 81yo mother is coming and would not be able to climb stairs. the ta put in a request for this and was told no guarantee and we called the resort ourselves and was also told that they made a note but no guarantee. so... I was getting nervous that there will be a problem when we arrive and are given a room on the 3rd floor of a section w/ no elevator!
 
tallvine.....my experience has been, that when paying cash, they will try harder to please. I base this on my own personal experience, as well as those of friends and TR's I've read online. Have you also filled out the online request form ? https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01&IM=SVO_RC_DIA_SVR

I would request "ground floor" or "elevator building" based on a medical need specifically. Let them know it is a medical need on the phone and on the Diamond Lane form. If you're using a TA, I strongly feel since you are paying for their services, that they should do this leg-work for you. There should definitely be a guarantee for a medical condition. I went through this with my mil who traveled with us frequently. When she was undergoing chemo, she was quite weak and would tire easily. My requests for ground or elevator building were always met.

I wish you all the best and please report back on this thread and let us know how the check-in went. Good luck and have a nice stay.
 
Just want to shout out a big thank you for everyone's input on the SVR info. Ofcourse I am still undecided - I will keep my ressie at GF for now (free meal plan is a big value to our family) If we could do OKW through Disney we would!! It has been a long time (9 years) since we did Disney with a stroller!! Wish me luck - I might be too old for this!! hee hee
 
I had not even picked up on the fact that you're getting free dining. I don't think you can turn that down.


Good luck ! I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter what you decide.
 
Oh - thank you. I was under the impression that they were "sister" resorts, side by side (sort of like the Swan & Dolphin)
Anyway how did you like SVR? We have reservations for September at GF (our first time there so Im excited) but we are bringing our new baby with us (will be about 7 months old then) and Im starting to think we should have more space. Even though GF will accomodate 5 plus a crib. Its me, my husband, our 14 year old son and daughters 11 and 9 and now baby! What do you think? I appreciate any info on SVR you have.....:confused3 :confused3

Putting a family of 6 into a single room at the GF is begging for a disastrous vacation. One bathroom, no privacy, crib blocking easy transit in the room, this to me is a no brainer go for either VR or VV. One of the earlier posts mentioned that VV has 1 pool - it has had 3 for several years, the main pool, quiet pool and the pool at Key West area.

Although some of the benefits of staying onsite are nice, the lack of space in your situation far outweighs them.
 
One of the earlier posts mentioned that VV has 1 pool - it has had 3 for several years, the main pool, quiet pool and the pool at Key West area.

It was me.....I did tour the VV resort several years ago. It's good to know, that as the resort has gotten larger (because from a map I came across, it definitely is not the small intimate resort I toured back in 2003), they have increased the pools. But somehow I don't think knowing that the VV having 2 additional pools is the deciding factor in their decision to stay onsite or offsite.
I do agree, it will be very tight in one room at the GF (and I did mention this in my earlier post). But disney has it's own unique charms, offerings and amenities that draw some people to choose 1 hotel room over a 2 bedroom villa offsite. I have a friend who would not ever consider staying offiste and puts her family of 5 in one deluxe room or the FW cabins. She is considering DVC. They always have a good time while staying in WDW. So for some, space isn't everything........just like for others, stuffing into one small room can be a deal breaker. People see vacations in different ways and put importance on a variety of different things......
 
We have stayed at SVR several times as cash paying customers and RCI timeshare exchange guests. We have always been put in the back, old section no matter we have requested. Now that we own at DVC, we stay at SVV Saturday night after driving all day before checking into DVC on Sunday. Any tips on how to get a room in the newer section besides requesting Cascades or Lakes? Anyone know what the older section is called so I can request NOT that section?

Thanks!
 
Anyone know what the older section is called so I can request NOT that section?

There are 9 sections on property. From OLDEST to NEWEST :

Courts
Falls (due for remodel 2009)
Spas
Palms
Springs (due for remodel 2009)
Fountains I (remodel complete by Aug '08)
Fountains II (remodel will be complete by Dec '08)
Lakes (remodel complete)
Cascades (due for remodel 2009)

PS : I do believe that booking on some discounted websites and even the allearsnet sale prices will get u the older units. I think that's why Vistana discounts some rooms---to fill the older ones. But if you're paying rack rates you should be getting the newer villas. You can request "elevator building". That might help. Most exchanges seem to go into the older sections.

Have u made your requests on the phone with reservations as well as via the Diamond Lane form ?
https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01&IM=SVO_RC_DIA_SVR
 
Thanks for the response. I've not been able to find a map that defines the section names but we have always been put in the older style buildings that only have stairs (no elevators) and not the pretty, newer looking buildings near the front of the resort.

We have made our requests through the online reservation form in the added remarks. Even when we requested a 1st floor unit, we were given 2nd floor when the rest of the building was completely empty.
 
I'll see if I can help---I do think most of the Vistana buildings are well maintained from the outside....and landscaping is usually very pretty and well-kept. Here's some pics that might help you of Vistana :

http://www.tug1.net/pics/flpics/vista54.jpg

http://www.tug1.net/pics/flpics/vista53.jpg

scan0001Cascades.jpg


Some photos of the older sections :
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47b7cf28b3127ccebfdd3ee07b0a0000003.jpg



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47b7cf28b3127ccebfdd4daebad50000003.jpg



47b7cf28b3127ccebfdd4dcebab50000003.jpg



47b7cf28b3127ccebfddb6f87b560000003.jpg



47b7cf28b3127ccebfddb759ba5f0000003.jpg



47b7cf28b3127ccebfdea9f35b1e0000003.jpg
 
Thank you for all of the pictures. I am a little disappointed about the allears.net rate being for the least desirable units. The rates for our stay beginning on June 13 have dropped twice and are now down to $129 without housekeeping. I rebooked yesterday due to the price drop and then canceled the previous reservation. I did the Diamond Lane request based on Maria's good advice and link. I've requested Lakes, Cascades, or a rehabbed unit in Fountains I, but it looks like we'll get the Courts.

I'll report back after the trip about what unit we got. I'm trying keep my expectations reasonable, but I admit to hoping for a new suite in the Lakes.

disneyagogo
 








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