Sheraton Vistana and January Travel Questions

[momcat1959]

Although I have been using this site for quite a well I'm a new poster. My parents, DS (19) and I will be traveling to Orlando in January. We have been to Orlando many times, but have either stayed on Disney property or at the Hard Rock Hotel. However this time we will be staying at the Sheraton Vistana, because my parents have a timeshare that they traded for this property. So, I get a virtually free trip to Orlando which I can't pass up . I'm a little nervous about staying off property (either Disney or Universal) and would like information about the Vistana from those who have stayed there in the past.

What are the best villas areas? I heard there is a new section that is recommended, what is that section called? Are there any sections to avoid?

What is the travel time to Disney and Universal? We will have a car?

I have heard about Diamond Land Check in, what is it and how do you do it?

Recommendations for nice restaurants. How are the restaurants on the property?

If you have traveled there in January, how is the weather and crowds? We always go for spring break or in the summer so this will be very different (and I hope better "crowdwise"). I'm worried it be cold though.

Any other advise also appreciated.

Thanks, Laura

 

[Taratink]

Hi! We stayed at SV last March. It was fabulous. The newest sections are Lakes and Cascades. We lucked out and were in the top floor of the Cascades section. The Fountains are nice too. I forget how we sighned in for Diamond Lane Checkin. Ask that question specifically and someone will send you a link. It saved us a lot of time checkin in. We have gone to WDW in Jan. before and it was empty. The weather is very unpredictable. You can get some really cold mornings and nights. We had a couple of 50 degree days. Just dress in layers and it will be fine. Are you exchanging through Intervale International or RCI for your timeshare?
We love to eat at the Poly at Ohana's and we also like to eat at the Plaza Restaurant on Main St. in The Magic Kingdom. All the food was good at the Animal Kingdom. Many people like Boma's at The Animal Kingdom Lodge. I didn't like one of the spices they used but many others rave about it. It is a great hotel to visit.
Tara

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here is the Diamond Lane form :
https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5

Most people feel the best sections are the Lakes and Cascades because they are the newest/most modern and are the only bldgs with elevators. I own in the Fountains I and II. The Fountains II is set up very similar to the Lakes and Cascades except no elevators. So if mobility problems are an issue, request "ground floor" or "elevator bldg". Most all villas have a pool or water (lake/pond) view. There are exceptions if this is important to you. Fountains II villas #1601--1612 ; 1631-1642 ; 1655--1672 have a view of a wooden fence and small grassy area. I always avoid these villas and will take a Fountains I over one of these views. Also, sections to avoid would be the older Courts, Falls, Spas and Palms. The Springs gets mixed reviews and since that is the only section I have not actually toured, I respectfully reserve judgement for those who have stayed there.

The restaurants on property are ok.....nothing fancy or spectacular but adequate. They also offere room service from their menus which will be in your villa upon check-in.
You can check out the menu here :
http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/resorts/sheraton_vistana_resort/dining.jsp

Your drive to DD/Marketplace will be around 5 min. To the disney parks, anywhere from 10-20 min depending on which park and how much traffic. To Universal at least 20 min. Sea World maybe a little closer (15 min).

I have traveled in late January and had temps of 75-80. But there have been years where it's in the 40's and 50's so you have to be prepared to pack warm clothes as well as shorts. Try and keep a close watch on the Orlando temps about a week prior to arrival. That month is so changeable.

 

[momcat1959]

Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it. My father is in a wheelchair so we will definitely request a ground floor or elevator building. He is not well, so hopefully he will be well enough to go. It has been very diffiicult to convince him to take this trip, so hopefully all will go smoothly. I have been looking at all the handicap information on the web, but if anyone has specific recommendations on traveling with a handicap person I would appreciate it. He can not walk and can basically stand to be transferred to a chair or bed. I think we will request the Cascades. My Mom requested the trade through RCI I think. We will dress in layers. I'll bring a bathing suit for my son and I, but it doesn't sound like swimming weather unless we get a hot spell. Not a problem, this trip is a "freebie" that my son requested from his grandparents. It's his first semester in college and he's been working really hard. Thanks again for the info.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Momcat !
Definitely request "elevator bldg or ground floor" specifically for "medical reasons". See if you can request this through your exchange number as well. Your father will def need one of these. Also, I'll add, that the pools at the Cascades and Lakes are zero depth entry which make them easy to enter for those with mobility issues, though it doesn't sound like your father would be in the pool anyway ?
Good luck to your ds in his first semester in college ! That was me last year......ds is a sophmore in college now. Time passes so quickly. This is a real nice gift from his grandparents. I hope u all have a wonderful time.
You will probably get more help and info from the disabilities board for your dad : http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

Good luck !

 

[momcat1959]

Thanks Maria. I will definitely be looking through the disiability information on the boards. Good luck to your daughter in college, too. I'm sure I'll be having some more questions before we leave in Jan! Laura

 

[heatsinker]

Momcat,
My wife and I decided to book a trip to SV in Jan. also, we are also from NJ. We are trying to keep this trip a secret from our girls (9&12) till X-mas. What are your travel dates? We traded into SV through RCI and will be there 1/14-1/21. From what I've heard, SV is a very nice resort...On par with OLCC which we stayed at a couple years ago during Jersey week. Hope you have a great trip.

Keith

 

[momcat1959]

Hi Keith, That is very cool that you are going to the Vistana in Jan also. It would be great if we could have met up and said Hi. We went on a cruise in June and got together with a bunch of people from the cruise critic boards and had the best time. It was really nice for my son, since he is an only child and sometimes has trouble getting in with kids already in a group. Anyway, you will just miss us. We are going to be there Jan 6 through Jan 12. I will surely let you know how things go and give you any tips we discover. I'm really excited about this trip. I usually overplan everything (usually starting more than a year in advance), but this trip is so spontaneous. My son is exhausted from his first semester in college and he wants to do something fun during his break. So grandma and pop have come through with the timeshare. Dad can't go because he works at an oil terminal and he can't take off in Jan (need to moving that heating oil), so we are going with the grandparents. We have a trip to Atlantis booked in June, so that will zap our vacation funds, so it's nice that my parents came through and we can have this unplanned trip. I'm looking forward to going to the parks during a quiet time. We usually go during spring break or the summer when it's hot and crowds are peak. We live in Old Bridge, just off Route 9 on the border of Marlboro. I'll keep in touch and let you know how things go in Jan. Laura

 

[swilshire]

From what I've heard, SV is a very nice resort...On par with OLCC.

Some people much prefer Vistana. We stayed once at OLCC and my kids complained all week because we weren't at Vistana. We've stayed at many nice Orlando resorts, but Vistana is hard to beat.

Sheila

 

[momcat1959]

Sheila, Thanks for the good words about Vistana. I'm really looking forward to it. If we really like it, my parents are thinking of trading their home resort in Ft. Lauderdale for Orlando. That would be great because then I could go every year! My son and husband are not into the beach that much so Orlando is much better for us.

 

[tracylee]

hi keith,
we are booked (first time ever) for Vistana resort in January as well, we are going the 19-23rd with our two boys; 15 & 13...I have been very nervous at booking this resort because we have never stayed there; but all the great advice and tips here have retored my faith in choosing to stay there...we couldn't turn down the deal that was offered to us thru Starwood vacations. Now I have to start trying to decide which villa to request! Our boys have mild asthma and I don't want to end up in a smoking villa...maybe we can catch-up in January!?

 

[aussiegrl]

Hi there!! We are booked to check in to the Vistana resort on 11/25 - 12/02. I am very excited as I haven't been to Orlando in quite a few years and this will be the first time for my 2 year old son. Thanks for the link to the Diamond Lane, maybe they can get us into a room earlier than 4 as we will be landing in Orlando at 9:39AM and I wasn't sure what I was going to find for us to do until 4. LOL Hopefully we will also get in one of the buildings with an elevator as hauling a 2 year old up steps isn't that much fun.

Again thanks for all the information and tips!! I love this board.

Forgot to ask are you guys talking about the Sheraton Vistana Resort or the Vistana Villages??

 

[runwad]

The Resort

 

[aussiegrl]

Thanks!! We are staying at the Villages.