We've enjoyed our stays at both of these resorts (two or three times at each) - we stayed at these resorts within our first two or three Disney visits in the late 1990s. Location is good for both of them; Orange Lake is closest to Animal Kingdom (four to five miles/10 to 15 minutes drive depending on where you're staying at the resort), Vistana Resort is closest to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (around 5 or 6 miles to either/10 to 12 minutes) and is also fairly close to Downtown Disney (much more so than is Orange Lake).
These are two of the older timeshare resorts in the Orlando area (I think that Vistana is the older of the two) but they've both been kept up rather regularly so they're both in good condition - Vistana's various sections underwent extensive upgrading just a few years ago. At Orange Lake, the North, East and River Island sections have all been built in the past fifteen years or so, as have a couple of the sections (Cascades and maybe Lakes (?)) at Vistana. These are also two of the largest resorts in the area so there are multiple pools and lots of activities - some free, some that you pay extra for - planned for guests. Orange Lake, I think, is more spread out than Vistana Resort is.
We liked the slightly more laid-back nature of the Orange Lake resort - particularly so of the duplex-like villas in the resort's oldest section, the West Village. Orange Lake is also home to two or three golf courses, if that would make a difference to someone in your party. Sheraton's Vistana Resort is located more in the thick of things near Disney and not far from either SeaWorld or Universal/Islands of Adventure. Lots of restaurants near either resort.
Dick Taylor
