I'm just back from the Vistana, I don't have pictures (they really do look like the ones on the website....only BIGGER, more room than the pictures show)
We (2 couples & 1 kid) LOVED the Vistana, it was beautiful, big, great pools...I'm looking forward to going back next year! Very close to WDW, staff was great.
My Dh wanted to "just relax" on this vacation (what's NOT relaxing about commando style WDW running ),so he loved hanging out at the villa.
The only thing (a small thing) that was disappointing: was that there was only dial-up internet access in rooms or if you wanted to use high speed or wireless you had to go to their cafe and then there was a fee of some outragous price like $10.00 for 15 minutes.
I hear it is possible to put in an advance room request at Vistana -- there is some website for this. However, I don't remember the URL. You may want to ask at TUG.
We were in the Lakes section (checked in on Friday): I used the "diamond lane" checkin on the Vistana's website. But just before we left their website had changed and I couldn't find Diamond Lane anymore. Here is the email address of the person I was in contact with : Ada Laureano [Ada.Laureano@starwoodvo.com]
She was very pleasent to deal with. I had asked for a 2 bedroom lock off in Lakes or Casades, not close to any highways (I4 & 535) and they gave me everything expect the "lock-off" which I don't think are in those section ( I don't know that for a fact though)
very, very different resorts - the Sheraton Vistana is huge. Our room was in the Spring section - not much of a view - will post pictures later. but the room was very nice - my opinion - your may vary.
Celebration was a tiny resorts is comparision - but people at Celebration really seemed to try harder - except the manager. he is the person responsible for room assignment and he does not do a good job. but he sure does hire outstanding people.
Of course some of my problems was mother. Mother was not surpose to be there - she was only to do the Sheraton and I was to drive her back on Thursday. but she decided at the last minute to stay.
I would have been contend to go shopping or driving around until 4:00pm (we checked in at 7:00am) - mother needed a room. He just couldn't get his story straight. First we didn't check in early enough - I pointed out this was our second time back - we check in at 7:00am - then he try to say it was because we wanted a room close to the elevators - well for the size unit I wanted there wouldn't be - so then he tried to say it was Spicey(my Cat).
Anyway I certainly don't understand his problems - I can only write simply program - but even I could write a computer program for this problem.
We stayed at the Vistana in Sept - during Hurricane Jeanne. The staff was nice, the place was beautiful and had a great location. We stayed in Cascades. I did miss the Disney feel of staying on property but this was a great place if you want off property. My kids loved the pools. Food was good too.
We are just back from a 7 night stay at the Celebration World Resort...
We arrived at Friday 12/3 at 9am and requested to be placed in the newest building (G) so we could have the DVD/VHS combo players and the front desk said to comeback at noon and our room(s) would be available.
When we arrived back at noon...our 3 br was ready.
The 3 br was room #G35 and G36 which was on the 3rd (top) floor in the newest building "G".
Room G36 was a 2br with a full kitchen including everything you would need...except for the food!
There was also a jet tub and a seperate stand up shower...the master bedroom room had a king and the other bedroom had a two queens with a astandard bathroom.
The living room had a HDTV big screen tv and access to the full screened patio area.
Room G35 was a connecting 1 bedroom with a small kitchen and one queen bed.
Like Spiceycat said the staff was Very Friendly but we never had an encounter with the manager.
I'll try and get post a few pictures after we have a chance to unwind a little.