Sheraton Vistana Resort - Please Help

[jessiangel]

Due to financial issues that have recently come up, we were going to cancel our stay at Disney for Memorial week. My boss, who is a very generous person, surprised my family and used her RCI points to book that week at Sheraton Vistana. She wouldn't even let me pay the exchange fee and said it was our anniversary gift (anniversary is while we are there). The link from RCI that she sent me had layouts and pics from Cascades and Lakes. I did a search on a few sites (including the Dis) and found some very unflattering reviews of the resort. I'm freaking out a bit, since people have talked about mold and mildew in the older bldgs, and I saw one review where it was so bad someone checked out the same day. I have really bad asthma and allergies, which are controlled with medication, but I do not want to spend my vacation in the hospital. I don't want to sound ungrateful to my boss, but I'm not looking forward to our vacation at the moment. We are checking in on Saturday and I also read there is a better chance of an older bldg. checking in this day. Can someone tell me if it is possible to get either the Cascades or Lakes bldg. if checking in on Saturday and going through RCI? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[ttfn3]

My DS and DH also have allergies - and we have stayed at the Vistana Resort several times. Although my least favorite thing about the Vistana is the checkin - we have found the staff very accomodating to my families allergies. We always tell them (and usually see a manager) about the allergies - and ask for newly remodeled unit. We have been very successful in getting a great unit and have traveled during peak times. I wouldn't get too set on the Lakes and Cascades. We have had units in the Fountains section and have been very pleased. I would concentrated on the newly remodeled (JMHO).

 

[Taratink]

We stayed at the Vistana 2 years ago in the lakes section. It was great! The room were really clean and nothing was musty or had mold on it. Request a newer unit in the diamond lane checkin.
Tara

 

[jessiangel]

Thank you so much for your help! You have no idea how much your responses has put my mind at ease. I really did not want to spend my vacation in the hospital (has happened before, unfortunately). I had no idea they had rehabbed some of the other bldgs. I will be sure to ask for a rehabbed bldg. Thanks again!

 

[swilshire]

We've been staying there for more than a decade and never had a problem. The last Fountains unit we were in had just been remodeled.

We have a need to be in a ground floor unit for medical reasons, and as mentioned, the staff is always very accomodating. I don't think you should worry.

Sheila

 

[Detailor]

I agree with Sheila that this is a nice resort.
One way to request a certain lodging location at Vistana is to use the Diamond Lane service - go to the Vistana website at starwoodvacationownership.com and select FL, Orlando - Sheraton Vistana Resort from the Resort Collection pop down, and click on the Diamond Lane link on the right under the check-in/check-out times. At the bottom of the form you can enter specific request information and explain the reason for your needs. While they don't guarantee anything they do make an effort to honor requests.
When you get there on your check-in date, look for the special Diamond Lane check-in queue.

Dick Taylor

 

[MiaSRN62]

As others have said, fill out the Diamond Lane online form. Try and check in as early as possible. They say you probably won't get into your room until 4 pm, but we often get in as early as 2 or 3 pm. Even if you check-in early and have to come back for the room that would be a plus. Make sure you state you have bad asthma and request a newer building due to "medical conditions" and sensitivity to mold on this request. Usually when we check-in early, we get a choice of a couple different villas. The older units that got bad reviews were probably the Courts, Falls, Spas and Palms.
Good luck !

 

[keishashadow]

We enjoyed our stay in the Cascade section last June beautiful imo.

Not sure how you fare with 'spraying' for insects though. FLs a very buggy place, standard MO to keep them @ bay.

When we entered our unit; a gentleman was finishing up what he termed 'routine service after each guest checks out'. IMO, a VERY good thing! Had an issue @ BCV ; don't want to ever repeat that.

Good luck, enjoy your trip!