Sheraton Vistana Resort Question

[chcmama]

We are planning our first trip to WDW and we are going April/May 2008. We traded two weeks with RCI and got the Sheraton Vistana Resort. From what I have seen on here most everyone seems to love it. However, when I read the reviews on RCI I got some really mixed reviews. It seems some parts are way nicer than other parts. Do any of you know if I can call ahead and request specific areas and if I do am I likely to get them? How far in advance can I call about it? I was already planning to call at some point because we would prefer to stay in our same room for the two weeks and not have to pack up and move half way through our trip.
Thanks for any help, these boards are great and I have learned a ton of stuff already!

 

[MiaSRN62]

However, when I read the reviews on RCI I got some really mixed reviews. It seems some parts are way nicer than other parts. Do any of you know if I can call ahead and request specific areas and if I do am I likely to get them? How far in advance can I call about it? I was already planning to call at some point because we would prefer to stay in our same room for the two weeks and not have to pack up and move half way through our trip.
Thanks for any help, these boards are great and I have learned a ton of stuff already!

Hi there....the Vistana is a beautiful resort overall, but the varying differences/ages in it's different buildings/sections does seem to be the biggest beef with this resort. Some sections/villages are over 20++ years old and existed even before the Vistana took over the land. This is the Courts section. Vistana did not build it---they acquired it with the property. Then you have the very new Cascades section that is like a Mercedes parked next to a Hyundai in comparison. The Cascades is very modern and spiffy with up-to-date furnishings/decor. The Cascades is a bit outdated---some say it looks a little like it's stuck in an 80's time warp. I have to agree.

I do own at Vistana and I'm in one of those sections in the middle (there are a total of 9 sections)---the Fountains.

Being that you are an RCI exchanger, you might have very little choice over which section you get. They give preference to owners first, then renters second. We actually banked a year in 1997 so that we could stay 2 weeks and they did make us move (and we're owners !). They said we were there during a busy time and couldn't keep us in the same villa. It was a pain. In 1994, we were able to stay in the same villa but we were renting that year. Yet another year, we banked our week so we could get 2 villas at the same time for the same week. They had us in two different sections and we were traveling with family. Our current year week we were in the Fountains II, but our banked week they had us in the Springs. I did speak to a manager and he moved that one to the Fountains as well. It's hit or miss really.

I'd say use the Diamond Lane for requests, but that site has been down for almost a month. They say they're working on it. I'd call and ask to speak to someone about requests. You could do it now, but I'd check back with them about 30 days before your trip to confirm everything. There will most likely be no guarantees.

Please let me know if I can help any further.

 

[luvdisney14]

Maria,

I requested cascades, lakes and fountains thru diamond lake. Now today, my family tells me they would like to be near the cascades pool. They don't want to stay at lakes or fountains because we would have to drive to the pool area and at night they like to walk to the cascade pool. If I can't get cascades, then what other section is somwhat new and near the cascade pool area. We are checking in on a friday early am - timeshare rci trade. I don't care if we have to wait a long time for the room because we will be at HRH before friday and want to spend the day at hrh pool anyway.Thank you

Sue

 

[MiaSRN62]

If I can't get cascades, then what other section is somwhat new and near the cascade pool area. We are checking in on a friday early am - timeshare rci trade.

Not even all the Cascade rooms are near the Cascade pool. But alot of the Fri check-ins are.

The next newest section is the Springs. Actually, the older Spas has Friday check-ins near the Cascade pool.


I suppose on your request, you could put "close to Cascade pool" and hope for the best.
I wish you luck.

 

[luvdisney14]

Thank you, I am so confused - I guess I will call back and request cascades (because newest section) and then close to cascades pool. Is springs near the cascades pool? Also, do you know if any cascades is for friday check-in?

 

[MiaSRN62]

I guess I will call back and request cascades (because newest section) and then close to cascades pool. Is springs near the cascades pool? Also, do you know if any cascades is for friday check-in?
__________________

Yes, request "Cascades-close to pool"
The Springs is pretty close to the pool---def short walk. But it is an older section.
Yes, there are Friday check-ins for Cascades.
Hope this helps

 

[luvdisney14]

It helps alot - thank you