Sheraton Vistana Resort questions. Help!

[SeattleMark]

Hi,

We'll be staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort for the first time this August (18-27). We have two teen girls (14 each) who are real water babies and are drooling over the pictures on their Web site of the pool.

I know there are a number of pools there, so I wanted to know which building complex we should request to be nearest the biggest/best pool? I've read that some of the buildings are older and we're trying to avoid those, if possible.

Also, if we use the Diamond Lane check-in on their Web site, how does that computer-based process know our preferences?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[spiceycat]

we are going to be there this Thanksgiving.

from what the tug has reported - the ones closest to the best and biggest pool are the older ones.

so do you want the new section or closer to the best pool?

 

[Lisa P.]

...which building complex we should request to be nearest the biggest/best pool?

The resort is spread into two general areas - the main area and the Lakes/Fountains area. Both have at least one really nice waterfall pool, IIRC - Cascades and Fountains, I think.

I've read that some of the buildings are older and we're trying to avoid those, if possible.

I think you'd enjoy Cascades or Lakes. The oldest sections do have the advantage of being closest to the superpool (a very large, long pool w/volleyball net and enormous hot tub), the Cascades pool, the deli-mart, putt-putt and the better arcade/game rooms (in Springs?). Part of the fun is visiting the different pools each day. Most are close enough for healthy teens to walk to explore in good weather.

Also, if we use the Diamond Lane check-in on their Web site, how does that computer-based process know our preferences?

It's a fill-in form online with a field near the bottom where you may enter "comments," including preferences. It basically sends the resort a message for you so they'll have the info to begin your check-in registration process whenever the lobby is quiet. HTH. Have fun!

 

[CrazySun27]

We will be there for the first time in Sept. I've heard the same thing about the older units. So, I am leaning toward the lakes and casacades.

 

[snoopy]

We stayed in the Lakes section last January -- its lovely. The Lakes and Fountains pools are right next to one another -- and have everything you could want except for a slide. My oldset was a little disappointed with that so we went and found the "super pool" with the slide and he decided he liked the Lakes/Fountain pools better. So we shlepped back over to those pools. We checked in using the Diamond Lane -- I requested Cascades or Lakes, I got Lakes.

 

[SeattleMark]

Thanks everyone.

Snoopy, when you say your oldest was disappointed with the Super pool, what was it about it that caused that reaction?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[monarchsfan16]

Just as a note, the Super Pool is not the one with the slide. The pool with the slide is Falls, I believe, and the slide is well, not great. It was much better awhile back, but has been changed, likely for safety reasons. It is now a very short green tube, that's really pretty slow.
Many of the pools are great at Vistana, the whole resort is great. We have stayed in 3 of the sections, Spas, Courts, and Cascades. In all honesty I liked our unit in Spas the best, and Cascades the least. Cascades may be the newest, but the older units have more space in them. Many of the older units have been redone as well. The best pools are probably the Super Pool (right in the middle of the resort), and Cascades (also in the middle of the resort). If you are in any section besides Lakes or Fountains, you will be within an easy walk of these pools.
Fountains and Lakes are pretty separate from the rest of the resort, making it necessary to drive if you want to get to stuff in the middle of the resort, which is where the store, and most of the pools are. I would reccomend if anything, trying to avoid Fountains at all costs, as well as Springs, as those areas have not been redone yet, and are not what the rest of the resort is. The rest of the sections are all very well done, and in great locations.