Review Sheraton Vistana Resort Questions

[soxfan11901]

from the Sheraton website:

Onsite;

To make your travel to area attractions easier, we offer complimentary shuttle transportation service to Walt Disney Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios). This complimentary service applies only to Resort Rental Guests.

I'm assuming a Resort Rental Guest is someone who booked directly through Sheraton and is not a timeshare owner or exchanger, but I could be wrong (it's happened before).

 

[BrerMama]

I do believe there is a charge for the theme parks shuttle, unless you are a Vista Resort owner.This dose not include exchange guests.Which I go under. Almost every thing here has a fee , can't see they would offer free shuttle service to none owners?

They offer the free shuttle to those who book nightly (i.e. not as a timeshare, but essentially as a hotel room) through the Sheraton website. Most of those people are paying $175+ per night, which I'm guessing is significantly more than those on exchange are paying. I think even owners have to pay to use the shuttle, but I could be wrong on that.

Three ways to stay at Vistana:

1. Be an owner
2. Exchange through your timeshare company
3. Rent nightly via Sheraton direct or a wholesaler

The third option gets free shuttle and possibly daily housekeeping depending on what kind of rate you've booked.

 

[mog]

Just found this thread...great info!
We stayed at SVR several years ago. I think we were in the Spas section and really enjoyed it. We have 2 units traded in through RCI for June. They are Friday checkin, 2 BDR, 8 occ/6 private. Does that mean that the 2nd bedroom will have 2 full beds instead of twins? Anyone know what section we might end up in with that check in day and type of unit?
I hope I haven't asked this question before - I was on here a while back looking for info! If I did, sorry for the repeat.

thanks!

 

[BrerMama]

Just found this thread...great info!
We stayed at SVR several years ago. I think we were in the Spas section and really enjoyed it. We have 2 units traded in through RCI for June. They are Friday checkin, 2 BDR, 8 occ/6 private. Does that mean that the 2nd bedroom will have 2 full beds instead of twins? Anyone know what section we might end up in with that check in day and type of unit?
I hope I haven't asked this question before - I was on here a while back looking for info! If I did, sorry for the repeat.

thanks!

8 occupancy/6 private should mean that you'll have 2 full plus the king in the master. Falls and Courts are the areas with the twins, so you could be anywhere else.

 

[keeperof4]

E mailed our friend at resort, no reply yet, curious myself how shuttles operate, just checked out parking prices for Disney $15 a day now WOW!! that's a little steep!I thought our last visit three years ago was $10? a day.It seems only fair that if your paying full price at major resorts they would provide free shuttle.Theme parks are most part what they depend on for revenue.We pay a fraction of that,so I don't have a problem paying the extra fee's.Even full price at VR it's a great place to be,and would gladly pay it.I have saved $$$$ since choosing SVV &SVR because the kids always seem to be happy on site and at the pools.This year they even choose to stay and swim over the dinner theater we planed for them. Just a thought, I took us all to Sweet Tomato's just across from the main entrance to down town Disney.(Cross roads) very clean,friendly.My children loved it,self serve sundays with all the topping,great break from burgers pizza.Just hope ya'all have as wonderful weather as we did,almost to hot for the parks. Nov. 10 days Bristol Buenaventura Panama, romantic get away, no kids,back to SVR Feb.2013 family fun in the sun.

 

[bankr63]

from the Sheraton website:

Onsite;

To make your travel to area attractions easier, we offer complimentary shuttle transportation service to Walt Disney Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios). This complimentary service applies only to Resort Rental Guests.

I'm assuming a Resort Rental Guest is someone who booked directly through Sheraton and is not a timeshare owner or exchanger, but I could be wrong (it's happened before).

Hi all, back from a little R&R south of your southern border.

Your assumption is bang on. For rentals from Sheraton, they include it in the price to be competitive with the other area resorts. Of course you are really paying for it in the room rate.

But for those of us who are owners (and those who use our units on exchange) we would have to absorb the cost of the shuttle into our maintenance fees. Since I would hazard to say that the vast majority of owners choose the convenience of their cars with the additonal parking fee at Disney over the regimented (and often inconvenient) schedule of the shuttles, it is fairer to the majority of owners to have the shuttle users pay for the service rather than having all owners pay for the few that use them.

I think the resort management associations find a good balance. Sherton doesn't charge for common amenities like parking (some other resorts do charge), pools, towels, internet access, and even tennis courts because a majority of owners use these services (well except the 13 tennis courts that are usually empty). They do charge for some of the activities such as mini-putt, bikes, crafts, etc. as many owners do not use these services.

 

[blondietink]

Another question about the shuttles.... even though we will have a car with us during our stay, I would like the information if we book at SVR again in the future. We are staying on Starwood points with the stay 4 nights get 5th free promotion. Would we be able to use the shuttle for free, or would there be a fee, since we are not owners nor are we renting from an owner.

Also, since we are staying on Starwood points, do we get daily maid service or only once during our stay? Just want to know when/if the maid is coming.

 

[teach11]

Hi everyone - I just discovered this board & I'm so glad it exists! So, my ILs are owners at SVR and we are using it this April. (They don't really use it, so if everything works out, we could end up using it a lot.) We just found out that the Lake area, where apparently they are owners, will have the pool closed for our entire stay for repairs. I'm pretty disappointed since we'll be there with my DS6 and my DD3 and I'll be 7 months pregnant while we're there - not happy about having to travel to get to pools. Any advice/suggestions?

 

[bankr63]

Hi everyone - I just discovered this board & I'm so glad it exists! So, my ILs are owners at SVR and we are using it this April. (They don't really use it, so if everything works out, we could end up using it a lot.) We just found out that the Lake area, where apparently they are owners, will have the pool closed for our entire stay for repairs. I'm pretty disappointed since we'll be there with my DS6 and my DD3 and I'll be 7 months pregnant while we're there - not happy about having to travel to get to pools. Any advice/suggestions?

I wouldn't worry too much. The Lakes and Fountains pools are really just a few yards apart. The closure will likely make the Fountains pool particularly busy, but April is not the busiest time at the resort. So don't worry and hope for the best. You might also request one of the Lakes buildings closer to the Fountains pool through Diamond Lane. The resort map is on page 35 of this thread.

 

[bankr63]

Another question about the shuttles.... even though we will have a car with us during our stay, I would like the information if we book at SVR again in the future. We are staying on Starwood points with the stay 4 nights get 5th free promotion. Would we be able to use the shuttle for free, or would there be a fee, since we are not owners nor are we renting from an owner.

Also, since we are staying on Starwood points, do we get daily maid service or only once during our stay? Just want to know when/if the maid is coming.

You would be more likely to get the free shuttle with star points than through an owner or exchange. I don't know the answer to this, but when renting from Sheraton they are pretty clear about which rates include housekeeping and shuttle which don't. I would just check when you are making the booking through SPG to see what is included. Daily housekeeping is pretty overrated anyway IMO. I don't wash my sheets and towels every day at home. Once a week is good enough for us at home and on vacation. And I don't have to worry about tidying up before housekeeping comes in every day!

 

[blondietink]

You would be more likely to get the free shuttle with star points than through an owner or exchange. I don't know the answer to this, but when renting from Sheraton they are pretty clear about which rates include housekeeping and shuttle which don't. I would just check when you are making the booking through SPG to see what is included. Daily housekeeping is pretty overrated anyway IMO. I don't wash my sheets and towels every day at home. Once a week is good enough for us at home and on vacation. And I don't have to worry about tidying up before housekeeping comes in every day!

Actually, we also prefer the once weekly cleaning vs. daily housekeeping. I hate either being woken up by a housekeeper or going back to our villa just when the housekeeper is starting. I hate the guessing. As long as we have enough towels and dishwasher detergent, I am happy. We will ask.

When we staed at SVV last year, we were very surprised to come back to the villa on day 3 or 4 to find the bed made, garbage taken out, dishwasher run and dishes put away, etc. . This had never happened before our our 3 previous stays. I asked DH if he had made the bed in the am and he said no. We taked to a guy the next day from the resort and he told us with the economy getting better they had been able to hire their maids back after being laid off. I had left the safe open that day and everything, but nothing was taken out of it. WHEW!

 

[BKMETV]

I'm starting a packing list and trying to figure out how many bags I want to take...are the pools towels OK or would I be better to bring some. We will be going to Aquatica...can I take some resort towels for there?

Also as far as adult beverages...is there a good store nearby to get decent wine or liquor...I'm not a beer drinker and I know some grocery stores have better selections than others.

 

[TheKatie]

Hi everyone - I just discovered this board & I'm so glad it exists! So, my ILs are owners at SVR and we are using it this April. (They don't really use it, so if everything works out, we could end up using it a lot.) We just found out that the Lake area, where apparently they are owners, will have the pool closed for our entire stay for repairs. I'm pretty disappointed since we'll be there with my DS6 and my DD3 and I'll be 7 months pregnant while we're there - not happy about having to travel to get to pools. Any advice/suggestions?

Hey there, what week are you going? we will be there April 22-29th. Was going to request Lakes in my diamond lane form but may request Fountains now instead... do you know if the Lakes Pool is closed the whole month of April?

 

[bankr63]

I'm starting a packing list and trying to figure out how many bags I want to take...are the pools towels OK or would I be better to bring some. We will be going to Aquatica...can I take some resort towels for there?

Also as far as adult beverages...is there a good store nearby to get decent wine or liquor...I'm not a beer drinker and I know some grocery stores have better selections than others.

The resort towels are great, large and generally pretty soft; they seem to rotate out quickly so some will be older than others, but I've never seen any that I would rate as "threadbare". You are not require to sign them out, totally on the honor system, and they are a distinctive blue/white stripe but no logo on them. We've taken them to BB and TL, no problem.

I am pretty sure there is a liquor store right nearby at one of the little strip malls, but we buy most of our wine or beer at the nearby Publix (Vineland at I-Drive), or for my favorite hard to find beer, at ABC Liquor on 435/S Apopka Vineland past the Crossroads at the Winn-Dixie. ABC has a wide selection of beers and wines from around the world, and all popular liquors.

 

[teach11]

Hey there, what week are you going? we will be there April 22-29th. Was going to request Lakes in my diamond lane form but may request Fountains now instead... do you know if the Lakes Pool is closed the whole month of April?

They are the closed the week of 4/16, so you should be fine.

 

[TheKatie]

They are the closed the week of 4/16, so you should be fine.

Thanks so much!

 

[Jfstorm]

I see in your post you are considering Westgate, things may have changed over the last few years but our first visit to Florida we stayed at their facility up on Turkey Lake Rd. The unit itself was great , I am not sure if you are an owner going through exchange but unfortunately for us they made our vacation a living hell trying to sell us a timeshare. Every day even when we were at the parks they called trying to push the sales pitch to me.I do believe they have recieved another poor rating. As far as the Vistana Resort this is our second visit and I highly recommend it. Banker is usually up on these things, must be on vacation so perhaps I can be of help.
Security at this facility is top notch. They patrol area continuously and they make their presence known 24/7.The neighbor hood is the resort it self very safe as I see it They do provide a shuttle service to the theme parks but I do believe you have to book before hand and their is one in the morning and return at night. As far as the cost just call the resort directly , I have spoken with them several times and their goal is to please. They do have shuttle service throughout the resort and from my calculations they usually make the rounds every 30 minutes. As far as your teens they will love either the Fountains or the Cascades pools. They seem to all gather early in the evening and from what I could see teens get along well. If you are planning on staying at the Fountains perhaps check out my previous post there are some units that are right on the highway and may be a problem at with the traffic noise. I do not believe that there is a bad unit at this resort now, they are continuously upgrading and refurbishing units. This year are unit,as was last trip meticulous.

thanks for the info! we are booking as a sraight villa, no timeshare affiliations. it looks like we will have free shuttle service, but considering just buying 1 A/P to cover parking. i went thru the Westgate pitch a few years ago, they are persistant but i NEVER use or answer hotel phones anyway, so it would be disconnected. i do like thesound and look of Sheriton better though. anyone have reasons to choose Resort vs. Villages? other than size I cant see much difference except RESORT is closer to WDW.

 

[blondietink]

We have stayed at both Resort and Villages. As far as being closer, yes, Resort is closer but not always the fastest to get to/from WDW because of the way the stop lights are timed and the amount of traffic. There is a need to turn left onto 535 from 536 and the light is a long wait. If you are coming from the DTD area, there are some very long lights around the on/exit ramps to I-4. Either resort and I think you will be happy.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Could someone tell me the best way to get to WDW and how long it takes?
Thanks!

 

[blondietink]

Turn right out of the resort onto 535. At the first light turn right onto 536. Follow this road (go past the Marriott and over I-4) into WDW and follow the signs to the park you want to go to. That is easiest and fastest. Returning back to the resort at night, just do the opposite. Turning left from 536 onto 535 can take some time, though.

You can also turn left out of the resort onto 535 and go through a few lights (can be very long) until you get to a left turn (there are 2 lanes turning left)into the DTD area. it's not very far, but could take some time because of the lights. You will then go past the DTD hotels, parking lots, etc. There are several lights along here also that can be long and take up some time. Follow the signs to whatever park you are going to for the day.