Review Sheraton Vistana Resort Questions

[bankr63]

Hi,

Thanks for that information.

HOw do I go about booking a lock off room though? On the website it only allows a 2 bedroom unit and the same applies on other hotel booking websites.

I would say your best bet would be to call Sheraton's reservation line directly. The number is 1-800-325-3535. Tell them you specifically want a 2BR lockoff unit and see if they can do it.

Another option is to post a request on the tug (timeshares user's group)board http://www.tug2.net/. Last time I needed an extra unit at Vistana I posted a wanted message and was swamped with replies. Lots of owners are willing to rent privately. Your only issue again may be finding that LO unit. Not sure if you need to join to post a wanted ad (I'm already a member), but if you do it is really cheap to join.

A third option would be redweek where TS owners post their units for rent. http://www.redweek.com/ You can browse for free, but must register (small fee) to complete a rental.

Between those 3 options you should be able to find a unit. Note that the last two will be full week rentals however.

 

[cajunaggie]

There is soooo much great info on this thread...esp the maps of the 'campus'. Those have been really helpful.
My question is how long does it take to drive to Seaworld & Universal? For the week that we are staying @ Vistana, we will be Seaworld activities: Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, BuschGardens but we are headed to Universal when we check out for another 3 days @ their resort.

 

[cajunaggie]

I am able to tell that I am in FTN 1713 (thanks to all the input, & maps). 2 bedroom/2 bath.
Due to my son's handicap, we really need to NOT be on a bottom floor & prefer to be closer to amenities (pool, recreation center, food, etc). I see that Lakes 1978-1994 look really good...How can I get this changed?
We are booked through RCI (which I understand does not usually allow changes) but I will fax over my son's handicap ID or whatever. Everything else is looking WONDERFUL so far

 

[bankr63]

There is soooo much great info on this thread...esp the maps of the 'campus'. Those have been really helpful.
My question is how long does it take to drive to Seaworld & Universal? For the week that we are staying @ Vistana, we will be Seaworld activities: Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, BuschGardens but we are headed to Universal when we check out for another 3 days @ their resort.

Travel times to all of these areas is relatively quick (except Busch Gardens of course - Tampa is a bit more than an hour away). The SeaWorld locations are a quick (15 min. max) drive up I-Drive. I would not bother taking I-4, only a couple of exits up. Universal is a bit further, and access is much better if you take I-4; again about 15 min, longer if rush hour is busy as you are driving towards Orlando. Avoid I-Drive for Universal as traffic is nuts that far down.

Even Busch is pretty easy as you are far enough South to avoid traffic. We usually visit relatives near Sarasota, and find the traffic very light except a bit around Tampa.

 

[bankr63]

I am able to tell that I am in FTN 1713 (thanks to all the input, & maps). 2 bedroom/2 bath.
Due to my son's handicap, we really need to NOT be on a bottom floor & prefer to be closer to amenities (pool, recreation center, food, etc). I see that Lakes 1978-1994 look really good...How can I get this changed?
We are booked through RCI (which I understand does not usually allow changes) but I will fax over my son's handicap ID or whatever. Everything else is looking WONDERFUL so far

RCI does not allow switches but the resort often does. As long as you are not traveling during a very busy time, the resort does their best to accommodate requests. Read a bit further back in this thread for details on how to make a Diamond Lane request. Considering it is to accommodate a handicap, you should get first priority. Based on your current reservation, you are a Sunday checkin. I you request Lakes, that would put you in buildings 6, 7, or 10 (10 is 1972-1995). Requesting a specific building can be more difficult than requesting a section, but go ahead, explain your situation and your desires. I would think about a couple of alternatives however.

 

[cajunaggie]

I appreciate your input on both topics.
When we go to Busch Gardens we are going to utlize the shuttle from SeaWorld (@ least for the first trip-we are going on 2 seperate days & will have to see how my son does-he has Muscular Dystrophy & is Autistic).
Which is why my request for the building location is what it is. I am going to call Sheraton tomorrow & see what can be done...if anything. You are right though, I don't care what 'section' we are in but do want to be close to the recreation center for whereever we are.

 

[disneygma11]

Can anyone tell me about the Shuttles to and from Disney at Vistiana? We have reservations there in December and I have heard some say the shuttles are free and others say they are not. Does anyone know for sure? We booked straight through the Sheraton Website and are not Time Share Owners. Does it make a difference?

 

[bankr63]

Can anyone tell me about the Shuttles to and from Disney at Vistiana? We have reservations there in December and I have heard some say the shuttles are free and others say they are not. Does anyone know for sure? We booked straight through the Sheraton Website and are not Time Share Owners. Does it make a difference?

Actually it does make a difference! Owners always pay for the shuttle. Often when booked as a "hotel" room through Sheraton or other sites, the shuttle will be included. Best bet is to call the Sheraton reservation center or check the website to see if it was included in your rate. You'll probably need to pickup vouchers when you arrive.

If you have a car, you may find driving more convenient though. The shuttles don't run often and are much slower. I prefer to pay $14 for parking so I can be there for rope drop, and leave when we feel we've had enough.

 

[haPevraftr]

Does anyone have any photos of the playgrounds? I can't seem to find any photos anywhere. If so, could you post them?

 

[haPevraftr]

MIL just booked April 2012 (Sun. before Easter-Easter Sun.) stay for my family (DH, DD8, DS5, and myself) through her RCI account. She and FIL do not know whether they will be joining us yet. They will decide closer to the time.

That having been said, I have read this thread from the beginning and thought I had this all figured out, but now I continue to be confused. We booked a 2 BR (8/6). I have read that RCI often ends up in Falls or Courts. I know that of those two, Falls is the Sun. check-in. Do all of Falls Villas have twin beds in the 2nd bedroom? If so, how does that fit in the category of 8/6?

Or does 8/6 mean that there is no way we will be in the Falls because it won't fit 8 people?

I honestly don't have a preference of which building we are given. I know we can walk to wherever we want to go and explore the resort. My main concern is that if my in-laws join us, I really don't want DH and I to be forced to decide between the twin beds or the sofa bed for ourselves. Yuck! I am not a picky person, but if I have to forego the gorgeous master suite and give it to my in-laws, I would at least still like to be a little comfortable (even if it is a double bed in the same room as my children)

So, for those of you that have this whole room assignment thing figured out, do I need to be worried that I will be assigned a room where there aren't regular beds (not sofa beds) for 6 to sleep in?

Since I assume the resort will be full (Easter week), is there any point in requesting anything as an RCI guest?

If so, I'd love to hear your suggestions of which building a family who loves to swim, do water slides, and participate in poolside activities (while I drink adult beverages and relax in the sun) would be best suited.

TIA!

 

[bankr63]

MIL just booked April 2012 (Sun. before Easter-Easter Sun.) stay for my family (DH, DD8, DS5, and myself) through her RCI account. She and FIL do not know whether they will be joining us yet. They will decide closer to the time.

That having been said, I have read this thread from the beginning and thought I had this all figured out, but now I continue to be confused. We booked a 2 BR (8/6). I have read that RCI often ends up in Falls or Courts. I know that of those two, Falls is the Sun. check-in. Do all of Falls Villas have twin beds in the 2nd bedroom? If so, how does that fit in the category of 8/6?

Or does 8/6 mean that there is no way we will be in the Falls because it won't fit 8 people?

I honestly don't have a preference of which building we are given. I know we can walk to wherever we want to go and explore the resort. My main concern is that if my in-laws join us, I really don't want DH and I to be forced to decide between the twin beds or the sofa bed for ourselves. Yuck! I am not a picky person, but if I have to forego the gorgeous master suite and give it to my in-laws, I would at least still like to be a little comfortable (even if it is a double bed in the same room as my children)

So, for those of you that have this whole room assignment thing figured out, do I need to be worried that I will be assigned a room where there aren't regular beds (not sofa beds) for 6 to sleep in?

Since I assume the resort will be full (Easter week), is there any point in requesting anything as an RCI guest?

If so, I'd love to hear your suggestions of which building a family who loves to swim, do water slides, and participate in poolside activities (while I drink adult beverages and relax in the sun) would be best suited.

TIA!

Ask MIL to check the unit# on her RCI confirmation (from the vacation plans, confirmed vacations page, click the view/print confirmation beside the ressie). Post or PM the unit# and I can lookup the location for you, or check the map link I have posted earlier in thread.

 

[haPevraftr]

Thank you. I never would have thought that it would be assigned this early. I will do that and if I can't figure it out, I will be back with more questions. Again, thanks!

 

[aaronandterri]

oh could you tell me where i am staying
, my unit says spa 419, i check in on a sat, BUT we also booked the thurs fri there as additional nights and paid for them and they said they would link ressies and hopefully we wont have to move, so will that change, id love to know where about we might be.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I don't know if RCI is different but we stayed at Vistana Resort through Interval International last year and were not placed in the unit that was indicated on our exchange. We were in the same section, but a different unit. We had made some requests which were mostly honored.

Heading to Florida tomorrow & staying at Vistana again starting Sunday. I can't wait!!

 

[FrankieDplus3]

Hi All,

I last stayed at Vistana Resort in Sept 2010 with friends that own a week in a 2 BR Springs unit. It comfortably fit 2 families (4 adults, 4 kids). It was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the Springs location. Springs is close to the main gate, our villa was right outside the pool and games room. The weather was perfect, so walking to all of the other pools was no bother.

I am now planning on booking the last week of August for my family (without going with our friends). We would love to get back into Springs, but, we think a 2BR will be too much, so, we are looking at getting a 1BR. I have read all 20 pages, and I still have some questions that I'm hoping you can help me with.

1. When we stayed in the 2 BR villa, we did our groceries off-site and cooked a lot of meals in our unit. Do the all of the 1 BRs have full kitchens or just kitchenettes? I'm hoping to have a full stove and oven.
2. 1 BRs are only available in Cascades and Lakes ... Is this still correct?
3. Are all 1 BRs considered "Lockoff"?

p.s.
This is a great thread. It has been very helpful so far.

 

[bankr63]

oh could you tell me where i am staying
, my unit says spa 419, i check in on a sat, BUT we also booked the thurs fri there as additional nights and paid for them and they said they would link ressies and hopefully we wont have to move, so will that change, id love to know where about we might be.

Wow a firestorm of activity. I can tell you that your are currently matched to Spas unit 419 which is in building 9. Should be nice and quiet if you get it, it's on a quiet loop at the back, but a short walk to the Spas Super Pool. Note: as PP mentions these are not necessarily the unit you will get, especially if you make special requests! By booking 2 days earlier, and asking for the same unit throughout, you would have to hope the the owner of the week previous to your stay is not using their unit. There is a pretty good chance you may end up elsewhere in the resort.

If you make a special request for amenities (like ground floor) and they honor it, you will most certainly move to a unit that is different.

 

[bankr63]

Hi All,

I last stayed at Vistana Resort in Sept 2010 with friends that own a week in a 2 BR Springs unit. It comfortably fit 2 families (4 adults, 4 kids). It was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the Springs location. Springs is close to the main gate, our villa was right outside the pool and games room. The weather was perfect, so walking to all of the other pools was no bother.

I am now planning on booking the last week of August for my family (without going with our friends). We would love to get back into Springs, but, we think a 2BR will be too much, so, we are looking at getting a 1BR. I have read all 20 pages, and I still have some questions that I'm hoping you can help me with.

1. When we stayed in the 2 BR villa, we did our groceries off-site and cooked a lot of meals in our unit. Do the all of the 1 BRs have full kitchens or just kitchenettes? I'm hoping to have a full stove and oven.
2. 1 BRs are only available in Cascades and Lakes ... Is this still correct?
3. Are all 1 BRs considered "Lockoff"?

p.s.
This is a great thread. It has been very helpful so far.

Hi Frankie D (and the other three),

Questions are easily answered, but for all of those who want to know about Vistana Resort floorplans, go to:
http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/sheraton_vistana_resort/villas.jsp
Sheraton has typical floorplans for all of the Vistana Resort sections (and any other Starwood resort) on this site.

Answers:
1) 1BR "Premium" Villas have a full kitchen, regular 1BRs have a kitchenette, all appear to have laundry. YMMV, but anytime I have reserved a unit either through RCI or directly with Sheraton, they have indicated the Kitchen type. If you reserve a 1BR "Full Kitchen" you will get one!

2) Yes this is still correct.

3) No, there are some dedicated 1BR units. Not all are a part of a lockoff pair. If you look carefully at the floorplans, you can tell which ones...

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Later edit: In reviewing the Sheraton and RCI sites, Sheraton does indicate the difference between Kitchenette and Full Kitchen. RCI indicates that all units have full kitchens, I was unable to confirm how II handles these units as I am not a member; from their public information thery don't mention kitchen facilities. My experience with RCI may have been a coincidence. I have another 1BR Full Kitchen reserved through RCI in another couple of weeks. We shall what we get this time...

 

[haPevraftr]

For anyone who has stayed at Falls or Courts in a refurbed room... With a small amount of furniture moving, can you push the twin beds together? Or are they mounted to the wall?

 

[bankr63]

For anyone who has stayed at Falls or Courts in a refurbed room... With a small amount of furniture moving, can you push the twin beds together? Or are they mounted to the wall?

How long do you have to find out? I'll be down there on the 12th, and our unit is in Courts. Considering that renovations have (supposedly) just started for Courts, it is unlikely that we'll be in a new unit.

 

[haPevraftr]

Bankr,
We just booked for April 2012, so we have a while....

If we get assigned to Falls, I am thinking that pushing two twins together for two adults and putting the kids on the sofa bed might be more comfortable. I am in no hurry to find out, just thought someone might know.