Review Sheraton Vistana Resort Questions

[livysmom]

BrerMama thanks so much for getting back to me, did not realize spas was a deeded area. what other areas are quiet away from highways but could still walk to a quiet pool. I see that some rooms have bathtub in the room do they still have showers in the master bedroom as well. I had a travel agent book this for me due to time constraints, I usually research everything to death so all this info is great, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[bankr63]

BrerMama thanks so much for getting back to me, did not realize spas was a deeded area. what other areas are quiet away from highways but could still walk to a quiet pool. I see that some rooms have bathtub in the room do they still have showers in the master bedroom as well. I had a travel agent book this for me due to time constraints, I usually research everything to death so all this info is great, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I know alot of people say this is a really big resort, but I don't find it very hard to walk to any of the quieter pools from anywhere in the resort. IMO, the quietest pool is usually the Springs area pool (mostly because it is a boring rectangle).

For shower/tubs, this is variable between the sections. All 2BR units (except Courts) will have a whirlpool tub, some are in the bath area, some are in the bedroom area. Courts did not have whirlpool tubs before the renovations only a standard tub in the master; we haven't been back to our unit since the refurbishment project so not sure if they finally decided to add them in Courts or not (management wavered on that a couple of times due to costs.) Falls units have only the WP tub in the master bath with integrated shower. All other units have an additional shower in the master bathroom area.

Larger One Bedroom units will have a whirlpool tub in the bedroom and shower in the bath. Smaller 1BR units will have only a standard tub/shower in the bath.

Caveat: Sheraton has not posted updated floor plans to their website since the refurbishment, but I can't see them having taken OUT showers.

 

[livysmom]

Bankr63 after reading through this thread you seem to be the expert on all things SVR, I think I remember reading that younown in the courts but you also really like the Spas area. If I booked through sheraton directly it sounds like I prob dont have a good chance of getting the Spas area what would be your second choice if you wanted a quiet area with a nice view not too far to walk to pool with my 6yr old, would really appreciate your advice. I know wont definitely get what I want but worth a try.

 

[bankr63]

Bankr63 after reading through this thread you seem to be the expert on all things SVR, I think I remember reading that younown in the courts but you also really like the Spas area. If I booked through sheraton directly it sounds like I prob dont have a good chance of getting the Spas area what would be your second choice if you wanted a quiet area with a nice view not too far to walk to pool with my 6yr old, would really appreciate your advice. I know wont definitely get what I want but worth a try.

We do know the resort fairly well. We have owned a week in Courts for a few years, but have also personally stayed in Springs and we sometimes bring others with us, so we have seen some units in Cascades. For this coming year we traded our own unit back into SVR because our owner week didn't align with our March break (it usually does). Our confirmation currently shows us in Spas, which is great, but that doesn't mean that is where we will actually end up, especially since we will arrive late on Friday night. We also have tacked another 2 nights rental onto the end, so we may have to move for those two nights.

My standard line for recommendations is that ALL the sections are really nice, and I mean it! The whole place is a paradise. What I have found is that what "I" like isn't often what the average person likes. I like the oldest sections of the resort. In those days when they built, it wasn't about cramming as many units into as small a space as possible. So I LIKE 2 and 3 story walkups with parking at the door, and a few steps down from the balcony to the back gardens. It seems most people prefer the newer sections with elevators and big expanses of parking out front. Nothing wrong with that, just not my cup of tea!

So with my bias exposed, I personally would avoid Cascades and Lakes because they are too densly populated. They are also the 2 most popular sections. The older part of Fountains is good, but the newer Fountains II section has a few Saturday checkin buildings with backing onto I-4. With a Sunday checkin, Fountains is a pretty good bet for close to pools and not too noisy.

I really like Springs, but you should avoid with a Sunday checkin - the Sunday buildings Mostly front SR535 - better than backing onto I-4 in Fountains II as the better side of the units are in the back, but still not the BEST units for you. Palms units are nice, but the longest walk to the pools. Falls are ALL Sunday checkin; Some are very close to the pools, but not so close as to be noisy. That would be a good one for you. Spas are Friday checkin; you're unlikely to get in there. Same with Courts with only Saturday checkin.

When you rent from Sheraton, you have a higher probability of getting into Lakes and Cascades as the management controls more units in those sections. Fountains and Springs are also a good possibility as those sections are floating ownerships. Courts, Palms, Falls, and Spas are harder gets because the owners there usually hold deeded weeks instead of floating weeks. That means that the resort often holds their units for them even if they are no shows, and they have to do so. Don't always rule those sections out though, anything is possible!

Overall, your best bet is to familiarize yourself with the map back on page 35. Avoid the units directly below the FOUNTAINS II label - that is the I-4 corridor. Avoid the units right along SR535 at the front (bottom of map). Don't worry about the units at the left of the map. It kind of looks like they are on SR536, but there is actually a whole Marriot resort between that edge of the resort and the roadway.

When you get there, they will show you where your building is on the map. If you really don't like the location politely ask for a change. June might be tough though - they are starting into the busier period and may not have many options for swapping units.

Finally follow Brer Mama's advice and ask in advance for what you want. It never hurts, and often helps!

Have a great trip!

 

[bankr63]

Still unpacking this morning I'll try and post a few later this afternoon.

BTW - thanks for posting pics BKMETV. It really took me back "home". Can hardly wait to get back again!!

Keep that ticker tickin down there \/ \/ \/ \/ \/

 

[livysmom]

Wow Bankr thank you so much for all the detailed advice thats exactly what I was looking for. I think my taste is along the same lines as yours. It figures that cascades and lakes where I dont really want to be is where sheraton mostly controls but who knows maybe I will like it or will be placed somewhere else. I typically rent houses when on vacation so I know exactly what Im getting so this is kind of driving me crazy, but you are right the whole resort does look really nice just want to be away from highways! Will definitely look again at map.

Brermama have agreat trip in June enjoy your sons graduation, would love to hear about your trip when you come back as I'm not going until July!

 

[chalee94]

Info that may be useful: Kitchen is pretty well stocked. You get a mini bottle of palmolive for dishwashing and two packs of cascade for two dishwasher loads. We brought our own single load packs of tide for laundry. We also brought standard basket coffee filters and coffee. They have bars of soap in each bathroom but no shampoo/conditioner. Housekeeping comes your third day of the week for towel service.

just got back from SVR - lakes.

the bolded part kind of surprised me, but no big deal as i brought shampoo from a previous onsite stay anyway. everything else about the resort was first rate.

 

[BrerMama]

I got my diamond lane confirmation and a really nice resort map was attached. I've converted it to a .jpg to share here, but if anyone wants it as a printable .pdf, just shoot me a PM with your email and I'll send it to you.

Here's the map I got yesterday:


Resort-Map-2012 by miss kim 09, on Flickr

 

[mog]

How far before your trip did you receive your confirmation from Diamond Lane? We leave in under 3 weeks - I sent mine in last month and I'm just wondering when to expect the confirmation.
thanks!

I got my diamond lane confirmation and a really nice resort map was attached. I've converted it to a .jpg to share here, but if anyone wants it as a printable .pdf, just shoot me a PM with your email and I'll send it to you.

Here's the map I got yesterday:


Resort-Map-2012 by miss kim 09, on Flickr

 

[BrerMama]

How far before your trip did you receive your confirmation from Diamond Lane? We leave in under 3 weeks - I sent mine in last month and I'm just wondering when to expect the confirmation.
thanks!

You must be arriving almost at the same time as us. We check in June 15, so I called exactly on our three weeks from arrival date. When I told her I just wanted to check to make sure she had our diamond lane requests, she said, "Oh, I'm sure I do." She shuffled a few papers, found it, confirmed them and then a few hours later I got an email confirmation. I'd guess you'd have one in the next week, and if I didn't get a call by your two week date, I'd give her a call. The number is at the bottom of the diamond lane form.

 

[kimatigger]

Trying to figure out the best way to rent a timeshare. I have been looking at SVV and WBC. Thank you!

 

[bankr63]

Trying to figure out the best way to rent a timeshare. I have been looking at SVV and WBC. Thank you!

You really have two choices. The Timeshares that are run by big chains (Like Sheraton or Wyndham) often rent directly. Prices might (or might not) be a bit higher. Often includes additional perks like free shuttle and daily housekeeping (at Sheraton).

The other avenue is to rent directly from an owner. There are lots of owners out there willing to rent their timeshare ownerships. Best bet is to rent from someone you know, but that isn't always possible. Most popular web locations are:
http://www.redweek.com/
or
http://www.tug2.net/ in the timeshare marketplace - no charge to search.
and
http://www.vrbo.com/

VRBO leans a little more towards the rental homes/townhomes than the timeshares. TUG has a pretty good and comprehensive ratings directory (members only, but it is a VERY inexpensive membership).

eBay is also an option, but there are some scammers reported on e-Bay so be cautious there. Actually scammers can be anywhere. Be sure to check out the "owner" posting the ad to see that they have a clean track record on all these sites.

 

[The Joker]

We are leaving in just 19 days, for our (family of 3, with dd6) 21 day stay in a 2BR SVR, booked through WDTC. It is our first off-site stay after many years staying on-site. We are checking in on Monday, mainly because of the most convenient and inexpensive flight out of The Netherlands. I am considering applying for Diamond Lane, requesting away from traffic and not facing pools or tennis courts.

I understand that units vary in size. Since we are staying quite a long time, I would like to request for the largest possible unit. In what section would that be? We don't mind buildings without elevators.

 

[Detailor]

We are leaving in just 19 days, for our (family of 3, with dd6) 21 day stay in a 2BR SVR, booked through WDTC. It is our first off-site stay after many years staying on-site. We are checking in on Monday, mainly because of the most convenient and inexpensive flight out of The Netherlands. I am considering applying for Diamond Lane, requesting away from traffic and not facing pools or tennis courts.

I understand that units vary in size. Since we are staying quite a long time, I would like to request for the largest possible unit. In what section would that be? We don't mind buildings without elevators.

The largest standard two-bedroom villas (1280 square feet) are in the Springs section. I think, though, that the non-standard two bedroom villas in Courts (the townhouses), Lakes (lock-off units) and Cascades (lock-off units) are larger than the largest standard two-bedroom villas.

Dick Taylor

 

[haPevraftr]

Sorry to all that had to wait longer than expected for me to share my thoughts and praise of SVR. I teach so it was easier for me to wait for summer vacation and have time to sit and do this. In my review, I will do my best to "fill in the gaps" with info that seem to be things that I was searching for before our trip.

First off, we traveled to SVR the week before Easter. Certain areas felt more crowded than others at this time. We stayed in Falls and I never felt that the pool there was crowded. On the flip side, we went to the Fountains pool to watch a movie on the big screen at night and that pool felt crowded even at night. I noticed that at 9 AM there was almost no one at the Falls pool, but at the same time of day, the Spas and Cascades pools already had a lot of people there.

So, we wanted a realxing area and that is what we got in Falls. I used Diamond Lane about 3 weeks before we arrived. I hadn't heard from them so I called and left a message for someone about 3 days before our arrival. Someone returned my call within 24 hours. We had booked through RCI (sleeps 8) and had to downsize our reservation to get my Falls request (sleeps 6), but that was fine with us because we are only a family of 4. I asked for an upper level room close to the pool and she said I could have Building 19 directly across from the pool (about 50 feet).

My family was at Animal Kingdom Lodge for the weekend prior to check in, so I left them there and went to SVR to check in on Sunday morning at the Diamond Lane check in. The check in host was about to give me a different than requested room, assuming that I wanted to be in asap. I had to stop him and tell him we were willing to wait for our request. He tried to escort me to the end of the counter for my special gift, but I told him that I was in a hurry and then I left. I received a text around 2:30 saying my room was ready.

The room was amazing and huge. The resort was beautiful and comfortable. Our location was perfect for us because we could come and go from the pool within seconds (having an 8 and 5 year old, this was important to us). The only thing that I wished was that the pool bar at the Falls Pool had opened. It said it was open seasonally...not sure what that means since I would assume I was there at one of the busiest times and it never opened that week.

I am linking pictures of our room and the resort. This was the first time, we stayed at a condo offsite and we will definitely return to SVR. The rooms are gorgeous and the pace of the Falls area is perfect for our family.

http://s1074.photobucket.com/albums/w403/george_kari/

 

[bankr63]

Thanks George!

That's a great review and some really good pictures. We've owned there for years, walk around regularly, and never even knew they had shuffleboard! The last photo in the set shows a good view of the slide at the Falls pool for those who have asked about it here.

 

[livysmom]

Thanks George for the great review and pictures! Leaving one month from today its our first time can't wait to go!

 

[BrerMama]

Getting so excited! Got my welcome email from Vistana yesterday. I didn't even book through them, so I didn't expect any thing like that. It included a link for a $5 food and drink voucher. Just had to click the link and then print that page.

 

[Tinky624]

We have owned at Vistana for 26 years in the Spas! We check in on Friday and enjoy it very much! I just wish the service and amenities was as good as it used to be! When Vistana sold to Sharaton things changed quite a bit. This used to be a five star resort until a couple years ago. The updates to all the villas have been excellent! I just hope they get back to better service. My annual dues always go up but my amenities get less and less. House keeping is almost a thing of the past! Trash and towel service once a week? I'm on vacation treat me like I'm on one! Make the beds, wash the dishes, vacuum the floors. Oh yeah and don't charge me to do it! Keep the bars open and more affordable! Why make me leave the resort to have a good time where there is a happy hour! You charge theme park prices for what? Simple marketing "keep the money in house"! Take bingo game for example! Used to be $1 a card and you would play 3 to 5 games for beach towels, t-shirts, hats, mugs etc...but different prizes every game. Now it's $1 a card per game to play for the same POS, Chinese made, "hey we bought too many of these" cheap cups! WOW! Thanks for taking the fun out this! Oh don't order pizza if it's raining! They tell you they don't deliver in the rain. Well let me see...isn't that why I'm ordering pizza....I don't want to go out either! Don't get me wrong. I love coming here. I just wish they would at least take care of their owners better!!!!!!! Only time will tell!

 

[chalee94]

House keeping is almost a thing of the past! Trash and towel service once a week? I'm on vacation treat me like I'm on one! Make the beds, wash the dishes, vacuum the floors. Oh yeah and don't charge me to do it!

they'd have to double your annual fees to do that. most timeshare owners prefer lower annual fees...so even top brands like DVC only offers limited housekeeping once for a 7 night stay (and U.S. marriotts usually offer zero housekeeping unless you want to pay extra per night.)

i kind of like not having housekeeping in the room, but if you're more of a hotel-type person, you might be better off selling your timeshare and staying at full-service resorts...