Sheraton Vistana resort vs Sharaton Vistana Villages

[krispyk]

I'm sure this is a stupid question but what is the difference between the two?
signed,
serious newbie

 

[btowndude]

The S. Vistana resort is the older of the two and is located on Route 535, while Vistana Villages is located on International Drive near the Premium Outlets. The Vistana condos have been rennovated during the last two years. I prefer to stay at Vistana, because it is much easier to get to the Disney theme parks. It is right turn out of Vistana onto rt. 535 and then a right turn onto rt. 536. Then it is a simple drive into WDW.

 

[krispyk]

sorry, getting confused because they're the same name... you're saying you prefer the resort right?
i'm seeing packages from toronto for both locations.
thanks again.

 

[jeff968]

I've been to both. The villages are nicer and newer, great zero entry pool. I would recommend the villages over the resort.

 

[Detailor]

Sheraton's Vistana Resort is one of the largest timeshare resorts in the Orlando area and was built out over the span of about twenty years (1980s/1990s). The resort was originally owned by a company called Vistana and the resort was sold to the Starwood Vacation Ownership company, Sheraton's parent company (or some such corporate name) in the late 1990s/early 2000s. When we first stayed at the resort in 1997 it was still under the original Vistana Resort name, without the Sheraton designation. Because the resort phases were built over such a lengthy period of time there is a wide variation of style and condition of the villas. Though much of the resort has undergone refurbishment over the past few years, a couple of phases (each phase of the resort is owned by the timeshare owners of that section and refurbishments are approved and funded separately by the phase owners) yet to be completed. This resort is located on State Route 535 in Orlando.

Sheraton's Vistana Villages was built after Starwood had acquired the Vistana properties and name. Upgrading at the Villages seems to be on a more regular basis than at the Resort, probably because of the relative newness and financial reserve position of the Villages (better planning ahead than for the original Orlando Vistana property) but, of course, that's just my guess. Of the two Orlando Vistanas, this one is the much smaller and appears to have been originally built with higher quality in mind. This resort is located on the southern part (below SR 528/the Beachline) of International Drive in Orlando.

While there's a greater likelihood of variation at the Resort, both of these timeshares are pretty nice.

Dick Taylor

 

[krispyk]

very helpful. thanks!