Sheraton Vistana Resort

[maxiesmom]

They are offering some great rates at the Vistana thru the whole of 2009, so I'm considering staying there next winter. Is it a nice resort? I know it is a time-share, but do they try to get you to buy if you are just staying there for a few nights? Is there a certain section I should request or stay away from? We would get a 2 bedroom, and like to be near a pool with a slide, if they have one. Any thoughts?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Maxiesmom.....

Vistana is usually discussed at length on this board. I'm an owner there and can answer any specific questions you might have, but figured I'd include some links with lots of info/opinions/photos.

Yes...there is one pool section on the resort where there is a pool slide. It is an older section and is called the Falls. If any, I'd avoid the Courts and Falls. The Courts because they are the absolute oldest section on the resort and the Falls because they are also older but more importantly, depending on the number in your party, only have two TWIN size beds in the second bedroom. If this isn't an issue, then the Falls isn't that bad. If you are staying in winter 2009, then Falls should be totally done the remodel and will look great. So this is good !

Yes...Vistana will try and sell. My suggestions :
1) after u check in, they'll direct you to another counter for freebies and coupons----DON'T GO
2) Unplug your phone in your room when you get there and keep it unplugged

I'll provide links that should help u with alot of other questions you might have. If something isn't addressed in these, feel free to ask :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2012916

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1982855

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1930398

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1932340

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1915389

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1896437

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1869241

 

[TotoToo]

They are offering some great rates at the Vistana thru the whole of 2009, so I'm considering staying there next winter. Is it a nice resort? I know it is a time-share, but do they try to get you to buy if you are just staying there for a few nights? Is there a certain section I should request or stay away from? We would get a 2 bedroom, and like to be near a pool with a slide, if they have one. Any thoughts?

Yes they will try to get you to attend a sales presentation but, unless you take a discounted stay in return for such a "90 minute" pitch, you as a renter or exchange guest (or owner) have NO obligation to attend. None. If you decide the gift of tickets or money is worth the hassles of such a pitch it's your vacation and you can do as you wish. But you don't owe it to them (again unless you accept discounted lodging as part of the deal). As the post above suggests simply ignore the invitation(s) and by all means unplug the phones unless you like being contacted at 8AM to 11 PM by the sales team.

 

[poohmickey]

As the post above suggests simply ignore the invitation(s) and by all means unplug the phones unless you like being contacted at 8AM to 11 PM by the sales team.

We are currently staying here in the Lakes section - in a beautifully refurbished 2 bedroom! When we checked in we went down to the other counter and they were really nice and not pushy about the sales pitch. They asked us to attend, and we said we would have to look at our schedule. They then gave us a number and asked us to please call back and leave a message sometime that evening (We checked in on Sunday). We called and left a message that we weren't interested, and have not recieved a single call from them. They said if you give them an answer, even if it's no, they won't keep calling. So maybe they're getting better about not bugging you if you say no.

There's not a slide in this section, but there are two different pools within easy walking distance. From what we seen in the few days that we've been here, it is a beautiful resort with lots of activities.

 

[123Disney]

Thanks for all the great information. We are considering a trade in for 2010. When trading with RCI do they give you the section and/or room? Or is this determined at check-in?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hello,
The last time we traded into Vistana (using a banked week), RCI did assign a section and villa number. But that ended up being different once we got to check-in. I will say this was many years ago (1997), so not sure if it's still the same as we haven't used RCI since then.

The final say is up to the resort, so what you see on your RCI confirmation may not be the actual room you get. Someone else may be able to offer more up-to-date information.

 

[eventamy]

We stayed there last February (using my Mom's points) and really enjoyed it. We had a great time and it was close to Disney and other things that we wanted to do. We had them leave messages on our phone, but other then that it was fine and not overly pushy. I just ignored it!

 

[MiaSRN62]

We had them leave messages on our phone, but other then that it was fine and not overly pushy. I just ignored it!

I'm glad u were able to ignore it eventamy---but they have called on more than one occasion as early as 8 am. We were NOT pleased as we were all sleeping in from a late night out in the parks. So I still recommend unplugging the phones. But it's up to each person to decide what works for them. I, for one, will not stand for my sleep to be disturbed while on vacation so they can share me a timeshare when I already own a week there---they constantly want to sell us even more weeks. I own DVC as well and they never do this.

 

[swilshire]

Where are you finding good rates for Vistana? We have a timeshare week booked there in March and now find that we need to go down two days early. I'd love to just stay there and hopefully they could keep us in the same unit.

Thanks,

Sheila

 

[blondietink]

We stayed at the Vistana in August (during Fay ... UGH) and had a 2 bedroom condo. It was wonderful (except for Fay). We did attend a sales presentation, although we didn't have to. We paid $99.00 per night for the 2 bedroom with no housekeeping rates. The staff was very friendly and there was good security. Disney is literally less than 10 minutes away, even with traffic. My kids loved it, although because of Fay, we didn't get the enjoyment out of the pool area that we would have liked.

 

[123Disney]

Thanks for the great info. We feel better about using our RCI week and saving DVC points for a different trip. I appreciate all the details.