Sheraton Vistana Resort

[KimberAnn]

We are taking our children ages 12, 6 and 1 to Disney for the first time. Neither my DH or I have been there since HS senior trip so we're pretty excited.

We are staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort. We got a great deal through a relative who has a timeshare but not at that resort. We are staying in the Palms section.

I have read several bad reviews about the older timeshares but nothing about the Palms in particular. Any one ever stay there?

For those who have stayed at the Vistana....
1) Is traffic bad? How long does it take to drive to the attractions particuarly the MK?

2) Overall feelings about the Vistana?

3) Will I have maid service?

Anything anyone could tell me would be great. I can't change the reservation but am getting anxious that my unit will be one of the "yucky" ones.

Thanks!!!!
Kimber

 

[Jailen's Gma]

Hi Kimber,

We've stayed at the Vistana twice and enjoyed both times. First time in the Courts, which we thought was not as bad as most say it is. Second time in the Lakes which was very nice.

As far as traffic goes it was very easy reaching the parks.

Also we did have maid service, but we booked the first time thru a travel agent, which we don't do anymore. The second time thru Hotel Kingdom.

Overall, we really enjoyed it.

Good luck,
Mary

 

[AZKathy]

I can't tell you about that section you are in. I know there will be someone here that can tell you about it soon. We were in the Falls section and we were very disappointed in it. We are spoiled, though, staying on Disney property with DVC, so we were biased.

The resort grounds are absolutely lovely. We had a great view of a pond from our porch. The porch was screened, so there was less chances of Florida's mosquitoes taking a little nibble. There was a mama duck with 12 ducklings that my DS loved following around and taking pictures.

It is very easy to get to WDW. Turn right on 535 from the resort. Take the first light, turn right. Head to Oseola Parkway, turn right and go right into WDW. Five minutes max to the property.

You can find a Publix down 535 and 192. Turn right on 535 and go down as far as you can, 535 ends at 192 and the Publix is there on the left. There is also a Walgreens right near the resort. We had to use it for emergency chaffing relief for one of the teenagers travelling in our group.

We had maid service once in the week we were staying, if I remember. You really don't need it if you set guidelines in your family to pick up after each other and make your beds in the mornings. There are large garbage cans throughout the resort to take your garbage out to and there is a washer and dryer to do your towels.

I hope this helps. Happy planning!

 

[Princess_Eeyore]

Hi There
We just got back from staying at the Vistana not even a month ago ... it was awesome. The rooms were very clean and the view is gorgeous. I was impressed at how close everything is ... MK is about 10 mins away ... not even. We had no problems with the traffic. A car is a must ... especially for an afternoon break! This resort is great!

 

[dixielander]

You will certainly enjoy the Vistana Resort. We'll be staying there for the third time in May. We have never stayed in the Palms section, but have walked around the area many times and it is very nice and quiet in Palms. The pool near there is also one of our favorite pools at Vistana, I think it is the Courts pool.

I'm anxious to learn about the commuting times to the parks too, as we have not been to Disney during our stays at Vistana, so this will be new to us. I have heard nothing bad at all about the commute to the parks. Some people even prefer to drive to the parks (vs. bus) anyway, and from what I've read, it does not take long at all to drive from Vistana.

The last time we stayed at Vistana, we rented a week from an owner, and we did not have maid service. I think they came -once mid-week to refresh towels and vacume, that was it. This year, we booked through Expedia, and we chose the housekeeping option! (Nice for me!)

The resort is great, don't worry at all!

 

[Disney Fool]

I am an owner at Vistana, and I own at the Palms section. It is an older section, but, while everyone is clamoring to get into the newer sections, they don't realize that the older sections are bigger, and in my opinion have a better layout. the Palms section has recently had a renovation, (new appliances, etc). While staying at Vistana, you can go to any of the several pools on site; there are three resataurants and a Pizza Hut which delivers. One of the pools is a zero-depth pool, great for little ones. There are great activities for the kids also in case you'll need down-time from the parks. I really think you'll be happy there. If anything is amiss, please let the management know so they can fix the problem. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing stay.

 

[maggiew]

When people complain they do not like the older sections, what generally is the problem? Is it moldy, run down, what?

Maggie

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by maggiew
When people complain they do not like the older sections, what generally is the problem? Is it moldy, run down, what?

Maggie

Ours reaked of cigarette smoke that had been there FOREVER. We sprayed and sprayed to cover up the odor, but it was in everything. We asked about non smoking vs. smoking villas, and they replied that they don't differentiate between the two.

The master bathtub was a jacuzzi tub, but one that was made in a spot where a regular tub was, so it was very very deep and difficult to get in and out of for showering (no separate shower).

We had little critters visit us from little ants in the kitchen to roaches in the bathroom (okay, that was Florida, but we have not had critters like that at OKW).

We had planned on having two double beds in the second bedroom like the pictures display on their web site, but we got the ones with the twin beds. We had a group of 12 in two of the villas and we had to change the sleeping arrangements and put two of the girls on an aerobed we brought just in case on the floor in one of the living rooms.

The rooms looked like they did the best they could to update a 60's set up.

Those were some of the things we were unhappy with. Ours seems to be an isolated incident and Vistana did make up for the problems as best as they could and gave us some Vistana bucks for our problems. I wish we would have done our homework better and made sure we were in the newer section for the beds in the second bedroom. That made it a pain daily to move the bed in and out of the living room. We did not like things too messy with 12 people.

 

[Daftman]

If exchanging to Vistana Resort through RCI does anybody know which section you are placed in, I have heard it is generally one of the older sections,is this so?

Regards

Sean.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by Daftman
If exchanging to Vistana Resort through RCI does anybody know which section you are placed in, I have heard it is generally one of the older sections,is this so?

Regards

Sean.

That is what I have read and that is exactly what happened to us.

 

[Lisa P.]

Maggie, the older units at any resort will show the wear-and-tear of nearly full occupancy year-round. Since they've been refurbished over the years, you may get a newly refurbished unit, even in an older section. Obviously, you may also get one that's due. This is why some people prefer to stay only in the newest resorts and newest sections of older resorts.

Daftman, on the home page of Vistana's website, you may click on "Diamond Lane" and submit your requests for a particular section. If you click on "Resort" along the left column instead, there's another link to a Resort site map so you can see where each is located. No guarantees but it can't hurt! Helped us (we enjoyed the Lakes section) and it certainly sped up our check-in procedure.

KimberlAnn, if you are absolutely certain that you will be in the Palms section, request a room near a pool. That would put you in the area at the top of the map, close to the Courts pools, including the Superpool. If you end up in the Palms section nearer the road (bottom of the map), it's quite a long walk to the nearest pool. Doable but not as convenient as most rooms at this resort. Plus, that area has some road noise from your balcony, if you had wanted to relax outside.

 

[KimberAnn]

A relative got it for us through his timeshare on a trade, so my cert says the particular section and the unit. I am not sure if this is switchable or not? We are in the Palms section lower on the map.

 

[Gretchen]

Hi and I'm glad to see another post on the Vistana Resort as we are staying there Jan 18-24. I booked through Starwood, made a request for the Cascades section with a crib. I was told this is a newer section? Does anyone know what where they put you (section) if you book through Starwood (Sheraton)? I'd like a nice clean bug free unit! LOL with no smoke smell either!
Thanks,
Gretchen

 

[dixielander]

We booked our first Vistana stay through Starwood and we requested Cascades while booking, and also at check-in, and we got it, no problem.

 

[mog]

We traded in there through our RCI timeshare and are going this summer. My confirmation doesn't say a section or unit number - it says it will be assigned at check in. What I have heard is that it depends on how many people your unit sleeps. For example ours says it sleeps 8 people - I've heard that would probably be in the newer sections because the older ones only sleep 6. Maybe that has some connection to the post earlier on here about whether the second bedroom has twin or double beds??
Anyone know anything about this theory??

My concern (aside from getting a good unit/location) is that my parents have a trade-in at the same time and we have family staying with us each (sort of mini family reunion). I want us to be near each other. Since it is a huge resort, I'd hate for us to end up on opposite ends of the universe!! Has anyone ever had more than one unit and requested to have them near each other and how did that work out??

 

[threeboysmom]

mog - we have stayed at Vistana many many times (been going every year since 1988) and have had our parents traveling along with us (with a separate reservation). We've always requested units next to each other and have ALWAYS had our requests honored. I think they will really work with you upon check-in (as long as the resort isn't full). We usually travel in May or in September so maybe that is why we've never had a problem with requests being honored?

KimberAnn - We've stayed in the Palms many times. We like the layout & unit size much better than the newer & smaller units. The Cascades was too small for our family (family of 5), but having our favorite pool right there was a big plus. We've also stayed in another older unit, the Spas, and were very happy there. The only negative we have with the Palms is the walk to the pools. Our kids LOVE the Cascades pool so we usually will drive there as opposed to walking all that way in the heat.

The drive to Disney is super easy!! It's only a matter of minutes before you are on Disney property. You enter via 536 which is sort of a "back entrance" so there is hardly any traffic at all.

We LOVE Vistana and will continue to stay there whenever we travel with our 3 kids along

 

[Lisa P.]

Mog, the "Falls" section is the only section which has 2BRs to sleep 6. All other sections have 2BRs which sleep up to 8.

 

[pewing]

Mog, the "Falls" section is the only section which has 2BRs to sleep 6. All other sections have 2BRs which sleep up to 8.

I'm new here (to Vistana). How do you know what section you will be in? I only found Lakes and Cascades on their site. I didn't see Falls?

 

[spiceycat]

II tells you - RCI doesn't.

with II you will end up with the unit on your reservation or better.

with RCI you can end up anywhere.

 

[pewing]

II tells you - RCI doesn't.

with II you will end up with the unit on your reservation or better.

with RCI you can end up anywhere.

What is II?

I booked through Sheraton....