Sheraton Vistana Resort

[JaxCon]

Has anyone every stayed here? DH booked this for us with a time share and I am dissapointed about staying off site but am hopeful that some good feedback will cheer me up! Or if it is bad maybe we can still change!!!!


Thanks.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi from Ontario, Canada. We stay there all the time, my inlaws have timeshare. A great place with many pools,a general store, A Pizza restaurant,ect. We are going there this week. We hope to beet the winter storm coming first.

 

[bntlyclg89]

I stayed here in 1999 and it was very nice. I stayed in the old section (originally this place was a tennis camp!) in a 2 BR condo. It was wonderful. Lots of room, 2BA, 2LR, dining area, kitchen and had a washer dryer. It was pretty convenient to the World but also to International Drive. We were able to go to Universal for a day and also ate at some different places (I highly recommend Fishbones if it's still there).

There are quite a few pools--really large and hottubs. The on site market is complete but expensive. Since you will have a car, you will be able to go other places.

Staff (what little interaction we had) was friendly. And they made great frozen drinks.

I too would rather stay on site but this place is pretty nice. Good luck.

Jean

 

[spiceycat]

here is its website
www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5

sign up for the Diamond lane

we got one of the older section - Springs and I would definitely stay here again.

 

[emabsmom]

vistana is a wonderful place to stay while visiting Disney. the suites are very spacious and clean. it's so nice to have the kitchen to whip up a simple meal if you want. and the washer/dryers are a plus. the night before we left Disney, i did all our laundry, so when we got home i could rest from our vacation!
our family did not mind staying off Disney property. vistana is only minutes away from all the parks. parking at the parks was no problem at all. i definately reccomend staying there. i know you won't be dissappointed.

 

[Emily and Jack's Dad]

We are staying at the Vistana resort next month for about a week. Switched from the Dolphin, where I was attending a convention. The price could not be beat, plus having a 2-bdrm, kitchen, 2 bth, screened in porch vs a 2 bed room was a no brainer. Had to rent a car, but we figure with what we save on breakfast, food we store in the fridge, and the difference in room rate, it is worth the hassle, especially with two children.

I am just praying that the suite lives up to its reviews. Try allearsnet.com which offers an unbeatable price for the Vistana.

Good luck.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If you don't want to get placed in one of the older sections request Lakes or Cascades on the Diamond Lane form. These are the only two sections with elevators.
There are no guarantees that you'll get your request, but even the Springs and Fountains are nice. OTOH, the Courts, Falls, Spas and Palms are a little too dated for me. Most of the pictures you see on their website are the newer sections. If you click on the link that Spiceycat sent, then click on "villas" on the left, you can see interior pics. They are all Cascades and Lakes except the last 2-3 pics in the scroll-down menu.
There are some more pics in my online Imagestation album http://www.imagestation.com/member/...459&rf=&ru=/album/pictures.html?id=4287948459 (the site does require you register in order to view the album). I do have pics of the Cascades, Lakes, Fountains I & II and Spas.

 

[SammieG]

If you don't want to get placed in one of the older sections request Lakes or Cascades on the Diamond Lane form. These are the only two sections with elevators.
There are no guarantees that you'll get your request, but even the Springs and Fountains are nice. OTOH, the Courts, Falls, Spas and Palms are a little too dated for me. QUOTE]


we requested cascades on our diamond lane form.. and despite it being the week after 9/11 and the place being completely deserted.. we were put in th oldest part of the resort.. circa 1983 and looked like it.

the front desk staff completely refused to move us, and we were there for 2 weeks. I have to say it completely ruined the vacation for us... and i would never stay there again.

However the apt was clean and big.. but dark and depressing tooo... and I know the newer bits are MUCH nicer!

Its a good resort though...

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sammie,
Can totally understand how that could leave a bad taste in your mouth. Next time demand a manager---or maybe you did ? If the place was deserted, there was just no reason for that and it's their loss that they won't have you as a return customer.
The resort really is like night and day with the differences in the sections. Sorry you didn't have a very good vacation because of where you were placed.

 

[Emily and Jack's Dad]

Can anyone who has stayed at the Vistana tell me if any of the pools are heated? Our 2.5 year old is dying to "swim", yet we are concerned that the water won't be warm enough until the mid-afternoon, at which time we will be at one of the parks.

Also, everyone speaks so highly of the Vistana. Why then do people warn you that the photos on their website are not actually what you may get?

Thanks. Heading to Vistana in early April.

 

[pamlet]

Maria -

I had seen on TUG that they are remodeling the "older" sections. Do you know if this is true?

Thanks!!
Pam

 

[spiceycat]

because the pictures on their websites are only of their newest building - not the old ones.

both the swimming pools we tried were heated. the one next to us and the main pool - don't know about the others.

we were there THanksgiving week.

 

[emabsmom]

they advertise that all seven pools are heated

 

[MiaSRN62]

I had seen on TUG that they are remodeling the "older" sections. Do you know if this is true?

I hadn't heard this but if it's true, it's about time. I do know they do regular maintenance and refurbishment on a regular basis. Such as when I was staying in the Spas, even though I felt the decor and furnishings were dated, the kitchen was totally updated with all new appliances. So I'm not sure if what you read on TUG was just their normal scheduled refurbishment or a total remodeling of the older sections. I'll have to check it out in August when I'm down there.

Also, everyone speaks so highly of the Vistana. Why then do people warn you that the photos on their website are not actually what you may get?

I warn people just so they're prepared that they might not get one of those villas they advertise on their site. I've flat out told Vistana management it can be deceptive to not show the older sections too. The section you are placed in can affect your impression of the resort and your vacation experience overall I feel. Overall, Vistana is a great resort with alot to offer.

And, yes...all the pools are heated.

 

[pamlet]

I hadn't heard this but if it's true, it's about time. I do know they do regular maintenance and refurbishment on a regular basis. Such as when I was staying in the Spas, even though I felt the decor and furnishings were dated, the kitchen was totally updated with all new appliances. So I'm not sure if what you read on TUG was just their normal scheduled refurbishment or a total remodeling of the older sections. I'll have to check it out in August when I'm down there.

It may very well be that it's just the regular refurbishment. We'll see - we're going at the end of May. I don't have the confirmation from my SIL yet - so I have no clue... we're trading in though I think.. so who KNOWs where we'll be... laugh...

 

[MiaSRN62]

so I have no clue... we're trading in though I think.. so who KNOWs where we'll be... laugh...

I think if you don't go into the vacation with preset expectations, and are pretty easy going and see the glass as half full instead of half empty, then you'll have a terrific time.

 

[pamlet]

I think if you don't go into the vacation with preset expectations, and are pretty easy going and see the glass as half full instead of half empty, then you'll have a terrific time.

Oh yeah - I agree...

I'm just thrilled that we're able to go at all!

We're so looking forward to it... have the PS's made that we're going to do.. and will be ordering our tickets through Ticketmania on Friday..

It's our 25th anniversary - so no matter WHERE we are it's going to be a blast!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy anniversary Pamlet ! Have a wonderful time.

 

[Disney Fool]

I am an owner at Vistana. The older units have been remodeled with new kitchens. Most people on these boards are cramming to get into the newer units, such as Cascades or Lakes. But, the older units are bigger! Don't worry. It's a lovely resort. Very close to Disney. You turn left, go two signal lights, turn left again and you're at the entrance to Downtown Disney hotels and at the end of that road is Downtown Disney. If you turn right leaving Vistana, turn right again at the signal light and go straight following the signs for Disney entrance. How's that for close?

 

[Disneygrl36]

I am glad to hear it's so close. My Mom got us a great deal for a week in Oct in Orlando & we chose Sheraton Vistana. We are used to staying on-propery & this sounds like about as close as you can get off-property. Makes me feel a little better about it. It was just such a great deal we couldn't pass it up & it will be our 3rd trip on our ap's so we thought it was best to save some money on lodging.