Sheraton Vistana Resort

[Mumof2]

Hi

A second question from me. Can anyone from the UK tell me if they have stayed at this resort? If so - what were the apartments like? I have read mixed reviews on the accommodation board - mainly from the US.

If anyone has stayed here - have you any tips for getting a good apartment allocated?

 

[tony64]

we've not stayed but have just brought a timeshare there.
you can have a look on their web site they have 7 pools and loads of other vasilities on site.
www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5
hope this helps.
try to get a condo in the newest block (cascades)

hope this helps
when are you going?
we aren't going to use it till next year so we would like to know your opinion

 

[eyoreaud]

Snap Tony, we bought into Sherwood last year.

Sheraton are brill mumof2, what size aptmnt are you looking at? We got a 2 bedroom lockoff at Vistana Villages and they're fab, you can PM me if you like and i'll give you more info

Luv Audrey,
XXXXXXXXX

 

[eyoreaud]

Sorry, make that Starwood LOL

 

[vernon]

Friends of mine stayed there a couple of years back and we were in Orlando at the same time so we met up with them quite a few times including at their unit. They had a 2 bedroom unit.
The rooms themselves were of a good size, well equiped ( not "state of the art" but everything worked adiquately and for the limited use most people make of their units this is all you can ask) and in a decent state of repair. I didn't visit the pools, but my friends said they were nicely landscaped and of a good size.
They had no complaints and would have happily stayed there again.

I always take "mixed reviews" with a pinch of salt, human nature means that those who have an experience that's less than they expect are MUCH more likely to complain than those who have an experience at or above their expectations are likely to write a complimentary note. I also feel that many Americans seem to have an unrealistically high expectation of what they are going to receive. Many of them expect brand new "state of the art" equipment and Grand Floridian levels of accommodation,comfort and service, when they are paying All Star prices.

 

[SammieG]

we stayed there in the older section in 2001 - I absolutely hated it.. and we were not treated well there at all. The entire resort was completely deserted as it was the week after 9/11 and there was no need for us to be in the oldest apartment they had.

I asked 3 x to be moved and they refused. To be honest it completely ruined our vacation...

I asked to see the newer apartments as I had heard good things about Vistana and they were lovely apartments. However, the service we had was appauling.. the aparmtents were large. I would not go back to Vistana unless they could guarantee we would be in the newer section (which they cant, I asked them that!)

 

[Mumof2]

Thanks, everybody.

Vernon, I hear what you say and I think that's absolutely right. In fact I take comfort from it. BUT Seems like we should also do all that we can to get into the newer cascades section.

We're going out to Orlando on 30 June for 17 nights. At the moment BA are trying to get us a 2 bed apartment in this resort, it's on request for our dates so fingers crossed.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We stayed there about three years ago. We found the living room very dark, needing the light on all the time.
The resort is split into three parts with a main road running through it.
We were not impressed with the choice of food on offer and the only walk to restaraunt/bar was an Irish one up the road which was not very good. It may have changed by now though...

 

[SammieG]

Mumof2 - what other resorts are on offer through BA? I think that there are some benefits to staying at Vistana - it is very close to Disney and it is well equipped - but if say Vistana Villages is on offer.. maybe that would work for you too.. and you wouldnt have to worry about the newer apartments..

I am not over fussy about apartments.. but I wouldnt return to Vistana, as the staff were so unwilling to help us when we complained.
I faxed them and emailed them before we arrived asking for a newer apartment close to a pool.
I needed to be close to a pool as we had a young baby and I also had some mobility issues due to a problem I had with my leg that vacation. We also joined their diamond lane check in service. The diamond lane check in was closed when we got there.. although that was not really a problem as the resort was deserted at that time anyway. Everyone was avoiding the US and Orlando like the plague. We have pictures of 2pm in the Magic Kingdom where you cannot see another person!!

We again asked when we checked in if we could be close to a pool and in a newer apartment. Without any explanation we were put literally as far from a pool as we could possibly be. I could not walk that far due to my bad leg -and we were in the oldest section of the resort.

I asked and asked if we could be moved and they said it was not possible as we were RCI customers.

I was so disappointed with them. Of all the accomodation we have had in Orlando, Vistana is the only place I have ever been disappointed with.
I will concede that the newer apartments are lovely.. and central.

But dont think Vistana is the only good resort close to Disney.. as there are lots that actually might be better!

 

[Mumof2]

Hi Sammie G

It sounds like you had a terrible time. Apart from the Sheraton Village (which is full) this is the only resort on offer from BA with two bed roomed apartments. The others are hotels. There is the option of the three bed roomed villa which we've actually booked BUT are considering changing to the Sheraton Vistana. Partly because it would be closer to the parks etc....

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have been actually looking at buying a timeshare at Vistana, possibly the villages.
The intention was to have a look around first on our March trip, we got back today, however after my wife mailed them twice to see if we could book an appointment to have a look round we never received any response.
So they can forget it.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

We stayed at the vistana resort last October and thought it was absolutely superb. We have previously stayed at similar resorts like Westgate Lakes and the old Marriott Residence Inn (before they knocked it down and Vistana took it over).

However...althought we loved the place, we wont ever be staying there again...reason being there is no way to guarantee which complex you get, and we were totaly lucky in that we got Cascades, the newest one...we drove round and looked at the older units, and they looked very shabby.

Heres a link to my tripadvisor report on the resort :

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser..._Resort_Lake_Buena_Vista-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[Disneystar]

Hi

We stayed at the Vistana in 2001. We were in the Cacades section and really liked it, the apartment was lovely and the location was great, not far from WDW.

Have to agree though that I wouldn't fancy staying in any of the older apartments.

 

[SammieG]

Vistana Villages is about 5 mins from Vistana.. so dont move from there because of distance..

In a way its actually in a better location.. Plus you can guarantee that the rooms you get will be newer as its a new resort.

I know people who have loved Vistana.. and if you are prepared to take the risk, then go for it.. some people even like the older apartments.
Personally I did not!!

 

[Sue88UK]

We stayed at Vistana Resort last Easter. Got the Springs on first night which was one of the oldest apartments, asked them to change but had to stay one night there. They changed us to the Fountains which was much better and for the second week we had to move again but got a beautiful top floor apartment in the Lakes which is just a little older than Cascades. Definately ask for the new apartments, Lakes for Cascades and you'll have a great time.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I should add that the Vistana resort has an advance check-in facility called "Diamond-Line" on their website, in which you can request a specific location, and they will do their best to accomodate it.......we were told that no cascades were available on our diamond line application, but found there were when we got to the resort (thankfully).

I think the availability of the newer blocks depends on your day of arrival to be honest, ie Friday Cascades, Saturday Lakes, etc etc.