Sheraton Vistana Resorts?

[telaed]

Has anyone lodged here before? My small trip for three has ballooned into a trip for seven - five adults and two children. All Ears Net has a special offer of $99 for 2 bedroom suite at the Sheraton. Can anyone give me specifics...how close it is to Downtown Disney. Is it a preferred Disney Hotel? Shuttles to the parks...will I need a car? Amenities...etc.

Thanks!

 

[Minky]

We stayed here twice...a few years ago, but it was very nice...we had a small studio with kitchen, I think they all have that? Grounds were nice, not more than 10 minutes to any of the Disney Parks, the details are cloudy but I know we liked it cos we stayed there twice!

 

[39CINDERELLA]

WAHT ARE YOUR DATES?

 

[spiceycat]

you will need a car - one of the closest offsite timeshares there is.

we loved our stay here!

about 5 to 10 minutes to Epcot and Studios - MK is, of course, further away. So is the AK.

they have a bus service - however it is very typical of the area - only a few times to the parks and a few times back - plus it was $7 to $12 per person per day. (NOT FREE)

there is a couple of Publix around 5 miles away.

 

[telaed]

we are traveling on September 1 until September 5. We would love to stay in a Disney Resort but with so many people it may be more cost efficient to stay off-site.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

We are going in JUne @134nt for 2b/2b. You have a great deal!

 

[kpossible]

I called the Sheraton vistana resorts and they said you can not request nonsmoking. My husband and daughter have allergies and the smell of a smoking room would bother them. Is this true? If so how is it this resort is so popular? Thanks.

 

[Emily and Jack's Dad]

I also saw that you can not make specific requests, however past threads people have suggested a week or 2 before your trip to make a Diamond Lane Reservation on their website, which apparently is the way for you to make specific requests about smoking, location, floor, etc. We are heading to Vistana at the beginning of April so I have been watching any posts related to this hotel. Everyone seems to say good things, but warn that some of the units are older than others and that you may get an older unit unless you request or complain. On the other hand, folks say the older units are also the larger units, so some say the older units are fine, but don't match the photos on their websites.

 

[estnh]

We stayed at Vistana on a Christmas visit two years ago, and had no complaints. The rooms were spotless and well maintained. However, I wouldn't even consider it if you don't have a car. It's not far from anything, but way too far to walk, and the transportation offered by the resort just doesn't cut it. You would be somewhat isolated without a vehicle.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Most units are smoking optional, so you can request non-smoking for medical reasons but nothing is guaranteed. I don't know how many are actually non-smoking. Any time I've made a request based on medical need it has been met---this has been my experience and we've stayed there every year since '94 except for last year.
The newest villas are in the Cascades and Lakes sections. There are a total of 9 sections and it's true as someone stated, the newest Cascades also has slightly smaller units.

I also saw that you can not make specific requests, however past threads people have suggested a week or 2 before your trip to make a Diamond Lane Reservation on their website, which apparently is the way for you to make specific requests about smoking, location, floor, etc. We are heading to Vistana at the beginning of April so I have been watching any posts related to this hotel.

Emily and Jacks Dad.....yes, you can make requests on the Diamond Lane form but nothing is guaranteed. Make sure you print out the form before you leave and have it handy when checking in at the Diamond Lane from 11 am to 7 pm. One time they didn't acknowledge my DL requests and when I pulled out the copy I printed off my computer they did honor my requests. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have.....I've been an owner there since '94. Have a great trip in April

 

[DISFANSHAN]

can you tell me how you make a reservation using allearsnet? I don't see anything on their website to book hotels .

Thanks!
Shannon

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here ya go Shannon : http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_svistana.htm

telaed says : All Ears Net has a special offer of $99 for 2 bedroom suite at the Sheraton.

I don't see any 2 bedrooms for $99---only the 1 bedrooms for that price. They do have them for $109 and $119 for limited times during the year (Jan/May 1-26/Dec 1-20/Sept). The rest of the year the 2 bed/2 bath are $164.50/night.

 

[DISFANSHAN]

Thanks MiaSRN62, I wanted that $99 rate but we're going in October. Oh Well!

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Hi,
We stayed at the Vistana in January and it was wonderful!!! I asked to have the room ozoned because my daughter has asthma. There was no smoke odor at all. You definately should sign up for the Diamond Lane. You can check in earlier and bypass a very long line.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You definately should sign up for the Diamond Lane. You can check in earlier and bypass a very long line.

I agree....we've walked in and had 20 people in the main line and maybe only 3 or 4 in the Diamond Lane. The DL hours are only 11 am to 7 pm Fri/Sat/Sun though.

 

[DEff]

We stayed in a 2 BR at the end of Feb beginning of March and loved it. We were in the Cascades section which is the newest, and it also has elevators, which is nice at the end of the day. We didn't use any of the on-site stuff, though. There is a small grocery store across the street and a drug store nearby. They also have a store on-site. We had no complaints whatsoever about the digs.

Have fun!

Donna

 

[gardner101]

We stayed there 2/25 - 3/4 and loved it. We were in an older section (Spas) and still loved it. It was extremely peaceful. We had a 2bed/2bath unit. The decor was a little dated, but the place was clean, very spacious for an extended family of 6, no complaints. Our comment on the newer section was that it looked (and felt when you drove thru) like you were stacked and packed. If I had my choice I'd actually request the Spas section again.

We ate on site one night....nothing to rave about, slow service, but it was convienent. Weather was a little cool while we were there so we only used the pools one day, but they were very warm and fun!

It was about 5 mintues to DownTown Disney, 7-10 to Epcot and less than 15 to MK, AK. One suggestion, when you leave for the parks, hang a right out of the complex till the next traffic light, then turn right again. Much faster for getting to the parks than trying to make a left and go down to I-4! Wish we had known that from the beginning rather than "discovering" it halfway thru our trip!

I would definitely recommend this complex.