Sheraton Vistana/Royal Palms/Sabal Palms/Liki Tiki?

[oklamomof4boys]

My sister is trading in her timeshare for our trip in June. These are the resorts available. It will be 4 adults and 4 teenage boys. We are getting a 2 bedroom suite. Size of the suites and closeness to Disney is our top priority ( as long as it is a decent place). Do all of these have washers and dryers in the suites? Which do you recommend?

 

[mb177]

First of all Congrats on your trip in June. I can only comment on the two Marriott Vacation Resorts (Sabal Palms, Royal Palms) because I have stayed at both. Both resorts are in close proximity to each other and are basically on the same acreage of the Marriott World Center Resort. The resorts are very close driving distance to WDW, basically make a right turn out of the resort and within a couple of miles you will run into the magical gates of Disney. We were very happy with the accommadations at the resorts and found them to be very spacious. Also what we enjoyed was the bonus of being allowed (because we were staying at the neighboring Marriott Resorts) to use the facilities at the World Center, specifically the pools and waterslide. Overall we enjoyed both resorts and the close proximity to everything Disney. Good luck on your decision.

 

[nexttripdisney]

We used to stay at Vistana Villages until we bought into DVC. We were very pleased with it. It was recently remodeled and the staff was great. All the 2br we stayed in had W&D.

The second br had two full size beds, it would be a very tight squeeze for two teens in each. There was also a sofa bed.

I'm also the mom of 4 boys! Ages 15, 13, 11 & 6

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We used to stay at Vistana Villages until we bought into DVC. We were very pleased with it. It was recently remodeled and the staff was great. All the 2br we stayed in had W&D.

The second br had two full size beds, it would be a very tight squeeze for two teens in each. There was also a sofa bed.

I'm also the mom of 4 boys! Ages 15, 13, 11 & 6

Do you remember if Vistana Villages has free parking? I am leaning to going there because looking at the websites, the other ones just guarantee sleeping for 6. While the boys aren't crazy about sharing a full size bed, they are used to it on vacation.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We used to stay at Vistana Villages until we bought into DVC. We were very pleased with it. It was recently remodeled and the staff was great. All the 2br we stayed in had W&D.

The second br had two full size beds, it would be a very tight squeeze for two teens in each. There was also a sofa bed.

I'm also the mom of 4 boys! Ages 15, 13, 11 & 6

Do you remember if Vistana Villages has free parking? That is where we are leaning. Looking at the websites, the other ones just guarantee sleeping for 6. The boys aren't crazy about sharing full size beds, but they are used to it on vacation-lol

 

[disneycrazzy]

We just returned from a 3 night trip at Vistana Villages. There was no parking fee. We had an apartment sized stackable washer and dryer that worked fine - just had to wash very small loads. They provided a small packet of laundry detergent along with a small dishwashing detergent bottle and 3 packets for the dishwasher.

We were pleased with the resort - especially at the DIS rate of $119 for 2 bedroom rate. We were in what I think was an unrenovated room but it was great. There were a few minor repair issues but none was very bothersome. I did leave a list when we checked out. These were very small issues (kitchen faucet leaked, bathroom shower door squeaked loudly, door to porch was difficult to lock, etc.). The biggest problem was that the refrigerator was not working when we got there. I called about it and it took them over an hour to come. By then I had guessed that it wasn't plugged in and it was easier than I expected to pull it out so I could plug it in.

The real difference was in how FANTASTIC the employees were. When I called to let them know about the frig, they were so apologetic. Then, when it took the repairman a while to get there, they called to apologize for that. Then, they called later to make sure that he had come and apologize again.

Without exception, every employee that we saw around the grounds smiled and spoke to us. The gentleman working the gate was SO friendly and helpful.

It is a time share so they'll invite you to a presentation breakfast but once you say that you're not interested they're fine. You'll get a welcome packet when you check in that has good coupons (one was for a free bloomin' onion at Outback).

It was about 20 minutes from Universal and a Publix Grocery store was very close. We were in room 4204.

I definitely recommend it.

 

[nexttripdisney]

Yes, parking was free. We never had any maintenance issues.

On one of our trips, we were in an unrenovated villa. It was just fine but the renovated villas are much prettier.

 

[swilshire]

My kids much prefer Sheraton Vistana (not Villages) and it would be a good choice for the teens. Lots to do and all in walking distance.

I can't imagine 4 adults and 4 teens in a 2br unit. I'd try to find a 3br or get another unit to put the kids in. Otherwise somebody is going to be on the sofa bed and that is never good unless everybody is on the same sleep schedule.

Sheila

 

[jeff968]

I have stayed at a few of these. If your Sheraton Vistana is the Villages and not the Resort I would stay there. It is newer and very nice. Sheraton Vistana Resort is okay but it is too big and has many older units so you don't know what you'll get. As a second choice I would take Marriott Sabal palm. Don't do the Royal as they really don't have a pool there and it is right next to the highway (see a map). You can use the World resort which is awesome. Stay away from the Liki. IMHO.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

My kids much prefer Sheraton Vistana (not Villages) and it would be a good choice for the teens. Lots to do and all in walking distance.

I can't imagine 4 adults and 4 teens in a 2br unit. I'd try to find a 3br or get another unit to put the kids in. Otherwise somebody is going to be on the sofa bed and that is never good unless everybody is on the same sleep schedule.

Sheila

We realize it is going to be crowded and the boys know 2 of them are going to be on the sleeper sofa ( we might brind a blow up mattress so 1 can sleep on the floor and not have 2 on the sofa). We come from a large family and are used to having 26 of us at my parents' 3 bed/2 bath house- lots of people on the floor there-lol! My boys ( including husband) are park open-close people ( and it is in June so hours will be long) so we really just need a place for them to crash. Now my sister and I will probably go back to the Vistana during the heat of the day to rest, relax and hang out at the pool!

Thanks everybody for all the advice and suggestions! I think we will probably go with the Vistana since it is the only 1 that guarantees sleeping for 8.

 

[keatonsmommy03]

I have stayed at a few of these. If your Sheraton Vistana is the Villages and not the Resort I would stay there. It is newer and very nice. Sheraton Vistana Resort is okay but it is too big and has many older units so you don't know what you'll get. As a second choice I would take Marriott Sabal palm. Don't do the Royal as they really don't have a pool there and it is right next to the highway (see a map). You can use the World resort which is awesome. Stay away from the Liki. IMHO.

I am booked for June for Liki for a week, got a really good deal on 2br, we were orginally staying at the music in two rooms but staying off property is saving us 600 so kinda hard to pass that up. Why do you say to stay away from Liki?

 

[swilshire]

Why do you say to stay away from Liki?

We were supposedly in a new building, but it was kind of dumpy and NOT CLEAN. I was pretty disappointed.

The housekeeping staff could not speak our language, so getting anything done was a hassle. DS17 has since learned to say "we need clean sheets" in Spanish, so we've got that covered for next time. Now I need for him to learn to say "the tub is filthy".

Sheila

 

[dhdozier]

Wow! A friend of mine who has a timeshare just booked a 3 bedroom at the end of June for my family to join hers at the Liki Tiki. The waterpark was what won her over to book it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will have a good time there. And about how far is it from Magic kingdom?

 

[wtpfan]

What's the best way to get a good deal on Sheraton Vistana?

 

[keatonsmommy03]

We were supposedly in a new building, but it was kind of dumpy and NOT CLEAN. I was pretty disappointed.

The housekeeping staff could not speak our language, so getting anything done was a hassle. DS17 has since learned to say "we need clean sheets" in Spanish, so we've got that covered for next time. Now I need for him to learn to say "the tub is filthy".

Sheila

LOL so how do you say we need clean sheets in spanish?

I am right in thinking that there are two types of rooms one for owners and one for nonowners? My MIL is friends with a woman who has the timeshare so would we be considered an owner or not and if there is the distinction why were yall if you dont mind me asking?

 

[*disgal*]

What's the best way to get a good deal on Sheraton Vistana?

I would say skyauction.com redweek.com or tug2.net.

I have stayed twice in the past with skyauction and the one trip coming up I have rented from an owner on tug.

For both tug and redweek you can browse for free but then I paid to join both to then contact the owners about the rentals.

This site (the DIS) also has deals from time to time at both Vistana resort and Vistana Villages.

 

[ccgirl]

The DIS has a good right as does mousesavers. Just a word about Vistana. It is actually closer to Sea World and Universal than WDW. I probably would not go back there for a mid day break. The Marriott's are much closer. Also, a lot of them indicate how many can sleep privately. That is probably why Marriott indicates 6.

 

[jeff968]

I am right in thinking that there are two types of rooms one for owners and one for nonowners? My MIL is friends with a woman who has the timeshare so would we be considered an owner or not and if there is the distinction why were yall if you dont mind me asking?

And I wonder which ones are the nicer ones??? If you are an owner, they already have you so why would they give you the nicer room? If you are not an owner and a potential owner then maybe you would get the nicer room as they'll want you to buy-in.

 

[*disgal*]

The DIS has a good right as does mousesavers. Just a word about Vistana. It is actually closer to Sea World and Universal than WDW. I probably would not go back there for a mid day break. The Marriott's are much closer. Also, a lot of them indicate how many can sleep privately. That is probably why Marriott indicates 6.

I think you are thinking about Vistana Villages......Vistana Resort is in Lake Buena Vista, very close to WDW. We've stayed there twice, with another trip coming up and going back to the resort was easy.

And most 2 bed at Vistana resort have 2 doubles in the second bedroom, it actually sleeps 8 with the sofabed....that's what we are staying in next month.

ETA sorry, I just realized you were indeed responding to a Vistana Villages post. I'm so confused for some reason. lol

Yes, Villages is closer to Seaworld/Universal

 

[ccgirl]

I think you are thinking about Vistana Villages......Vistana Resort is in Lake Buena Vista, very close to WDW. We've stayed there twice, with another trip coming up and going back to the resort was easy.

And most 2 bed at Vistana resort have 2 doubles in the second bedroom, it actually sleeps 8 with the sofabed....that's what we are staying in next month.

The Marriotts have 2 double beds in their second bedroom as well. Just, where the two on the couch don't have "private" sleeping it doesn't appear they sleep 8 but they most certainly do. Isn't Vistana Resort the one near I drive? I may certainly be confused. We usually stay over by Animal Kingdom but we stayed at the Marriott Harbour Lake this last time and we didn't go back to the room for a break as it was a bit of a hike - not far - just not as convenient. I thought I remembered seeing Vistana right next to us???