Sheraton Vistana Villages -- best nearby restaurants?

[jessny]

We have reservations at the Sheraton Vistana Villages this fall.

Any recommendations on good family friendly restaurants nearby? I am not familiar with that area, since we've only stayed on-site in the past. We're not huge on buffets (though Sweet Tomatoes might be an exception...I want to try that). We have your typical Applebee's, Olive Garden, LongHorn, Chili's here.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

 

[Detailor]

I recommend Bahama Breeze. There are two that are close by, one on Vineland Ave about 2 1/2 miles from Vistana Villages (our preference) and there's one up International Drive four or five miles (it's on the right just after Pointe Orlando).

The absolute closest restaurant to the resort is Benihana - basically across the street, about a quarter mile.

You might try the Orlando Ale House - there are several in the Orlando/Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee area but I think that the closest is about three miles from the resort on the Winter Garden-Vineland Road in Lake Buena Vista.

Though somewhat expensive, Raglan Road in Downtown Disney is a fun restaurant.

A bit further away but probably no more than 10 miles from the resort, in Celebration there's The Celebration Town Tavern, great family place.

There are literally dozens of restaurants that are within a few miles of this resort.

Dick Taylor

 

[karalgriffin]

I have been wondering the same thing. We are arriving Dec 7th. Is Downtown Disney walkable? I've seen that they're installing a new pedestrian bridge with the Downtown Disney renovation.

 

[Detailor]

I have been wondering the same thing. We are arriving Dec 7th. Is Downtown Disney walkable? I've seen that they're installing a new pedestrian bridge with the Downtown Disney renovation.

It's about 4 miles from Vistana Villages to Downtown Disney. Could you walk that distance? Probably (in an hour fifteen to an hour and a half or so depending on how fast you walk). Would you want to? I'd think not. Would it be advisable along the shortest route? No, not really.

While there are sidewalks covering most, but not all, of the distance, you would eventually have to cross both an I-4 entrance area and an I-4 exit area along the way. Lot's of traffic along both Vineland Ave and SR-535; same for Hotel Plaza Boulevard that leads up to Downtown Disney but at least along that stretch the sidewalk is set back a bit from the roadway. And you do have to cross multi-lane International Drive at or nearly at the beginning of the journey.

Dick Taylor

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have reservations at the Sheraton Vistana Villages this fall.

Any recommendations on good family friendly restaurants nearby? I am not familiar with that area, since we've only stayed on-site in the past. We're not huge on buffets (though Sweet Tomatoes might be an exception...I want to try that). We have your typical Applebee's, Olive Garden, LongHorn, Chili's here.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

Not sure if you are travelling as just a couple or with young kids, but we had a ball at Dicks Last Resort (across the street from the main portion of the Premium Outlets on Vineland, and very close to the Vistana Villages). Food was fabulous, service was superb, and the meal and atmosphere was a real hoot (though not for those with a less-than-rigorous sense of humor....their motto is Service With Sarcasm).

Disclaimer: probably not a good place to take the wee ones, if you are travelling with small children. Its just not a traditional family establishment by any stretch. For a fun-loving couple, though....I think it would be an awesome choice.

 

[bankr63]

It's about 4 miles from Vistana Villages to Downtown Disney. Could you walk that distance? Probably (in an hour fifteen to an hour and a half or so depending on how fast you walk). Would you want to? I'd think not. Would it be advisable along the shortest route? No, not really.

While there are sidewalks covering most, but not all, of the distance, you would eventually have to cross both an I-4 entrance area and an I-4 exit area along the way. Lot's of traffic along both Vineland Ave and SR-535; same for Hotel Plaza Boulevard that leads up to Downtown Disney but at least along that stretch the sidewalk is set back a bit from the roadway. And you do have to cross multi-lane International Drive at or nearly at the beginning of the journey.

Dick Taylor

Same distance, but a bit safer and quieter, you could walk over the I-4 on the new Daryl Carter Parkway overpass (formerly Fenton St?) and down Palm Parkway. This new overpass is almost directly across from SVV. Not as busy, but as Dick indicates, still a significant walk and there are 3-4 major intersections to traverse.

 

[jessny]

Thank you very much for the responses! We were traveling with two young kids, so we stuck to the family friendly places.

Bahama Breeze was awesome! I'd been to one years ago in PA but never since. This is the perfect chain restaurant on a vacation trip. Two entrees, two kids' meals, one Bahama Mama and desserts for all for $75!

I will add we also took the kids to Cici's Pizza, which we don't have in NY. I had found a Groupon for it, so for $15 for 4, it served its purpose. By no means gourmet, but so convenient with exhausted little ones!

Gina, I'd love to check out Dick's when we have the grandparents along to babysit another time! This was our first off-site stay, so we were happy to see what else is out there!