Sheraton Vistana Villages ?

[heathiemac]

Help- I am really torn. Right now I have reservations at Cornado Springs (on site) last time we stayes CBR and it was very nice...but I really don't enjoy sleeping right next to my kids for 7 nights nor do I like to go to bed when they do. SO I was thinking about trying the Vistana Villages so we have a little more room and privacy. Does the Vistana have a water slide at any of their pools ? How hard is it to get from the villages to the parks ? Does it take long ? I do like staying on site and I find the buses very convienent and you don't have to do anything but get on.
Anybody have any advice or opinions ?
Thanks
Heather

 

[2xDisneyDad]

We stayed at VV about 2 years ago while it was undergoing a ton of construction, hopefully thats over. We did enjoy it and while there was no water slide the pool was large, heated and had waterfalls with a zero entry section.

We did get a great deal as we were asked to stay for a time share pitch. Normally I do not do these, but we got a 2BR 2 bath villa for 9 bucks for 5 days! Tough to beat . I actually like where it is located on the quiet end of I drive and it was about a 15 min. drive to Disney. Seaworld is less then 5.

I think it all depends on what your priorities will be for the trip.

Steve

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Have you considered renting DVC points? You can stay on site and have privacy too.

 

[snappy]

We just got back from VV on the time share, although we paid more, $149 after the $100 gift, for 4 days in a 2 br.

It has a great pool complex, the large pool with the waterfall (which was NOT heated when we were there), and a smaller pooler that was nice and warm. There are also two large hot tubs.

We stayed in one of the new buildings (27), that was so far from the pool we drove. We had a terrible view as the view was of the construction site for the new pool complex that they decided to postpone until all the building construction is finished.

The unit was nice, clean, quite a bit smaller than OKW 2 BR that we stayed in after we checked out. The closets were terribly small, the living room also felt squished.

It is just a drive down 536 to International Dr., and close to a Publix, Walgreens, McDonalds, etc. Also, it is very handy to the airport.

If it had Disney transport, it would be great, but I will never stay there again with teens who are on a deifferent schedule than us. It was very trying, but that was our problem, not Vistana's. Once we got to OKW, the teens could come and go as they wished and all was well.

 

[Lisa BC]

Hi!

I think that it is great that you are considering an offsite stay! I don't think you will regret it at all. It has been about 15 years since we stayed at Vistana Resort... it its was a great stay. We've never stayed at the Villages. There are lots of threads about Vistana on this board, so just search through them.

If you are really interested in a water slide, I would suggest that you try Windsor Hills. (www.windsorhillsrent.com) Unlike Vistana, each unit is owned by a private owner, which is why the rates vary a little from owner to owner. On the other hand, you know exactly what unit you will be renting. Depending on the time of year, you can rent a 2 bedroom condo for $75 -90 per night, and a 3 bedroom townhouse, with its own private splash pool for $90 - $110 per night. Windsor Hills is about a 5 minute drive to AK, 10 min to EP & MGM, and 15 minutes to MK. Driving has its advantages, at least you aren't standing in the heat waiting for the bus to come... or having to ride standing up with your young kids because the bus is crowded.

We are renting a home with its own pool and hot tub for our November trip. No walking to the pool, no sharing the hot tub... no fighting for a lounge chair... and we get to park at our door. We are really excited!

Renting points from a DVC owner is a possibility. Again, depending on the time of year you can rent a 1 bedroom (kids would have to sleep on the sleeper sofa in the living room) for around $175 per night including tax, that's like a hotel rate of $155 per night. OKW is lovely, we have rented there in the past and really enjoyed it. But it is relatively pricey compared to offsite condos. The weekend nights (Fri & Sat) cost about twice as much, so we'd move to another property for those nights to help our budget.

Recent posters report a good stay at Liki Tiki as well with its water park atmosphere.

Good luck! You'll have a great time no matter if you decide to stay at CSR or if you opt to go offsite. It is Disney!

Lisa

 

[TwistofLemon]

We stayed at the Vistana in November 2006 and could not have been more pleased! The rooms were huge, clean and comfortable. I really prefer being able to spread out in an apartment rather than cramming a bunch of stuff and people into one or two hotel rooms.
I really liked what we got for the $$
Getting to WDW was very easy. I'm not sure of the exact directions right now, but it seemed like we had a couple of miles, couple of turns, and there we were.
Sorry, I can't help with the pool/water slide question. I bet if you gave Vistana a call they'd be glad to tell you about all their features.

 

[Weegl]

Stayed there twice over the years, most recently for 7 nights in early December '06.

No water slide but pool is huge with waterfall features, ping pong, and other games to check out. Basketball court is also close by the pool.

Easy drive to Disney, takes about 15 minutes.

We love staying in the 2 bedrooms for exactly the same reason as the OP stated. To us, its not much of a vacation if we are all in the same room for a long time. One or two nights okay, but a week?

 

[raylojr]

Hello,
We have stayed at coronado springs and vistana villages and they are both great. I suggest you try vistana villages. We just returned from a 4 night stay and enjoyed it very much. Our kids are teens and we needed the extra room. Thanks to the members of this forum for all their information.
We played tennis,basketball,billiards. We swam in both pools. The rooms were
large and clean. We stayed in the keys and our room overlooked the pool.
The staff was friendly and helpful.

 

[madge]

does anyone remember what cookware is supplied in the units? bakeware?

 

[jeff968]

We stayed there a few years ago and found it to be very nice. I thought the grounds were beautiful, the pool was very nice, the unit was great. They only had a small store when we were there so not much in the way of food. Nice location on I-drive. We would go back.