Sheraton Vistana was a treat!

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

We just got back from a trip staying at the Vistana from the 27th through the 3rd and the resort was just WONDERFUL. HIGHLY recommend it!
That being said. . . we were in the Cascades, ground floor, with a waterview.

We did do the Diamond Lane requests, and faxed our info. . . however, I'm not sure that had anything to do with it.
When we went to check in we were too early for Diamond Lane, (about 10:00am), they originally had us in Fountains (which we had listed as our third choice) which would have been just FINE, BUT I had requested either Lakes or Cascades any floor, or Fountains ground floor because of my grandfather's hip problem and they had given us third floor Fountains, that's why I'm not sure my requests were noticed. So, after calling around our check in lady (whom was very sweet) got us into the Cascades.
We were able to get into the room at 1:00pm, and were very very happy with it. It was clean, VERY clean (could smell the bleach), and it was within walking distance of the Cascades pool.
We drove around the resort a bit and I think I probably would have been happy with whatever section we would have gotten they all looked really nice, yes, some looked older, but not deteriorating or anything. I don't have high expectations though, and honestly am not picky especially when we spend so little time in the room anyways. It was just an added bonus that we had gotten such a nice room. So, I do think we have found our new Orlando home and will try and get this resort on future trips. Ofcourse, anywhere you stay will only be what you make of it. And if I was looking for trouble then there were things even in the Cascades section that some people would have thought appalling . . . . i.e. the shower pressure was very weak.

Next time I think we might actually spend some time at the resort!!!! lol. We only made it to the Cascades pool, and didn't do any of the activities, which I really thought there was a nice, HUGE selection of Kid's activities to do.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Oh, my husband also wanted me to thank this board or whomever gave the advice to use 536 to and from Disney. . . we found that to be the quickest easiest way versus going the DTD way.

 

[kilee]

Sounds like you had a great time. I am glad this resort worked out for you and thank you for the great review.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We drove around the resort a bit and I think I probably would have been happy with whatever section we would have gotten they all looked really nice, yes, some looked older, but not deteriorating or anything. I don't have high expectations though, and honestly am not picky especially when we spend so little time in the room anyways

Glad to hear you had a nice stay at Vistana
As for the older sections, they are very nice on the outside, but some of the decor inside is what turns people off. I stayed in the older Spas, and while the rooms were very large (bigger than the Cascades) and the views were wonderful, the decor/furniture etc was very dated. Felt like I was in an 80's time warp. Think pink sofas and tacky furniture. So I think one's experience (positive or negative) can be directly tied in with which section they are placed in. Especially those who have very high expectations or who are very picky. I own in the Fountains (which is 3rd newest section) and I've even heard people complain about that section, so I can only imagine what their experience would have been like had they gotten an older section. I think alot of people look at it from the perspective of---if 2 different people pay $150/night for a villa at Vistana and one gets placed in the Cascades and the other in the Spas, then how is that comparable/fair. I can totally understand this. I think it would be nice if Vistana charged less for the older rooms and people didn't have a hit or miss chance of being placed somewhere they weren't expecting. I certainly don't feel that Vistana should charge the same for the newer sections as for the oldest ones.
But then there are people like you who don't set the bar too high for Vistana and are pleased with just about everything. It's a great mindset to have. Hope your future vacations at Vistana are just as pleasent ! Thanks for the TR !

 

[Taratink]

Glad to hear that you had such a great stay. We will be there in 3 weeks and 6 days but who's counting.
Tara

 

[Del]

Very well put Maria--Goddess of Vistana! I agree.

Del

 

[coachyo]

Is this the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Lake Buena Vista?

I just found this place and was looking at the 2 bedroom villas. Do they have maid service? How far away is it from SW? Any restaraunts on site? Looking at 3 nights for end of trip. Cast is me DW, DD 13 & DD 10. What's the activities for them & us? What kind of pools do they have? Any really fun ones?
What should be a good rate for June for a sunday to wed?


Thanks, YO

 

[MiaSRN62]

Very well put Maria--Goddess of Vistana! I agree

Too funny Del.....but thanks

I just found this place and was looking at the 2 bedroom villas. Do they have maid service? How far away is it from SW? Any restaraunts on site? Looking at 3 nights for end of trip. Cast is me DW, DD 13 & DD 10. What's the activities for them & us? What kind of pools do they have? Any really fun ones?

Yes it is in Lake Buena Vista. They have midweek maid service. I believe you can pay extra to have "daily" service. edited to add : it's $30 per day to add daily maid service.
There are two restaurants onsite (small, but full service) : The Flamingo Cafe and Zimmies. You can check out the menus here: http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/dining.jsp?resortID=5
There's also an outside bar and grille as well as a Pizza Hut on the grounds. All offer room service to the villa.
Vistana offers many resort activities for children and adults including arts and crafts, kareoke, pool games etc. You can check out more here: http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/amenities.jsp?resortID=5

There are 7 different pools scattered throughout this rather large resort. One pool has a slide, there are 2 with zero depth entry and fountains, one has a waterfall and there are basic lap pools as well. Most pools have hot tubs nearby.

What should be a good rate for June for a sunday to wed?

I know there are some good websites like hotelkingdom.com that tend to offer lower rates than you can get from the resort directly. Because this is a timeshare resort though, some sites only offer weekly increment rentals. This site offers some decent rates (looks like they have the end of June for $169/night). http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_svistana.htm
I have seen people get it cheaper, and maybe someone else can point you in the right direction as far as websites etc.


Keep in mind, as stated above in prior posts, this resort has many different sections or neighborhoods. Some are older and some are practically brand new. See if you can book a specific section. Newest to oldest sections as follows : Cascades, Lakes, Fountains II, Fountains I, Springs, Palms, Spas, Falls, Courts.

Good luck and please feel free to ask if you have any further questions.
Hope this helped.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Oh, I agree about the pricing being unfair if paying standard room rates, some of the per night rates I've seen were scary and if I got a room that wasn't worth what I paid for it then I'd probably be upset.
But when one wins this through Skyauction, or trades RCI or II points for it and pays a cheap rate then I would think getting a section that is worth MORE than one paid is icing on the cake.
I paid about $400 for my week, so I would have been happy with an older section for that price.
I was raised staying at "flea hotels" so that's why my expectations on a room aren't too terribly high as long as it has a bed and bathroom the rest is just "gravy".

 

[MiaSRN62]

I paid about $400 for my week, so I would have been happy with an older section for that price.

I agree Raevyn ! That averages out to less than $60 a night ! I wouldn't complain about getting the Courts either if I had that weekly rate. I paid $160/night once for the Spas and I complained big time---got a full refund. But for getting the Cascades for that rate-----wow....falling off my chair over that one !
May I ask how you got such a low rate ? Was it on skyauction ?

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

I used my dad's RCI points. . . and paid the costs for him to use them $100, for the guest certificate $50, the money it cost for him to allocate the points from one year to the next $100, and we figured out what the maintenance cost was for that portoin of his points $150.

I *might* have gotten it cheaper or about the same using Skyauction, off season and all, I've seen a couple people here post killer deals, but my dad has trouble using all his points so I thought I'd *help* him out, lol.

 

[MiaSRN62]

but my dad has trouble using all his points so I thought I'd *help* him out, lol.

Well, sounds like those points were put to excellent use !

 

[coachyo]

MiaSRN62,
Thank you for your very helpful information. I got to look at the websites you provided. It looks like a very fun place to end our vacatioin. I am wondering how I make sure I am in the newer sections as you suggested. I will be checking allears as you suggested.


Thanks, YO

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am wondering how I make sure I am in the newer sections as you suggested. I will be checking allears as you suggested.

Hi Yo ~
Unfortunately, there's no sure way to get the newer sections. Vistana reserves the final right to place you where they want. My suggestions and maybe your best hope for the newer Lakes or Cascades would be :
1) When making your reservation on the phone, make sure you request the Cascades or Lakes (tell them you want a building with an elevator)
2) Back this request up with Vistana's online request form : https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
Fill this in maybe 2-3 weeks prior to arrival. Again, request "Cascades or Lakes/elevator buildings". Print the request out and have it with you when you check-in at Vistana. The Diamond Lane check-in desk is just to the left of the regular check-in and it is usually shorter.

Being that you are not an RCI exchanger, you probably have a better chance at getting the newer section.
Good luck !

 

[coachyo]

miaSRN62,
thanks for the info, if we go for this place I'll use your info. You are a wealth of information. I will ask more questions later, I'm sure.

Thanks, YO

 

[wallyrock]

We just returned from the vistana resort feb 6-12.We stayed in the cascades with a 1 bdrm premium rm it was very nice and clean.Daily maid service was included and we booked through travelocity for $420.We will definetly go back again.

 

[vhoffman]

Well I just got off the phone booking a 4 night stay at this property. For a 2bdr, 2 bath suite its $150 total for four nights! The catch is we have to attend a timeshare presentation, but for such a bargain its acceptable. I'm glad to read such good reviews. We wish we could get a few more nights, but this particular deal is good for 4 nights only. We could book additional nights at rack rate, maybe we will do so. Even four nights is a fair amount of timefor a mini-vacation. DH's work schedule doesn't allow for much more. We will have enough time to hit the highlights. Sounds like a deal!

BTW, has anyone attended one of their ts presentations and how was it? High pressure?

 

[chrisann]

When are you going and where did you book it through?

 

[MiaSRN62]

BTW, has anyone attended one of their ts presentations and how was it? High pressure?

Attended 3x in 10 years (last was in 2000). We found it high pressure.....particularily the last one we attended and we will never do it again because of that. But if you're willing to go through some stress ---our 90 min presentation lasted about 2 1/2 hours in 2000 (not our choice)---then you'll be ok. Just be prepared to say "no" alot if you're not interested in purchasing. Have a nice stay at Vistana. I'm hoping they put you in either the Lakes or Cascades section for that deal.

 

[monkeybum]

Can you tell me where the pools are that are zero depth entry, (what buildings they are near)? We're trying to figure out the best building/section to be in with a 2 year old toddler.

Can't wait - we are going in March. Still have to book our room though.

Anyone used Redweek before?

Kathy.