Shuttle at Vistana REsort?

[Fargoman2]

OK...In order to economize, we are staying off-site at Vistana Resort (through a SPG promotion) I'd rather stay on site as usual, but we are already committed to this plan, so no need to talk us out of it.

I'm just wondering...how bad/inconvenient is the shuttle service to the parks? I'm thinking we should rent a car, but geez...looking at the rates I've found...I'm awfully tempted to roll the dice with the shuttle or consider the cab option....otherwise to get a mini-van, it's pushing $400/week!

Any thoughts please?

 

[PottersMom]

OK...In order to economize, we are staying off-site at Vistana Resort (through a SPG promotion) I'd rather stay on site as usual, but we are already committed to this plan, so no need to talk us out of it.

I'm just wondering...how bad/inconvenient is the shuttle service to the parks? I'm thinking we should rent a car, but geez...looking at the rates I've found...I'm awfully tempted to roll the dice with the shuttle or consider the cab option....otherwise to get a mini-van, it's pushing $400/week!

Any thoughts please?

I would also like to know about the shuttle if anyone has any info. We are staying at vistana because my parents are letting us borrow their timeshare. We will have our own car because we are driving, but I remember the last time we stayed off property they charged something like $10 or $12 for a day's parking. That adds up pretty quick too.

 

[wdwfan101]

Each time I've gone to the Vistana, I've rented a car. It's only a 7 minute drive to the Epcot parking lot and a few minutes more to MK. I've stayed at some other places off-site and waited 2-3 times that just for the bus.

I've checked the Sheraton Vistana web site and I can't tell if they offer a shuttle, whether free or not.

Parking is free at the Vistana, as compared to some other off-site resorts. When you check in, you get a parking hang-tag which is good for the duration of your stay with no limit on in/out.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Rent a car. The shuttle at Vistana does not have convenient times----especially if you have used wdw busses onsite. No comparision. Disney runs their busses/boats constantly on 15-20 min schedules. Will not get that at Vistana.
The last I checked the Vistana shuttle service (and keep in mind, depending on where your villa is, you could have a big hike to the shuttle stop (there is only one at the front of the resort) :

The shuttle service is as follows :
7:55 am
9 am
11 am
12 noon

then pick up later in day :
4:30 pm
6 pm
8 pm
9 pm
and at park closing

They changed the charges too. The cost :
DIsney parks : $9
Universal : $11
Sea World : $8

These prices are round trip for ages 3 and up per day ! Renting a car would be much cheaper and MUCH more convenient and efficient.

 

[charlielinda]

You may want to take a look at priceline. I've always had wonderful experiences with them. Go to biddingfortravel.com to review the prices in orlando and then go to priceline.com. I always use them in Orlando and get the best rates! Have a great trip. FYI -- we have stayed at Vistana and had a great time.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Go to biddingfortravel.com to review the prices in orlando and then go to priceline.com. I always use them in Orlando and get the best rates! Have a great trip. FYI -- we have stayed at Vistana and had a great time.

Always wondered about priceline for car rentals. I have a really high rate for our August trip. If I were to bid, do I get a choice of a rental agency inside the Orlando airport vs outside ? I don't want one outside. Thanks for any information.

 

[wdwfan101]

Wow, I didn't know the shuttle cost that much from the Vistana! Makes a rental vehicle worthwhile.

I usually rent from Hertz as I get a good AAA discount. They are off-airport but the shuttle buses (free this time!) run very frequently from the terminal to the Hertz location about a half mile north of the airport. The time to get there doesn't take as long as going through the paper work and waiting in the line at the exit of the rental facility. I've had slower service at on-airport rental locations than many off-site.

 

[MiaSRN62]

They are off-airport but the shuttle buses (free this time!) run very frequently from the terminal to the Hertz location about a half mile north of the airport. The time to get there doesn't take as long as going through the paper work and waiting in the line at the exit of the rental facility. I've had slower service at on-airport rental locations than many off-site.

While I do appreciate the above advice, I do not like offsite car rental agencies for the following reasons and situations :
1) We have a late flight going to FL. I've had LOTS (and I mean LOTS) of experience with flight delays. In December, we were supposed to land at 9:30 pm....but due to a flight delay, we landed at midnight. I was thankful we rented from Dollar as they are in-airport and were still open at close to 1 am. Life saver. This is just one example. This has happened a few times to us.

2) the last time I rented from Hertz (I think 2000 ?), we had a BIG problem. The shuttle broke down near the offsite office on the day we were dropping the car off to return home. We almost missed our flight home because we had to wait for another shuttle to come and pick us up. Picture us....running through the airport as they were announcing final boarding. I was dragging the kids and carryons....my mil could barely make it. I thought she was going to collapse. That experience just really spooked me to offsite rental agencies.

So....does anyone know how late Hertz stays open if our flight is delayed ?

 

[wdwfan101]

The off-site Hertz location north of the airport is open 24 hours. While I haven't been there late at night, I've dropped off a car at 5:30am and they were open and the shuttle left in a few minutes.

I agree with you about not wanting to risk missing your flight from an off-site rental return.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The off-site Hertz location north of the airport is open 24 hours. While I haven't been there late at night, I've dropped off a car at 5:30am and they were open and the shuttle left in a few minutes.

Thank you for this info.