Star Island STR

[jdm]

Hi

Search is down and I'm wondering about this resort. Is anyone familiar? Can you tell me the difference between STR and VBR? Which is more preferable? Which is closest to the pool? We are looking at the possibility of a trade into a 3 bedroom STR. What is attracting to me to this resort is that it is a 3 bedroom which is hard to find on a last minute trade.

I'm not that familiar with Orlando locations and I know it's by 192. We have stayed at Vistana and Cypress Harbour. In reference to these resorts, is it in any their same areas- (I'm completely location challenged)?! Is it in the same league as the two above mentioned resorts, quality wise?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone,
Jenn

 

[spiceycat]

Marriott are far better!!!

Hilton has 3-bedroom - do you try them?

there are many complaints on tug - but the last one would bother me - they stayed in a 3-bedroom and it had roaches....

now it is Florida and you will have some bugs - but the management did not seem to take their complaints seriously - and once roaches start - it is really hard to get rid of them....

the other reviews were fine.

who are you exchanging thru - II or RCI? RCI also has Orange Lake.

the rating on tug looks fine 8.16 out of a 10.

marriott' cypress harbour has 9.24 - it is the highest rated Marriott in WDW area, and the Sheraton's Vistana Resort has a 8.69.

I know the Sheraton's Vistana Resort has some complaints against it.

the difference is STR is the orginial resort

VBR is the Fairfield newer part

according to the reviews the older part is better(???) the selection without the elevators(???)

now it is much further from WDW than the other two - they were within a mile - this resort is further - off US192 - 8.61 to the EPcot resorts - so Epcot would be a little farther - but that is probably right for Studios. MK would be further - AK might be closer depending upon the route you took.

the distance came from mapquest

 

[Lisa P.]

The TUG ratings are as quoted above, except Fairfield Star Island is rated midway between Star Island and Vistana Resort. We stayed at Star Island in 1998 and at Vistana Resort (Lakes section) in 1999. If you will be primarily traveling with adults, I think you may enjoy Star Island as much as Vistana. Though Star Island does offer some kids' activities, it's geared more toward adults. Vistana varies a lot thoughout its sections.

The Star Island buildings closest to the pool area are: 40, 39, 14, 28 & 11, in that order. One nice feature is that guests have visiting privileges at the (older) Clarion resort across the street, which has a modest indoor pool and adjoining restaurant - pretty good in bad weather.

Vistana Resort is closer to Lake Buena Vista, east of WDW. Cypress Harbour is in Orlando, closer to Sea World, northeast of WDW. Star Island is in east Kissimmee, about 5-6 miles from the entrance to World Drive. Now that Rte. 192 construction is completed, this is not a bad drive, maybe 15 minutes to the Epcot or MGM parking lots. If you hate traffic lights, Star Island is only about a block or two from Poinciana Blvd, which has an entrance to the Osceola Parkway, a 50¢ toll road that's very direct.

Jenn, Cypress Harbour is one of the better timeshare resorts out there. The combination of nice rooms, lush landscaping, most rooms overlooking a good-sized lake with boat rentals and fishing, abundant onsite recreation for all ages, convenience foods onsite... really, it's pretty hard to beat. Vistana Resort has a mix of newer and older rooms, so it's not quite as consistently nice. However, it offers a more diverse activity list than most resorts and would be a close second to CH, if you have kids of different ages, especially teens.

Star Island is more geared toward adults and I would consider a return stay there when numerous kids' resort activities are not a high priority. The Mediterranean decor is not my preference but the 3BR units are HUGE and very comfortable, IMHO.

Until the TUG review (from last May) that mentioned the problem with bugs, I would have put it very close to Vistana for adults traveling to the area. Considering all the reports recently of bugs in so many top resorts in the area (even Disney resorts), it's hard to advise based on one bad, posted experience (though it seemed very bad, indeed). HTH some.

 

[jdm]

Thank you very much for both your replies. Lisa P. I was hoping you would reply as you seem so knowledgable on all the timeshares.

We are trading through II. I'm researching now to do a flexchange next week when we are within the 59 day window, (going on 2/7) The reason I was looking at Star is because it popped up on a Getaway for less than $300 for the week for a 3 bedroom which I thought was a great deal.

I know it's silly but when we go to Orlando dh always drives and I just never pay attention. He always seems to go a different route to the same places which makes it even harder for me to keep my bearings! I had no clue where this resort was!

We will be traveling with 2 kids dd11 and dn13. Also, my 20 year old dd will probably be joining us which is why the 3 bedroom was looking appealing.

We enjoyed Cypress Harbour last year, but surprisingly my family seemed to like Vistana better. We stayed in Fountains the year before and the kids absolutely loved the bedroom they had. It was huge with 2 double beds. We also had the pool right outside our patio doors which was great for them. Cypress Harbour had a much smaller second bedroom with an awkward setup for the hideabed and bed. They felt very cramped in there.

Anyway, I'm going to keep checking. I notice Vistana keeps showing up and when I click on book and follow the prompts, it always specifies the Lakes / Cascades sections of the resort. Like everyone, I'm always paranoid of being put in a lousy section. The first time we traded there, we were with RCI, but now it's II which I'm hearing gives us a better chance with a trade into the more desirable sections.

Anyway, I'm going on and on...!

Thanks for the info on Star Island. I apprecaite it.

Jenn

 

[Lisa P.]

With the ages of your kids, if they would be okay in a 2BR, then I'd really prefer Vistana over Star Island. Lakes and Cascades are both very nice (Cascades is newer, Lakes has slightly larger rooms). Wish you well in your search!

 

[jdm]

It looks like now a friend of the family wants to join us so we are going to need a 3 bedroom. I'm looking closer at Star Island as it seems to show more availability. Problem is I can't seem to clarify Star Island STR from Star Island VBR. I understand that one of them is owned by Fairfield. When both sections come up for Getaways, I'm unclear which one I should choose to get the best accomodations with the potential (I know no garuantees) to be the closest to the pool and clubhouse area. I called Star directly and I couldn't understand the person I was speaking to (ESL) and I posted on Tug but didn't get the information there. I have a great map of the resort but still don't know, which buildings are which for booking. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it!!

Thanks
Jenn

 

[Lisa P.]

I've read one review (from the year 2000) where the person said, "Please know that there is no difference between Fairfield Star Island (VBR)and Star Island (STR). This is all the same property with the two newer buildings being recognized as "VBR"." More newer buildings have been added since the year 2000, so I don't know which are included in this. There is definitely only one front desk and lobby. I believe that the front desk would have the ability to assign or reassign any unit at the resort unless an owner owned a fixed week in the older buildings and they were using their own week.

Also, according to another review, the FF buildings are apparently the 6-story buildings with elevators. The older buildings are only 2 stories w/o elevators, located nearer the pool area. We stayed in one of those (years ago) and found everything well-maintained at that time.

Here is the Fairfield Star Island webpage with a Resort Tour & Photos, which has a link at the bottom of the page to a resort site map showing the building locations. HTH. Have a fun trip!

 

[jdm]

Yes, that does help. I'm thinking then, in order to be closer to the pool, I'd be better off to reserve STR. I just find it confusing to have two different names to the same resort. On TUG the reviews are exactly the same under 2 different resort headings. Anyway! You've been really helpful and I appreciate your replies.

Thanks again,
Jenn