The difference between Sheraton Vistana Villages and Resort???

[lakerz5]

We have 3 boys ages 16,14 and 9 and have received a good deal for both the Vistana Villages and Resort.

Which is better for teens and which building do you recommend????

thanks for your help

 

[Taratink]

We have stayed at both. The Villages are closer to seaworld and it is a medium sized resort. It was really quite there and low key. All the areas in the Villages are in good shape. There are some new buildings but the older villas are really nice too. Check in was 10 minutes.
The Vistana Resort is huge and really busy. Checkin took an hour. The newer units here are really nice but the older ones are not unless they were recently renovated. I was always afraid to get an older unit there. The are many activities here for kids and you are close to downtown disney. If you knew you were going to get a newer unit you would like it here. I heard that there were a bunch of renovations schedule for this resort.
Hope that helps.

 

[lakerz5]

thanks so much..I really appreciate your perspective

 

[FlFairygirl32405]

We toured the Villages a few weeks ago while staying at the Vistana. I didn't see much at all for the kids in terms of activities. There is a new pool that was under construction that was supposed to have a pirate ship. The Vistana had game rooms, basketball courts, several pools, and put-put golf. We have a ten year old and an 8 year old and I know they would much rather stay at the Vistana than the Villages.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The Vistana Resort is huge and really busy. Checkin took an hour.

Honestly, been staying at Vistana for 14 years ever year. Never have I waited more than 10-15 min. I use the Diamond Lane check-in which anyone can use if they fill out the Diamond Lane form prior to their arrival.
https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01&IM=SVO_RC_DIA_SVR

I've never stayed at the Villages so I can't compare. I do believe the main Vistana is a more "lively", "active" resort for lack of better words. They have activities at the Vistana like : tie dye shirt making, pool games, teen video tournaments, H2O volleyball, Evening Under the Stars which is family movie night at Cascades pool (they showed Snow Dogs the night we were there).....they do have the volleyball and basketball courts too.....
Lots of stuff for adults too : casino night, bingo night, Wii tournament for adults and seniors only, beer tasting, Teas Hold Em Night, Kareoke (kids do this too).

Lots really. The main Vistana does offer room service too. They provide a limited menu from Zimmies, Pizza Hut and the new Marketplace (general store), which includes a roasted chicken meal including corn and biscuits. At least they did this past August.

But honestly, having never stayed at Villages, I can't compare ???

Maria

 

[wdwfan101]

I have timeshares at both. If I had teenagers, I'd go to the Vistana Resort rather than Villages as there are more activities there. Villages, while it has a very good pool and some activities, has some of its restaurants and stores under renovation (as of this past December).

When you make your reservation at Vistana Resort, ask if you can have Lakes or Cascades section or a recently-renovated unit in one of the older sections.

 

[lakerz5]

What types of activities are available??

 

[MiaSRN62]

Villages, while it has a very good pool and some activities, has some of its restaurants and stores under renovation (as of this past December).

Does anyone know what specific restaurants and stores are being added since this question comes up frequently ?
I don't see any mention of it on the owner's website.

The Villages does appear to have basketball and tennis courts though from what I can tell. And I'll attempt to post the resort map here, but not sure if you need to be signed in as an owner to view it ?
https://www.mystarcentral.com/CMS/en_US/svo_media/CMSMedia/PDF/resort_maps/svv_resort_map.pdf


And the Villages weekly activities example (hope u all can view this)
https://www.mystarcentral.com/CMS/e...ties/Sheraton_Vistana_Villages/SVV_Weekly.pdf


The main Vistana's activity calendar :
https://www.mystarcentral.com/CMS/e...vities/Sheraton_Vistana_Resort/SVR_Weekly.pdf


Hope this helps....and hope u can all view these without being signed in......

Maria

 

[MiaSRN62]

What types of activities are available??

lakerz5....please see my post above yours (#5) for a sample list........

Maria

 

[lakerz5]

oh my gosh..you are sooo helpful..I can see all the activities..Is there are website so I can see what is available in the evenings for teens at both places..without bothering you of course

It seems like the activities for my boys are comparable at both resorts. There is a $10 difference between the 2 resorts with Vistana Resort being the less expensive site. But the accomodations seem from the reviews to be better at the Villages.

We are a bit more familiar with the Publix and Walgreens location as well since that is where we have shopped in the past. But I'm sure we could find the Vistana Resort if it was better for our needs.

thanks so much for your help!

 

[MiaSRN62]

lakerz5 : Is there are website so I can see what is available in the evenings for teens at both places..without bothering you of course

I posted a couple links in my post #8. I'm not sure whether or not you'll be able to open/view them without an owner's ID though ? Please check them out and let me know if they work for you.


Maria

 

[lakerz5]

yes I can see the schedules ..they are terrific activites, but they end at 2:30pm. it is as far as I can scroll, but I don't know why. I cant scroll down the entire schedule.was wondering what was offered in the evenings as far as activities go..like if there was something on a website.

I had been searching "activity list at Sheraton Vistana Villages" and getting more review type info that an activity schedule..I believe the kids will have some fun activities at night. My 2 oldest are Karaoke nuts!! so perhaps something like that will be available

 

[MiaSRN62]

Glad u can see it.

It's a pdf file. When you can't get any further than 2:30 pm, click right on the schedule and a scroll bar will appear that will allow u to scroll all the way down through the evening.

Maria

 

[torquelover]

The Resort has a lot for kids to do. My wife especially likes the pool, the new(er) deli, and everyone liked the bike rentals. Downtown Disney very close by, and getting to the Transportation Center is easy. There is also a Cici's Pizza across the street. My only complaint is parking is a nightmare sometimes, and some of the condos are in need of refurbishing, like some have said. We have a 2-bedroom lock-off in Cascades. The Cascades is very close to the main office and the main pool, but it will be one of the last for refurbishing. There are also activities planned all week long for the kids. We will go back in June staying in the smaller side of the lock-off, so I'll use that for my first TR.

 

[MiaSRN62]

My only complaint is parking is a nightmare sometimes, and some of the condos are in need of refurbishing, like some have said. We have a 2-bedroom lock-off in Cascades.

I have never considered parking a nightmare. In 14 years of stays, we have always been able to park directly in front of our villa, or at worst, maybe 4-5 spots down (still a mere steps from our villa).

I wonder if because you stay in the Cascades this is why you are having problems ? I have repeatedly said over the years, that while the Cascades is the newest section at the Vistana, it is also in the more bustling area of the resorts generally. Otherwise, I don't know why parking would be an issue. Every villa has one coordinating parking space and most people prefer to park closest to their villas.

I own in the Fountains sections.....and it is a bit more quiet over there with the Lakes section too.

The refurbishing is well under way....and these are major rehabs. The sections that are already completed or will be complete by June this year will be :
Lakes (done)
Fountains (done)
Fountains II (done)
Falls
Springs

Cascades is on the schedule as well, but was probably the least in need of it anyway.

So really, we're left with the Courts, Spas and Palms. These three sections have all voted for the remodel but won't be complete until :

Courts : Aug-Dec 2010
Cascades : May '09 to May '10
Spas : April '10 to Jan '11
Cannot find any dates for the Palms.

Maria

 

[lakerz5]

well my clicking isn't working so I will have my oldest boy help me out tonight after work.

thanks for all your help!!!

 

[BigMike10]

and loved them both. Villages is smaller and only a little further away from Disney than Vistana Resort -maybe 5 minutes tops. There are basketball and tennis courts at both resorts. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[popsynic]

Hope this helps....and hope u can all view these without being signed in......

Maria

Hi - do you have alink to the Sherton Vistana Resport MAp as a PDF by any chance

Advance thanks

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here are the links to the maps....but I'm not sure if you need to be an owner to access them because they are on the owner site ?
https://www.mystarcentral.com/flash/maps/01/map.html

If the link doesn't work, PM me with your email address and I can send them as attachments.

Maria

 

[popsynic]

Thats fab - thanks so much. Prsume the different colour numbers on buildings signify some kind of difference?