Review The Sheraton Vistana Resort Thread (key links on p.1)

[My2CrazyGirls]

We just got back from 8 nights at the Sheraton Vistana. Before I comment further, I am a huge fan of SVR and we have had GREAT vacations there in the past. My father is an owner of a 2 BR unit in the Fountains section. We stayed in a 1 BR Unit in the Lakes section this trip. We did have a balcony.

I found the 1BR Unit to be too cramped for my family 4 (two teenage daughters). The bathroom was especially tiny. There wasn't enough drawer space for clothes, so the kids spent the whole trip living out of their suitcases which were shoved underneath the pulled out sofa bed when we weren't tripping on them on the floor. Additionally, the wear and tear on the unit was very evident (sliding door in the Master BR closet did not slide well, the toilet paper holder in the bathroom had obviously been run into several times). The unit was also not well maintained IMO - very evident black mildew/mold in the calking between the toilet and bath tub, low water pressure in the toilet meant that the tank took forever to fill between flushes and never really seemed to flush well. I could feel the springs/coils as I slept on the Master Bedroom mattress - it obviously needed to be replaced (versus last June when we stayed in the Cascades we loved, loved, loved the mattress!).

We've had GREAT vacations at SVR in the past, but the experience we had in the 1BR Lakes unit made me realize why SVR gets such mixed reviews on sites like TripAdvisor. If this stay had been my only experience with SVR, I would have reviewed it only as adequate at best.

I don't mean to scare you, Gina, but if it were me, I would be calling SVR looking to upgrade the 1BR unit you won on Sky Auction to a 2BR unit.

I am a little concerned about this. We are staying 5 nights the week before Easter on SPG points so I could only book a 1 bedroom. We are a family of 4. I called the resort and asked if a 1 bedroom was big enough for 4 and she said it was plenty big. It is possible we will be upgraded if there is availability but it is a busy week so I am not too hopeful.

Do you have any pictures of the room?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am a little concerned about this. We are staying 5 nights the week before Easter on SPG points so I could only book a 1 bedroom. We are a family of 4. I called the resort and asked if a 1 bedroom was big enough for 4 and she said it was plenty big. It is possible we will be upgraded if there is availability but it is a busy week so I am not too hopeful.

Do you have any pictures of the room?

SVR's website notes that the one bedroom units are anywhere from 471 square feet to 920 square feet, depending on which phase (Cascades or Lakes) and which configuration (standard one bedroom or premium) you are assigned to. You can check out the layouts of each one here:

https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.com/villa-collection/sheraton-vistana-resort/villas#floorplan-1

 

[FrankieDplus3]

I am a little concerned about this. We are staying 5 nights the week before Easter on SPG points so I could only book a 1 bedroom. We are a family of 4. I called the resort and asked if a 1 bedroom was big enough for 4 and she said it was plenty big. It is possible we will be upgraded if there is availability but it is a busy week so I am not too hopeful. Do you have any pictures of the room?

My family of four stayed in a Cascades villa one-bedroom a few years back. My kids were 5 (DS) & 10 (DD) at the time and they shared the pull-out couch.

The 1st floor Cascades 1BR unit had a full kitchen and a screened patio off of the master bedroom (king size bed). We only had one bathroom to share, it is small, but that didn't bother us.

The unit had plenty of room for us and we were plenty comfortable.

We plan on visiting again this August and my kids will be 8 & 14 at the time. If we have to go with a 1BR again (budget reasons) my kids would share the couch again, they just wouldn't be as happy about it (or as comfortable).

A 2BR would be a lot more comfortable and give the teenager her space, but, if we have to do it we would be happy with the 1BR.

 

[pigletto]

Gina, I don't think you need to be concerned. As you recall the first unit we were placed in (a two bedroom in Cascades) had most definitely been smoked in and they had attempted a cleaning. The smell was overpowering when you walked in the Unit. It took exactly one 15 second phone call and a drive over to the front desk, where the apologetic front desk staff moved us and apologized right away. While not an ideal situation, I felt we were treated fairly and kindly and was impressed with the customer service. It wasn't 15 minutes before we were in another unit.

If they were that nice to us as Skyauction renters I don't think they have any bias and that if the unit isn't to your satisfaction you'll be taken care of

 

[Colargol]

Florida here we come!! 4 weeks this summer, all the way from Norway.
Needless to say; where we will stay is important to us as we'll be there for such a long time. Stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort 4 yrs ago, and was quite happy with it, so much that we are considering staying there again.

I was just now trying to make a booking, but seems like I was too late to get the villa which sleeps 8, and we will have to do with one that sleeps 6. Not really a problem as there are only 4 of us, but I kind of had my mind set at the extra luxery of double bed for all

So; with a unit that sleeps 6, and check-in on a Sunday; which section will we be located to? Am I right in believing that it will be Falls? Or are there any other sections we might get located in?
How is Falls in terms of kid-friendlyness (our kids are 4 and 8)? They will most certainly love a nice pool to cool off in. And how is this section for those with walking disabilities?
(We stayed at Cascades last time, and it was all so easy with elevators etc)

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Florida here we come!! 4 weeks this summer, all the way from Norway.
Needless to say; where we will stay is important to us as we'll be there for such a long time. Stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort 4 yrs ago, and was quite happy with it, so much that we are considering staying there again.

I was just now trying to make a booking, but seems like I was too late to get the villa which sleeps 8, and we will have to do with one that sleeps 6. Not really a problem as there are only 4 of us, but I kind of had my mind set at the extra luxery of double bed for all

So; with a unit that sleeps 6, and check-in on a Sunday; which section will we be located to? Am I right in believing that it will be Falls? Or are there any other sections we might get located in?
How is Falls in terms of kid-friendlyness (our kids are 4 and 8)? They will most certainly love a nice pool to cool off in. And how is this section for those with walking disabilities?
(We stayed at Cascades last time, and it was all so easy with elevators etc)

The Falls pool looks like this:





And there is an adjacent playground:



The Falls has great access to one of the basketball courts as well:



Assuming you are assigned to Falls, depending on which building you are in (see the full resort map here:

https://www.mystarcentral.com/CMS/en_US/svo_media/CMSMedia/PDF/resort_maps/svr_resort_map.pdf)

you could also be quite close to the Courts and Super pools.

None of the Falls buildings have elevators, though, so that might be an issue for those in your party with mobility difficulties. Only Cascades and Lakes sections have elevators. If I were in your shoes, I would note those mobility concerns in advance of your arrival by submitting Diamond Lane check-in (about 2 weeks before your travel date). You can find the online form here:

https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01

Sunday check-ins are accommodated in Falls, Fountains I, Fountains II, Lakes, Cascades, Palms and Springs. All but Falls will have two double beds in the 2nd bedroom (versus the two single beds in the guest bedroom of the Falls units). You could always request (via Diamond Lane) a 2 bedroom unit with two doubles in the guest bedroom, either on the ground floor or in a building with an elevator. Its not guaranteed, of course, but it never hurts to ask (nicely ).

Are you looking at booking directly with Sheraton? If so, it seems that ALL of their units are now listed as "sleeps 6" versus the "sleeps 8", even though their inventory would include many more sleeps 8 configurations than the 6's. I guess its easier for them to under-promise and over-perform. Anyone who gets a unit with the two singles will not be disappointed, and anyone who gets upgraded to a sleeps 8 villa will be absolutely delighted.

 

[Amied]

Hi, my mother in law gave us her timeshare from RCI and we book the Vistana. It's our first time staying here. We are arriving the last week of April this year and on the confirmation it says we are staying in the fountains section. My question is I recently broke my ankle in November and needed surgery. Docs now tell me that I will defiantly not be 100% ready and will require a cane. Should I call the resort since I will need a ground floor unit? And also, my children are 4 &9, what is the best section to ask for? Preferably close to pool away from highway noise. Gina, do you have the email address for the pre arrival coordinator? Would that help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi, my mother in law gave us her timeshare from RCI and we book the Vistana. It's our first time staying here. We are arriving the last week of April this year and on the confirmation it says we are staying in the fountains section. My question is I recently broke my ankle in November and needed surgery. Docs now tell me that I will defiantly not be 100% ready and will require a cane. Should I call the resort since I will need a ground floor unit? And also, my children are 4 &9, what is the best section to ask for? Preferably close to pool away from highway noise. Gina, do you have the email address for the pre arrival coordinator? Would that help. Thanks in advance.

I can't seem to find the email for the pre-arrival co-ordinator but you could definitely submit a Diamond Lane request about 2 weeks before your arrival outlining your need for a ground floor unit. I am sure they will do everything they can to accommodate you.

What day of the week do you check in? That will determine which buildings in Fountains that you might be assigned to. We really like the Fountains section.....the pool and amenities there are great! (including a couple of different playgrounds that your kids would love)

edited to add.... to the Dis!

 

[Amied]

Thanks Gina, we are checking in on Sunday.

 

[disneyavonohio]

Is there a price list for the amenities somewhere? I found the page with them, but no pricing: https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.com/villa-collection/sheraton-vistana-resort/amenities

Thank you.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Is there a price list for the amenities somewhere? I found the page with them, but no pricing: https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.com/villa-collection/sheraton-vistana-resort/amenities

Thank you.

These are from August 2014....they might help you a bit:





A vast number of the amenities....pools, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, etc. are for guest use at no additional cost. Balls for the sport courts can be borrowed from the activity centers (though I am sure they might bill you if the balls don't get returned). Mini golf has an added fee, but they offer discounts at various times during the week, so its wise to check your activity schedule (provided at check-in) to see when those special events are running.

Surrey bikes are rented by the half hour or full hour, if I remember correctly.

 

[disneyavonohio]

These are from August 2014....they might help you a bit:





A vast number of the amenities....pools, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, etc. are for guest use at no additional cost. Balls for the sport courts can be borrowed from the activity centers (though I am sure they might bill you if the balls don't get returned). Mini golf has an added fee, but they offer discounts at various times during the week, so its wise to check your activity schedule (provided at check-in) to see when those special events are running.

Surrey bikes are rented by the half hour or full hour, if I remember correctly.

Thank you very much.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina, do you have the email address for the pre arrival coordinator? Would that help. Thanks in advance.

I found it!!

I will PM it to you .

 

[Amied]

Thanks so much Gina! Will definitely let everyone know about our stay and take updated pics.

 

[kokomos]

Hey Gina, quick question we may be staying here again this May but we need a 2 br and a 1 br. Is it possible to get both in the same building? Right now I have a 3 br booked at bonnet Creek but the price is more than I want to pay. I can get A 2 Br and a 1 br from sky auction for about 400 less. Thanks, Wanda

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hey Gina, quick question we may be staying here again this May but we need a 2 br and a 1 br. Is it possible to get both in the same building? Right now I have a 3 br booked at bonnet Creek but the price is more than I want to pay. I can get A 2 Br and a 1 br from sky auction for about 400 less. Thanks, Wanda

Hi Wanda,

I am pretty sure it would be possible (Lakes and Cascades both offer two and one bedroom unit configurations, presumably within the same buildings.....bankr63, please correct me if I am wrong on this!) but will it be likely? I honestly have no idea!!

If its during a slower time with more available occupancy, I would hope you would have a good chance, especially if you put your request in via Diamond Lane a couple of weeks before you travel. SVR staff has always seemed pretty eager to accommodate wherever they can. That said, requests are never guaranteed, so you would have to be ready for anything.

At the very least, I would hope they kept you in close proximity (not one your two bedroom on one side of the resort and your one bedroom on the other!!).

 

[bankr63]

Hi Wanda,

I am pretty sure it would be possible (Lakes and Cascades both offer two and one bedroom unit configurations, presumably within the same buildings.....bankr63, please correct me if I am wrong on this!) but will it be likely? I honestly have no idea!!

If its during a slower time with more available occupancy, I would hope you would have a good chance, especially if you put your request in via Diamond Lane a couple of weeks before you travel. SVR staff has always seemed pretty eager to accommodate wherever they can. That said, requests are never guaranteed, so you would have to be ready for anything.

At the very least, I would hope they kept you in close proximity (not one your two bedroom on one side of the resort and your one bedroom on the other!!).

Yes, it is possible, in Lakes or Cascades. We did a similar thing a few years ago on March break (busy), and though they couldn't accommodate us in the same building, they located us in buildings directly across the parking pad from each other (we were in Springs, and DSL was in Cascades). It was still easy to join each other for meals etc. and we could see each other's front doors from the windows. Just be sure to send in a Diamond Lane request identifying both reservation numbers and requesting the same building. They will do their best to have a happy guest!

 

[kokomos]

Thank you both.

 

[masterofthehouse]

Hi all,

I have been looking on this forum for weeks and have found so much useful info so thanks to you all.

We are heading to WDW for the 1st time in a few weeks and are staying at this hotel.

It's our 1st time in the U.S and I'm not confident about driving there so we plan to use cabs to get around.

We have requested our accommodation to be in the Cascades as I gather that is the area nearest to the main reception etc.

I have read about people driving from their room to reception. Is the resort really that big? - Can you not get around it on foot?

What happens if we get a unit at the wrong end of the resort, do they have any way of getting visitors around the resort if they have no car??

Thanks!

 

[bankr63]

Hi all,

I have been looking on this forum for weeks and have found so much useful info so thanks to you all.

We are heading to WDW for the 1st time in a few weeks and are staying at this hotel.

It's our 1st time in the U.S and I'm not confident about driving there so we plan to use cabs to get around.

We have requested our accommodation to be in the Cascades as I gather that is the area nearest to the main reception etc.

I have read about people driving from their room to reception. Is the resort really that big? - Can you not get around it on foot?

What happens if we get a unit at the wrong end of the resort, do they have any way of getting visitors around the resort if they have no car??

Thanks!

Hi Master!

to the DIS! Nice to see you out of lurkdom and jumping into the discussion.

I think the walking vs. driving at the resort is all a matter of your attitude. Compared to the amount of walking you will do at the parks, the resort is a cakewalk (pardon the pun). I have stayed in several sections and have NEVER used the car to get from point to point in the resort. But we are a fairly fit family and enjoy a good walk. I can probably walk the perimeter of the resort in about 30 minutes, diagonally across the resort in 15, can reach any significant point in the resort in about 10, and since most amenities are well located throughout the resort can be at a pool or fitness centre in well under 5 minutes from any unit. To some people those number sound horrendous, to us that's a quick walk.

I think the best way to judge for yourself is to look at the resort on google maps in satellite view mode. Each block you see is about 4 to 8 units wide, about the same as a townhome development. You can clearly see the pools, so that should help you judge if you can walk the distance.

There is no regular shuttle to get around the resort (it's not THAT big), but there is assistance available at the check-in if you need help getting bags to your room. The Bellman (person? - what's PC today?) will be able to drive your bags to your unit in a delivery cart.

You don't say where you hail from, but I wouldn't worry about driving there if you come from any other "right" drive (left controls) country. It can be a bit disconcerting if you come from a left drive area but people adapt quickly. Traffic is heavy on the Interstate, but generally moves at an annoyingly leisurely pace elsewhere in the city compared to most other cities I have driven in. A large percentage of the drivers on the road are just as confused as you are, and most people are overly cautious.

Stop by with any other questions, and absolutely enjoy your first visit to the World and to Vistana!