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

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We had VIP check in last year and it was really a very relaxed experience. No pressure to attend owners meeting or sales! Actually I don't even remember if it was even mentioned but I'm sure it must have been. They had everything ready and we were offered drinks and snacks in the VIP lounge they had set up. They said the lounge was available every day during certain hours of the day. So far we have not gotten notice of a VIP check in for our upcoming visit in just 2 weeks but we are staying in the Cascades section this year. In 20 + years of ownership we have always stayed in Lakes so a little apprehensive about having to stay in a different section

That is great feedback....thank you so much!

I had no idea there was even a VIP Lounge over in the Lakes section, so this should be very interesting indeed.

 

[jvars]

That is great feedback....thank you so much!

I had no idea there was even a VIP Lounge over in the Lakes section, so this should be very interesting indeed.

It was in the Lakes recreation center first floor and I really don't know if this part has always been open or not... the door was locked every time I had ever been over there in past years. I hope it is something they keep doing! I was very emphatic last year that this is something that owners will greatly appreciate It never hurts to keep owners happy. Owners can be a big sales tool or they can hurt if not happy. Something like the VIP check in and lounge will make a lot of owners happy! Unfortunately, I never had a chance to go back in later during the week but having refreshments available (soft drinks, cookies, chips) at check in was really nice and appreciated by this owner

 

[bankr63]

We had VIP check in last year and it was really a very relaxed experience. No pressure to attend owners meeting or sales! Actually I don't even remember if it was even mentioned but I'm sure it must have been. They had everything ready and we were offered drinks and snacks in the VIP lounge they had set up. They said the lounge was available every day during certain hours of the day. So far we have not gotten notice of a VIP check in for our upcoming visit in just 2 weeks but we are staying in the Cascades section this year. In 20 + years of ownership we have always stayed in Lakes so a little apprehensive about having to stay in a different section

I think you will find the villa to be almost identical between the two, right down to the whirlpool in the master bedroom (a feature I've never cared for). The sections were built sequentially (or maybe even concurrently) and there is little difference in layout. The amenities are going to be a bit different between the two sides; after 20 years of one, maybe treat it as an adventure and a chance to get to know the "warmer (i.e. South) side" after all those years in the "frigid North"

 

[jvars]

The amenities are going to be a bit different between the two sides; after 20 years of one, maybe treat it as an adventure and a chance to get to know the "warmer (i.e. South) side" after all those years in the "frigid North"

Exactly! Trying a new side could be an adventure and probably should have done it before now

 

[Tricia's mom]

Finally checked in tonight - really loooonnnnnggggg line at check in.
We are in Palma and the room smells really really bad ! I called and they said if I call in the morning they can get me a new room . Not sure I want to unpack all my stuff.... To find out all the rooms smell musty . I am also having a problem with the a/c . I had engineering come to the room and they said it's fine ....

 

[bankr63]

Hope you took them up on the relocate. A smelly villa would be unusual, and may be related to A/C not working well. There are literally hundreds of other villas, every now and then one needs some extra attention. I will say out unit can be a little stuffy sometimes when we first arrive; I always chalk it up to the unit probably being empty for a week or more with little to no air circulation. That usually clears up pretty quick once you crank the air and/or open a couple of windows. But musty is a sign of water, and that is never good, so take advantage of the offer!

 

[Tricia's mom]

I checked out the new villa they offered to give us - it was a little bit better and smaller than what we were in . I also liked the layout better . I decided it was just easier to stay where we are . We don't spend much time in the room anyway . Only sleep and shower here. I didn't want to pack everything up and move . We bought febreeze and some candles - then we burnt some things and fell asleep.

Tomorrow is a relax day - some shopping and pool time . Maybe be we will spend more time at the resort .

 

[tab1006]

Has anyone here stayed in a 'premium 1 bedroom' or a 2 bedroom lock-off in Lakes 10 or 7 or Cascades 4, 7, 12, 15, or 17? Pretty sure we will be requesting one of those buildings since our 1bedroom and Sunday check-in pretty much confines us to Cascades and Lakes. I'm a little concerned about being near the smoking area in Lakes 7 and Cascades 15 because I have severe sinus issues - anyone know if it's close enough to the buildings to smell smoke from the balconies?

Do any of these buildings have sky lights on the top floor (I've seen Gina's trip report on a Lakes 1 unit and it was just gorgeous).

 

[bankr63]

Has anyone here stayed in a 'premium 1 bedroom' or a 2 bedroom lock-off in Lakes 10 or 7 or Cascades 4, 7, 12, 15, or 17? Pretty sure we will be requesting one of those buildings since our 1bedroom and Sunday check-in pretty much confines us to Cascades and Lakes. I'm a little concerned about being near the smoking area in Lakes 7 and Cascades 15 because I have severe sinus issues - anyone know if it's close enough to the buildings to smell smoke from the balconies?

Do any of these buildings have sky lights on the top floor (I've seen Gina's trip report on a Lakes 1 unit and it was just gorgeous).

Never stayed in a premium, but we have had family stay with us in the smaller 1 BR half.

Yes, you will certainly be in Lakes or Cascades as those are the only 2 sections with 1BR villas, and you have most of the buildings with Sunday check-in listed. Lakes 6 and Cascades 10 are also possible. And as Gina has noted, she has been placed in a "wrong" building in the past, so the map is really just a guide. I would say that the DSA near Cascades 15 is far enough away to not be an issue IMO, not as certain about Lakes 7.

However, if you are concerned, especially for a health issue, be sure to put in a Diamond Lane request and ask to be placed well away from any DSA. The resort really tries to have happy guests, and that is the kind of thing that can make or break it for a vacation.

And yes, both these sections have skylights on the top floors, but may not be in all units. You can see from google satellite imagery less skylights than the number of units on some, I would suspect that the skylights are in the premium half of the 2BR LO villas.

 

[erinch]

Friday check-ins? We will be renting a unit for 2 weeks in August. I normally advertise on tug2 and find someone to rent from. Our preferred place to stay is Fountains 1. We've always checked in on Saturday, but Friday would be better. Can you help with a current list of sections available for Friday check ins?

thanks!
Erin C-H

 

[bankr63]

All sections except Courts and Falls. Spas is Fridays only. The other 6 sections all have some Friday buildings. If you are renting a 1BR, Cascades and Lakes are the only 2 sections with 1BR units.

 

[erinch]

Thank you! We will be renting a 2 BR.

 

[vistana101]

I wouldn't be too concerned with check-in day! Because of all of the changes in the past few years to the SVN system, arrivals happen every day, and thus the check-in day designations are not as strict as they once were.

 

[mousiemom]

so, we will be there in 19 days in a 1 br premium villa, we stayed in a 2br premium and we love it here, we are onsite disney fans, so we were worried about staying off site, and loved it. we are doing 1 day @ epcot for Flower/garden for last day, and doing bushe gardens, aquatica, seaworld, and dropping my daughter off with her friends to universal for 3 days while me and dh will be doing disney springs, disney boat tours, outlets, etc. we love being here because everything is around this resort. how much is the putt putt? do i need to call ahead and schedule this?

 

[takingkidstodisney]

So we are staying at Vistana in October. We paid maintenance fees from a friend of the family whose home unit is in the Spas section. Do we have to stay in that area or are we able to request Fountains section?

 

[bankr63]

so, we will be there in 19 days in a 1 br premium villa, we stayed in a 2br premium and we love it here, we are onsite disney fans, so we were worried about staying off site, and loved it. we are doing 1 day @ epcot for Flower/garden for last day, and doing bushe gardens, aquatica, seaworld, and dropping my daughter off with her friends to universal for 3 days while me and dh will be doing disney springs, disney boat tours, outlets, etc. we love being here because everything is around this resort. how much is the putt putt? do i need to call ahead and schedule this?

Don't recall the cost of the mini-putt, but Gina might chime in. Pretty sure she has played more recently. They do have a family putt night, where you pay one price for your whole party; think it was on two nights our last stay.
Reservations aren't required; the course is rarely busy. And if you are big fans of mini-putt, try some of the "real" courses nearby. A lot more fun for your money!

 

[bankr63]

So we are staying at Vistana in October. We paid maintenance fees from a friend of the family whose home unit is in the Spas section. Do we have to stay in that area or are we able to request Fountains section?

Possibly, but depends on their type of ownership. Spas is (originally) a deeded ownership section, which means you spend the week in your own unit (that is the type of ownership we have). However, many owners have taken advantage of opportunities to join into the Vacation Network and become floating week owners. In that case (floating ownership) you should be able to stay pretty much anywhere in the resort in the season that they own.

 

[mousiemom]

Don't recall the cost of the mini-putt, but Gina might chime in. Pretty sure she has played more recently. They do have a family putt night, where you pay one price for your whole party; think it was on two nights our last stay.
Reservations aren't required; the course is rarely busy. And if you are big fans of mini-putt, try some of the "real" courses nearby. A lot more fun for your money!

Thanks! yea, we were going to do the pj putt putt one evening, we've done all the disney putt putts.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks! yea, we were going to do the pj putt putt one evening, we've done all the disney putt putts.

I am pretty sure the regular price is around $5 per person, and family nights were $10 per family. The family deal is pretty sweet, really....especially if there are four or more golfers. I know they offered the family golf night multiple times over the week.

There is also a Hawaiian Rumble right across the highway from the resort, and a Pirates Cove in the Crossroads (if you are looking for more elaborately themed mini golf experiences). Congo River still has them all topped, though!!

 

[takingkidstodisney]

Possibly, but depends on their type of ownership. Spas is (originally) a deeded ownership section, which means you spend the week in your own unit (that is the type of ownership we have). However, many owners have taken advantage of opportunities to join into the Vacation Network and become floating week owners. In that case (floating ownership) you should be able to stay pretty much anywhere in the resort in the season that they own.

Hmm I am not sure how they are set up. I do know our confirmation email came from RCI. I will have to ask her. Thanks for responding!