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

[tiggerluvr]

OK, that settles it. We'll get a rental car...at least for the first couple of days. I've still got some time to decide if I want to do it for the full vacation.

 

[tiggerluvr]

Dupe post -- sorry, but the iPad app just sucks.

 

[tiggerluvr]

How far is it to walk from SVR to DTD? Google map doesn't make it look too far (certainly it's close as the crow flies), but I'm wondering if it's quite a hike in real life. It seems like if it's close enough (a mile or less) we could just walk to DTD and take a bus from there to the parks, right? Or am I grossly underestimating the distance? Should I request a specific building (1 bedroom reservation) at pre-checkin that will cut our walk down a bit?

 

[mrsap]

How far is it to walk from SVR to DTD? Google map doesn't make it look too far (certainly it's close as the crow flies), but I'm wondering if it's quite a hike in real life. It seems like if it's close enough (a mile or less) we could just walk to DTD and take a bus from there to the parks, right? Or am I grossly underestimating the distance? Should I request a specific building (1 bedroom reservation) at pre-checkin that will cut our walk down a bit?

I want to say around 10 minutes (give or take) by car. There are buildings set further back that you'd probably want to avoid, but I know the first set when you come in to the left are cascades. They are beautiful and offer 1br. units. Maybe someone who has actually done it can answer, but even you told me I'd get paid to walk to DTD, I wouldn't!!! lol Enjoy the Vistana, it's beautiful!!

PS- after posting, I went on Apple maps and put in the locations. It shows 12 min. by car and 48 minutes walking. Approx. 2.6 miles.

 

[Scott S]

How far is it to walk from SVR to DTD? Google map doesn't make it look too far (certainly it's close as the crow flies), but I'm wondering if it's quite a hike in real life. It seems like if it's close enough (a mile or less) we could just walk to DTD and take a bus from there to the parks, right? Or am I grossly underestimating the distance? Should I request a specific building (1 bedroom reservation) at pre-checkin that will cut our walk down a bit?

Keep in mind there are no buses from DTD directly to the parks. You would have to take a bus to one of the resorts, and then wait for a bus from there to the park you wanted to go to. Seems like that would probably add at least 45 minutes to an hour each way to your trip.

 

[bankr63]

I would always recommend a car at Vistana or any other offsite resort. Check out the transportation board here on DIS for the latest codes; rental cars can be gotten ridiculously cheap in Orlando, especially at the airport where competition is cutthroat.

It is an easy but not too pleasant walk to DTD. There are sidewalks the entire distance but you need to cross a couple of very busy intersections and I-4 on and off-ramps. The good news is that in rush hour you can probably walk it faster than the traffic can drive it.

The #1 driving tip I give related to Vistana Resort is "always turn right when leaving the resort" There is absolutely no good that can come from turning left and running into a wall of traffic. Even for DTD, doing a clockwise loop around is much quicker and only slightly longer than going counter-clockwise around the block.

One bedrooms are only in Lakes and Cascades. Cascades is a bit closer to the front of the resort, but in terms of walking to DTD it is minimal.

 

[tiggerluvr]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Looks like we'll just get a rental for the whole time.

 

[Jax430]

Yep, we'll still be there when you arrive....just barely!! We are there from the 17th to the 31st. So you will be able to recognize me easily...I'll be the sunburned brunette who'll be weeping on the balcony because our vacation has come to an end .

We'll be in the Fountains this next trip, so something new for us (on our previous trip, we were in Spas on the other side of the resort). I have already been chatting with a pre-arrival co-ordinator .... they have been awesome!!

Hi Gina. I posted on this thread or the other one awhile back, then let some time lapse and now realized that I really need to get planning. Anyhow, I will be there the same time as you, from August 16th to 23rd. So excited!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Gina. I posted on this thread or the other one awhile back, then let some time lapse and now realized that I really need to get planning. Anyhow, I will be there the same time as you, from August 16th to 23rd. So excited!

That's awesome! It's coming up so quickly, isn't it?

If you want to get together sometime that week at the Fountains pool for a little Dismeet at the Tacky Tiki Bar, PM me .

 

[delilah18]

Hello

I see some posted that 1 bedrooms are only in Cascades and Lakes area?
Do the one bedrooms all have screened in balcony's porches?
Do they have a full kitchen like the two bedrooms and a washer and dryer?
Trying to decide if we really need a two bedroom or could do with a one bedroom.
Would really like to be in the Cascades area.

 

[bankr63]

Hello

I see some posted that 1 bedrooms are only in Cascades and Lakes area?
Do the one bedrooms all have screened in balcony's porches?
Do they have a full kitchen like the two bedrooms and a washer and dryer?
Trying to decide if we really need a two bedroom or could do with a one bedroom.
Would really like to be in the Cascades area.

That is correct, the 1BR villas are only in those two areas. There are 3 types of 1BR units; the "regular" 1BR units, and the large and small halves of the 2BR Lockoff units. The smaller sides of the 2BR units do not have a balcony/porch, the other units do.

All units have a washer/dryer and most have a full kitchen. The smaller units in the Lakes section have a kitchenette with only a cooktop and no oven. The small units in Cascades still have a full kitchen.

IMO, if you look at the usual cost difference between 1 and 2BR units, it's a no-brainer for us. There is a ton more room in a 2BR for not much more cost; unless you are on a really limited budget it's worth the few extra bucks.

 

[delilah18]

Yeah the two bedroom seems like a way better deal.
So with the two bedroom I currently have booked I could end up with a lock off?
So with the two bedroom I will have a balcony/ screened in porch for sure?

 

[bankr63]

Yeah the two bedroom seems like a way better deal.
So with the two bedroom I currently have booked I could end up with a lock off?
So with the two bedroom I will have a balcony/ screened in porch for sure?

It is possible, but considering the mix of units at the resort (mostly full 2BR) you are more likely to get a standard 2BR. Owners of lockoffs who exchange or rent are much more likely to split them into two 1BR units because they get almost twice as much.

And yes, all 2BR units will have a screened balcony or porch for certain.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[delilah18]

Thanks

 

[FrankieDplus3]

I read in an earlier post that SVR introduced a new towel policy (pool towels that is). Has anyone been there recently that can give us an update and/or more detail?

From what I remember, each guest is provided with a towel card and you get one towel each. No more free-for-alls on towels.

If that is happening, are there towel stations set up at each pool? We'll be staying in Springs, so, will I be able to grab my towel there or will I have to walk over to Cascades every day?

Thanks!



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[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I read in an earlier post that SVR introduced a new towel policy (pool towels that is). Has anyone been there recently that can give us an update and/or more detail?

From what I remember, each guest is provided with a towel card and you get one towel each. No more free-for-alls on towels.

If that is happening, are there towel stations set up at each pool? We'll be staying in Springs, so, will I be able to grab my towel there or will I have to walk over to Cascades every day?

Thanks!



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When is your trip, Frankie? We will be there in one month, if that's early enough for a report back.

 

[FrankieDplus3]

When is your trip, Frankie? We will be there in one month, if that's early enough for a report back.

My trip isn't until Sept. So that is plenty early.

Thank you and have a great trip!

Frankie D

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[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My trip isn't until Sept. So that is plenty early.

Thank you and have a great trip!

Frankie D

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Thanks Frankie. I will get the full scoop on the new towel policy when we arrive mid-August and report back here with all the details .

 

[jcondrad]

Does anyone have pictures of the Fountains/Lake pools and playground areas? We are currently booked at YC for September but might get a good deal through ARmed forces vacation club and both Fountains is a book able section or just Vistana Resort (which I assume is the cascades side). We used AFVClub before and stayed at Wyndham Cypress Palms (loved it) but the pool wasn't kid friendly.

We have a 2 and 5 year old who love the water...looking for kiddie play areas, and since we'll be there during the renovations we thought fountains might be the better option if it's kid friendly!

Thanks!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Does anyone have pictures of the Fountains/Lake pools and playground areas? We are currently booked at YC for September but might get a good deal through ARmed forces vacation club and both Fountains is a book able section or just Vistana Resort (which I assume is the cascades side). We used AFVClub before and stayed at Wyndham Cypress Palms (loved it) but the pool wasn't kid friendly.

We have a 2 and 5 year old who love the water...looking for kiddie play areas, and since we'll be there during the renovations we thought fountains might be the better option if it's kid friendly!

Thanks!

I so wish we had taken pics of that pool when we played bingo in their recreation center last August!!

Its very kid-friendly from what we saw (though we were never in the water). I know that's where they featured the poolside movies throughout the week. I am also 99% sure it had a waterfall, as well as a volleyball net in the water. Lots of loungers for relaxing when not in the pool. It looked very fun....and we hope to stay in that area ourselves next month!