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

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Yeah I sent my email on Monday and got an away message, so hopefully she responds tomorrow. I'm just trying to get top floor because we love those cathedral ceilings / skylights in Lakes (where the email says we are assigned).

Just got back. The pre-arrival coordinator gave us exactly the room we asked for, top floor in Lakes, which was great. The WiFi is also much improved for anyone that is interested.

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

Hi, I got a 855sq 1 bedroom villa at SVR. Which sections will I be possibly assigned to?
Also, is there any cost for daily resort activities?

Thank you!

 

[bankr63]

Hi, I got a 855sq 1 bedroom villa at SVR. Which sections will I be possibly assigned to?
Also, is there any cost for daily resort activities?

Thank you!

There are only 2 sections with 1 BR villas, Cascades and Lakes. Congratulations, at 855sf, you are in a Premium 1BR Villa - these are almost double the size of the smaller 1BR and have a balcony.

The 855sf are in Cascades, but they might place you in Lakes which are bigger at 920sf as the units are assigned 'run of resort'. Depending on occupancy they might give you the bigger unit.

There are nominal fees for some activities if equipment or supplies are involved, but there are a lot free things too. Bikes and mini-golf have fees, crafts have nominal fees, balls for courts are available free (but a deposit may be required).

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

Thank you bankr63 for replying my first post!

I did a bit of research in this forum, there are escalators at both Cascades and Lakes. That's great. I dont mind be assigned to either of them.

We will be driving. Do both sections have closeby parking spots?

How far is walking to Cascades pool from Lakes?

What are the free things to do there?

 

[erinch]

Thank you bankr63 for replying my first post!

I did a bit of research in this forum, there are escalators at both Cascades and Lakes. That's great. I dont mind be assigned to either of them.

We will be driving. Do both sections have closeby parking spots?

How far is walking to Cascades pool from Lakes?

What are the free things to do there?

Hello! Both Cascades and Lakes have elevators—not escalators.

There are lots of pools at Vistana. If you are assigned to Cascades, the Cascades pool will be closest, but there are several other pools nearby.

Lakes is a bit of a walk to another section across a road, with 2 pools nearby.
What is your family configuration? Are you only hanging out at Vistana, or are you visiting theme parks?

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

Hello! Both Cascades and Lakes have elevators—not escalators.

There are lots of pools at Vistana. If you are assigned to Cascades, the Cascades pool will be closest, but there are several other pools nearby.

Lakes is a bit of a walk to another section across a road, with 2 pools nearby.
What is your family configuration? Are you only hanging out at Vistana, or are you visiting theme parks?

Oops. I meant elevators. Haha!

There are 4 of us. 2 kids (9 and 11) not very advanced in swimming, but we'd like to spend some daytime rest time in the resort during our 9 nights stay while going to WDW.

Which section suit us better?

What kind of free activities are offered in the resort might be suitable for my kids?


Thanks

 

[erinch]

Hello! Both Cascades and Lakes have elevators—not escalators.

There are lots of pools at Vistana. If you are assigned to Cascades, the Cascades pool will be closest, but there are several other pools nearby.

Lakes is a bit of a walk from Cascades to another section across a road, with 2 pools nearby.
What is your family configuration? Are you only hanging out at Vistana, or are you visiting theme parks?

Oops. I meant elevators. Haha!

There are 4 of us. 2 kids (9 and 11) not very advanced in swimming, but we'd like to spend some daytime rest time in the resort during our 9 nights stay while going to WDW.

Which section suit us better?

What kind of free activities are offered in the resort might be suitable for my kids?


Thanks

The pools in the Cascades main section are more kid friendly, although the pools in Fountians/Lakes always have lots of kids. If you look on page 135 of this thread, you will see a report activities schedule from 2022. When we were there in April of 2024, it was much the same list. Some activities have a small fee and others are free.

 

[bankr63]

Suitable activities depend a bit on what your kids' interests are.
You say they aren't strong swimmers, so Mermaid classes may not be the thing. There is a small water slide at Falls pool, but kids have to be able to swim in deeper water.
If they are crafty there are both organized activities and on-demand at the Rec Centre. Examples are Furry Friends, Glass Etching, Crayons and Canvas. These tend to have a small fee, but they seem pretty reasonable. A couple of visits back they were doing tie-dye shirts and I remember the cost being about what the shirt would cost me at Michaels - they aren't making money on these.
For sporty kids activities include basketball, beach volleyball, shuffleboard, cornhole, mini-golf lots of Tennis and Plckel Ball courts (Vistana started as a Tennis training facility). Gear is available for most sports at the resort.
For activities there is Giant Jenga, and iWall (big screen interactive video game).
There are several play structures around and there is a splash pad for the littles.
I am probably forgetting a few, but there is no shortage of fun for everyone.

 

[erinch]

Also right across the street from Vistana is the Hawaiian Rumble mini golf.
https://www.hawaiianrumblegolf.com/

When my kids were those ages, I sent them and their dad over to play and got a blessed couple of hours by myself. Costs 15 bucks, but there are coupons for buy one, get one half of, or second course free. Best later in the day and not in the blazing sun.

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

You say they aren't strong swimmers, so Mermaid classes may not be the thing. There is a small water slide at Falls pool, but kids have to be able to swim in deeper water.

Mermaid classes! Can you tell me what's it about? I may tell my girls about it and lure them to work harder in their swimming classes now

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

Thank you erinch. Love your suggestion!
Where did you get the coupons?

 

[erinch]

Mermaid classes! Can you tell me what's it about? I may tell my girls about it and lure them to work harder in their swimming classes now

The mini golf coupons are on the website under deals.
There is. A mini golf course at the Vistana called Animal Trax.
You have to pay for it, and we never found it worth the cost.

 

[bankr63]

I don't know a lot; my kids were a bit old for this (they are well into their 20's now) when it started. I did see them setting up for it once and the tails were pretty cool looking. Here is the blurb from the Vistana owners site:

Think you have a kid that can swim like a fish? Let them come to the Mermaids & Scuba experience and see if they have what it takes to swim like a mermaid. They will be fitted with a provided mono fin and costume tail (up to size 8 shoe). Keep in mind that in-water parental supervision is required for kids that are not strong swimmers. If you want to treasure this special experience, good news! The price includes a digital underwater photo.

With separate sessions for kids ages 5 to 7 and 8 and up, our Scuba Academy is a safe way for beginners of all ages to learn the basics and give scuba diving a try. Each class is 45 minutes and conveniently held in one of the swimming pools.

There is certainly a cost involved, but they don't list prices on the site. You can always call the Resort concierge service at 1-888-716-8667 for more information though.

 

[skyskyskyskysky]

Thank you for all the helpful information. Much appreciated️

Any tips on getting on popular rides at Disney as we are staying offsite?

I heard it's only 10 mins driving to the parks. How's the road traffic?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hey there everyone,

Not sure if it's been mentioned here or not (I am not on the boards very much these days), but in case it hasn't been shared, there is a new email for the pre-arrival team at SVR according to Kayla Lee, the Guest Relations Manager. Apparently pre-arrival requests are now being handled by a group of individuals versus just one person. The email for pre-arrival requests is:

svcmcosv.prearrival@vacationclub.com

And just in case anyone else can benefit from the information, Kayla was also able to confirm that pack-and-plays and high chairs can be requested and will be provided on arrival, delivered directly to the villa. So for anyone else traveling with little ones, the resort will have at least some of the baby gear you need.

Hope this is helpful .

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Oops. I meant elevators. Haha!

There are 4 of us. 2 kids (9 and 11) not very advanced in swimming, but we'd like to spend some daytime rest time in the resort during our 9 nights stay while going to WDW.

Which section suit us better?

What kind of free activities are offered in the resort might be suitable for my kids?


Thanks

If you download the Sheraton Vistana App you can see the activities calendar that goes out for about a week to get an idea.

 

[dioxide45]

Mermaid classes! Can you tell me what's it about? I may tell my girls about it and lure them to work harder in their swimming classes now

I would be very weary of mermaid classes or any type of swimming with a mermaid tail. Read up on this. These can dramatically increase drowning risks. If I had kids, it isn't something I would be letting them use.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I would be very weary of mermaid classes or any type of swimming with a mermaid tail. Read up on this. These can dramatically increase drowning risks. If I had kids, it isn't something I would be letting them use.

Honestly, that was my first reaction when I heard about this as well.

 

[Cfabar1]

And just in case anyone else can benefit from the information, Kayla was also able to confirm that pack-and-plays and high chairs can be requested and will be provided on arrival, delivered directly to the villa. So for anyone else traveling with little ones, the resort will have at least some of the baby gear you need.

Hope this is helpful .

we recently completed a stay. when we called ahead, we were told the pack and play was not guaranteed, so we brought our own travel one. we then requested theirs. It was so dirty, stained, ripped that we opted to use the one we brought instead.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are here now. We are loving the new text concierge .... they have been extremely responsive and GREAT to deal with. I wish they had implemented this years ago!!

I also am quite impressed this trip with the condition of the property, the overall cleanliness (from our villa to the public spaces), and the attitudes of the staff. Everything looks awesome, and every employee we have encountered has been sincerely friendly and helpful. This is the best it's been since Marriott took over the Sheraton brand. As an owner, I am thrilled to see the improvements over our last few stays.

Our grandson is absolutely loving his first visit to Florida. We took him to the Lakes pool on his first morning here, and his face says it all!!



We did the Owners Update yesterday, and our son and his wife joined us. We were in and out within 52 minutes (start to finish). The sales people were friendly and there was zero pressure. Easily the most low-key presentation we have ever attended. Current incentives were $100 per couple plus a $100 gift card to Charley's Steahouse. We don't normally go to these, but since we are enjoying a mostly resort vacation this trip, it was quick and easy to do.

Weather has been great (normal afternoon thunderstorms but otherwise comfortably hot and sunny) and the pools have been surprisingly empty. We had the Fountains hot tubs to ourselves at 8 pm last night.

Let me know if anyone wants or needs any resort info while we are here.