Those that have stayed at Vistana....would you choose Spa's over Cascades or Lakes??

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I've heard the Spas' condos are bigger and they have recently(?) been refurbished.

Would this be a better spot than Cascades or Lakes?

Thanks for the help.

Only a few days to go!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

It totally depends on the day you're checked in where you're placed. I liked both Spas and Cascades, both are in very good condition and great locations. I've heard great things about Lakes, but the location is a lot more isolated, and not as convinient compared to the other 2 sections.

 

[luvdisney14]

Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and Baby Doc,

Tonight was the first time we noticed vistana villages, we want to get more information on them. Did you ever stay there before and how did you book it. I just went on spg. site to look at something else and found the villages. How did you hear about them? Enjoy your trip.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

luvdisney14...............Sorry, but I'm staying at Vistana RESORT, not Vistana VILLAGES. They get mixed up alot around here.

I booked it through Skyauction.com. I have never stayed there before and we are REALLY excited!

monarchfan16.................We are checking in on a Saturday.........but when I called to ask information on this, the woman said that every section has Friday, Sat., and Sun. check ins. She told me I could be anywhere. That doesn't seem to "jive" with what I hear on here.

 

[Wishing on a star]

You are right... You got the standard 'speil...'

Go to starwoodvo.com and pull up Vistana Resort and then click on resort, then on map. This will bring up an awesome interactive map where you can pan around with your arrow keys and zoom in on any section. You can actually locate each individual unit number.

Here is the deal. You will see that the unit numbers are color coded. The ones in BLUE are Saturday Check-ins... I am thinking that the ones in RED are Friday and the ones in GREEN are Sunday. Some sections do have buildings available for all check-in days. Some, like Spas and Courts, the whole section is designated all for the same check-in day.

We are a Saturday Check-in... Cascades and Lakes are like impossible to get... I hear that Springs is in need of remodeling. I can't even request Spa's cause they are all Sunday check-in. The ENTIRE Courts Section is for saturday check-in

I am thinking that I should request Palms... Can anyone here make a recommendation on this?

TIA!

 

[jeff968]

I've stayed at both the Vistanas. For the resort, I would recommend the Cascades section. Although, i haven't seen the spas if it has been updated. I stayed at the Vistana villages this year. Very nice! I liked it better then the resort.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Thanks again for that info. but I don't understand something.

If Sat. check in's are in blue, than why can't you get Cascades or Lakes??? I see a ton of blue on the map in these sections.

 

[mog]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
You are right... You got the standard 'speil...'

. I can't even request Spa's cause they are all Sunday check-in. The ENTIRE Courts Section is for saturday check-in


TIA!

Actually the Spas section is Friday check-in. That's what we just had and I am with you - I think that Mom of Sleepy got a "spiel". I was told that the Spas and Courts were Friday and Saturday check-in (in that order) and all the other sections had check-ins on all other days. Seems like Vistana just tells people what they want to!

 

[Cyndiu]

I am absolutely certain (as up until this year we have always arrived on Saturday) that you can check in to Spas, Fountains, Fountains II and Lakes on Saturdays. Don't know about any others, but we checked into Cascades on Sunday this year.

I am inclined to believe that the resort goes by building, rather than by phase.

 

[luvdisney14]

What is the difference between resorts and villas. I am so confused.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

luvdisney........I know, it does get confusing sometimes.

As I understand it.......

Vistana Resort.................Big.......seven different pools, activity center, restaurants.........

Vistana Villages...........I'm not sure how big, but I think only a few pools, no restaurants, I'm not sure about activity center......

These are owned by the same, right guys?? But they are totally separate places.

Edit to add: Sorry, there is a deli at Vistana Villages and their site does mention an activity center. It looks a lot smaller than Vistana Resort, but maybe the buildings are taller. And it looks like there is only one pool. Is this right? It looks great , though.

 

[luvdisney14]

Thank you, now I know that I am interested in vistana resorts in lake buena vista. Hope you have a great trip, will be waiting to her your review.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Cindiu?

Are you a Starwood owner, or a rental???

If you look at that map on their site, then the color coding does indeed match with everything I have heard and read about people who have 'exchanged' their time-share week for Vistana. I just posted on the other thread about why I think that this may be some of the confusion???

Hhhhmmmm????


Ohhhh - about why it is impossible to get Cascades or Lakes... I feel, and I hear that others have had this almost admitted to them, that with these being the newest units, they are kind of made more available for Starwood owners. I have already been told by Diamond Lane that "There is no availability at Cascades or Lakes" Yeah Right... we are not going until next spring!!! LOL!!!

 

[Cyndiu]

This year we went on a trade through RCI and that's how we got Cascades. We checked in on Sunday, July 11th. We own at Vistana Resort, but we bought in Fountains II and use them as points through RCI rather than weeks.

As to why/how we've always checked in on Saturday (except for 2004) and we stayed in Fountains, Fountains II, Spas & Lakes, I couldn't say, but that's our experience.