Thoughts on Vistiana resort????

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

I have the oppertunity to stay in a 2 bedroom at the vist. resort this oct. HOW IS IT.
ANY THOUGHTS....What section should i request.....is it kid freindly....is it far from the parks....Help a brother out any reviews would be appreciated.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Zip ~
I've been a timeshare owner since '94. It's a great place to vacation with kids. There are many daily activities for kids (arts and crafts, pool activities, sports etc). The resort is very large. I'd recommend having your own rental car to get around though there is a shuttle to the parks (very limited schedule and approx $7/person/day). The resort is divided into many different villages, ranging from older construction to maybe a few years old. Most people prefer the newer sections (Cascades and Lakes). I own in the Fountains area and I'm very pleased with this section (it's right under the Lakes). The oldest sections are the Courts, Falls, Spas and Palms. Springs is mid-range.
The Cascades and Lakes are the only sections that have elevators. The other sections have structures that are 2-3 stories high and you need to climb stairs if you're on an upper level.
Each section has it's own pool----or one close by. There are 7 pools total. There are 2 full service restaurants on property as well as a snack place and Pizza Hut (inside the General Store). All these places will deliver to your villa.
The ride to the parks is 10-15 min approx. Vistana is closest to the Downtown Disney area-----I can get to the Marketplace in about 7-8 min.

Hope this helps. Please ask away if you have any other questions.

 

[mbb]

......The Cascades and Lakes are the only sections that have elevators. The other sections have structures that are 2-3 stories high and you need to climb stairs if you're on an upper level.
......

My mom and dad are staying here in March..they'll definitely need a first floor or elevator building though..as they got this unit through (their nephew's) an RCI exchange, can they request this before they go?

Should I get him to call and add to their reservation?

Thanks, MiaSRN62

 

[MiaSRN62]

can they request this before they go?

Yes, then can. Have them call and make the request. Make sure they indicate it's for medical reasons. We always did this with my mil when we traveled as she was undergoing chemo and could not handle the stairs. If we didn't get a ground floor, they gave us an elevator bldg.
Tell them to both call and add the request to their reservation mbb, as well as fill out the online Diamond Lane form (and make the request there too) :
https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
Vistana is usually very good when it comes to a request for medical reasons.
Hope this helps

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have been an owner at Vistana Resort since my very first trip to Orlando in 1997. We ABSOLUTELY love it there!!! We own two weeks at Vistana Resort (Lakes and Cascades) and 1 week at Vistana Villages.

There is soooo much to do for kids at Vistana! Seriously, you will NEVER have to leave the resort to go to the parks, if you don't want to! When you check in, they give you a list of daily activities. There is something going on every hour of the day all over the resort! Not just for kids, for everyone. There are 2 full service sit down restaurants, casual eateries near the pool (Cascades Bar & Grill), a Haagen Dazs ice cream shop (located in Zimmies) and also a Pizza Hut, located in the General Store, where you can get last minute groceries if you don't want to leave the property!

They have 7 pools, a few hot tubs, 13 tennis courts, basketball courts, miniature golf, game rooms, arcades, ETC!!!!! The list is endless.....

OH, and it's a hop skip and a jump away from WDW! I have walked to DTD, although it is a far walk! But we did it once, before we had kids and couldn't drive home from PI!!! We did have fun...

You can't beat Vistana. The location is closer to some of the parks than some WDW resorts on property! (this is per the Unofficial Guide)

If you have ANY other questions, PLEASE don't hesitate to let me know.

The nicest areas of the resort are Lakes and Cascades, since they are the newest. Although I love the entire resort. It really is beautiful!!!

HTH!!!

 

[riu girl]

Sorry if this has already been asked, what sections of the Sheraton Vistana are the closest to the main pool and building and what would the 1 bedroom units (with full kitchen) be like in this area?

Thank you
Suzy V

 

[MiaSRN62]

There really is no "main" pool riu girl. THere are 7 pools on the resort. If you are referring to the original, largest pool, that would be the Super pool and it's in the older section, between the Courts and Spas. This pool is open the latest (usually around 1 am).
But, if you are in a 1 bedroom, then you are either in the newer Cascades or Lakes section (which is not too close to that Super pool). The Cascades offers the largest 1 bedrooms. If you're in that section, you will be closest to the Cascades pool. This section is rather large and spread out, so you could be pool-front or have a bit of a walk to the pool. Some of the Cascades bldgs are directly behind the Reception Center and about a 7-8 min walk to the pool.

 

[Jeanne B]

I'm thinking of exchanging our week at Wyndham Palms for a week at Sheraton Vistana Resort...there's an 8/6 unit available for a Sunday check-in. MiaSRN62, do you know what section these units are in?