Vistana - Best Section?

[serenababy]

I have found a great deal of helpful info about the Vistana Resort on these boards. But I'm still confused...

My questions are these -

1) What is the best section for us - 2 parents who like it quiet and a 5 year old who doesn't?

2) Would it be worthwhile for me to email or fax my request for a specific section to the resort and if so, to whom should I send it and how far in advance of my arrival should I send it?

Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

 

[Skinsfan]

bump! I'd like to know as well.

 

[jamescowen]

Your Email describes us too as we have a 4 1/2 year-old and are going next month. I'd be interested in what the board has to say and how is the traffic from Vistana Resorts or Villages to Disney parks?
Thanks,
Jim

 

[serenababy]

I think people may simply be tired of posting about Vistana?! Too bad as I'd sure like to know...

 

[spiceycat]

I am not an expert by any means - I won't even stay there until next year

http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5

someone on tug says to get the diamond check in

also that
Cascades
Fountains
Falls

were the best.

this is not my opinion - this is what was on tug.

 

[Disney Sweetie]

I am not an expert...but we just returned from the Sheraton Vistana Resort and loved it. The traffic is not bad at all. We stayed in a 3 bedroom in the Springs location. We were there for a week. Loved having the space and washer/dryer. It was quiet, close to the store and had a pool in our section. You come in the second entrance and it is on the right. A friend of ours made our reservation last December for this past July. We had the Diamond check-in which really speeded things up. I didn't request a specific section so I can't help you on putting in requests...I was just glad to be going!! I have never stayed in a condo before. The Villages are a little farther away from Disney, but easy to get to. We looked at them while we were there. VERY nice, brand new.

Hope this helps.

Pam

 

[AZKathy]

Don't stay in the Falls section. Older units that look like they tried to renovate 60's style condos to current time. Ours also smelled very bad with cigarette smoke. The second bedroom had only twin beds and caused a problem when we were expecting double beds in the second bedroom.

 

[Jailen's Gma]

We have stayed at Vistana Resort twice. First time in the Courts section which in our opinion was not as bad as some have described it. The second time in the Lakes section which was a great step up I must say.
We used the Diamond Lane check-in the second time there and it worked out great. You can request a section, but you're not always guaranteed the section you want. It's according to when you go and check-in.
We were close to the pools each time we stayed there.
My family really enjoyed our stay there. Hope yours will be the same.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

We will be staying at the Vistana for our honeymoon Sept.15-21. After reading what was posted in here regarding the rooms, I emailed the Vistana and requested the Cascades sections. I recieved an email back saying that they would note it in our reservation and it shouldn't be a problem. If you go to www.starwood.com, go to the Vistana link and email them from there-- you can also sign up for the diamond lane on this site (which will get you through the check in line faster).
I have not been to the Vistana for years, but my parents went last year and stayed in the older section. My mom said she was disappointed, but it was clean. She also told me that she thought it depended on the day you check in on what section you are in. It is worth a shot to email them though, you have nothing to lose.

 

[jeff968]

You still didn't say which Vistana you are talking about, the resort or the villages. I stayed in the Cascades section of the resort 3 years ago. These are the newest and very nice.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I was talking about the Vistana resort, not the villages.

 

[ChiTownZee]

From what I've read they put internet renters in the newer sections and the trade-ins in the older sections, is this right?

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
From what I've read they put internet renters in the newer sections and the trade-ins in the older sections, is this right?

This may be true.

We traded this summer through RCI and got the Falls section. We were very disappointed in our accomodations.

 

[erinch]

serenababy:

here's the link to lots of info I posted while there a few weeks ago. We greatly like a section of the Springs which looks down on a little pond. This section is right across from the Springs Rec Center, where lots of kids congregate and with a manageable pool, in easy walking distance to the big cascades pool, and very scenic (if looking on the pond) with your own "turkey ducks" and swimming turtle. There's a playground at the end of the unit. Do not request first floor--second is best because you can see the wild life.

Email me with any questions.

Erin Cox-Holmes

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=412251

 

[Tiger Fan]

We requested the Springs section when we stayed there last year and were very pleased. It was a larger unit than the Cascades and had been updated well. We look forward to our next stay at Vistana. The traffic was not bad at all and we were there over Thanksgiving.
Lisa

 

[mcnuss]

Personally, I like Fountains II. The units are huge and very quiet. Almost all have a water view from the porch. We rented there 2 or 3 times, then bought one!

 

[Cyndiu]

We have stayed in Vistana many times now and I have finally realized that if you don't ask, you will be placed n one of the older section. Because so many people do ask they only give the new untis to those who do. We trade through RCI and everytime I've called they've offered rooms in the older sections. Now, we've stayed in those, and they were perfectly pleasant. However, this year when I called, they offered Spas, Courts and Falls. I asked "Are there any units available in Cascades or Lakes?" and the answer was yes. So that's what I booked for 2004.

So, my recommendation is to always ask, even if they've offered other sections first.