Vistana Resort Buildings/Section ?

[maciec]

I have seen a lot of good reviews of the Cascade buildings at Vistana, but I have never found a post from anyone who has stayed in the Spa's section. Is this a good section? How are the pools that are in that area? Do the units have a washer and dryer? Which sections that have 2br units have queen beds in the 2nd bedroom. Has anyone stayed there during the beginning of December? We are going 12/2-12/9 and were wondering about the crowd at the resort. We have a red week exchange if that makes sense so I think that on Vistana's resort map that means we would be in a red building. Thanks in advance for any help you could give me.

 

[momuv2poohs]

I have not heard any "good" things about the Spa's section.. Try asking this question on the TUG board site.. It is especially for timeshare owners and there are alot of Vistana Owners that work on that board. The site is
www.tug1.net/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Florida&number=11&DaysPr une=


Hope this helps!! I paid the silly $15.00 to join TUG just so I could read the reviews for Vistana.. I do not own a timeshare just done a lot of research on this place.. Have a great time.. If I can be of any more help just let me know.

Also do a search on the TUG - I have asked many questions on that board and you might find some more answers to any of your other questions. Let me know if this helps or not.. Thanks

 

[Thachi]

I agree, most of the reviews are about the Cascades. We (4 adults/4 kids) are assigned for the Lakes section in July and want to know if we should stay there or request for the Cascades. Has anyone stayed in the Lakes or Fountains sections?

2000 - Westgate Villas
2001 - Vistana Resort

 

[Bob S]

hi maciec
i personally dont believe there is a bad section at vistana. most of the sections have the same basic 2bed 2bath layout with the exception of the courts sections. the courts section was originally townhouses that we converted to timeshare. the spa's has a washer/dryer and sleeps 8 people. i am not sure if the second bedroom has 2queen size beds or 2 double beds. the only section that has 2 single beds in the 2nd bedroom is the falls section. the spa's is located near the super pool. regardless of what section you are in you can use any one of the many pools. i am sure you will find one to your liking.
thachi--- the cascades section is the newest so it has a more modern look inside and out. the lakes is also one of the more recent sections and the units are very nice.
hope this info helps and have a nice trip.
bo

 

[erinch]

we were assigned one of the older sections (springs, I think) when we stayed there for 2 weeks in '99.

I was disappointed and tried to get them to change it to Cascades.

But after we were there for a few days we were glad to be in a quieter section with more mature landscaping and more of the little ponds which dot the place. They were still constructing part of cascades, but that section was much more in the sun without much shade, and much more on the "hustlebuggy" (golfcart) route.

Our unit had some unacceptable carpet spots--they got someone in and cleaned the carpet within a couple of hours of when we complained.

had a great time; would go again

 

[Lisa P.]

The Superpool is a very large, freeform pool with a volleyball net near one end and an enormous hot tub (like a small pool all its own!), with palm trees, piped music & a sandwich bar/grill/lounge next to it. Bordering are a recreation center and numerous tennis courts. Spas is also rather near the mini-golf, convenience market, the Falls pool (with a zippy little slide) and the pretty Cascade pool area. It offers a nice location within the resort.

All 2-BR units at Vistana contain at least one stacked washer/dryer. Lock-off 2-BR units in Cascades contain a w/d on each side!

I don't recall whether there are queens or doubles in the 2nd BR either. We stayed in Lakes and enjoyed it very much. Nice pools in Lakes and Fountains too. I think they are double beds though. The resort is generally pretty well occupied year-round, but it won't be jam-packed in early December.

>>> We have a red week exchange if that makes sense so I think that on Vistana's resort map that means we would be in a red building.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. All exchange weeks in Orlando are considered "red." If you mean the color of the building outline on Vistana's resort map, that only tells you which buildings have a Friday (red) check-in vs. Saturday (blue) vs. Sunday (green).

Vistana will actually assign your unit at check-in. If you have an RCI or II exchange in, for Spas or red, you may be placed in any of these sections that have a Friday check-in (red outline):
Spas, Palms, Springs, Lakes, Fountains or Cascades

If you have a preference, contact Vistana regarding their Diamond Lane Check-in (early request info) via their web site. When they ask for your reservation number, just type in "RCI exchange" or similar. Their web site is:
Sheraton Vistana Resort

Hope that helps! Have a fun vacation at Vistana!

[This message was edited by Lisa P. on 04-15-01 at 06:22 PM.]

 

[maciec]

From what I understand from my friend whose week we are using when you purchase your timeshare through RCI wherever, there are certain times of the year that are coded differently depending on what week of the year you purchase. For instance hers is coded red and I noticed in the RCI book that some are coded blue. I am not sure how to exactly describe this since I am not a timeshare owner.

 

[Lisa P.]

You're right about the color codes for weeks with the timeshare exchange companies. The weeks are divided into categories, by how popular, how desirable, how often they are requested as exchanges.
RCI codes are Red (high), White (mid) & Blue (low).
II codes are Red (high), Yellow (mid) & Green (low).

However, due to the popularity of Orlando, it's "red" year round - all weeks at all Orlando area resorts. Since the area has now become so overbuilt with timeshare resorts, there is a huge variation between the desirability or difficulty of trading into "bright" red (like Christmas week) vs. "pale" red (like mid-Sept.). So just because something is "red," doesn't really mean all that much all the time in timesharing! How's that for confusing?!?!

I wanted to clarify for you about the system of assigning units at Vistana. Once you have secured your exchange through RCI, what you used to get there is completely irrelevant. All RCI exchangers are to be given equal treatment. Units at Vistana are assigned at check-in, according to the check-in day of the week. To see which building(s) you may request, look at their web site map and see which buildings are outlined in the color that corresponds to your check-in day. My previous message above gives more detail. If you make a section request (first and second preferences) through the Diamond Lane Express, you have a pretty good chance that it will be granted and you will save time on check-in day by going to a shorter line. Hope that helps.

 

[jeff968]

My family and I were at the Vistana resort in February. We stayed in the Cascades section. I think that this is intentional for first time visitors because they want to sell you a unit. The Cascades was beautiful and the unit was great. I would occasionally walk the resort in order to get my baby to fall asleep in the stroller. The other areas are very nice but they are older. I spoke with some people who were staying in the springs section and they said that the unit was nice but that the rooms weren't insulated that well. I will say, the older units do have much nicer landscaping since they have been there longer. I didn't get into a spas unit but I would say you should be fine. They are supposed to be updated regularly. Not all the units at the resort have a whirlpool tub so check on that. The only section drawback I can see is to the fountains/lake units which are across the street. Granted, they have their own pools but if you want to visit the general store or play miniture golf you have a good walk/short drive in front of you. Have fun.

 

[Lisa P.]

The only 2-BR units without a whirlpool tub are the Courts. If you have a 1-BR, it may or may not have a whirlpool.