Vistana Resort Courts Section

[ttfn3]

Has anyone stayed in the Courts section recently? If so, how was the unit? We are pretty familiar with the Vistana Resort - have stayed in Springs and Falls. We actually liked our unit at the Falls since it was a great location (directly across from a pool). Due to our checkin day, I'm betting we'll get Courts. So, any recent reviews would be appreciate! Thanks!

 

[VacationDad]

When I stayed at the Vistana last year I actually thought the Courts was one of the least appealing sections. Mainly because there were no fountains or ponds around it. It just seemed like an apartment complex to me. I stayed at the Palms and while it was an older section, I loved being able to watch the ducks and other birds outside our screened in patio as they splashed in the water.

 

[booyaa68]

Is the Courts section of the Vistana THAT BAD???? We just confirmed our reservations there for the first week of May and am dissapointed. Should I be? I will look into trying to change our unit, but am not sure if it is possible. We won it through Skyauction and have a Saturday check in.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I actually thought the Courts was one of the least appealing sections. Mainly because there were no fountains or ponds around it. It just seemed like an apartment complex to me.

It was an apartment complex. It's actually the only section that was not actually built by Vistana. It was an existing townhouse development when Vistana bought the land back in 1980. And true, there are no water views in this section.

 

[luvdisney14]

Are all skyauction reservations at courts?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Are all skyauction reservations at courts?

Not from what I've been reading, but I don't use skyauction so I'm not 100% sure how it works. Do they tell you the section before/after you bid ? Or is it just luck of the placement when you get to the resort ? I do know I've read posts from people who got the Lakes and Fountains etc....

 

[meandtheguys2]

Is the Courts section of the Vistana THAT BAD???? We just confirmed our reservations there for the first week of May and am dissapointed. Should I be? I will look into trying to change our unit, but am not sure if it is possible. We won it through Skyauction and have a Saturday check in.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

We were in the courts in January through skyauction, and we liked our little condo. It was centrally located, and nicer than our unit at the Fountains last year. We had roaches at the Fountains, which swayed my feelings! If you bid on a "sleeps 6" that is all that will be available for you. We asked when we checked in. It did not, btw, have a bubble tub.

I hope your trip turns out happily! We had a lovely time in the pools!

 

[MiaSRN62]

It was centrally located, and nicer than our unit at the Fountains last year. We had roaches at the Fountains, which swayed my feelings!

Wow.....I own in the Fountains and have been staying there every year since 1994 (with the exception of last year) and have never seen so much as an ant ! The Fountains are much newer buildings than the Courts so this suprises me (though I'm not doubting you). I'm certain this was an extremely rare occurrence as I have never read a bad review of the Fountains. Believe me, I would sell my timeshare so fast if I ever had a bug problem there. I've been an owner in the Fountains for 11 years now. But then again, it is Florida----I'm sure all resorts have bug problems from time to time in a warm, humid state like that. Heck, we even stayed at the Contemporary Resort in WDW once--concierge 14th floor---and saw two roaches in our room. So if there were bugs in the Fountains, I'm sure they got the exterminator on it. I would know after a dozen or so trips to that section, if bugs were a chronic problem.
I'm glad you liked the Courts and you had a nice vacation. When I toured the entire resort about 5 years ago (I was taken from section to section and allowed to walk through vacant villas), I found the Courts outdated, dark and musty smelling. Maybe they've improved since I was last there ? Let's hope so !

 

[meandtheguys2]

We must have been one that has been re-done! Wow! I always wondered if the bug issue was because we were on the first floor. I didn't mean to offend, just giving our experience.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We must have been one that has been re-done! Wow! I always wondered if the bug issue was because we were on the first floor. I didn't mean to offend, just giving our experience.

Not offending at all.....thanks for your report. I just whole heartedly feel it's the exception NOT the rule in the Fountains. We've often stayed on ground floors there because we traveled with my mil who had been going through chemo and radiation for close to 3 years and she couldn't handle the steps. Like I said, we never ever saw even an ant. I'd say, out of a dozen or so stays in the Fountains, maybe 4 were ground floor. That's why this suprises me. I hope you notified maintenance/housekeeping/front desk to let them know of the problem. Again, as I mentioned, I would never remain an owner there if bugs were a constant problem. I think all FL resorts probably have some trouble with insects from time to time. I've heard of several accounts of even Disney resorts having trouble---most recently fire ants. I think FL is probably "bug capital USA".

 

[booyaa68]

Thanks for the update on the Courts section. Are they larger than the Fountains? Do you have any photos?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the update on the Courts section. Are they larger than the Fountains? Do you have any photos?

I don't have any pics of the Courts as I've never actually stayed there.
The units do range from 1,000 to 1,400 sq ft (depends on the size you have). The townhouse units (which are the 1,400 sq ft ones) contain an open loft 3rd bedroom. The second bedroom contains 2 "twin" size beds vs double size as in all the other sections (except the Falls which also has twins).
The Fountains One section 1,280 sq ft. The Fountains II section is 1,211 sq ft.

 

[booyaa68]

We are confirmed for a 6/4 unit, so I'm pretty sure we won't have a loft.

Thanks again!

 

[booyaa68]

I already know that the courts doesn't have a whirlpool, but I do hope it has a washer and dryer?? Anyone have any further information on this?

 

[MiaSRN62]

but I do hope it has a washer and dryer?? Anyone have any further information on this?

Yes, they do

 

[Forevryoung]

Is there a shuttle to WDW from the Vistana? What kind of schedule does it run on? We will be staying at the fountains and I'm going to be there for a day without a car before the rest of the group gets there because they are driving down. I can cab it if necessary, does anyone know how much the cab would cost?

Thanks,
K

 

[MiaSRN62]

Is there a shuttle to WDW from the Vistana? What kind of schedule does it run on? We will be staying at the fountains and I'm going to be there for a day without a car before the rest of the group gets there because they are driving down. I can cab it if necessary, does anyone know how much the cab would cost?

Hi K,
There is a shuttle at Vistana--it's about $7/person/day. If it's just for one day, it shouldn't be too bad. The schedule is limited ---I had it saved on my computer but I had a crash in Jan and lost alot of info. I recall the shuttle left maybe 2-3 different times in the morning and returned 2-3 different times in the evening. It was limited. But since this is only one day you should be able to deal with it until you get a car. The resort itself is tough to get around without a car. Some of the Fountains and Lakes villas are quite a hike from the main lobby. A cab may be your better bet but I've never actually used one in WDW. Hopefully someone with experience in the taxi system can help you. I'd guess it's around $10-$15.
You might be better off renting a little compact for $25-$30/day ? Some rental companies will even pick the car up for you from your resort. I know National has a pick-up/drop-off at the WDW Dolphin hotel. Avis has a location at the Hilton Hotel in the Downtown Disney area---maybe 5 min from Vistana. Same with Budget, I believe it is located at the Doubletree Hotel also in the DD area.

 

[Forevryoung]

Renting a car for the day would be a great option BUT I will be two months shy of my 21st birthday so it's not an option. I'll probably take a cab and save a lot of time The people I am meeting down there are driving so I will have a car whenever I need one starting that night. Thanks for your help!

 

[booyaa68]

Any updates on the courts section?? I have read a few posts that they are being refurbished beginning April 1st. (cranes and other equipment) Just wondering if there are any further updates.
Thanks.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Any updates on the courts section?? I have read a few posts that they are being refurbished beginning April 1st. (cranes and other equipment) Just wondering if there are any further updates.

I was just on the TUG site and this is all I heard as well. Someone had just returned and stated the refurb was in progress.
I won't be at Vistana until August, so I can update then. Not sure when you are going though.