Vistana Resort or Vistana Villages

[minniemomof3]

Hi,
I'm considering staying at Sheraton Vistan Villages or Resort, from what I understand the Villages is a newer hotel, other than that I'm not sure what the difference is between the two.

Which one should I book? I'd love opinions.

Thanks.

 

[Brian Noble]

If I had the option of both, at roughly similar costs, I'd book Villages. Vistana has a better location for a Disney vacation, but the unit quality can be quite variable. They are in the process of updating many of the older sections, and might be close to being done, so in another little while, the balance will tip back in favor of Vistana due to location.

 

[Buzz2001]

I enjoyed our stay there in April 2006. They were in the process of redoing all the rooms at that time. Vistana Resort is closer to WDW than the villages.

We spent 2 days at the resort and found it to be very close to WDW and highway access to Universal. We stayed there 2 days before heading over to CSR. I couldn't find a single room on Disney property for the 2 days so I found this place on the internet and got a great rate of $175.00 (very good for Easter/Spring break week) per night for the 2 bedroom villa. We stayed in the PALMS section to be close to friends of ours also staying there, rooms 642 & 719. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the suites. The rooms were huge, 3 tv's, a vcr, 2 bathrooms, very clean and well maintained. We had no complaints.

We didn't get a chance to use the pool but to a walk over to view it. The general store had a Pizza Hut Express but the overall store was small.

I would stay here again if I could get a similar rate.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Vistana is closer to WDW.

I'm not sure about the Villages, but Vistana offers room service as well as a Deli & store, Pizza Hut and full service restaurant on property. Villages is newer, but as Brian pointed out, Vistana is in the midst of a major overall rehab of it's resort. So many of it's sections will very soon be newer than some of the Villages.

Check out post #10 for pics and rehab schedule :
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2012916

REHAB SCHEDULE :
Springs : Feb -June 2009
Spas : April 2010--Jan 2011
Falls : Jan --May 2009
Courts : Aug--Dec 2010
Cascades : May 2009 to May 2010 (largest section)
Lakes, Fountains I and Fountains II are complete !

The section in Buzz's pics (Palms), is literally the only section I cannot find any info on as far as rehab goes ? Their owner's association may not have voted for it yet ?

 

[maddiesmum]

My in-laws just booked a week at the Villages and hubby and I are contemplating it also. Mainly because we can get a 2 bdrm suite for a great deal. But can anyone tell us how far it is to Disney World and wether we need a rental car to get there?
An if anyone can tell us where to buy affordable park tickets, that would be great also.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Maddiesmom....

I highly recommend a rental car when staying at either Vistana. I just "mapquested" both the main Vistana and the Villages to Epcot as an example.
Villages : 4 miles
Vistana Resort : 1.9 mile

You're probably looking at a 20-25 min drive to WDW from the Villages and maybe a 10-15 min drive from the main Vistana.

Here's a good place to start for tickets. First, sign up for the emails from this site :
http://www.mousesavers.com/newsletterhelp.html (sign up. Then, on the 15th of every month, Mary will send you an email newsletter that will contain a link to this site for specially priced tickets : http://www.undercovertourist.com/)

Don't order the tickets until you get that first newsletter. The link inside saves you an extra couple of dollars.

Hope this helped....check out the car rental discount codes in on the Mousesavers site too.

 

[foolish.mortal]

i went to florida in summer 2008, we have always stayed at the vistana as we know someone with a timeshare there. This time we stayed at vistana villages and it was very good. it is quieter at villages as it is newer and less buildings.the shop at the old vistana is alot better its bigger and has a wider range compared the to villages shop which is small and not too good. it feels alot more exculsive at the villages resort and although it is further away from disney but is still only a 10min drive. villages is close to the premium outlets mall which is a good shopping location and seaworld is only a 5 minute drvie down the road. overall i think vistana villages is the better one out of the 2.

when we go back in 2010 we will be staying at vistana villages

 

[MiaSRN62]

Welcome to the DIS foolishmortal !

While the Villages is not that much further to WDW than the main Vistana, I do feel the traffic on International Drive area is heavier than that around the main Vistana so I think that could affect driving times. So the main Vistana definitely "feels" closer. We've actually been able to see the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Downtown Disney from our balcony---we caught some of the Epcot fireworks too.

So, just out of curiosity & for a general FYI for anyone interested (myself included), I Mapquested driving and distances to the parks from the Villages and the main resort :

Villages TO :
MK : Estimated Time: 16 minutes Estimated Distance: 10.30 miles

Epcot : Estimated Time: 11 minutes Estimated Distance: 7.77 miles

Animal Kingdom : Estimated Time: 16 minutes Estimated Distance: 10.14 miles

Hollywood Studios : Estimated Time: 15 minutes Estimated Distance: 10.08 miles


Vistana main resort TO :
MK : 12 minutes Estimated Distance: 8.06 miles

Epcot : Estimated Time: 8 minutes Estimated Distance: 5.52 miles


Animal Kingdom : Estimated Time: 13 minutes Estimated Distance: 7.90 miles


Hollywood Studios : Estimated Time: 11 minutes Estimated Distance: 7.83 miles

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just wanted to add some photos from the main Vistana too.....maybe someone who has pics from the Villages can add to this thread as well.

Newly rehabbed room in the Fountains section :

 

[kpadalik]

Does anyone know if the remodeling is finished at Sheraton Vistana? We stayed there a year ago and, while we loved it, we got one of the non-refurbed suites. I want to book again for a couple of weeks from now, but would like to stay in one of the refurbed suites. By the way, if anyone has any concerns about staying here, DON'T! It's fabulous!

 

[Cloudboy]

Do the refurbed Vistana rooms have the Sweet Dreams beds?

 

[MiaSRN62]

kpadalik,

If you look up a few posts, you'll see I posted the refurb schedule. Every 6 months, more and more newly refurb'd rooms become available thus increasing your chances of getting one (the Lakes, Fountains I and Fountain II are done and a couple years ago they were not) :

REHAB SCHEDULE :
Springs : Feb -June 2009
Spas : April 2010--Jan 2011
Falls : Jan --May 2009
Courts : Aug--Dec 2010
Cascades : May 2009 to May 2010 (largest section)

Cloudboy.....the units are getting new beds, but to my knowledge, I don't believe they are the Heavenly beds.

Maria

 

[kpadalik]

Maria,

Thank you soooooo much! I'm such an idiot. Somehow I skipped right over that post!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm such an idiot. Somehow I skipped right over that post!

Not at all.....I realize many just skim through posts.....details can easily be overlooked. Have a nice stay at Vistana.

Maria

 

[Goofy Guy]

We had a choice and we stayed at the Vistana Villages in November 2008. It was absolutely amazing. We chose the Amelia section, which is the most recent remodeled section (building 30 and on the fourth floor.) Building 30 is nice because it is still close enough to the main pool to walk to and far enough away to be considered quiet. In addition, our rooms were, apparently, below the ones they must show as part of the timeshare presentations, so the room was extremely quiet in the early morning or at night.

They were finishing up construction across the pond but it appeared that was mainly the interior decorating now. There were a few construction type vehicles to be seen but nothing really noisy at all (and we are very sensitive to noise.) I would imagine they have completed those buildings by now.

Everything about this resort was first class, including the rooms, the construction, the amenities, the landscaping and the pool area with its daily list of activities. And the hot tub remains open (and quiet) until 1am. Whoohooo! I would recommend a rental car and probably would suggest that anyway for any offsite, non-disney resort. Shop around for a good weekly rate, compare and for about the price of a round trip cab ride, you've got your own car for the week. That provides freedom to go where you want, when you want. And, after seeing the distances between parks, downtown disney, etc. you'll be thankful to have your own transportation.

I definitely recommend the Sheraton Vistana Villages. You'll have a great time and appreciate the comfort!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I've never actually seen photos of the Villages like this before. To me, it looks EXACTLY like the main Vistana resort's Cascades section---even the pool ! Thanks for posting Goofy Guy. Anyone else notice the similarity ?

 

[DWFan4Life]

Both Vistana Resort or Vistana Villages are nice place. But I'll go for Vistana Resort, it's more kid friendly.

Have a nice day.

 

[mlenmoore]

thanks for the update on Vistana Villages Goofy Guy.....I have been scouring the threads for some recent pics. Thanks for posting. We are booked into the Villages for the week after Easter. Quick question.....the one picture you have of the inside of the unit. Is this a one bedroom or two bedroom unit that you stayed in on the 4th floor of buliding 30 (Amelia section)? Any more pics of the inside of your unit would be appreciated.

thanks
Mike

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just another update from the owner's site on the main Vistana resort :

Enhancing Your Next Orlando Vacation at Sheraton Vistana Resort
More than 200 Villas to Receive Refurbishments
January 2009


Springs Phase Living Room
Home Resort Owners of more than 200 villas in the Falls and Springs phases of Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando, Florida, are in for a sweet treat in 2009.

That's because the two phases are launching much-awaited and highly anticipated refurbishments, which will deliver LCD televisions with Bose® entertainment systems, granite countertops, knockdown ceilings, contemporary furniture and cabinets, and a completely updated interior. Already, three other phases at the resort have completed similar stunning renovations.

"With the Fountains, Fountains II and Lakes phases complete, we are excited to begin transforming the next two phases of Sheraton Vistana Resort and offer even more Owners an updated and welcoming place to vacation," said Shawn O'Brien, Starwood Vacation Ownership director of board relations.

The Falls phase will undergo work in January through May and Springs will follow from March through July. These projects are valued at combined $15 million. The next time you visit, you will experience:

Wood cabinets, granite countertops, and new barstool seating and dining tables in the kitchen and dining area


Cozy mattresses, duvet covers and pillows in the bedrooms


Cutting-edge electronics, including 42-inch and 32-inch LCD televisions, a Bose® audio system and clock radios


New bathroom floor and shower tile; granite-top vanities


Contemporary end tables, dining and coffee tables, night stands and dressers


Modern draperies, window treatments and Kohler plumbing fixtures


A stylish patio table and chair set on the lanai


Fresh tile, paint, carpet and artwork throughout

 

[NJtoATL]

Just returned on Tuesday 1/27/09. It was a beautiful resort overall. We were in an older unit that had not been remodeled. I still enjoyed the unit. It was large and clean. I will stay again without any qualms. There are other timeshare places that are just yucky. This is not one of them. Would post pictures but I don't know how. Besides, my pictures look like OP.

FYI - We stayed in the Palms section.
Have a happy vacation!!!