Vistana Resort Questions

[FayeW]

Family member just booked first trip to Orlando, staying at Sheraton Vistana Resort. I know the place is huge...any recommendations on the best section to request for toddlers? Is there a particular pool and/or playground area that is more appropriate for 3-4 year olds, or an area that has been recently updated?

Also, I don't have my Mousesaver's newsletter from last month, can anyone give me an idea on the prices at undercovertourist.com through the mousesavers link? Looking for the 5 day MYW + 1 day free price.

Thanks!

 

[FayeW]

I have to say I'm really surprised that nobody has recommendations for this resort in terms of what area might be best suited to a family with a small child. I thought there might be one or two "kids" pools with zero entry, or close to a "toddler" play ground.

 

[torquelover]

The Cascades pool is zero entry, and has a playground nearby as well. We usually ask for a top floor unit, not directly near the pool as we like it quiet.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We've stayed in every section with toddlers and have never found one section better than another. Although, I believe the Cascade pool has a walk in entry with fountains for the little ones to play in. Each section has a dedicated kiddie pool anyway. They all have playgrounds.
You will be happy whereever you end up at the Vistana.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm really surprised that nobody has recommendations for this resort in terms of what area might be best suited to a family with a small child.

Sorry, I've only been there once, with older kids, and wasn't paying attention.

But, our stay last February was great. Back in the day, Vistana was *the* place for offsite condo stays (much in the way that Bonnet Creek is now). Now that the refurbishments are just about finished, Vistana is once again "on my list" as a serious option for my Orlando area visits.

 

[Detailor]

I'd strongly suggest that you ask for more than one phase when you make your (Diamond Lane?) request. They'll try to accommodate your request but if your stay is through an RCI or II timeshare exchange then you'll fall behind people who are owners there or are renting through the Starwood reservation system (or possibly owners at other Starwood Vacation Ownership timeshare resorts). Most, if not all (I'm not sure in the Courts section is done yet), of the phases at this resort have recently been refurbished so this is a very up-to-date resort. Given that, I'd suggest that you ask for Cascades, Fountains I and Fountains II - and we liked the Spas section when we were there the last time, long before the refurbishment work - and give the resort an idea if you have a high floor or low floor preference. I'm not sure which phases are which but some have specific check-in days associated with them so your location request will also be matched up with those sections that are available for check-in on the specific day of the week that you're arriving.

This is a very nice resort with a very good location and has lots of great resort features and amenities. Enjoy your stay.

Dick Taylor

 

[*disgal*]

don't know if this will work but I found this map....just scroll down to the tenth post.


http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...lnk&gl=us&client=safari&source=www.google.com

 

[*disgal*]

we've stayed there twice. Both times did Diamond lane check in, both times requested Lakes or Cascades and got Lakes both times. Very nice...we got it thru Skyauction...I don't think it comes up there anymore.

Very spacious. The pool nearest to us was zero entry with a fountain and a clubhouse was next to us too. If we walked thru that building there was another pool that was bigger but not zero entry. It did have stuff you could rent though.

We loved our stays there and would go back in a heartbeat especially since they've done an update. Since I don't know anyone who owns there I'd probably rent thru redweek.com next time.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[FayeW]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Vistana has been on my wish list for awhile, but I'm not going this time, it is just my niece's family. I found it for her on skyauction, a 1bdrm for $489 for the week, total. I will pass on the suggestions to her.

 

[*disgal*]

oh, that's good to know that it came up on Skyauction. Did you only see 1 bedrooms or were there any two bedrooms?

 

[FayeW]

oh, that's good to know that it came up on Skyauction. Did you only see 1 bedrooms or were there any two bedrooms?

There were 2bdrm units also. There wasn't anything available for the Ready,Set, Go! auctions for their dates, so I just went to the Search screen and put in Vistana as the keyword. Villages and Resorts both came up with 1 & 2 bdrm units through out the year. This was a "buy it now" auction. The 1bdrm was $469 + $20 processing fee for a total of $489. The 2bdrms were $90 more.