Vistana Resort v. Vistana Villages...

[janets]

can someone please tell me the difference? I have an opportunity for a week at Vistana Resort, 2 bdrm, for $609/wk. I have the feeling one is better than the other but don't know which or why.

Thanks!!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I believe (?) Vistana Villages is newer. Ofcourse maybe there are sections of Vistana Resort that have been built since VV, I don't know.

VR is more like a, well, resort! It has more pools, seven, I think. VV has one or two pools. VR has a restaurant, a pizza hut, ice cream store (pizza hut and ice cream store is in the main building where the gift shop is). Activities by the pool for the kids are definately at VR, I'm not sure about VV.

The actual condos are probably pretty similar.

I've heard VV is beautiful. I've stayed at VR and was EXTREMELY happy. That is a great rate for VR. I'd be happy with that.

Sorry I don't know a lot. I know you'll get more responses from others who know.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Janet ~
The main Vistana resort is a little closer to WDW....the Villages is probably a tad closer to Sea World. Maybe a difference of 10 min in driving. The Villages is newer and smaller. They have 1 pool. They do not have an onsite restaurant though I believe they have a snack bar of some sort and a general store. I have heard many good reviews about the Villages though I have not stayed there personally.
The main Vistana is about 5 min tops from the entrance to the Disney Marketplace and Downtown Disney. They are a much larger resort. They have 2 sit down restaurants, plus a snack bar and a Pizza Hut inside the General Store on site. They offer villa delivery from any of the restaurants. They have 7 pools, basketball/volleyball/tennis courts, & a workout center. The main Vistana is seperated into 9 different sections. The problem is, some of the sections are rather dated---built back in the early 80's. The most recent section is the Cascades and only a few years old at best depending on the building. The Lakes (2nd newest) and the Cascades are very nice areas. I think alot of people request these sections. I own in the next oldest section under the Lakes which is the Fountains. I think the only problem I really ever notice is when people request the newer units but when they check-in they are placed in the oldest units. Vistana will do their best to honor requests, but there are no guarentees.
Also, just an FYI, but I believe if you are staying at the Villages you are allowed to use all facilities at the main resort as well. At least that's how it used to be. Maybe someone who's stayed at the Villages recently could confirm this. The $609 for the week is a good price at either resort. Usually the 2 bedrooms at the main resort go for $150/night (and higher). I'm assuming this is a 7 night week ? Let me know if I can help any further.

 

[treesinger]

You'll be happy at either one. VV is newer and I liked the decor a little better. It is also a little quieter IMO. VR is fabulous though, too. Actually, I just booked a trip there yesterday for mid-April. Been there 2 times and VV once. The one concrete plus is that VR is closer to Downtown Disney.

The best price I've ever gotten (besides RCI exchange) is 499.00 for an 8/6 at VR. 609.00 is a damn good price!

 

[Emily and Jack's Dad]

Staying at the Vistana Resort in April for six nights with family of 5. Can we expect normal kitchen equipment (pots/pans, dishes/glasses, dish towels, cooking utensils), or do we have to purchase some of these basics? Also, we are arriving late (Orlando airport arrival set for 5:30) so are we pretty much guaranteed a unit in the older sections of the resort, with all the newer units scooped up by the earlier arrivals? And, by age, how are the sections ranked?

Which of the sections has the nicest pool for the kiddies?

 

[pamlet]

Staying at the Vistana Resort in April for six nights with family of 5. Can we expect normal kitchen equipment (pots/pans, dishes/glasses, dish towels, cooking utensils), or do we have to purchase some of these basics? Also, we are arriving late (Orlando airport arrival set for 5:30) so are we pretty much guaranteed a unit in the older sections of the resort, with all the newer units scooped up by the earlier arrivals? And, by age, how are the sections ranked?

Which of the sections has the nicest pool for the kiddies?

Here's a link to VR
http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5

They are fully equipped... If you go under Villa Features and go to a page where they have floor plans there's a link to a .pdf file that lists what's in the units.

We haven't stayed there - we're going in May and I can't wait!!

 

[webprinter]

We stayed at Vistana Villages a year ago and it is one of the nicest timeshares we have stayed in. Our unit was a two bedroom and was immaculate! It had a beautiful jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, washer and dryer and appeared brand new. The landscaping is gorgeous. The staff is very friendly. They had quite a few activities. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and can't wait to go back. Debby

 

[MiaSRN62]

Also, we are arriving late (Orlando airport arrival set for 5:30) so are we pretty much guaranteed a unit in the older sections of the resort, with all the newer units scooped up by the earlier arrivals? And, by age, how are the sections ranked?

Hi Emily & Jack's Dad,
I don't think arriving late will necessarily guarantee you an older unit. Make sure you make your requests known to Vistana both by your phone reservation and you should fill out Vistana's Diamond Lane online form. You can let them know your arrival time on the form. Submit this at least 3-5 day prior to check-in : https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
Here is the ranking of the sections from oldest to newest :
Courts (this was a townhouse community that existed on the property before Vistana opened in 1980)
Falls (opened in 1982)
Spas (1984)
Palms (1987)
Springs (1988)
Fountains I & II (1990-91)
Lakes (1994-95)
Cascades (construction began around '98 and was still going on in '02)

As Pamlet pointed out you will not need any kitchen pots or pans---everything is supplied. Also, just to point out.....though the Cascades is the newest section, it also has the smallest villas. You will most notice this in the size of the living/dining room area.
Have a nice trip

 

[jeff968]

The villages are nicer as they are newer. They are still building there I noticed a few weeks ago as we drove by.

 

[gardner101]

We just returned from VR and LOVED it! We were in the Spas section and frankly we really liked it. The newer sections seemed like they were really crammed together, parking looked like a nightmare. Our actual unit (Spas 445) was very nice, a little dated, but very clean and not thread bare in the least. As a whole, we really loved the entire resort, would highly recommend it!

 

[talicskai]

We just returned from a week a VV and while there my parents were staying two weeks at VS. The VV actually has two pools - one large with a beautiful waterfall and kids fountain splash area. The quiet pool is behind the waterfall and just that ~ small but quiet. There are no floats or toys allowed in the quiet pool. They do not have a sit down restaurant but have a great take-out snack bar where we ate twice and were able to sit outside at the tables. Their menu was sandwiches and fries and they also had a kids menu. The food was excellent. VR does have seven pools but because it is so spread out you really only use the one closest to your area or otherwise you drive to the other pools. I have stayed in Fountains, Lakes and Courts and found them all to be nice. Cascades, Lakes and Fountains are the newest and nicest IMHO.
VV is awesome and that was our 2nd stay there. I would definitely go back. I would be happy at either resort so go with the one that has the best rate. The distance to Disney is really not an issue as VV is about 3 minutes further away. Let me know if you have any more specific questions. We stay at one or the other every year as my parents are owners at the VR.
Cheers! Teresa

 

[luvdisney14]

At vistana villages was dish soap and dishwasher soap provided? Did they give you extra dishwasher soap if needed? Also what kind of coffee filters are needed for the coffee maker. Do they provide free coffee somewhere in the morning? Last year we stayed at vistana resort and they had free coffee in the am at the general store. They also gave us more dish washer soap.

 

[VinnyNYC]

I have stayed at both...VV is a lot nicer with a lot fewer amentities...VR is nice with a lot more to do and a better location to Disney. I think its a toss up. I am staying at VR in August with my wife and 2 children. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Del]

I believe they provided one pack of free coffee. I packed my own. I thought the coffee was pretty lousy.

Del

 

[csmommy]

We have stayed at VV, & while the rooms were very nice, the resort was a bore, the people helping at the 1 pool were rude, the food limited & the construction annoying. So we purchase VR resale & are going for the 1st time in April.

 

[jeff968]

We've stayed at both. Both are great but I liked Vistana Villages better. Nice size and everything was new. We stayed at the cascades section of VR which is also new and very nice but others on the board have been put in the older sections and not liked them.

 

[justplaingoofy]

We stayed at Vistana Resort last Sept-Oct. I'm not sure if its because we did have the daily housekeeping, but they left us dishwasher detergent, dish towels, and coffee daily. I would assume that if you didn't have housekeeping daily and they only came in once midweek you wouldn't get them).
We packed a couple of filters (regular size round) (Mr. coffee kind) in our suitcase, and went down the road to the superwalmart and purchased coffee, and regular dish detergent, etc. In baggies I measured out powdered laundry detergent per load, with a dryer sheet for each bag. And packed some zip lock baggies.
Hope you have a great trip.

 

[edcopp]

In baggies I measured out powdered laundry detergent per load, with a dryer sheet for each bag. And packed some zip lock baggies.
Hope you have a great trip.

I would've liked to have seen the conversation you would've had if airport security found that in your carry-on...

 

[justplaingoofy]

Ha ha... honest...its laundry detergent..

I'm such a geek, My father in law works for the TSA (screener at the airport) and I ran it by him... Everytime we travel its...can I bring this..or check this?

We always bring a disposable underwater camera to bring to the pools/water park (that way we can leave it and not have to worry about someone taking it, or it getting wet)...and he also tipped me off to always carry it on and before going through screening (xray) take it out of your bag and ask them to "hand check" it..