Vistana Resort vs Holiday Inn Family Suites?

[SeattleMark]

I'm debating between the two after reading all the many pages of the best/worst thread. Both have plusses and minuses.

HIFS: Does anyone know the status of the conversion to the Nickelodeon resort? Is there a lot of construction? This place has better rates, but smaller suites then Vistana. And the pool area isn't quite as nice.

Vistana: The experiences I've read about are either great or horrible, depending on which building you get. We'd be just renters, booked through the Starwood site, and I've read that's a bad thing. The only negative I can see is that our vacation that we've been looking forward to for a year would be ruined by being assigned a dumpy suite. Also, is there a charge for the shuttle to the parks?

Can anyone tell me of any recent experience at either place and sway me either way?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Cyndiu]

I can only speak for myself, but I love Vistana. DH and I have owned there for 6 years. I have never stayed at HIFS though, so I can't compare.

 

[SeattleMark]

Thanks Cyndiu,

I'm wondering if they treat renters differentlly

Thanks,

Mark

 

[ttfn3]

We rented a 2 BR unit at the Vistana Resort in December 2000 and we are headed back there the end of July (won on Skyauction). I have never stayed at the HIFS but we have taken a peak at it. The main difference IMHO is the HIFS is a hotel and VR is a condo so it's more homelike. At the VR you will get more privacy, even in a 1 BR plus larger rooms. Another plus is you get a washer/dryer and a full kitchen (full sized fridge is great for freezing water bottles to take to the parks!). VR has more pools and entertainment options than HIFS. All the turns going to Disney are right hand turns (a plus in the morning!). The resort is key-card gated, so I felt more secure. I never felt slighted as a renter. We've had good experiences at all the timeshare places that we have rented from (Vistana Resort, Vistana Villages and the Marriot Grand Vista). We're looking forward to returning to VR.

 

[pixie57]

Have to second what ttfn3 says. Stayed at HIFS in Oct. 2000 for 10 days. The kids loved it. So, in Nov. 2002 after a week at the fabulous Vistana Resort, we spent our last 2 nights of vacation at HIFS. After the spaciousness of VR, even the kids realized they had outgrown HIFS! If your are traveling with kids under 10, I'd say try HIFS...but if it's space, upscale food, 7 pools to chose from, onsite restaurants, etc. that you are looking for, the VR wins hands down!