Vistana Resort...what section?

[fitznorton]

Plan on booking a week through Redweek. What section should I request? The ad on redweek is for a pool view. I have older adult (20's) children and do not need a children's pool, hopefully a quieter are in a refurbished building. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[bankr63]

Plan on booking a week through Redweek. What section should I request? The ad on redweek is for a pool view. I have older adult (20's) children and do not need a children's pool, hopefully a quieter are in a refurbished building. Any suggestions? Thanks

That is a very difficult question without a lot more specific information, but there is an easy answer. There are no "bad" sections at Vistana Resort. As of September, every unit will be refurbished, and even before then, those that are not refurbished will be closed for the work.

That said; the oldest sections were actually the most recently renovated, and tend to have larger units in smaller, less densely packed buildings. The new units are in tightly packed taller buildings (with elevators). IMHO the older sections are generally better, but I seem to run against the stream of people who think the newer, taller buildings with elevators are better. To each their own!

Roughly in order of completion:

Courts: original section, lower 2BR units sleep 6, upper 2 BR units sleep 8 with a nice loft area. 3 story buildings, (uppers are 2 stories) Stairs only. Saturday check ins. Very quiet. No water views (no ponds behind buildings - all other sections have ponds backing) - disclosure; we own an upper 2BR in Courts.
Falls. 2 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 6, Stairs only. Sunday check ins. Very quiet.
Spas. 2 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 8 (moves up to double beds in 2nd BR), Stairs only. Friday check ins. Very quiet.
Palms. 3 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 8. Stairs only. Fri-Sun check ins. Some (Sat) units front SR 535.
Springs. 3 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 8. Stairs only. Fri-Sun check ins. Some (Sun) units front SR 535. Some units back on pool (but it is the quietest pool in the resort). Upper units have nice cathedral ceilings. Have stayed in Springs - very nice upper units, stairs really aren't too bad.
Fountains. 3 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 8. Stairs only. Fri-Sun check ins. Some units (Fri Sun) front the main access road to the North resort. Some units (Fri) back directly on the main pool.
Fountains II. 3 story buildings, 2BR units sleep 8. Stairs only. Fri-Sun check ins. Some units (Fri Sat) back onto the I-4 offramp, and have no water view.
Lakes. 4 story buildings, 1&2BR units sleep UP TO 8. Elevators. Fri-Sun check ins. Some units (buildings 1&10) back directly on the main pool.
Cascades. 4 story buildings, 1&2BR units sleep UP TO 8. Elevators. Fri-Sun check ins. Some units front on SR535 or the main access road to the South resort. Parking can be tight in this section. Have stayed in the smallest 1BR in Cascades - very nice units.

For a quiet stay, I would personally pick Falls, Courts, or Spas depending on check in day desired.

 

[Detailor]

Lakes, Fountains I and Fountains II are grouped together across the street from the center of the resort - they're closer to I-4 than other Vistana sections but I don't know if that means that there's significant highway noise. Spas is in a nice, semi-secluded area behind the activities center and the resort's original main pool - convenient to things, though - we stayed in that section on our last visit and liked it in its pre-refurbishment state. Falls is toward the back of the resort and separated, by a wall, from the adjacent Marriott Royal Palms timeshare resort.

I'd think that any of these would fit the bill for your group.

Dick Taylor

 

[fitznorton]

Thank you for the detailed information. Another question if I may....which bldgs are closer to the gym? I read the Vistana offers classes and I would like to be able to walk, not drive. Thanks again!

 

[soxfan11901]

If you have to walk farther to the gym, then you won't have stay at the gym as long

 

[bankr63]

Thank you for the detailed information. Another question if I may....which bldgs are closer to the gym? I read the Vistana offers classes and I would like to be able to walk, not drive. Thanks again!

There are 3 fitness centers; so no section is further than a couple of blocks from one. They are located in Falls, Cascades and Fountains. Never taken any classes, so not sure which gym they would be at. The activities do vary at the resort, so classes may change from time to time.

Edit:

Just checked the weekly schedule for this week online. There are classes most days, but they are actually on the pool decks in the morning (most at 10:30). Zumba, Fitness Boot Camp, Aquafit, Core. Rotate through Cascades, Fountains and Spas Super Pool (so South side of resort offers more options).

 

[fitznorton]

Thank you again. I can't believe what great info I learn from this board.