Vistana Resort?

[f7prez]

We just booked two weeks at Vistana Resort for the simple fact that it was the only gold crown resort available through RCI during the time we are vacationing.
Though we have never stayed here, I was always under the impression that the Vistana was a very nice resort. Now I am reading here that it may not be as nice as we expected.
Can anyone that has booked through RCI recently, and has gotten a nice unit tell me which area you stayed in and if possible, what the unit number was.

Also, how are the overall amenities, such as the pool areas. Do the pools at the older units reflect the age of the condos themselves. If you are assigned to the Fountains, can you use the pool at Cascades.

I think I will continue to find availability at another gold crown resort like Bonnet Creek, unless you can convince me that the Vistana is still worth the visit.

 

[klynn]

What is your check in day? As long as it is not Saturday you don't have to worry about being stuck in the dreaded "Courts" section. If you ask this question along with your check in day over on www.tugbbs.com you'll get people over there who can give you a better idea about what check in days are for certain areas of the resort.

 

[spiceycat]

there are owners here....

I got the Springs and I was quite happy with it. Yes the room needed some stuff done. but it was very liveable...

here are my pictures
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spiceypj/album?.dir=/3a1c

 

[f7prez]

Thank you for your imput. I was scheduled to check in on a Friday. Maybe that would have made a difference. However, I have changed my reservation to Orange Lake. RCI was nice enough to change my reservation. I was too nervous about Vistana from all I read here.

Thanks Again

 

[swilshire]

Too late now, I guess, but we stayed at Orange Lake once and my kids whined ALL week because they would have rather been at Vistana. Orange Lake also has older, less desirable sections.

We didn't even have a decent covered patio to sit on. We REALLY missed the nice screened porches at Vistana. Plus we were farther from Disney. The bathroom in the master suite was absolutely the smallest I've ever seen in a timeshare. The second bath wasn't much bigger. And on and on. Lots of small things that made us doubt we'd ever go back.

Orange Lake just didn't have the homey feel that Vistana does for us. Plus the checkin staff was just plain rude. The ones at Vistana have always tried to be very helpful.

Sheila

 

[MiaSRN62]

Looks like the OP wasted no time in switching resorts---sorry I got to your post too late and sorry you were so worried about your Vistana reservation. I wish you a very nice vacation at Orange Lake. I've heard some nice things about Orange Lake, as well as some negatives. I think alot of resorts that aren't brand new, have pros and cons. I think a nice "plus" to Orange Lakes is that there is a lake on the property---water craft rental available ? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

For future reference, the sections of the Vistana resort in order of oldest to newest is : Courts, Falls, Spas, Palms, Springs, Fountains I, Fountains II, Lakes, Cascades.

Check-in days :
Friday : Spas, Palms, Springs, Fountains I, Lakes, Cascades
Saturday: Courts, Palms, Springs, Fountains I & II, Lakes, Cascades
Sunday: Falls, Palms, Springs, Fountains I & II, Lakes, Cascades

As for the pools. You can use any of the 7 pools on Vistana property, regardless of which section you are in. I do feel the pools got a little more modern in that they added zero depth entry pools at both the Lakes and Cascades. But all of the pools are very well maintained.

There are 2 full service restaurants on site as well as the Cascades Bar and Grille and a Pizza Hut in the General Store. All offer room service/delivery to your villa.
Also many activities are continuously going on at the resort---some involve small fees while others are free.

Hope this helps.
You can view many of my Vistana pics here (I think you might have to register to view them ? It's free) :
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4287948459

 

[VacationDad]

Thank you for your imput. I was scheduled to check in on a Friday. Maybe that would have made a difference. However, I have changed my reservation to Orange Lake. RCI was nice enough to change my reservation. I was too nervous about Vistana from all I read here.

Thanks Again

I'm not sure what "all I read here" is from. I've read various Vistana threads on here and it is almost always positive, as was my own experience there a couple of years ago. You will always read some negative experience no matter where you are thinking of staying. Just read tripadvisor reviews. Right after a "Best place I have ever stayed!!" review you will find a "Don't even think of staying here!!" review. If I could have found a unit for under $300 a night I would have definitely booked this year, but I didn't seem to have any luck with their rates with short notice.

 

[f7prez]

VACATIONDAD, you're right as far as positive and negative reviews on most hotels and resorts. While I have usually heard how great Vistana Resort is over the last ten years, it seems more and more people are posting how disappointed they were with their stay there. I have also read good and bad things about Orange Lake. Usually the same things you hear about Vistana. The older units need upgrading. So, faced with similar good and bad reviews for both Vistana and OLCC, the reason we decided to go with OLCC was the onsite golf course which we will use, and the new water park area they are building that my 6yo will love that will be completed when we arrive.
Thank you all for your imput.

Thanks again

 

[MiaSRN62]

Could anyone tell me if OLCC accepts requests for particular units? If so, what are the newer and or more convenient locations on the property.

f7prez ~
Have fun at OLCC. But you might want to start a new thread to ask questions about OLCC. The subject line of this thread is "Vistana", and some knowlegable OLCC people might not see your question.
Good luck

 

[isla bonita]

When we stayed in Vistana it was ok but I have to say having a third floor with a young person can wear thin quick! It was clean and we had plenty of room. My kids liked the pools also. I did not like driving to the pools.

 

[MiaSRN62]

When we stayed in Vistana it was ok but I have to say having a third floor with a young person can wear thin quick! It was clean and we had plenty of room. My kids liked the pools also. I did not like driving to the pools.

You can always request a ground floor. Vistana has always been very good about accomodating us in this way. First time we traveled with the kids, they were just 3 and just 5 and 8. I did have a stroller. We had a second floor and it was fine.
There were at least 3-4 occasions where we requested a ground floor and they gave it to us. Once was when we traveled with my sil who was 6 months pregnant and the other times were with my elderly mil. Just request it at the time of making the ressie as well as on the Diamond Lane form. Now we actually request a 3rd floor because you get the vaulted ceiling and skylight in the living room.
There are 7 pools on the property. Usually your villa is near at least one of them. We only drive to a pool if it's one of the further ones we want to try out. But we never drive when we choose the pool that's closest to our villa.