Vistana Resort

nancy1013

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
7
Just came back from a 7 night stay at Vistana Resort. The villa was clean and large, but if you are a RCI exchange, forget requesting a resort area. I was given the Fountains, after being told by the resort to arrive on Saturday for a Cascade or Lakes location. All in all the area was fine. Only problem was the Fountains pool area. Several drunk locals frequent the hot tub every night. Even after complaints to security by several families, nothing was done. We will definitely stay on property from now on, the transportation from Vistana is not convenient. Our teens were told they could not get on at the parks without a bus pass, even after showing there room keys. We were not given bus passes on check in. The driver sudden had a change of heart as they were walking away, and let them on.
 
I would love to hear what you thought of your room since you were in the older section. Was there any problems?

I just got my confirmation from RCI and it states on it that there is a fee for the shuttle. Maybe that is new?
 
Originally posted by strasfamily
I would love to hear what you thought of your room since you were in the older section. Was there any problems?

I just got my confirmation from RCI and it states on it that there is a fee for the shuttle. Maybe that is new?
There has been a fee for the shuttle for years. And it adds up fast. We looked into the shuttle before we went back in '98 but quickly realized that getting a rental car would be much cheaper and more convinient.
 

The drunk locals is disturbing. Is there no security to keep those not staying at the resort out? I really like CPGVs but decided to pay more to stay at this one thinking it would be a level higher and more for young kids to do. I'm really hoping to get a room walking distance to a kid oriented pool. It doesn't sound like I'll have much of a chance to make requests like those. Hope its worth it.
 
Originally posted by 26555
The drunk locals is disturbing. Is there no security to keep those not staying at the resort out? I really like CPGVs but decided to pay more to stay at this one thinking it would be a level higher and more for young kids to do. I'm really hoping to get a room walking distance to a kid oriented pool. It doesn't sound like I'll have much of a chance to make requests like those. Hope its worth it.
The Vistana is worth it. Almost all of the units are within walking distance to at least one pool. Some of the units are within walking distance to 4 or 5 pools. There is security at this resort, so I don't really know why the drunk locals appear, and I honestly wonder if it was drunk people staying at the resort. We have never had any problems like that. There is a wide variety of stuff for kids to do. Organized activities, as well as swimming, mini golf, etc. And all of the pools could be considered kid oriented. None of them are deeper than 5 or 6 feet I think. I believe nearly all of them also have a kiddie pool for the really young ones right next to the bigger pool. It's a very kid friendly place. If we didn't now own DVC we'd keep going back. We might still go back. We love it.
 
I am bumping this up, as we just confirmed at Vistana for this next spring.

I am looking for any details and or information! I am planning to use the diamond lane check-in to request a newer, or at least newly refurbished, unit. Also, we plan to check in early, so perhaps we have a chance of getting a nice unit.

Which of the pools are best for kids? Is any of the food any good? Any other little tips are also appreciated!

:D
 
nancy1013- Sorry you had a bad time there. I saw a thread here a while back stating that too, you're put in a certain section, depending on what day you check in. That's how they manage getting all of the units ready for the next guests. I checked in on a Saturday, so I was able to get Cascades as I requested.

We didn't go to the pools at night, but did see some rowdy acting young adults at the super pool one day. I don't know why they don't have lifeguards at the pools, I think that would make a huge difference. I'm not sure if "locals" could get past the security gates though.

I learned from one previous stay offsite at a Downtown Disney hotel not to use offsite transportation. Driving ourselves was great and not a hassle at all. In fact we moved onsite to POFQ for one night at the end of our stay and used Disney transportation to Epcot, which was good, but we still wasted time waiting and had to stand for the ride home an hour after the parks closed. We never waited or had to sit in traffic when we drove to the parks.

Wishing on a star- We only went to the 2 pools closest to us, Cascades and the super pool. Cascades pool has a waterfall and little islands with fountains in the shallow end, great for playing. The super pool is better for swimming or playing on floats.
 
We just got back from Vistana on 7/18. Our trip was great! The pools were crowded, but we didn't see any really rowdy behavior ourselves. Although we were in Cascades this year, last year we were in Spas, which is older than Fountains, and we liked it just fine.

I highly recommend Vistana, my family consistently returns year after year. Next year, it'll be 15 of us spread throughout 4 villas. I can't wait!
 
Thanks to everyone replying here! Looks like I found these threads at a good time.

We will have a 2br sleeps up to 8, and we will be checking in on a Saturday.

sounds like we might get an excellent unit. We are excited!
 















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