Vistana Resorts Lakes Section Question

[Figaro]

My spouse called this morning to talk with the people at the Vistana Resort about an accessible room. We had been hoping for a room in the Lakes section after finding out that the pool is zero entry (I may have to buy a swim suit!) and that is what we have been assigned...a ground floor room with a roll-in shower in the Lakes section.

So, can anyone tell me if the ground floor rooms have patios? And are the patios screened? Plus from looking at a map of the grounds, the Lakes looks pretty far away from the rest of the resort, so my spouse wants to know if it is difficult to drive through and get on the road to WDW from the Lakes section?

If it hadn't been for the wonderful people here, I never would have known which section to ask for and I really appreciate all of the answers and help I have received!

 

[Cyndiu]

The Lakes section is just great. Not quite as new as Cascades, but bigger and IMO better. Yes, there are patios and yes, Lakes is farther from the center of the resort than Spas or Cascades, but its not difficult to navigate to the main road. (Rte 535) When exiting the resort you just take a right on 535 and a mile or so down the road a right onto 536 and you're golden.

You're going to have a wonderful time! I'm jealous cause we're not scheduled until 7/11/04.

 

[Figaro]

Thank you Cyndiu! I told my spouse we are going to take lots and lots of pictures of the unit, so that anyone else who needs an accessible unit can see what it looks like.

It will be interesting to see if the kitchen is accessible (buttons for burners on front of stove, lower countertops and "pull-out" drawers for bottom cabinets). But if it isn't, then I guess my spouse can do whatever cooking needs doing(smile).

Now I hope I can just remember to bring along a couple of rag bath towels to leave just inside the door of the unit to wipe down the wheelchair wheels (which pick up a ton of dirt and grit that I don't want to grind into the carpet).

 

[Cyndiu]

I must say I have never requested such a unit, so I've no idea if the kitchen is accesible as you describe. I hope it is and I really hope you love Vistana as much as we do.

I know I sound like a commercial, but we have such a wonderful time each summer that I just go on and on when I get the chance to talk about it!

 

[wdwlover54]

If you go to Expedia, look up hotels for Lake Buena Vista and find Vistana Resort, there is a link for a virtual tour. Click on the 2 bedroom LR and bedroom links and that is the Lakes unit.

I will be there on November 1 and can not wait. I am also a Lakes owner.

 

[Cyndiu]

I never thought to look for such a thing at Expedia, especially since www.vistana.com doesn't have such a thing. It was fun to look at the pictures!

 

[Figaro]

Thank you for telling me that those pictures were of the Lakes unit! It was such fun to get a chance to "see" what they look like before we get there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

And are the patios screened?

Not sure if this was answered....but, yes, the ground floor patios are also screened.

 

[jdm]

We didn't stay in the Lakes section but the other section that is in that part of the resort bordering the Lakes (Can someone help me here? Is it Palms.... just can't remember) Anyway, I loved this section of the resort. It is quiet and beautiful. We preferred it to the main section. You'll have a great time. We loved the resort.
Jenn

 

[disneymom3]

jdm, the sounds like the section you were in was Fountains.

The Lakes and Fountains are our favorite areas of Vistana and the Lakes pool is one of our two favorites. (Zero depth entry is wonderful with a young toddler too. Plus that pool is usually pretty quiet.)

We stayed in an accessible unit last time we were there, just by chance and I don't remember the buttons on the stove being on the front. I think I would have noticed as I would hvae been worried about our little adventurer reaching them. Can't remember anything different about the cabinets either. What I would suggest though, is calling the resort and asking in what ways the accessible rooms differ from the others. (Other than the obvious, roll in shower and no threshold, wider doors, I really can't remember anything.)

Have a wonderful time! We love that resort!