Vistana villages - worth these sacrifices?

[dis-me]

I've just noticed Vistana Villages (my dream..one day...) hotel is the same price as the hotel we're booked in (Embassy Suites I'Drive) - and we can change for FREE.

The only problem is embassy suites (a 4* resort) do a full cooked breakfast every morning, is right on I'drive (we won't have a vehicle - although we are happy to walk a reasonable distance) and has a drinks reception in the evenings.

BUT Vistana villages IS vistana villages....my dream resort!

Can anyone help me make this decision? Is it worth losing the breakfast and drinks? And is it walking distance from I'drive?

Thanks!

 

[lawgs]

Vistana Villages is definately not walking distance....you will need a car to enjoy the area unless you are going to rely on the Lynx bus system

do no think they are a HOTEL but they are timeshare condos.....what you see is probably excess inventory that they put out to various sources

in these condos you will have a full kitchen usually if you are getting the one bedroom....not sure about the size of kitchen when you are booking a lock out or not even sure if Vistana has lockout units ( usually like a studio even though they are called one bedrooms )

 

[swilshire]

If there is just a couple, the Embassy might barely win out. If you have a family along, no question. Go for the room in the condo. No comparison. We have been timesharing for about 10 years now and it kills us to stay in a hotel room. We love having our full kitchen and the washer/dryer. We keep the laundry done while we prepare simple meals and save a ton of money and aggravation. It's also nice to have the private bedrooms if everyone is not on the same sleeping schedule.

Rent a car in Orlando. They're dirt cheap and SO much more convenient.

Sheila

 

[horseshowmom]

Since I've done both (not Vistana but houses), I would have to know how many are in your party (and their ages if there are children) and how long you're staying.

I really liked the convenience of being on I-Drive. The I-Ride Trolley is very convenient and very cheap. The breakfasts at ES are wonderful, and we seldom ate lunch due to the great breakfast.

On the other hand, it's wonderful to have the extra room. We're leaving this weekend for Destin and "only" have a 2BR/2BA condo reserved. There are only 4 of us, but one is DD's BF, and we've gotten spoiled with having 3 bathrooms in the houses on vacations. Four adults (or older children) may feel cramped at ES (although it's much better than a hotel room).

 

[SeattleMark]

Move to your "Dream resort" - why not? How often will you get back to Disney?

Rent a car. Otherwise you'll feel trapped and spend a ton on taxis, etc.

By staying at Vistana, you can cook your own meals and use the savings to help pay for the rental car. Go to mousesavers.com to find rental car discount codes.

This is especially true if you have kids.

 

[spiceycat]

Vistana Village is off ID.

so you can still get the I-trolley. (this does NOT go to WDW). but you can ride it to SW and then transfer to Lynx which does go to WDW (from sw -50).

now riding buses is not a fast way to get any where. only do this if time means less to you than money. If time means more - please rent a car - you will love the area more if you have your any transportation.

on the map 46 yellow in red box
http://www.iridetrolley.com/directory/gold_line.asp
here is the map
http://www.iridetrolley.com/directory/map.htm

you would need to get off 37 yellow in red box (same bus) Hilton inn at sw - then walk about 2 blocks to central florida parkway and get the Lynx bus 50
http://www.golynx.com/schedule.cfm?route=50

you can do it - but it will be a big pain - I would count on a couple of hour waiting for the buses.....

 

[vhoffman]

We stayed at Vistana Villages just last April. A fantastic place! Huge 2 bdr, 2 bath condo, washer/dryer, full kitchen, screened patio, and fantastic pool. We could never go back to being crammed into a hotel room again!

 

[dis-me]

Thanks everyone! We definitely won't be renting a car - we're from outside the US and fnot brave enough to drive round there. I'm now swaying towards staying put, although if Vistana villages are on the I.troller route that could be do-able actually. I'll think on it....

Not worried about getting to disney, we have three days in CBR booked too!

 

[Paulab]

Hi ther DIS-ME can I just ask how long you are going for? only two years ago we spent 10 days at the Embassy Suites and then 11 nights at the Vistana Villages! I have to say, ES was a fab hotel, its always quite a lot more expensive than most other suite hotels, the breakfasts were fab and certainly added value to the hotel, but it does get a bit 'samey' after a few days and we did venture off for a 'Sizzlers' breakfast a couple of times. However, once we chanted to the VV we were absolutely blown away by the accommodation. We are a family of 5 and had a 2 bedroom unit, which was HUGE. Okay, no included breakfast, but we werent fussed about that after having the same stuff continuously, the supermarkets sell all the waffles, pancakes etc frozen, so a quick blast in the microwave and were enjoying breakfast on our screened balcony each morning, overlooking that fabulous pool at the Vistana! So my suggestion woul dbe to go for both! one week at each!

HTH

Paula

P.S. We are headed back to the VV next friday for a few weeks, so if you have any questions, please ask!!

Paula

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

NO brainer for me...Vistana Village . I have stayed there 5 times in the past and if I had the money I would stay there again !! They have just opened a new section too and I hear it has more pools and a beach. All the rooms have a full kitchen but the stove in the one bedroom is smaller.

By the way VV IS on I Drive but the nice part.

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks everyone! We definitely won't be renting a car - we're from outside the US and fnot brave enough to drive round there. I'm now swaying towards staying put, although if Vistana villages are on the I.troller route that could be do-able actually. I'll think on it....

Not worried about getting to disney, we have three days in CBR booked too!

if you aren't going to Disney - then I would at VV. It is definitely along the I-trolley route...

It is not too far from the Publix - don't know about walking there - dangerous road.

you can even buy your I-trolley tickets at SVV.

 

[dis-me]

Hi Paula, we are only going for 7 days, so both isn't an option unfortunately. I've just seen that the Disney website says Embassy Suites is only a 2star - which is disappointing, although our TA calls it 4star.
So I think I might think about how feasible it is to stay in VV and get the I trolley into I drive each day.

Thanks!!!

 

[ducklite]

There are two Embassy Suites basically on I-Drive. The one on Jamaican Court is nicer but more expensive, and I would consider that one a better three star hotel. The other one isn't as nice and would be a high two low three star hotel.

Frankly I think the quality levels at many Embassy Suites have been significantly declining over the past few years. In fact there are a few that we've stayed at fairly recently that we will never go back to.

Anne

 

[dis-me]

In that case - wish me luck - I now have to persuade BF that we can manage getting the I trolley up and down to I.drive - and that not being in walking distance isn't the end of the world.....

 

[SammieG]

I dont know what country you are from but driving in the USA is extremely easy. We are from the UK and its easier driving in the US than it is at home.

Big roads, lots of signposts.. no roundabouts... low speeds.. automatic gearboxes..

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Vistana Villages is on the Iride trolley line so it won't be hard to get to all the Idrive area attractions from it. The Embassy Suites has a gorgeous lobby and nice rooms, but I would choose Vistana mainly because of the pool.

 

[jeff968]

the VV is a great and beautiful resort. That said, of all the time shares I've stayed at there isn't a lot going on here and there isn't anyplace to walk to next to it. They had only one small deli/store, a small playground, a great pool, tennis courts, and a few activities. If you like your vacation on the quiet side it will be fine.

 

[Paulab]

Hi again, I would say go for VV then if you are there for 1 week, really the free breakfast at the ES isnt worth the difference in luxury, space and atmosphere at the VV xx

Paula

 

[dis-me]

Hi, we made our decision and have changed to VV

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Red-Snapper]

If you are from the UK - then I agree with what Sammie said - get a car. It really is easier than you think.

Secondly if your BF wants to walk to a bar/restaurant on I-Drive every night then he will be dissappointed at VV because the trolley is ok now and again but not several times a day. VV is a long way down I-Drive, well past Seaworld.

Having said that VV is a good choice but you really need a car. You will be sick of waiting for buses etc from getting to/from Disney to want to do it all again at nite. Not much of a bar or restaurant on site at VV.