vistana vs calypso cay

[MommyHolly]

Hi, I am hoping for some help chosing a resort for our trip late September.
I have narrowed it down to these two timeshare resorts. We have been to Calypso Cay before, but at the Amerisuites, this time we would be staying at the timeshares. We fell in love with the pool at Calypso Cay. We have 5 kids: 10.8.5.3.and 2. We loved how the pool had a cool slide for the older kids, but also alot of shallow water (0 depth entry) for the little ones. It was extremely easy to keep track of our brood in the pool there. Another thing that we liked alot at Calypso Cay was the mini golf. The kids played every day. We are planning a week just to sit around in the sun, and maybe do a little bit of Sea World, so picking the right resort is important.
For the same price, we can stay the week at Vistana. We have never been there, but I have heard good things. I think that my older kids would enjoy the activities, but I have concerns about finding a pool as cool as the one at Calypso Cay. I do not want there to be a pool in one direction that suits the older two, and one in another direction that works for watching the little ones, that would be a constant battle. I love the sound of Vistana, but need help deciding that we will like it better. Also, if there is a pool there that would suit everyone, which one ??
Thanks in advance for your help!! This is a great place !!

 

[spiceycat]

as you aware Calypso Cay is small.

very small especially compared to Sheraton Vistana Resort (you are talking about this right or Sheraton Vistana Village?)

SVR is BIG! they have 7 pools to choose from. now for non-members they are fees for using things - but I still think you and your kids would enjoy it more. Just because there are more things to do.

now if you or your kids don't like BIG - then go with Calypso Cay.

Sheraton Vistana Resort is close to WDW

Sheration Vistana Village is on ID and closer to SW.

CC is between them both.

 

[MommyHolly]

Fees for using thing like what ?? We are renting through II. The company that dh works for also owns II. We are getting a week at either resort for $299. What will we have to pay to use??

Thanks !!

 

[ttfn3]

Let me start by saying I have never stayed at Calypso Cay so I'm not familiar with the resort. I have stayed at the Vistana Resort several times - just for a week of relaxation with my family. We really like this resort, especially when it's warm enough to swim. There are lots of activities - many free that you can participate in. We played mini golf - you can get free passes for mini golf by participating in the organized activities.

We like to try all the pools when we are at the VR for a week. With your children's ages, I would say the Cascades pool would be the best. It has a large very shallow area with fountains for the young ones, and deeper areas for the older kids. I would also suggest you try the Falls pool. Much smaller but it has a slide for the older kids. There is no zero entry but there are 2 areas with large steps the little ones could play on with supervision. It also has a baby pool. If you're there for a week, you can easily try out all the pools. We like to pool hop.

If you want to know more about the activities at the VR, let me know. We've tried most of them

 

[spiceycat]

on the activities list - it list some things that require fees.

 

[gjw007]

I have never been to Calypso Cay but I have been to Vistana Resort. Even though I own at Orange Lake, I like to stay at the other (highly rated) resorts to get a feel. Part of the fun is to experience the other resorts, so I would recommend Vistana Resort on that basis. Second, given the ages of your children and the size of Vistana Resort, I believe that there are more activities covering the wide range of ages. There may be incidental charges for some of these activities (like playing bingo, etc.). Third, Vistana has multiple pools and your kids, I believe, will love them as they have slides, waterfalls to swim under, and water sports (water polo comes to mind immediately).

 

[MommyHolly]

OK, so Vistana it is. Now, which section is best?? Also, are there grills there to cook out?? Are any of the activities there that are not to be missed ??
Thanks!!

 

[ttfn3]

Holly We have stayed in the Fountains our last 2 trips and really like this section. It's a bit quieter. We always try for a unit near the pool. We've had great luck with just a short walk across the street to the Fountains Pool.

Yes, there are grills outside the units (look for location on the maps). You will need to buy charcoal. Too much work for me on vacation!

We have had a good time at all the activities we have tried at the VR. The activities staff is very nice. They have some free activities - such as pool games for the kids, free throw (basketball) contest, water volleyball, shuffleboard contest, and the like. The kids all get a prize - normally a free round of mini golf, sometimes a trinket of some sort. My DH is addicted to the poolside BINGO. It's $5 for 6 cards, maybe 6 games? You can win VR prizes like mugs, tshirts, tote bags, etc. The resort also has theme evening that are very family friendly - such as Casino Night, BINGO Mania, Extreme Mini-Golf - and one evening is a dive-in movie (tho with the lights watching the movie can be a bit challenging).

My VR tip is to take one or two small collapsable coolers so you can tote snacks and drinks to the pool. I'm pretty cheap about buying food at the resort, choosing to bring our own snacks to the pool instead.

 

[jdm]

We also stayed in Fountains an although it's not the newest section, the condo was huge and the pool was great. I think II trades into Cascades and Lakes section which is the newer, nicer, units of the resorts. With RCI, we had to take what we got.

Jenn