Sheraton Vistana Resort Questions

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by mrsap

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone has stayed in SVR Cascades Building 1. It seems like its directly in the heart of everything and I'm wondering what the noise is like. Is it a high traffic area or just as quiet as any other location? Would you recommend we request a different building? Thanks!!

Hi mrsap, welcome to the Disboards!!!

IMO, Cascades #1 is the best building in that section (although I haven't stayed in that bldg, it is in my ideal location in the resort). See the map on page 36 of this thread. That building is off the main streets but very close to the marketplace and the 2 main South side pools. You can easily walk to pretty much everything.

However, unless you are actually at the resort right now, you may not be guaranteed that building. SVR can move people around to similar class units regardless of what is on your confirmation. Maybe request that they keep you in building 1 if it shows on your confirmation?

[AUTUMNSAM]

Wow! Found this thread and I have been reading all night, my head is spinning

We traded for Sheraton Vistana Resort May 19 to May 26, 2 bedroom sleeps 8- 6 privately.

I read about the Diamond Lane request and check in, now to find what page that form was on.

We are 4 adults grandma, grandpa, mom and dad 60-34 and 4 kids ages 12 to 2, Not sure what area, building I should request. From all I read I think I would like the top floor with the skylights and view, balcony, near pool for my dd and kids, need an elevator as my sil has a foot issue. Away for the traffic and noise. Not a big deal but being by the Walgreens light could mahe driving easrier and I think It might ge nicer to have the whirlpool in the bathroom for all to use.

Is this even a possible request? What area or building should request?

Any suggestions and tips from those that own or have been there'd ne that, much appreciated!!!!

Thanks
Judy

[mrsap]

Thanks Bankr. I actually booked through my friends timeshare and the confirmation gave me a unit number which was in building #1 in Cascades. I was nervous about the location, and when I didn't get a response yesterday I decided to call them. The reservations desk explained what you told me, that the unit isn't guaranteed. So just incase I did end up in that building, I asked about the pool and they told me that the Cascades pool is open till 1:00 AM!! I find that to be a problem (with 2 kids under 5 who need naps and are light sleepers!!!) So I put in a request to be away from the pools.

I've been at the Vistana 2 times already. Our first time was for our Honeymoon back in 2004 (Lakes). Then we were back in 2010 (Cascades) and will be back late this year in the Cascades section again. What a difference a few years makes! I'm happy we got to see the "before & after". I thought the place was great before, and now it's just incredible!!! I was blown away at how modern and upscale the rooms now look. It was so clean! There are a lot of activities offered at the Vistana, but we are always at a park so we never got to participate. My daughter likes the arcade and we try to stop in there when we can. You can't beat the "home like" atmosphere. Our last visit, to save some money, we went to the Super Walmart (which was literally down the block from the Vistana) and brought some groceries... we had breakfast & lunch every day in our room and then would go to dinner. It's great to have all the amenities of home and we definitely took advantage of it. The pools are awesome! We've went in two different pools so far and we love the one with the waterfall. (not sure the location) It's usually not hot enough to swim every day when we go the end of the year. I love that if you need groceries, you can run to the little market right in the middle of the property or call them and they'll deliver them right to you! (as well as delivery items such as Pizza hut, which is also located on the property). We actually did take advantage of the tour to purchase a timeshare (just to get the cheaper Disney tickets!!) Worth every minute. I would highly recommend the Vistana Resorts. I wish they had more pictures on their website because the ones shown do not do it justice. Good luck to everyone, can't wait to hear everyone's vacation stories!

[KBecks]

Hi Everybody, I'm seriously considering booking a vacation package for Vistana through Travelocity for December. If I am going in this way, will we still have the opportunity to make a room selection? Thanks!

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by KBecks

Hi Everybody, I'm seriously considering booking a vacation package for Vistana through Travelocity for December. If I am going in this way, will we still have the opportunity to make a room selection? Thanks!

Anyone can make a REQUEST. There is no guarantee they can fullfill it, and unless you have very specific needs, probably no reason for you to do it. Honestly, all the sections are great and until you've been there the first time it is very hard to know what you want to ask for. We've stayed in 3 of the 9 sections now (including the oldest and the newest), and liked them all.

[AUTUMNSAM]

With doing hrs/days of reading this thread, I have a few questions. We have a 2 bedroom sleeps 8 trade with Saturday check in.We have to have two doubles in the second bedroom. This is a must, Which building/area would have them?

I read Lakes only have Kings in both bedrooms. So that only leaves Cascades with 2 bedroom with elevators. Is that correct?????? I do believe and hope we get a lock off. Which building/area with a Saturday check in would have them?

Also need a quiet area for little ones 2-3 to nap, read Cascades can be loud if that's the only building with double beds what area would be quieter? Is there a water view? Grandma is looking for a nice quiet view from the balcony after a long day at the parks

Sorry so many questions. Thanks for any and all tips or suggestions.

Thanks,

[Detailor]

Originally Posted by AUTUMNSAM

With doing hrs/days of reading this thread, I have a few questions. We have a 2 bedroom sleeps 8 trade with Saturday check in.We have to have two doubles in the second bedroom. This is a must, Which building/area would have them?

I'll admit that the following is information collected over a long period of time so I won't make any claim that it is precise in the post-refurbishment version of Vistana Resort. I'm sure someone will come along and correct this if I've gotten anything wrong. Note that these are the standard dedicated two bedroom villas and there are additional versions that may be configured differently in three of the sections; lock-offs in Cascades and Lakes and a double-decked townhouse in Courts.

Falls -
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 4 privately/6 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two single beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Sunday only

Cascades -
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Lakes
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Fountains I
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Fountains II
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Springs
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Spas
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday

Courts
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 4 privately/6 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two single beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Saturday

Palms
Standard two bedroom/two bathroom sleeps 6 privately/8 total
Master bedroom: king bed
Second bedroom: two full sized beds
Living room: sofabed
Check-in day(s): Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Dick Taylor

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by AUTUMNSAM

With doing hrs/days of reading this thread, I have a few questions. We have a 2 bedroom sleeps 8 trade with Saturday check in.We have to have two doubles in the second bedroom. This is a must, Which building/area would have them?

I read Lakes only have Kings in both bedrooms. So that only leaves Cascades with 2 bedroom with elevators. Is that correct?????? I do believe and hope we get a lock off. Which building/area with a Saturday check in would have them?

Also need a quiet area for little ones 2-3 to nap, read Cascades can be loud if that's the only building with double beds what area would be quieter? Is there a water view? Grandma is looking for a nice quiet view from the balcony after a long day at the parks

Sorry so many questions. Thanks for any and all tips or suggestions.

Thanks,

A couple of caveats to Dick's listings.

Both Cascades and Lakes have the same villas, the only real difference is a slight variance in the claimed square footage.

You want to be sure that in either Lakes or Cascades you get a Standard 2BR and NOT a lockoff 2BR. A lockoff will always have one bed in the 2nd bedroom (since this is the master BR when it is locked off). In BOTH sections the Standard 2BR has 2 full beds in the second bedroom. Both of these sections have elevators.

Check the map on page 35 of this thread. All of the buildings with BLUE numbers have Saturday checkin. Every section has buildings that are closer to pools etc and suffer from a bit more noise. Many of the Cascades and Lakes buildings fit the bill for your needs. Most of the Cascade and Lakes units back onto one of the lovely ponds, so the view in the evening should be just great for relaxing.

Finally, Courts also has 6/8 2BR units (just to complete Dick's list). The Upper (Townhome) units are two level and sleep more than the lower units when you include the extra sofabed in the loft area.

I would suggest that you are a good candidate for a Diamond Lane request. If Grandma has problems with stairs, point this out as a reason for an elevator building. The resort is very responsive to accomodation for guests with physical limitations. Be sure to mention that you need separate beds in the 2nd BR and this should have you all set.

[yogi3323]

First, thanks for all the great info in this thread. We are styaing at the Resort 5/26 - 6/1 and were concerned about the resort based on the pictures available on Sheraton's website.

We got a 2 Bedroom for the 6 nights from Booking.com ($900 all in, without housekeeping). Can we use Diamond Lane as well, or is this reserved for timeshare guests? I sent in the request just now, but figured I would post one here as well.

Also, this turn onto 536 (by Walgreens) that keeps appearing, where is that on the map (I see two entrances near the Cascades area).

Thanks in advance

[Detailor]

Originally Posted by yogi3323

First, thanks for all the great info in this thread. We are styaing at the Resort 5/26 - 6/1 and were concerned about the resort based on the pictures available on Sheraton's website.

We got a 2 Bedroom for the 6 nights from Booking.com ($900 all in, without housekeeping). Can we use Diamond Lane as well, or is this reserved for timeshare guests? I sent in the request just now, but figured I would post one here as well.

Also, this turn onto 536 (by Walgreens) that keeps appearing, where is that on the map (I see two entrances near the Cascades area).

Thanks in advance

As long as you have a Vistana reservation number you can effectively use Diamond Lane (you may have both a booking.com confirmation number and a Vistana reservation number), they match your DL request(s) to the reservation number in their system.

There's a road that goes through the middle of the resort, I think it's called Meadow Creek Drive or something like that. It goes between Cascades and Lakes/Fountains. Just follow that away from the resort, it comes out onto SR 535 with the Walgreens store on the right.

Dick Taylor

[yogi3323]

[QUOTE=Detailor;44771774]As long as you have a Vistana reservation number you can effectively use Diamond Lane (you may have both a booking.com confirmation number and a Vistana reservation number), they match your DL request(s) to the reservation number in their system.

There a road that goes through the middle of the resort, I think it's called Meadow Creek Drive or something like that. It goes between Cascades and Lakes/Fountains. Just follow that away from the resort, it comes out onto SR 535 with the Walgreens store on the right.

Dick Taylor[/QUOTE

Thanks, appreciate the response and information. I was looking at the map on Page 36, so it exits by the Visitor Center Parking area. Make a right there to go towards the parks

Also, one more question ... which pool has the slide for the kids?

[Detailor]

[QUOTE=yogi3323;44771979]

Originally Posted by Detailor

As long as you have a Vistana reservation number you can effectively use Diamond Lane (you may have both a booking.com confirmation number and a Vistana reservation number), they match your DL request(s) to the reservation number in their system.

There a road that goes through the middle of the resort, I think it's called Meadow Creek Drive or something like that. It goes between Cascades and Lakes/Fountains. Just follow that away from the resort, it comes out onto SR 535 with the Walgreens store on the right.

Dick Taylor[/QUOTE

Thanks, appreciate the response and information. I was looking at the map on Page 36, so it exits by the Visitor Center Parking area. Make a right there to go towards the parks

Also, one more question ... which pool has the slide for the kids?

If you're going to a Disney theme park then the exit by the Walgreens is the furthest away and you'd go by the resort's two primary entrances/exits. The entrance/exit that's between the Springs and Palms sections is closest to the Disney parks. Turn right onto SR 535 then turn right onto SR 536, go a couple of miles, pass under the Disney arch and follow the signs to where ever you want to go.

Dick Taylor

[yogi3323]

Thanks Detailor, appreciate the navigation help.

[AUTUMNSAM]

Great info, thanks it helped a lot!

I have a few more questions. The Courts upper level with the loft sofa bed would really be helpful with the teens. But do they have these units with the 2nd bedrooms having 2 double beds???? If so that would be prefect!!!!!!!

Do any units have queen beds in the second bedroom?

Thanks so much for the tip on the lock off units, we do not want one of them.

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by AUTUMNSAM

Great info, thanks it helped a lot!

I have a few more questions. The Courts upper level with the loft sofa bed would really be helpful with the teens. But do they have these units with the 2nd bedrooms having 2 double beds???? If so that would be prefect!!!!!!!

Alas, no. The Courts section is the grand dame of the Vistana Resort, built back in the day when no one knew what a timeshare could be. The 2nd BR in both uppers and lowers are only big enough for 2 singles; that was plenty big enough for housing your budding tennis stars back in the 70's. FWIW, the resort was originally intended as a tennis getaway (thus the Courts section). The 13 tennis courts are part of the original resort and "belong" to the Courts section.

Do any units have queen beds in the second bedroom?

I don't think so. To be honest I am not sure if "full" signifies double or queen. According to the Starwood site, Lakes, Cascades and Fountains (I & II) list 2 "full" beds in the 2nd BR, whereas the other sections Springs, Palms, Spas list Double beds. To my mind, they are the same size
Up here in the great white North, "full" would be the same as "double", but you 'mercuns are so much different from us....

Thanks so much for the tip on the lock off units, we do not want one of them.