Sheraton Vistana Villages - Your reviews, tips & ratings

[popsynic]

We stayed here in 2009, and returning this October 2012. This one often gets mixed up with Sheraton Vistana Resort, which is not that far from this one, and looks similar (but bigger).

In fact, even travel agents get mixed up, as we had thought we had booked the other one, but a few weeks before we left, realised they had booked us into villages instead. Which did work out better. Sheraton Vistana Villages is at this address 12401 International Drive,Orlando,Florida,32821

So I just wanted to begin a thread for people to share their reviews, reports and ask questions about this resort. Advice on best/worse buildings/rooms. Reviews on services (restaurant, shop, activities, pool, transport, location, etc)

In 2009 we stayed in Building 23 (think this is classed as St Augustine Village). They had almost completed a brand new section with a new pool area which we could see from our balcony. I believe this are is now open. I have a link to a resort map (at the time I was last there) here, showing the building and complex layout

Sheraton Vistana Villages resort map here

Anyway, this post is open to anyone who can contribute or has a question about Sheraton Vistana Villages

[Beccabunny]

Haven't stayed there yet, but probably willl for at least a few days in May. Your video is awesome! I have my whole family watching it and getting excited about our upcoming Disney family reunion. Love that you included the resort in the video. The pool with the waterfall looks great! Can't wait to go! If you have any pictures of the resort, I'd love to see them.

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by Beccabunny

Haven't stayed there yet, but probably willl for at least a few days in May. Your video is awesome! I have my whole family watching it and getting excited about our upcoming Disney family reunion. Love that you included the resort in the video. The pool with the waterfall looks great! Can't wait to go! If you have any pictures of the resort, I'd love to see them.

Hi, thanks for kind words about the video - and yep, below some images of the Sheraton Vistana Villages resort from our trips

Below are a selection of real life pictures to this resort from our last visit

[Beccabunny]

Great pictures, thanks so much for posting them! I think that helped me make up my mind, I'm booking as soon as I have definite dates. Love that pool! Hope someone else jumps in here with some reviews. This looks like a great resort!

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by Beccabunny

Great pictures, thanks so much for posting them! I think that helped me make up my mind, I'm booking as soon as I have definite dates. Love that pool! Hope someone else jumps in here with some reviews. This looks like a great resort!

It really was. Highly reccomened it. We found it immaculately clean, quiet, and easy to get to and from the Disney parks and resorts.

We didn't feel we missed out being at a Disey resport as we often went to them for dinner (eg Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge) but we either used the car to get there (not that much difference in time than it would jave been to take the internal disney transport probably) and on one occasion we booked a taxi when we went to Hoop De Doo Review (as alcohol was included in the meal, and well it would be rude not top partake!).

We loved a lazy pool afternoon ater a busy morning in the parks, or better were the evening swims after coming back from a hot sticky night at food and wine/MK fireworks/Fantasmic or Illuminations.

I only ever used the main restaurant on site once to grab a poolside sandwich one day, but it looked really nice if you wanted a proper meal. We also never really used the kitchen in the villa that much as we mainly ate out at restaraunts. But was good and big enough to do full meals if you wanted to. It was like a regular kitchen.

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by popsynic

we either used the car to get there (not that much difference in time than it would jave been to take the internal disney transport probably) .

Here is a map showing the main routes/attrcations from Sheraton Vistana Villages

[ddluvsdisney]

Great pics and info.
We're staying here for the first time this year (well at least I think so, a little confused about the vllages and the resort). It's my parents' timeshare. We are exchanging from Orange Lake. She may know better but I have no idea.
Is one of them for timeshares and the other not? From your pics I'm hoping it's the villages- looks awesome.
A little concerned about the distance though. Orange Lake looks way closer.

Your video was awesome!!!

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

Great pics and info.
We're staying here for the first time this year (well at least I think so, a little confused about the vllages and the resort). It's my parents' timeshare. We are exchanging from Orange Lake. She may know better but I have no idea.
Is one of them for timeshares and the other not? From your pics I'm hoping it's the villages- looks awesome.
A little concerned about the distance though. Orange Lake looks way closer.

Your video was awesome!!!

Thank for kind words about the video

Below is an image which higlights the location of Vistana Villages and Vistana Resort. Both are owned by Starwood, and similar in style/amenities. However Resort is a little closer to Downtown Disney, but the resort is older, and much, much bigger. I feel it is too big for the kind of thing I like, and also you can never be sure on the age of the resort area and villa you will end up in. Where at Villages, its smaller, quiter, and has a higher percentage of new buildings/villas. But it is a tiny bit further out. But hardly noticable in my opinion.

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

A little concerned about the distance though. Orange Lake looks way closer.

Below shows an overview of the area and Orange Lake on the West, and both Sheraton Resorts on the East.

[CindyV]

thanks for sharing your pictures, the place looks nice. This is the one we want to stay at, we stayed at the other one. Probaly will end up staying at the other one as this one may not be available for us. My parents have been to both and like this one much better.

[Dallas_Lady]

Great pics! We are seriously considering staying here for a few nights before our cruise this summer. On their website I saw a pool with a little pirate ship... my preschoolers would love this. Can you put in room requests like at a Disney resort? What area would I request to be near that pool?

[My2CrazyGirls]

How does this compare to a Disney resort? Is it similiar to any of the deluxe or moderates?

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by My2CrazyGirls

How does this compare to a Disney resort? Is it similiar to any of the deluxe or moderates?

Its similar to a Disney Villa Resort - no themeing like a Disney resort, but better appointed villas with more space at half the price.

But, you don't have the Disney perks (extra magic hours, etc) and if you want that 'full on disney experience' 24/7 then this is not for you. But if you want a luxurious resort close enough to Disney but with better facilities and a place to base yourself for your vacation with superb pools and service, then here it is.

[popsynic]

Originally Posted by Dallas_Lady

Great pics! We are seriously considering staying here for a few nights before our cruise this summer. On their website I saw a pool with a little pirate ship... my preschoolers would love this. Can you put in room requests like at a Disney resort? What area would I request to be near that pool?

Yes you can request areas on your booking - and also request a location when you check in too.

In order of age the newer areas (including the area with Pirate Ship in the pool) is St Augustine Village - Buildings 24, 25 & 26. With Building 25 the newest and closest to that pool.

The buildings surrounding the waterfall/rocks style pool are Buildings 1 to 11 in the Bella Florida Village part of the resort. These are the older villas too.

Buildings 27 to 30 are along the edge of the resort and against the road, so not sure I'd want these perosnally, as they seem furthest out.

Finally there is a slightly different styles area of the resort with yet another pool area called Key West Village. Buildings 12 to 17 are here. We used the pool here once or twice, and there is a grocery shop here too. But prefreed it where we were in Building 23, which felt central to everything, but not facing any potentially nposy areas. Although this resort is relatively quiet by any standard - especially Disney.

[popsynic]

Here is a map of the resport - the Area near the pirate pool is where it says under constructiion. This area is now open