Sheraton Vistana

[keishashadow]

Will start off by saying we're DVC and have only stayed off-site @ HRH/Loews in Orlando. Must say that the "deluxe 1BR" unit we were assigned in the Cascade section was one of the largest, well-appointed units we've seen.

We visited on time share offer (4 nights for $149, with $100 being refunded the 2nd day, plus room tax) the kicker was the no timeshare presentation requirement provsio.

Thanks to Mia

we enrolled in the diamond lane checkin. Good thing we did. When we arrived @ 3:00 p.m. on Saturday the line was out the door! Even in the diamond lane we waited a half-hour. We were assessed room tax of approx. $33; bringing our net outlay for 4 nights to $82. Even though we left a day early, it was a remarkable deal IMO.

Once registered, the agent called over Alex (head TS honcho who had contacted me by phone several times before our arrival - evidently, he thought we were "live ones").

Alex attempted everything he could to get us to take the tour, have breakfast, etc the next am. I politely declined. He gave me his card indicating his work hours & he stated I'd have to check back with him the next day for my "voucher".

We were very pleasantly surprised as to the luxiourious accommodations. The mirrored whirlpool in the master BR was a hoot! Great view of fountain in lake outside of screened porch & a short walk over a bridge to the Cascades pool.
The pool was well-themed but overcrowded & the water was quite dirty with floating objects (bugs, garbage, mulch, etc.)

Don't forget to unplug the phones! Alex called twice within an hour to "...see how we were enjoying our stay..." smooth charactar.

After touring WDW the next day I braced myself to do "battle" with Alex. I'm in real estate & knew the one objection that he couldn't overcome - a real deal breaker...since the Sheraton is "offsite", they cannot offer the EMH perc. Simple but, effective...I was out the door in less than 5 minutes with my crisp, new, $100 bill.

Must say that we drove back to the Fountains area pool & thought that the buildings were less cared for/older. There also seemed to be a younger, rowdier crowd @ the pool (swinging off the lemon tree on the waterfall area?).

We would return again if this offer presented itself. Do think it's much quicker to drive the 535/536 into WDW as opposed to heading north thru DDT area.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Must say that we drove back to the Fountains area pool & thought that the buildings were less cared for/older. There also seemed to be a younger, rowdier crowd @ the pool (swinging off the lemon tree on the waterfall area?).

Hi Keisha !
Glad you had a nice time and knew how to handle Alex !
We own in the Fountains. As for the younger/rowdier crowd.....you can see that at any resort in any section at any given time (we've had rowdy guests during our disney resort stays as well). We can usually hear a pin drop when we stay there during the night. Only 1 year did we see security escorting a young couple out of the Fountains jacuzzi. It was after hours and they had climbed the gate. The outdoor jacuzzi was right outside our window and we never heard this couple---someone must have spotted them and called security.

We don't consider the Fountains less cared for at all. Every year we check in, many things are newly replaced. Some years we can tell the furniture is new or the kitchen appliances etc.......Vistana does a good job in the Fountains section of rehabbing and putting our dues to good use. Last year all the roofs were being replaced in the Fountains section while we were there.
I was just curious if you were actually in the Fountains section---there are 9 different sections on the resort. You got the newest Cascades, so, yes.....Fountains would appear older. I don't think there's any getting around that despite the yearly maintenance on the buildings.
Here are recent pics of the Fountains interior (these pics were all taken within the last 3-4 years worth of visits) :

this was last year in Fountains I...all brand new appliances :

So the Fountains might not be as modern as the Cascades....they were built in the late 80's vs the late 90's into 2001 or so. But we feel, as owners, they upkeep the villas very well. I'm just wondering if you were perhaps in an even older section but maybe not ? I think the Fountains might appear less modern than the new Cascades (they are 5 story high rise elevator bldgs compared to the 3 story high Fountains with no elevator). I think Vistana would have to completely tear down the Fountains and rebuild them to make them look like the Cascades or Lakes bldgs. I was wondering what specifically you found less cared for ? We ALWAYS see maintenance crews working on the landscaping in the Fountains area during our stays......we get a full disclosure of all rehabs/repairs done from our homeowners association as well.
Either way....glad u had a good trip....we'll be there in August

 

[MiaSRN62]

Do think it's much quicker to drive the 535/536 into WDW as opposed to heading north thru DDT area.

When driving TO WDW, we tend to make a right out of the resort on to SR 535 and then make a right at the first light---I4. Get off at whichever wdw exit we need.
Upon return back to Vistana, we find it easier to come via the DD way. If you come around the back of DD where SSR is you can bypass alot of the nightly PI/DD crowds. I've seen some hefty backups in the evening/night hours coming via I4 and getting off at the 535 exit.

 

[keishashadow]

Mia - didn't mean to disparage the Fountains...thought the pool (one you posted) was better than the Cascades, certainly was cleaner. Also think the interior shots looked great.

Perhaps it was unfair to compare that area w/the newer Cascades (which I thought was practically pristine).

When we visited the Fountains pool we parked in front of unit that was in between the "quiet" pool & the Fountains pool. Sorry, can't remember which one - the place is probably bigger than my whole town LOL. The units we walked behind had ripped screened porches and the paint/stucco was peeling. Didn't see the interiors.

BTW, when we checked in & I found out that our room was on the 1st floor, I asked if we could switch to a higher floor, due to security concerns. They did have a room in the Fountains section but, after consultation w/mgr., I was told that they specifically wanted us to stay in the Cascades section.???

Regardless, I thought the Cascade unit was lovely, highly recommend, especially if EMH's aren't a priority. Thannks again for all your helpful suggestions on enjoying "your home" enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[MiaSRN62]

When we visited the Fountains pool we parked in front of unit that was in between the "quiet" pool & the Fountains pool. Sorry, can't remember which one - the place is probably bigger than my whole town LOL.

So you were right in front of the Lakes recreation center maybe ?? The "quiet" pool you refer to "could" have been the Lakes pool ? It has a fountain and zero depth entry ? There is a big Recreation Center there ? If not, you must have been in another section ? Because those are the only two pools in that area. I know Vistana is a little behind with some of the exteriors from the several hurricanes that hit the last couple years. That is one of the reasons the roofs were replaced last year in the Fountains. And, yes, the place is huge ! People complain how big OKW is on the DVC boards and I have to laugh when I compare it to Vistana
I *believe* they put you in the Cascades in order to impress/charm you into buying. The Cascades are the ones they are selling as well as the Villages and an another resort.
Thanks.....we're looking forward to visiting both our Vistana and DVC "homes" this August.
Take care,

 

[keishashadow]

So you were right in front of the Lakes recreation center maybe ?? The "quiet" pool you refer to "could" have been the Lakes pool ? It has a fountain and zero depth entry ? There is a big Recreation Center there ? If not, you must have been in another section ? Because those are the only two pools in that area. I know Vistana is a little behind with some of the exteriors from the several hurricanes that hit the last couple years. That is one of the reasons the roofs were replaced last year in the Fountains. And, yes, the place is huge ! People complain how big OKW is on the DVC boards and I have to laugh when I compare it to Vistana
I *believe* they put you in the Cascades in order to impress/charm you into buying. The Cascades are the ones they are selling as well as the Villages and an another resort.
Thanks.....we're looking forward to visiting both our Vistana and DVC "homes" this August.
Take care,

That's it...the rec building was a 2 - story, big building.

Must admit we got lost in the Cascades section the 1st few times and again pulling into the wrong gate, and on our way to the pool...well, you get the idea. Maybe if we left breadcrumbs.LOL

Did forget to comment on how good the Pizza Hut Express was - another nice surprise. Took forever, should have called ahead I guess but, we walked over from our unit - nice stroll. DS loved feeding the ducks, geese, etc. too

Do hope they send us a similar TS offer in the future but, I've got a feeling Alex "purged" us LOL.

Enjoy your "double-dip" in August!

 

[MiaSRN62]

That's it...the rec building was a 2 - story, big building.

Then it def sounds like you were in the Fountains section. Again, as for the torn screen/peeling stucco----I am sure that will be repaired eventually. I'm not trying to make light of this or brush things over. It def is not acceptable, but in my experience, Vistana has always paid attention to these things and I'm confident it will be repaired in the near future. We've never had a torn screen in 11 years of visits (or anything similar to this) but I'm sure it could happen. Generally things we've encountered in the Fountains over the years have been minor at best. One time the jacuzzi tub wasn't as clean as it could have been so I cleaned it again real well. And one other time, the trash compactor was in need of repair/replacement and I let them know this while I was there.
I've even seen some wear & tear in the DVC units as well over the years (I've stayed at OKW, BWV & VWL). I've seen things such as worn sections of carpets, stained couches, scratches on furniture........all pretty minor as well.

I know what you mean about how easy it is to get lost in the Cascades section---the entire resort can be a maze. Sometimes I even find it confusing and I've owned there since '94. But it has grown since we purchased.

My kids always enjoy feeding the ducks, fish etc. We've encountered an otter a few trips (didn't see him last year though)......there are very large turtles in the pond near the Spa section (on the opposite side of the General Store). One year my daughter was feeding some ducks (think this was '02) and a huge black swan didn't like the fact that the ducks were getting fed (I guess ) and chased her all around. I had been videotaping and got alot of this on tape---mostly of the ground as I am running from this huge swan to protect my dd
Here's a pic of the turtle we fed last year :

I have heard of people getting multiple timeshare offers from Vistana---so I hope one comes through for you as well in the future. Thanks again for the report

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Mia in addition to doing the Diamond Lane last year I remember calling with my requests. I was just wondering...did you give me the number or did I get it off line?? I cannot for the life of me remember how I did it!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I was just wondering...did you give me the number or did I get it off line?? I cannot for the life of me remember how I did it!!

Hmmm...I can't remember ? But the number is right on their website : 407-239-3100. Was this the number you called ?

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Hmmm...I can't remember ? But the number is right on their website : 407-239-3100. Was this the number you called ?

I was asking my husband and he said he thought it was the one from the website....I will try..nothing to lose. ONCE again , thanks all knowing Vistana Information Whiz!..

 

[luvdisney14]

Maria,

you said that you own at fountains, were ever able to stay in cascades or lakes?

 

[MiaSRN62]

you said that you own at fountains, were ever able to stay in cascades or lakes?

Hi luvdisney14......
As owners of a certain section, we must stay in those sections. Only once did I get the Lakes. We had a huge problem with check-in. Got there at 2 pm......they told us the room would be ready by 4 pm. By 6:30 pm it still wasn't done. Apparently they were steam cleaning the carpets---the previous guests left a mess I was told. My mil was not feeling well and I demanded a room from management. They gave us one in the Lakes for the week. But this was an unusual circumstance.

 

[XFINALLYX]

if anyone is interested in buying timeshare here, i suggest going on ebay. my fiance's family owns a week already at this place and bought a 2nd week for 6,000 instead of 20,000. i love this place and was there up until saturday day :-D