Confused about Vistana...please help

[Canuck]

I am putting in a request for 2010...I know it's a long way off, but I'm a planner.

I am confused about the Vistana Resort/Villages. I searched the forums and it seems that most call the Vistana Resort a "dump" but the Vistana Village is good. Is this correct? Or are the renovations to the Vistana Resort complete or near completion?

Thanks for your time.

 

[bward]

Hey Canuck,

I own at Vistana Villages. Been there once, but Vistana Resort three times.

Vistana Villages is new, and still under construction. Though, from what I read, the construction won't bother you. It is a very nice resort. I was at Vistana Villages in 04, and it's grown by leaps and bounds since then. I've read there are plans for a restaurant on premises, don't know if it's built yet. In 04 there was a full bar, and a deli/souvenir store on property. Vistana Villages is a beautiful place. You can't go wrong.

Vistana Resort is the original Vistana. It's bigger, with more pools, more things to do, and it's closer to Disney World. Vistana Resort is in the middle of a massive rehab to the units. Many are done, but there are still a few sections left to go, including the previously notorious Courts section.

The grounds of Vistana, the pools, the common areas etc, are wonderful.

I've found the 'dump' comments are reserved for the older sections of Vistana Resort. But those sections are being rehabbed.

I think by the time you are ready to travel in 2010, those 'dump' comments will be a lot less common.

The way I see it, if you have kids, they may like Vistana Resort better. But they'll find plenty to love at Vistana Villages too.

You are going to have a great time.

Hope that helps,

bward

 

[lprstn]

It is not a dump, although several sections were outdated Starwood is upgrading all of the old sections. The location is great, it has nice amenities and its overall a good trade. Also, by the time you go in 2010 most all the upgrades would have been done.

Hey, and I am doing my searches on my 2010 weeks and already have England and Pompano Beach (for July 4th, 2010 week on the beach booked)

 

[Canuck]

Thanks to you both!

Also, good to know that I'm not the only "planner". Most of my friends think I'm nuts that I'm planning 2010 already. To me it's have the fun of traveling!

 

[JPD]

vistana villages

My wife and I stayed at the vistana villages about 4 years ago. It was a beautiful resort and we had a great time there. We stayed there in Sept, not many kids there during our stay. People I know who stayed at at the vistana resort liked the resort, they had kids, and the kids loved everything, there was so much for them to do. The ones who stayed at the old section said it needed to be updated. Per one of the posts here, it appears that's underway. Another stayed in the newer area's and they really liked it. Good luck.

 

[homer timpson]

We've just returned - [yesterday] - from the Vistana Resort, having spent our 1st week at the Marriot BeachPlaceTowers in Fort Lauderdale.

A fantastic time was had by all in our party of 7 - [3 adults , 2 Seniors and 2 young 'uns aged 11 & 13] :whoopie:

We stayed in a newly refurbished 2-bed unit in the Lakes Section, No 1973 - [we stayed in 1974 last year].

The refurbished units are a massive leap up from the previous year - large LCD TV's in all rooms - beautiful furnishings -
granite tops in the kitchens - far more pleasing decor all round.

We own in the Springs and our own unit is still to undergo its planned refurbishment - we are currently planning to return next July
if I can nail some good flights in the next few days

I'd have no hesitation in recommending the Resort - we've toured the Villages and they are very nice indeed also, but,
we've been to the Resort for 7 years running now and having experienced the refurbishments 1st hand we simply can't wait to get back

It's location to the Parks - the excellent choice of pools within Vistana - numerous decent places to eat nearby, and it's proximity to the
Chelsea and LBV shopping outlets make it "our Home away from Home" as the voicemail message always reminds us.

2009 & 2010 can't come quick enough for us.

Homer

 

[Canuck]

I would really hate to get stuck in an older one. Some of the comments from Tuggers and from Tripadvisor scare me!

I knotice there are 3 differant codes to request in the II catalogue, VIT,VI0 & V01. Do you think that means anything? Is one the "Lake" section that is upgraded? Oh, so many questions!

I am tempted to request the Vistana Resort but maybe I shouldn't. The way the economy is right now maybe the renovations will stop or slow down.

Always appreciate Tuggers thoughts/comments/suggestions and more!

 

[Bill4728]

The first 3-4 phases of the Vistana resort was built before the resort was taken over by Starwood. For years, only the newest two phases were in the starwood vacation network (SVN) and therefore in II. If I correct, the older units at Vistana were/are RCI only**. So any unit offered by II would be the newer phases or refurbed unit of the older phases. Therefore, thru II, you shouldn't have to worry about getting an old, unrefurbished unit.

**The older phases are being refurbed and several units in the older phases are now in SVN and therefore in II. So what I said above isn't total true.

 

[littlestar]

I would really hate to get stuck in an older one. Some of the comments from Tuggers and from Tripadvisor scare me!

I knotice there are 3 differant codes to request in the II catalogue, VIT,VI0 & V01. Do you think that means anything? Is one the "Lake" section that is upgraded? Oh, so many questions!

I am tempted to request the Vistana Resort but maybe I shouldn't. The way the economy is right now maybe the renovations will stop or slow down.

Always appreciate Tuggers thoughts/comments/suggestions and more!

We only will stay in 1 bedrooms there right now as they are either in Lakes (remodeled) or Cascades (not that old). I'll skip the 2 bedrooms until later on when the remodel is complete.

 

[robtug]

Vistana resort is hit n miss. If you get remodelled unit...you will be happy ...if not it will be disappointing. If I had my choice I would go to villages to get a nicer unit. They are both pretty close to everything disney/shopping.

 

[Mimi]

We (3 seniors) are currently staying at Vistana Resort now in a remodeled 2br Fountains unit #1367. We paid $299 for a last minute RCI week. As noted in a previous post, we requested a Fountains unit. Upon check-in, we were booked into a 2nd floor Cascades unit. When I mentioned that we had called to request a first floor Fountains, the worker phoned a supervisor and courteously made the change. Our unit is spacious and was reportedly updated 6 months ago. We were told that Cascades units will be redone next year. The Cascades pool area is new, with fun features for kids. The Lakes pool area is quieter. Currently with the cold front, few people are swimming. We were called by Mark who offered us ticket deals or $50 on Monday to book a tour, but we declined. When we went to pick up our care package on Tuesday, Fatima offered us $75. in cash, so we took her offer for a tour 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. A casino night was held on Monday night and there was a flea-market on Tuesday morning at the Marketplace. So far, it has been a delightful stay.

 

[Y-ASK]

We got stuck in one of the older units (Easter Week 2007) that had many problems. Even though I was not an owner I tried very hard to get maintenance to come out and fix some of the really bad problems (leak from fridge ice maker that damaged cabinets). I guess they really didn't care because they were going to rehab but I thought is was a real shame that it took almost three days for them to come out and fix the leak. I think we were in the Lakes section and glad to hear that things have changed. But the stay left such a bad vibe with the wife that even today she says we go but never to Vistana resorts again.

Y-ASK