Sheraton Vistana Resort (VIT) vs. Sheraton Vistana Villages (SVV), is one better?

[djdavid79]

Right now there is availability at both Sheraton Vistana Resort (VIT) and Sheraton Vistana Villages (SVV) for the week I need in a 2 bedroom. Is one of these more preferable over the other?

 

[amanven]

A bunch of people here will probably tell you Vistana Villages is better because it's newer but now that Vistana Resort has all the units refurbished I don't think there is much difference. Though Villages is newer, I think all the different choices for pools and recreation areas and the more spread out expanse of Vistana Resort makes it equal to the villages but that's just my opinion. If you want to be on International Drive go to Villages if you want to be closer to Downtown Disney and the Disney Parks then Vistana Resort.

 

[djdavid79]

Thank you, amanven!

 

[hefleycatz]

A bunch of people here will probably tell you Vistana Villages is better because it's newer but now that Vistana Resort has all the units refurbished I don't think there is much difference. Though Villages is newer, I think all the different choices for pools and recreation areas and the more spread out expanse of Vistana Resort makes it equal to the villages but that's just my opinion. If you want to be on International Drive go to Villages if you want to be closer to Downtown Disney and the Disney Parks then Vistana Resort.

I second this, both are very nice. We own at SVV but also enjoy VR. I sometimes do overhead views to get a better feel for a place, how its laid out etc. If you have kids, you might like one place more tha,n the other for the pools.

lee

 

[djdavid79]

Thank you!

I've never been to Orlando, and I really don't know much about it at all. I've been to Disneyland multiple times, but I know that Disneyworld is MUCH bigger and more spread out. I looked on a map and it looks like the Vistana Resort is pretty close to Disney, is it walkable to Downtown Disney?

I'm assuming we would need to rent a car. Are there shuttles from the resort to the parks?

 

[mishpat]

walk to downtown disney

Thank you!

I've never been to Orlando, and I really don't know much about it at all. I've been to Disneyland multiple times, but I know that Disneyworld is MUCH bigger and more spread out. I looked on a map and it looks like the Vistana Resort is pretty close to Disney, is it walkable to Downtown Disney?

I'm assuming we would need to rent a car. Are there shuttles from the resort to the parks?

The only timeshare I can think of , from where it is easy and safe, to walk to Downtown Disney is the DVC Saratoga Springs. Vistana is about 1.3 mile walk to the entrance to the Disney property(crossing I-4 in the journey) but then you have another 15 minute walk. Not worth the walk.

 

[jlp879]

I've never been to Orlando, and I really don't know much about it at all. I've been to Disneyland multiple times, but I know that Disneyworld is MUCH bigger and more spread out. I looked on a map and it looks like the Vistana Resort is pretty close to Disney, is it walkable to Downtown Disney?

I'm assuming we would need to rent a car. Are there shuttles from the resort to the parks?

We've been to both parks multiple times and from experience can say that there is not much "walkable to" in Orlando. The distances are large, the resort areas are spread out, large roadways or huge parking lots must be crossed so that the distance walked is not a pleasant one. A car, taxi or shuttle is necessary from Vistana resort. You'd need to cross the interstate to get to Downtown Disney. I don't believe the Sheraton has a Disney shuttle.

 

[K&PFitz]

djdavind,

Sheraton Vistana Resort has had a shuttle to WDW for years. I think I heard Vistana Villages may have added one, now. I was just there last June, but we always drive to Orlando, so I didn't pay attention.

We have stayed at SVV at least every other year since 2003, and have only stayed at SVR once, but they are both very nice. The time we stayed at SVR, there seemed to me more going on there, for example, a musician at one of the bars in the evening. SVV has some pool activities, and movie nights, but not a lot else. However, most people don't spend all their time at the resort.

We like SVV very much (although the lack of working BBQ grills last summer drove me mad). We really like the pools. Rooms at both SVV and SVR are large and comfortable.

You can't go too wrong either way.

 

[djdavid79]

Thanks!

Thank you all for your responses!

I've made my reservations, and I now have reservations for 2, 2 bedrooms in June at Vistana Resort. How likely is it that the units be near each other if I call ahead and request that?

We're going to have a lot of fun!

 

[amanven]

Chances are you will get the units near each other but if you ask nicely at check in your odds of getting two units together will go up. Vistana Resort is not walkable to Disney parks or to downtown Disney but they are an easy drive. There are shuttles from Vistana resort to the parks but they run on a limited schedule and I think there is a fee for the service (not sure though). If you don't mind the cost of a taxi, the average fare should be between $15 and $20 (worst case scenario). Epcot was only $12 for 2 of us and it was nice to have the cab pick us up and drop us off right at our villa at the time of our choosing.
Most people rent a car and drive to the parks from the resort areas. It is an easy drive from Vistana Resort.

 

[eakhat]

rooms together

In January 2010, I booked 2, 2bedroom units at the Sheraton Vistana Resort; however, one slept 8 people and the other slept 6 people. We were unable to get our units together because of this difference. The distance was far enough away that we usually drove between the two places.

 

[djdavid79]

Both of my confirmations say "06 Privately, 08 Maximum" so hopefully they are the same type of unit and we can be relatively close together. I'll call when it gets close to check in to see if we can keep them close. Thanks everyone for your help! The kids and grandkids are all really excited!