Which resort is better?

[rachel]

HI,

Traveling with 2 teens 13 & 15 to orlando. Marriotts cypress harbour or sheraton vistana resort? I have read reviews on both. cypress harbour reviews are way better than vistana resort. But we are looking for lots of activities onsite. Lots for the kids to do. Also which is closer to say Universal orlando or sea world? We are not per say going for the disney adventure this go around. My daughter likes to shop, browse all the surf shops and souvenier shops. Which would be closer to these attractions?

Some of the reviews for Vistana are downright horrible. Can this really be. The pictures and the resort itself looks fine.

Help.

 

[lprstn]

I've stayed at the Vistana in the old units and the refurbished one and they were not that bad. There are lots of amenitites onsite, and the resort is doing a major overhaul of lots of its units. They both are great resorts.

 

[Detailor]

We like both of these resorts. I suspect that some of the bad reviews for Vistana are because the resort is made up of several sections of various ages - some refurbed, some not. I understand, though, that many of the older sections of Vistana have either recently been refurished or will be soon. It's a nice, big resort with a lot of activities.
On the other hand, Cypress Harbour recently completed a full resort refurbishment and looks beautiful everywhere. As with most Marriott's, the list of activities is impressive as this resort as well. Cypress Harbour is a much smaller resort than Vistana.
The two resorts are probably about three miles apart. Vistana is closer to Downtown Disney and the Disney parks than is Cypress Harbour. Vistana is also a little closer to the big Premium Outlet Mall (about a mile away) that is between the two resorts. Vistana is also closer to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet area that's a mile and a half, or so, down the road from the resort. Cypress Harbour is close to SeaWorld - we've walked from CH to SeaWorld, but with children you'll probably want to drive, depending on ages and relative vitality - and is closer to Universal, but not significantly so.
There's a surf type shop at City Walk at Universal and a Ron Jons at the Festival Bay Mall on the northern part of International Drive. The Prime Outlet Mall and Prime Fashion Outlet stores are near Festival Bay. Cypress Harbour is closer to those shopping opportunities than is the Vistana Resort.

We've stayed at both of these resorts at least twice and enjoyed them each time. However, given the choice between the two, we'd pick Cypress Harbour every time. We like the resort's ambience and, in my opinion, the villa interiors are consistently superior.

Dick Taylor

 

[Debbyd57]

I would choose Cypress Harbour. DD was about that age when we went to Cypress Harbour and she enjoyed it. Debby

 

[capjak]

I would chose Cypress Harbor as well. But if you could get Sheraton Vistana Villiages instead of resort I would definitely pick the Villiages.

Also if you are going to Universal and Island of adventure, I would stay at one of the affliated hotels one night to get the free fast passes good all day. If yoiu purchase them for the 4 of you it would be about $160 anyway and with these passes you can do both parks in one day. That is what we do and stay at the Royal Pacific one night to get the free passes well worth it during high season.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We loved Vistana Villages. Don't take Vistana, if you can get get VV. Vistana Villages has no bad units. We stayed in the oldest units, building 2, and it was really lovely, nicely decorated, very clean, and had the most comfortable beds.

Cypress Harbour is consistently our favorite resort, and I recommend that one highly too.

The older Vistana is going through major refurbishments, so if you get a newly remodeled unit, you will be happy, but there is about a 50% chance you will get an older one. You might try the check-in line for owners (forgot what it is called), and then insist on a newer or remodeled unit. Exchangers without the clout of ownership are more likely going to get the areas not rehabbed.

 

[Detailor]

You might try the check-in line for owners (forgot what it is called), and then insist on a newer or remodeled unit.

This is called Diamond Lane. There's an online page - at the resort's website - to sign up for and make requests through Diamond Lane. And the queue at the registration desk for Diamond Lane customers is separate from the regular line. Depending on when you arrive and how many others have used it, Diamond Lane can make your check-in go very quickly.

Dick Taylor

 

[Darlene]

I would do OLCC or Cyprus Harbour. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana, and the units were the worst of any place we have stayed. There are only a couple of nice areas, but if you are an exchanger chances are they will put you in an old unit. Sheraton does not heat there pools, either, if you are going fall - spring the pools will be cold.