Vistana Village or Resort - Orlando

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

I'm about to book a week in October. Both the Vistana and Resort have availablity. Is there a difference that I should know about - better/newer/ammenities?

I see they are in a rehab stage now. Do you know one or the other has been completed?

[bankr63 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bankr63]

Either is great!

Probably kind of late for a reply, but in case you haven't booked yet. Even if you have, either decision is a sound one.

I have stayed at both Vistana Resort and Vistana Villages and I now own at SVR. For trading in, there isn't a lot of difference. SVV is the newer resort, but smaller overall (although on average the buildings are much larger and closer), but all of the units are still in pretty good shape. Less amenities at SVV due to smaller size (fewer pools, fewer dining options, smaller shop), but those amenities are quite good. My kids still prefer the waterfall at SVV pool.

SVR is larger - at least double the real estate. The resort is in refurbishment; about 75% done now. A recently refurbished unit at SVR is going to be nicer than a unit at SVV, but the older units are pretty tired and you may want to avoid. With an October date, you should be able to avoid an old unit easily with a request to the resort directly about 1 month out. That said, we own in the oldest section, not yet renovated, and still love our unit. Several of the older (pre-Sheraton) sections are not nearly as built up as the newer ones, so much more space. The amenities are better at SVR; 7 pools, a couple of restaurants and food court, good sized shop, tons of tennis courts.

Service is about the same at both resorts, and they are only a couple of miles apart, so access to the attractions is the same (that is to say, very good).

Hope you have a great trip.

M Ross.

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

Sheraton Vistana's refurbishment should be done by January 2011 from what I'm hearing. I'd take Vistana Villages as it is newer and you don't have to worry about receiving an old unit. Vistana Villages is newer. Saying that, I did enjoy the refurbished 1 bedroom I stayed in at the older Vistana resort, though. I just wouldn't take a chance on October, though.

[bankr63 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bankr63]

Sheraton Vistana's refurbishment should be done by January 2011 from what I'm hearing.

Sadly, they are way behind schedule now. Courts, where I own, won't be done until July 2011 now, and Spas section was scheduled for later still. These are smaller (and older) sections so the chance of getting assigned there a small.

All the while Sheraton sits on our paid up SA's gaining interest on the money we paid months ago for these renovations. Saddest part for me is that we probably won't get to see our unit refurbished for years now. We will be back in March before the reno is done, and probably won't return to SVR for a few years as we have other vacation plans

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

Sadly, they are way behind schedule now. Courts, where I own, won't be done until July 2011 now, and Spas section was scheduled for later still. These are smaller (and older) sections so the chance of getting assigned there a small.

All the while Sheraton sits on our paid up SA's gaining interest on the money we paid months ago for these renovations. Saddest part for me is that we probably won't get to see our unit refurbished for years now. We will be back in March before the reno is done, and probably won't return to SVR for a few years as we have other vacation plans

Thanks for the info! I like both resorts. The original Vistana has the better location for being close to Downtown Disney.