Sheraton Vistana Resort- help needed

Never been to Orlando before! We have booked an RCI International exchange week (week after thanksgiving) at the Vistana but are getting nervous with the mixed bag of reviews. We have a 2 bedroomer that can apparently fit 8 persons (there%26#39;s only 2 adults %26amp; 2 kids). We are coming in from a longhaul 25 hour overseas flight %26amp; the last thing we need is a terrible room. A few questions...

1. How can we get to the resort from the international airport - airport shuttle or does the resort have their own bus?

2. How long is the journey to the resort?

3. This being an RCI exchange can we request for particular wings that are in apparently better condition or is it all luck of the draw being an RCI exchange?

4. If so, any wings to recommend?

5. Will we need a car to get to Disney or does the resort provide regular shuttle service?

6. Is it easy to get Disney passes during that week (26 Nov - 3 Dec)?

Thanks a million!

Sheraton Vistana Resort- help needed

If by chance worse came to worse and you were put in a bad room, I assume that there%26#39;s a customer service # to call for RCI and you could call them and complain, and they can perhaps light a fire under the resort to serve you better, as it is an RCI exchange. I know of people doing this for resorts with Interval International. All other things being equal, I would assume that the earlier you get to the resort in the afternoon, the more leeway they might have in assigning rooms, whereas if you get there at 2 am, they would have less leeway.

From the airport, I would allow for 20-25 minutes to get to the resort, though if lucky, it could be a little sooner.

Sheraton Vistana Resort- help needed

My family stayed at the Vistana Resort for 2 weeks in August and would happily stay there again. I have just taken a look at the most recent Candid traveller photos on the hotel review and can honestly say these bear no resemblance to the 2-bed apartment we stayed in - the photos of the apartments numbered between 11 and 30 look very similar to the one we stayed in. We were placed in the Lakes section, having requested Cascades (which was not available) and were very happy with the apartment we were given.

I can%26#39;t say whether RCI exchanges are given particular sections but if you wish to request a particular section the newest to oldest are as follows : Cascades, Lakes, Fountains II, Fountains I, Springs, Palms, Spas, Falls, Courts. If you are not satisfied with the condo you are given on allocation you should insist on a move.

We had a car, so don%26#39;t know about the transport to parks. However, I would highly recommend hiring a car to give you complete flexibility. The Vistana site alone is huge and if you wish to explore the various pools you would find a car useful.

I am also staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort the same week as you with my husband and two kids in a 2 bedroom villa. I read alot of the reviews from this site, and overall they were pretty good. I already requested a room at the Cascades, but was told I won%26#39;t know what I%26#39;m getting until 30 days prior to arrival. I plan on calling ahead and make sure I have a renovated room. I booked in May.

Maybe we%26#39;ll see you there....I have twins (boy/girl) 4 1/2 yr old redheads!!

Good luck!!! We stayed here on an RCI exchange last November and it was the pitts. We were first put in a section that was built in the 1980%26#39;s and hadn%26#39;t been renovated - it looked like the house from the Golden Girls. Not to mention, it was right next to the highway and very noisy. We complained, but were not immediately moved, due to high occupancy. A couple of days later, we relocated to a unit in the Fountains section. It was better, but not great. The neighbors were drunk and disorderly at 2:00 in the morning and security did nothing. The resort is big and impersonal. We complained to RCI, but they never responded. It%26#39;s listed as a Gold Crown resort, but in our opinion, doesn%26#39;t meet the standards. Unless you request and insist on a new unit, you%26#39;ll be dissapointed. You%26#39;ll want to rent a car. WDW shouldn%26#39;t be crowded that time of year. I don%26#39;t think the resort provides transportation? I would call or send them an e-mail. Enjoy!

1. How can we get to the resort from the international airport - airport shuttle or does the resort have their own bus?

I would highly recommend renting a car for your stay.

2. How long is the journey to the resort?

It%26#39;s about a 25 min drive.

3. This being an RCI exchange can we request for particular wings that are in apparently better condition or is it all luck of the draw being an RCI exchange?

You can request particular wings but they won%26#39;t guarantee your request.

4. If so, any wings to recommend?

Cascades or Lakes

5. Will we need a car to get to Disney or does the resort provide regular shuttle service?

They do provide a shuttle bus.

6. Is it easy to get Disney passes during that week (26 Nov - 3 Dec)?

Should be absolutely no problem.