We stayed at Sheraton Vistana resort from Dec 21 to 25, 2007. It is a very large time share resort close to Disney World. We had a great package offer courtesy of my frequent flier miles.

The resort has a system of priority check-in for which you have to go their website and request it by providing your reservation confirmation number. We did that, however on arriving at the check-in desk we found that there was a line at the priority check-in desk while the regular check-in was moving faster since there were more staff dedicated to the regular check-ins. Consequently, we opted for the regular line.

After check-in we were asked to meet a guest services executive, who as expected tried to sell us into attending a presentation for buying time share units at the resort in return for credit of a certain amount of frequent flier miles. The lady was nice and gracious but we ultimately did not attend the presentation as the timing did not work for us.

They have a Disney Resorts desk at the Check-in lobby and they are very helpful with tickets and making other arrangements, but only for Disney.

After check-in, we drove to our apartment, which the Resort calls a villa. Our Apartment was on the 4th floor. It had one bedroom with a queen size bed, a TV and a balcony which opened onto a small lake. The second room had a sofa bed for the children, dining table, a second TV, gas stove, microwave, fridge and dishwasher. Our general impression of the room was that it was in good condition, clean and right size for a family of four.

The focus of our trip was visiting all the Disney Resorts, so we really did not spend much time in the resort during the day. In the evening we went to the resort swimming pool, which had a Jacuzzi attached and the children enjoyed themselves at the pool. Security in the complex was good.

The resort is well located – close to Disney and there a number of restaurants, coffee shops and a reasonable large size grocery store right outside the complex on the opposite of the road.

To celebrate Christmas Eve they organized a parade through the complex.

All in all, I would say a pleasant, clean, safe, well located resort close to Disney. Good for family with young children.

My parents own a timeshare here and we've been staying here every year for about 13 years now. I now have a child of my own and he's been twice. Absolutely love this place. Always treated very well. Side note: The Flamingo Bar makes the best peach daquiris EVER!

We have stayed at the Vistana several times. This time we stayed in the new section. Our unit was beautiful and spacious. Granite countertops, great furniture, comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchen.It had it all.
Last time we were in the old section which was dated but clean. The one pro that the older section had was the building only had two floors, which made it much more quiet and private. The new section had four floors which translates into more cars, foot traffic and noise.
The only major issues that I had were: a lack of security or life guards at the pools. At night at the Fountains pool, teenagers were climbing on top of the waterfall and jumping in the pool (about 20 feet high) which made for a dangerous situation for those in the pool. Also, there were glass beer bottles being brought into the pool area accompanied by loud, obnoxious behavior and bad profanity. There was absolutely no one around to make these people tone it down or calm down.
Also the hot tubs were not working. The water was hot but the jets did not work.
There is major rehabbing being done on a big number of the buildings and there are many trucks going through and dumpsters lining the streets. The construction noise is present but not unbearable.
My last peeve, was the time share calls. We received five of them during our stay, even though we told them repeatedly that we were not interested and not to call.
So......a few minor issues but nothing to prevent me from coming back to the Vistana. All in all, a very nice resort and a ton of space.

First of all I want to say thanks to Sheraton Vistana !!!...
My family and I had a great time!!. we were assigned to Cascades Villas. Check in was fast!!....Villas are beautiful and well equiped with everything you need. Ours had Safe deposit box, kitchen with everything you need to prepare a meal (pots, pans, plates, forks, knifes, glasses, cups.....name it...it's there). Also Washer and Dryer (very convenient by the way. If you're using the sofa bed you will find pillows, sheets, blanket on top of the closet of the main room. Jacuzzi tub, shower...I mean...everything!!!.
If you are a smoker, like I am, you can smoke in the terrace (make sure you get terrace inside your villa). Housekeeping keeps this hotel nice and neat. We did not try any restaurant inside the hotel. We were with the kids in Disney parks all day so when we get back late at night we found the jacuzzi to be a very good helper!.....sore feet....we were very tired from parks and the hot weather so a jacuzzi bath took all that away.
They give you complementary kit for coffee, and also cleaning powder for the dish washer everyday. we had housekeeping cleaning the villa everyday...but they like just take out the trash, fix the beds and change towels....but very nice service. Everyone was very helpful.
My only complaint is that this is like a time share vacationing spot, so they will try very hard to sell and leave messages for you to show up on an interview and try to sell a propery to you. Even though I explained many times that We don't live in the US....and I explained to them than me and my family don't travel a lot.....they tried for 2 1/2 hours!!!!...This is only the downside of this perfect vacation. It's like....they just don't understand when no means no...or can't do means can't do. (if you know what I mean)