I have never stayed there but this is what I have found out, also do a search on the Disney forum board, you will find all kinds of info on this where I have asked the same questions. But, here it goes. The Falls units sleep 6 - they are one of the oldest parts of the resort - but are suppose to be nice. The pool in the Falls section has a slide - this is where my son wants to spend alot of his time. The Cascades section is one of the newer sections - sleeps 6 or 8, the way they explained it to me is that even though it says sleeps 6 they can say it is 1 person on each of the double beds. If you stay in this section you are really close to everything and in walking distance. They have told me that the restaraunts are pretty good, but the general store is kind of expensive. If you go to their website
http://www.vistana.com/Resorts/vistana/images/maps/Default.htm
and click on each section, then it will show you each section. You wont want to be in the Lakes or the Fountains, unless you dont mind getting in the car to go to the other pools and the general store because it is across the street (the highway). The Lakes and Fountains do have their own pools (very pretty though). Security is great. You park in front of the building you are staying in. It will depend on what day you check in as to what unit you will be put into. Red is Sunday, Green is Friday, Blue is Saturday. You will notice the different color on each building on the map. If you would like I will e-mail you some pictures that I have of the Cascade units. Just give me your e-mail address Tense. Check in time is at 4:00 but they may let you check in before that if your unit is ready. Wouldn't it be neat to meet. I will be there with my DH, my daughter and my son. a top floor (the top floor units except for the Falls, Spas, and Courts all have a skylight in the top They wont guarantee where you will be staying if you request, but if there are any openings they told me that they would do their best. People have told me the Courts are terrible, they were the first units ever built there. When the owner bought the land, these units were on the land, and so he just inherited them and decided to keep them there. The cascades are little bit smaller than the other units anywhere else because they make up for it in the master bedroom because of the jacuzzi that is in there. Plus the newer units are more up to date. When you see the green dots on the map these are gazebos. The ducks mean that you can feed the ducks in that lake (pond). Most of the units overlook a small pond with a fountain in them. The Springs section does not have elevators (3 stories), so you may want to ask for the 1st or 2nd floor if you get put there. It sounds like I have been there, but actually I have never been there. I will be happy to help you any way I can. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!!!. Cheri
Here is an e-mail that was sent to me:
We enjoyed staying in Springs. The units are beautifully maintained. We didn't see a single bug while there, although we did see lots of anole lizards outside. The kids kept trying to catch them, but the lizards were too fast. Springs does face the main road in the front but has a lovely, semi tropical view and fountain in the back. It was very relaxing sitting
out on the screen porch and listening to the fountain, birds and palm fronds rustling in the breeze. The units are well insulated, so we never heard road noise or fountain sounds when the doors were closed. We also never heard our
neighbors. Springs is an easy walk to the Falls pool. On the way you can stop and feed the ducks and turtles in the nearby small pond. The jacuzzis in Springs are separate from the showers. Our unit had 2 queens in the 2nd
bedroom. I don't know much about Falls except that the units were built around the same time as Springs. I have heard mixed reviews about Palms,
which is part of the original complex. Cascades is much newer having just been completed within the past 1-2 years.
Here is another one:
Hi. I've been to the Vistana a grand total of twice, and stayed in the Cascades both times. I don't think I know enough about the grounds to give an opinion on the best place to stay. The buzz I've heard is that the Fountains, Cascades, and Lakes are the most desirable. As far as noise goes, if you get part of a lockoff, there's always the potential for noise if your neighbors are inconsiderate. We had that happen last time, when people got in late and were so noisy we called Security. They came right away. We are
partial to the Cascades because the bar is cool, right next to the pool. I believe some of the other pools have the same amenity. My daughter (11) and my son (5) and I walked over to the Falls pool and swam for a while. The slide is VERY fast, just so you're aware. It's much smaller than the Cascades pool. The Cascades pool has 2 excellent features . . . . a pounding
waterfall between the shallower and deeper sections, and these 3 spurting fountains in the vast kiddie area, which randomly shoot up water. The kids LOVE it, and your 1 year old would be the perfect age. Avoid the Palms section, I've never heard much good about it, it's older, and has no pool for its section. If you're getting a 2bdr in the Cascades, the Jacuzzi is in the
master bedroom suite. There's the bedroom, jacuzzi, and sink area. It's a nice big room. I hope this helps. As far as noise goes from Route 535, we stayed the first time facing 535, and never once had a noise problem with the
cars
Hope this helps, just let me know if you want the pictures or not. Cheri
[This message was edited by caitlyncheri on 03-01-01 at 02:52 PM.]