Sheraton Vistana Villages SVV - which section is best?

[pacman777]

Can anyone who owns or has been to SVV provide recommendations on what section or building number to request? I'll be trading staroptions for a 1BR premium villa for 2 nights and then booking a Starpoints award stay for 5 nights. I hear Key West section is nice, but far from the action and main pool. We have two kids (ages 8 and 5) and would like to be close to a pool with the slides and restaurants, but we also want a 1BR that has a balcony with a decent view.

 

[Ez323]

We always try to stay in the Bella section. We also have 2 kids ages 10 and 5. the kids love the main pool the most and their is always plenty of activities going on there. Flagers is right there as well for a quick bit to eat or a close walk to grab late night munchies. Even staying in Bella its not to bad of a short weak over to the pirate ship pool.

 

[LisaRex]

Here's a map of the resort, if that helps. Most units overlook a pond. The landscaping is pretty mature at this resort, which is really nice.

https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.com/villa-collection/sheraton-vistana-villages/map

 

[pacman777]

Thanks all for the input/suggestions! Looking at the map, Buildings 1 and 2 (Bella section) near the main pool may be the way to go.

Was the Bella section recently refurbished? Which section/pool is the Pirate Ship in? What about the water slide they have pictured?

 

[Rsauer3473]

This summer we were in a 2 bdrm on the 6th floor of St. Augustine. View was great and we were above the pirate ship but we did not hear a lot of mouse because of the height.
Bella blogs 1-3 are remodeled and close to the main bldg.

 

[vistana101]

Thanks all for the input/suggestions! Looking at the map, Buildings 1 and 2 (Bella section) near the main pool may be the way to go.

Was the Bella section recently refurbished? Which section/pool is the Pirate Ship in? What about the water slide they have pictured?

The entire Bella section has been fully renovated at this time. I would like to warn you, however, that I don't think it was done very well. The other phases still have much more modern (and bright) decor in my opinion. So I would look at the interiors online and see what you like, but I would much prefer the St. augustine phase. The villas are newer and nicer, the it has the pirate ship and water slide, as well as a pool bar, a market, a fitness center, and a lounge with tons of computers, books, printers and more.

You can explore different interiors by going to this page and scrolling through the menu on the right-hand side:

https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.../sheraton-vistana-villages/villas#floorplan-1

 

[clotheshorse]

Newer phase?

I have a similar question, when were the four phases built? Which one is the oldest phase (Bella?) and which one is the newest? I was looking online and cannot find anything except the map and room layouts.

 

[okwiater]

I have a similar question, when were the four phases built? Which one is the oldest phase (Bella?) and which one is the newest? I was looking online and cannot find anything except the map and room layouts.

Bella was first (mandatory)
Key West was second (mandatory)
Amelia was third (voluntary)
St. Augustine was fourth (voluntary)

 

[clotheshorse]

Bella was first (mandatory)
Key West was second (mandatory)
Amelia was third (voluntary)
St. Augustine was fourth (voluntary)

Thank you!

 

[STEVIE]

We will be staying in a 3 bedroom this May. Looking at the room configurations, I think we will be in either the Amelia or St. Augustine area. I know St Augustine is the newest addition, but it is several years old, and I was wondering what shape it is now in. Have either of these areas been refurbished lately?
Thanks, Sue

 

[jeff01]

We will be staying in a 3 bedroom this May. Looking at the room configurations, I think we will be in either the Amelia or St. Augustine area. I know St Augustine is the newest addition, but it is several years old, and I was wondering what shape it is now in. Have either of these areas been refurbished lately?
Thanks, Sue

I don’t know when the last refurbishment was but we were there last month with a group of 9, we had two – 2 bedroom units in St. Augustine and both units were in great shape.

 

[vistana101]

We will be staying in a 3 bedroom this May. Looking at the room configurations, I think we will be in either the Amelia or St. Augustine area. I know St Augustine is the newest addition, but it is several years old, and I was wondering what shape it is now in. Have either of these areas been refurbished lately?
Thanks, Sue

Hello, Amelia was refurbished at the end of last year. St. Augustine is getting a refurbishment towards the end of this year, but the units are still in good shape. And actually, the 3 bedroom lockoffs are only in building 25 in St. Augustine, which is the newest building, so it is not even being refurbished because the units opened so late (2012). Everything is still in good condition and very modern. For your comparison, the 3 beds in Amelia are in building 27. I would say the St. Aug 3 beds are a bit nicer-they are bigger, newer etc., but Amelia is nice as well. Also I have heard it is very difficult to get into that section for the three bedrooms.

If you would like to compare the villa interiors and layouts, you can find those here: https://www.starwoodvacationnetwork.../sheraton-vistana-villages/villas#floorplan-5

To compare their location within the resort (buildings 25 and 27), you can look here: https://www.mystarcentral.com/CMS/en_US/svo_media/CMSMedia/PDF/resort_maps/svv_resort_map.pdf

Also, I'm assuming the unit was either 125,000 or 104,100 staroptions, right?

 

[STEVIE]

Thanks for the information. Yes, the staroptions were 104,000 for a week in May. So I think that means our three bedroom will actually be a two bedroom with the smaller one bedroom. I think the 3 bedrooms in the Key West section are a premium one bedroom along with 2 small one bedrooms. Please correct me if I am wrong. The Bella section doesn't have 3 bedrooms, that's why I thought we would be in either Amelia or St. Augustine. I dont think Starwood allows requests for a certain section. The only problem I have with Amelia, is there isn't a pool right there, although it is only a short walk to another section where there is a pool. In any event, I am really looking forward to this vacation. This will be our first year in a 3 bedroom, and we haven't visited the resort in 5 years. Any suggestions for a family of 6, no babies this trip. My husband, me, my 21 year old son, his girlfriend 23, and my "younger" 18 year old son and his friend. By the way, the girlfriend and other friend have never been to Disney, so I am planning a few days in the park. No plans yet, I am gathering information to try and put together a wonderful time for all. Would you make lunch reservations ahead of time in the parks? Also, what's the best place to be for the fireworks? All information greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sue

 

[hefleycatz]

Yes, for the lunch reservations...the sooner the better. They sell out

lee

 

[vistana101]

Thanks for the information. Yes, the staroptions were 104,000 for a week in May. So I think that means our three bedroom will actually be a two bedroom with the smaller one bedroom. I think the 3 bedrooms in the Key West section are a premium one bedroom along with 2 small one bedrooms. Please correct me if I am wrong. The Bella section doesn't have 3 bedrooms, that's why I thought we would be in either Amelia or St. Augustine. I dont think Starwood allows requests for a certain section. The only problem I have with Amelia, is there isn't a pool right there, although it is only a short walk to another section where there is a pool. In any event, I am really looking forward to this vacation. This will be our first year in a 3 bedroom, and we haven't visited the resort in 5 years. Any suggestions for a family of 6, no babies this trip. My husband, me, my 21 year old son, his girlfriend 23, and my "younger" 18 year old son and his friend. By the way, the girlfriend and other friend have never been to Disney, so I am planning a few days in the park. No plans yet, I am gathering information to try and put together a wonderful time for all. Would you make lunch reservations ahead of time in the parks? Also, what's the best place to be for the fireworks? All information greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sue

You are exactly right about the 3 bedrooms! I assume the resort follows this but you never know if you get someone who messes up and puts you in a different unit! But I have a reservation like yours for March, so I will let you know how I make out and share some room details. I do believe that you can request a phase or building numbers, as I have a request for the St. augustine phase on my reservation file. Anyhow, yes I am sure you will have a great time and enjoy seeing all of the progress the resort has had within the last five years!

In terms of Disney, if you want to eat at a sit-down restaurant you definitely will need a reservation. If you wanted to grab lunch at a cafe or some other quick service-style dining facility, then you of course would not need a reservation and you could have some more flexibility in terms of scheduling your day. In terms of the fireworks, I apologize but I do not know of the best place. If you were to be outside of the park directly (for dinner), however, the California Grill in the Contemporary and Narcoose's at the Grand Floridan both provide nice views of the Magic Kingdom firework show!

 

[STEVIE]

Thanks All really!!
Does anyone know what time the fireworks start?
Sue

 

[vistana101]

In May the firework show starts at 10:00pm.