Armed Forces Vacation Club

[monkeybug]

Any one ever used this to stay in Orlando? We are considering a trip in Feb. and thought about staying somewhere with AFVC. We drive down so transportation isn't an issue.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

bump

 

[monkeybug]

Thanks for bumping!
I am still soooo undecided!!
SOG? AFVC? Another offsite location? Or spend the bucks for Disney again?
I did a lot of research on Trip Advisor and the reviews of a few of the AFVC are pretty dang decent (especially considering the space A ones are only $329 for a week) Shades of Green is offering 25% off rooms during the time we are going, so we could stay there for a week for a little over $600, but some of the AFVC look nicer (and all are larger).
Location? Or price and amenities? It's a tough call!

 

[jldixon62]

Thanks for bumping!
I am still soooo undecided!!
SOG? AFVC? Another offsite location? Or spend the bucks for Disney again?
I did a lot of research on Trip Advisor and the reviews of a few of the AFVC are pretty dang decent (especially considering the space A ones are only $329 for a week) Shades of Green is offering 25% off rooms during the time we are going, so we could stay there for a week for a little over $600, but some of the AFVC look nicer (and all are larger).
Location? Or price and amenities? It's a tough call!

Never used AFVC in Orlando but had a really nice stay through them in Sedona. My sister stayed at Summer Bay resort through AFVC and said it was nice and you can't beat the price if staying off-site.

 

[LWatson]

We have stayed at SOG and really liked it minus the dining in the Garden Gallery.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I've used AFVClub 4 times, all for Celebration World Resort (they're the only one that allow pets) for 329/week and thoroughly enjoyed it. For the price, the location wasn't bad, it was located more in Kissimmee and took us about 8 minutes to get onto the WDW property. I loved the fact that there was a full kitchen and W/D, it made our stay very comfortable. My best friend recently stayed in a luxurious 3 bedroom villa at the Grand Beach Resort and it was outstanding! I would stay there in a heartbeat.

I've also stayed at SOG countless times over the years (I started staying there when it was the Disney Inn and was there last year for a few days). I choose to stay at Disney hotels when I am on property rather than SOG, they seem to be pricing people out more and more, for my hubby's rank, we pay alot more than I could get for a moderate resort for the military discount or FL resident discount. I don't like the fact you have to pay for parking and the bus service is spotty. It just doesn't have them same Disney "magic", and if I'm paying almost 800 dollars for a week, I want more than they can offer.

 

[monkeybug]

Thanks for the replies!!!
The summer bay villas is one of our options, and I like the word luxurious!!! Was it really luxurious? The rooms at SOG look a little plain jane and while I don't necessarily mind that for the price and location, if I can get luxury for the same price and only have to drive a little further than that's what I want to do!!
Thanks!

 

[bellemeeko1]

we LOVE SOG..have stayed there since it opened back in 94 and prefer it over Disney resorts...weve stayed at moderate and deluxe and we were "homesick" for SOG! the grounds are very pretty...but to me you really arent there long enough during the day to need anything super fancy....but the rooms are some of the biggest on Disney property and the busing is just fine, sure beats Disney busing in our eyes!

 

[monkeybug]

we LOVE SOG..have stayed there since it opened back in 94 and prefer it over Disney resorts...weve stayed at moderate and deluxe and we were "homesick" for SOG! the grounds are very pretty...but to me you really arent there long enough during the day to need anything super fancy....but the rooms are some of the biggest on Disney property and the busing is just fine, sure beats Disney busing in our eyes!

We come back to the rooms mid day for a break and usually schedule a resort day mid way through the trip. I have little kiddos and the break helps keep them happy and me sane . I guess that's why I want the resort to feel more resortish than hotelish. We also drive so the buses aren't a perk for us (but being able to walk to the monorail sure is!!!)
We are leaning towards trying SOG at the moment, though for the same price Windsor Hills looks nice too...
It's nice to hear that you feel like it was better than the deluxe at Disney. Why did you prefer SOG over Disney? Is the size of the rooms a lot bigger than say a room at the Poly?
At 25% off, and the proximity to the monorail, SOG is looking pretty nice!!!

 

[pajules]

We have stayed at Silver Lake Resort - Silver Points and had a very enjoyable stay. The resort was recently (in the last two years) refurbished and is a stone's throw from AK and AKL. There is a back entrance to the resort that can have you at either location in less than 5 minutes, EP and DHS in ten...and of course you can't beat the price....seven day vacation for under $350...:woohoo. We stayed in a 1br condo in the building closest to the back entrance.

If you combine this with the military tickets they are offering this year, it's a steal considering the alternative.

 

[LWatson]

We come back to the rooms mid day for a break and usually schedule a resort day mid way through the trip. I have little kiddos and the break helps keep them happy and me sane . I guess that's why I want the resort to feel more resortish than hotelish. We also drive so the buses aren't a perk for us (but being able to walk to the monorail sure is!!!)
We are leaning towards trying SOG at the moment, though for the same price Windsor Hills looks nice too...
It's nice to hear that you feel like it was better than the deluxe at Disney. Why did you prefer SOG over Disney? Is the size of the rooms a lot bigger than say a room at the Poly?
At 25% off, and the proximity to the monorail, SOG is looking pretty nice!!!

I cant comment on the delux or mods, but they were a WHOLE LOT bigger than the value rooms. Never again will we do a value if the SOG is only a few dollars more. I really liked having the balcony to sit on in the morning or the evening .

 

[eeyore55]

While on th subject of SOG, does anyone know if there are laundry facilities? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mrsjvb]

yeap.. not on every floor though.. we used them after our Disney Cruise when we spent a few days at SoG afterward forget what the price was on a load though.

 

[littlezar]

We stayed at Silver Lake last January through AFVC. Less than $400 for the week and it was very spacious. We were in a 2 BR, 2 Ba with full kitchen and washer/dryer. (Master bath was FABULOUS!!!) Quick & easy to get on Disney property close to AK. We booked it a few weeks before we went and had actually called about another resort that was no longer available by the time my husband spoke with someone. The girl he spoke with offered him Silver Lake even though it didn't show availability on the website. Definitely worth calling if you don't see something that fits your needs.