Treehouse Villas

[CapnJacksGirl]

I'm beginning to plan for our next vacation and, since we may be taking our best friends' family along, we were looking at Treehouse Villas. (If we don't take them, we're focused on BLT.) I've checked out the available information on them but I'm wondering what the masses think. We've never stayed at Saratoga Springs either, so I have plenty of questions.

*How are they in general?
*The info says it sleeps 9...is there really room for 9 + luggage?
*How far away from the bus stops will we be?
*Just how far away from "everything" am I going to feel? We have stayed at AKV where many have said the bus rides are endless to the parks and we loved it there. Didn't find that to be the case.
*How are the Saratoga amenities...pool, etc?

Your answers may spark more questions, so I'll stop there for now. TIA for your help!

 

[disneynutz]

THV's are remote, surrounded by trees and wetlands, you will feel like you are camping. Sometimes there is a bug issue and there are 2 bus stops within a 10 minute walk. There is a small pool but really nothing else. A party of 9 will be a FULL house.

If you like camping then you should be OK. If not, pick another resort.

Bill

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

You sealed the deal for me with the "if you like camping" part. My idea of camping is roughing it is not having a hair dryer provided by the hotel. I think we'll stick with BLT and just get two rooms. Thanks!

 

[Irishmom23]

Gee, I have a THV booked for June 2012! I plan to use all of the amenities at the main resort, sleep in a comfy bed, use the jacuzzi tub, cook on the barbecue grill but still enjoy meals at some nice restaurants, take the buses to the parks, and walk over to DTD. I don't consider that "roughing it" I don't mind walking over to the bus stop at SSS main resort. It's quite scenic! The walk to the themed pools may be more than the walk at BCV or BWV, but we don't mind. I also get three bedrooms for the same amount of points as a two bedroom!

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Gee, I have a THV booked for June 2012! I plan to use all of the amenities at the main resort, sleep in a comfy bed, use the jacuzzi tub, cook on the barbecue grill but still enjoy meals at some nice restaurants, take the buses to the parks, and walk over to DTD. I don't consider that "roughing it" I don't mind walking over to the bus stop at SSS main resort. It's quite scenic! The walk to the themed pools may be more than the walk at BCV or BWV, but we don't mind. I also get three bedrooms for the same amount of points as a two bedroom!

I agree. I wouldn't describe the THV as camping, or close to camping. Three bedrooms, two baths. The Master Bedroom is good size (easily fitting pack and play). Good size dining table - fits all of us comfortably. Access to all the SSR amenities.

We're checking in Saturday for 10 days - 8 of us.

 

[disneynutz]

Maybe rustic and remote would be a better description. The interior reminds me of a cabin and the grounds are similar to living in a forest.

I'm just trying to paint a honest picture for people who have never stayed there. It's more like camping than staying at a 4 star resort.

Bill

 

[TXTink]

I was about to ask a question about the tree houses, I hope it's ok that I jump in this thread...

We have ressies there for January. We have stayed at Saratoga many times (it's our home resort) but never in the tree house area. I am concerned about transportation to the parks. Can someone clue me in on how the buses run? I remember seeing "internal" buses while staying at the main area, would you get on an internal bus at the tree houses and then get on another bus at one of the other bus stops in the main area to go the parks?

Any advice and/or insight would be appreciated!

 

[Pakey]

I wouldn't call the villa rustic but the location is rustic and remote. The villas themselves are very nicely appointed; the master bath is far from rustic IMO.

However, the location is remote. I would not stay here without my own transportation, especially if you are wanting to use SSR's themed pools, counter service, etc.

If I was planning on spending a lot of time at the resort, I'd pick THV. If I was planning on spending a lot of time in the parks, I'd pick BLT.

 

[makthompson]

I agree. I wouldn't describe the THV as camping, or close to camping. Three bedrooms, two baths. The Master Bedroom is good size (easily fitting pack and play). Good size dining table - fits all of us comfortably. Access to all the SSR amenities.

We're checking in Saturday for 10 days - 8 of us.

I wouldnt describe it like that either! We stayed there this summer for 10 nights and it was awesome! There was 6 of us and there was plenty of room for more. The living room had a closet for them to store their luggage in (like a room closet). The room was beautiful! The only "out doorsie" feeling was when you stepped outside, you could sit on the deck and there are trees all around and a bbq pit at each house.

We had maybe a 2 minute walk to the bus stop, and a 5 minute walk to the boat to go to DTD. My DH and kids went to the pool some of the nights there. But we mostly took the bus to the main area and they swam and used the water slides, hot tub, roasted marshmallows watched a movie by the pool and played ping pong.

 

[makthompson]

I was about to ask a question about the tree houses, I hope it's ok that I jump in this thread...

We have ressies there for January. We have stayed at Saratoga many times (it's our home resort) but never in the tree house area. I am concerned about transportation to the parks. Can someone clue me in on how the buses run? I remember seeing "internal" buses while staying at the main area, would you get on an internal bus at the tree houses and then get on another bus at one of the other bus stops in the main area to go the parks?

Any advice and/or insight would be appreciated!

When you are at THV bus stop it takes you back to the resort. We found that if you get off at The Springs stop you get to the parks quicker. At The Springs you will catch a bus to the Park of your choice for the day. During busy times they have a CM there asking people where they are going and if they need they get another bus. I dont think we ever waited more than 10 minutes. On the way back from the parks we would get off at The Grandstand and wait for THV bus. 9x out of 10 the bus we needed was right behind us, so we would get off one and get on the next.

 

[TXTink]

Thank you so much makthompson! That was just the information I was looking for. We will have 2 toddlers (our grandsons) with us, so I am stressing about the buses... Thanks!

 

[makthompson]

I wouldnt stress about the buses. Also, if the buses arent remotely full then you dont have to take them out of their strollers

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wouldnt stress about the buses. Also, if the buses arent remotely full then you dont have to take them out of their strollers

I don't think that is quite correct. All the bus drivers I've had have told all stroller owners to fold up the stroller before boarding the bus.

 

[bobbiwoz]

There are so many opinions. We love the treehouses! The interior is so Disney designed, just makes me smile with the little finishing touches, the pine cones on the bedspreads, the horsey water spigots, the comfortable whirlpool!

We had no problem at all taking the buses. They come frequently to the tree house area, and often as we left the park bus, there was a treehouse bus that came within a few seconds.

DGS loved the community room. We had 5 adults and 3 children in one in October, and we all can't wait to do it again!

Bobbi

 

[dgaston]

Just back from 6 nights in the THV. We requested canal view and south end, and were placed in 7030. That was great for us -- quick walk to South bus stop and/or path to Grandstand, and pool, and just a little further to the boat dock for ferry to DTD. We had 6 adults and a baby, and loved the THV. Everyone thought they were wonderful for our group. I'm glad we didn't have anyone who had to sleep on either pullout in the living room (I did sleep on the couch --not pulled out -- the first night cuz DH wasn't feeling well and was taking up the entire queen in the master. My SIL grilled terrific chicken on the grill, too. I was a little concerned about the steps, but the rise is less than some staircases, and my knees didn't complain at all.

We enjoyed the separation from other units, but I did hear a woman complaining bitterly about how isolated she felt from the amenities of the resort. Different strokes for different folks.

We did have a minivan and drove to both the Paddock pool (terrific kid play area for the younger set) and the High Rock Springs pool.

Should also add that we are campers and Fort Wilderness is one of our favorites -- it reminded us of that with a lot more luxury than our tents or pop-up camper.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Thanks for the variety of feedback. I've been on the DIS long enough to know that there will always be those who love something and those that don't. I'll take it all into account.

My only follow-up question for those of you who've stayed there is whether you think it comfortably sleeps 9 people. It would be four adults, three teenagers, and two little guys. We will spend most of our time at the parks or the pools, but if we'll be tripping over each other trying to get to bed at night or get a bite to eat in the morning, it's probably not worth it. Thoughts?

 

[missy2217]

I agree. I wouldn't describe the THV as camping, or close to camping. Three bedrooms, two baths. The Master Bedroom is good size (easily fitting pack and play). Good size dining table - fits all of us comfortably. Access to all the SSR amenities.

We're checking in Saturday for 10 days - 8 of us.

Oh! Our vacations overlap, we check into THV on Nov 25! And we are MAXING the place out 4 adults and 5 kids!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the variety of feedback. I've been on the DIS long enough to know that there will always be those who love something and those that don't. I'll take it all into account.

My only follow-up question for those of you who've stayed there is whether you think it comfortably sleeps 9 people. It would be four adults, three teenagers, and two little guys. We will spend most of our time at the parks or the pools, but if we'll be tripping over each other trying to get to bed at night or get a bite to eat in the morning, it's probably not worth it. Thoughts?

So would you put the four adults in the two bedrooms (two in each), the small kids in the bunks and the teens in the living room (one sleeper sofa and one sleeper chair). You'll only have two bathrooms.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Oh! Our vacations overlap, we check into THV on Nov 25! And we are MAXING the place out 4 adults and 5 kids!

Give us a wave! We'll have our Christmas lights up and our LGMHs prominently displayed.

 

[murcor]

So would you put the four adults in the two bedrooms (two in each), the small kids in the bunks and the teens in the living room (one sleeper sofa and one sleeper chair). You'll only have two bathrooms.

Thats how I was thinking.......but 3 teens and their stuff in the living room


****The THV's are huge and worth the try