3 bedroom condo or 3 bedroom townhouse?

[Greenfield1984]

Good morning,

We are looking at staying at Windsor Hills and I am torn between a townhouse or a condo. We are a family of 5 (DH, myself and DDS 7, 4 and 2).

The pluses of the townhouse are the splash pool, driveway right next to the house, and is more spacious overall. The downside is they only rent from Sat - Sat, so we would need to spend one night at a hotel (I don't find this that inconvenient, we would just spend our last night somewhere else, but DH doesn't like it). Also the home is far away from main pool, so we'll need to drive to it .

The plus of the condo is that it is in the building right next to the main pool and we can have it for the entire 8 nights. Downside is less space, no splash pool and a little more difficult to bring in groceries and whatnot since we don't have a driveway and would be on the 3rd floor.

Price is pretty much the same for both.

So my question is, has anyone stayed in both a condo and a townhouse, and which did you prefer? Did you notice the extra space? Did you really use your splash pool? Just looking for opinions

Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

Haven't stayed in a condo but a few times in a townhouse and "yes" we used the splash pool. Good for quick dips when don't want to bother getting everything to the main pool. Your pool is always open. There are many townhouses to choose from and most don't have Sat. To Sat. limitations. We were in one that was as far away from the main pool as you could get and it was only a 5 or 6 min. walk.

 

[CanadianChickie]

Have only stayed in the condo so cannot compare. We are a family of 4 and found we did not use half of it. The two larger bathrooms are huge! The living space is adequate. Enjoyed the balcony. We really liked being able to walk to the pool, hot tub and clubhouse and used it daily. It has an elevator so didn't mind carrying the groceries up (and since there are 4 of us, only took one trip with everyone carrying something). Parking was right next to the building.

 

[Lilliputian]

I haven't stayed in a townhouse, but with those ages of kids, I probably would pick the condo. The splash pool is tiny and deep. You'll each have one of your little ones in your arms. Plus the bedrooms are on two floors, which is a little too spread out with young ones for a vacation home. If it's your own house, everyone is used to it and can navigate well at night, but they might get scared in a new place.

I'd go with the condo or a 4 bedroom house, which is all on one floor. The houses have small hot tubs that don't have to be heated, but they have a bench that little people can stand on around the perimeter.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I HATED having the washer/dryer on the 2nd floor of the TH. Also, you'll need to pay for pool heat, depending on when you're going. We've stayed in a TH twice - once we paid for pool heat and there was a problem with the heater and once without pool heat. IMO pool heat is needed unless you're staying in June, July or August.

There are elevators in the condo buildings, so stairs w/ groceries aren't an issue for us.

We did use the splash pool a lot on our recent trip and never made it over to the main pool, but DH and I missed the hot tub.

We thought we'd love the TH after saying in condos several times, but really like the condos better, even if we have to trek over to the main pool and hot tub.

 

[Tink415]

Haven't stayed in a condo but a few times in a townhouse and "yes" we used the splash pool. Good for quick dips when don't want to bother getting everything to the main pool. Your pool is always open. There are many townhouses to choose from and most don't have Sat. To Sat. limitations. We were in one that was as far away from the main pool as you could get and it was only a 5 or 6 min. walk.

I have another question condo vs townhouse, is the TH splash pool water warm/hot in the summer? Just curious as some Disney pools we've been in during the summer the water feels like bathwater and isn't at all refreshing. Thanks!

 

[disneysteve]

We haven't stayed at Windsor Hills but have stayed at Windsor Palms many times, both in condos and townhouses. I prefer the townhouse for the reasons noted though both are great. Splash pool, park right at your door, more space.

The downside to the condo is it is 2-story so you have to go up and down stairs. If you get a 1st floor condo, that's not an issue (though you mentioned you were looking at a 3rd floor unit).

I would keep looking and find an owner who will rent the days you need. I wouldn't do it if it meant spending one day in a hotel. Also consider Windsor Palms if you can't find what you want at Windsor Hills.

 

[Greenfield1984]

Thank you all for your feedback. I had forgotten the hiccup with the splash pool being too deep for our girls (other than our 7 year old). I think we'd be much better off being in the condo next to the main pool. That way I can also easily go join the family if DH wants to take the girls down while I'm busy doing laundry or cleaning.
I also just found a walk through video of a 3 bedroom condo and it seems pretty spacious, so I think we'll be fine in there.

Thanks again for the comments!

 

[disneysteve]

I also just found a walk through video of a 3 bedroom condo and it seems pretty spacious

The 3-bedroom condos are very nice and spacious. My only advice would be to strongly reconsider the 3rd floor. Go for a 1st floor unit. You'll be much happier.

 

[dizzielissie]

just booked for 2 weeks in September Windsor Hills
3 bedroom/2 bath condo Windsor Hills for 5 adults Sat to Sat mandatory
Condo- $876 total for everything. We will be staying in a hotel 2 nights (using free points again) prior to check into the condo and departing Friday instead of Saturday. I was able to score 2 free flights home if we left Friday versus Saturday... I will keep checking Southwest, if points drop, we may be able to change for departure Saturday departure, 15 days should be enough though, lol.