Best offsite pools? And when IS hurricane season anyhow? lol

[5starmom]

We're thinking of going sometime in October this year and will have 6 kids then. So I'm assuming that the weather will still be warm enough for swimming outside but don't want to go during the hurricane season. Is October right in the middle of it? Best to go early or late that month? We don't have firm plans yet and since my dh works from home we can do late Sept. or early Nov. instead if that's better.

We're considering the Nick Hotel (we'll have 6 kids ages 12 and under) because they have the $129 deal, but wonder what other great pools--pref. with water slides or fountains and such--are available at off-site suites, too!

Thanks a bunch for your help!!

 

[tjmouse]

Fellow-Clevelander!

I can't help with the hotel pools, but I can tell you that hurrican season is pretty much late summer through November. In 2004, the worst ones were in September (I was there) and last year, well, you know what happened last year.

You can't plan around hurricanes unfortunately, you just have to go with the flow and hope for the best!

 

[spiceycat]

Orange Lake is building a nice one...
www.myorangelake.com/

sheraton vistana resort has several pools - I think they have 2 slides in 2 of them?
http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5

Liki tiki village - although more complaints here
http://www.clubnavigo.com/resortpages/6likitikivillage.html

if you have money -
horizons by Marriott - for younger children
http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/ho/default.jsp

either cypress habour
http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/cy/default.jsp

or grande vista
http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/gv/default.jsp

for older ones.

hotels are sheraton safaris
http://www.sheratonsafari.com/

 

[paladin]

The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico) is from 1 June to 30 November.

 

[spiceycat]

forgot

hurricane season June 1 - Nov 30 - that doesn't mean hurricanes won't happen in May and Dec - but they are rare...

remember last year 2 hurricanes in Dec - but both stayed in the Atlantic.

 

[FayeW]

Hotelkingdom has excellent rates for Regal Palms ($105.-$115. per night for a 3 bdrm townhouse). They have a lazy river and waterslide. It looks really nice, I'm trying to decide between Bonnet Creek (also lazy river), Regal Palms, and Windsor Hills (nice pool and slide). I'd also like opinions on any of these to help me make my decision.

 

[lawgs]

spicey

is it time to have a RIP for Slyauction offerings?

and EV....they are gutting them also....of course you knew that....

 

[5starmom]

Hotelkingdom has excellent rates for Regal Palms ($105.-$115. per night for a 3 bdrm townhouse). They have a lazy river and waterslide. It looks really nice, I'm trying to decide between Bonnet Creek (also lazy river), Regal Palms, and Windsor Hills (nice pool and slide). I'd also like opinions on any of these to help me make my decision.

Those are really good rates! It's slightly further out from WDW than some of the others we're looking at but, wow. LOL It's so hard to choose, isn't it? This may be our only big vacation and we've already had to put it off a year because I got pregnant so we really want to do it right!

Thanks! It seems like hotelkingdom is THE place to look at rates...

 

[spiceycat]

I am so mad at skyauction - you know all CWR they had for Jan....well guess what they pulled them and are only putting them (and several others) with airline....

I will not fly to Orlando....

I wrote and complainted - the letter I got back say nothing about my complainted....

RCI still has the ev - it is the last minute ones that are horrible lately....

so it makes you wonder what they are doing with their extra Orlando - they aren't letting RCI members get them, they aren't showing up on skyauction, so what is RCI doing with them.....

Anyway if you find out - please POST it!!!

of course maybe the resorts have finally got wise and aren't space banking them with RCI anymore. but CWR definitely is... if I wanted to fly to Orlando I would stay at WDW.... Besides the only airline Spicey can fly on is Northwest and that is not what skyauction is pushing....HE IS NOT LUGGAGE!!!!

 

[crjack]

5Starmom, our first trip to Disney years ago was early Oct. and included Columbus Day weekend. It was very hot and humid. I don't think you will have any trouble with swimming during that time of year. Lots of people like to visit near Halloween and enjoy the extra activities and parties, etc. so that is one thing to consider.

We've stayed in Windsor Palms and this summer we are staying at Windsor Hills. For a family of 8 you may want to check into condos,townhouses or villas as another option. For Windsor Hills we found the best rates using www.windsorhillsrent.com. Just be prepared for lots of replies. If it's your first trip and you will be commuting back and forth from the parks you may want to stay close if you find a rate that works for you. Hotelkingdom has some great choices as well.

 

[speedy71]

Hurricane season runs from June 1st to Nov 30. But, the peak time is late August to early September, a couple of weeks before, and after Labor day. Usually October is a slow month but, Wilma came last year at the end of October. Probably would go late October rather than early.

 

[ttfn3]

The Vistana Resort is a great place for a family with kids - especially if you have some time to hang out at the resort. Nice pools and lots of activities your kids could participate in. It's always an easy drive to Disney.

As for hurricane season - you never know. It's been pretty active the past few years. And it seems the "season" is a lot longer than it used to be.

We have traveled in October and November. Great time to go to Disney. The weather is usually warm enough to swim. We LOVE the Food & Wine Festival - and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is fun.