Condo Suggestions Please

[bassguy66]

Hello All,

Looking for some guidence from the experts. We are looking to spend 2-3 nights with our 9 & 10 yr old boys next April.

We feel like 4 people in 1 hotel room is too crowded, so it seems like a condo is the best choice for us. Our plan is 1 day at Universal Studios, and 1 day at one of the waterparks.

I would like a modern condo that has 2 (separate) bedrooms for privacy. I would love to have a great pool area for the boys. And most importantly, I would like to be as close to the park as possible w/o breaking the bank, inside the park would be ideal. I don't want to spend a bunch of time stuck in traffic.

Budget is around 200-300 per night. From what I've seen so far, this should get us a nice place. It's the location I'm struggling with online, as we don't really know where anything is, or how nice these places are.

Any help is hugely appreciated.

 

[minnie mum]

WDW does not have resorts inside the parks. They do not have condos, either. They do have DVC villas that can be reserved, but not in your price point.

I would suggest that you check out the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board for the names of off site condos, hotels, and rental homes in the area. Here's a link: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

 

[ZellyB]

For your price point you should be able to find something easily that is very close to the parks. Follow minnie mum's link and you will find lots of information. We have rented a pool home at Emerald Island in the past and I believe they have smaller townhouses available. We are going for the marathon in January and have rented a two bedroom condo at Windsor Hills. Both are about a 5 minute drive from the parks.

 

[bassguy66]

Thanks guys. My original plan was to rent one of the big beautiful pool homes that are cheaper than the hotels, but none allow just 2-3 nights. I'm hoping the condos will allow shorter stays.

 

[Lynne M]

I'm going to send this over to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board. This board specializes in the resorts located within Disney property; the Disney-owned resorts and the Swan and Dolphin. The Orlando Hotels board has the scoop on everything offsite - hotels, motels, rental homes, condos, timeshares.

Good luck in your search!

 

[robinb]

What about someplace like Embassy Suites? You'll get two areas plus a big breakfast. There is one up on Jamaican Ct. near Universal. You'll probably want to be near Universal since you'll want to be there when it opens early in the morning. The WDW water parks will open later and it's not as important to be there right when they do.

Another option is booking at the Sheraton Vistiana timeshare through the DIS board sponsor Dreams Unlimited:
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/Sheraton/Villages/svv-res.cfm

I'm not sure if they have rates for April 2014 yet, but you can get an idea of how much a 1 BR and 2 BR will be.

 

[Ametista]

I would look at Sheraton Vistana Villages, or Marriott Cypress Harbour or Floridays. All are pretty close to Universal Studios and Wet n Wild and also very close to Aquatica. Plus close enough to Disney if they want to do a Disney waterpark.

 

[cheribelle]

How about the Caribe Royale? They have suites and 2 bedroom condos plus a nice pool with slide. I just booked the birthday deal for 2 nights before our cruise and was able to get one night free. They also have one day specials each Wednesday. A daily rate for the 2 bedroom condo is about 240/night and the 2 room suites can run around 100/night. The condos look beautiful.

 

[bassguy66]

Great suggestions guys...thank you very much!! I will look into all of them.

 

[HeatherC]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort...cannot get closer to onsite. Your kids would LOVE the pool area.

 

[horseshowmom]

What about someplace like Embassy Suites? You'll get two areas plus a big breakfast. There is one up on Jamaican Ct. near Universal. You'll probably want to be near Universal since you'll want to be there when it opens early in the morning. The WDW water parks will open later and it's not as important to be there right when they do.

Another option is booking at the Sheraton Vistiana timeshare through the DIS board sponsor Dreams Unlimited:
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/Sheraton/Villages/svv-res.cfm

I'm not sure if they have rates for April 2014 yet, but you can get an idea of how much a 1 BR and 2 BR will be.

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites JC, and it was fine. Their breakfasts are exceptional and would save some money for the family. Definitely near Universal, and they have Universal packages that can sometimes save money.

OP, have you considered on of the suites onsite? There are some discounts that might help get the price down. Generally, the Royal Pacific is the cheapest, but you never know with some of the discounts, and you get early entry plus front of the line access with them (a very nice perk that we've enjoyed before). Also, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is scheduled to open there the end of March (might not make it in time for your trip though).

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort...cannot get closer to onsite. Your kids would LOVE the pool area.

I absolutely love WBC, but it's not as close to Universal as they probably want.