Condo suggestions?

[New England Eeyore]

We have a trip planned for April 2007 for 5 people - DH and I and 3 stepdaughters ages 18, 17, and 13. We currently have 2 rooms booked at Pop Century with the AAA rate of $189 per night (Tax included). As much as I love staying onsite, I got to thinking that maybe I could find a condo offsite that would provide a little nicer accomodations for close to the same price. I don't plan to do any real cooking but it'd be nice to have a kitchen for breakfast in the AM and a washer and dryer would be fantastic because it'll be a 10 day trip. 2 bathrooms are a must. We will have a car and we plan to do Disney and Universal, but I'd prefer to stay closer to Disney. We also plan to go back to the hotel to swim many afternoons.

My DH and I stayed at Isle of Bali (Ron Jon Resorts) 6 years ago and that kind of set up would suit us perfectly, but I think that one requires a time share presentation and we've done enough of those in our life to know that we're done with that.

I found a rate code that would give me a 2 bedroom villa at Sheraton Vistana resort for $169 per night pre-tax. I think this sounds like a great rate and I'd love to hear any opinions on that particular resort - specifically about how long a drive it is onto Disney property (I know it varies park to park) and opinions on the pools, especially for teenagers. It says they have 7 of them?!?

Any other suggestions for resorts would be very welcome too.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I personally can't comment on Vistana since I have never stayed there but I do own a timeshare that's affiliated with RCI. I have read many reviews of Vistana on RCI's website and considered buying there originally. The reviews really vary a lot and it seems to depend on which building they put you in. Everyone raves about the newer buildings and 1 family who was put into an older building said they can't believe they waited 2 years to trade into such a dump. The location is great. Close to WDW but still fairly close to Universal too. You can enter their address on Mapquest and see. You can read more reviews at tripadvisor.com too.
We have rented single homes (4br,3 bath) for about $130/nt. and had sooo much space and our own private screened-in pool. The last 4 times we rented thru villadirect.com. They also offer condos too. Some of the neighborhoods are pretty far away so if you search on their website, enter these resort areas: Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Rolling Hills, Indian Creek, Formosa Gardens, Emerald Island. They're closest to WDW. They have hundreds of homes/condos to choose from so you can be as selective as you want from very plain to very luxurious. Some homes have big-screen tvs or have their garages converted to game rooms with air hockey and billiards. The only neg. is that there's no daily maid service but we feel it's worth giving up to have the extra space and privacy. There are only 4 of us and we'll never go back to staying in cramped hotel rooms! Good luck!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

one thing I forgot,
they offer pool heat and it sounds expensive but it is soooo heavenly and really glad we spent the $. The 1 time we didn't we figured it's 90 deg. there in May so why bother but once the sun goes down, it gets a little chilly. Pool heat just extends the usable time for the pool. It's very relaxing at night!
I know your kids are little but it's still nice that they can swim at "home" and you wouldn't have to worry where they are.

 

[sammielynn]

There are so many great deals on condos out there. I would go for the room with that many teens. But here again we never stay on-site.

 

[KerriMc]

We have booked a cono at Windsor Hills for March of next year. Here is a link to their website (if that is allowed) ... http://www.orlandodisneycondo.com/ . I haven't rented a condo before, but I did previously rent a villa. I loved the villa, but decided against it only because my little three year old dd is a monkey with now fear, and I just worried that she would somehow figure out how to the get to the pool without us knowing!! (even with an alarm ... she is an escape artist ). So anyways ... hopefully we will have a wonderful holiday. The pool area looks amazing and it is close to WDW. Apparently we can see the fireworks from our balcony, which is nice as my girls don't stay up late enough for us to be at the parks to watch them.

There are soooooo many to choose from though ... have fun looking

Kerri

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with the above poster about renting a home or condo direct. Try villa direct as she suggested or also www.vrbo.com or www.windsorhillsrent.com
These are all rent from owner sites.....Windsor Hills is probably the closest offiste to WDW (there's a shortcut called Sherbeth Road which enters Osceola Pkwy right near Animal Kingdom and you can be on Disney property in less than 10 minutes) I have never personally stayed at any of these properties since we're DVC members and stay onsite every trip, however, I am looking into some of the bigger houses (6 or 7 bedrooms) for a possible family reunion in a year or so since it would be cost prohibitive to use all of our DVC points to rent enough space for about 16 to 18 people. I've pretty much decided when we're ready to make a ressie it will be at Windsor Hills. There are some very nice properties for far less than you would be paying at POP. However, if you really wanted to stay onsite you could check out www.disboards.com and scroll down to the DVC section for rent/trade. Some DVC members do rent out points to nonmembers.

 

[swilshire]

We have been owners at Vistana since 1996. We also spent three nights at Pop Century last year to get in on the free dining before moving to a timeshare. As cool as Pop Century is, I wouldn't even have to think about it in your position. With all those teens, the kitchen would save you a mint. We hit Sams Club the first day and buy lots of frozen foods, salad stuff and breads. We cook a few things that can be reheated at will and everyone basically eats when and what they want. We hate to sit in restaurants at night when we're tired.

The three televisions always help avoid arguments in our family and Dad and I can hide on the balcony if it gets too noisy in the condo.

The kids are also old enough to take advantage of the tons of on-site activities alone when you aren't in the park.

I'm a big one on keeping my laundry done up to avoid a week in the laundry room when I get home. The Vistana washers and dryers are the smaller apartment size (at least in the section where we own) so it would still be a bit of a challenge unless you had daily towel exchange. As owners, we only get fresh towels mid-week.

As for the distance, you can probably get to most of the parks in about the time it would take to drive from Pop Century. You could definitely beat the time to ride the bus.

Sheila

 

[jmurphy625]

I just found some info on homes in the "pet friendly" thread...We have a 2 bedroom at BWV booked next summer and were debating about driving down and bringing our dog...so will need to either camp at FW or find offsite accomodations. And with 12 of us coming and going over the week it may simplify the reservations!

 

[New England Eeyore]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I went ahead and reserved Vistana. I think it will be a much better choice for us. I think I know where it is - we've stayed at Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista in the past and I think it's on the same road (535?) and we found that extremely convenient to the parks.

While I love the magic of staying onsite I think in this case it will be a much better vacation for us to stay in a place like this. I had read about private vacation homes before, but I think I'd rather stay in an actual resort.

I did do a little search on these boards and got some great info but I have a couple questions - DSD 13 wonders if any of the pools have slides? That was one of the downsides of Pop - just "regular" pools as opposed to POFQ's dragon slide that we stayed at last time. And my DH wants me to be sure that no timeshare presentation is required. I have read the suggestions to unplug the phone to avoid the calls, but can I get a confirmation that there truly is nothing required? Also, does anyone know what they do for towels for non-owners? As long as there is a towel rack, we'll make do with mid-week exchange (I don't wash my towels daily at home!) but I'm just curious.

We just got back from a 3 day trip with 2 of my DSDs with the 4 of us in one room and I said to my DH even with 2 hotel rooms it would be crazy for 10 days. Everyone's just on top of each other and you can imagine how much 'stuff' a teenage girl travels with, mulitiplied by 3. Now I'm truly excited about our accomodations!

 

[Lisa P.]

Jmurphy625, since you were already planning to stay in a timeshare condo, you may want to consider a pet-friendly one. Celebration World Resort is an option (they trade through RCI but I understand they also have rentals). They permit pets under 40 pounds, excluding certain breeds, with advance reservation and they charge a one-time pet fee.

If you will have a hard-sided RV, you may have pets at FWC while you are in the parks. But if you have a tent or pop-up, they won't let you leave them at your campsite unattended. So, you'd have to plan to board them and return frequently to the kennel to walk your pet(s). It seems much easier in a hotel, vacation home or timeshare condo, where you can leave your pet and return midday for a swim and pet care - unless you have a hard-sided RV with AC.

New England Eeyore, have a wonderful time at Vistana Resort! Make sure you visit their website in advance and complete the Diamond Lane Check-in form. You can request the newer Cascades or Lakes sections. It's not guaranteed but worth a try. Also, your check-in will be quicker, w/Diamond Lane. The resort is located approximately where you were thinking.

There used to be a short, zippy slide at one of the pools - the pool nearest to the "Superpool" - Falls, I think? It's probably still there. They also have waterfalls or fountains at a couple of the pools so try them all!

Unless the rental offer you are taking specifically states that a timeshare presentation is part of the rental rate offer, they cannot require one. They would repeat this sales pitch requirement when you are booking, if there is one. Otherwise, you are simply renting your accommodations. Be assured, they will offer you a tour and sales pitch regardless - but without stating it as a requirement at the time of booking, it will be strictly optional.

If you rent for a weekly rate, you will be able to use the inroom washer/dryer for your towels but no regular towel exchange that I recall. Bring a few washloads of powder detergent in a ziploc and dryer sheets. However, if you rent at a nightly rate, you will likely be offered light daily housekeeping and towel exchanges (in addition to the inroom washer/dryer). And all the bathrooms do have towel racks. With a crowd of teens, we've sometimes had them hang their pool towels on a hanger in their closet for a 2nd use.

Also, if you rent nightly, ask about other options available to you. At one time, I believe nightly rentals included access to free shuttle bus rides (on a very limited schedule) to the Disney Ticket & Transportation Center, with day ahead reservations. Don't know if they still have this but it could be handy with all the teenagers.

Have FUN!