Condo/Townhome recommendations?

[karibritt01]

After struggling through the economy, things are finally getting better with my family, and I am looking to plan our first vacation in 3 years. We will be going around Oct 2011. (Yes... I'm an obsessive planner!) We are going to do the Orlando flex tickets, and visiting Sea World and Aquatica, Universal and Islands of Adventure most of the week. What resorts are close to that area? I want a 2 bedroom with at least an efficiency kitchen. My kids would like an awesome pool with maybe a lazy river or waterslide. Please post pics if you have them... especially the pool areas!

 

[karibritt01]

Bumping this up and hoping for some ideas. I like the look of Bonnet Creek and Harbour Lake really well. Opinions? Can I rent those through the resort or my TA, or do I need to go through an owner?

 

[Nancy for Disney]

So sad no responses. I am looking for the same info. Planning a trip for late spring. Wanting to do both Universal and Disney. Would love cleaning service. This is vacation after all.

 

[amw]

Haven't stayed at any of these, but researching the same.

The only "rental" type place near that area is Vista Cay (something to do with the by-laws).

If you want timeshare places, there are:

Hilton Grand Vacation Seaworld
Hilton Grand Vacation International Drive (I think only 1-bedrooms)
Hilton Parc Soleil (definitely only 1-bedrooms)
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Marriott Cypress Harbour
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Bluegreen Fountains
Floridays

If you go south, closer to Disney (but still close to 1-4 to access other parks), there is:

Sheraton Vistana Resort
Marriott Royal Palms/Sabal Palms/ Imperial Palms
Lake Buena Vista Resort & Spa
Worldquest Orlando Resort

If you're looking for 2-bedroom hotels, there are various Homewood Suites, Residence Inns, etc. in the area ... haven't looked at those. There's also Caribe Royale & Buena Vista Suites on the Disney side.


As for prices, they'll vary and I have found the discounted rooms for 2011 haven't been released yet. You'll probably have better luck looking after January.

 

[Brian Noble]

amw is on the money---that side of town doesn't have nearly the selection of privately owned short-term rentals that the south side of WDW has. I'd definitely look for one of those timeshares from an owner.

Any of the Sheratons, Marriotts, or Hiltons would be great; as noted, "original" Vistana (not Villages) and the Mariott Palms are a little less-well located for a Universal/Sea World visit.

 

[popeyeohoh]

http://www.globalresorthomes.com/vista-cay-resort.cfm Stayed at what was called "Vista Cay" June 2010. But was called Isleworth. Or Cay Commons. This is not attached to the main Vista Cay Resort. I won't go into it here but the mgmt company we used was terrible. The resort is literally less than 10 minutes from Universal, very convenient to the Publix right in front of the resort. This resort did not have many people staying there. Felt a bit isolated, small pool. There were grills you had to pay for. For our first condo experience I had hoped for better.

 

[karibritt01]

I'm not as concerned with driving a little bit to get to the parks as I am a nice resort. We do plan to spend a little time at WDW, as I have to get my Mickey-fix somewhere! We will go over for MNSSHP and HDDR, and DTD for T-Rex Cafe. Thanks for the suggestions!