Condos on I Drive with two master suites?

[horseshowmom]

We may wind up at Bonnet Creek again because we all love it there, but we're going to Universal Orlando are are considering getting a 2BR condo on International Drive. I know I can find something at Vista Cay that will work, but I was wondering what else might be available. It will be my husband and I along with our daughter and her husband, so we want two bedrooms with at least queen beds in each BR and with 2 BA (master suites would be great, but as long as it's 2BR/2BA, we'll be satisfied).

Any input? Thanks!

 

[swilshire]

I can't speak to I drive (I avoid that area at all costs) but Grand Beach just off I-4 on 535 has two masters. The nicest ones I know of are off 192 and a bit further from Universal. We stayed in a fabulous unit at Lighthouse Key last Christmas (4 br with two master suites) and the Summer Bay Pool Houses are also wonderful with two separate master suites.

For convenience to Universal, we stayed in a 3br at Westgate Lakes. Not two masters, but the location was terrific. Depending on traffic, the trip was in the 10 minute range. Maybe 15 - 20 at rush hour. This was good for us because we could leave our teen at Universal and go back and pick him up later, but if you're planning to go and spend the day, I'd pick Bonnet Creek over the shorter drive. It isn't that much different.

Sheila

 

[horseshowmom]

I can't speak to I drive (I avoid that area at all costs) but Grand Beach just off I-4 on 535 has two masters. The nicest ones I know of are off 192 and a bit further from Universal. We stayed in a fabulous unit at Lighthouse Key last Christmas (4 br with two master suites) and the Summer Bay Pool Houses are also wonderful with two separate master suites.

For convenience to Universal, we stayed in a 3br at Westgate Lakes. Not two masters, but the location was terrific. Depending on traffic, the trip was in the 10 minute range. Maybe 15 - 20 at rush hour. This was good for us because we could leave our teen at Universal and go back and pick him up later, but if you're planning to go and spend the day, I'd pick Bonnet Creek over the shorter drive. It isn't that much different.

Sheila

I was really thinking about the I Drive South area, and Vista Cay would be okay too (taking Universal instead of I Drive).

Isn't Westgate Lakes over on Turkey Lake? We've stayed at Cypress Pointe and gone that way to Universal before (really liked it - very little traffic for the most part). I really like Bonnet Creek and may just make do with the 2 beds in the extra bedroom. DD and her DH have a full size bed at their house, so that wouldn't be different for them anyway (DH and I are too old to sleep that close together! ). Thanks!

 

[swilshire]

Isn't Westgate Lakes over on Turkey Lake? We've stayed at Cypress Pointe and gone that way to Universal before (really liked it - very little traffic for the most part).

Yes. Turkey Lake Rd.

We found quite a bit of traffic at the one major intersection. I hate traffic, so maybe I noticed it more than others would. It could definitely make a few minutes difference because sometimes it took two rounds to get through the light.

Sheila

 

[cecepelle]

The Fountains Resort is on the quiet end of International Drive and has 2 bedroom, 2 bath suites.

 

[horseshowmom]

Yes. Turkey Lake Rd.

We found quite a bit of traffic at the one major intersection. I hate traffic, so maybe I noticed it more than others would. It could definitely make a few minutes difference because sometimes it took two rounds to get through the light.
Sheila

WOW!!! We were fortunate and didn't encounter that when we were going that way.

The Fountains Resort is on the quiet end of International Drive and has 2 bedroom, 2 bath suites.

Thanks, I'll check on them too!

 

[chezdion]

Did you stay at the Fountains Resort? Im looking into it and would like to hear from a fellow DIS er.
THanks

 

[horseshowmom]

No, we actually wound up renting a house in Sunset Lakes because our son-in-law wanted to fish. Since we were only going to have the one car, it made more sense to rent there since the house was backed up to a stocked lake.

He fished for a total of 15 minutes...

 

[chezdion]

 

[braddillman]

I'm an owner at The Fountains. I've tried a few others like the Vistana, but I really prefer The Fountains.

The condos is around 1,400 sq. ft. with two separate BRs. The master has both a whirlpool bath and a separate shower enclosure, and in some units the master has a separate balcony. The other BR has two queens, and access to the other bath. That other bath is accessible from the common area as well as the 2nd BR (do they call that a 'cheater door'?). Also, I like the bedding, it seems like good quality to me.

I think there are 4 outdoor spas, 2 water slides, a big indoor-outdoor pool under the clubhouse and a really huge pool area. No lazy river. Both pools have food and drink, but hours can be kinda limited for the food and drink. You can rent pedal boats for Lake Eve, but I never have. There's now a Domino's pizza on-site, and a Benihana next door, as well as their own restaurant and coffee shop in the clubhouse (their food is reasonable, have eaten several times).

It' close to SeaWorld and the premium outlet mall on Vineland at the south end of I-drive. I have walked to the premium mall, it was about 15-20 minutes IIRC and there's a publix and walgreens across from it. I think universal is just under 15 minutes up I-4. DTD is much closer, on the other side of I-4 (but with some really long traffic lights in the way).

The I-trolley stops out front every few minutes, good for seaworld and aquatica, and all the outlets and malls on I-drive, but I think it doesn't let you off right at universal, but a short walk away.

I can answer any specific questions, I've been many times and learned nearly everything. My next trip is Feb 11-26, we're also going to Universal (got FlexPasses). So we can 'recon' if you need something really specific, too.

I guess the only thing I'm disappointed with is the hours of the pool bars. Oh, and my wife complains every time there are no scissors in the kitchen, although they claim they're provided. Maybe scissors just go missing often.

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm an owner at The Fountains. I've tried a few others like the Vistana, but I really prefer The Fountains.

The condos is around 1,400 sq. ft. with two separate BRs. The master has both a whirlpool bath and a separate shower enclosure, and in some units the master has a separate balcony. The other BR has two queens, and access to the other bath. That other bath is accessible from the common area as well as the 2nd BR (do they call that a 'cheater door'?). Also, I like the bedding, it seems like good quality to me.

I think there are 4 outdoor spas, 2 water slides, a big indoor-outdoor pool under the clubhouse and a really huge pool area. No lazy river. Both pools have food and drink, but hours can be kinda limited for the food and drink. You can rent pedal boats for Lake Eve, but I never have. There's now a Domino's pizza on-site, and a Benihana next door, as well as their own restaurant and coffee shop in the clubhouse (their food is reasonable, have eaten several times).

It' close to SeaWorld and the premium outlet mall on Vineland at the south end of I-drive. I have walked to the premium mall, it was about 15-20 minutes IIRC and there's a publix and walgreens across from it. I think universal is just under 15 minutes up I-4. DTD is much closer, on the other side of I-4 (but with some really long traffic lights in the way).

The I-trolley stops out front every few minutes, good for seaworld and aquatica, and all the outlets and malls on I-drive, but I think it doesn't let you off right at universal, but a short walk away.

I can answer any specific questions, I've been many times and learned nearly everything. My next trip is Feb 11-26, we're also going to Universal (got FlexPasses). So we can 'recon' if you need something really specific, too.

I guess the only thing I'm disappointed with is the hours of the pool bars. Oh, and my wife complains every time there are no scissors in the kitchen, although they claim they're provided. Maybe scissors just go missing often.

I like that the occupants of the second bedroom can get into the bathroom without going out into the hallway.

Can you fish on Lake Eve? As you probably saw in my previous post, my son-in-law is a devoted fisherman!

If you like Harry Potter, you are going to love WWoHP. Forbidden Journey is absolutely the best ride I have ever ridden!

 

[braddillman]

Yes, you can fish on Lake Eve. I never have, though. The front desk told me people do catch fish, but it is strictly catch-and-release. You could fish off the shore or dock, or rent a boat. No idea what kind of fish they are.

Actually, I've already been to WWoHP by myself. I was down alone, on business in September 2010. Yes, I'm a fan and it was very good. I'm not sure if FJ was better than Spider-Man, but it was at least that good. YMMV.

 

[michelle1]

I just stayed 4 nights at a timeshare that was really close to universal (5 minutes) called Sunshine resort. It isn't very big but every unit has been or is being renovated right now. Our unit was a 2 BR/2 bath with a king bed, jacuzzi tub and separate shower in 1 bedroom and the other had 2 queens and a bathroom. There was also a queen pull out sofa in the living room. The pool was a fair size and there was a large jacuzzi, shuffleboard, tennis courts. The staff were extremely nice and helpful and I booked it directly through them and paid $98/night. There is also tons of shopping/outlets nearby.