I didn't see a unit in the Phase One side, but here's my review of the small one-bedroom at the Grande Villas. I got a peek in the "other side" -- the 2 bedroom area, and it looked great. If you get a pool view, it would be better. The location is great. --
"We had what passed for a 1-BR as a Getaway with II -- if it had been an Exchange, I would have been very unhappy. I actually agree with a lot of AwayWeGo's description, and I might stay there again if I could get a 2BR, because of the great location. Enjoyed the back access (a rural drive that seems like it can't possibly be right, via 535 and Buena Vista, --then take a right turn at the DVC Saratoga Springs tower) that allowed bypassing the Downtown Disney glut, and having a Winn-Dixie a block and a half away. The unit does have good kitchen equipment (blender, hand mixer, decent knives, but no teflon egg pan), altho only 4 plates, etc. (which is more than there is room for people, but with no dishwasher, that's a lot of washing up to do every day (which I'm no longer used to doing)) -- I cook in the unit, breakfasts and most dinners.
Here's my journal description: "This unit is not good. Very poor view of parking lot from tiny balcony. They put us on a floor with 3 or so units occupied by a large group that was sometimes very noisy. Water pressure in shower is abysmal -- can't do a quick rinse-off from pool, takes forever to rinse out shampoo. No window in "living area" -- which is the kitchen with a sofabed. Huge bathroom -- waste of space "jacuzzi" tub with no jets. Housekeeping seems fine -- clean in unit, a few minor missing items. AC only seems to be in living area -- have to leave bedroom door open to get any of the cool air. It does have elevators and luggage carts, and close parking." (We did use the tub once for a cool bath for grandson when he had gotten heat rash on his legs).
I think it would be fine for a couple, but for my grandson and me, it didn't work very well. We just left the sofabed out all the time, so no place to sit -- couldn't really use the small kitchen table very well either. The laundry was okay, price was only $1.00 wash and $1.00 dry (except it took $2.00 for dry). Toilet paper roll holder was loose, and only had one spare roll - but HK brought more fairly soon after I requested it.
The pool was fine. We didn't bother to go to the volcano pool, because the little tube slides are only for kids under 100 pounds. Got a call everyday to go to the "open house" gauranteed to only be 90 minutes (they gave up after 4-5 days).
The units are clustered around a central hallway that really amplifies any noise. The outside (odd-numbered) units face a parking lot, the inside (even-numbered) face the pool area. There are two decent-sized pools with lots of chairs/chaises, mini-golf, activities center, and a decent-sized small grocery with some fastfood, and cheap slushies."
Of course, we stayed there after being in a BWV one-bedroom for 5 nights and an OKW studio for 2 -- so it may have been more of a let-down from that as well. It was clean; we got used to the noise (which did calm down after arrival day). It was nice to be able to park close to the room and have an elevator handy (which BWV does not have -- close and handy anyway).
You can use the pools at either side, so that doesn't matter.. I want to say phase 1 may be larger units than phase 2??? check out their website and look at the sq footage and floor plans.
