Cypress Pointe vs. rental home?

[NancyK]

Hi,
We're planning a trip in September that will include me, DH, DM, DMIL & DFIL, and possibly DS. Our parents are in their early 70s.
Although we love onsite, we also really enjoyed a stay at Cypresse Point last year with our two adult children. My in-laws have expressed interest in a rental home. Although we've been to Disney 20+ times, we have never rented a home. Just wondering if you could give me the pros/cons of CP vs. a rental home. Thanks in advance.
Nancy

 

[TotoToo]

Hi,
We're planning a trip in September that will include me, DH, DM, DMIL & DFIL, and possibly DS. Our parents are in their early 70s.
Although we love onsite, we also really enjoyed a stay at Cypresse Point last year with our two adult children. My in-laws have expressed interest in a rental home. Although we've been to Disney 20+ times, we have never rented a home. Just wondering if you could give me the pros/cons of CP vs. a rental home. Thanks in advance.
Nancy

To some degree it depends on the exact home you choose but speaking in general terms rentals homes are just that - a home in a tract not necessarily near the attractions or offering any resort features. Usually you need to do anything you would at your home at the rental - cook, clean, etc. A resort tends to feature amenities and activities meant to make your stay more of a vacation away from hoe rather than changing your "home" location.

If you want more relaxed and away from things a rental home may be the choice. If you want room but still a vacation feel then a resort such as Cypress Pointe may be a better fit.

 

[kilee]

One of the biggest differences you'll notice will be the lack of the "resort feel". I know many of the housing developments have resort like amenities, however it's just not the same.

That being said, we truly enjoy the pool homes. We find they are more spacious and the "inside" amenities cannot be beat. We also like having our own pool to ourselves.

The biggest question would be would you all be staying together if you stay at either place? If yes, then I'd go for the pool home. There would be much more space for everyone to spread out in.

I'd be sure to read some of the threads on the pool homes, get a feel for how others feel about it, and that might help some.

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

I vote for a rental home. You will love the room and having your own private pool and kitchen. Plus, September is a slow period, I would expect you would get a great rate.

Jane

 

[horseshowmom]

I've rented houses many times. Also, I just spent the week before Christmas at Cypress Pointe Grande Villas. Each of them have their own benefits.

The houses do have the private pool and can sometimes be a little bit quieter.

Our stay at CPGV was pretty close to perfect though. We had the kitchen and washer and dryer (I hate to take home a bunch of dirty clothes) that we had in the houses. While the pool wasn't private, there were 3 different options (including the volcano pool with slides).

In our case, we fell in love with the location most of all. CPGV is right in the middle of everything (lots of restaurants and Wal-Mart Supercenter just down 535), and we felt like we had all of the amenities of the houses (with the exception of the private pool).

In your case, if I decided to go with CPGV, I would rent the 3BR/3BA. That would give you plenty of room for everybody (and be as spacious as a house).

In our case, both my DH and my DD said that from now on they would rather stay at CPGV than get a house from now on (that doesn't keep me from looking around though!).

 

[mbb]

We've never stayed at CP Wouldn't hesitate to try it though

That being said, I think I would still vote for a private home.

Bedding/bathroom arrangements is the first reason I think of...
Big beds (as opposed to twins) and bathroom suites for all would be an easy find.

TVs for everyone!

And having a one-level home, no stairs, easy sidewalk/neighbourhood strolling, and if the homeowner has a garage/games room - no need to hike to the main building for everyone to enjoy...plus the pool area/lanai is literally right there.

...and parking right at your front door

HTH! Let us know what you decide

 

[NancyK]

Thanks for your input. I really like the location of CP as well as the cancellation policy, so I'll have to think about this a bit more.

 

[soupy11]

I have stayed at CP and at vacation home. I would never go back to a vacation home. It just doesn't feel resorty, if you know what I mean. I love the feel of a resort, check-in, hangin by the pool, talking to travelers, etc. etc. Plus with Hotelkingdom, it is tough to beat CP prices.

 

[horseshowmom]

I have stayed at CP and at vacation home. I would never go back to a vacation home. It just doesn't feel resorty, if you know what I mean. I love the feel of a resort, check-in, hangin by the pool, talking to travelers, etc. etc. Plus with Hotelkingdom, it is tough to beat CP prices.

While I won't say that I'll never rent another vacation home, this was kind of our experience too. We felt like we had the best of both worlds (resort and space). We didn't have a private pool, but the pools weren't crowded at all (we never even found time to get in although we would have if our "kids" had been younger instead of 19 and 23 ).

 

[Mainebound]

I have stayed at CP and at vacation home. I would never go back to a vacation home. It just doesn't feel resorty, if you know what I mean. I love the feel of a resort, check-in, hangin by the pool, talking to travelers, etc. etc. Plus with Hotelkingdom, it is tough to beat CP prices.

I agree -- they are very different sorts of vacations. Resorts have a kind of excitement and fun that the very quiet rental home communities totally lack (although maybe at Windsor Hills it is a litle more resorty). There is something great about being at a resort with lots of vacationing families, and with all of the services and amenities.

But for us, with two young kids, we love being able to leave the hustle and bustle of the theme parks and get our peace and quiet. After a day at the theme parks I am sick of crowds, noise, and lines. I want to swim in my own pool, read quietly in a chair, not on a bed, tell my kids to "go play" for a little while to get some peace (something I could never do if we were all in the same room!), reach into the fridge for a cold drink or snack without getting shoes on and walking somewhere, etc. But I agree, they are not the same kind of trip -- trade-offs are made, and you just have to decide what works for you.

have a great trip!

 

[spiceycat]

CP is a 3-bedroom is big enough to spread out. those things are bigger than some people houses.

but since you have tried CP - why not go with a house this time. You know just to try it.

iF you hate it you will know. but if you like it - sometimes the houses can be less in price - too many houses for rent not enough people renting them.

so maybe either more trips to WDW - or longer stays!!!

 

[5mins2disney]

There was just a post by another DIS board member comparing CP to Windsor Hills, and they said WHR wins hands down. I can't speak to other vacation homes / villas in the area, but WHR is definitely a "resort" type feel with an incredible clubhouse / etc. The only resort amenities they don't have is an onsite restaurant / bar....but the rest of it definitely qualifies as what I would call a "resort" destination.... I would think more so than some other areas which are just standalone pool homes. But, I'm biased since we own a home there, (although I honestly think that this place is just incredible, and once people visit / see it, they'll never want to go anywhere else!), so do a search on the 2 terms and look for the post I'm recalling, and ask the people who have been to both places for their opinion!

 

[soupy11]

There was just a post by another DIS board member comparing CP to Windsor Hills, and they said WHR wins hands down. I can't speak to other vacation homes / villas in the area, but WHR is definitely a "resort" type feel with an incredible clubhouse / etc. The only resort amenities they don't have is an onsite restaurant / bar....but the rest of it definitely qualifies as what I would call a "resort" destination.... I would think more so than some other areas which are just standalone pool homes. But, I'm biased since we own a home there, (although I honestly think that this place is just incredible, and once people visit / see it, they'll never want to go anywhere else!), so do a search on the 2 terms and look for the post I'm recalling, and ask the people who have been to both places for their opinion!

Sounds like the best of both worlds there!

 

[isla bonita]

We have never stayed at Cypress Point we stayed at Vistana Resort.

We own a rental home.

We had fun at Vistana but we are busy all day I do not want to share my pool lounge chairs have strangers in our ppol and have to drive to the pool.

We all vacation differently and if we were not doing any parks I think the idea of a resort is much better then a rental home. For us right now it is rental home all the way.

 

[GME]

One thing to consider...

Cypress Pointe Grandevillas have elevators in the buildings. Cypress Pointe does not have elevators, and the buildings are 3 stories tall. That may or may not be a factor for you and your family.

I stayed at Cypress Pointe with my wife and daughter a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed it.