Difference between WH's and Emerald Resort?

[lbklyn]

I have stayed at Windsor Hills in 2008 and liked it very much. But we never used the hugh clubhouse pool which seems to be the draw for most people. We are thinking of Emerald Island as it looks like it has more Greenary and has a hiking trail. I also see you can rent bikes which WH's did not have. Emerald also has a tikki bar which is a plus. Besides the huge pool and resort being newer at Windsor Hills is Emerald just as nice? I was under the impression that EI was RIGHT next door to WH's but on a map it looks kind of far. If so is the resort in a good area? SO SORRY for SO MANY questions but I do not want to make a mistake my family will kill me for . Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[lbklyn]

Anyone?

 

[PoppyAnna]

Interested too, we just booked a villa at EI rather than our usual WH, I feel slighty out of my comfort zone so I'd like the low down on EI too

 

[lbklyn]

I am thinking of booking but would love to hear from those who have stayed at both. I thought I read that EI houses were closer together than at WH's. If that is even possible because the houses were pretty close at WH's! I loved WH's but if EI is more lush with trees and all I think we would go for that more. And would love to ride bikes around the resort which I believe EI has. But could use some help with these questions from those in the know!

 

[mnrose]

I've never stayed at WH, but I have stayed at Emerald Island. The houses are close together, but not uncomfortably so. It was fine for our purposes anyway.

It is VERY close to Disney. Took us about 7 minutes to get to AK parking lot, and maybe 5-10 minutes more to get to the other parks. I know WH is a wee bit closer (maybe 1-2 minutes), but there sure isn't a great deal of difference and certainly not worth paying a lot more money. When I looked, WH was much more expensive, house for house, than EI.

We are going again next month, and again have chosen EI. I liked the floor plans better...we are traveling with another family and were able to get a floor plan at EI where there are two exactly the same master suites...so no issues about which family gets the "better" bedroom. None of the bigger homes (we are getting a 6 BR) had that type of floor plan (that I could find anyway) at WH.

We never used the community pool at EI because we liked the one in the backyard just fine. I did venture by there one day and from my perspective, it looked fine. Basic pool...not slides or anything...I think the pool at WH might have a slide?

I think anyone who is considering WH should take a look at EI. We've been happy there.

 

[sympatico]

I've stayed at both a couple of times and apart from Windsor Hills having the better community things there's not much difference. Both have a manned gate. We like the both of them and wouldn't hesitate staying at either one.
We don't use the community facilities anyway so it makes no difference to us. As was said EI has a tiki bar and some planned activities at the clubhouse and pool.
Emerald Island is about two minutes from the Livingstone Rd entrance of Windsor Hills. It would only take a couple of minutes longer getting to Animal Kingdom from EI over WH using Sherberth Rd.

 

[lbklyn]

Thank you all SO much! That is what I needed to know! Also, would anyone know anything about being able to rent bikes there?

 

[isla bonita]

They do not have bikes to rent at EIR.
The resort has a tiki bar like wanda has said also nature trail, 2 small tot lots, sauna, pool, spa, small gym, small games room, tennis courts, basket ball, chidrens activities and sand volley ball pit.

Here is a short video of eir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQLTVQbVMnY

Its a great place and close to the parks, I4, markets, doc in a box, packy and places to eat