? for those who've stayed both onsite and offsite...

[momofmikey]

Hi. We normally stay onsite and have been very spoiled over the years. This time however to save money, we are staying in my in-law's timeshare.
Trying to get opinions on which ones are closest to Disney, i.e 5 minutes from entrance, can see fireworks/Spaceship Earth, etc.

I have a list to choose from through the timeshare exchange, and was just hoping to get some firsthand experiences.

When did I become such a onsite snob?

Thanks!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just back from Vistana Resort....

VERY close!

You can see the spot-lights from Pleasure Island...

 

[MiaSRN62]

Depends on your villa location, but one trip staying in Fountains II section @ Vistana we could see Planet Hollywood restaurant and spotlights from DD. It's about a 8-10 min drive from Vistana to any of the parks barring very heavy traffic (it's about a 5 min drive to the Marketplace). I think the longest it ever took us to get to the parks was 15 min but 8-10 is more the norm.

 

[Disney Ella]

Cypress Pointe Grand Villas is five minutes from the entrance to Downtown Disney.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Silver Lake is just outside of Disney, backing up to Animal Kingdom Lodge. There is also the new Fairfield timeshare that is basically in Disney (as far as I am concerned) Bonnet Creek

 

[gjw007]

If you're looking for the absolute closest, try Bonnet Creek.

 

[momofmikey]

Hi - thanks so much for the replies. It's the Sheraton Vistana, right? That's on the list. I also see the Fairfield Star Island Resort that was mentioned. I'm going to look into all of them.

Thanks again - now I just have to psyche myself into staying offsite

 

[MiaSRN62]

It's the Sheraton Vistana, right? That's on the list.

Yep, this is the one......
The Fairfield Bonnet Creek is probably the closest. Is that one on the list ?
https://www.fairfieldresorts.com/ffr/resort/details.do

 

[momofmikey]

Hi - the only one that's listed is the Fairfield Star Island Resort. I don't think that's the same one. Anyone know where this one is in relation to the parks?

Also, are there pixs somewhere of the different ones mentioned that I could take a look at?

Thanks again.

 

[spiceycat]

here is some for silver lake

www.silverlake.net

www.cypresspointe.net

here is the sheraton vistana
www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/welcome.jsp?resortID=5


these are the resorts internet sites -they all have pictures - sometimes the unit look better than these pictures.

 

[disneymom3]

I have to just tell you that with those two beautiful little boys you have in your signature I bet you are going to love offsite! Just think--you and DH get your very OWN room. Not to mention a living room and kitchen to make those little boy snacks much easier. Also, if your boys are still approximately that age and you think you will spend any time in the pools, I would hands down recommend Vistana. There is one pool with zero depth entry and one that has a large shallow play area. Outrank a kiddie pool any day of the week and I hate having to hold the little ones the whole time they are in the pool.

 

[MiaSRN62]

the only one that's listed is the Fairfield Star Island Resort. I don't think that's the same one. Anyone know where this one is in relation to the parks?

Hi Momofmikey ~
Here's the link : https://www.fairfieldresorts.com/ffr/resort/details.do
This resort is probably more like 15-20 min away depending on which park you're going to as well as traffic. May only be like 10-12 min from DD.

 

[Donnask8pro]

We're staying at Orange Lake Country Club, but I dont know how far it is. First time staying there.

 

[Tiger Fan]

If you're using RCI as your exchange company you might get Orange Lake, Silver Lake, Orbit One, Sheraton's Vistana among others. Post the list of what trades come up for your week and maybe we can give more specifics. To us, the best location wise is Silver Lake (you are about 2 mins from the AKL). Orbit One is just a couple of mins beyond SL and OLCC is another short way down from there. Vistana is also close, but on the DTD side of things. Orbit One is all 2 bedroom units, but it's not quite as posh as SL or OLCC or even Vistana in our opinion. We stay both on and off on each trip and like both for various reasons. Get out of the mindset that if you're not onsite that it's not as nice or as much magic or any of that other load of bull that some will speil out - you can make magic just fine as long as your attitude is right. Like I said, each trip for us usually involves both onsite (deluxes all the way to value, just depends on what rate we can get) and offsite (all of the ones I've mentioned and a few others). I will try to compare as honestly as I can and give as much info as I have. Have a great trip!
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[Lisa P.]

Fairfield Star Island Resort only trades through II (Interval International). So the above recommendations won't work for you.

Include all of the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resorts: Disney's Old Key West, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, Disney's Beach Club, Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Saratoga Springs. It's unlikely that any of these will be confirmed unless you are searching for a trade during a quieter time, especially while school is in session. But it's still worth including them in your search.

The Marriott resorts are nice, and the ones located on shared grounds with Marriott Orlando World Center permit access to the MOWC hotel and facilities. So you could probably find a good spot in the tower from which to see all the fireworks in the distance. These include Royal Palms, Imperial Palms and Sabal Palms. If you have children and if you don't mind skipping the inroom jacuzzi tub, Horizons by Marriott probably has some distant fireworks views and lots for the kids to do.

Sheraton Vistana Resort is nearby but learn how to request one of their newer sections via Diamond Lane on their website, if you trade there.

It's possible to see some of the DD fireworks from some areas of Cypress Pointe Resort.

Hope that helps.

 

[swincha]

Hi. We normally stay onsite and have been very spoiled over the years. This time however to save money, we are staying in my in-law's timeshare.
Trying to get opinions on which ones are closest to Disney, i.e 5 minutes from entrance, can see fireworks/Spaceship Earth, etc.

I have a list to choose from through the timeshare exchange, and was just hoping to get some firsthand experiences.

When did I become such a onsite snob?

Thanks!

lets see i am going in a week and 3 weeks prior i am renting a 4 bedroom gorgeous home at windsor palms with pool/spa everything for 125 night. then i am doing my park tickets for 7 days including park hopper for 230 a person. the total of these 2 things is about 2000. do you know what it would cost for a family of 6 to do the same package at disney???? 12,000 bucks. ha ha. now of course i could get 2 rooms for their special price and maybe spend around 5,000 bucks. but i think i will keep the large house with the swimming pool and spa not to mention the resort pool, game room, ect.... movie theatre. i am tacking a couple of extra days so we do have time to spend in the villa and rest so we don't feel we have to spend all of our time at the villa. my price is my magic.