Great Stay at Wyndham Cypress Palms in Kissimmee

[Lisa P.]

Its name recently changed from Fairfield to Wyndham.

Location: This resort is located a half block back from Rt. 192, just a couple miles east of WDW. It's about a 10 minute drive to the Disney parks, very short commute.

Conveniences: These businesses are located on the same side of 192, with the resort property behind them, so they're a safe, easy, very short walk away: Cracker Barrel, Pizzeria Uno, Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Krispy Kreme and a 24-hr CVS with reasonable milk/convenience prices. Crossing Rt. 192 at the light near the resort, it's ~1.6 miles up Polynesian Blvd to the new Super WalMart on Rt. 535 and cheap Hess gas. Publix is on 192, one traffic light east of the resort, closer, with higher grocery prices and a more diverse grocery selection, if you need that. Wyndham Cypress Palms is a very convenient and pleasant place to stay for a Disney trip - we'll definitely be back soon.

Refurbishing: The resort is undergoing major refurbishing, new furniture, carpeting and paint throughout. Building numbers 5303-5309 have been completed - these are at the end nearer the rec center. Building numbers 5313-5331 are awaiting refurbishing - these are at the end nearer the check-in lobby. Building 5311 was closed for refurbishing the week we were there, prior to Christmas week, 2007. The resort is about 1/3 done. Our room in 5307 was lovely, newly redecorated in muted autumn shades and pine woods. The beds were super comfortable with mattress toppers and soft duvets. Everyone slept well. We had a large, spacious 2BR that slept up to 8, with screened balcony, washer/dryer, large jacuzzi and all the nicer timeshare features. We were on the 4th floor of 5 stories and our building was pretty full. Still, we rarely heard any noise at all when the exterior doors were closed - very pleasant and quiet.

Pools: Two pool areas w/hot tubs - all are heated and very clean but the one in the center of the resort, near the playground was wonderfully warm, like steamy bath water on a cool winter day. They turned up the hot tub to HOT on request, very nice. No special pool amenities or kiddie pools - just decent-sized, freeform-shaped pools - about half of each pool is only ~3-3.5 ft deep with a deeper edge ~5 ft deep. The rec center had plenty of oversized pool towels and lots of pool toys/noodles for guests to sign-out.

Holiday: We were there the week before Christmas week. The lobby entry and interior were decorated with white lights and a 12 foot (or more) Christmas tree and a wall-hung, lit mennorah (sp?). A staff person manned a fire pit near the entry, offering arrivals marshmallows to roast. Victorian-dressed carolers sang in the lobby, near welcome trays of cookies, as we checked-in. It was a nice way to start off our visit.

Services: The rec center staff (and maint and lobby, as well) were all very responsive, helpful and friendly. Everyone greeted us as they walked past. They maintain and light the gas grills (near each pool area) whenever guests request. They offered lots of organized activities scheduled each day, especially for a smaller, quieter resort like this, but we didn't participate. There's an XBox gaming system available for guests to use in the rec center, as well as a good fitness room (sign out a pass key) and a small video arcade room that includes air hockey. Free coffees, tea and cocoa all the time, in the rec center and lobby buildings. One Mac computer is available for guests to use for free in the lobby owners' lounge. Wireless in the room is available from an outside vendor for a fee ($30/week, less for shorter periods).

This is all I can think of, for now. This resort is sometimes available through SkyAuction and other rental outlets online. So there are occasionally questions posted about it. Feel free to ask about anything. We loved our stay and we'll be back.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for sharing Lisa. We are RCI members and have considering trading into there but it doesn't look like much in the pictures, lots of teal and fuschia, lol! Glad to hear it's being renovated. Did you hear when it should all be completed? The location looks great!

 

[DianeV]

We have stayed there twice and while it doesnt have all the bells and whistles of other resorts its always very clean and everyone is always very nice who works there

 

[Echo queen]

Thanks for the review we are planning Christmas week at CR and then the Friday after a week at a resort we are Wyndham owers and love Bonnet Creek but don't have quite enough points for week 52. Cypress palms was our next pick. Does anyone know how CP compares to Star Island Thanks

 

[Lisa P.]

Did you hear when it should all be completed?

Not really, but I understand that they they started at the end of last summer and it's about 1/3 finished. So if they continue at this pace, I'd expect them to be done by the end of 2008. That's just a guess.

...we are Wyndham owers and love Bonnet Creek but don't have quite enough points for week 52. Cypress palms was our next pick. Does anyone know how CP compares to Star Island Thanks

Since I haven't been to Star Island in nearly a decade, I can't give a direct comparison. SI is a somewhat larger resort, has a zero-entry pool, a larger fitness center, an onsite lounge, lots of tennis courts, a full-service spa and a little bigger pond/lake. It's located perhaps a half-mile further east down Rt. 192 than CP. Both resorts are set back a half-block or so from the noise of busy 192 but yet close enough to walk to restaurants and shops. IIRC, the restaurant closest to SI is TGI Fridays. This resort is likely to offer some live music poolside one or two afternoon/evenings per week.

People who like more activity may prefer SI. We really enjoyed CP as a respite from the parks, with just enough offered to suit us. I don't know anything about the condition of the rooms at SI. SI is actually two resorts in one - the original sections are managed by another timeshare company and the newer sections are managed by Wyndham. If you trade in through II (Interval Int'l), you could get either. If you use your Wyndham FairShare Plus Points, you ought to get the Wyndham sections, which are better managed and nicer, from what I've read.

Since you're a Wyndham owner, you may like to register (free) to read more at the Wyndham Owners Group. Lots of people there have visited both of these resorts and they can tell you more. HTH!