Has anyone recently stayed @ Orange Lake Resort?

[blessed1]

Myself and my son are traveling back to Orlando in late August and wanted to stay off property (Disney). I came to the conclusion that the Orange Lake Resort & Country Club looks the most appealing, but am a little wary on the quality of the rooms. I am going for the 1BR villa booking through CheapTrips. I wanted to have the fridge and stove/microwave available. First trip in '04 we stayed on WDW property Carribean. Nice, but spent a grip on food. I thought this trip we would stay somewhere with a kitchen I could save a bit. Any infor or suggestions would be welcome

 

[Wishing on a star]

bumping this up...

We are scheduled to stay at OL (thru inlaws timeshare exchange).

While the resort looks just fabulous!!! I too have concerns about the room.

I have done a lot of research, and have decided that we will be happy in the NORTH section. (not the newest section, but most 'quiet') Thru RCI you actually book a 'section'... So you either book in West (oldest) North (next in age - buildings are two story on golf course) East (second newest, six story buildings) or River Island (the newly opened section with the fantastic water-park type pool-lazy river-and two slides, bars, restaurants, etc...)

If you are not allowed to request, or be guaranteed, a specific section when you book nightly rentals, then I THINK it would be possible to get a one bedroom unit in the one main building at WEST... I *THINK* that this building has studiios and one bedrooms. (other units at west are individual single level villas, most of which have now been completely renovated. If this is true, a studio or one-bedroom in the WEST secion would not be recommended...

If it is okay to give this information out here, you can to to tripadvisor.com, pull up orange lake, and look thru lots and lots of traveler reviews and traveler photos. NOTE: once you pull up Orange Lake Resort, click to expand the traveler reviews, and a traveler photo section will also show up next to the 'hotel photos' at the top of the page.

From these photos, I know just what our 2-bedroom in NORTH will look like! The two bedrooms in EAST and NORTH are the same in floor plan and decor.

After MUCH searching I found an elusive property map.. not detailed, but nice to see.
If I can go find the link I will post it here.

here is that link: http://www.orangelake.com/tour_our_resort/Fun_Map_Web_01_23_08_print.pdf

 

[mouse_love]

We stayed there last October. I booked through expedia and then read negative reviews about the West. And then when researching further I found out that people who book through expedia are booked rooms in the West. So now I freaked. I emailed the resort and told them of my concerns, and they basically said sorry but you booked through expedia so you will stay in the West and they assured me my stay would be a great one of course. But I emailed them back and said that if I can not be moved to a different location I will not be staying at their resort. Then they said ok, but could not guarentee me where they would switch me to. But we ended up staying at River Island which was really fabulous. Perfect location w/kids. Awesome pool right out back - clean spacious rooms. Not one single person bugged us about time share (I was nervous of that). My main problem was that they have this slide with a ridiculous height requirement. Put it this way, my almost 6 year old couldn't do the slide but was able to ride Space Mountain! And its just a pretty basic pool slide. Nothing real fancy. This was a serious issue as I have 5 kids and only the 8 year old could go down it. And they make you purchase and use only their floats - can't bring your own. River Island was just a great location. Restrauants and shops right by pool (food nothing to brag about - service awful at restraunt,pricey), putt putt, and massive inflatable water slide (which, by the way, my 5 1/2 year old COULD do, and my 3 year old!)right by River Island, and a very neat hammock/sand area which was very relaxing in the cool October Orlando Evenings. I would stay again only if I could stay at river island, which I don't think I could ever be guarenteed. The place is massive. From most areas you'd have to drive to a pool. For the price we will be trying out this October vacation rental homes w/private pool. Cheaper than staying at Orange Lake and most hotels. Hope this helps.

 

[lisajl]

A friend of mine has stayed there. Her folks own a timeshare, so she stays for free (lucky). At any rate, she really enjoyed it. She said the rooms were clean and they had no problems. She stayed there about 5 years ago and is going again this October.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

we own at timeshare share their in the east section, just around the corner from the new river island.

the west section is the oldest, but they have all now been renovated to the river island standards or nearly done i think.

its a big resort, you'll need a car to get most places in the resort they do also have a free shuttle bus service that runs every 20mins.

theres a publix right outside from OLCC so you can get all you food etc...

we love it there, not long til we are their now!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I have heard that the individual villas at WEST have all been renovated. But, I am not sure about the one main building there at WEST (which was the original first building built) which has studios and perhaps one bedrooms.

I have read very bad reports about this building.
I believe that some of them are recent???

If my guess is correct, then this building does not have two bedroom units. So, IF this is true, then a two bedroom would keep you out of that building.

Check out the site I mentioned earlier.
TONS of reviews and traveler pictures.

I would also suggest calling Orange Lake directly to see what sizes/types of units are in that building.

 

[cab333]

We stayed in the West in 2004, and loved our unit...and loved Orangelake in general. We had a two bedroom condo, it was spacious and very well kept. I will say that I am 98% sure that when we originally checked in we were slated to be in the apartment type complex, but when we realized how far that was from Splash Lagoon (River Island was not there yet) - we asked to be moved closer to there, and were moved to a 2 story condo type unit. I highly recommend Orangelake, we are returning there this October and I can't wait!!!

 

[Suzyq9241]

First off... There is 2 bedrooms in the main building.. My sister in law stayed in one...but that was about 6 yrs ago..

My dh and I stayed in a studio... Horrible..bottom floor of the main building not renovated yet but I heard that it was going to be after the west villas were done....it was only for one night so we didn't complain.. The new pool was not open yet.. It might be now... but i don't think so because they were building something were the playground was... the river island lazy river is great... the shuttles were great ...we had a car and we were happy with the shuttle...my family and I have gone to orange lake for years... we have never had a problem with anything there...but because of all the changes around the main building i think it wasn't up to par...Hopefully it will be better next June...My family and I are going for our last family vacation for a while... all kiddies will be in school or college (which gets expensive) so it will be just dh and I going to disney and trying new places alone...

 

[Wishing on a star]

If my information is correct, I believe that the ONE-bedroom units in the WEST section are in the individual GOLF VILLAS. I beleive that all of these have been renovated.

Yes, by several accounts, the studios are in the main clubhouse building at WEST, and they are NOT recommended.

 

[BosDub]

While I can't comment specifically on a one bedroom unit, we did stay at OLCC June 20 - 27. I also read the iffy reviews and was sceptical about going as we were going to be in the West Village(RCI exchange).

Before we arrived I called and requested a renovated unit. I was told it shouldn't be a problem but there were no guarantees. When we checked in, I asked if the unit was renovated. I was told it had been refurnished, oh no!

My wife started to freak. So we went to the unit. We were in the high rise buildings that border Rt 192. The building did not look so hot. We opened the front door and it was the most beautiful unit we have ever stayed in. We have been with RCI since 1986 and have had some great trades. I would have to say we were probably only the second or third family to stay in this totally renovated unit.

Our second week we spent at the Marriott Grande Vista which we thought would be an upgrade from Orange Lake but it was dissapointing compared to the Orange Lake unit.

 

[momofEEG]

We stayed at OLCC Oct of 2005 and are going again this Oct. We had a 2 bedroom condo in the tennis villas. It was beautiful and we couldn't have been more pleased. Very spacious and clean. We got it through an RCI exchange and this year we are staying in the new River Island section. We are excited and I think you will be happy there. By the way what is the height requirement for the water slide?

Thanks

 

[peacefrog2180]

wow october must be a popular month. Myself, my hubby and my 6 month old daughter will be staying at Orange Lake for a few days in October. I too am worried about the room. We booked through hotels.com so i am guessing we will get stuck in the older section. I may try calling to see if we can get a better section with a renovated room. thanks for that tip!!

 

[BosDub]

Just an FYI on the Publix onsite at OLCC. The selection seemed limited and the prices seemed higher than a couple of other Publix we went to. There is also a Walmart Super Center near by which seemed more resonable.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks BosDub,

It is good to hear that they may have indeed completed renovations on the main building at the West section. (Although we have arrangements to be in the North section, as we will like it where it is more quiet, overlooking the grounds and golf courses.)

Tell us more about your stay at Orange Lake!
Did you take part in any activities there?
Did you have any meals there?
Did you spend time at River Island?

Thanks for your posts!

 

[BosDub]

Did you take part in any activities there?

We were going to play golf on the 9 hole par 3 course. It seemed like a great bargain. $20 per adult, under 15 free, including club rentals. You can't beat that! Unfortunately, we never got around to doing it. It is an evening course which opens at about 5:00 so we were usually into something else at that time.

Did you have any meals there?

Nope.


Did you spend time at River Island?

We spent a full day at River Island. It was fun even though a bit crazy. There were alot of kids running around, jumping off of rocks and generally going crazy. We brought over our lunch and some snacks and beverages. The slides were nothing to write home about but the lazy river was nice. We much preferred Aquatica, if we were going to do a swimming day. I know that's an unfair comparison but Aquatica was alot of fun. Sea World/Aquatica now offers a 14 day combo ticket for about $80. We thought that was a great value!

 

[riu girl]

Can anyone tell me if the one bedroom suite units (about 500 sq. ft). in the west clubhouse have been renovated?????

Thank you

 

[Wishing on a star]

From my earlier post... No one bedrooms in the clubhouse building... Or were you referring to the studio suites...

I am no expert. But this is from what I would consider a reputable source.
Perhaps you could call Orange Lake to make sure!

If my information is correct, I believe that the ONE-bedroom units in the WEST section are in the individual GOLF VILLAS. I believe that all of these have been renovated.

 

[Suzyq9241]

Are not all finished...

We just were there June 13, 2008

 

[The Hendies]

This thread started some time ago, but I still want to add my 2 cents! We have owned at Orange Lake since early 1990's and couldn't be happier. We have tons of space (we own a 2 bedroom in the older 'west' section). I know the newer buildings have a fresher look, but we like the older units because they are one story, you just park and walk right into your villa, just like it's home. I have no idea what the purchase price is anymore, but we bought just before the entire place went HUGE! Maintenance fee is getting a little high, and we could probably stay in a single room hotel for a week for a lot less than the yearly maintenance fee, but we wouldn't have the space, the amenities, or the ability to fix our own meals in the villa. If there is anyway to swing it, buy, buy, buy!

 

[steelebug]

We have stayed at OL many times. Our most recent stay was 4th of July week. We stayed in 2455 (2br/2ba) on Southern Magnolia. It was wonderful with a smaller quiet pool right across the parking lot. The kids loved to go right outside after dinner and swim. We will be going back the day after Christmas for a week. We have also stayed in the River Island Section but actually like the West section better. River Island can get louder and busier. My kids prefer Splash Lagoon to River Island. We enjoy the pizza service and have eaten at River Island Grilling Co. All very good. We have not tried the West pool yet. Hope that helps.