HELP!!! Regal Palms, Windsor Hills or DVC!!!

[loveysbydesign]

AAAUUUGHHHHH!!!! Need help trying to decide where to stay!! It's our 1st trip to WDW...we'll be ther 6 nights, 7 days...me, dh, dd 3 1/2 and ds will turn 7 while we're there. I'm trying to keep cost under $90 a night (including taxes). So far I've found a few places at Regal Palms and Windsor Hills and am waiting on renting from DVC. Anyone been to these that can compare them for me...or offer good/bad experiences? Thanks for all your help! These boards ( and the people on them) are AWESOME!!!

 

[kilee]

The difference among the 3 is extreme. I'm not sure that you'll get DVC for under $90 a night. Regal Palms is a bit further out from WDW in Davenport. Some don't mind the drive (I'm in that category) others think the 15-20 minutes is just too far. It is a newer development. I think location would be the biggest factor here. As Regal Palms and Windsor Hills both have great amenities.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I agree $90 a night will not be possible through DVC - there are a lot of villas to choose from and we personally prefer the 192 area in Kissimmee.

Formosa Gardens and Poinciana Boulevard being the main development areas.

 

[spiceycat]

you can't get DVC for under $90 a night - you have either a Sat or Fri - those are very expensive using DVC.

plus you would have to stay in Jan, Sept, Oct, most of Nov and Dec.

now Sun-thurs (leaving on Fri) if you go in month mention above and you would take a studio -then you can go and stay at OKW.

staying onsite at WDW is expensive - very expensive.

if you are on a budget then stay offsite. Remember to get the most out of offsite you need a car.....so be sure to include the car rental in your budget.

to stay onsite at WDW you don't need a car - Disney will even provide transportation back and forth to the airport.

both Regal Palms and Windsor Hills are nice areas and if you can find a house to rent for $90 - I would go for it!!!

there are condo/timeshares non-disney

www.doorlando.com
www.condodirect.com
www.tug2.net - see the classified and BBS - last minute rentals
skyauction use to be nice - but lately Orlando has not been there.

 

[HeatherC]

I think your kids would absolutely LOVE the pool at Regal Palms. You can price this through Hotel Kingdom or www.regalpalmsorldano.com

The pictures are very representative of what the place is like. Although I have heard you are better off renting through a private owner.

If you have a AAA card, the rate will definitely be lower. We rent through a private owner and if you would like his web address, just PM me. Hope this helps you.

HeatherC

 

[Gillian]

What are you considering that's DVC? And what kind of windsor hills units?

It's tough to decide, no matter what your budget!

 

[kilee]

Regal Palms can usually be found on www.hotelkingdom.com . Also, someone else mentioned renting direct from the owner- and this would be good for both Regal Palms and Windsor Hills-- check sites like www.vrbo.com for that.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Thanks for everyone's tips. I guess we've decided DVC is too expensive for us right now and Windsor Hills is a bit closer than Regal Palms, so we're looking at places there. It's amazing the differences in prices at Windsor Hills depending on who owns them. If anyone has rented at Windsor hills and has gottne a really good price per night I'd love you to PM me!!! The cheapest I've found is $90 a night for a 2 bedroom condo. for 6 nights and it includes taxes. We have to go May 9-15th as we've already booked airfare.

 

[Gillian]

You could look at Windsor Palms too, although the pool is plain. You might find a better deal there, and it's close to Disney as well.

 

[HeatherC]

Hi - I know you are looking more closely at Windsor Hills because it is closer, but it really is not THAT much closer than Regal Palms. Maybe another 5 minutes. (Just a different direction IMO) If the rates are less at Regal Palms, it may be worth another look.

We stayed here last June...and will be back next week through a private owner. I was very concerned about the location, but found it to be a very easy trip...even during a busy period.

The pool area is amazing and because my kids loved it so much and kept asking about it we are headed back for another 12 days next week.

Because it is on Route 27, there really isn't that much traffic. To go to Disney, you just get on 192 and then take the left on Sherberth Road to take the back way in to Disney. I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time no matter where you stay.

I'm not trying to push Regal Palms either, just trying to be helpful to a fellow Dis'er.
Happy planning!
HeatherC

 

[traciedee]

Lovey, I rented a 3br overlooking the pool at WH for June for $85 per night. Including all taxes fees. Looks nice and we all know the units are new! Rented from an owner on VRBO.

 

[Brian Noble]

Because it is on Route 27, there really isn't that much traffic. To go to Disney, you just get on 192 and then take the left on Sherberth Road to take the back way in to Disney.

Having stayed on 27 last year, I'd say it is more than five minutes from Sherbeth. More like 10-15 in "normal" morning traffic. And, if something goes wrong on 192 (and it did once during our week) then you are talking much, much longer.

We wouldn't mind staying in Davenport/Clermont again, but this year we are staying closer in, to see how much of a difference that makes.

If you plan on taking afternoon breaks (and it might be a good idea with your youngest) then location will matter more than if you go in the morning and come back in the late afternoon/evening each day.

In any event, you might do a *little* better than 90/night all-in at WH, but probably not a lot better. You could also look at Emerald Island and Windsor Palms--they don't quite have the pool area or the location, but they are still quite close and quite nice, and might be a few dollars cheaper.

 

[dawnball]

We're paying $82/night at WH for a 3/2. I'd suggest asking for a general quote at windsorhillsrent - I got around 55 quotes in 2 days. The one we picked wasn't the lowest quoted.

dawn *bounce*

 

[crjack]

I would also recommend trying the windsorhillrent webpage. We received dozens of quotes and some offered "specials" that did not appear on vrbo.

We stayed at Summer Bay last summer which was close to the intersection of 27 & 192 and I think the ride will definitely be more like 15 minutes or more to get to Regal Palms.

Regal Palms sounds lovely and I would love to try it but even using the Black Lake & Sherbeth Rd. cut-off we still found Summer Bay to be a little far out there. Since we have been to the parks and attractions many times now it would probably work since we could spend more time just relaxing and enjoying the resort and all it offers.

With this being your first trip and based on the ages of your children, you may not want to add the commute into your plans. I don't think it would have worked for us on our first trip since you often times want to see as much as possible, do character meals, take breaks, etc. Not impossible but it would have definitely meant some adjustments. Unless there was a significant cost savings it wouldnt have been worth it for us.

Windsor Palms is also lovely as is Emerald Island. There is no shortage of condos out there and you may also want to check out Cypress Pointe on Hotel Kingdom. You may get a 2-bedroom there for the price you need and they are in a great location and have some fun pools for younger kids. I havent stayed there but lots of positive reviews here on these boards.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[alisonlee3]

We recently booked a 2bed,2bath condo for $75.00 a night including tax. For 6 nights the first week of July.The owner contacted us through windsorhillsrent.com This was the lowest we were quoted.

alison

 

[loveysbydesign]

GEEZ...i guess the owners of place at WH like you guys better than me, as the lowest quote I've gotten has been for a 2b/2b codo for $540.00 for 6 nights ($90 a night) still, I don't think that's too bad since the place looks AWESOME!

 

[dawnball]

Some of it may have to do with the timing of the visit. I know in our case, some of the discount was due to length of stay. We're staying 15 nights, and our stay terminates the day they have someone else arriving, so there are no orphan days.

dawn *bounce*