How easy is it to rent at Windsor Hills?

[joyerbides]

I am torn. We already have reservations for Pop Century in late December (Christmas) for our family of 6. DH, me, DS15, DS12, DS8 & DD4. We have to get two rooms to fit us all in. I have never stayed offsite (as an adult), and I'm used to the MYW packages. Hence, nervous about changing things up. However, we are on a tight budget and Christmas is very expensive. I decided to "check" what the prices were for staying offsite, and came across Windsor Hills. I am amazed at how inexpensive these condo's, townhouses, or homes are. It seems to be about half of what we would be paying to stay onsite (since we have to get 2 rooms). This would be wonderful, except, I'm not really sure how this works. How easy is it to book one? I am a "researcher" and will not do anything, until I have all my questions answered, as I do not want to get stuck with something and lose money over it. For those who have done this, how did you go about it? Was it worth it (money vs. convenience)? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jana

 

[sympatico]

The number one question is "Will you have a vehicle?" If you don't then don't stay off site. If you do then it is very easy to get to Disney from Windsor Hills: 5 min to AK. We usually rent directly from owners using www.windsorhillsrent.com or the vrbo listing page (Vacation rentals by owner) for Kissimmee:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rental...entral-disney-orlando/kissimmee/windsor-hills
There's 2 and 3 bedroom condos, 3 bedroom townhouses with private splash pools or 4 - 6 bedroom pool homes.
On the windsorhillsrent site you can put in a general inquiry for what you want, be specific or you'll get hundreds of replies, you can also contact individual owners. On the vrbo site you contact each owner individually.
Things to consider when staying at WH or any of the subdivisions: there's no maid service, you have to look after your own laundry: towels, bedding etc are supplied but you have to do your own washing, you look after your own garbage and cleaning up. It's just like living at home.
The pluses are that you have lots of room and privacy, your own pool if you get a pool home ( or townhouse), your own washer and dryer, lots of bathrooms, tvs and even playstation & games, some of the pool homes have a games room in the garage. If you're in a separate pool home you don't have to be concerned if the kids are a little loud. We love staying this way and would never go back to a hotel again for a long stay.
WH has a fabulous pool with waterslide, clubhouse games room with ping pong and pool tables, fitness room, even a mini theatre that you can choose a movie to see: all free to those staying there.
Look at lots of places, get quotes and choose the place that fits your needs and budget. You can check out ownership on the county tax appraiser site or the tax records site. If you need any other info just post your questions.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We've rented in Windsor Hills before and loved it. we've also stayed at Pop century and have go to say we didn't love it. Or as my DW calls it, "the Disney projects"
If you will have a car, then I would really suggest renting at Windsor Hills. It is a beautiful place. My DS's loved the pool. It's so much nicer to have your own room and space so that you're not climbing all over eachother.
It's really not very hard to rent from them. Go to one of the websites that the PP suggested and once you find something that you like then contact the owner through that site. Usually they will accept payment via paypal, which is very easy to deal through.

 

[Cindy B]

We're doing offsite for Disney in August for the first time. We've stayed off site before many times: Cypress Pointe (2x), and many different hotels. However, whenever we got to the Disney portion, we always stayed on site for parking and the busses.

This year we are renting from www.vacationcentralflorida.com. I've heard good reviews from him and his prices are really good.

 

[tammy1210]

I know exactly what you mean - we've been trying to make the decision for next summer's vacation - with the economy the way it is, I really wanted to save a little money, but I was still torn about losing the "magic" - but when I found the WH townhomes and showed the kids, they were sold! I love the extra room, having your own kitchen for breakfast, and the washer/dryer!

We rented through VRBO - contact several owners - probably 3/4 responded back within in a day or two, then we reserved via email - sent a check for the deposit and she sent us a receipt. We have rented through VRBO before and really like it.

 

[Stewy]

We were torn too. We had a 30% off bounceback reservation with Disney for August but decided we could go much cheaper renting a condo for the 2 weeks. We will have a car with us so that makes it easier. We are renting from the same place as Cindy B and they have been very responsive and nice.

For your situation - Christmas - if you are truly going to be there Christmas week, please keep in mind how crowded it will be. Many days, parks will close to offsite guests. The traffic delays just to get into some parks will be extremely long. You also lose EMH and that extra time can really pay off at Christmas. We have spent the past 5 Christmas/New Year holidays at Disney and it really is the most crowded week. Depending on how you tour the parks, this might not be a big deal but if you are used to getting up later and heading out or your group splitting up, it is not as convenient when you are offsite. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Zeebs]

This is our first trip to WDW so we don't know the "magic" of staying onsite, but it was to be a budget trip as we weren't suppose to be having a trip away this year as 2009 we are going to NZ.

However, we had some airmiles that needed using up so hey presto we are off to Florida, we are having a week at WDW and a week 2 hours south of Orlando (in free accommodation).

We were looking at a room onsite but because we are travelling with the inlaws and two small kids I it was just going to be so much more expensive, we wouldn't take advantage of EMH because the kids are too little to stay out that late without being extremely grumpy. And we needed to rent a car for the second week so it wasn't much more to add another week on. The thought of sitting in the dark while trying to get the kids to sleep didn't interest me either, I plan to put them to bed, grab a glass of wine and sit on the balcolny and look for Alligators in the lake.

I found booking quite an easy process I filled in our requirements and then got a heap of quotes back, which I sifted through and finally decided on this one. The owners have been really easy and nice to deal with so I hope everything will go smoothly.

http://www.rent-windsorhills.com/ we are in the lakeside unit. They have since decorated the kids bedroom to look like this.

So I think that will give the kids some WDW "Magic"

Kirsten

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

Zeebs I just wanted to say thank you for the info. We just cancelled on site and will be staying at Windsor now. We booked poolside for Aug.Thanks again

 

[Zeebs]

Zeebs I just wanted to say thank you for the info. We just cancelled on site and will be staying at Windsor now. We booked poolside for Aug.Thanks again

You are welcome, I hope it goes well, please come back and tell us all about it as there is a lack of condo reviews on here.

Kirsten

 

[Chelley00]

We don't rent at Windsor Hills, but at another community in the area. We LOVED offsite for our family of 6. The older kids had their own rooms, the little 2 shared a room, DH and I had our own huge bedroom, we had 2 bathrooms, a private pool and hot tub to come home to each night after long days in the park. Plus, with the full stocked kitchen you can easily make breakfasts or quick dinners or snacks. I just can't imagine shoving all of us into 2 small value rooms at Disney for more money. As long as you have a car you'll be fine offsite (unless the parks close to offsite guests because of crowds )

 

[joyerbides]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I think we will be staying offsite this year. It just seems more realistic for us.

 

[senator@cogeco.ca]

stayed at this 3 bedroom condo fantastic 4 minutes from disney gated community the beds were as comfortable as anywhere i have ever stayed check out www.kissimmeevacationrental.net good luck only $85.00 night including taxes and we ate all of our meals at the condo the kids loved the recreation centre

 

[deejay-55]

You have made a great choice. Once you have stayed in your 'own' home with a private pool, you will wonder why you ever stayed in a hotel!

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

You are welcome, I hope it goes well, please come back and tell us all about it as there is a lack of condo reviews on here.

Kirsten

I will post back for sure. I have the feeling we may not want to stay back onsite again....Unless we get a good deal.

 

[Zuzu03]

You will LOVE being in your own "home". We stay both onsite and offsite and had a great experience last June with a gorgeous home in Formosa (neighbor to Windsor, I believe). My daughter and I love to shop, so having a car and being offsite was perfect. The house was massive and the pool perfect, so much better than the hotels. Although we do love being close to the action too. Glad that you're expanding beyond the gates a bit - I think you'll love it!