I HATE all of the similar names!

[Sharper]

Am trying to arrange an exchange through Interval International and in trying to research our option of resorts am getting so frustrated at the similar names of resorts, streets, etc. Our top two choices are Sheraton Vistana and Wyndham Palms. My understanding is that both of these are very close (mile or less) from Disney. But then I read something about Wyndham Palms having a name change and being several miles from Disney. This is making me crazy. Can anyone clarify the Wyndham Palms situation and give me any advice between it (IF it is actually a mile from Disney) and the Vistana? Our primary concern is accessibility to Disney and the cleanliness and generally how nice the units themselves are (pools, and on-site amenities are not a top priority) Thanks.

 

[Lisa P.]

I agree it's confusing. There's a Wyndham hotel less than a mile from Downtown Disney. But the Wyndham Palms timeshare resort is several miles away.

Some of the closest Interval Int'l resorts to the Disney parks are:

Onsite (rarely available except under 4 months from check-in, primarily at OKW)
??? - Disney's Beach Club Villas
DBW - Disney's BoardWalk
DWL - Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
DVO - Disney's Old Key West

Lake Buena Vista/Orlando area:
VIT - Sheraton's Vistana Resort
CYO - Sunterra Cypress Pointe
MIP - Marriott's Imperial Palms
MRP - Marriott's Royal Palms
MSP - Marriott's Sabal Palms
(these 3 Marriotts share grounds with Marriott Orlando World Center, a conference hotel, a long block from Vistana)

Kissimmee:
WGV - Westgate Vacation Villas
PKY - Parkway International Resort

Of these, the nicest rooms are probably at the Disneys and the Marriotts. Vistana, Cypress Pointe and Westgate Villas do offer luxury but not all sections and rooms are consistently as nice as others. The Parkway's rooms are less luxurious but reportedly clean and well-maintained.

I'd strongly encourage you to consider joining TUG - Timeshare Users Group. The advice articles and forums are free but the resort reviews and ratings are only available to members. And those are extremely valuable to anyone seeking timeshare exchanges, when choosing between resort. Please use my name as a referral if you do - my email is potter@a-o.com. Thanks. Hope that helps.

 

[kazzie]

Sharper,

The Windsor Palms Resort (formerly Wyndham Palms) was wonderful,I stayed there in October.But I've noticed people are definitely confusing it with the Wyndham hotel in the Lake Buena Vista area (close to Downtown Disney).

The Windsor Palms is a short car ride away but certainly more than a mile away!

 

[Elle]

Windsor Palms (previously Windham Palms) is NOT a timeshame resort, it is a short term rental community, located just behind Splendid China on West US192, all of the homes (Villas and Condos) are privately owned, then rented out via either larger rental agencies or privately by the owner.
If you go the right way (via Sherbeth road) you will be on Disney property in 3-4 minutes, then at Animal Kingdom in 5-6 minutes.
Bear in mind that Disney is HUGE where ever you stay off-site you will not get to the entrance to Magic Kingdom in less than 10-15 minutes sometimes much longer. I am not sure where the Sheraton is but if it is in the Lake Buena Vista area then it is the opposite side to Windsor Palms, and certainly no closer! You just go in a different way.
I know the distances because I own at Emerald Island Resort which is just a little closer than Windsor Palms and I have timed the journeys.
Elle