I'm going to give Treehouse Villas a tentative thumbs down

[CandleontheWater]

I just got back from our first stay at the "new" Treehouse Villas. We were there a total of 5 night, checking in on a Sunday, and checking out on a Friday. I had stayed at the Treehouse Villas just one other time, in 1978 for my first visit, and I thought it would be really cool to stay there for my child's first visit. We had a great trip, and while I thought the treehouses were lovely, they really didn't work well with our vacationing style. That is, of course, the great thing about DVC, different resorts for different folks I just thought I'd share my experiences, to maybe help people planning in the future.

The first issue we ran into was that the bedrooms were TINY! We had been in Pop for the weekend before we checked into the treehouses, and I couldn't wait to get a little more room to spread out. Unfortunately even though we technically moved to a larger space, for all intensive purposes, we had downgraded space for our suitcases, clothes, pack 'n' play and other baby gear. We were staying with my in-laws and sister in law, so all the bedrooms were in use, and we didn't want to inconvenience everyone else with storing stuff out in the living room. We did have to keep the stroller out there, because with the pack 'n' play unfolded there was literally no other free floor space.

The other issue was with the stairs, we are newbie parents, and didn't really think about how exhausting hauling the stroller up the stairs every night would be. We didn't want to leave it outside because of bugs and possible rain, and eventually left it in the car at night, even though my husband doesn't like to do that (afraid of theft). My baby is only 14 lbs, and it was tiring to carry him up the stairs after a full theme park day, I can imagine it would be even worse with a toddler.

Another issue was with the deck, we would have enjoyed sitting out there for breakfast, but there was no umbrella for the table and the sun was pretty strong. I think we would have used the deck more if there was some shade.

I also thought that the roads were super narrow! It made me very nervous walking to and from the pool, because many of the corners are blind, and the roads are used by buses and personal vehicles. I would not take the stroller out on the roads, and I would be very nervous if I had small mobile children. I might have been hyper sensitive because of the recent tragedy at Fort Wilderness, but there are no sidewalks and in some areas it is difficult to get off the road due to the wetlands.

I also thought that the transportation was crazy. I'm usually a big fan of Disney transportation, my husband and I like to park the car and let Disney do the driving for the week we are on vacation. I'm really tolerant of Disney bus quirkiness, and I am not bothered by a little inconvenience, but taking two buses with a baby and a stroller is for the birds. Luckily DH's parents drove down and we were able to use their car, otherwise we would have had a horrible time with transportation.

Probably my biggest problem with the Treehouse Villas was how isolated they are. I know that many people like to feel like they are getting away from it all on vacation, but we like to be part of the action. I was disappointed that I had to go all the way to the Springs to refill my mug, let along get some food. I know that you could drive to Saratoga Springs, but getting the baby and the stroller down the stairs and into the car was a big hassle. I left the baby napping with my husband one afternoon and walked to refill our mugs and it was quite a haul, not the sort of thing I'd do every day.

I don't want this to sound overly negative, because we did have a great trip, and I'm very happy I got the chance to try the villas. They were decorated beautifully, and I think they idea of them is really neat. They just didn't work for our vacation style, and if you have young children, lots of stuff, like to be near the action, or rely on Disney transportation, the Treehouse Villas may not be your best choice either.

 

[es45]

Good points to consider. Thanks for the TR.

 

[ToddyLu]

That was an excellent review, thanks for the Head's Up !

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for the trip report. It's good to know the positives and negatives. We all understand that it just from your perspective. But as you know by trying different resorts and villa types one day you'll find the perfect one.

 

[dis-happy]

I hear you with the stroller---we've had that experience at OKW as well. Have learned that it's much easier to store the stroller in the car (convenience outweighs possible theft!!!).

 

[kendzee94]

I think you will reconsider the THV's as your baby gets older. We went last summer, and I agree with the bus transportation issue. We just walked back and forth to the grandstand bus stop. Did you know, you can refill your mug at the grandstand pool? The walk is not as feasable with a 14 month old. Now, I do have to tell you that our children (DS 12 and DD10) are two years apart and have already been asking to bring a friend along. Within the next two years, we will be looking at bringing a friend for each child. We are adding on points at SSR specifically to be able to assure that we will be able to stay at the THV and have a bedroom for each child/friend so no one gets "stuck" with the sofa. THV's have become our new favorite.

Another thing to consider is even at the other DVC's (other than BLT and AKV I would presume) if your on the second or third floor and not near the elevator, that would also be a pain with a little one and the end of the night when asleep from the bus ride!! (Been there, done that)

 

[KandiB47]

Thanks for the report. I'll be trying the villas out this November. I could see how having a little baby would make the THV more of a hassle.

Another thing to consider is even at the other DVC's (other than BLT and AKV I would presume) if your on the second or third floor and not near the elevator, that would also be a pain with a little one and the end of the night when asleep from the bus ride!! (Been there, done that)

We stayed at BCV on the third floor when DS was a toddler. I still remember carrying the stroller up all three flights at the end of the night. It wasn't fun.

 

[DVCconvert]

.....even though we technically moved to a larger space, for all intensive purposes, we had downgraded space....

I have to ask - just what exactly were the "intensive purposes" ???

 

[magicaldisney]

Though I don't have little ones any more, these are all concerns that I have had about staying at the TVs. Thanks for an honest review.

 

[cutakenta]

I just left all of our bikes, Eddie Bauer stroller, rip-stick, and everything eles under the house. It was all covered from the weather.

I would never think anyone would break into a car and steal a stroller.

 

[sjs314]

We passed the THV last year while taking the water launch to DTD while staying at OKW and said we would like to stay there sometime. Thank You for the good review of them

 

[JWG]

I've come to the conclusion that the THV are really a one family multi-child locale. If you're a parent with 3+ kids, this is a great alternative as a 3 BR priced as a 2.

If you really need to sleep 8+ including multiple adults, I think the OP issues will definitely come into play. We've avoided THV on our trips for this very reason.

May work with 4 adults and 1-2 kids also, but the 3rd BR is bunk beds so I wouldn't want to stay with more than 4 adults.

 

[Tara]

Thanks for the report. I'll be trying the villas out this November. I could see how having a little baby would make the THV more of a hassle.



We stayed at BCV on the third floor when DS was a toddler. I still remember carrying the stroller up all three flights at the end of the night. It wasn't fun.

Wait...what? There surely to goodness are elevators at BCV, right????

 

[BCV23]

Wait...what? There surely to goodness are elevators at BCV, right????

There certainly are. A pair of elevators off the BCV lobby and a single elevator closer to the parking lot.

Kandi must have wanted a challenge. j/k, Kandi.

We've had two stays in THV and one of the many things I loved about them is the storage compared to BCV, SSR and AKV Jambo at any rate. But it sounds like with multiple families, it's not so easy.

BTW, you could also refill your mug at the Grandstand pool when the little bar there is open. Just soda pop though...no ice tea last we stayed there.

I don't think I'd leave the stroller under the THV either. I can just see a little lizard or worse climbing in for the night. I wouldn't worry at all about leaving it in the car though.

 

[cutakenta]

Lizards are harmless, I used to catch them all of the time when I was a kid. But I do understand that nobody wants critters in their stuff.

I just find it so easy to park 10 ft from the steps and leave things under the TreeHouse. Anything I don't want to take inside I just leave in the back of my truck.

 

[edk35]

What exactly is the bus deal? Why two busses????

 

[BCV23]

Lizards are harmless, I used to catch them all of the time when I was a kid. But I do understand that nobody wants critters in their stuff.

I just find it so easy to park 10 ft from the steps and leave things under the TreeHouse. Anything I don't want to take inside I just leave in the back of my truck.

Oh, I know the lizards are harmless. I just didn't want to go into some of the other possibilities.

A bike is another story but strollers have nooks and crannies. I wouldn't want even something harmless like a tree frog or anole lizard crawling out of hiding onto a baby.

 

[Anal Annie]

What exactly is the bus deal? Why two busses????

I believe you have to catch a bus to SSR and then transfer to another bus designated for the parks. They don't offer any direct bus transportation to the parks from the Treehouses....


I think the treehouses LOOK really cool & and I think that 3 bedrooms for the price of 2 is a great option...BUT we don't normally rent a car so I think we'd be really hating life at Disney after the first day.

(PS) OP you must have a Cadillac stroller to be afraid someone would break into your car to steal it. I think they'd have to want it pretty darned bad to do that. It's not like it's something they can hide under their shirts once they steal it. But perhaps you could just throw an old sheet in your van that you can toss over it when you leave it unattended?! That way nobody would case the joint and see it and think they've hit the stroller jackpot!?

 

[CandleontheWater]

I thought there were mug refill stations at the grandstand pool, but when I went by there, it was closed. The bar at the grandstands was closed also, and the sign that indicated the operating hours was blank. I asked a couple at the pool, and they said they had not seen it open for the 3 days they had been there. I thought it was a little odd, could it possibly have been closed the week I was there?

As for leaving things in the car, I agree that it is safe, my husband is just a little on the crazy side He doesn't like leaving ANYTHING in the car.

I didn't want to leave the stroller under the villa because I was afraid of spiders crawling in where I couldn't see them and then biting my poor baby. I used to work as an archaeologist in Florida, and did plenty of work in the wetlands of Central Florida. There are some mean creepy crawlies out there, and I know they are lurking all around the Treehouse villas. I'm wasn't worried about frogs or lizards, although a lizard bit my brother hard enough to draw blood once, that certainly taught him to leave them alone!

I'm sure we'll probably revisit the treehouse villas when Everett gets bigger, I just wanted to write a report based on the drawbacks of traveling with an infant, just to give a different perspective for folks considering their next DVC accommodations.

 

[LIFERBABE]

ConGratulations on your new baby!!

Were you the couple that spent your honeymoon at Wdw for the SSR grand opening?