Just returned from our first offsite trip --Jan 4th - 10th. After many trips onsite, we made the leap and rented a 5 bed/5 bath at Windsor Hills. We could not have had a better trip. I can't think of a reason we would ever return to staying onsite.
We had 10 people, all family, age range from pre-school to one senior. Our last couple of trips have been at the CR. Your mileage may vary, but I do not find the deluxe rooms onsite to have particular value for the price Disney is now commanding for those rooms. We have just found ourselves wanting a 5 star experience for those prices, which is not specifically delivered by the hotels themselves.
Back to Windsor Hills: We loved it. We used the Sherbeth Road short cut every day back and forth. My sister and I went to a Wal Mart down 192. You cannot beat their prices. We carefully planned meals and fed 10 people breakfast and dinner daily for $300 total spent at Wal Mart. We ate lunch in the parks daily (counter service) and typically headed back to the house.
The kids LOVED the private pool at the house. The adults loved the hot tub. Some of my favorite memories are of the meals and the time we spent relaxing on the patio.
The day it was bitterly cold on the east coast (polar vortex!), it was quite cold in Orlando as well. I believe it was in the 30s/40s that day. We spent the day relaxing in the house, the kids still swam in the heated pool (too chilly for me but they loved it), we sat in the hot tub, played board games etc. Everyone retreated to their own room, with their own TV and it was wonderful! My sister and I said we could not imagine keeping 10 people occupied and happy in a hotel that day.
Windsor Hills is sparkling clean. You do not see a single piece of paper on the ground, anywhere. The landscaping is lovely. They are very serious about security and the front gate. The gate pass entry system works well, and you must have one.
We never made it to the large pool or clubhouse on property. Next time.
The house was wonderfully appointed, and also sparkling clean. There were tons of towels, every kind of kitchen appliance you could ever need etc. I also appreciated the chance to pack light and throw a load of laundry in mid week. So convenient.
I rented from a really nice owner who patiently answered several questions beforehand. I have no connection to him but I am happy to share the name of the house and the website via PM. He was professional, communication was fantastic, and check in was a total breeze.
Happy to answer any questions. I was very hesitant to stay offsite but made the leap after crunching the numbers at length. Could not have worked out better.
We had 10 people, all family, age range from pre-school to one senior. Our last couple of trips have been at the CR. Your mileage may vary, but I do not find the deluxe rooms onsite to have particular value for the price Disney is now commanding for those rooms. We have just found ourselves wanting a 5 star experience for those prices, which is not specifically delivered by the hotels themselves.
Back to Windsor Hills: We loved it. We used the Sherbeth Road short cut every day back and forth. My sister and I went to a Wal Mart down 192. You cannot beat their prices. We carefully planned meals and fed 10 people breakfast and dinner daily for $300 total spent at Wal Mart. We ate lunch in the parks daily (counter service) and typically headed back to the house.
The kids LOVED the private pool at the house. The adults loved the hot tub. Some of my favorite memories are of the meals and the time we spent relaxing on the patio.
The day it was bitterly cold on the east coast (polar vortex!), it was quite cold in Orlando as well. I believe it was in the 30s/40s that day. We spent the day relaxing in the house, the kids still swam in the heated pool (too chilly for me but they loved it), we sat in the hot tub, played board games etc. Everyone retreated to their own room, with their own TV and it was wonderful! My sister and I said we could not imagine keeping 10 people occupied and happy in a hotel that day.
Windsor Hills is sparkling clean. You do not see a single piece of paper on the ground, anywhere. The landscaping is lovely. They are very serious about security and the front gate. The gate pass entry system works well, and you must have one.
We never made it to the large pool or clubhouse on property. Next time.
The house was wonderfully appointed, and also sparkling clean. There were tons of towels, every kind of kitchen appliance you could ever need etc. I also appreciated the chance to pack light and throw a load of laundry in mid week. So convenient.
I rented from a really nice owner who patiently answered several questions beforehand. I have no connection to him but I am happy to share the name of the house and the website via PM. He was professional, communication was fantastic, and check in was a total breeze.
Happy to answer any questions. I was very hesitant to stay offsite but made the leap after crunching the numbers at length. Could not have worked out better.
