Lovely resort experience outside of theme parks?

[DanenRox]

Since I can't talk my husband into spending every night of our vacation in WDW (because I would), I'll book a 2 or 3 nights in an Orlando resort prior to our Disney stay. Need recommendations...will need a full kitchen, laundry, pool. Would LOVE a balcony, nearby restaurants...any suggestions?

 

[Detailor]

I'd suggest looking into some of the outstanding timeshare resorts in the Orlando area. While a lot of hotels in the area call themselves "resorts" the upper end of timeshare resorts truly provide special resort experiences - both in terms of the accommodations and resort amenities. In my opinion, the resorts that are associated with hotel chains; Marriotts, Hiltons, Wyndhams, Sheratons, Holiday Inn, etc.; tend to be the best.

Some to look into...
Sheraton Vistana Resort
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve
Marriott Cypress Harbour
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Sabal Palms
Marriott Royal Palms
Marriott Imperial Palm Villas
Hilton Grand Vacation Club at SeaWorld International Center
Hilton Grand Vacation Club on International Drive
Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort (there are others in the area)
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando-Orange Lake Resort

And there are many other very nice independent resorts like Cypress Pointe Resort that's near Downtown Disney.

Dick Taylor

 

[lee20]

Thanks Detailor for this fantastic list. I am also looking for this information.
Keep it up and good luck!

 

[Detailor]

Thanks Detailor for this fantastic list. I am also looking for this information.
Keep it up and good luck!

Sure. I'm happy to help.

Dick Taylor

 

[DanenRox]

Yes, thank you. Excellent information....this should keep me busy and the husband happy!

 

[My3SonsandMaya]

We stayed at Windsor Hills in a 4 bed 4 bath home with laundry, swimming pool, game room, for cheaper than we could've stayed at the cheapest disney hotel. I will never stay onsite again. We loved it.

 

[MattM]

If you're looking for more luxurious hotels, then I would start with the Ritz-Carlton or JW Marriott Grande Lakes. Also, there is a Waldorf-Astoria that borders Walt Disney World as well, but its not a Disney resort.

The Omni Champions Gate, Hyatt Grand Cypress, and Gaylord Palms are very nice as well.

 

[pipervali]

I'd personally take Wyndham Bonnet Creek over any of the Disney resorts any day. For a third of the price of a Disney Deluxe standard room, we had a full kitchen, jacuzzi master bath, a second bedroom, laundry, and a gorgeous balcony with a lake/pool view. And the staff could not have been more pleasant. They also offer free shuttle service to the parks and Downtown Disney. And also free high speed internet. It doesn't have the full immersion of Disney, but it IS essentially on Disney property, right down the street from Downtown Disney, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

 

[tmac]

I would second the above post about Windsor Hills. Its a great resort with a very large pool with water slide, a movie theater (my daughter's favorite-she actually got to pick out her own movie and we had the theater to ourselves). The townhouse we had had a pool, and the kids loved playing in their own private pool. All of the bedrooms had their own tv, another favorite of the kids! I agree that I would never stay in a hotel again, and while the timeshares are nice, I would never want to go through another long presentation!
Send me a private message if you would like the website of the place that we stayed.