Narrowed it down to 3 - need some help!

[aprilfoolwed]

I narrowed down my original 60+ list to 3 homes! It would be helpful if anyone could offer some insight here - especially if anyone has stayed in any of these specific homes! Also looking for general reviews of communities, pros and cons of each.

Our situation - family of 5 traveling alone for the first time! However, there is a very remote chance that inlaws could possibly join us a few days IF we have space for them. So having a 4BR would be nice, but isn't a deciding factor at this point. A clean, well appointed 3BR would be fantastic for us as well. Kids LOVED the private pool from 2 years ago, so we are specificall looking for that. If anyone can clue me in on how big Windsor Palms splash pools are (included how deep) I would appreciate it.


Emerald Island 4BR 2BA home - full pool - $789/8 nights. I know EI is in the same general area as WP. Don't know much about the community itself. I have communicated several times with this owner, and the replies are very prompt, but very brief. No warm, fuzzy feelings from the owner, but don't know if that is super important? All info have been given to me, and emails are very prompt. There's only one review of property on VRBO, but it's a recent one and good. I did ask the owner if there were more available, and she said they'd be updating soon, but did not provide at that time.

I think this is out top pick if we know that EI is a good place, and that the property itself is good.

http://www.vrbo.com/319324


Indian Ridge 3BR 2BA - full pool - $768/8 nights

I am not as crazy about this home's look - it seems a little outdated, but that's not my #1 concern. I want something clean - this house offers great reviews which stress its cleanliness. The owners have been friendly and quick with their replies to emails. Don't know much about IR - it's slightly further away than, say, Windsor Palms, right?

http://www.vrbo.com/154263


3BR 3BA Windsor Palms townhome - splash pool - $728/8 nights. Bed config. is great, but slightly concerned that DD would have to sleep by herself on the 1st floor (as far as I am aware, BR3 in on the ground floor at AP). Big Pro - we stayed in AP two years ago and know we love the community!

http://www.vrbo.com/211732


Help me choose!!!!!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

http://www.vrbo.com/230648

Encantada 3BR townhome. - splash pool - $613/8 nights

Also considering this one in Encantada. Big reservatio here is that I read several bad reviews of the resort itself. These reviews were from 2009, but they still make me nervous. I think if I knew that Encantada is a good place to stay, we'd just stay here since it meets all our needs and is a great price.

But without knowing more about the community (reviews I read said community center was dirty and community pools were not maintained), I feel it's a little risky.

I have read many other GOOD reviews too, but those bad ones seem to stick out a little more. If anyone can offer info on Encantada in general, I would be most happy!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Wish I could help but we've only stayed at Windsor Hills and Indian Creek! Good luck with your search!

 

[mnrose]

If it were me, I'd always opt for a private HOME rather than a town home. Very little chance of being disturbed by people from adjacent units that way.

I have stayed at EI, although not the property you reference. It is a nice place and is maybe 1-2 minutes further away from Disney. You take exactly the same turn off 192, but instead of going straight ahead at the next stop sign (for Windsor Hills and Palms) you turn right and go maybe 1/2 mile down to turn into EI resort. It honestly is very, very close. It is clean and well maintained, IMO. The resort pool is fine, although we never used it because the one out back of your rental home is much closer.

Also, the home at EI is all on one level, which is much nicer for you, I think.

For the modest difference in price, I'd definitely vote EI.

Rose

 

[mnrose]

If it were me, I'd always opt for a private HOME rather than a town home. Very little chance of being disturbed by people from adjacent units that way.

I have stayed at EI, although not the property you reference. It is a nice place and is maybe 1-2 minutes further away from Disney. You take exactly the same turn off 192, but instead of going straight ahead at the next stop sign (for Windsor Hills and Palms) you turn right and go maybe 1/2 mile down to turn into EI resort. It honestly is very, very close. It is clean and well maintained, IMO. The resort pool is fine, although we never used it because the one out back of your rental home is much closer.

Also, the home at EI is all on one level, which is much nicer for you, I think.

For the modest difference in price, I'd definitely vote EI.

Rose

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I had the same thoughts about the private home vs. townhome - it's just that we know we life Windsor Palms....

Hoping maybe someone else will have some info, but I appreciate the review of EI - makes me feel good about that choice!

 

[sympatico]

I'd pick the Emerald Island one. We've stayed at EI a couple of times, Nov being the last time and we love it. It's has a manned gate, the same as WH and WP. I haven't stayed at WP but have stayed at WH a few times and I like Emerald Island just as well as WH. It's only about 2 min from WP. I would say it would take about the same time to reach 192 as WP.
Emerald Island also has a few planned activities at the clubhouse and a tiki bar at the main pool. Very nice landscaping also.
I'd much rather stay in the pool home with the large pool. WP splash pools are about 12ft by 12ft.
Indian Ridge has no gate, I don't know if that matters to you or not.

 

[mbb]

Definitely the EI or IR.

Just because they are houses, all one level, have full size pools, and as long as you notify the owner about the possibility of the in-laws coming and they ok it, space for everyone.

(...note to splash pool owners...love those too! absolutely wonderful for families with little ones, or just a cool off floaty spot )

IR is just down the road a bit from Indian Creek.
When you get to the 4 way stop sign at Formosa Gardens, just go straight (instead of right for EI) Maybe a mile, at most...???

We like IR because of the mature lots, typically larger lots and patios, and there are a few more neighbours that live there year round.

We like EI because it is absolutely lovely for landscaping, newer construction and resort like surroundings.

For $30, I'd pick EI, and bring along the inlaws

Both are Canadian owners, and that's a good thing all 'round!!

HTH!!