Need off Site help for this year - Family of 6

[fairytale]

Well I'm doing it, Its official, we are staying OFF-SITE this year.

First time ever and you know what, I'm really looking forward to it.

We have enjoyed "free" dining now for the past 4 years but this year we are looking to eat in all the restaurants off site that we have never had the opportunity to visit but have heard about from you guys.

However, first things first, I need accommodation for us 6. We love SSR and in an ideal world would like something similar ie separate living area, washing facility, kitchen any thoughts?

I really don't know where to start.

We do have a car if that helps and don't mind driving to and from the parks etc...

Annette

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

There are plenty of options.

Close to WDW is Wyndham Bonnet Creek, where you can rent 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments. It is close to CBR and has a resort feel.

Sheraton Vistana also gets good reviews, we stayed at the one on International Drive South some years ago in a 2 bed and had daily maid service. There is another one just a bit closer, not far from the DTD area.

You could also look at condos or villas with private pools, although they may not have the resort feel but it all depends what you are after. We have enjoyed stays at Windsor Hills and Emerald Island and have been able to pay for extra cleans so we don't really have to do much cleaning or tidying

The options are endless limited by your budget! Do you have any idea of the area you would like to be?

 

[fairytale]

I really don't have any preference, yet?

I've just been looking at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, looks beautiful but our dates are showing unavailable

I definitely would prefer a resort feel to where we decide to stay and would prefer say a 4/5 star property.

Annette

 

[loveysbydesign]

We love Indian Creek and Windsor Hills.
We've stayed in this owner's homes in Indian Creek 3x now and loved it!
http://www.vrbo.com/200016
We have stayed at SSR and actually prefer his homes to SSR! Shhhh..don't tell my DVC owning friend that!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

WBC is a timeshare resort so you may still have a chance of booking. On the Orlando attractions and hotels thread there is a lot of information on this resort and a few suggestions of where to get your rental from.

 

[wayneg]

What dates you looking for?

Although its difficult looking for someone else, as someone above has said they like Windsor Hills, we didn't, zero resort feel about it, didn't feel welcoming at all. hope we like WBC.

 

[fairytale]

Hiya Wayne, we are looking for accommodation in Orlando from the 14th to 26th August.

Definitely wanting a resort feel to our accommodation.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Annette

 

[wayneg]

Hiya Wayne, we are looking for accommodation in Orlando from the 14th to 26th August.

Definitely wanting a resort feel to our accommodation.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Annette

The WBC is expensive so only option would be to get a quote from http://www.vacationupgrades.com/
Their hotel has rooms suitable for 6, 2 doubles & a double bunk, direct would cost $3,766.56 or £2282 http://www.wyndhamgrandorlando.com/
A search on Trivago came up with it with 2 free nights at £788.44 on otel.com possible cashback. Not checked fees for parking, resort fee etc.

Do a search on Trivago, you can now input family size where you couldn't upto recently.

 

[Portugal1000]

I have stayed at SSR three times and live it but will never stay anywhere except Wyndham Bonnet Creek now. Stayed 5 times and will stay again this August. I really can't recommend it enough. I'm amazed it never caught on with English people. My husband always says we shouldn't tell anyone about it incase it becomes too popular!! He's kidding of course. I have always booked through same site Wayne suggests www. Vacationupgrades. com and really have had give wonderful experiences. From the location to the rooms it can't be beaten for the price. I know everyone wont like a big resort but we have also taken two other families and they loved it also. Please feel fee to as as many questions as you like.

 

[Portugal1000]

I just realised we will be staying from 14th August to 29th so that's a coincidence!

 

[wayneg]

My husband always says we shouldn't tell anyone about it incase it becomes too popular!! He's kidding of course..

We were exactly same with Disney cruises, first 2 or 3 we never heard another English voice (except staff) I was posting how good they were but thinking "I don't want to let the secret out"

 

[Portugal1000]

We were exactly same with Disney cruises, first 2 or 3 we never heard another English voice (except staff) I was posting how good they were but thinking "I don't want to let the secret out"

I have been trying since 2005 to get my husband on a Disney cruise but he hates the thought of being stuck in the middle of the sea. Also he thinks he will get cabin fever! He says we should go on our own and he will be happy at Bonnet Creek on his own but I just can't bring myself to leave him because he doesn't drive. Oh well one day!

 

[wayneg]

I have been trying since 2005 to get my husband on a Disney cruise but he hates the thought of being stuck in the middle of the sea. Also he thinks he will get cabin fever! He says we should go on our own and he will be happy at Bonnet Creek on his own but I just can't bring myself to leave him because he doesn't drive. Oh well one day!

Before cruising we thought we would never enjoy it, tiny cabin, nothing to do but look at the ocean. Totally wrong, the service is fantastic, the food, the shows, we can't wait to do the 14 night transatlantic this year, £700pp I think they are going to make a loss on me.

 

[fairytale]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Has anyone any experience also of the following:

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek / Grande Vacation Suite
Waldorf Astoria
Marriott Grande Vista

Annette

 

[Portugal1000]

Hilton Bonnet Creek is in the same road as Wyndham Bonnet Creek so a great location for Disney. It gets very good reviews and pool area looks lovely.

 

[Portugal1000]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Has anyone any experience also of the following:

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek / Grande Vacation Suite
Waldorf Astoria
Marriott Grande Vista

Annette

Are you talking about Hilton Grand Vacations at Seaworld and the one on International Drive. I have stayed at the one at Sea World and it was lovely. My husband still says it has the nicest pool he has ever seen. I have actually seen some pretty good prices for August compared to what I have seen before. Again a good location.

The only negative was that the aircon was the noisiest I have ever heard.

I dont want to keep banging on about Wyndham Bonnet Creek but it really is a beautiful resort and cant be beaten for the price (in my opinion)

 

[wayneg]

Nigel stays at the Hilton Bonnet Creek, I think he has been 3 times now. One of his Trip reports here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2971909
Send him a PM if there is anything specific you want to know.

 

[Sam1]

We stayed at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in October. It's lovely and very close to the parks. We're staying again this year for two nights after staying onsite. We'd choose to stay there for the whole duration again, but we wanted to be able to walk to Epcot this time.

The pool is lovely. You can use the one at the Waldorf Astoria next door as well, but the Hilton one is much nicer. If you book through Virgin Holidays you get to use their lounge within the hotel, plus you get free parking and breakfast included and they try to put you on a high floor near the lounge so you get views of the Epcot fireworks from your window.