Newbie Ques: Reunion Resort vs Windsor Hills vs other

[meeshy9]

Hi! I'm planning a rather last minute family trip to Disney in late Apr 2010 - our first Disney trip - and I'm more than a bit overwhelmed! A few friends recommended Reunion Resort, and I've seen some stuff about Windsor Hills that looks good. I am looking for a 4+ BR villa/house. Does anybody love/hate either of these resorts, or can you recommend any others? We will be traveling with 2 kids (4yrs and 10 months) plus grandparents. Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

I've stayed at both and a few others. The only thing about Reunion is that although they have a nice waterpark, home owners are only allowed a certain number of days per year for their guests to use it. There are a number of other resort pools that you can use but the waterpark days may be limited. Make sure you ask the owner about being able to use it if you want to. There are also scheduled kids activities at the waterpark area which may require a small fee. You don't pay any cash, everything is charged to your guest card, so you may or may not have a bill when you leave for things like drinks or snacks from the pool bars or restaurants, spa etc.
Windsor Hills has the resort type look but isn't really a true resort. You are able to use the main pool, fitness room, games room, theatre, tennis courts etc free when you rent from an owner. There is no pool bar, restaurant or planned activities etc. You may have to leave a small deposit for use of sports equipment at the clubhouse but it is returned when the equipment is taken back. The main pool is huge with a waterslide with a 48 inch height restriction. There's also a very nice castle playground.
Windsor Palms is similar to Windsor Hills except smaller and the main pool and playground are both smaller, no waterslide.
Emerald Island is similar to these also. The do have a tiki bar near the main pool and a few planned activities. The main pool is smaller than WH with no slide. But the landscaping is very nice.
I wouldn't hesitate to stay in any of these.
There are many other subdivisions in this area that just have pool homes and no community facilities.

 

[meeshy9]

Thanks for the info sympatico! After doing some more research, I am leaning towards Windsor Hills. Know of any specific properties there that are good? I'm checking out vrbo, but would love personal recommendations.....

 

[sympatico]

I've rented a couple of townhouses and a 6 bedroom home. We stayed in the 6 bedroom last Nov. but I think April is booked.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p250801
These are ones that I bookmarked from reviews on these boards:
http://www.yourdisneyhouse.com/
http://www.mickeysmagic.com/disney_world_rental_home.html
http://www.mickeyscondo.com/clubhouse/
http://www.windsorhillscastleinthesky.com/
Didn't check availability. I have no personal knowledge of these.

 

[meeshy9]

Thanks again! As I expected, all are booked. I'll keep searching though. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[sympatico]

Just in case you change your mind about Reunion:
We visited at this house in Reunion and it is very nice:
http://www.vrbo.com/260085
Stayed at this house in Reunion: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p7034693hi

 

[4forMe]

You can check these two property managment companies as they have a lot of homes for rent in Windsor Hills. When we were there 2 years ago, Florida Sun Vacation Homes was the managment company for the house we rented. Our close friends also used them last year to find a home during high season spring break:

www.floridasunvacationhomes.com

www.allstarvactionhomes.com

 

[RedSox1974]

Another positive experience with FloridaSunVacationHomes

We have stayed off site 3 times. The first time in 2005 was an "ok" experience with a management company. the 2nd time in 2006 was a good experience renting directly from a home owner through vrbo.com. Our most recent off site rental was May 2009, when we rented a 3 bedroom condo in Windsor Hills through Florida Sun. An honest, professional company at an affordable price. It was a good experience, and we will rent from them again next time.

http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/subdivision.asp?ID=10

 

[disneyavonohio]

I am also comparing these two resorts....is the drive from Reunion to the parks a big difference or something minor?

THANKS!

 

[sympatico]

I am also comparing these two resorts....is the drive from Reunion to the parks a big difference or something minor?

THANKS!

From Reunion you can access I-4 at exit 58 Champions Gate and be on World Drive in about 10 minutes. It would take about 5 minutes to be on World Dr from Windsor Hills and you can be at Animal Kingdom in about 7 minutes from WH via Sherberth Rd.
Not a big time difference. Once you get on World Dr, it's another 5 - 10 minutes to the parking lots of the individual parks.

 

[disneyavonohio]

From Reunion you can access I-4 at exit 58 Champions Gate and be on World Drive in about 10 minutes. It would take about 5 minutes to be on World Dr from Windsor Hills and you can be at Animal Kingdom in about 7 minutes from WH via Sherberth Rd.
Not a big time difference. Once you get on World Dr, it's another 5 - 10 minutes to the parking lots of the individual parks.

Thanks, much appreciated!

 

[tryonmom2]

Reunion...... After spending 4 days at the Yatch Club Resort at Disney with my husband, mother-in-law, and two small children (3 and 5) it was a welcome to step foot into Reunion. My kids were not sleeping the 4 days prior, everyone was on edge. As soon as we walked into our condo it was amazing (my 3 year old asked if she could go take a nap ) The pack-n-play was even better than Disney's..... The other 4 days of our vacation were pure bliss and we were still doing Disney. The waterpark is a huge plus and they still talk about it, in fact were looking at going over Memorial Day Week. Hope this was helpfull, but with the ages of your children I would recommend Reunion mostly for the waterpark.