Off site property recommendation

[jessicam40]

Hello -
We love Disney (to a unhealthy level - ha) and have always stayed on property, but we now have 4 children and we need to cut costs. We are planning a trip before our twins turn 3. our kids are 2,2,8,10. We are going to use United miles to book our hotel, and I just can't decide where to stay. We will rent a car if it is needed, we may have enough miles to cover the car rental too. We are going for a week in October and will go to the parks everyday (yes, we love Disney that much). I've booked my ADR's, but just can't decide where to go. Our miles will cover
a 2 bedroom villa at Sheraton Visitana Villages and Resort
2 rooms at Hilton LBV
2 rooms at Wyndham Garden Resort LBV Disney Springs
Several westgate properties
2 rooms holiday inn LBV
2 or 3 bedroom at Floridays

It's about 9 pages of hotels that we can do in the Orlando area (any starwood property is on it), but I just included some that I believe are the "highlights' and not over our points I was looking at Wyndham Bonnet Creek villas, and they are no longer available. We may spend a 1-2 short afternoons at the resort, but most of our time will be on disney property. Plan to eat breakfast and then head out for the day.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jessica

 

[dja14]

I have not stayed at any of those places but I would suggest a 2 bedroom place rather than 2 rooms. With the age of your kids, if something happens you can't get connecting rooms I would think it would impact your trip in a bad way.
Also with a 2 bedroom place you would probably get a kitchen/kitchenette and a washer/dryer. Even just eating breakfast we use a kitchen and I love having a washer and dryer
The other way I narrow stuff down is looking for distance from the park we are going to, I like to be close, drive less.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I have not personally stayed at any of them, but my sister loves Sheraton vistana.

 

[bankr63]

I agree with dja14 - a resort villa is much different than 2 hotel rooms, and the amenities are fantastic. even if you plan on hitting the parks every day, coming home to a proper apartment villa is a much nicer experience than sitting around a hotel room.

Both of the Sheraton Vistana's (Resort and Villages) are great resorts. You can check out SVR in depth by scanning through our thread here on DISboards: http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-sheraton-vistana-resort-thread.3148502/

Vistana is not the only option, but it is one of the best resorts in the area, and has excellent access to the parks (10-15 from gate to parking). Note that Unofficial Guides rates it tops for family stays in Orlando.

 

[jessicam40]

Thank you so much for the replies and information!

 

[RyansMum]

Sheraton Vistana. Or the Lake Buena Vista Resort as its a good location and right beside an outlet shopping centre.

 

[HopperFan]

With the age of your children I would absolutely forgo the two hotel rooms and book a two bedroom villa.

We have stayed at Sheraton Vistana Resort, and LOVED our villas and location to Disney. Rent the car.

You will get a huge villa, full kitchen, laundry in the villa (makes packing so easy), large living/dining room, two huge bedrooms, the resort if full of amenities and nice pools for your time there. While we don't cook much, the full fridge, the ability to have nice breakfasts and a couple late dinners while we put our feet up was great.

 

[Straitlover]

I've read here and elsewhere that the Wyndham Garden Resort is the old part of the resort and is not in good condition.

 

[Ametista]

I would pick the 3 bedroom at Floridays. If you have the option of Marriott resorts and can get Cypress Harbour I would choose that, or even Harbour Lake.

 

[kla]

We were die-hard on-site people until we stayed at the Sheraton Vistana for a quick last-minute trip over New Years. We've booked two more times since then. We actually switched our May reservation from the Swan to Vistana. It's a really nice, newer property and the two-bedrooms are to die for compared to rooms at Disney. I seriously think I could live in one full time. My kids love the waterfall pool (and jetted tub ) and it's nice to have a full kitchen and laundry in the unit. Not sure if you have the choice, but booking the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas (rather than the Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort--confusing, I know) will get you the newer units in Cascades, I believe. Easy drive to Disney and lots of restaurants and a Walgreens nearby.

This is a great thread with pictures: http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-sheraton-vistana-resort-thread.3148502/