One bdrm suite--Silver Lake & others??

[Local_Girl]

We had the privilege of staying in a 2 bdrm suite last Nov/Dec at the HGVC and were very spoiled by all the space, full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit. We are planning on another trip in Dec. to include Christmas week (what are we thinking?? ) and are considering a 1-bdrm suite, this time at Silver Lake. Has anyone stayed in the 1-bdrm at this property? What are they like? What is the "partial kitchen" there and do any 1-bdrm units have a washer/dryer in the unit? Otherwise, are there convenient laundry facilities on the property?

And while I'm asking, I would really appreciate similar input from those who've stayed in 1-bdrm suites at other properties, such as Orange Lake and Summer Bay.

Thank you very much in advance for any info!!

Local Girl

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

Local_Girl,

It all depends on what section of the resort you are placed. My son and I stayed at Silver Lake last year in a one-bedroom and it was horrible! We were given a unit in the older section of the resort. It had bugs, no hot water for a awhile and the door did not lock properly. When I complained I received a lot of runaround, so I moved us to the DoubleTree the next day. My timeshare company was very understanding and gave us a bonus week for our troubles.

 

[bearzabout]

I stayed in a one bedroom and Silverlake two times in the last 6 months. Both times, I was lucky to get a one-bedroom condo in the new building. They are wonderful.

There are two different floor plans in the new building. Once, we had a true one bedroom. It had a full kitchen, carpeted living room, balcony and a bedroom with a king size bed and its own TV. The large bath had a whirlpool tub big enough for 2, separate shower and stackable washer/dryer unit in it.

Last time, we were in a one bedroom lockoff. It becomes the third bedroom attached by a foyer to the two bedroom units. It was smaller, had tile in the living area, and the bathroom had a standard size whirlpool tub with no separate shower. Other amenities were the same as the larger one bedroom condo.

The above units were rented through Skyauction.com.

The older villa section has one bedroom lockoffs with a tiny kitchen and no washer/dryer. Luckily, we did not end up in these smaller units.

I absolutely love Silver Lake. For $260 per week, it is a great deal. The new building is well built and maintained to high standards. I love the 5 minute drive to Animal Kingdom.

They recently started construction on another building, so expect noise and dust there for a while.

Check out floor plans and photos at http://www.silverlake.net/


We hated our stay at Summer Bay. We got the old section there and it was terrible. The problems we encountered included roaches in the kitchen, a ridiculously loud whirlpool, having our lockoff neighbors lock the exterior foyer door so we could not get into our unit, uncaring staff, long drive down 192 to the parks. We paid $25/night and I would not return if it were free.

 

[Local_Girl]

RAMWDWFAN and bearzabout, I really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks for the details. I too was thinking about trying either Skyauction or AFVC (the military vacation club that links into RCI, which is what we did last year). Sounds as though it can be really hit or miss at Silver Lake. And I don't relish a long drive down 192 and especially roaches (YUCK!!) at Summer Bay. Since it's prepaid, I'd be worried about getting stuck if we really hate the accomodations.

Curious, would anyone know if we'd be more likely to get nicer accomodations at either property if we got a 2 bdrm suite instead? Or would it be just as unpredictable?

Thanks for any info!

 

[bearzabout]

I won a two bedroom through Skyauction at Silver Lake for my May trip. A two bedroom guarantees a unit with a large whirlpool tub. Skyauction promises a 2 bedroom condo but I'm not sure if I will always get the new Silver Lake condos (the older units are called villas, not condos).

I would call each resort and ask the difference. It may take a different number of RCI points for each type of unit. The last time I got the smaller one bedroom, they said I couldn't switch to the larger unit without an additional fee because the size of the unit was based on the number of points used for the reservation.

I think Summer Bay is now divided into the old section called Summer Bay and the new section called the Villas at Summer Bay. They show up separately on Skyauction. We toured the Villas and they were much bigger and nicer.

I hear good things about Orange Lake, but it is near Summer Bay at least 15 minutes from Disney.

I hope this helps.

 

[Local_Girl]

Thank you very much for the info bearzabout!

 

[Lisa P.]

At Silver Lake, 2BRs (sleep 8) are in the older section and 2BRs (sleep 6) are in the newer buildings. We stayed in an older 2BR in Sept 2002 and had a terrific time. It was spotless. They were actively refurbishing most of the buildings around us. We sent another family there (older 2BR) for Christmas week and they also had an excellent stay.

No place is perfect and I have had cockroaches and ants in rooms on Disney property as well. This is not uncommon in Florida. Requesting an upper floor may help somewhat, if you can accept the stairs (the older 3-story buildings have only stairs, the newer have elevators).

However, the poorly locking door and the lack of hot water are unacceptable. That's a shame. I don't know how this would be addressed with SkyAuction. Our timeshare exchange company would "go to bat" over things like that... seek another unit or another resort... so I don't worry as much as I would if I were prepaying a company like SkyAuction or a wholesaler.

 

[Local_Girl]

Thank you, Lisa P., for the Silver Lake info. It could come in very handy when actually making the reservation.

I realize that roaches are a common problem in Florida (I grew up in Hawaii and they were everywhere there also), but we were so spoiled on our last trip as we had a 6th floor villa at the HGVC and didn't spot a single creepy crawly. My DD hates bugs of any sort, so that really worked out well. We'll just have to be prepared this time and deal with it!

I also agree that a poorly locking door is a real problem...it's a security issue and should be addressed regardless of how the reservation was obtained.

Thank you again for your input. Anyone else have experience pertaining to these properties or other 1-2 bdrm suites in the area?

 

[madge]

Local Girl,

I had a friend that had problems at a resort she booked through AFVC last fall...I don't recall what exactly the problems were, but I don't think they were as bad as all that, KWIM? She didn't have any trouble getting a refund on her week. Let's face it, $249 for 7 nights anywhere is a bargain these days

we stayed at the HGVC last year through the AFVC...loved it! In fact, we will be hard pressed to ever actually buy a time share because we can stay so cheaply through the program that said, we are staying at the Contemporary through SoG and at the Dolphin next trip

 

[Local_Girl]

Thanks for posting Madge--I know what you mean about the $249 deal...our HGVC trip was our first time with AFVC and we were VERY spoiled!! My DH had such a great time last trip that he decided he wants to go again this Dec., which is exciting for me ( I'm the obsessed one... ) since it took me 5 years to convince him to go again after the first trip!!

Sorry to hear your friend had trouble with AFVC, but I don't anticipate having any problems with them. Hope you have a wonderful trip at the Contemporary and Dolphin!