Orange Lake Country Club

[aprild]

We own timeshare (RCI) and i was just wondering if anyone else has ever stayed here or knows anything about it?? Any and all info would be GREAT!

 

[spiceycat]

I just stayed there.

It is a lovely resort. beautiful, well-kept. BIG!!!

my villa was 2268 in the Western part - the oldest part.

everything had a recent maintence so it was lovely.

mother kept complainting about the Loud people above us - until I took her outside and showed here there was NOTHING above us. I think the problem was the birds - huge amount of birds at this resort.

these are the only timeshare I know that have one floor. this is only in the older section. I loved it!!!

the new section is the demand area. It is closer to the their swimming pool. the really new section will the only thing close to their newest and by far the best swimming pool.

We have a pond view.

my only problem was it was too far from Disney in participately FW. even using the short cut black lake to sherhbert road - it took around 15 to 20 minutes. Spicey, my cat, stays at FW. So the drive here 3 to 4 times a day - was time consuming.

as long as Spicey is alive, I won't stay here again. Although it is a lovely resort.

 

[aprild]

So there is a shortcut to DW?? Does the resort offer any kind of shuttle service to any of the parks? Did you attend any of the resort activities?

Thanks!!

 

[bunny213]

Hi April....
pm'd you....
Spiceycat is right about it taking a while to get to FW, but if you're just going to one of the parks..I still find that this way is the best. As much as I travel between WDW and OL...I still find it faster and less congested.
When you leave from either entrance of OLCC on to 192 - make a left and stay in the left hand lane. When you get to the traffic light, (Black Lake Road) make another left....this road parallels 92. When you get to where you have to make a right or a left (at the stop sign) ...(Sherberth Road) make another Left! Just stay on Sherberth until you get to the traffic light....(the road winds around a little) and then make a right - you will be on Disney property at that point. Just follow the signs to where you are going that day. Animal Kingdom will be on your left - Did you know that OLCC backs up to Animal Kingdom Lodge property?
When you are leaving any part of Disney to head back to OLCC - just follow the signs to Animal Kingdom. When you get to Animal Kingdom...stay in your left hand lane and make a Left at the traffic light. This puts you back on Sherberth....and then you can make your right on to Black Lake Road, make a right onto 192...and OLCC will be down there on your right.
As you drive along Black Lake road, you'll pass the back entrances to Chick-fil-A and Burger King....we find it's handy to drive thru and pick up something if we don't feel like cooking!!
It's amazing how much traffic you will miss!!! 192 can become a zoo some days.
If all this isn't clear...let me know. Barb

 

[AJKMOM]

Orange Lake is one of the nicest timeshare resorts in Orlando. You will definitely save time using the back road to WDW property. If you put the address into Mapquest, you can get a good map of the Sherberth Rd. entrance.

 

[spiceycat]

in a year or two there will be a toll road directly from OL to WDW. they are building it now. (not just for OL - they are connecting that entire area of florida to give easier access to WDW) - more for the locals (CM at Disney) than the guests. I think the cost will be $1 or $0.50.

some CM now have to drive over an hour or two to get to their jobs.

of course there are people here who do the same thing.

 

[mbb]

Hi April....
pm'd you....
Spiceycat is right about it taking a while to get to FW, but if you're just going to one of the parks..I still find that this way is the best. As much as I travel between WDW and OL...I still find it faster and less congested.
When you leave from either entrance of OLCC on to 192 - make a left and stay in the left hand lane. When you get to the traffic light, (Black Lake Road) make another left....this road parallels 92. When you get to where you have to make a right or a left (at the stop sign) ...(Sherberth Road) make another Left! Just stay on Sherberth until you get to the traffic light....(the road winds around a little) and then make a right - you will be on Disney property at that point. Just follow the signs to where you are going that day. Animal Kingdom will be on your left - Did you know that OLCC backs up to Animal Kingdom Lodge property?
When you are leaving any part of Disney to head back to OLCC - just follow the signs to Animal Kingdom. When you get to Animal Kingdom...stay in your left hand lane and make a Left at the traffic light. This puts you back on Sherberth....and then you can make your right on to Black Lake Road, make a right onto 192...and OLCC will be down there on your right.
As you drive along Black Lake road, you'll pass the back entrances to Chick-fil-A and Burger King....we find it's handy to drive thru and pick up something if we don't feel like cooking!!
It's amazing how much traffic you will miss!!! 192 can become a zoo some days.
If all this isn't clear...let me know. Barb

Yes, yes, and more yes!!

Just to emphasize Barb's point about the return ride home - don't do like we did, and get out of the left lane on your way back to AK...(thinking we could switch over later!! - nope!)

You'll wind up at the AK toll entrance...apologizing profusely to the nice CM "how do we get back to Sherbeth Road???"..

And with a smile, they'll say "happens ALL the time...cut through here, and don't miss the access ramp!"..which we almost did!! LOL


Have fun!!

 

[spiceycat]

just follow the signs to AKL then turn left at the traffic light before AK.

remember AKL not AK.

AK is behind OL.

 

[gjw007]

We own timeshare (RCI) and i was just wondering if anyone else has ever stayed here or knows anything about it?? Any and all info would be GREAT!

Hi;

I own at Orange Lake (OLCC). Is there anything in particular that you wish to know. Pat has given some good information. It is a large resort, about 1250 acres. There are three sections to the resort; West Village, North Village, and East Village. The West Village is the oldest and has the charming single floor units (known as golf villas). An addition in the West Village is the Tennis Villas, high-rise dwellings that have the only 3-bedroom units in the West Village. The West Village is where you have the Olympic sized swimming pool (a couple other smaller pools as well) and the lake with its various activities. The clubhouse is also located here.

The North Village is the next oldest, opening around 1999/2000 and it features the Splash Lagooon as shown on OLCC's webpage (www.orangelake.com). There are six units per building, 4 on the ground and 2 above. The two outer ground floor units are 3-bedroom units. I believe that there is space for 10 cars, so parking is not crowded if you have guests. I believe that all the 1-bedroom units are in an apartment-like complex right next to Splash Lagoon.
The East Village is the newest village and constructionn of new units is still occurring. It opened around 2001/2002. All buildings are high-rise.

It is important to understand that OLCC was built around a golfing theme, meaning that the golf course is in the center placement forthe villas. Off the top of my head, I think there are three courses on the resort. Many resorts will have the villas revolve around the pool recreation area. This makes it easy for guests to leave their rooms and go to the pool. Since OLCC's theme is golf, it means that you may be lucky to get next to a pool area but the odds are stronger that you will be some distance from the pool areas. You can drive (or walk) to the pool area or take the onsite transportation. I believe that there are 23 shuttles that go around the resort. I've never used them but I think that they should be reasonably reliable schedule-wise.

As noted by others, OLCC is about 4 miles from WDW although it does share a border with the Animal Kingdom. The Sherbeth Road is a quick, easy trip to the Animal Kingdom (maybe the Magic Kingdom as well) but the route on 192 to the WDW turnoff is about 4 miles from OLCC and may be the quickest is going to MGM, Epcot, or Downtown Disney. In many ways it is a wash for these areas in that you are approaching them from differenet directions but I think the distance is the same. The Sherbeth Rd will eliminate about 3 stop lights and if you hit early morning rush hour, that may be important. I think the new Western Beltway will have an exit close to the Magic Kingdom making this an easy route to take. Like Pat, I don't know what they are going to charge but I'm guessing $0.50 or $0.75 but it could be $1.00. Some tolls have charged $0.25 but I don't think this is going to happen.

There are a lot of nice timeshares in Orlando and Orange Lake is a beautiful resort. I believe that you will enjoy your vacation at Orange Lake.

 

[aprild]

gjw007 -

just called and found out we are in the west side. Is that ok or should i try to call and have it changed???

 

[Donnask8pro]

Did I get this right? Shortcut is good for AK and MK but not so great for MGM, Epcot and DTD? We're staying here late Nov/Dec. We've also never stayed here. A friend gave me their timeshare for FREE. We're in...

 

[gjw007]

Did I get this right? Shortcut is good for AK and MK but not so great for MGM, Epcot and DTD? We're staying here late Nov/Dec. We've also never stayed here. A friend gave me their timeshare for FREE. We're in...

The shortcut is fine for all but I think the convenience is better for the Animal Kingdom. Taking the shortcut, you end up near the Animal Kingdom and then drive back toward I-4. Taking the shortcut does eliminate some traffic lights, which may be important, but I think for MGM, Epcot, and DTD, it becomes a wash. Others may have different views. The shortcut is about 1 1/2 to 2 miles from the normal exit off 192. Once heading toward WDW, you veer immediately to the right if you wish to go to MGM. Epcot is just a little further up the road. Taking the shortcut and finding MGM and Epcot is not difficult either. You head toward I-4 once on Disney property and you will take a left to get into the parks. For me, its just easier to go to MGM and Epcot using 192 to the Disney exit but others may feel differently.

 

[gjw007]

gjw007 -

just called and found out we are in the west side. Is that ok or should i try to call and have it changed???

I have been in the West Village three times and I have not experienced a problem (okay, I had a lightbulb go out once where I had to call maintenance to get it replaced - took an hour before it was replaced). Many of them should have undergone the major renovation which is scheduled every 18 years. In fairness, I should point out that I own in the North and East Villages and have spent most of my vacations there.

In some ways, I like the West Village villas better than the East/North Village villas. The 2-bedroom units in the West Village have a larger living room space. The bathrooms are two complete bathrooms with tubs rather than 1 complete bathroom (master) and shower facilities only in the second bathroom for the East / North Village. The West Village had a standard size whirlpool tub whereas the East / North Village the whirlpool tub is larger. The master bathroom in the East / North Village is larger than the West Village. I like the kitchen better in the East / North village but it is basicly the same design (U-shaped) with stools at the end of the counter. The balcony went the full length of the living room and bedroom area in the West Village whereas the balcony only went the width of the master bedroom unit in the East / North Village. The second bedroom may be slightly larger in the West Village than in the East / North Village (it may be my personal perception as it seemed wider).

The only thing to understand is that you may need transportation to get to the pools or other recreation areas on the resort. This is true for any of the villages. It is a big resort. I find the golf villas in the West Village to be charming. You don't find many resorts with 1-story units as many try to cramp as many units into a building as possible. You may wish to look up reviews on www.tug2.net. You will find those with positive reviews as well as negative reviews. I think you will enjoy the West Village. Enjoy the trip.

 

[aprild]

THANK YOU for your input. just one more question. So the west village has a whirlpool tub or is it just a regular bathtub that you can make into a whirlpool. I really love having my big tubs on my vacations. just wanted to clarify!

 

[spiceycat]

there are 2 regular bathtubs in the West side.

that was where I was located.

some of the views here are pretty bad. I considered myself very luck to get a great view!!!

Gary to get to Epcot, studios or DD - don't turn where disney says to turn - just stay on Oseola Parkway and turn where Pop Century is located (next traffic light)(Victory Way) - at end of this road turn left for Studios, and right for DD and Epcot (Buena Vista Drive). go under the bridge and turn left for Epcot (Bonnet Creek Parkway - 2nd left turn) or go straight to DD.

as I say I went Disney way once - 23 miles, 9 1/2 miles are much, much better. although there are more lights this way and it could be longer if you hit everyone red.

 

[goofyforlife]

We stayed in North Village in Nov 2003. The rooms were spacious but lacked in storage space (we had our clothes piled on the chair and table in our bedroom) and hangers...(when we called for extras they would only give us 10.)

We had problems with the dryer in the unit which ate (yes ate) some of our clothes. We went down to customer service and they were very rude with us and told us we didn't know how to dry clothes. I had washed these items many times but never have had a dryer rip holes into clothing.

I also wasn't comfortable that NONE of the pools had lifeguards.

Call me a disney snob if you want...but we bought a timeshare at Disney instead. At least at Disney, I know the level of service and that customer service actually means something.

 

[spiceycat]

I also own at Disney - believe me at times even Disney service can go down - but the difference is Disney will try to say they care by having someone call you up.

I own at OKW year brought 93, BWV 96 and VWL 98 (both little contracts).

We had no problems with the washer/dryer in our room. but I think they were brand new.

what I didn't like was not allowing you to check in early - there system was horrible. Disney will allow you to check in and give you a key - then you simply call back - when the room is ready they will give you the room number.

this place gave me the room number at 10:00am - but I couldn't get my key until 5:00pm (yes I tried at 4 but was told sorry) - they really need to improve this system.

making people come back to the front desk time and time again - was down right silly!

 

[seashoreCM]

About the new access road, when you leave Orange Lake Country Club you will turn left onto 192 (east) and almost immediately left again onto the new access road which goes between OLCC and Animal Kingdom. You will proceed due north for about two miles to the new WDW western entry, then you will go north of AK, curve to the right, and end up on Buena Vista near Blizzard Beach.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[spiceycat]

if you go out of the main entrance - black lake road is the second (not first) traffic light.

the first traffic light is the Orange Lake Publix shopping mall.

black lake road is on the other side of all the construction.

oh one more thing all the traffic lights going on to US 192 now stay red a long time - and I mean a long time. we waited at the OL traffic light around 5 minutes frequently - sometimes we arrived when it was changing but most of the time be prepared to wait.

It was really bad when there was nothing and I mean nothing on US 192 and we still had to wait 5 minutes. (I like to be at FW by 7:15 am when they open it up).

 

[jeff968]

We stayed at OLCC for a week and i just give it a fair rating compared to the many others i have stayed at. The resort is way too big, you have to get in the car to get to the pools. I also found that it was not very clean. Our unit was a good size but dirty when we checked in. We found leftovers from the previous occupent in the room. There was also dirty laundry left in front of our building for two days. The restaurant food was some of the worst i have ever had. The pools were nice and if you golf you will like it. i also did not like the location of OLCC. Way down on 192. IMHO.