Orange Lake Help

[Molly812]

Ok....so I was really hoping to stay at Bonnett Creek but that isn't going to work out.

I'm looking at Orange Lake but haven't found a ton of information.

Can anyone help?

I'm curious, which village is the best to stay in? River Island is not available, only North, East and West. If I go for North, I'd have to combine my RCI weeks for more points. I don't really want to do this but I will if North is the best place to stay.

I'd like to be close to the kid friendly pools. We will have a rental car, but I hate the thought of driving to the pool each time.

Also, I've read that from some areas you can see Epcot fireworks...can anyone tell me which village this is possible in?

Also, is there anything else you can share with me?

Thanks!

 

[greenclan67]

Ok....so I was really hoping to stay at Bonnett Creek but that isn't going to work out.

I'm looking at Orange Lake but haven't found a ton of information.

Can anyone help?

I'm curious, which village is the best to stay in? River Island is not available, only North, East and West. If I go for North, I'd have to combine my RCI weeks for more points. I don't really want to do this but I will if North is the best place to stay.

I'd like to be close to the kid friendly pools. We will have a rental car, but I hate the thought of driving to the pool each time.

Also, I've read that from some areas you can see Epcot fireworks...can anyone tell me which village this is possible in?

Also, is there anything else you can share with me?

Thanks!

Hi there, we have stayed at OL lots of time . River Island is nice but we prefer West Village with the drive up units and walk right in. As far as younger kids go North Village is wonderful. My girls are older 14 & 15 so west works for us and tends to be cheaper. There is free shuttles all over the park which are really easy to get back and forth. If you would like any more info pm me. Oh and fireworks view we have only seen at river island parking lot view.

 

[EKKloppers]

I've only stayed at Orange Lake once - East Village four nights in April, 2014. The place is massive and sprawling, with quite a variety of lodging options. While our 2 BR unit was nicely appointed, quiet, and very comfortable, it did seem a million miles away from everything. On the way through each day, I'd found myself wishing that - like PP - we'd booked a drive up unit in the West Village; like having a little home away from home, it would appear. We did drive to the two largest pools on one day, and parking was plentiful in both spots. The pools and lazy river were great!

My only issue with Orange Lake was the HORRIBLE time we had actually getting into the room after checking in. Arrived at check-in at about 3:30 and were told our room would be ready shortly. We were given keys, advised to drive to the unit, unpack our vehicle, and were told we'd be called when the room was ready and keys were activated. We - three adults, a restless 10-year-old, and a 1 1/2-year-old - proceeded as instructed. We then waited, and waited...And waited; with others (two elderly couples, and at least three other families) waiting in the parking lot to get into their rooms. Between several calls to the front desk (connecting to facilities management, etc.) among those of us waiting and eventually commiserating together, we kept being told that housekeeping wasn't quite done but was making our units a priority. All the while, we stood [fumed] and observed one poor housekeeping supervisor walking from unit to unit, feverishly babbling into her walkie-talkie, and ignoring any of those waiting folks who approached her. Seems they were very short staffed and VERY far behind.

It was 6:09 P.M. [I remember, specifically] before the lot of us waiting in the parking lot were finally told by the formerly reticent housekeeping supervisor that we could go to our rooms. We later did receive a call from management, apologizing for the delay, offering some sort of dining voucher, and asking if there was "anything more [they] could do to make our stay a pleasant one." By then, I was so exhausted, I just let it go and thanked the manager for the call.

Now, I can calmly look back and rationalize that these things DO happen on occasion. I cannot say if this is a frequent occurrence there, and I would hope - for your sake - it is not. Good luck with your plans, and please report back on your stay if you choose Orange Lake.

 

[greenclan67]

I've only stayed at Orange Lake once - East Village four nights in April, 2014. The place is massive and sprawling, with quite a variety of lodging options. While our 2 BR unit was nicely appointed, quiet, and very comfortable, it did seem a million miles away from everything. On the way through each day, I'd found myself wishing that - like PP - we'd booked a drive up unit in the West Village; like having a little home away from home, it would appear. We did drive to the two largest pools on one day, and parking was plentiful in both spots. The pools and lazy river were great!

My only issue with Orange Lake was the HORRIBLE time we had actually getting into the room after checking in. Arrived at check-in at about 3:30 and were told our room would be ready shortly. We were given keys, advised to drive to the unit, unpack our vehicle, and were told we'd be called when the room was ready and keys were activated. We - three adults, a restless 10-year-old, and a 1 1/2-year-old - proceeded as instructed. We then waited, and waited...And waited; with others (two elderly couples, and at least three other families) waiting in the parking lot to get into their rooms. Between several calls to the front desk (connecting to facilities management, etc.) among those of us waiting and eventually commiserating together, we kept being told that housekeeping wasn't quite done but was making our units a priority. All the while, we stood [fumed] and observed one poor housekeeping supervisor walking from unit to unit, feverishly babbling into her walkie-talkie, and ignoring any of those waiting folks who approached her. Seems they were very short staffed and VERY far behind.

It was 6:09 P.M. [I remember, specifically] before the lot of us waiting in the parking lot were finally told by the formerly reticent housekeeping supervisor that we could go to our rooms. We later did receive a call from management, apologizing for the delay, offering some sort of dining voucher, and asking if there was "anything more [they] could do to make our stay a pleasant one." By then, I was so exhausted, I just let it go and thanked the manager for the call.

Now, I can calmly look back and rationalize that these things DO happen on occasion. I cannot say if this is a frequent occurrence there, and I would hope - for your sake - it is not. Good luck with your plans, and please report back on your stay if you choose Orange Lake.

Sometimes checking in can be a pain. Last year on March break we ourselves had 11 units checking in of friends and family. We were already there and had been a week already. When we checked in the week before she was trying to coordinate all of our friends and family in the same area the following Sat. She told us they had a huge turnover coming in that day. She figured 850 units plus on that particular Sat. Everyone in our party was in their rooms just after 4.

 

[Molly812]

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I think I'll book the West Village-I hate the idea of combining my weeks and paying even more money to get the few more points I need for River Island. I'll think it over tonight and let you know what I do!

I certainly hope that your check in experience was not a typical one, and I'm sorry that you had to endure that. Thank you for sharing!

 

[greenclan67]

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I think I'll book the West Village-I hate the idea of combining my weeks and paying even more money to get the few more points I need for River Island. I'll think it over tonight and let you know what I do!

I certainly hope that your check in experience was not a typical one, and I'm sorry that you had to endure that. Thank you for sharing!

Hi Molly, when are you looking to go?

 

[EKKloppers]

Sometimes checking in can be a pain. Last year on March break we ourselves had 11 units checking in of friends and family. We were already there and had been a week already. When we checked in the week before she was trying to coordinate all of our friends and family in the same area the following Sat. She told us they had a huge turnover coming in that day. She figured 850 units plus on that particular Sat. Everyone in our party was in their rooms just after 4.

Eleven units?! Now that's a gang!...And 850 units is a lot of elbow grease! I will say that - when were finally able to get into the unit, it was impeccably clean!

I'll be following to see what you decide, OP, as I'd love to hear more about West Village, and I hope you have a wonderful trip, wherever you land!

 

[greenclan67]

Eleven units?! Now that's a gang!...And 850 units is a lot of elbow grease! I will say that - when were finally able to get into the unit, it was impeccably clean!

I'll be following to see what you decide, OP, as I'd love to hear more about West Village, and I hope you have a wonderful trip, wherever you land!

This year I have 17 units 78 people all together. Lol you will love West Village. We have stayed west, east & River. We enjoyed our time at all of them.but West is our fav.

 

[Molly812]

Ok I have West Village on hold....my dh is not loving the idea of driving to pools. How far from pools are we in the West Village? Is it just far from the lazy river/main pools or will we have to drive to any pool?

 

[greenclan67]

Ok I have West Village on hold....my dh is not loving the idea of driving to pools. How far from pools are we in the West Village? Is it just far from the lazy river/main pools or will we have to drive to any pool?

The resort is massive. Can you look at the map on experienceorangelake.com we always stay on Springer Circle. There is a small pool and hot tub right by the entrance of the resort. We love it, as it's quiet. We had a room the first time we were there, right behind it. Put a request in for that area. You can then walk, and the shuttle comes by right there every 10-15 mins, which is free to use, and you can jump on to go back and forth to any of the villages, you can walk to any of the pools (well you can) from West village to North, East or River it's to far.

 

[ldo]

we stayed in West last spring break. We were on a loop opposite the tennis courts and walked over to the West pool--easy walk with stroller, etc. West pool has been redone and has an excellent zero entry area great for younger kids. You can request tennis villas which are high rise by tennis courts--all an easy walk to the pool. No guarantee to get those. You can also ask for a single story unit close to the pool that you can park right at. The "roads" are small and many just walk along them--the road runing thru the resort has a sideway, I think. We usually stay in tennis villas, but really like the single units better. The West villas have been gutted to the studs and redone. They were very nice (Marriott quality, IMHO). West complex also has putt-putt, small beach area for sand play, small theater, crafts for kids.

 

[Molly812]

wow, thank you for that link to the map. You weren't kidding-that place is massive! I think that West sounds good, and I didn't realize there was a zero entry pool right there, which is what I need with little ones. I also like that there is a beach area. We won't spend massive amounts of time at pools, because we will be going to Disney, but I want to be close to a pool that will work for my family. I appreciate your feedback! This is getting exciting!

 

[greenclan67]

wow, thank you for that link to the map. You weren't kidding-that place is massive! I think that West sounds good, and I didn't realize there was a zero entry pool right there, which is what I need with little ones. I also like that there is a beach area. We won't spend massive amounts of time at pools, because we will be going to Disney, but I want to be close to a pool that will work for my family. I appreciate your feedback! This is getting exciting!

Every person I introduced to OL last year, rebooked this year. They loved it. I also love West, the tennis villas are nice, but I like parking at my door. And walking out the back and sitting on the patio. I just read last week, that OL now has water bumper boats. FUN!

 

[youngb1978]

What is the best way to reserve this place. Does some of the amenities cost extra?

 

[Molly812]

What is the best way to reserve this place. Does some of the amenities cost extra?

apparently, some do, like the "hippo slide" and tubes for the lazy river. I am unconcerned with this as we won't rent them, and I'll just tell my children they aren't doing the hippo slide-as we are going to be meeting their favorite princesses instead! I know that the ammenity charging seems to upset a lot of people based on reviews I've read, but its a non-issue for me.

 

[Molly812]

Every person I introduced to OL last year, rebooked this year. They loved it. I also love West, the tennis villas are nice, but I like parking at my door. And walking out the back and sitting on the patio. I just read last week, that OL now has water bumper boats. FUN!

Oh, I like parking at my door. Another bonus!

I took it off hold and offically booked it, and I'm feeling good about that decision!

Question for you-how necessary is it to go get the parking pass. I've read its their way of trying to talk you into the sales presentation, which we have zero interest in. If we skip the desk, will we still be able to park without trouble? Or do you truly need the parking pass to access the resort?

 

[greenclan67]

Oh, I like parking at my door. Another bonus!

I took it off hold and offically booked it, and I'm feeling good about that decision!

Question for you-how necessary is it to go get the parking pass. I've read its their way of trying to talk you into the sales presentation, which we have zero interest in. If we skip the desk, will we still be able to park without trouble? Or do you truly need the parking pass to access the resort?

You will have to get your parking pass!! As you have said you own timeshare. They are going to try anything, try to get you to sign up for a tour, to get a discount on tickets, to getting a $20 coupon for play passes (which by the way, are not necessary to enjoy the resort, we never use tubes in the lazy river as we prefer to swim it) I have never, ever in all the times I have stayed there, signed up for anything. I am very adamant to tell them, I have everything I need and my kids are sitting in the car, we are tired, we have been travelling for two days, and we just want to get to your room. If they keep up, tell them again, I have more timeshare then I can use, and I have no interest in anymore. The other thing that works well, if you are married, only one of you go in to register, and tell them it's a solo trip and you wouldn't be doing anything without your spouse there. I even once told them, this is my last trip for awhile, as my husband recently lost his job, and we are in no position to even think about timeshare at this point. Good luck.

 

[greenclan67]

apparently, some do, like the "hippo slide" and tubes for the lazy river. I am unconcerned with this as we won't rent them, and I'll just tell my children they aren't doing the hippo slide-as we are going to be meeting their favorite princesses instead! I know that the ammenity charging seems to upset a lot of people based on reviews I've read, but its a non-issue for me.

You don't need any of it. PS your kids can't see the HIPPO slide unless you take them to see it. Yes, a lot of people do complain about the extra amenities, but honestly, you don't need any of them to enjoy the resort, they are extras. You don't need a tube in the lazy river, we swim/walk it. I am not sure if you are aware, but it is a cashless resort, so they put a hold of $250 on your CC when checking in, and you can use your room key to charge things like food/drinks and so on. US personally I don't like charging everything to my room, so I always bring my debit visa with me, so I can use it. It is happy hour from 4-6 at each of the bars/rest on site as well. We will typically take advantage of that. $3 buck beers and well drinks, and a half price appy menu. Any other questions, just ask. We are heading to IHG's Cape Canaveral resort for the first time at Xmas. And then back to OL for two weeks in March.

 

[greenclan67]

What is the best way to reserve this place. Does some of the amenities cost extra?

From an owner is the best way. I can't PM or I would

 

[Molly812]

Also quick question-

do they provide towels for the pool? Or should we bring our own?