Orange Lake Resort

[Jonell]

I just booked Holiday Inn Vacations at Orange Lake Resort for a quick 4 night trip next month. I got it a Bookit rate of $81 per night and that seems like a good deal. After doing more research I see some complaints of extra resort fees, a $250 hold on your credit card, and hassles of timeshare presentations. Does anyone have an reviews of this resort?? I'm thinking of cancelling and booking elsewhere. Thanks

 

[akaler2010]

We have stayed here several times and really enjoyed our stay. If you do not book through a "deal" where you have to sit through a timeshare presentation, you can just simply decline. We always decline these.

The booking site should list the resort fees for you that are not included. (At least I wouldn't trust a place that didn't have those listed.) I also cannot vouch for the CC hold because it's always been someone else's credit card.

In terms of the resort, I think it's a great value and we have always had a great experience. There are a ton of pools, activities if you want them, places to avoid activities, and several golf courses!

 

[greenclan67]

Hi there, we have stayed there a few times and again in March. It's a great resort. Don't believe everything you read. The misconceptions are sometimes wrong.
You are asked to put a hold of $250 on your cc. Is it necessary, NO! I have never done it on my two visits. When they ask I told I prefer not to have that on my room card. Only because it is a cashless resort. But you can use your credit card and debit card everywhere on site.
You font have to pay for any pool use. The extra is tubes for the lazy river, mini putt, & big hippo slide. Do you need these thing to enjoy the resort? NO you can buy a 7 day pass for unlimited use of these things. But you don't need to. I wouldn't cancel you will love it. Any other questions ask away.

 

[Jonell]

Thanks these reviews make me feel much better. It looks like a lovely resort from the pics I've seen. Staying outside of WDW always make me nervous, but unfortunately the value resorts are sold out during out trip.

 

[KelnRon]

Oh wow!! Looks like my dates are available!! Thanks. Great deal. We haven't been in many years to Orange Lake but when we did we loved it!

 

[jcota]

I have stayed at Orange Lake twice. They do nickel and dime you as the consumer. They charge for the tubes to use for the lazy river, mini golf and slides are also extra cost. Once you check in, then you have to go to the timeshare bozo's for your parking pass I believe. IF you don't sign up, they will call your room... simple solution take the phone off the hook.

The resort is HUGE. I have stayed in 2 locations, the first time was a villa close to the main pool, lake it was nice. 2 years ago, we were way north it was nice, you could hear the fireworks from Disney at night.

If you have the chance to go, I would. Also, there is a short cut to Disney if you take the toll road that runs right by Orange Lake and take the first exit. You will drive by the Coronado Resort. It truly saves 20 to 30 minutes of drive time. I think the toll was like a buck and quarter each time.

 

[Ksquared]

It's been awhile since we stayed here but we loved our stay (stayed in West rooms and North rooms). Would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[jcota]

I have been to orange lake twice. Its not a bad location but there are some issues that they do have. Yes they take a deposit on your card. If you are not going to utilize any of their resort stuff, then you don't have to pay the fee and tell them that you don't plan on using any of their amenities.

The timeshare presentation, you don't have to go to. They will ask you when you check in to go to the next desk for a "gift". The first time, they called every day in regards to the presentation. I finally took the phone off of the hook. End of phone calls. This last time, I told them at the front desk that I am on vacation, I am an owner of a timeshare and I have no desire to sit through another presentation for something that I am not even remotely interested in. They didn't call once on the last time.