Orange Lake Resorts

[Debbie6221]

Hi,
We recently aquired a time share for Orange Lake Resorts and have not been there yet. I was wondering if any of you knew of any threads that discuss this resort or if anyone wanted to share anything with me here? We usually stay on WDW property and have no idea what it's like to stay at this time share or any time share for that matter. We know NOTHING in regards to any of this. We have week 9 and don't think we are going to be able to swing it for this year. I need a WDW fix badly! We are freezing here in Chicago!
Your help would be appreciated.
Debbie

 

[Melynny]

There are several threads here on orange lake... I love the resort, my boss owns a week there. He seems happy, they do pretty well when they "exchange back into the resort... not sure how that works, but they get sometimes get a 3 br for a 2 br.. not sure why. They mostly exchage out west, and do well that way too.

We have exchaged into Orange lake several times and I think it a very nice place, I doubt that you will be dissapointed. try a search for more.

I know what you mean about the cold weather in Chicago, dh is working across the lake from you, in New Buffalo MI. He is Hating the snow.... we are due for a warm trip in a few weeks.

 

[Debbie6221]

There are several threads here on orange lake... I love the resort, my boss owns a week there. He seems happy, they do pretty well when they "exchange back into the resort... not sure how that works, but they get sometimes get a 3 br for a 2 br.. not sure why. They mostly exchage out west, and do well that way too.

We have exchaged into Orange lake several times and I think it a very nice place, I doubt that you will be dissapointed. try a search for more.

I know what you mean about the cold weather in Chicago, dh is working across the lake from you, in New Buffalo MI. He is Hating the snow.... we are due for a warm trip in a few weeks.

Thanks! I feel like I need to learn everything from scratch!

 

[dgdbloe]

Some people love Orange Lake- some people don't- those who don't usually say it's too big. We have been there 2x-bought time share last time there. They have recently added a lazy river. They have mini golf on site as well as a few pools. Some units are high rises- some are ground level units joined together-- those that are ground level- you can park right in front of and walk a few feet to front door- great with groceries. You def need a car to get around complex. Grocery store(large- forgot name) right there. Returing in July- can't wait- hope you enjoy it

 

[KerriMc]

Hi!

We've been to OLCC twice and were happy both times. We had a two bedroom condo for the six of us and it was great. You do need to drive to get from one end to the other or to a different pool, but we didn't mind that. The Publix grocery store is just outside the gates. The golf is great and the quiet was nice This year we are not in a timeshare. I would definitely go there again without hesitation!

Kerri

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I would love to hear more.
We have week 9 and are condsidered a red week. Does that make sense? I really don't have a clue yet about any of this RCI stuff. We travel to WDW with my parents everytime so there is almost always 4 adults and 2 kids (5 adults if my DB goes). It's ther newly aquired time share. We usually stay on WDW property but would like to go more often so we need a less expensive trip thrown in the mix.

Thanks again!

 

[Suzyq9241]

My family and I have been going to OLCC for about 10 yrs or so and have stayed at all of the buildings.. except the river island one 9 March 30-April 7 this year we will ... we love this place... even as big as it is...

We stayed onsite in August (CSR) and we alway stay 1 night onsite before checking in to OLCC...

I think you will love it...We do...

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks...the more I hear the better I feel about it.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Just another post to say that we've stayed (traded into through RCI) at OLCC a few times and really love it there. My husband needs to get away from anything Disney at the end of the day and since he is a golfer, Orange Lake is it for him. We have always stayed in a villa (not a high rise) and love the convenience of parking right in front of your unit and walking in. It never bothered us to drive to one of the pools or mini golf, etc. OLCC has a complimentary shuttle system too if you don't feel like driving. They also have room service from one of the onsite restaurants. Great for pizza, sandwiches, etc. We find the resort nice and quiet and the 2-bedroom villas are VERY spacious (nothing like the Boardwalk/yacht/beach club 2 bedrooms, but more like Old Key West).

I think the entire resort is considered Red Week as far as RCI is concerned. Most Florida timeshares are all red week (always prime time!).

Take a little time when you check in to get the lay of the land. I'm sure you will love it.

 

[mrsstats]

For more information on timeshares in general you might want to try this website, www.tug2.net.

If is very imformative about timeshares in general and you can post any questions about Orange Lake in the Florida section.

My brother owns 2 weeks there. Bought them about 15 years ago. Yes, the resort is large but we have always been happy when staying there. In my opinion staying in a timeshare is much better than having a hotel room.

 

[myAAbatteries&aTD]

It's a great place to stay! We were there for a week last summer and really enjoyed it. We spent one whole day at the resort to give the kids a little down-time in the middle of the week - they LOVED the lazy river and the little water slide pool. They have soooo much to do there (not that we did anything b/c we went for WDW). There is a short cut to get to WDW, but I can't remember the name of the street now - makes it like 5 minutes to get there at the most, even during busy times..... We really want to go back, but will probably stay somewhere else next time and then go back there in a few years.... Have fun!!!

 

[jeff968]

You'll love the timeshares. We started staying in them 6 years ago and we'll never go backtio a hotel. All the room, and it saves you money because you can live out of your full service kitchen. Having a washer and dryer is great and the resorts are wonder with many things for everyone to do right on site.

We've been to many of these and OLCC was the worst. I would give it a "C" grade. It is huge, you can't get to anywhere without driving in the car. We found the resort and our unit wasn't very clean and it is located way off to the far end of 192. We were there for one week and it can't compare to a Marriott or a Hilton. Do a search on this site for more reviews.

 

[cey]

Orange lake is now split into four different regions by RCI, each with their own identification number. You might want to find out where your timeshare is located. We stayed in the North Village 3 years ago. Because the resort is so huge, you will have to drive to some of the pools and facilities. If you check trip advisor you will find those reviews reflect the resort.

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks! These are all really great and informative comments!
I think we are in the West Village because it is an older time share.

How about comments about getting to the park?
We have NEVER stayed off WDW property so we have never had to drive to the MK. How is that? Do you park at the transportion center? How much does it cost to park? Do you feel like then you have to stay there the whole day with out leaving?
Thanks again!
Debbie

 

[sonny]

We always stay at Disney when in Orlando and we get used to that routine. A nighbor gave me her timeshare week. Orange Lake was my first experience staying off-site. We were there the first week of December '05. Had a 2-bedroom villa on the golf course and loved it. When it was time to check into our Disney room on Thursday, my kids refused and stayed there thru our week that ended on Saturday. Save time for the nightly entertainment. The few evenings we made it, it was great fun. It's big and you have to drive some places but I would go back in a minute.

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks!

 

[Ksquared]

We own a timeshare through RCI and traded into OLCC two years ago. We loved it there and can't wait to go back. It's very easy to build a day into your trip where you just hang out at the resort. We had a room in the West Village the first week and North Village the second week.

Yes, the resort is big but we didn't mind having to drive to the North Village pool while staying in the West Village. If we were to stay again and had to drive to the lazy river, no big deal.

The supermarket is right at the one entrace to the community and driving to/from WDW was easy. We never felt we had to stay at the parks all day either. My children were just 2 and 1 at the time and we came back to take naps during the day some days or we went in the pool in the morning then to the parks after eating lunch in our room. You pay for parking once a day for the WDW theme parks so that's not a problem.

You'll love it there!

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks...keep the comments coming......

 

[Quinn123me]

Wow! my OLCC was the worst. I do not own there and never ever will. I chose to purchase Marriott.

I sometimes wonder if all those that rave about OLCC really just want to maintain the value of their investment.

It really was the worst experience. Spiders, roaches, bugs.

NEVER AGAIN FOR ME.

 

[Debbie6221]

Yikes!