Orange Lake

[Disbound]

Has anyone stayed at Orange Lake Resort? (I think that's what it's called!) Did you like it?

 

[bunny213]

we have two time shares there...2 weeks, twice a year. We love it down there and we'll be there the first two weeks in May. We've been going there for more than 15 years. If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me. There are quite a few people here that own there...and quite a few that have traded in. Some people say it's too big for them...but we've never felt that way. It backs up to Animal Kingdom...and if you take the back way, you can get on Disney property pretty quickly. Barb

 

[Hasil72]

Make sure you request a newer area. If you have kids, near the water park would be a great idea. Just try to avoid the West Village. It's much older and nothing like the pictures shown on the website.

Have a great trip!

 

[SweetMimi]

We also own at Orange Lake and we love it. I think we've stayed in all areas except the newest and they all are nice. The only ones that are a little different are the tennis villas. They don't have the jacuzzi tub or screened in porch because they are all single sory - like duplexes. Each village has a pool but you can use any of them. The resort is spread out so you'll generally have to drive to the pools or catch the vans that go around. They have movie night at one of the pools where they have a movie playing outside, sometimes a band playing at the pools - lots of different things each night. Paisan's pizza is pretty good and you can also get ice cream there too. At least you used to. We haven't been since the remodel.

 

[JNorris]

Love Love Love Orange Lake!

We do timeshare trades there as often as they will let us, which I think is every 3 or 4 years. We always stay in the duplex units, we love those, it is so convenient to park right outside your door, and no steps to walk up. Also, some of them look out over the lakes, and we love sitting on the patio and watching the birds.

Yes, you pretty much have to drive to the pools, but we don't mind that.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

we love orange lake, we also have a timeshare there, we stay in the east village right around the corner from river island. the west village is currently getting revenonated (sp) the photos of the new revenotions looks great, upto river island standards.

orangle lake is a big resort also like a complex, if you want to go to the pool you most likely has to drive or catch the free shuttle bus, so if you like driving you enjoy the resort.

 

[spiceycat]

this is a BIG resort - you might have to drive your car to the pools and/or activities. (didn't like that) there is a bus - but again in certain areas a long walk to it.

secondly, hated and I mean hated the traffic light at US192. waited a long, long time at this light. Now know that it is not OL fault - but hey you can petition the hwy depart or whoever is in charge of the traffic lights - to change this wait.

the wait can be 10 very, very long minutes - especially at times because NOTHING and I mean Nothing is going on US 192.

don't mind waiting if US 192 is packed full, hate it when nothing is going on US 192 and you still have to wait.

have waited longer at that light, than it took to get to WDW after it finally changed.

 

[motherhen17404]

We stayed there last Nov. We were in the West Village and had a 2 bedroom villa. It was very large and very clean. We only used the pool once. It was nice, but hard to find. There is no map of the resort, so we had to keep asking where things were. Other then that, we liked the resort. Yes, you have to drive around the resort to get to places, but that did not bother us.

 

[wedindis'00]

We'll be there in a few days are there any "short cuts " for diving to each of the 4 parks.

Also we are doing an RCI exchange and are in the west village we are traviling w/ 2 little ones, can any one recommened a building

thanks

 

[spiceycat]

with OL on an RCI exchange you take what they give you. the front desk has flat out refused to even consider moving us.

the west area is where I was. we got a rehab unit - it is all on one floor (the living room is sunk in) - so this is not for handicapped.

you go to the traffic light on US 192 - then go under 429 - turn left at Black lake, left again on Sherberth road - then right - this road becomes Osceloa Parkway - just follow the signs.

now if you don't mind paying the toll ( I think it is a $1.00)

you get on 417 - and turn off next exit (disney world) - you are on WDW property - - when you can see CSR on your left - - then turn left for Epcot, studios or MK - right (toward All star) and right onto Osceola Parkway for AK.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

the thing about refusing to move you, when you have gone to OL throu a RCI exchange, isnt OL fault, as we did an exhange with RCI before to Anfi, Canary Islands and we requested a different room ,but they wouldn't let us either.

i dont think its to do with the resorts, but the RCI exchange, you have got the person's room they have banked, therefore even if they are free rooms in the reosrt, you have been assigned to that room, as for some reason they wont which you even if you want, you have to ring up RCI and see if they have any available rooms at that resort, and they can which you. Neither can RCI get you a free room at that resort if they dont have one on their system ,even thou at the resort there is free rooms.

hope you understand.

 

[spiceycat]

since this has only happened at OL - it is not RCI - but OL.'

have had no problem changing rooms at CP and SVR.

svr has us on the 2nd floor - mother can't do steps - SVR had no problem moving us. same with CP.

mother wanted something closes to the pool at OL - they say and I repeat "NO WAY"

it is not RCI - it is definitely OL.

 

[motherhen17404]

We also were an RCI exchange. When we called Orange Lake a few weeks before our trip, we told them I would have a scooter so we needed a ground floor villa. When we checked in we learned we were on the 2nd floor of a villa building. My DH explained to them that would not work and we needed a ground floor with no stairs. They kind of gave us a hard time, but they moved us to a villa that would work. I am not so sure they would have moved us if it was not for the fact that I was using a scooter. It has a lot to do with the RCI exchange, and the West Village is the RCI area.

 

[Brian Noble]

When exchanging, one should not expect to be able to move from the unit assigned. Many resorts will make some effort to do so, but many more will not.

In particular, now that OL has been split into separate villages for RCI's purposes, you absolutely will not be moved from, say, West Village to any other. If you confirm a particular village, that's where you'll be.

Like any other large mega-resort in Orlando (e.g. Vistana) there will always be some rooms in dire need of repair. Heck, if you read the DVC boards regularly, there are some rooms there in need, as well. But, your odds of getting such a room are pretty low at Orange Lake, and reviews indicate most people really enjoy their stays.

 

[Snoella]

We will be staying at OL in a couple of weeks with an RCI exchange. I called yesterday and requested a certain section (still in the West Village). They seemed extremely accomodating and I had a couple of requests. They said they would do their best and I believed them. Now, I guess I will wait and see.

 

[Stasieki]

I have stayed at Orange Lake three times now and LOVE it. We decided to try staying on property last weekend at a moderate resort and will be back at Orange Lake next time. It is most convenient if you have young children like we do. Also - that new toll road is well worth the $1.00 toll - you are on Disney property in 5 minutes.

We never had problems at the light at 192 - we were always at the back of the resort in the newer area by the Publix so maybe that makes a difference. Just took a right on 192, then the next right at the toll road - very easy.

 

[spiceycat]

We never had problems at the light at 192 - we were always at the back of the resort in the newer area by the Publix so maybe that makes a difference. Just took a right on 192, then the next right at the toll road - very easy.

yea the Publix light definitely changes alot more often.

the problem is that area is pretty far from the West (where we were) - tried it a few times - but just getting there going the speed limit (15 I think) - it took 10 minutes to get there.

certainly don't object to the speed limit - too many kids running around the place to even consider going fast.

 

[spiceycat]

When exchanging, one should not expect to be able to move from the unit assigned. Many resorts will make some effort to do so, but many more will not.

In particular, now that OL has been split into separate villages for RCI's purposes, you absolutely will not be moved from, say, West Village to any other. If you confirm a particular village, that's where you'll be.

Like any other large mega-resort in Orlando (e.g. Vistana) there will always be some rooms in dire need of repair. Heck, if you read the DVC boards regularly, there are some rooms there in need, as well. But, your odds of getting such a room are pretty low at Orange Lake, and reviews indicate most people really enjoy their stays.

that is not the problem. being assigned a upper floor room in the building that does not have elevators is. OL does even want to move you then.

with mother since she could hardily walk - she just wanted to be close enough to a pool - so she would not have to get me everytime she wanted to go swimming.

OL is too rule bond - they don't listen to RCI request (always mention mother can't do steps) and then they don't change anything - when the room does not meet the request.

not asking for the world. just asking for those people who have a problem getting around - for OL to be more flexible - they refuse.

they tried to blame RCI - but it is not RCI who is refusing - it is them.

I certainly would never own here. they don't seem to understand mobility issues at all.

 

[jeff968]

We stayed at Orange Lake once and did not like it. Our unit was dirty, our building was dirty, the place is too big and you need to get into the car to go to the pool, and I didn't like the location off of 192. If you are a golfer you may overlook the above as it is very golf oriented.

 

[karensi]

now if you don't mind paying the toll ( I think it is a $1.00)

you get on 417 - and turn off next exit (disney world) - you are on WDW property - - when you can see CSR on your left - - then turn left for Epcot, studios or MK - right (toward All star) and right onto Osceola Parkway for AK.

As per your directions, which is EXACTLY what I was looking for, after you see CSR on your left, do you make the very next left for Epcot,studios and MK. And would you make the very next right, after seeing CSR to AK?
After you make the left, or right turn (after CSR) is it well marked to get to whatever park you are headed to??


Thanks in advance, we will be ther April 26 .

Karen

P.S. I really need GOOD directions as I have NO sense of direction.
Thanks again