Orbit One Villas Question????

[cmbonneville]

We leave in 5 1/2 days for a week in Florida

We got a great deal on this timeshare through Ebay

But - Now I'm curious - What should we bring for the villa??? Dishwasher detergent? Laundry deterent for sure! Cleaning Supplies? cookware?Silverware?

We are pretty new staying anywhere but a hotel

Thanks

~Crystal

 

[dgaston]

I think DisneySteve has stayed there. Maybe you could do a search or PM him.

 

[lizziepooh]

We stayed at Orbit One in January. There were 2 packets of dishwasher soap enough for one load each and a good size bottle of liquid dish soap. There was a single load box of Tide. Dishes, pots, pans and silverware are provided. There was a broom and dustpan, but no cleaning supplies. Hope this helps.

 

[disneysteve]

Here I am

I've been entrenched in some Budget Board threads lately so haven't been hanging out here.

Yes, we've stayed at Orbit One twice. I agree with what lizziepooh posted.

We always bring our own dish and laundry detergent because we like to use our usual products. No need for any other cleaning supplies as far as we're concerned as we don't do any cleaning while we're there.

We drive down so packing space isn't an issue, so we bring our own paper towels, tissues and toilet paper too. You can always use theirs or buy some when you get there if you need more.

 

[cmbonneville]

We're getting excited now - we leave on Sunday

We are driving down as well - much cheaper with 6 people

??? How is the staff/housekeeping? Does housekeeping clean up? Vacum, etc - do you have to request additional towels, supplies, etc

Thanks so much for your help - a little knowledge goes a long way (*going to pack the dishwasher tablets...right now before I forget*)

~Crystal

 

[lizziepooh]

As with most timeshares, there was no daily housekeeping. I don't know whether it was available for an additional charge - you could ask when you get there. We checked in on Sunday and towels were exchanged on Wednesday. There is a washer and dryer in the unit if you want to wash your own towels. There were only 2 of us and the unit had towels for 6, so it worked out fine for us. If you need more, ask housekeeping or the front desk what their policy is.
One problem we had was with the design of the shower in the large whirpool tub. The water hit the ledge under the shower head, and ran onto the floor. After the first time, we laid a towel there to keep it from running on to the floor.
Our unit was clean and the staff were very friendly. I would stay there again if the opportunity came up.

 

[disneysteve]

As with most timeshares, there was no daily housekeeping. I don't know whether it was available for an additional charge - you could ask when you get there. We checked in on Sunday and towels were exchanged on Wednesday. There is a washer and dryer in the unit if you want to wash your own towels. There were only 2 of us and the unit had towels for 6, so it worked out fine for us. If you need more, ask housekeeping or the front desk what their policy is.
One problem we had was with the design of the shower in the large whirpool tub. The water hit the ledge under the shower head, and ran onto the floor. After the first time, we laid a towel there to keep it from running on to the floor.
Our unit was clean and the staff were very friendly. I would stay there again if the opportunity came up.

Again, I agree. We didn't do the towel exchange - just washed them a couple of times during the week.

And the shower is poorly designed. Water goes all over. I included that on my comment card. The problem is they dont have a shower curtain - just a little decorative one that doesn't go all the way across.

Have a great time!!

 

[cmbonneville]

We absolutely loved the Orbit One Villas


Overall it was a great experience

CONS:

I totally agree about the shower in the master bath- water went everywhere...

2nd floor - no elevator... could get difficult with the small children

cabinet doors in kitchen hit the overhead light (we were really worried about it falling from the ceiling)

nothing to unlock interior bed/bath doors with (ds2 likes to lock doors for fun!


PROS:
The pool was great - loved the slides for the kids - my DS2 became a waterbug last week

LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION !!!!

washer & dryer --- and an icemaker (really great for filling our small cooler for the parks) - full size fridge

COMFY!!! Large King size bed!



Thanks again for the info... we had such a good time we are looking into buying a timeshare unit there...

~Crystal

 

[DianeV]

If you intend to buy there definitely look into resale..

www.tug2.net has great classifieds and there are other places

You should be able to get a 2 bedroom unit there for under $2000 easily

 

[spiceycat]

I won't buy in Orlando - it is too easy to trade too - besides the maintence fees are pretty high....

you are probably paying less with skyauction than these people do with their maintence fees....

 

[disjest8]

Crystal,

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at Orbit One! We are going to be there next week and I would love to see any pictures you might have. I think I read a post recently that indicated they were renovating the Kiddie Pool. Did you happen to notice? Was the pool heated? Did it need to be? I am hoping that my DS4 and DS3 will become water bugs while we are there as well.

Also, did you notice if there was a Wal-Mart or something similar nearby? We are flying and it is so much easier if I can just make a quick trip to the store right after we arrive for all of the things a 3 yr old and 4 yr old require.

Thanks for any additional info you might be able to provide.

-Kristi

 

[cmbonneville]

Crystal,

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at Orbit One! We are going to be there next week and I would love to see any pictures you might have. I think I read a post recently that indicated they were renovating the Kiddie Pool. Did you happen to notice? Was the pool heated? Did it need to be? I am hoping that my DS4 and DS3 will become water bugs while we are there as well.

Also, did you notice if there was a Wal-Mart or something similar nearby? We are flying and it is so much easier if I can just make a quick trip to the store right after we arrive for all of the things a 3 yr old and 4 yr old require.

Thanks for any additional info you might be able to provide.

-Kristi

There are 2 pools - the main pool by the main building has slides (which need a little repair of the peeling paint, etc - but are very doable) the pool ranges from about 3 1/2 feet to 6 1/2 feet - no diving
the kiddie pool is closed (and very nasty looking)
they also have the jacuzzi there - which was very large

the other pool is behind the saturn building where we were staying - and again is fairly deep for small children

Both pools were VERY warm and lotsa fun - they allow pool toys/floats and have some that hang around - maybe from other guests

Definitely bring - or go buy (they arent too overpriced at the gift shops) floats/floaties/swim rings - something for them to hang on too - especially if they are not strong swimmers (mine aren't)


There are a few gift shops within walking distance, a McDonalds, a few buffets and other restaurants - it is in a very nice and crowded tourist area - but Walmart - at least the closest one we knew about is down 192 - it was a 25 minute drive for us - and then an hour to check out (we will not do that again - it was MISERABLE!)
there was a super target a few blocks less than walmart - but neither are within walking distance

Phone calls are 87 cent each - by this I mean anything you dial - even if your internet didnt conncet (we still got charged for a 1 second call - lovely! - but oh well)

If you are planning on eating in the room - you'll need some cleaning stuff - otherwise - use what they have - you can make do

You also have the option of adding maid service for around 30 $ for the week - I was highly debating whether to get that - but since we didnt spend much time in the room other than the evenings we chose not to

I have no ideas how to post pics on here...I do have some great pics of the waterbugs in the pool though.... and the rooms - look EXACTLY lke what you see online....the glass table - yellow paint - slate floors - wicker furniture - lotsa mirrors

If you have anymore questions - let me know

~Crystal~

 

[disjest8]

Crystal,

Thanks for providing such detailed information. I feel very prepared now and will report back after we return.

-Kristi