Our Windsor Palms Stay

[winniedapooh]

Got in last night or should I say this morning at 12:30 AM. We loved our home and the area was beautiful. Never got a chance to try out the theatre but we would have had it rained. We were not home much, lol. The home we stayed in had everything imaginable. Hair dryer, detergent, soap, beach towels for the pool, playstation, and the cabinets were so well stocked with utensils I could have cooked a 7 course meal there-did not though! I know this is not the norm but it was great for us. It was immaculate and a blessing with 5 kids to have that washer and dryer-only 3 suitcases needed for next trip, lol. The pool and jacuzzi were a joy for afternoon breaks and helped my knees at night. We are already planning our October trip and will not be staying on site, we will be staying here. Worked so well for us and I was verrryyyy happy. If anyone would like any info., this woman owns 5, please feel free to IM me and I will give you the info. Although we did not rent through her, we could have, we went through Global Marketing-Katrina was the best! I am so glad we chose Windsor Palms. Thanks to all here who offered information to me on different rentals.

 

[anita36]

I am so glad to hear you loved that place!! we are going to rent a 2 br 2 bath condo on coconut palm-- the pics of the condo look goreous-- the whole place looks great-- we will be using the community pool it looks very large..

we were thinking of a house but w/ only 4 of us it would be a waste.

I wasn't sure if I should stay on or off site- the past 3 times we have stayed off and we were happy w/ all 3 hotels. but I like having the conv. of a washer and dryer in our room- when we go to the beach we always get condos.
thanks for sharing your vacation!! only 9 months till we go!!

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Thanks for sharing! I booked a 4 bdr this weekend for April, we are so excited about it.

Could you tell me about Route 192? Traffic, stores and restaurants available?

How easy is it to get to WP from the airport? I assume you take 4 to 192, do you have directions you could share from 192?

Did you take the 'shortcut' to the parks?

How did you handle the key transfer? Our house has a lock box, just wondering how that works.

What is the procedure to get through the gate, the 1st time and after?

What street was your villa on? We are on Wyndham Palm Way.

Thanks so much!
Lynn

 

[winniedapooh]

Hi Lynn,
Traffic can be a nightmare at certain times, after a few days you will feel like you know it and realize when the high traffic times are. Just head from airport to 4 to 192 west to Tampa andonce on 192 take a left, I think it is 3rd, at Formosa Gardens-you can't miss it you will see a huge dragon that says Splendid China on it, and then about 2 miles up Windsor Palms is on your right, last development before dirt road starts. We stopped at gate, they appeared to be there 24 hrs a day, and gave our info and were issued a yellow tag to be shown upon entering before gate was put up. We listened to Alan Jackson, lol, every day and never got more than 4 songs done from house to parking lot at WDW sometimes less depending in park or traffic! As for shopping, others may be able to help you out better here, we used a Publix heading down 192. I could not recall where Walmart was so used them instead, very clean and neat and polite. I thought they were expensive but food was good and they had Krispy Kreme's! After that when we needed milk we stopped at Walgreen's at end of street on 192. The owner, who we met on day 2, told us that they were cheaper than Eckerd's. We took short cuts-you will see these streets when you get there and others may know different. Funie Street (sp?), a left off of Formosa Gardens heading back to 192, be careful part of this road turns into a dirt road then back to tar, take a right at 1st stop sign. Be careful here you have the stop sign and it is not a 4 way! At the end of this road, Entry Point road, go straight across onto Sherbeth Road (turns into this) and follow to end and take a right-this brings you right down by Animal Kingdom, follow this road to first left and cross over and then follow signs to park. Easily avoids a lot of traffic. At that left it is a light and weird because although we stopped most cars went through it????? Not sure why, we were wondering about left on reds-lol! Be very careful to adhere to speed limit and stop signs on Formosa as well as on Disney property-we saw a lot of speed traps and cars getting stopped this time. A sight never seen by us before! Let's see, our key was in a packet the gurad gave us at the gate, I too thought it was a lock box but it was given to us there and truthfully while driving around complex did not see any lockboxes! We were in 8179 Fan Palm Way. It was gorgeous and to our left (the field when you come in) as we were leaving Sunday morning we watched 8 balloons being inflated and take off not 6 house lots away! It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen! I hope this helps and maybe others c an add more. Pixie dust to you and enjoy!

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Hi Winnie,
Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!
How old are your kids? Mine are 1, 3. 6.
Did you use the community pool at WP? Just wondering if there is a water slide and what the kiddie pool is like. Did you play mini golf or go to the playground? Can groceries be purchased at the sundry shop?
I think that's it for now!
Lynn

 

[teachingmykids]

Thanks for the info, we're staying in the fall. I PMed you for details.

~~georgia

 

[martina857]

Great that you liked it!! WP is the one of my favourite places!!
Can't wait for my next trip.

 

[Big V]

We'll be there next month! Can't wait!

 

[magicmouse2]

Great to read a positive post of off site accomodation. We are thinking of swapping 1 week at RPR Universal for 1 week at Windsor Palms in a town house. With 3 kids, and a week to do Universal, as much as I love RPR theming, I dont fancy cramming us into 1 room for more cash then a 3 bed home with jacuzzi.