Overwhelmed with Windsor Hills options? HELP!

[FiveofusNL]

Hi All. I am planning our June 2013 trip for our family of 5 and have been contemplating staying at Windsor Hills instead of on property this time. Loved Board Walk Inn, but hearing so much about people staying off property with more room and less cost, thought I would give it a try. Especially since this time we are going to do Universal as well. So far, I am interested in staying in an end unit townhouses at WH, but not sure who to go through. There is SO MUCH out there!! I have heard a lot of good things about VRBO so have been looking there. Anyone have any advice on owners/booking companies. Using VRBO, I found one though Story Time Orlando Vacation Home and another through Charlie Beaudoin at WindsorHillsTownhomes.com. Has anyone used them? All and any advice welcomed.

 

[softballmom3]

Hi! I completely understand . Why don't you try going to windsorhillsrent.com and putting in an inquiry. You will receive a lot!!! Then just sort them out. I usually drop the high and low and go somewhere in the middle .

 

[FiveofusNL]

Hi! I completely understand . Why don't you try going to windsorhillsrent.com and putting in an inquiry. You will receive a lot!!! Then just sort them out. I usually drop the high and low and go somewhere in the middle .

Thanks. I will look into them. Have you stayed at WH yourself? If yes, any recommendations?

http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/0p110u8osoqomhzc.png

 

[softballmom3]

Thanks. I will look into them. Have you stayed at WH yourself? If yes, any recommendations?

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Yes I have . We stayed through vacationcentralflorida in a townhouse with no problems at all! There were many I would have rented from through the windsor hills rent website but I do always check to see if they are legit (well at least the best I can). Here's some of the sites I check and put the owner names in.....

https://www.osceola.county-taxes.com/public

http://www.property-appraiser.org/

I also check zillow.com to see if the property is for sale.

Good Luck!!!

 

[FiveofusNL]

Yes I have . We stayed through vacationcentralflorida in a townhouse with no problems at all! There were many I would have rented from through the windsor hills rent website but I do always check to see if they are legit (well at least the best I can). Here's some of the sites I check and put the owner names in.....

https://www.osceola.county-taxes.com/public

http://www.property-appraiser.org/

I also check zillow.com to see if the property is for sale.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks so much! I will look into these. I see from your trip info that you have stayed on property as well as in the townhouses. Do you have a preference of one over the other? I am worried we will not like a vacation rental as much as a hotel. My friends tend to do one or the other, nobody has done both.

 

[softballmom3]

Thanks so much! I will look into these. I see from your trip info that you have stayed on property as well as in the townhouses. Do you have a preference of one over the other? I am worried we will not like a vacation rental as much as a hotel. My friends tend to do one or the other, nobody has done both.

For me that's a loaded question lol! I loved when we stayed HI family suites but I wouldn't dare go there now that it's Nick .

Pop Century was great but rooms are small and beds are hard.

WH great but did miss some of the disney magic.

Best trip of all was POR probably because we had "free" dining, but tbh we all LOVED the resort.

This time we are going to Universal also (never been there) so I am so unsure what we will do.

If cost wasn't an option for me it would be on-site for convenience. I'm one of those ones that really enjoys the bus system (doesn't bother me to wait a bit). We have always been the commando family where we go from beginning to end. We got Park hoppers this last time and went back to the parks w/ Extra Magic Hours. My girls are throwing a fit because they want to stay onsite but we are taking my in-laws and would love the extra room.

Can you tell I am very undecided .

 

[GingerJay]

I have a family of 5, too. We stayed in WH in 2010 with Storytime vacation homes. They were very easy to deal with and they have Disney themed bedrooms for the kids, too. It was great- we loved everything about it It was like having our very own disney vacation home; we loved the peace and quiet and having basically all the comforts of home.

WH is very close; the drive takes no time. For a family of 5 the places onsite are limited, and a lot more money than staying offsite IMHO. I appreciate the extra space and the kids do too.

 

[softballmom3]

I have a family of 5, too. We stayed in WH in 2010 with Storytime vacation homes. They were very easy to deal with and they have Disney themed bedrooms for the kids, too. It was great- we loved everything about it It was like having our very own disney vacation home; we loved the peace and quiet and having basically all the comforts of home.

WH is very close; the drive takes no time. For a family of 5 the places onsite are limited, and a lot more money than staying offsite IMHO. I appreciate the extra space and the kids do too.

Very limited for us too as we are a family of 5....hate that.....I know we can stay suites and some deluxe rooms, but unless a very good deal that is way too expensive for me!

 

[FiveofusNL]

For me that's a loaded question lol! I loved when we stayed HI family suites but I wouldn't dare go there now that it's Nick .

Pop Century was great but rooms are small and beds are hard.

WH great but did miss some of the disney magic.

Best trip of all was POR probably because we had "free" dining, but tbh we all LOVED the resort.

This time we are going to Universal also (never been there) so I am so unsure what we will do.

If cost wasn't an option for me it would be on-site for convenience. I'm one of those ones that really enjoys the bus system (doesn't bother me to wait a bit). We have always been the commando family where we go from beginning to end. We got Park hoppers this last time and went back to the parks w/ Extra Magic Hours. My girls are throwing a fit because they want to stay onsite but we are taking my in-laws and would love the extra room.

Can you tell I am very undecided .

It is so nice to hear someone else who is trying to work through this! We have only been to Disney once and stayed at Board Walk Inn (were lucky enough to get free dining by booking them vs POR). It was amazing! the hotel was top notch and the transportation was fantastic (friendship boats to Epcot and HS were constant). We were sooo spoiled by the experience. Hubby does not want to go elsewhere, and I have not mentioned it to the kids yet (it will definitely not go over well) But the likelihood of getting a free dining pin again is pretty well non-existent and I do not know if the convenience is worth the price ($417 per week night). I am glad that you liked Windsor Hills though. Makes me feel better about going there if we do the rental thing. Arghhh, this is consuming me!

 

[FiveofusNL]

I have a family of 5, too. We stayed in WH in 2010 with Storytime vacation homes. They were very easy to deal with and they have Disney themed bedrooms for the kids, too. It was great- we loved everything about it It was like having our very own disney vacation home; we loved the peace and quiet and having basically all the comforts of home.

WH is very close; the drive takes no time. For a family of 5 the places onsite are limited, and a lot more money than staying offsite IMHO. I appreciate the extra space and the kids do too.

Thanks so much for the input. I think the kids will like it once they get there. (Hopefully hubby too!) It is great to hear from someone who stayed in a WH storytime home and found them good to deal with. Did you stay in storytime townhome #4 by any chance?

 

[Pembo]

I used windsorhillsrent.com twice with no problems. As a family of 5, we loved staying offsite. The extra space (and tv's) and the cost savings were well worth it. I was very concerned about having to drive to the parks everyday but found it to be very easy and more convenient than the buses.

 

[FiveofusNL]

I used windsorhillsrent.com twice with no problems. As a family of 5, we loved staying offsite. The extra space (and tv's) and the cost savings were well worth it. I was very concerned about having to drive to the parks everyday but found it to be very easy and more convenient than the buses.

Thanks Pembo. I have been worried about how we would find the driving. We liked going to the parks early and then leaving around 1:30/2 for a couple of hours and then heading back. I was wondering if the drive would take too long for us to go that route.

 

[softballmom3]

Thanks Pembo. I have been worried about how we would find the driving. We liked going to the parks early and then leaving around 1:30/2 for a couple of hours and then heading back. I was wondering if the drive would take too long for us to go that route.

I'm going to say for us it is not feasible to go to park...leave park...then come back. Sure you can do it but it is a hassle. Windsor hills is relatively close but the only times we have said we would do that we never went back.

Now if I'm staying on property then yes we have done it and been fine with it. Relatively easy. I know others will have different opinions, this is just my experience.

It is easy to drive to the parks but it hasn't ever been more convenient. We never really have experienced bus waits. We've had to stand a couple of times but oh well.

I like both on and off property but make sure you are looking at what you need . My mother in law wants to be able to go back to the room so that's why we are undecided at this point.

I want the extra space which is the biggest benefit along w cost.

 

[FiveofusNL]

I'm going to say for us it is not feasible to go to park...leave park...then come back. Sure you can do it but it is a hassle. Windsor hills is relatively close but the only times we have said we would do that we never went back.

Now if I'm staying on property then yes we have done it and been fine with it. Relatively easy. I know others will have different opinions, this is just my experience.

It is easy to drive to the parks but it hasn't ever been more convenient. We never really have experienced bus waits. We've had to stand a couple of times but oh well.

I like both on and off property but make sure you are looking at what you need . My mother in law wants to be able to go back to the room so that's why we are undecided at this point.

I want the extra space which is the biggest benefit along w cost.

We never had long waits for the bus or boats either so it made it very easy for us to take a midday break. If we decide to stay at Windsor Hills,I will have to play it by ear I guess. Oh my...decisions!

 

[reginasue]

We are staying at one the townhouse owned by Charlie next week. We did an inquiry and he had the best price and availability for our dates. So far he has been really great to work with. I can update next week when we get there if you would like.

 

[FiveofusNL]

We are staying at one the townhouse owned by Charlie next week. We did an inquiry and he had the best price and availability for our dates. So far he has been really great to work with. I can update next week when we get there if you would like.

That would be fantastic-thanks! I hope you have a great trip.

 

[GingerJay]

Thanks so much for the input. I think the kids will like it once they get there. (Hopefully hubby too!) It is great to hear from someone who stayed in a WH storytime home and found them good to deal with. Did you stay in storytime townhome #4 by any chance?

Actually I did stay in #4 Is that the one you're looking at too? It's in a great location, within walking distance to the community pool and pool house. We loved it! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help!

 

[FiveofusNL]

Actually I did stay in #4 Is that the one you're looking at too? It's in a great location, within walking distance to the community pool and pool house. We loved it! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help!

Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that. Thank you. Soooo nervous about going this route, it is wonderful to have someone who has done it before to turn to. Looking at the location, I was worried about having extra parking spaces right next to the house. Did you find it loud? Also, how did you find the beds? The last place I stayed with a king size bed, it was one of the most uncomfortable night's sleep I ever had! I actually switched to the sofa. Did you run into any problems when you were there? Finally, did you find it clean?

 

[GingerJay]

Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that. Thank you. Soooo nervous about going this route, it is wonderful to have someone who has done it before to turn to. Looking at the location, I was worried about having extra parking spaces right next to the house. Did you find it loud? Also, how did you find the beds? The last place I stayed with a king size bed, it was one of the most uncomfortable night's sleep I ever had! I actually switched to the sofa. Did you run into any problems when you were there? Finally, did you find it clean?

I totally understand your fear. I went through the same thing, but once you check in, you'll probably see it was all for nothing For your questions:

Parking was general townhouse set-up in that the parking lot extends the entire block of buildings. There seems to be 2 "lots" per unit, but when we were there, not all of the townhomes were occupied so I'm sure there is plenty of parking.

I don't remember anything outstanding about the beds... Of course, you're so tired by the end of the day, you'd almost sleep on anything. I normally like a really soft bed, so for them not to have been an issue they must have been cozy

I didn't see anything that stood out to me in the unit that was dirty; but I normally don't go out of my way to find dirt, though I have read reviews on Storytime on the DIS that were from some time ago (2008-2009 time frame) where some posters mentioned ants, crumbs, etc but I absolutely had no issues with anything like that. It was fine; maybe even better than some hotels I've stayed in.

I think I've hit all of your questions, if you think of any more I'll be happy to help.

 

[FiveofusNL]

I totally understand your fear. I went through the same thing, but once you check in, you'll probably see it was all for nothing For your questions:

Parking was general townhouse set-up in that the parking lot extends the entire block of buildings. There seems to be 2 "lots" per unit, but when we were there, not all of the townhomes were occupied so I'm sure there is plenty of parking.

I don't remember anything outstanding about the beds... Of course, you're so tired by the end of the day, you'd almost sleep on anything. I normally like a really soft bed, so for them not to have been an issue they must have been cozy

I didn't see anything that stood out to me in the unit that was dirty; but I normally don't go out of my way to find dirt, though I have read reviews on Storytime on the DIS that were from some time ago (2008-2009 time frame) where some posters mentioned ants, crumbs, etc but I absolutely had no issues with anything like that. It was fine; maybe even better than some hotels I've stayed in.

I think I've hit all of your questions, if you think of any more I'll be happy to help.

Yes, I have read the same older reviews concerning cleanliness and bugs. Every place can have some bad reviews though, it does not mean that it is bad overall. You have been there more recently and did not have a problem so that is reassuring. I think if the bed was an issue, you would have noticed it. As long as it is comfortable enough to sleep in, I am happy. As for parking, I meant was it loud having the overflow parking along side the house? We will be there in June so I think it will be pretty busy. I have visions of slamming car doors and loud voices right next to us at 2 am! (I think I am looking for things to worry about - lol) Some houses are saying they are quiet... away from the main entrance and overflow parking so it makes me wonder about the location of story time 4. Thanks again for answering these questions...it does help alleviate some of the fear. And I think you are right, once it is all said and done, I will wonder what I was so concerned about.