Regal Palm Resort & Spa? Far from Disney

[Karen4120]

Another resort I'm looking into is Regal Palm Resort. Has anyone stayed here and commuted to Disney? I know some reviews say its a hike and lots of traffic. We are doing 5 days at Disney and 2 at Universal. Do you think this location will be a problem? I'm still considereing Windsor Hills also. Its so hard to decide!!
Thanks
Karen

 

[Hensandchickens]

We stayed there April 2005. It's about a 20 minute drive and the traffic was not bad at all. When we were there the construction at the resort was not finished. We loved the pool, but otherwise I did not enjoy our stay. I never saw any staff members the entire time. I like a more full service atmosphere. There was no spa. I thought I'd be able to get a pedicure or something. There is a Pubix, a pizza place, and chinese within walking distance. It seemed like we could have been bound and gagged in our townhouse and no one would have noticed us for weeks. I felt like no one cared if we were there or not. It was just me and my two kids, if we would have had a large group (the other half of our group cancelled at the last minute) it would have been great to have all that space and I woundn't have felt so isolated. I've read that they now serve drinks and food around the pool, which would have been nice. I would stay there again, but it is kinda away from everything. It was a very good deal price wise.

 

[HeatherC]

We have stayed here twice so far (paid $110 for a 4 bedroom) and just rebooked for 11 days next February break. We have rented through the same private owner both times and had wonderful visits both times. The villas themselves are two story townhouses. We rented a 4 bedroom that was very nice space wise. The furnishings are bland...just basic beige. There is a master with full bath downstairs, another 1/2bath downstairs, full kitchen and living area. Upstairs there were three other bedrooms...one master with full bath, another full bath and washer/dryer. So for this price for 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, full kitchen and washer/dryer, it can't be beat.

These are definitely self-catering homes. Which means...no maid service, no room service, etc.. It is kind of like renting a vacation home through an owner. Each unit may be equipped slightly differently. We didn't care, we loved the extra space and the fact there was a supermarket right around the corner.

The commute to Disney was about 15 minutes.

The one thing that was truly wonderful is the pool area. If you look up regalpalmsorlando.com you will be able to see pictures. It really does look just like the pictures. If you want a day or two to hang out at the pool area, I would highly recommend this over Windsor Palms or Windsor Hills. There is a bar/restaurant, water slide and wonderful lazy river. The pools were heated to about 80degrees in mid- February. (Heard the Disney pools that week were freezing.) Very nice!!! There is also a hot tub.

We thought about moving to Windsor Hills for next Feb., but when I looked at the pool area and showed the kids...they wanted to go back to Regal Palms. (Yet the pool at Windsor Hills is very nice too...just not as elaborate.)

Bottom line is that if you are planning to only do parks, stay at Windsor Hills. It is closer. I think the condos are also furnished a little more nicely. If you want to enjoy the pool area, Regal Palms is great. But...I would definitely suggest trying to rent through a private owner. I think many of the complaints are when people rent through the resort itself.

Hope this helps you a little.

Heather C

PS. You can also get a gift certificate on restaurant.com to use at the pool bar and grill.