Renting at Windsor Hills vs Hotel

[thebordcu]

DW and I are planning to spend 7 days at Disney in January (off season week). It is just the 2 of us. I have been reading the reviews of on site properties and the off site hotels as well as Windsor Hills. The price for a condo or townhouse at Windsor Hills seems like a deal that can't be beat for those 7 days. DW is very reluctant to rent a house and is insisting on staying at a hotel right now (which while Disney rates aren't out yet, looks to be at a minimum a couple of hundred dollars more).

Besides the cost difference, for others who have had the same discussions, what argument/compromise did you use to convince your significant other to rent rather then stay in a hotel?

Does anyone have a list of questions you asked the home owner to ensure they are reliable and what we should be looking to get so we don't have to go out and buy things?

Thanks!

 

[savannahcat]

Other than all of the extra room you get, the biggest factor for me is having a washer and dryer right in the condo. This is even more important now that airlines are charging for checked bags. With the washer and dryer and only two of you traveling, you could easily get by with just carry on.

We've stayed at WH twice now with two more trips in the works - Nov 08 and Jan 09. I will never stay in a hotel again - at least until I win the lottery and can afford to stay in 2BR villa on property!

 

[Brian Noble]

For a couple (as opposed to a family with kids) the difference is less pronounced. But, even when it's just the two of us, there are some nice features of a villa/condo that you can't get in a regular hotel room.

* The full kitchen means breakfast without having to decide whether to shower first, or scare the other people in the food court.

* In-unit laundry means tossing a few things in on your way to the parks, rather than babysitting a load in the evening.

* A separate bedroom means that the night owl can stay up, or the early riser can kick around the living room without disturbing the sleeping spouse.

* Having a couch and a real table and chairs vs. the little ensemble off in the corner of a typical hotel room is a very nice touch.

* The private balcony/patio is also nice--and out of the question unless you are staying in a Deluxe or better on property.

We just got back from a no-kids, just-the-two-of-us trip, and stayed in a 1BR at Old Key West. I had thought the 1BR would be total overkill, but it was really very nice---much nicer than a hotel room or studio would have been.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Will you be driving? Imo that would be the biggest factor. The disney hotels offer the shuttle from the airport and the shuttle to the parks where you would not need to rent a car and you wouldnt need to pay for parking. I have yet to stay onsite tbh I just dont feel they give enough for the price they charge but I am sure I will someday. I will be going twice more this year staying in Condos. Once at EI and the other at WH. The other 2 posters make good points and the washer and dryer imo is a big plus its what sold me on the condo over a $30 ish hotel bid from priceline for second week trip. Some ppl might consider a condo less of a "vacation" and enjoy the hotels and I am sorta one of those ppl... I love hotels I guess I just get a vacation like feeling. But I have not stayed at a condo yet so hard for me to judge if I will ever go back to a hotel or not but prob will.

Other thing to consider is most ask for a Security deposit. As you get that money back its not always huge but I know when I go on vacation I would hate to have around $300 in limbo. I have found it mostly you can probably find a cheaper condo then an offsite hotel but there are great hotel deals out there also. Really big savings if you go the lotto route through priceline or hotwire.

To each is own rly and if staying onsite gives you that extra "magic" then I say go for that. If you want to save some money by going condo you will have more room plus the amentaties that WH has is nice also. You could us that money towards a nice dinner out!

Hope info was helpful,
Jonny

 

[Frothy]

The company we rent from sends us a monthly newsletter and this may prove useful to you...

http://www.sayyestovacationhomes.com/

 

[davinakb]

Agree with some other comments about the big things to consider FWIW:

• Space: With a large group and a longer trip, a roomy villa rental is a no-brainer for us, the savings for what you get cannot be beat. I prefer the kitchen, laundry, living area, a lot of condos and villas have free internet, so you may get more for your money. But with only 2 people, it's a bit different and you may be able to do just a normal room or junior suite (with small living, fridge, microwave area).
• Cost: you take a gamble with Priceline and Hotwire (check the boards) but there are some deals to be had; that said we've still lucked into condo/townhouse deals for less than some of the "clean and cheap" hotels.
• Transportation: biggie. We always have a car and drive, find it faster. But if you do not want the car rental, then you may want to consider a Disney hotel.

 

[thebordcu]

Agree with some other comments about the big things to consider FWIW:

• Space: With a large group and a longer trip, a roomy villa rental is a no-brainer for us, the savings for what you get cannot be beat. I prefer the kitchen, laundry, living area, a lot of condos and villas have free internet, so you may get more for your money. But with only 2 people, it's a bit different and you may be able to do just a normal room or junior suite (with small living, fridge, microwave area).
• Cost: you take a gamble with Priceline and Hotwire (check the boards) but there are some deals to be had; that said we've still lucked into condo/townhouse deals for less than some of the "clean and cheap" hotels.
• Transportation: biggie. We always have a car and drive, find it faster. But if you do not want the car rental, then you may want to consider a Disney hotel.

Thanks. We are taking the Auto Train down for this trip so we will have our own car so transportation won't be an issue.

This is our big vacation for the year so don't think we will want to "gamble" on Priceline and Hotwire - have read some scary reviews for some of the hotels.

 

[Brian Noble]

I know when I go on vacation I would hate to have around $300 in limbo.

Many owners at WH will take a credit card imprint rather than insist on a cash/check deposit. I won't book any other way.

 

[gqchicago]

I would add in amenities like free internet, and/or free phone calls, many homes offer this. For us that's really important. Onsite you pay dearly for all of this.

Also, your own kitchen so you don't have to eat every meal out in a food court. We don't really cook while on vacation, but for breakfast, etc, we wouldn't want to have to go out either. I used to be in the same camp as your husband, our first trip down I absolutely INSISTED to DW that we stay in a high end, onsite hotel. Big family argument...err...discussion! Anyhow, she won out, we rented in Windsor Hills, and loved it so much we said it was our best vacation ever! Came back a year later, and on that trip we loved it so much we bought a place! hehe Now we call it our most expensive Disney souvenir ever!

 

[mikymouse]

We rented at WH for the room but I would consider renting a townhome for just me and DH for lots of reasons..
1.) We just loved having a car to come and go as we please.. so no more Disney buses for us in the near future
2.) The huge comfortable bed with BIG plasma screen TV in Master Bed NICE
3.) The private splash pool right outside your back door
4.) Kithcen allows you to have blender drinks or stock of cold beverage of your choice for a reasonable price versus hotels
5.) If you want the resort feel you can drive over to any place to grab some dinner, drinks but then you can go home to a nice private space



We rented from this owner and was pleasantly surprized at the quality and ease of the transaction, look it up on the web at 5mins2disney


Good Luck... we have done both and have to admit that I am now in the off-site camp.... it would be hard to go back to hotel rooms after our really nice offsite experience... with or without the kids.

 

[chris7]

We are a family that always stays in condo's for a lot of the reasons already listed.

I think if it were me and hubby alone the only thing I could see as a drawback is no housekeeping (unless you pay extra). And maybe that there are not really on site restaurants, although there are a ton just minutes away.

That being said, I think if we went on our own I would still want to stay in a condo or townhome.

 

[wayneg]

We stayed in a Condo at Windsor Hills for 1st time this Easter. We needed extra bedroom as we took DS's school friend.
Even though WH is not a long way out we didn't like the location compared to staying in hotel at LBV area.
As well as Disney we are AP holders at Sea world and Universal so spend as much time in these parks as Disney so LBV is perfect for us, 10-15 mins to any park, even better than within Disney. Last 2 Augusts stayed at Courtyard by Marriott, Palm Parkway. Perfect for us, paid $50/night incl tax, and wireless internet.
All depends how much time you are going to spend there, we get in about 11pm, out at 8am. Its somewhere to sleep. Also what rates you can get, I priced up 2 bed condo at WH for someone a few days ago and it was only about $60/night, might be cheaper than a hotel.

 

[lh193]

My husband and I have been having the same discussion. I want to stay off site--it's cheaper, more amenities, nicer than the value resorts. He wants to stay on-site: for the buses, food court, disney magic, etc.

We've decided to compromise. We'll stay the first half at Pop Century and the second half at Windsor Hills. There are pros and cons to both, but whatever you choose, make sure both parties are satisfied with the decision.

 

[HappieMommie]

Hi! We are staying in WH this Sept. I am more than thrilled with our decision, dispite lots of "devil's advocate" advice.

PLEASE look into this company for your rental. We have rented a 3 bdrm condo for $399 for the entire week. Its brand new and there is no security deposit. www dot vacationcentralflorida dot com

Read the site and check out the units. He is VERY honest and easy to deal with.

These are the pros for us:

-laundry in suite. We have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. 'Nuff said.
-full kitchen. Even with the Free Dining promo that is on when we're there, I wouldn't change a thing! I can't imagine eating restaurent food every day for 10 days!!! How unhealthy! I love the idea of being in control of our meals a little more.
-More space. We are going with another couple and still have tons of room, even with 4 adults and 3 kids.
-Cost effectiveness. Wow!! What a deal.
-The pool, amentities, etc.

I hope that helps. Have a fun trip.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hi! We are staying in WH this Sept. I am more than thrilled with our decision, dispite lots of "devil's advocate" advice.

PLEASE look into this company for your rental. We have rented a 3 bdrm condo for $399 for the entire week. Its brand new and there is no security deposit. www dot vacationcentralflorida dot com

Read the site and check out the units. He is VERY honest and easy to deal with.

These are the pros for us:

-laundry in suite. We have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. 'Nuff said.
-full kitchen. Even with the Free Dining promo that is on when we're there, I wouldn't change a thing! I can't imagine eating restaurent food every day for 10 days!!! How unhealthy! I love the idea of being in control of our meals a little more.
-More space. We are going with another couple and still have tons of room, even with 4 adults and 3 kids.
-Cost effectiveness. Wow!! What a deal.
-The pool, amentities, etc.

I hope that helps. Have a fun trip.

That is who we are renting with in first week of December actually. The price was amazing! They only had one place left for the time we are going so think we got lucky there!

 

[2meezers]

We are renting a 4 bdrm house in July in Windsor Hills, but we are travelling with 2 kids and 4 adults, so obviously all the above reasons of space, laundry, price, laundry, able to prep and make your own meals when you want, laundry, comfort, laundry, own pool, laundry.....make a big difference!!

But even if it was just DH & I, I would have to say that I would still be inclined to go with a condo or townhome for many of the same reasons. I guess it really depends what kind of vacation you want and how you & DW will come away feeling relaxed and like you had a true vacation. For us personally, we enjoy some evenings just getting a bottle of wine and sitting and watching a movie in the comfort of a "real" living room....not always having to lie on beds and sit in those uncomfortable hotel room chairs. Sometimes after a busy day, we actually enjoy some quiet time apart from each other and a hotel room just does not allow this...unless you enjoy spending time in the bathroom!! As much as I enjoy restaurants and being served, it can become too much and being able to to actually prepare a nice meal in a fully equipped kitchen or just a PB & J snadwich and a galss of milk at midnight is awesome.

Each person has their list of pros and cons.....you just hav eto sit down and list your's.

Best of luck!!

 

[HappieMommie]

That is who we are renting with in first week of December actually. The price was amazing! They only had one place left for the time we are going so think we got lucky there!

Very lucky!! Which suite did you get?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Very lucky!! Which suite did you get?

203 I think it was.

 

[mathgal]

DH and I made a couple-only trip to WDW in May and rented a 2 bedroom condo from vacationcentralflorida.com (Condo 202C). No security deposit required and the price was cheaper than most off-site hotel rooms I had been looking at. The owner was wonderful to deal with and promptly answered any questions I had. (You can see pictures and video of the condo on the website.)

Windsor Hills is so close to the parks that we would come home for a few hours each afternoon for a break and take a nap. I like having a rental car for the convenience and by searching for good rates, we were able to get a Jeep Cherokee (free upgrade!) for only $100 for a week including all of the taxes. If you combine the cost of the car PLUS the condo it was still as cheap or cheaper than staying onsite.

I would set the timer on the coffee maker each night before going to bed and wake up to the smell of fresh coffee in my own kitchen...no trekking to the food court. We would eat breakfast in the condo before leaving each day...then eat a large meal at one of the parks at noon. Later in the day we would grab something to eat back at the condo when we took a break.

Although we only went to the pool once (we were too busy in the parks!) it was very enjoyable...not crowded at all. The hot tub was like heaven too!

This condo had free wireless internet and also free long distance phone calls...we took advantage of both to stay in touch with our kids back in Minnesotsa. Also used the washer & dryer a couple of times during the week and went home with clean clothes at the end of the week. Besides 3 flat screen tv's in the condo there were also docking stations for Ipods...the owners are into technolgoy!!

Overall...I loved having the extra room and the abilty to really relax after walking all day in the parks...either by crashing in front of the TV for awhile or sitting out on the deck in the evening enjoying a drink and snack before bed.

The only down side that I can think of is that you make a commitment to the cost of the WHOLE week in a condo. Most hotels you can cancel up to the last minute and not lose any money...but not a condo. I've always bought trip insurance for cruises and all inclusived resorts, but for some reason didn't think about doing it for this trip. A few days before we left I started to worry that if something interupted our trip we would be out the cost. The owner did say that if we cancelled earlier they would try and find someone else to rent the condo and if they did we would get a FULL refund. However...any last minute cancellations would be bad news.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

That is who we are renting with in first week of December actually. The price was amazing! They only had one place left for the time we are going so think we got lucky there!

We are staying in 404 Nov 29 - Dec 6. The week is only $399 for us too!

We can't wait.