Renting @Privately Owned Communities vs. Renting @Timeshare Resorts

[TamaraQT]

My DD12 wants me to consider renting a unit at Windsor Hills since so many people rave/comment about Windsor Hills. HOWEVER, I'm really not a fan of independently owned/operated units in housing development communities. I prefer Timeshare resorts that are maintained by a company and its staff. We stayed at Regal Palms in Davenport once. Although the development grounds were nice and the pool area had a lot of activities and lazy river, it still didnt have that same "resort quality" feel. I like hotel style/quality sheets, comforters, pillows and blankets. Our unit at Regal Palms was decorated nicely but the quality of the bed coverings left a lot to be desired. I am thinking I may be just as disappointed if I rent at Windsor Hills or any other private owned home. Now before you guys say it, I know I am there to enjoy other stuff; But, sleep quality is important to me. I love that "sink into the bed" feeling you get with hotels/timeshares. Private owned homes just don't have that feel. Also renting a condo/townhouse from a private owner isnt cheaper than staying at timeshare so I am not really saving anything? Does anyone have any comment, recommendation or advice to convince me to at least give Windsor Hills a try? Is it really worth it? Or should I just stick with timeshare resorts we usually visit like Orange Lake, Westgate Vacation Villas, Bonnet Creek? Or maybe consider going to a different timeshare resort like Sheraton Vistana, or Marriott Grande Vista? What would you do ?

 

[bankr63]

Others may write to convince you otherwise, but honestly, just reading your post I think your mind is already made up. When your DD12 is old enough to pay for it, she can select the accommodation. Until then, she's getting a Disney vacation. Explain first world problems to her...

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Stick with a timeshare resort. The consistency of the amenities are worth it and definitely important. We have rented at Windsor Hills previously and recently went way offsite and rented a private townhouse at the Villages of Mango Key and vowed never to do that again. The owner was responsive, but there was an infestation of ghost ants (as in, we had things sealed in a cooler on the counter-top, or so so we thought, that were INFESTED with ants), and that was the end. They sent their maintenance man out to spray, and he was great, and the owner was great, but we lost 1/2 day + because the unit reeked of pesticides and it still didn't get rid of the ants 100%. Honestly, I would have preferred a large bug that I could squish and know that it was gone rather than these ants that were lightning fast and I wasn't sure if I got them or not. That really put a damper on my cooking, which I usually do a lot of even on vacation.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

Best thing to do is to follow your guy instinct with with what you believe will give you the best vacation possible. If you decide to look into Windsor my suggestion would be to look at reviews from previous renters. I have stayed at timeshares (Polynesian Isles) and will be staying at a timeshare (Cypress Pointe) next starting next week. I do like them as I get a really good deal for the week for either a 2 bedroom unit or a 3 bedroom unit. The downfall with timeshares to me is when you rent them out they always bombard you trying to attend their presentations. Next April we have decided to give Windsor Hills a try. I've did a lot of research before booking as to reading reviews and asking the owners of this property questions. I think went sold me was the owners stay there 2-3 times a year themselves as they travel down to Orlando from Canada. Also the reviews on this place where all excellent having 4.9 stars out of 5. If we don't like Windsor Hills we will be going back to renting the timeshares but have opted to give something new a try and see how well we like it.

 

[Penmac]

I have done 3 timeshare stays and one rental at Windsor hills. Timeshare or bust! WH was really nice & I would stay again if we absolutely had to, but when my girls returned from night swimming in July with giant mosquitoes stuck all over their bathing suits, legs, in their hair, and found all over the shower floor after we cleaned them off, I knew I would never do a stay at a condo complex again (at least in the summer months). Never had this issue at timeshares— probably due to a much bigger landscaping budget at hotel timeshare??

We have done Sheraton Vistana Lake Buena Vista, WBC, and Marriott Royal Palms. Loved the set up at WBC and proximity to on property, but our fave was Sheraton.We are staying there again this year. Also huge bonus having Starbucks and DD just across the road!

 

[kathy884]

I'm a big fan of the timeshare rentals with the resort amenities and consistent quality and willing to pay more for that than a private home/condo rental. The only time I typically consider a house instead is if I have a very large group who all wants to stay together or if it's a market (not Orlando) that doesn't have much in the way of timeshare options for rent. And sometimes even though it's more costly with those large groups, we just rent multiple timeshare units. I've just been so happy with timeshare rentals vs. home rentals. I've done about 15 timeshare rentals over the years (was pleased with all of them) and maybe five home rentals (most Orlando, but this includes rentals elsewhere too). Home rentals weren't horrible or anything, but with the exception of one private condo rental in Crested Butte, CO (I only like one out of the five that I have done as much as a timeshare rental). These other rentals for me usually don't have that same resort feel, don't feel as posh with beds/linens, sometimes aren't as updated as pictures/reviews lead you to believe (even with lots of stellar reviews and research, etc.).

The big savings is when you have maybe 12 people renting a 6 bedroom home vs. doing three timeshare condo rentals.

 

[jmpurdy]

Stayed at Marriott Cypress Harbour in December and it was GORGEOUS. Some of the Marriott villa resorts have only 2 bedrooms, some have 3 bedroom options, so check each resort in the Disney area. Less than 15 minutes to parks and a wonderful reprieve from the parks. Pools, beautiful villas etc. We would go back in a heartbeat. We have also used VRBO to rent homes (Windsor Hills last year) so we have a perspective on doing both.
Renting from an owner does take more time to research, read reviews (there should be many good recent ones) and quick response from the owner to your questions. If you are unsure in the least, stick with the resorts. Just do your research for parking/resort fees (Marriott did not have these). We were never bothered with a sales pitch either. Hope this helps!

 

[Nsaudra]

Can I ask what attracted her to Windsor? If you figure out what is at the root of what she is wanting maybe it will solve itself.
I am with you staying with professionally owned/managed proprieties is the best. We just came back from A stay Sheraton Vistana we loved it, my kids really liked it but wish they had a lazy river, so we might look for that next time. I get my rentals from skyauction.com I got that referral on here and it has been the best one yet. I know how important yet hard it is to have a family vacation where everyone is happy no matter what there age.

 

[Monykalyn]

We too love our timeshare! We've stayed at most of the Marriott's (Lakeshore reserve is my Unicorn-someday).
Cypress Harbour is our favorite! Although we did stay at Harbour Lake last September and really enjoyed that one too - very good for younger kids with the themed pools. My kids are older so the amenities at Cypress Harbour are more suited to them.

Cypress Pointe was fine too-but the parking situation was horrendous and only place I've stayed where sales people did harass a bit. Plus we rented a 2 bedroom, and the unit we had was a lockoff so we heard lots of noise from the (one bedroom? studio?) unit next door.

We've done several VRBO over the years - especially when in an area where we want to explore (Washington DC was a fave-2 bedroom with laundry in unit, down from Barracks row and metro stop, by EAstern market)

 

[TamaraQT]

Others may write to convince you otherwise, but honestly, just reading your post I think your mind is already made up. When your DD12 is old enough to pay for it, she can select the accommodation. Until then, she's getting a Disney vacation. Explain first world problems to her...

I think her suggestion was JUST a suggestion since I was thinking of doing something different. My preference was a timeshare we never stayed at before. She is familiar with Windsor Hills from online research but we never stayed there. She did remind me how unsatisfied I was with Regal Palms. However, she really doesn't mind where I choose. But since I asked for her input, she suggested Windsor Hills as "something different to try" since no one has given it bad reviews. Now this MIGHT surprise you but she isn't getting a Disney vacation. All she wants is an Orlando Vacation and for her she doesnt need a Disney visit to make it memorable. Also as far as FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS....let me just tell you she is only 12 but aspires to become a civil rights attorney. Maybe I should have let her respond to your comment with her knowledge of laws and statutes. My advice to you...Careful on the grounds you tread. Her advice is she stays WOKE and ready for comments such as yours and you will NEVER catch her SLEEPING or unprepared. Just sayin.....moving on....

 

[TamaraQT]

Thanks all for your comments and responses. I am going to stick to timeshares because of the amenities that private homes do not provide. My DD12 also reminded me of kids/teens activities that private homes dont provide. So timeshare it is. She loves Westgate and Orange Lake. We will be there for 2 weeks so I think I will try a new resort for one week and stay at a familiar one the following week. No one chimed in to convince me Windsor Hills would be worth it. Thanks again.

 

[bankr63]

I think her suggestion was JUST a suggestion since I was thinking of doing something different. My preference was a timeshare we never stayed at before. She is familiar with Windsor Hills from online research but we never stayed there. She did remind me how unsatisfied I was with Regal Palms. However, she really doesn't mind where I choose. But since I asked for her input, she suggested Windsor Hills as "something different to try" since no one has given it bad reviews. Now this MIGHT surprise you but she isn't getting a Disney vacation. All she wants is an Orlando Vacation and for her she doesnt need a Disney visit to make it memorable. Also as far as FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS....let me just tell you she is only 12 but aspires to become a civil rights attorney. Maybe I should have let her respond to your comment with her knowledge of laws and statutes. My advice to you...Careful on the grounds you tread. Her advice is she stays WOKE and ready for comments such as yours and you will NEVER catch her SLEEPING or unprepared. Just sayin.....moving on....

Hey Tamara,

No intention to push any buttons there. Was just stating my opinion as it really sounded to me from your post that you wanted to stay at your comfortable timeshares, and that your daughter was pushing you in another direction that you didn't want to go. My apologies to you if I hit that the wrong way. I also just assumed it was a Disney vacation since we ARE on DISboards; 99% of the postings here are related to Disney bound guests. As parents we (including myself) give in to our kids on things that are sometimes important to us. IMO it is most important that we focus on everyone having a good vacation; give to the kids on what's important to them, but remember to indulge our own wants too so that everyone has a great vacation. That is what I was trying to impart in a few short words.

As to first world problems; anything that gets mentioned on DISBoards is pretty much a first world problem. Having the luxury and ability to travel and enjoy the kind of vacation that Disney, or the rest of Central Florida, has to offer is a blessing. Any complaint about it, even when justified, is still a first world problem; I use that all the time on my own (socially conscious) kids any time they start to whinge about some issue on a trip. Lot's of material here on DIS for the Keilburger's next book.

 

[TamaraQT]

Hey Tamara,

No intention to push any buttons there. Was just stating my opinion as it really sounded to me from your post that you wanted to stay at your comfortable timeshares, and that your daughter was pushing you in another direction that you didn't want to go. My apologies to you if I hit that the wrong way. I also just assumed it was a Disney vacation since we ARE on DISboards; 99% of the postings here are related to Disney bound guests. As parents we (including myself) give in to our kids on things that are sometimes important to us. IMO it is most important that we focus on everyone having a good vacation; give to the kids on what's important to them, but remember to indulge our own wants too so that everyone has a great vacation. That is what I was trying to impart in a few short words.

As to first world problems; anything that gets mentioned on DISBoards is pretty much a first world problem. Having the luxury and ability to travel and enjoy the kind of vacation that Disney, or the rest of Central Florida, has to offer is a blessing. Any complaint about it, even when justified, is still a first world problem; I use that all the time on my own (socially conscious) kids any time they start to whinge about some issue on a trip. Lot's of material here on DIS for the Keilburger's next book.

No problem @bankr63 . Sometimes the intention of a message gets miscommunicated in translation. Its sometimes difficult to decipher good intent and ill-will.