Silver Lake Help

[pxlbarrel]

I'm going to call Silver Lake this week and confirm that they have us in their computer system and then try to ask for a non-smoking unit if at all possible. What building should I ask them for? (In case they can give me a preference...)

 

[pxlbarrel]

I just called them and (phew), we're in the system. They put on the computer that we wanted a non-smoking unit. They said we were in Building 1700. Has anybody stayed in that building? Is it ok? I asked how old it was and she said she thought it was 5 years old...Does that sound right?

I'm just worried about my mom...and her inevitable comparisons to Summer Bay. <sigh>

 

[Straitlover]

I believe 1700 is one of the 2 high-rises next to the pool. I've only stayed in the 3-story buildings, so I can't tell you how they are. Good news is you will have an elevator!

 

[bearzabout]

If their map on the web site is correct, you will either overlook the new building being constructed or the parking lot (I'd call and ask). The three bedroom units in 1700 will be a two bedroom unit with a one bedroom separate unit that share a foyer. The one bedroom unit has a one person standard size whirlpool tub and its own kitchen, washer/dryer, small living room and balcony. It is on the very end of the building.

I've never smelled cigarette smoke the 10 times I've stayed at Silver Lake.

The computer room is in the lowest level of building 1800. The two buildings share an elevator.

Ask the status of construction on the new building. If you face the other way, you will be happier, but the construction mess will likely be visible from the one bedroom unit on the end. I'd call and see if they have a three bedroom unit that does not overlook the construction project in any way.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Thanks for the information.

We probably won't be at the resort much during the day anyway and we're early risers (I plan to have the family at the park at the crack of dawn!!! ...yeah, I plan the invasion of the World and I'm a tough drill sarge.) so the construction probably won't be a problem for us. It won't be pretty but we may not see it that often anyway.

The rooms are ok though, right? There are so many conflicting internet reports/reviews on this resort that, like the original poster, I was getting worried.

The fact that the computer room is rather close by is appealing. I can leave my laptop at home and not have to lug it about the airport.

Can't believe it's almost time to go!!! It's hard going to work these days and knowing that soon we'll be at the House of Mouse!

 

[bearzabout]

The resort is just fine. The units are not as nicely appointed as some (like Vistana, Cypress Pointe, etc) but are soooo convenient. Use the gate onto Sherbeth Rd. to come and go. It is less than 5 minutes to AK! There is not too much traffic either.

Your unit has some mirrors but the rooms in building 1700 are nothing like the old buildings (100-700). The rooms in 1700 are larger than the newer units in buildings 800 and 900. They redecorated the rooms about a year ago when they changed the paint color on the outside building from mauve (dated) to yellow (much better).

One thing - I alway bring my own sheets. They don't use a fitted sheet on the king size bed so the flat sheet barely fits and comes loose at night. The sheets are scratchy also.

There was always a computer available when I needed one in the morning before heading to the parks. My guess is the computer room is busier at night.

When you compare the condo to a hotel room, it is fabulous. If you compare it to your own home or fancy well decorated condos, they are not as homey. Everything is relative. I think once you see how close Silver Lake is to Disney World, any issues with the condo's decorating will be overlooked.

 

[pxlbarrel]

bearzabout,
Thanks so much for the reassurances. I'm feeling a bit better now. (Now hopefully the weather will cooperate for us... )

I think I'll take photos of the resort so I can post them for others when we get back. I'm sure I'm not the only one who ran into those unflattering reviews.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Just wanted everybody to know that we're back from our stay at Silver Lake. It's not as nice as Summer Bay as I suspected and as I predicted my mom's first comments were such. LOL

It's what I would call...ok. We were on the second floor of Building 1700 and we faced the construction. Not really a problem because we kept the blinds shut most of the time since we were so close to ground level.

First impressions are always lasting so I would say they need to do something about the entrance to Building 1700/1800. Drab isn't the word...but sparse and uninviting could be the words to describe it. A new paint job would do wonders.

We had a 3 bedroom (2 br with a 1 br lockout). One thing it had that Summer Bay didn't was a locking outer door to the two units which we really liked. The cleanliness was ok but it wasn't what I would call spotless. In fact, there were strange blue liquid/sticky stuff on the bathroom cupboards and (strangely), on the side of the kitchen counter. I think, but am not sure, it was blue cleansing chemical (like toilet bowl cleaner). Saw one bug during the whole week but I think it was from the garden rather than the garbage.

Each unit had a washer/dryer in them. The washer worked fine. The dryers were the most inept dryers we had ever seen. It took forever for them to dry anything. Still...better than nothing I suppose.

We really liked the computers in the recreation area. Very handy and always available when we went. Being able to print things out was also very nice. There's free coffee in the morning in the clubhouse too...great for those of us who are too lazy to make it in the units.

It's closeness to WDW is wonderfully amazing. We were at AK or the Disney road system in minutes. Not having to use 192 was so convenient. Anything to avoid that traffic mess on 192 was welcome. The Sherberth gate was no problem at all...our keycard worked in it all the time.

Overall, it was ok. If I had a choice, I probably wouldn't stay there again...but nothing was terribly wrong with the place. We did have a fire alarm at 2:30 am one evening and they didn't shut it off until 3:30 am (ugh, makes for very tired people at the MK in the morning). Fire trucks showed up and everything...for nothing apparently. A lot of us stayed in our cars in the parking lot to keep warm.

Oh, one thing I really liked...because it's always hard to find a good place with good pillows...was the pillows. They were PERFECT. haha...I actually found the beds to be comfortable. The bed linens were rather cheap and lightweight but no complaints about the bed or the pillows. I wish I could have taken them home with me!!