Summer Bay (Condo) or Wyndham Cypress Palms

[DPK400]

This is my first post so "Hi!"

I am planning a week at Disney the first full week of December. We have a choice between Summer Bay Resort (2BR 2BA Condo I assume) or Wyndham Cypress Palms (also 2BR 2BA). We only know what we've seen online and what reviews we've read here and elsewhere.

We will be traveling with a 5 yr old and a 10 month old (in addition to 4 adults). I've stayed at Orange Lakes but it was over 10 years ago and I know much has changed down there since.

There are a couple of things I am curious about.

1. Has anyone been to Disney the first week of December before? Will it be warm? Will there be less crowds at the park and on the roads in general?

2. Which of these resorts would you recommend from personal experience? I see several posts on each here, but they seem to either be older or cancel each other out in terms of positive/negative experiences.

3. Any tips from those who've "been there, done that"?

Thanks so much in advance!

________________
Matt

 

[MsCoz2000]

This is my first post so "Hi!"

I am planning a week at Disney the first full week of December. We have a choice between Summer Bay Resort (2BR 2BA Condo I assume) or Wyndham Cypress Palms (also 2BR 2BA). We only know what we've seen online and what reviews we've read here and elsewhere.

We will be traveling with a 5 yr old and a 10 month old (in addition to 4 adults). I've stayed at Orange Lakes but it was over 10 years ago and I know much has changed down there since.

There are a couple of things I am curious about.

1. Has anyone been to Disney the first week of December before? Will it be warm? Will there be less crowds at the park and on the roads in general?

2. Which of these resorts would you recommend from personal experience? I see several posts on each here, but they seem to either be older or cancel each other out in terms of positive/negative experiences.

3. Any tips from those who've "been there, done that"?

Thanks so much in advance!


________________
Matt

First off

Well I think I can actually answer all your questions...

I have stayed at both Cypress Palms and Summerbay. I hate to make things hard for you but I like them both. I just booked another stay at CP for October. I really and truly think you can pick either and be happy. The main difference is at CP the 2 BR is a lock off, so not only do you get 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms but you get a Full Kitchen and a Mini Kitchen and 2 washer/dryer combos. There is also a security door separating the areas, you can of corse keep it open but if its two couples going it can be nice to have the extra privacy if you need.

As far as December weather... the only time I have been in December was this past year. Well go figure when I'm there it was record breaking cold weather. We are talking temperatures in the 20 degrees!!!! I'm from NJ and it was actually warmer in NJ then it was in Florida, crazy! But I was told its not often that cold. But since you're staying at a timeshare and have access to a washer and dryer I would highly recommend packing both warm and cold weather clothing, you just never know. I only brought flip flops and 1 sweatshirt with me... ended up buying socks to wear with my flip flops (from Japan in Epcot so they had the indent for my flip flop strap) as well as an additional sweatshirt to layer and a hat gloves and scarf. So I think better to be safe then sorry spending way too much money on stuff you could have brought with you. (Although I am looking forward to using my Disney hat/gloves/scarf again this winter)

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions please let me know, I would be more than happy to answer any questions I can.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We are Summer Bay owners but I've never been to the Wyndam resort so I can't compare or give a preference. My kids are 14 & 11 so I've never had to get baby items there such as crib or high chair but I do have a TON of pictures of old & new units and can answer any questions you have.

It's a beautiful resort and we love all the space. We have a 3br/3bath lockout, meaning it's actually a 2br & 1br with connecting door. Great to use as an inlaw suite. What size unit are you considering? When ds11 was 18 mos we stayed onsite at a value resort and it was a nightmare trying to get him to sleep while dh wanted to watch tv since it was still early. No separate space and he wanted out of the crib and even when we tried to put him between us couldn't sleep and tossed & turned. No one slept well that trip. With that memory in mind, I would recommend at least a 1BR so you can put your baby to bed and still have the LR to stay awake in. Ideally a 2BR then you get a waaaaay bigger bathroom with jacuzzi and private time with your spouse.

The pool is nice and it's an easy walk from our condo. There's a Publix grocery store right next door to Summer Bay property. Our only 'con' on our list is that it's 6 miles west of Disney. We'd rather be closer but it's not a bad drive. There's a shortcut I've found off of Rt. 192 onto Sherberth Rd that brings you onto WDW property right in front of AKL. (ok, I didn't find it. Some one here posted it!) That makes it easy to find your way 'home' at night when leaving the parks, just follow signs for AKL and when you reach its entrance turn left & short drive back to 192.

I'd also make sure that you're getting Summer Bay RESORT, not Villas. It's RCI resort #3175 if that helps. Are you staying here on a trade?

I can answer any questions you have or can post pictures if you're still trying to decide.

 

[DPK400]

Thanks for the info!

We will be staying in a 2BR 2BA unit. My in-laws are coming with us so we should have enough room to stay out of each other's hair for the week should we need it.

The does seems to be the biggest weakness of Summer Bay (the drive). Since we are going in the beginning of December, I am hoping that the traffic will be lighter since the attendance will be lower than high season which should help with the drive. Though from my Google Maps Streetview experience along 192, it does look like there are a number of traffic lights to contend with along the route.

Unfortunately, I am not sure if we will get a chance to take advantage of the pools. We're from Ohio so we aren't sure what the weather will be like in December, though it looks like it should be anywhere from the 50s to the mid 70s depending on how the weather cooperates.

Since the nights will be quite cool, the non-heated water will be very cold (if I were to guess). Do you think pools will even be an option if the temps are in the upper 60s lower 70s?

We are getting the accommodations from the Armed Forces Vacation Club. The reservation indicated Summer Bay Resort not Villas. The URL has resort id as 3175 so we should be ok right?

 

[MinnieForMe]

We have stayed at both and like both of them. However, we stayed in the Summer Bay Villas and they are really tiny so we moved the next week to Windham as our unit there is huge!

I believe Summer Bay has the nicer property in that it is private, set back and really feels like a resort. It is gated so you feel safer. You can take the kids to the playroom at the main building if they start missing toys. My son got his lego fix there and made a nice little friend. Once again, I did find it to be sooo far away from everything but there is a Super Walmart in Clermont that is a five minute ride if you want to save some money on food instead of going to the Publix that is practically on property.

We found the staff at both properties to be friendly and kind. Summer Bay let us check in hours early. However, Cypress has the better housekeeping staff. Whenever, I call for something, it is there almost instantly.

Either resort will offer you a wonderful Florida experience. I would not hesitate to recommend either one!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the info!

We will be staying in a 2BR 2BA unit. My in-laws are coming with us so we should have enough room to stay out of each other's hair for the week should we need it.

The does seems to be the biggest weakness of Summer Bay (the drive). Since we are going in the beginning of December, I am hoping that the traffic will be lighter since the attendance will be lower than high season which should help with the drive. Though from my Google Maps Streetview experience along 192, it does look like there are a number of traffic lights to contend with along the route.

Unfortunately, I am not sure if we will get a chance to take advantage of the pools. We're from Ohio so we aren't sure what the weather will be like in December, though it looks like it should be anywhere from the 50s to the mid 70s depending on how the weather cooperates.

Since the nights will be quite cool, the non-heated water will be very cold (if I were to guess). Do you think pools will even be an option if the temps are in the upper 60s lower 70s?

We are getting the accommodations from the Armed Forces Vacation Club. The reservation indicated Summer Bay Resort not Villas. The URL has resort id as 3175 so we should be ok right?

All of the pools are heated except the kids' interactive water playground. It looks like a blast til you feel the water. The main pool (behind the clubhouse) is heated. There are more quiet pools scattered throughout but our contract is for the 400 building so we're always an easy walk to the main pool. The one time we traded in our 1Br lockoff for a 2 br, we got the new building (can't recall the building #) it had its own pool & bar which was so new back then it wasn't opened yet. (in 08)

To me, it would feel tight in a 2br with another set of parents there too but we're a little spoiled. The 2nd br has 2 queens or doubles and another TV with cable & sleep timer. I would probably share the smaller br with kids and let my parents have the big bed & jacuzzi unless you can get a 1br for cheap for themand can request the 1br & 2 br be connecting. (like a 3br)
I know my parents enjoyed having their own quiet space to return to after a busy day with my kids. Their 1br also gave them their own kitchen & W/D too.
Hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

[DPK400]

To me, it would feel tight in a 2br with another set of parents there too but we're a little spoiled. The 2nd br has 2 queens or doubles and another TV with cable & sleep timer. I would probably share the smaller br with kids and let my parents have the big bed & jacuzzi unless you can get a 1br for cheap for themand can request the 1br & 2 br be connecting. (like a 3br)
I know my parents enjoyed having their own quiet space to return to after a busy day with my kids. Their 1br also gave them their own kitchen & W/D too.
Hope this helps. Have a great time!

I will definitely pack all of our swim gear, but it will probably come down to the weather during the week I suppose.

Because we are going through AFVClub we won't be able to request anything but the 2BR 2BA unit. I will request a newly remodeled one, but I doubt they will give me a 3BR lockout. However, I will definitely ask! Having a BR for the kids that was separate would sure be nice.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I wouldn't worry at all about 4 adults and 2 kids in a 2 bedroom. My parents travel with us all the time. This year we gave the kids the choice of having their own room or bringing their grandparents. They decided to share the living room (three of them - 13, 10, 5) to have their grandparents with them. We just rented a roll out cot from the resort (Vistana) and kept the kids together.

Actually, it was quite funny because we went for two week's this year and the first week was a 3 bedroom rental at Windsor Hills. The kids fought over who had to sleep alone (no one wanted too). As long as it's not the villas, you'll be fne!

 

[DPK400]

I wouldn't worry at all about 4 adults and 2 kids in a 2 bedroom. My parents travel with us all the time. This year we gave the kids the choice of having their own room or bringing their grandparents. They decided to share the living room (three of them - 13, 10, 5) to have their grandparents with them. We just rented a roll out cot from the resort (Vistana) and kept the kids together.

Actually, it was quite funny because we went for two week's this year and the first week was a 3 bedroom rental at Windsor Hills. The kids fought over who had to sleep alone (no one wanted too). As long as it's not the villas, you'll be fne!

I think we will be ok as well. But extra room is never bad right?

It's a ways away, but we are getting excited to go. We aren't telling the DS anything until we get there. It should be interesting.