Timeshare Properties near Disney (Good or Bad)?

[jjhawksjj]

My sister belongs to an outfit that does timeshares down around Disney. I was hoping someone had some experiences (good or bad) that they could share with me so I can decide whether or not we should attempt this or just stay on the Disney grounds.

The 3 locations that we have access to are:

Fairfield Orlando at Star Island in Kissimmee
Clarion Resort Suites in Lake Buena Vista
Liki Tiki in Wintergarden

We've never been to Disney before and we're obviously trying to maximize our trip and we thought if we could take advantage of a great deal on one of these sites and save some money that could be a bonus. Any information that anyone has regarding these sites or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

JJ

 

[Lisa P.]

IMHO, the nicest rooms (of these 3) are at the Fairfield. Also, if you will have only adults and teens, the Fairfield's facilities are well-suited to them (lounge, tennis, fitness center & spa, waterfall pool, hot tub, etc.). If you will have young children in the group, the Liki Tiki is supposed to have a really nice pool area with a few kiddie slides and a tiki bar for the parents. I've read quite mixed reviews about the Clarion and therefore, would tend to avoid that one.

If you will not have a car or plan to have your group split up a lot (needing bus shuttles frequently), stay onsite at Disney. Otherwise (with a car, traveling together, if it would save a lot of money), stay at one of those two resorts. The studios and smaller 1BRs (w/partial or mini-kitchen) can be small by offsite standards (probably bigger than a Disney room). But the larger 1BRs (w/full kitchen), 2BRs & 3BRs are much more comfortable for families... space, privacy, multiple TVs, separate sleeping rooms, sometimes a jacuzzi and a washer/dryer in the room. The 3BRs at the Fairfield are especially spacious and comfortable for a family or large group. HTH!

 

[lovingthemouse]

...and now i will respond for the Clarion Suites at Lake Buena Vista - this is a smaller timeshare complex. The complete units - side A and B are made up of 2 complete bedrooms (master suite and bedroom with 2 full beds), a third "den" which is equipped with a queen sofa bed, sink, microwave, toaster, small frig; 2 full bathrooms both with jacuzzis, a full kitchen, washer and dryer. There is one pool, a small playground, a number of tennis courts, hot tub, game room and a few other things i can't think of at this time.
Location is the plus here: you are on Palm Parkway, only a quarter mile from the Crossroads Shopping area; within walking distance from many restaurants and stores and a mile plus from Downtown Disney. You are off I 4, and if you drive along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, you avoid the highway traffic to the parks. If you need any further info, feel free to ask. We are there every year for a week in February and love it!

By the way sections of the Star Island resort are owned by the same company as CLarion Suites Lake Buena Vista. Do not confuse the Clarion Suites property with Resort World properties in Kissimmee - same company but very different settings and personnel.

 

[jeff968]

We've been using Timeshare rentals over our most recent trips and couldn't be happier. I have three children now and we need the space. A two bedroom timeshare is great. And the complexes have everything you need with lots to do. We stayed at the Vistana resort in 2001, the Hilton Grand vacation club this year, and we're all set for Orange Lake next year. On top of the extra space these units are very inexpensive. I got 7 days in a two bedroom orange lake for only $599 and that's President's week!!!