Treehouse Villas - am I understanding their drawbacks correctly?

[peacefrogdog]

Thinking of the possibility of a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (that includes 3 adult kids). Reading through reviews and posts, these seem to be the least desired option at what seems to least desired resort. However what I've read as its main drawbacks seem to be factors that we either don't mind, or ones that will be mitigated by the way we like to vacation. Having said that I want to be sure I'm aware of its main drawbacks.

Drawbacks I've read:

- transportation inefficiencies (far from rest of resort and its restaurants one bus stop): however we like renting a car whenever there, and tend to buy groceries to cook in the villas (rather than use refillable mugs for example)
- non-themed, boring pool : not a deal breaker for us
- less "disney magic" : we've been many times, so have experienced elsewhere
- more rustic decor: we kinda like the cottage-look
- one bedroom has bunk beds vs queen/double
- bit dated/in need of soft refurbishment

Any other major drawbacks we should consider?

 

[fla4fun]

Thinking of the possibility of a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (that includes 3 adult kids). Reading through reviews and posts, these seem to be the least desired option at what seems to least desired resort. However what I've read as its main drawbacks seem to be factors that we either don't mind, or ones that will be mitigated by the way we like to vacation. Having said that I want to be sure I'm aware of its main drawbacks.

Drawbacks I've read:

- transportation inefficiencies (far from rest of resort and its restaurants one bus stop): however we like renting a car whenever there, and tend to buy groceries to cook in the villas (rather than use refillable mugs for example)
- non-themed, boring pool : not a deal breaker for us
- less "disney magic" : we've been many times, so have experienced elsewhere
- more rustic decor: we kinda like the cottage-look
- one bedroom has bunk beds vs queen/double
- bit dated/in need of soft refurbishment

Any other major drawbacks we should consider?

It seems like a lot of your negatives are actually positives for you. That’s the thing. Every family likes different things and has differing priorities. To be honest, I can’t think of any negatives as far as the treehouses themselves, except that most of my trips are solo so it’s kind of a waste for me to stay in such a large unit. The only negative overall for me is that you are only supposed to have one vehicle at the treehouse and park any additional vehicles over at SSR. When I do visit with others, they drive their own car, so we would have to choose who gets to park close and who doesn’t. That may not be an issue for you if you only have one car.

 

[CarolynFH]

Having followed your other thread, it sounds like this might suit your family as well as a 2BR anywhere, better than a 1BR at BLT (due to sleeping surfaces), and better than 2 connected Poly studios (due to hang-out space).

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Thinking of the possibility of a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (that includes 3 adult kids). Reading through reviews and posts, these seem to be the least desired option at what seems to least desired resort. However what I've read as its main drawbacks seem to be factors that we either don't mind, or ones that will be mitigated by the way we like to vacation. Having said that I want to be sure I'm aware of its main drawbacks.

Drawbacks I've read:

- transportation inefficiencies (far from rest of resort and its restaurants one bus stop): however we like renting a car whenever there, and tend to buy groceries to cook in the villas (rather than use refillable mugs for example)
- non-themed, boring pool : not a deal breaker for us
- less "disney magic" : we've been many times, so have experienced elsewhere
- more rustic decor: we kinda like the cottage-look
- one bedroom has bunk beds vs queen/double
- bit dated/in need of soft refurbishment

Any other major drawbacks we should consider?

That’s the general recap. The transportation is really frustrating for some. If you have a car, who cares.

I dunno, it sounds like a good fit for you to me.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

By the way Disney’s cash rates for the Treehouse Villa reflect it as an ultra-premium special product, with them charging in the ballpark of $10K most weeks, and up to $15K at peak season.

I quibble with the least desirable room at the least desirable resort. Most people pass on eating caviar, didn’t watch the show Twin Peaks, and don’t listen to (and probably haven’t heard of) Michael Hedges. But the narrow band of people who like those things LOVE those things. That’s okay! That’s who they’re for! That’s how I view the treehouses.

 

[Bjaiken77]

The treehouses are a bargain in terms of the point charts. I’ve never stayed there, but I’d like to see them get a refurb. We almost always have a car. I can see it as a potential option for us in the future.

 

[zavandor]

I think that staying at the THV without a car would be really frustrating. Taking a bus to go and take a bus? Blah. That's one of the reasons I think the new cabins at FW cannot be priced too high, transportation is not ideal.
But if you've a car then I think they must be incredible.
When they went on sale some people bought points ar SSR just to have 11 months booking for the THV. Unfortunately they've (illegally, in my opinion) reallocated the point charts and they now cost a bit more, so interest has cooled a bit. But I don't think they're the least popular room on Property.

 

[drusba]

A "downside" not mentioned is that the treehouses are actually not very large rooms. At 1074 sq ft, they are about the same size as the 2BRs at SSR, BWV, BRV, and BCV and cost more in points for a week's stay than any of those except for highest cost Christmas and Easter weeks. OKW's 1410 sq ft 2BRs are both much larger and less costly.

 

[crisi]

A "downside" not mentioned is that the treehouses are actually not very large rooms. At 1074 sq ft, they are about the same size as the 2BRs at SSR, BWV, BRV, and BCV and cost more in points for a week's stay than any of those except for highest cost Christmas and Easter weeks. OKW's 1410 sq ft 2BRs are both much larger and less costly.

That was what I was going to say - they are small - but I think that for five people - as long as no one is scared off by the bunk beds, they are fine. And with adult kids, three bedrooms might work better than two - even if they are small.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

If you have boys they will love the treehouses. They don’t notice the need for refurb and they love the in the woods deal. They love the bunk beds and the small rooms. “Cool!” Not my favorite. But every time I book I ask the kids guess where we are going and one of the boys always screams, “Treehouses!?!” When I say no, he’s like, when are we staying there again?

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

By the way Disney’s cash rates for the Treehouse Villa reflect it as an ultra-premium special product, with them charging in the ballpark of $10K most weeks, and up to $15K at peak season.

I quibble with the least desirable room at the least desirable resort. Most people pass on eating caviar, didn’t watch the show Twin Peaks, and don’t listen to (and probably haven’t heard of) Michael Hedges. But the narrow band of people who like those things LOVE those things. That’s okay! That’s who they’re for! That’s how I view the treehouses.

Who’s Michael Hedges?

 

[Nursemanit]

Treehouses are like 900 useable sq feet - of the 1070. It feels smaller than the 2 BR

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I love the treehouses, they’re very unique. The first time I stayed there was when they were part of the now defunct Disney institute when I was a kid. They have a lot of history, going back to the ‘70s, which I think is interesting. But the transportation is a pain, although having a car makes that a non issue. It feels like you’re so far from the hustle and bustle of Disney, which can be a plus or negative depending on the person. There’s also peacocks roaming the grounds for some reason which is cool and the golf course is nice if you have any golfers in your group

 

[Minniesgal]

The bunk beds are a massive problem unless you have children under 10 they are not full size. When we went my son was 13 and had to sleep in the lounge as he was too tall for the bunks. The sofa bed in the lounge opened over our bedroom door so blocked access

Apart from that we absolutely love the treehouse villas provided we have a car they are a firm favorite with us

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Who’s Michael Hedges?

He’s perhaps the most talented acoustic guitar player ever? Lotta competition there but he’s definitely in the running. His music is unusual.

He died tragically young about 25 years ago so apologies for the old video, but if you’ve ever played a guitar you’ll understand how nuts this is.

 

[Stargazer65]

Thinking of the possibility of a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (that includes 3 adult kids).

Did you read my trip report:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...r-9-person-stay-experience-june-2023.3922130/

IMO...I think after reading your post, you'll love it as much as we did.

 

[miksicnarf]

The bunk beds are the deal killer for us too. The only way they'd work for us is if my married son and his family, which includes 2 toddlers, were the only ones to come along. Any other adults and it's a no-go.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The bunk beds are not suitable for adults. They are the short ones.

 

[Stargazer65]

YMMV on the bunk beds - One of my sons that slept in the bunk bed last month was 26 years old and 6 foot tall. He said it was just fine.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

The bunk mattresses are 66” (5 feet 6 inches) long, about 167cm. That’s about 9” shorter than a standard twin and 14” shorter than a twinXL (college bunk size). They are standard twin width.

Side sleepers take up much less vertical space than front and back sleepers do. Remember to leave ~3 inches for the top half of your pillow. So a 5’3” back sleeper is probably the max but a 6’ tall side sleeper who isn’t too wide would likely be, as noted above, fine.