Treehouse

[mcroker]

Is the treehouse villas worth staying at?

 

[cwdefouw]

Treehouses are unique and are worth staying at if you have the appropriate type of party. Keeping in mind that they are three bedroom units but one bedroom has bunks that are more child sized than adult sized. The other bedrooms have only one queen bed in each plus a hide-a-bed in the living room, I cannot remember if there is a sleeper chair as well. There are only two baths, one hall bath and one off the master. The entire unit is way smaller than other three bedroom villas, more similar in size to two bedroom villas. There is also only one parking space per villa, so parties with more than one car must park additional vehicles at Saratoga Springs, approximately a 10-12 minute walk. We stayed there with 4 adults and 2 kids ages 8 and 10, and felt the size of the unit was fine, any more people and I think it would have felt small.

The setting and the uniqueness are what make them special. If you have the appropriate party and are looking for a place to stay that is very unique and in a peaceful, tranquil setting, and don't care about the parking issue. I would suggest looking into staying there. If you just want a place to sleep 8-9 people and don't care about the setting, then I would suggest looking for other accomodations as you will probably be much happier.

 

[tjkraz]

My biggest complaint about the Treehouses is that you completely lose any feel of a hotel stay. It's more like going to camp as a child. Each unit is free standing. The area is deeply wooded. There is limited lighting around the paths. Particularly at night, it feels more like a campground walking back to your unit.

Technically they are part of Saratoga Springs but you won't find yourself walking through a lobby a half-dozen times per day. Restaurants, gift shops and other services are not immediately at hand. When staying at the Treehouses, those are the things I most missed.

But I'm sure others feel exactly the opposite. More power to 'em.

As for the rooms, both times we stayed in the Treehouses our group consisted of two adult couples and several children. For a group like that, it's pretty much the best setup short of a Grand Villa. Each adult couple had their own private bedroom while the kids were able to spread out between the bunk bed room and the living room.

The two largest bedrooms only have queen beds (no kings) so that's something to be aware of. But each of the 4 bedrooms has a closet and dresser for storage, its own TV (four in the unit including the living room) and nightstand. The room has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, dining room table and a full patio with table & four chairs. Very good size accommodations for the cost.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Check out FAQ #9 in this post in the SSR Lovers & Owners thread. It's my thoughts on the pros and cons of a THV as compared to a two-bedroom.

 

[DenLo]

I have to admit that I always wanted to stay at the THVs. But then we drove through the area in August while were staying at the Paddock. It was just too much like camping for me. I am truly an hotel person. And I prefer seeing long distance views from my villa. Only a few of the THVs could have a view like that and it might be limited to one of the bedrooms in that THV. Many people complain about having to walk to much at SSR to get to the lobby, restaurant, and market. IMO, it's even worse with the THVs. And I don't really mind the walk from the other areas at SSR to the lobby. And as to the pool at the THVs, it's just a rectangular pool like older motels have.

 

[The big Disney nerd]

We have stayed in the Treehouses twice and have loved them! After a busy day at the parks with all of the crowds I love coming back to a place that is quiet and peaceful. It feels like you are miles away from the crowds. My biggest complaint is the bus service. You really need a car if you are staying there.

 

[gritzel4]

We spent a week in a treehouse in November. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy caused the other family we were traveling with to cancel

So for our family of 4 - I felt it was a waste of space. The master bedroom was so dark that we had maintenance come out to fix the lights - only to find out that they were working! We had to purchase a balloon to keep the air conditioning on (it is such a big space and would take too long to cool down when we returned). We were shocked that people are able to smoke at the bottom of thier stairs - our neighbor really enjoyed smoking! The fans in the bathrooms are on sensors and would come on anytime you just walked by the door.

We did have our own car but half the time our card key would not open the gate.

The highlight of the trip was coming back to a corn snake on our steps!

I did enjoy the big deck, how quiet the villa was, and the privacy. Glad we went - but won't be doing it again - just did not feel like Disney.

 

[cfw213]

I am not the OP but I had some questions about the bus service. We are planning a stay in October for either AKV Kidani (we stayed there this past September and LOVED it), or our home resort of SSR.

If we stay at SSR we would like to try THV (party of 6), but I'm worried about the busses. On our September trip, we walked to SSR from DTD to just check it out, then took a bus to Epcot and I felt like we were driving around SSR forever! I am assuming this would be even longer from THV?? I know there is a transfer bus or you can walk - my question: if you walk from THV (totally not interested in doing the transfer bus), how far is it and what busstop does the walking path take you to?

 

[bearpele]

Like others have stated - if you don't like the feel of camping or won't be having car, then don't waste your points for Tree House Villas. Our family happens to love the setting and everyone has their own bedroom - which for my kids ages 9 and 3.5 years is perfect.

We love them!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you don't mind giving up the king sized bed and having someone (two people) sleeping in a bunk bed, it might be okay. I'm not giving up the king sized bed. I told Bill that the three of us (including our college aged son) could stay in the THV, but he and Will would have to either share the queen sized bed in the second bedroom or one would have to use the bunk bed. I'm not spending a vacation sharing a queen sized bed.

 

[BlakeNJ]

We stayed in November. It was nothing like camping! I don't know why people use that term. It was like having your own private bungalow at WDW. We were close to the path to SSR so we walked to Artist Pallette frequently and to the pool. I'll agree, it was dark inside the villa but not a reason to not enjoy your stay! My husband and I stayed in the second room (without bunks). It was perfect for the two of us. Our kids had the bunks which they loved. The living space was great--a place for everyone--couch area, table and chairs, counter stools.

We did not use the bus service and rented a car. It had nothing to do with where we were staying--I would never go to Disney without a car. It's a must to us. Makes life so much easier and we come and go as we please. We did boat to DTD one morning which was great.

 

[Paticake]

We loved the THV's. That being said I would not stay there if I had any little ones in strollers. The bus transfer coming back from the parks especially at night would be a pain. We mostly walked over to the Grandstand to pick up park busses there. I loved the quiet. Niece and nephew 8 and 12 at the time loved it.

 

[conciergekelly]

We stayed in the THV a year ago. We loved them! They were very luxurious and rustic at the same time. We called it Glamping!

 

[dvcterry]

We stayed in the THV a year ago. We loved them! They were very luxurious and rustic at the same time. We called it Glamping!

That's my new word, glamping.

 

[lundve]

We stayed there with 9 people over Christmas holidays of 2009. Mom and Dad were in the master. My youngest son was in a pack n play and my other son was in the bunk. We stayed in the queen and my bil and sil shared the sofa bed in the living room. There is a sleeper chair because my nephew slept in that.

We loved the space and got our request of a water view. We did have a car and did use that sometimes. We also walked to Grandstand to speed up the buses and that wasn't bad. Our favorite was decorating the balcony with an inflatable Mickey and Christmas lights for those riding by on the boats.

I totally think you should try it but that is because we have tried everything and loved each DVC for different reasons. It was very peaceful and a lot of fun!