Vacation villages at parkway April 2015

[Tricia's mom]

It's either this or Not going at all. It's been decades since I have stayed off property.

Try and get me excited about going ?
Not a fan of vacation villages but it will be free for the week. You can't beat free.???

We usually rent a car even when we stay on property so that's not an issue.

I just fear some of the magic will be lost.... Or I can make the most of it and remember going as a child when we always stayed off property.

Would love to hear the pros for staying here.
Cooking in the room is sooooooo not a pro for us. To much work on vacation. I am traveling with my DH and Dd age 9. This will be here 12th trip. So it's not like she's never been.
Thanks All !!

 

[JimMIA]

We stayed there for a week last summer while our DD was in a Duke University camp in St. Pete. I got a 1 bedroom on an RCI Last Call (deeply discounted cash rental) for something like $235 for the whole week, so it was definitely a bargain.

Free is even better, as long as there is not a timeshare presentation requirement as part of the deal. VVP IS a timeshare, so you'll be asked, but when I said "no" they got it right away. NOTHING like Wyndham weasels who don't get anything that is not screamed at them repeatedly.

I'll give you the good first.
It is VERY conveniently located. It's basically I-Drive and I-4, so getting anywhere from VVP is easy. About a block down the street is a big, beautiful Publix supermarket -- and although you won't be cooking, it will be great for breakfast stuff, beverages, etc. Celebration, with its very good dining, is only about 10 minutes away. We didn't go to the parks, but I would estimate 15-20 minutes max from your condo to parked at a theme park. Lots of restaurants close by, as well as all the other things we take for granted at home but can't find on vacation (pharmacies, etc.)

The villas are spacious and well-appointed. The buildings are high rise condo structures, so they don't have much personality, but the units themselves are fine. Everything was clean, and everything worked -- neither of which are always true elsewhere, including onsite. There are several pools, including one at our building (#9), but we didn't use them.

Honestly, VVP was perfectly fine and we would stay there again -- although as Wyndham owners we have several better options.

Now the cons:
There was really nothing NOT to like, but you will note numerous differences from onsite...depending on where you've stayed. One is that the property is quite spread out, with all high rise buildings, so it's not quite the ambiance of a WL, for example. You will definitely realize you are not in a Disney resort. There's no theming -- it's a high rise condo.

The pools are not what you would find in any of the better offsite timeshares, or some of the onsite Disney properties. If that's a big deal for your family, you will miss good pools.

There is no food outlet onsite, so you have to drive to eat. Not far, but if you are used to a restaurant or two, or a food court, you won't find them here.

Overall, I would give VVP a good, solid "okay."

 

[Tricia's mom]

We stayed there for a week last summer while our DD was in a Duke University camp in St. Pete. I got a 1 bedroom on an RCI Last Call (deeply discounted cash rental) for something like $235 for the whole week, so it was definitely a bargain.

Free is even better, as long as there is not a timeshare presentation requirement as part of the deal. VVP IS a timeshare, so you'll be asked, but when I said "no" they got it right away. NOTHING like Wyndham weasels who don't get anything that is not screamed at them repeatedly.

I'll give you the good first.
It is VERY conveniently located. It's basically I-Drive and I-4, so getting anywhere from VVP is easy. About a block down the street is a big, beautiful Publix supermarket -- and although you won't be cooking, it will be great for breakfast stuff, beverages, etc. Celebration, with its very good dining, is only about 10 minutes away. We didn't go to the parks, but I would estimate 15-20 minutes max from your condo to parked at a theme park. Lots of restaurants close by, as well as all the other things we take for granted at home but can't find on vacation (pharmacies, etc.)

The villas are spacious and well-appointed. The buildings are high rise condo structures, so they don't have much personality, but the units themselves are fine. Everything was clean, and everything worked -- neither of which are always true elsewhere, including onsite. There are several pools, including one at our building (#9), but we didn't use them.

Honestly, VVP was perfectly fine and we would stay there again -- although as Wyndham owners we have several better options.

Now the cons:
There was really nothing NOT to like, but you will note numerous differences from onsite...depending on where you've stayed. One is that the property is quite spread out, with all high rise buildings, so it's not quite the ambiance of a WL, for example. You will definitely realize you are not in a Disney resort. There's no theming -- it's a high rise condo.

The pools are not what you would find in any of the better offsite timeshares, or some of the onsite Disney properties. If that's a big deal for your family, you will miss good pools.

There is no food outlet onsite, so you have to drive to eat. Not far, but if you are used to a restaurant or two, or a food court, you won't find them here.

Overall, I would give VVP a good, solid "okay."

This is exactly what I was hoping to be reminded about . I have actually been to this report visiting my in laws. They stayed there once using their time share . They have offered for us to use it. I know that the location is decent. Pool is ok and a far walk .

We really won't be spending much time at resort other than sleeping .
We do enjoy eating at Waffle House, chic filet and sweet tomatoes ... We are from up north . We also dine a lot in the parks - I guess I will need to wait in the am for my McKay waffle. We have also stayed in celebration before - such a sweet town. I can start to get excited now . Hey , it's better than being home !!