Villa with good communal facilities

[HClayton]

Hi,

Can anyone help with recommendations of a resort which has a good selection of communal facilities. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana last stay but don't really want a condo again. We have 2 young children 3 and 7 and as well as a private pool we would like the option to use a shared/themed pool so they can play with other children and hopefully access some zero entry water. It would be good to also have access to good play areas.

My shortlist after a bit of research is Emerald Isle, Windsor Hills and Bonnet Creek (though I think these are maybe all condos). Location to Disney is not a massive issue as we are staying on site for first week so will be ready for some slower days and less trips to the mouse by then.

Thanks
Helen

 

[mungo]

Hi all those have good communal facilities.There is also bellavida resort which i believe was built by the same builder as emerald island, just a bit further away.

It will be intersting to know how many people use the facilities on the resorts, as my experience has been that you just end up using your own pool and facilities.

 

[JANNYANS]

Lake Davenport Estates has a communal pool tennis and basketball court and a childrens play area as well as a large green area for kicking a ball about.It is just south of the 192/27 junction and is a mix of residential and vacation homes .

 

[disnymagical]

Hi

Glenbrook Resort, where our homes are, is just off the US27, only 10 minutes to Disney, has a great communal pool, as well as a large media room with huge TV, DVD, hifi, kitchen facilities, games room, computer with internet access plus a wireless hotspot. There is also a fitness room plus tennis courts and sand volley ball net plus a lake.

There are a range of homes on Glenbrook from 3 beds to 7 beds to suit all size parties and all have private pool and most have a spa.

There are four supermarkets within a 3 minute drive, including a superwalmart which is around 2 mins away.

There isnt a children's playarea on our Resort, but within a five minute walk there is one on the next sub-division.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Of the three you mention, BC is TS condos only, EI has townhomes with communal pool(but not zero-entry) and villas with private pools, and WH has condos, townhomes with small splash pools(12 x 12 x 4ft deep), villas with private pools, and a communal pool with zero-entry, spash fountains, slide, etc. All three have playgrounds. Between WH and EI, WH seems to have better overall communal facilities. I'll be able to tell you more in 12 days or so! I'll be posting a review of the pool villa were renting at WH.

 

[Mainebound]

Of the three you mention, BC is TS condos only, EI has townhomes with communal pool(but not zero-entry) and villas with private pools, and WH has condos, townhomes with small splash pools(12 x 12 x 4ft deep), villas with private pools, and a communal pool with zero-entry, spash fountains, slide, etc. All three have playgrounds. Between WH and EI, WH seems to have better overall communal facilities. I'll be able to tell you more in 12 days or so! I'll be posting a review of the pool villa were renting at WH.

We have used the communal facilities at EI and WH. WH facilities are much more elaborate, but the biggest difference is how many guests at WH use the facilities. We stayed at EI twice and I rarely saw more than a couple of people people at the pool. WH has a more resort feel with lots of people at the clubhouse. So it depends on (a) whether you want things like ping pong tables, arcade, sundry shop, movie theater, pool slide, hot tub, etc., or don't care for those things (and the somewhat higher prices you would pay to stay at WH), and (b) whether you want to be around lots of vacationing people, like at any hotel, or would prefer a much more private quiet experience.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

... WH facilities are much more elaborate, but the biggest difference is how many guests at WH use the facilities. We stayed at EI twice and I rarely saw more than a couple of people people at the pool. WH has a more resort feel with lots of people at the clubhouse. So it depends on (a) whether you want things like ping pong tables, arcade, sundry shop, movie theater, pool slide, hot tub, etc., or don't care for those things (and the somewhat higher prices you would pay to stay at WH), and (b) whether you want to be around lots of vacationing people, like at any hotel, or would prefer a much more private quiet experience.

I would imagine that WH communal areas get a lot more use due to the number of condos at the resort, as the condo guests have no other swim facilities. Even as the old buzzard(50) I am though, I like waterslides, tennis courts, putting green, etc. I also like privacy and quiet as well, which led us to a villa with private pool and game room. I can now pick and choose.

I usually don't mind a crowded pool provided it's not too rowdy such as during spring break - but then again the scenery can be very enjoyable. ::uch! - wife hits me with frying pan:::

 

[KayR]

There is also Windsor Palms which has a toddler pool, play area, clubhouse with movie theatre etc.

You can get homes, townhomes and condos there.

www.windsor-palms.florida.net

Emerald Island has two play areas, two community pools, a tiki bar at the clubhouse where you can get drinks, sandwiches etc. Depending on your travel dates, there may be an event going on. June 2nd there is a poolside movie night showing Night of the Museum. (There has also been a cinco de mayo event, easter egg hunt, st patrick's day party).

www.stayatemeraldisland.com

Enjoy.

--Kay

 

[5mins2disney]

Windsor Hills Resort has 2 /3 bedroom condos
3 bed / 3 bathroom townhomes with splash pools
4 / 5 / 6 bedroom pool homes (single family homes / villas)

There are 1000 homes in the resort, which is a gated community with a great clubhouse and resort facilities.

120 photos of Windsor Hills Resort, enjoy..
As a slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsorhills/show/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsorhills/307020310/

Find homes there at:
www.windsorhillsrent.com

 

[Mainebound]

I would imagine that WH communal areas get a lot more use due to the number of condos at the resort, as the condo guests have no other swim facilities. Even as the old buzzard(50) I am though, I like waterslides, tennis courts, putting green, etc. I also like privacy and quiet as well, which led us to a villa with private pool and game room. I can now pick and choose.

I usually don't mind a crowded pool provided it's not too rowdy such as during spring break - but then again the scenery can be very enjoyable. ::uch! - wife hits me with frying pan:::

and let me add a virtual frying pan to hers!!!

but I totally agree about the "best of both worlds" with the pool home and communal facilites. If we were in the mood to just be by ourselves, we could, and if we wanted to feel "resorty" we could. It's why we are doing the same thing next year!

 

[HClayton]

Wow thanks for all the info everyone. I think Windsor Hills is sounding like the favourite at the moment. EI also looks good but not sure I fancy desertioni at the pool. I like the idea of being able to meet with other vacationing families and for my children to be able to play with others - but also the facility to stay in our home for a bit of peace and quiet.

Off to carry on my research and start to find some availability and prices for WH.

 

[sympatico]

There's also Weston Hills on 27 and Terra Verde on Poincianna that have pool homes and community pool areas.

 

[dougsmom98]

We stayed at Regal Palms on our last trip which is off of 27 in Davenport. They have a nice pool facility. I wrote a review up above on the review board. My kids loved the pool area. We are staying at the Solana Resort this next February. Their pool facilities look nice but we haven't stayed there yet. We like to stay in Davenport because it is a little more in our budget.