We are here at Windsor Hills

[PrincessBelle39]

Wow. What a fantastic place. This house is terrific. Its so beautiful and bigger than I expected. Spotlessly clean. I am so glad we decided to stay here rather than a hotel. We have only been here a day and are already using the washer and dryer. If I was in a hotel I would be queing up to use the machine instead of sitting outside relaxing by the pool while the kids are asleep. The kids have been swimming all afternoon and playing in the games room. We will have our first day at the MK tomorrow and try out the shortcut via Sherbeth Road.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Hi,
We stayed at Windsor Hills last year and loved the Sherbeth Road shortcut. It is a little tricky getting back from the parks. I know a couple of people in our party missed some exits and then went the wrong direction when the got to hwy 192. Remember to follow the signs toward Animal Kingdom.
Sue

 

[gqchicago]

Hey cool we're here too right now, in a townhome! /waves

Were you at the pool at all today by any chance? I was over there for a bit, worked out, after doing some work around the house, hung up some Xmas lights!

We just got back from Epcot! The weather this week has just been AWESOME!

I can highly recommend MVMCP, the Epcot Xmas stuff, and the MGM Xmas parade, og, and AK was fun too!

 

[gqchicago]

Oh...one other tip...to get to/from MK, I actually think it's quicker now to take Old Lake Wilson North, go right on US-192...then make a left onto World Drive north (it's an exit ramp that says Disney World). On the way HOME...follow the signs to 192.... stay RIGHT on all of the 192 ramps...and always take 192 WEST then take a left at the 2nd light. The Sherberth Road route is best for AK and when you need to avoid traffic. The parks right now are the least busy I've ever seen them actually, so no need to take the shortcut, take the quicker, more direct route, it's faster right now (a bit easier too actually I think).

 

[2xDisneyDad]

Hey George, feel free to run across the street and hang some lights up too...

Glad to hear everyone is having a great time and the weather is holding out. We have only been back two weeks and are missing it.

Oh well I guess we will have to live vicariously through you guys.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We were there in October in a Townhouse, wish we were going for Christmas

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Thanks George. We will do that. We are off to MK today. Yay. I can't believe we are actually here.

 

[gqchicago]

Thanks George. We will do that. We are off to MK today. Yay. I can't believe we are actually here.

Hey us too! See you there! I'll be wearing an orange polo and a hat...group of 8 of us...4 adults, 4 kids, say hi if you see us!

We're going to the princess buffet at the Grand Floridian at 5pm, the GF is supposed to be decorated beautifully for Xmas this time of year too!

(Yes we're getting a late start..hehe).

Merry Xmas everyone! (It's VERY contagious if you're here this time of year!)

Cheers!
- George

 

[sympatico]

Glad everyone is having a good time ! We've been home for two weeks and wish we were back there.
And Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[gqchicago]

Kind of a dreary drizzly day here, but MK was cool still! They were filming the Disney Xmas Day special today actually, we saw Dancing with the Stars, Patti Labelle, and Jessica Simpson on the castle stage. We then did Bibbity Bobbity for the little girls and the princess character dining in the Grand Floridian. The GF is just an AMAZING hotel at Xmas time, it's beautiful! AWESOME dinner at 1900 Park Place too, the prime rib was the best I've ever eaten, so delicious it melts in your mouth, yummmm!!

Tomorrow is our last day...sigh. We're planning on doing a Windsor Hills clubhouse pool day actually, so if anyone is over there look for us and please do say hi!

Merry Xmas everyone!

- George

 

[december]

So it really isn't a big hassle getting to the parks from WH? I'm collecting quotes (I think I have some from gqchicago) and everything looks great. I've only been to WDW twice, and both times stayed in Sports. I hear so much bad about staying offsite that I'm worried-but if my sister's family comes this will be so much cheaper!

 

[gqchicago]

Couldn't be easier, don't take my word for it though, look for the many other posts of people who all say the same thing! I think it's easier than staying onsite, we left MGM the other night in the pouring rain, everyone was all leaving at the same time of course. We looked at the poor people all waiting in the huge lines for the WDW buses and said "boy we're glad we're not stuck on a bus!", since we were probably home before they got on the next bus! LOL Strangest thing too, it was POURING at MGM during Fantasmic, we got home to WH, and no rain at all, not a drop. At any rate, yes, it's very very easy and close to get to/from the parks from here. AK is the closest, MGM and Epcot are the next closest, and MK is the furthest (and the most difficult to get in and out of due to the TTC and the monorail/boat system), but unless you stay in a very expensive "monorail" resort you're going to have to deal with a bus, parking, or the same thing for MK.

DTD is about 5-10 mins away too, it's very close.

 

[allyphoe]

So it really isn't a big hassle getting to the parks from WH?

We've stayed at WH multiple times, and once at Pop. Way, way easier to drive from WH than to bus from Pop. No hassle at all.

 

[december]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to get with my sisters between now and Chritmas and see if we can get a big family trip going! Hopefully I'll have a deposit down somewhere in WH before the end of the year!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

George, kept an eye out for you at MK the other day but didn't see anyone in an orange polo. Glad you had a good day. It is really easy to get from WH to the parks. I can't imagine it being any easier from the resorts that are further away like POP etc. We were back at the MK yesterday and boy was it crowded. The wait for Splash Mountain by late afternoon was 110 minutes. We had Fast Passes thank goodness. BTM was not far off at 90minutes. I'm not sure what we are doing today. Still waiting for the rest of the family to decide. This is going to get really frustrating. I just want to get up and going. I've been planning this trip for so long and am feeling like I am wasting my time just sitting around.

 

[gqchicago]

George, kept an eye out for you at MK the other day but didn't see anyone in an orange polo. Glad you had a good day. It is really easy to get from WH to the parks. I can't imagine it being any easier from the resorts that are further away like POP etc. We were back at the MK yesterday and boy was it crowded. The wait for Splash Mountain by late afternoon was 110 minutes. We had Fast Passes thank goodness. BTM was not far off at 90minutes. I'm not sure what we are doing today. Still waiting for the rest of the family to decide. This is going to get really frustrating. I just want to get up and going. I've been planning this trip for so long and am feeling like I am wasting my time just sitting around.

Our BIL/SIL went to MK on Saturday and said the same thing! We took the day off and spent it swimming at the WHR clubhouse pool. They also said Regis was there filming on Sat for the Xmas Day Disney special which made it even worse than usual.

Sunday we spent at Epcot, and just got home to Chicago today. Saturday in general is the worst day to visit MK... I'd post you a link to the best/worst days to visit each of the Disney theme parks but the links I have for you are all banned here on the DIS, email me if you want them!

Best Parks...
Tues 12/4 MK or AK
Wed 12/5 MK or DS (MGM)
Thur 12/6 Epcot or AK
Fri 12/7 AK
Sat 12/8 MK or Epcot

 

[kty]

we were at a windsor hill townhouse @ 3 weeks ago and just loved it. if you get the chance and want some down time - try the movie theatre. pretty cool. Disney was busy when we were there as well, fast passes were a tremendous help on the big wait rides. going back next year for another convention and plan on staying at windsor hills again.

 

[Princess_Michelle]

.

 

[december]

You need to read my Trip Report!! I FINALLY finished it and it's On-Site VS. Off-site themed....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1611826

I just did-lots of great info!

Thanks!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I have to say I was amazed at how simple it is to get around here if you have a car. We have had a couple of difficulties getting back but getting there couldn't be simpler. And driving in Australia is a lot different than driving here. It hasn't taken us long to adjust at all. Everything is sign posted and it would be pretty hard to get lost. And the luxury of having so much space is fantastic. I think everyday how awful it would have been stuck in a small hotel room and having to rely on buses to get around. Especially at night when we are headed back.