We are officially Treehouse fans...

[tidefan]

Keep all this talk up and they won't be a secret anymore. So everybody, be quiet!!!

Start talking about how bad they are even if you have to make stuff up. We don't want the THV's to be overrun with people wanting to stay there.

OK, well I will say that the one thing that I do miss is a King sized bed, although this place is so great that I really find myself not even missing it that much...

Even Mrs. Tidefan has been a trooper this week. She ran the Princess Half Marathon last week and came home with a hairline stress fracture so she has been here all week in a boot. She is still managing to keep up with all of us though...

Alright, we are up and going to find a place for lunch before Animal Kingdom. Maybe we'll swing through Pepper Market...

 

[BCfan]

Great TR Tidefan. I'm glad you're enjoying your stay at THV.

We will be staying there for 5 nights in early Sept. We can't wait!!

Did you happen to notice if there is any parking near the pool, or should we just take the internal bus or walk?

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

[tidefan]

Great TR Tidefan. I'm glad you're enjoying your stay at THV.

We will be staying there for 5 nights in early Sept. We can't wait!!

Did you happen to notice if there is any parking near the pool, or should we just take the internal bus or walk?

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

Didn't notice any parking near the pool, but we have only been by it once. Our Treehouse is at the Northern end and we seem a bit far from the pool. When we drive out, we can turn just past the Northern bus stop and make a U to get out, so we never get down that far.

One thing to note. Buses really seem to be an issue, especially late at night. We came back from the MK tonight by ourselves (our friends went to DTD and called it a night early, so we didn't have the car) and again, for the second time in two tries, had bus issues with the "internal THV" bus. Getting to SSR Grandstand was no problem. Then, we waited 30 minutes for a THV bus. So after 25 minutes, DW calls on the phone. DW asked why buses don't go to directly to the Treehouses and the operator told her it was because "the members voted against it". Well, I didn't vote against it... Anyway... The bus driver said that there was supposed to be 2 THV buses, but that they were only running one. He couldn't (or maybe wouldn't) tell me why. Anyway, sitting at the Grandstand bus stop for 30 minutes after Midnight with a sleeping 6 year old in 50 degree weather is no fun...

Also, in other fun bus issues, while we were waiting, another MK bus dropped off people and some other people sat down next to us. We were talking about how the only bad thing about the Treehouse was the 2 bus system. They asked us what a Treehouse was. Sure enough, they had parked at DTD and wanted to know when the next DTD bus was coming. They even had the audacity to use the phone to call the Disney transport folks to ask if a bus was coming to go to DTD. After 5-10 minutes, sure enough, here comes the DTD bus and they get on. So, just to let everyone know, yes, people are definitely parking at DTD and using SSR as their personal park transport. I really think that Disney ought to go back to making everyone show a room key to use the buses...

Still absolutely love, love, love our Treehouse, just bring a car...

 

[CMOORE185]

Didn't notice any parking near the pool, but we have only been by it once. Our Treehouse is at the Northern end and we seem a bit far from the pool. When we drive out, we can turn just past the Northern bus stop and make a U to get out, so we never get down that far.

One thing to note. Buses really seem to be an issue, especially late at night. We came back from the MK tonight by ourselves (our friends went to DTD and called it a night early, so we didn't have the car) and again, for the second time in two tries, had bus issues with the "internal THV" bus. Getting to SSR Grandstand was no problem. Then, we waited 30 minutes for a THV bus. So after 25 minutes, DW calls on the phone. DW asked why buses don't go to directly to the Treehouses and the operator told her it was because "the members voted against it". Well, I didn't vote against it... Anyway... The bus driver said that there was supposed to be 2 THV buses, but that they were only running one. He couldn't (or maybe wouldn't) tell me why. Anyway, sitting at the Grandstand bus stop for 30 minutes after Midnight with a sleeping 6 year old in 50 degree weather is no fun...

Also, in other fun bus issues, while we were waiting, another MK bus dropped off people and some other people sat down next to us. We were talking about how the only bad thing about the Treehouse was the 2 bus system. They asked us what a Treehouse was. Sure enough, they had parked at DTD and wanted to know when the next DTD bus was coming. They even had the audacity to use the phone to call the Disney transport folks to ask if a bus was coming to go to DTD. After 5-10 minutes, sure enough, here comes the DTD bus and they get on. So, just to let everyone know, yes, people are definitely parking at DTD and using SSR as their personal park transport. I really think that Disney ought to go back to making everyone show a room key to use the buses...

Still absolutely love, love, love our Treehouse, just bring a car...

Would it have been faster to walk from Grandstand to THV?

 

[Chellymouse]

We are planning on staying at THV next summer when we bring the family for a week with the mouse. Can't wait! Thanks for sharing!

 

[winjos]

The TGV look great, but every time we look at them we ask ... What about bugs?

I'd love to have the seclusion, I can even handle the challenges with the buses, but we're not good with the bugs!

Can you hang out outside, walk to the buses or the car, enjoy the grounds and not be eaten?

Thanks!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We always use ME when going to WDW. Why does one absolutely need a car while staying at the treehouses? We have no small kids, usually only do two parks per visit, and get Garden Grocer. Is there another reason I would need a car?

 

[zalansky]

OP thanks for the info - we're booked for Labor Day weekend for our 1st treehouse stay! We can't wait!!!

 

[Doingitagain]

We always use ME when going to WDW. Why does one absolutely need a car while staying at the treehouses? We have no small kids, usually only do two parks per visit, and get Garden Grocer. Is there another reason I would need a car?

We have stayed in THV twice and didn't have a car. We found the buses easy to use, and it was easy to walk if we wanted. We also walked to DTD and took the ferry to DTD and the Springs. We used Garden Grocers as well.

Note that we have older children and no stroller.

 

[tidefan]

Would it have been faster to walk from Grandstand to THV?

It would, if we were at the South end of the Treehouses. We are at the North end, between the North bus stop and the entrance. So, we would have to walk, come in by the pool and walk all the way up the Treehouses. Plus, Mrs. Tidefan is in a boot (stress fracture in foot from Princess Half-Marathon) so walking wasn't really an option.

I think that the problem is just the late night buses. At other times, things seem to run smoothly. One thing we didn't understand is that on the first occasion, there were two folks on the Saratoga bus that were staying at OKW and the driver went into OKW to drop them off at Turtle Pond, but he wouldn't go into the Treehouses to drop us off

The TGV look great, but every time we look at them we ask ... What about bugs?

I'd love to have the seclusion, I can even handle the challenges with the buses, but we're not good with the bugs!

Can you hang out outside, walk to the buses or the car, enjoy the grounds and not be eaten?

Thanks!

No bugs at all that we have noticed. It has been unseasonably cool, so that may have something to do with it.

We go home tomorrow. We have loved the Treehouses and look forward to coming back!

 

[schewy]

Could you post some Photos. I would love to see the THV. All I have seen at the artist drawings and a couple posted photos.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

We are halfway through our stay at THV and I have to say, this place has not only exceeded, but blown away our expectations. These have to be the best laid out villas of any DVC. Due to that, plus the super high ceilings, the villas feel huge, even if square footage wise they aren't any bigger than a regular two bedroom. I will post more about how much we really like our THV as we go (it is almost 1 in the morning, so I've got to get a bit of sleep), but I really can't get over how impressed we all are with it. They really, really did a good job with these. Also, they have the coolest bathroom fixtures (for those of you that have stayed here, you know what I am talking about...)

Our only concern would be that one really ought to have a car if you stay here because the 2 bus thing is a bit of a pain. However, since we have a car, we've just driven to everything we've done...

More to come...

so glad that you're having a great time! hooray!!!

about the car thing, how bad would it be without a car? how long of a walk is it from the main bus stop to your THV? would you really need to take that second bus?

 

[BCfan]

Could you post some Photos. I would love to see the THV. All I have seen at the artist drawings and a couple posted photos.


Here's a review from last summer. Pictures start at post #23

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2198823&highlight=THV&page=2

 

[supersuperwendy]

This is a great tour of the treehouses!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjbyVAJZIsM

 

[medic318]

Can't wait to stay at THV in October. Everything I read and see so far has me more excited. I am just not looking forward to the transportation thing. We will have a 7 mo and a stroller, so doing 2 buses could be interesting. Guess I am going to have to do more work on the elliptical to get ready. Also there will be 6 of us to help out.

 

[franandaj]

Keep all this talk up and they won't be a secret anymore. So everybody, be quiet!!!

Start talking about how bad they are even if you have to make stuff up. We don't want the THV's to be overrun with people wanting to stay there.

I don't have to make this up, when I was there in January with my parents, my DP got REALLY sick the 3rd night. She couldn't go into the park the next day. In addition the THV are fairly dark inside, so she was somewhat cooped up in there for 3 days and started to get very depressed due to the isolation and darkness. If you're the kind of person who say, likes a Boardwalk view, the THV are not for you.

Personally I thought it was the coolest place I'd ever stayed!

The TGV look great, but every time we look at them we ask ... What about bugs?

I'd love to have the seclusion, I can even handle the challenges with the buses, but we're not good with the bugs!

Can you hang out outside, walk to the buses or the car, enjoy the grounds and not be eaten?

Thanks!

I never saw any bugs, but that was January. I would imagine that in May, the Love Bugs would be out in force. On another note, as we were checking out of our villa, we ran into the guy in charge of pest control for SSR. Essentially he spends his mornings spraying vacant units at the main resort and comes over to the Treehouses at 11AM sharp to try and spray one or two units while they are vacant because he said they are ALWAYS full and it's very difficult to work them in. Each unit gets 3-4 sprayings per year.

We always use ME when going to WDW. Why does one absolutely need a car while staying at the treehouses? We have no small kids, usually only do two parks per visit, and get Garden Grocer. Is there another reason I would need a car?

The only reason you might need a car is that depending on where your Treehouse is located it could be a long walk to the Grandstand bus stop. Otherwise you take a bus from the THV to the Grandstand and transfer there. Getting places could be time consuming. There is a boat launch that will take you to to DTD. We had a car when we stayed there and it helped out a lot, but it isn't a requirement. If you are patient with the bus system you'll be fine.

 

[tidefan]

We are finally back home. Had a great trip. Ended up extending an extra day by using our checkout day to enjoy the High Rock Springs pool and then on to DTD, and the next thing you know, it's 9pm, so we stayed last night in Orlando at the new Hilton Garden Inn off of Palm Parkway (which was very nice, BTW) and drove back today.

I am really, really glad that we got to stay in the Treehouses. We were a group of 7. Me, DW, and DD6 and some friends of ours DD's BFF 6, her brother 9, and their Mom and Dad. The Treehouse was just perfect for our group. I am a big, big fan of how they laid out the THV units and just how much storage there is in the unit. I think someone either on this thread or the one in planning mentioned the space above the fridge as being great for storage. We definitely found that to be the case. Another thing I liked, and this will sound a bit silly, is that there were a ton of hangars. We like to hang a lot of our clothes, and often, there just aren't enough hangars, but there sure are in the Treehouses.

One thing I do think one should consider when staying at THV is that if you need to be "in the middle of the action", then this is not the place for you. I don't really think we met anyone else staying at THV the entire week. Now, for us, this was just fine. We got along just fine entertaining ourselves. However, just know that you may not get the chance to know your neighbors, so if this is important to you, then THV wouldn't be your place. However, if you want some R & R, and a feeling of peace after a day of rubbing shoulders with 25,000 of your closest friends at one of the parks, THV couldn't be better. Oh, and the deck. Got to love the deck. It was great to stretch out with an adult beverage after a long day at the parks and just enjoy the peace and quiet.

I have a few pictures, but quite honestly, I didn't take any before we came in and unpacked, so I'll have to download our pics and see what I have and report back on that later. I know that a few people have said that the THV's are really dark, and I can see that because they have the best drapes ever. I mean no light is getting through those suckers. We loved this because we are not morning people, so we slept in every day and it sure was nice not to be bombarded with sunlight first thing in the morning. There is, however, a fix to the darkness. Just open the drapes. There are plenty of windows and if you open the drapes, that unit will light up like a christmas tree...

My last general comment would be that for the first time that I have been at Disney since joining DVC, people actually had questions for me when I said that not only did I own at SSR, but I was staying in a Treehouse. I definitely think that the THV has increased the value of home ownership at SSR.

so glad that you're having a great time! hooray!!!

about the car thing, how bad would it be without a car? how long of a walk is it from the main bus stop to your THV? would you really need to take that second bus?

Well, the answer to this is "it depends". If you look at a map of SSR, you will notice that the pathway to the Grandstand enters the Treehouses at the far South end of the Treehouses. This is great if you are staying at the South end of the Treehouses, but not so much if you are at the North end, by the entrance to the road. We were in 7005 and were actually North of the North bus stop, between the North bus stop and the road.

Now, for getting to a park, you can still work this as you could take the internal THV bus to the South bus stop, then walk over, but that is somewhat self-defeating as one would still get there faster by staying on the bus. At night, however, we would either have to wait for the bus, or, walk through the Grandstand to the path, across to THV, and then all the way up THV to the Northern end unit. In fact, I would wager to say that we were closer to the Hospitality House bus stop at OKW than the Grandstand bus stop.

Now, all of this adds anywhere from 10-30 minutes each way on to your trip to and from the parks. This may or may not make a difference to you. I would say that it seems as though the better location is towards the South end of the Treehouses as not only would you have the walkway over to the Grandstand, but you'd also have much better access to the pool, which is not centrally located, but rather on the Southern end of the Treehouses.

All that, however, is a minor issue. If we were coming for the pool, we wouldn't be staying at THV anyway. For accomodating large groups with multiple children, IMHO, there is no better accomodation at WDW. The bunk beds are great as are the fold outs in the living area. It is also extremely nice to give the adults (at least in our group) their own bedroom. Lastly, you really don't have to worry about hushing the kids every 5 minutes because, well, besides you, who are they going to bother? It's like having your own personal resort, and we'll be back to ours again (though not next year, going to check out the Disney Dream...)

Edited: Just saw that this was my 500th post. I have reached a milestone...