WH vs WBC

[dtum]

Starting to plan for 2012 vacation. Staying at WH this trip, but have read great things about WBC. Price is close to the same from what I've been able to figure (WBC may be a little higher), but I can't figure which would be better. WH has private pool (we are staying in Romancing the Mouse Pool House), but WBC has lazy river and mini golf. Any idea? I know everyone has their own preferences, but since i've never been to WBC suggestions help. We drive so will have our car (and from what i've read the buses aren't very regular so will probably drive to parks). Thanks!

 

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

We have stayed at both. We stayed at WH with my dh's brothers and their families and his parents, so a large crowd. We had a 6 bedroom with our own private pool. We loved it! You come and go as you please, no waiting on elevators, parking, or shuttle busses. The only negative to us is that you are separated from the Disney "magic".

We just got back tonight from a week stay at WBC. We honestly did not like it as well. We didn't like the sales pitch or the transportation and the staff was not that friendly.

Our best Disney trip thus far was two years ago when we stayed at The Contemporary. We loved being on property and having the dining plan. The monorail transportation was awesome!

We will stay on Disney property next time as this is our preference. However, if I had to choose between WH and WBC, I would choose WH.

HTH!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We love Windsor Hills, and are staying with Romancing the Mouse again this summer. we didn't consider the break from the Disney magic to be a minus, but that's a very personal choice. For our gang, hands down, the best thing about the house was the private pool. All 4 of my kids vote that their #1 thing. For that reason alone, I would take WH. But, I've also heard really good things about BC--it seems to have more of a resort feel, while WH is much more like a home away from home. A home much nicer than the home we're away from, in our case!

It really comes down to what you're looking for. Since you'll be there this summer, it might be worth your while to swing by BC, just to check it out--it's not far from DTD/OKW--I know I drove by it several times.

I should also mention, I have 4 kids--DD15, DS14, DD7, and DS5. Because of the age spread, the extra bedrooms at WH really come in handy. We also like down time at the house, and my kids don't care to eat out much. So, we make full use fo the kitchen. Again, these are personal preferences, may not be applicable to you, I'm just explaining where we're coming form.

 

[dtum]

We love Windsor Hills, and are staying with Romancing the Mouse again this summer. we didn't consider the break from the Disney magic to be a minus, but that's a very personal choice. For our gang, hands down, the best thing about the house was the private pool. All 4 of my kids vote that their #1 thing. For that reason alone, I would take WH. But, I've also heard really good things about BC--it seems to have more of a resort feel, while WH is much more like a home away from home. A home much nicer than the home we're away from, in our case!

It really comes down to what you're looking for. Since you'll be there this summer, it might be worth your while to swing by BC, just to check it out--it's not far from DTD/OKW--I know I drove by it several times.

I should also mention, I have 4 kids--DD15, DS14, DD7, and DS5. Because of the age spread, the extra bedrooms at WH really come in handy. We also like down time at the house, and my kids don't care to eat out much. So, we make full use fo the kitchen. Again, these are personal preferences, may not be applicable to you, I'm just explaining where we're coming form.

Glad you like Romancing the Mouse. Can't wait to see the house. GS wanted to know if he had to share a room and if he had a twin bed. He was so excited when i said he had his own room and a big bed (he doesn't know that big bed is king! Is going to be totally lost in that bed).

Was just reading about the nightmares of checking in at WBC and the parking problems. Seems more and more like we will stay at WH next time too. Can't see staying on property because you just don't get anything for your $$ IMHO. Having a full kitchen is really important and not waiting around at a resort laundry and missing the fun is another reason for off-property for us. It's a first, but i think given our growing family (SIN & GS) this is the new way to visit the world.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My older two just love having their own room--and a private bathroom is an unheard-of luxury to DD15! My little two (DD7, DS5) don't share a room at home, so it's a big treat to share on vacation.

We liked WH so much, we sold our DVC. I know wthat's DIS heresy, but there you have it. The house just suited our needs perfectly. Now, everyone's vacation needs/wants are different, but it really works for us. I also found it very easy to drive to the parks.

I still recommend swinging by Bonnet Creek if you get a chance. It costs nothing to look, right? And I have heard good things. I wanted to stay there for one night, but you can't, so we're doing Caribe Royale instead.

 

[Upatnoon]

Glad you like Romancing the Mouse. Can't wait to see the house. GS wanted to know if he had to share a room and if he had a twin bed. He was so excited when i said he had his own room and a big bed (he doesn't know that big bed is king! Is going to be totally lost in that bed).

Was just reading about the nightmares of checking in at WBC and the parking problems. Seems more and more like we will stay at WH next time too. Can't see staying on property because you just don't get anything for your $$ IMHO. Having a full kitchen is really important and not waiting around at a resort laundry and missing the fun is another reason for off-property for us. It's a first, but i think given our growing family (SIN & GS) this is the new way to visit the world.

I've stayed at Bonnet Creek a dozen times and never had a "nightmare" problem at all. I like not having to bring my own pool towels and having more of a resort feel. Also, you never leave the gates of Disney. You do have to park a little further away than having your car outside your door.

 

[Disney Ella]

I've stayed at both and like Bonnet Creek better. There was nothing wrong with WH, it just felt like I was staying in a housing development, rather than a resort, which isn't my preference when I'm on vacation.

Waiting in line to get the parking pass was a bit of an annoyance, but overall wasn't a huge inconvenience. I've had to do the same thing at other off-site places that sell timeshares. We parked in the lot for our building with no problem.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We have done both. WBC definitely has more of a "resort" feel. At BC we had a 5th floor water view right over the lazy river. We LOVED taking a glass of wine out onto the deck each evening and listening to the singer down by pool bar and watching everyone. All of the entertainment ends by about 9:00 or so, however, so it does not keep you up all hours of the night.

WH just doesn't have the vacation "vibe" for us. The private pool was nice, but much prefer WBC.