What is the difference between Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills?

[tiff211]

Last question.....I pinky swear! I am trying to narrow down something and confirm today!

 

[5mins2disney]

Well I'm going to try and answer this one very carefully....

One is slightly newer and slightly closer, but both are very nice resorts and very close to WDW. In terms of amenities they are very similar, and both were built by Pulte Homes so the homes are quite similar in both resorts. When I say slightly closer I mean like 2 minutes closer, not a significant difference at all.

I think it would come down to the home, the owner, the costs, the amenities you're looking for, etc, both are nice resorts and you would be happy in either in the right home! Just make sure you are happy with the places you're looking at, and you see lots of pictures of the specific home you will be renting so you're not surprised by anything.

 

[tiff211]

Are the resort amenties the same, ie, the big water slide, kiddle splash area, movie theatre?

Which one is the newer one, which is the older?

These are factual questions so you should be okay answering them!

 

[5mins2disney]

Hmm...well Windsor Hills is newer and slightly closer...again ..slightly...WP is just on the other side of Mystic Dunes golf course which is on the south side of WHR. WHR was built in 2005...not sure on WP, both were built by Pulte Homes and consist of condos, townhomes w/splash pools, and larger pool homes.

I know they both have movie theaters....I know WHR has the water slide and kiddie splash pool area, not sure if WP has these or not to be honest.

Sorry I can't be more specific, I'm sticking to just the facts that I know for 100% sure! I know a lot about WHR...not as much about WP, only been to WP once.

 

[Funwith4kids]

tiff, we haven't been to either so I can help on specifics other than we decided to go with an owner we were comfortable with, availability of dates, and price.

After our trip, if we end up feeling like we made the wrong choice, we will try the other.

 

[tiff211]

I was leaning toward Windsor Hills anyway, BTW, what is a splash pool?

 

[5mins2disney]

That I can answer...it's a 12'x12' screened in pool under a lanai...they range from about 3' - 5' deep. They can be heated optionally in the colder months...and there are a few spa jets that can be turned on or off (but nothing like a hot tub). If you're visiting during the colder months be sure to opt for the pool heat would be my suggestion..and also ask if the home has a pool blanket on their pool. All of the townhomes in WHR have a splash pool and all of the homes are equipped with a child safety fence (you can see the black mesh safety fence in the top of the picture). The back of the townhomes all have a triple sliding glass door that opens up to the splash pool..so you can leave the doors open and the mesh fence in place if you like and not get bugs due to the lanai..and not worry about the kids falling in the pool either.

Here's a picture..

 

[crjack]

We have rented lovely homes in both communities and I would happily stay at both again in the future.

Windsor Hills is newer but the homes at WP are certainly not old. The main difference with the community ammenities is the addition of a water slide at Windsor Hills.....other than that they both have small convenience stores, movie theater, fitness room, large community pool, etc.

Our first rental home was in Windsor Palms and the owners were truly the nicest couple you could ever hope to rent from. Their home was so beautiful and well equipped it completely sold us on renting pool villas. We've rented many others since then but there's was the nicest and set a pretty high standard!

I would look for the home that is right for you and not worry too much about the differences in the resorts. They have a very similar feel to them and are very close to each other. The ammenities are also so close I think you'll be happy with either one as long as you are happy with the home/townhouse or condo that you choose. That's what will really matter once you are there.

Have a great trip!

 

[tiff211]

We have rented lovely homes in both communities and I would happily stay at both again in the future.

Windsor Hills is newer but the homes at WP are certainly not old. The main difference with the community ammenities is the addition of a water slide at Windsor Hills.....other than that they both have small convenience stores, movie theater, fitness room, large community pool, etc.

Our first rental home was in Windsor Palms and the owners were truly the nicest couple you could ever hope to rent from. Their home was so beautiful and well equipped it completely sold us on renting pool villas. We've rented many others since then but there's was the nicest and set a pretty high standard!

I would look for the home that is right for you and not worry too much about the differences in the resorts. They have a very similar feel to them and are very close to each other. The ammenities are also so close I think you'll be happy with either one as long as you are happy with the home/townhouse or condo that you choose. That's what will really matter once you are there.

Have a great trip!

Thanks! I am nervous about this whole rental thing!

 

[MomFam5]

I, too, am pretty nervious about the whole rental thing, but I have rented from vrbo before (last year to be exact at Destin) and had a fine experience. We had decided on a hotel before I started reading about Windsor Hills, now I'm pretty much determined to try and make this happen, especially one with a splash pool. We're not going until Oct '07 so hopefully I have time to shop around , good luck!

 

[5mins2disney]

I, too, am pretty nervious about the whole rental thing, but I have rented from vrbo before (last year to be exact at Destin) and had a fine experience. We had decided on a hotel before I started reading about Windsor Hills, now I'm pretty much determined to try and make this happen, especially one with a splash pool. We're not going until Oct '07 so hopefully I have time to shop around , good luck!

You do ...Oct '07 is a ways off yet...and it's not a "peak" month like March / April are...so you have plenty of time to look around still and choose a place you love, and you should still have the best places to choose from if you start now!

You can rent these home from vrbo.com or from www.windsorhillsrent.com by the way..same homes..same owners. If you're super nervous...you can buy trip insurance...or rent through a management company (which would generally cost a little bit more). Again, same homes, same resorts, you won't know who the owners are though most likely (as you'll be dealing with the MCs, not the owners directly).

The best advice I can give someone is check out the owner's website carefully, look for lots of nice and current pictures of the place, beware if there's only 3-4 pictures and they aren't very good, or just, say, pictures of the exterior or the resort only. Next, "talk" to the owners over the phone or via email...are they responsive? Do they take days to get back to you? Ask who their management company is, for instance, do they have one? What do you do if there's a problem? (Everyone has them occasionally...it's how you handle them that counts!).

Anyhow, it's a great way to vacation and as many here on these boards can attest, there are some awesome homes in the area that are much nicer in fact than staying in a traditional hotel room at a much lower cost. Go check out the "reviews" boards for feedback from people who have stayed at various homes as well!

We were VRBO rentors for years and still go rent by owner in other parts of the country, it'd be hard for us to go back to a hotel at this point!

Good luck!
- George