which RCI points resort?

[watersbland]

We would like to go to Disney during mid January or the first week in February 2009. We just bought into RCI points and are beginning to look at the resorts in Orlando we could use. We like Sheraton Vistana, Celebrity Resorts Lake Buena Vista and Orange Lake East with Orange Lake being our favorite so far. I was just wondering if there are any RCI members who have stayed at any of the three recently and can give opinions or recomendations. If you have any good experiences at RCI resorts I didn't list I'd love to hear about those too. I know RCI has last minute deals for vacation weeks and also wonder if we might be better off waiting and taking advantage of one of those. Would it be a big gamble where we're unlikely to get something nice? We need a 3BR but could make due with a 2 BR. We would sacrafice a little space in exchange for more luxury. It will be DW, myself, my parents and possibly my brother. Any help you guys could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Crystal824]

We stayed at Silver Lake, which is very close to Animal Kingdom and enjoyed it. We don't have RCI, but my husband's parents do and we used one of their getaway deals for this condo about 2 years ago. The condo was nice. We just got a one bedroom, but it was very spacious with a huge tub. The kitchen and livingroom were also large. They did try to get us to do the timeshare talk, but we declined at check-in. I believe they called and left a message regarding the presentation again so it wasn't too bad.

 

[annacali]

We stayed at Orange Lake the first week in June. We had a 2 BR. It was lovely. Very close to all the parks with easy driving access, lots of good off-site restaurants nearby, a grocery store less than 5 minutes a way, my kids LOVED all the pools. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. You definitely need a car though...the resort itself is huge.

 

[muppetkaties]

I'm heading to Orange Lake this August with my family....my aunt and uncle own a timeshare there. We LOVE LOVE LOVE it. the only downside is that it is so huge you need your car to get everywhere there. but it has so much to offer. let me know if you have any specific questions, I have stayed there on 5 different occasions.

 

[gjw007]

Sheraton Vistana, Celebrity Resorts Lake Buena Vista and Orange Lake East
I own at Orange Lake, have stayed at Vistana Resort, and I know very little about Celebrity. There are two Vistanas, Vistana Village (which is newer) and Vistana Resort. I stayed in the Fountains II area of Vistana Resort.

As noted, Orange Lake is a larger resort. IF you have a three bedroom unit, in the West Village it would be in the Tennis Villas which right next to the clubhouse and the assorted activities located there such as the pools, putt putt golf, the beach area, water sports rentals, theater, and other activities.

In the North Village, a 3-bedroom unit would be on the ground level. The major activity, other than golf, is located at Splash Lagoon. In the East Village, these are multi-story buildings with the 3-bedroom units located at the end of each building on each floor. The floor plans for the 3-bedroom units in the Tennis Villas, North Village, and East Village are exactly the same and they are the pictures shown on the website, www.olcc.com.

The River Island section activities is centered on the lazy river. The 3-bedroom units are at the end of each floor.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Bumping this up...

Gary, you sound very knowledgable!!!

What can you tell me about Orange Lake.
Two bedroom units...
Which section... North or EAST (considering NORTH - quiet section, splash lagoon)

Can anyone here compare Orange Lake to the Marriot properties like Cypress Harbour??? What about the Hilton HGV at Sea World and International Drive... Online, the Hilton Properties look overdeveloped.. shoulder to shoulder high-rise buildings with no real quiet open areas.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[jctwizzer]

Strictly from a lodging standpoint, I'd prefer Cypress Harbor, or any Marriott, over Orange Lake. We own at CH and have stayed at OL twice. I think the furnishings at CH are better and the general appearance is better. That's not to say OL is bad; just that CH is better. Other than a snack bar, there are no restaurants at CH. On the other hand the trip to the WDW area is easier from CH---in my opinion.

 

[lawgs]

We would like to go to Disney during mid January or the first week in February 2009. We just bought into RCI points and are beginning to look at the resorts in Orlando we could use. We like Sheraton Vistana, Celebrity Resorts Lake Buena Vista and Orange Lake East with Orange Lake being our favorite so far. I was just wondering if there are any RCI members who have stayed at any of the three recently and can give opinions or recomendations. If you have any good experiences at RCI resorts I didn't list I'd love to hear about those too. I know RCI has last minute deals for vacation weeks and also wonder if we might be better off waiting and taking advantage of one of those. Would it be a big gamble where we're unlikely to get something nice? We need a 3BR but could make due with a 2 BR. We would sacrafice a little space in exchange for more luxury. It will be DW, myself, my parents and possibly my brother. Any help you guys could give would be greatly appreciated.

we were just able to book Bonnet Creek with rci points ( have not seen this resort available through rci for years since it seems they usually take any week banked by owners and give rci some other resort in the fairfield portfolio for the bonnet creek week ) we were even told by sales people there on our first stay there that they were surprised that we had been able to trade in ( this was back when the resort was new and they just had two buildings open )

our thinking is that maybe the week we obtained for points was a developer week since they just brought a new building ONLINE

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks jctwizzer!

Yep, Cypress Harbor was a good second consideration, because the units do look much better. And, we are looking for something that does not overlook construction, a busy highway, construction, etc... ( something where we can actually enjoy opening up our windows and sitting on the deck.) And, it looks like some units at CH do overlook the grounds/golf....

The Hilton properties all seem way overdeveloped, with no quiet, relaxing, open areas.

I am weighing the nicer unit at some properties against all of the other things to offer at Orange Lake, such as River Island, etc....

I am now thinking I may just 'suck up' the thought of a nicer unit, because Orange Lake just sounds more FUN.

decisions.. decisions!!!!!