Which to choose? Silver lake, Summer bay, Cypress Palms or Orbit One Vacation Villas?

[usmcwife1]

We are finally getting ready to purchase our lodging for our trip in the next couple weeks (waiting on DH's training schedule to come out for that month so I know which days are good!), I've been planning for 6 mos, I am jealous of you that can book dates far in advance!

We were going to stay onsite at AoA or in the Ft. Wilderness Cabins for around $1800/week w/ the military rate but I shopped around a little and I think we are going to book through Armed Forces Vacation Club as it's only $400 for the week for a 2BR w/full kitchen. With 6 of us that rate can't be beat and would free up quite a bit of spending money. We used them in 2011 and it worked out well. We looked into Shades of Green but they don't have availability for our dates and if they did it'd be $250/night for the suite we'd need based on family size and DH's rank, we'd probably stay @ Disney instead..

If we don't find anything through them my fall back option was Bonnet Creek through VS for about $250 more (if there is a resort fee instituted that will add to the cost as well). We drive our own car to the parks so we already spend $14/day on parking and I'd love to avoid resort fees if we can. I will say, I understand the resort fee and don't think it's terribly expensive but if we can avoid add'l fees on parking (and the shuttle we don't use), it would be nice

Last year we booked Bonnet Creek through the AFVC (and loved it) but this year it isn't available so we are looking at a few other resorts. So far we have found availability for our dates and favorable reviews on TripAdvisor for these resorts:

Silver Lake
Summer Bay
Cypress Palms
Orbit One Vacation Villas

Anyone have any experience with any of them?

 

[BonnieA]

I really like Cypress Palms. Stayed there 4 times so far and will be there twice this year. They have free wifi.
I've also stayed at Orbit One a number of times, and while it is fine, I would pick Cypress Palms over it if available.
Only stayed in Silver Lake once. It was nice and so very close to Animal Kingdom. Can't seem to get it lately and when we were there, they had no wifi.

 

[Brian Noble]

OP, what is more important to you: distance, or amenities?

 

[spiceycat]

might go with Silver Lake - now have not stayed there yet.

but the review it gets are pretty nice. it is almost as close as WBC.

 

[ICan'tWait]

We've stayed at 3 of the four (Orbit One, Summer Bay and Silver Lakes). From those three I'd stay at Silver Lakes just for ease of convenience. We did have a bad time with the internet while were there one year, but something there was hit by lightening and it affected the whole complex all week (internet, phone, etc.). Can't really blame them for that. The location is great.

 

[usmcwife1]

OP, what is more important to you: distance, or amenities?

I would have to say amenities, we are staying a week but only have plans for 4 days in the parks (plus 1 possible day @ sea world), the rest would be spent visiting Downtown Disney, other shopping areas/restaurants and relaxing at the resort, preferably by a pool!

Since we are driving our own car and only coming from coastal NC (so not driving for days to get there) we aren't opposed to driving a little on our Disney days if it there is something nicer a bit further away.

 

[usmcwife1]

I should also say internet access is important, be it free or paid. DH has to be able to access his work email and we both are in college so we'll need to check our classes while on vacation.

 

[BonnieA]

I can tell you for sure that Cypress Palms has free wifi. Orbit one is possible access if you are in the right building. Silver Lake didn't have it at all when we were there but it was awhile ago, I hope they have it now.

 

[spiceycat]

I should also say internet access is important, be it free or paid. DH has to be able to access his work email and we both are in college so we'll need to check our classes while on vacation.

there is a library with internet access and yes guests (non-florida residents) can use it.

it is not far - when us 192 ends at us 27 - just turn right - it is the first traffic light - you are turning left (right is where Walmart is located) - then go to the right - big building

 

[Brian Noble]

I would have to say amenities

You might want Summer Bay then. It's a "mega resort", with a ton of activities right there. I have not stayed there yet---I tend to spend much more time in the parks, and it is near the intersection of 192 and 27---but I hear nice things about it.

If you have a choice of sections, avoid the "Villas at Summer Bay". That section is reportedly not as nice as "Summer Bay" or "The Houses at Summer Bay". On the other hand, if it is a House, I would book it immediately. They are 3BR homes with private pools.

I don't know how good the internet access is here; you might want to read some reviews. I normally travel with back-up cellular options that I can tether to if I have to.

 

[ICan'tWait]

re: internet at the resorts

Internet at Summer Bay was not so good. I've stayed once in a condo and once in one of the houses and both times I had to go to the clubhouse to get wifi. Fortunately the house was close walking distance, unfortunately the condo I had to drive. Orbit One I had to go the clubhouse for internet but that was a while ago before most places had wifi in the rooms. Silver Lake wifi worked well the two times I've been there, except for half of one week when there was the lightning strike (mentioned before). McDonalds is up the road so I was able to do my work and then go there to send things off.

 

[usmcwife1]

. I normally travel with back-up cellular options that I can tether to if I have to.

My husband and I were just discussing this last night, I will be purchasing a new phone for myself very soon so we are looking at phones with mobile hotspot capability, it isn't very much more a month and will serve me well beyond this trip for times when I need to work on my coursework but are unable to get online otherwise.

 

[usmcwife1]

there is a library with internet access and yes guests (non-florida residents) can use it.

it is not far - when us 192 ends at us 27 - just turn right - it is the first traffic light - you are turning left (right is where Walmart is located) - then go to the right - big building

thank you! I wrote down your directions into our trip planner just in case!

 

[usmcwife1]

re: internet at the resorts

Internet at Summer Bay was not so good. I've stayed once in a condo and once in one of the houses and both times I had to go to the clubhouse to get wifi. Fortunately the house was close walking distance, unfortunately the condo I had to drive. Orbit One I had to go the clubhouse for internet but that was a while ago before most places had wifi in the rooms. Silver Lake wifi worked well the two times I've been there, except for half of one week when there was the lightning strike (mentioned before). McDonalds is up the road so I was able to do my work and then go there to send things off.

That is good to know! I also mentioned to my DH that worse happens we do our work in the evening after the kids are in bed then stop by starbucks, mcdonalds etc. in the morning for coffee and a light breakfast and utilize the wifi there on our way out for the day. We really should only have 4 days of the 8 we'll be vacationing that we'd need to access the internet very briefly so I don't think it will be too bad.