Windsor Hills building choices

[DCLbrideSept2009]

We will be spending 4 nights at Windsor Hills in a 3-bedroom condo before moving on to OKW (only enough DVC points for a 1-bedroom at OKW for 5 nights). We have narrowed our condo choices down to about 4 or 5. Least expensive in building 2. Most expensive in building 8, which is closest to the pool and community center and apparently can view the fireworks from the balcony. So my question is... would you spend $115 more (total for 4 nights) to be in building 8, or is building 2 good enough? We also have choices of building 7, building 6 and building 5. The one in building 5 is Mickey themed throughout, whereas the other ones seem to be just Mickey themed in the "kids" room and maybe a bathroom. Not a HUGE deal, but nice. The ones in building 5, 6 and 7 are in between the building 2 and building 8 price. So not a HUGE difference in price. BUT we are trying to make this trip as budget as possible. We will be doing the majority of our meals in the condo/villa to save money and are putting our kids in a YES class to save on park tickets. We are driving, so we will have a car. I figure we will probably be spending quite a bit of time at WH during that stay, enjoying the pool and community center. If we don't stay in building 8 and therefore can't view the fireworks from balcony, is there another good viewing spot?

 

[HunterBoo]

Personally, from experience, building 8 wasn't all that they made it out to be!! Yes, it was nice not to have to walk far to get to the pool - still had a bit of a walk through the paths, but when we stayed at the farthest one last year (3? - can't remember) - we added maybe 4 minutes to our walk! We were told we could watch the fireworks from the balcony of our fourth floor, building 8 condo ... well, if you count hearing the odd boom and "maybe" a wee teeny bit of the top of a firework, then yeah - we "saw" them! LOL

I love Windsor Hills - we've been there twice and are heading back in just over a week - this time to a townhouse. The whole area is nice ... walking an extra four minutes isn't all that bad. Even the kids didn't notice!!!

The one thing that I look for (and this is just me) ... I like the higher up condos - just don't like hearing people above me (and we heard a wee bit last year, but not much) and my girls like to have a balcony to sit out on when they eat breakfast So those are my main "things" ... the Mickey theme sounds nice, but not a deal breaker either!

Have fun picking

Kerri

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

I agree with HunterBoo-hate hearing people above me. I always get a 4th floor condo at WH. A lot of them have tile floors, so it is very noisy if you have someone above you. PM me for two 4th floor condos that are great, and very reasonably priced.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

HunterBoo - Thanks for the great info!!

Loveallthingsdisney... sent you a PM!

 

[Alison]

I think importance of proximity to the clubhouse/pool depends on how old your kids are. When we went last year mine were 18 months and 3.5 we were in building 8, it was very nice to be that close.

My other criteria was the ground floor - I had read reviews that the claim of being able to see fireworks from the balcony was mediocre at best, so my next most important thing was not having to deal w/ stairs or an elevator w/ 2 small kids and all of the stuff that goes along w/ them. Being on the bottom floor was KEY. We walked right out the door and were at the pool in a flash. And I didn't hear a peep from anyone above us or around us.

My other bit of criteria was at least the kids room be themed - the rest of the place was standard, but I wanted a themed kids room at minumum.

If your kids are bigger I think you are fine to be a bit farther away if its going to save you a few bucks.

You'll love it no matter what, WH is fabulous and we are planning another trip there next year.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I think importance of proximity to the clubhouse/pool depends on how old your kids are. When we went last year mine were 18 months and 3.5 we were in building 8, it was very nice to be that close.

My other criteria was the ground floor - I had read reviews that the claim of being able to see fireworks from the balcony was mediocre at best, so my next most important thing was not having to deal w/ stairs or an elevator w/ 2 small kids and all of the stuff that goes along w/ them. Being on the bottom floor was KEY. We walked right out the door and were at the pool in a flash. And I didn't hear a peep from anyone above us or around us.

My other bit of criteria was at least the kids room be themed - the rest of the place was standard, but I wanted a themed kids room at minumum.

If your kids are bigger I think you are fine to be a bit farther away if its going to save you a few bucks.

You'll love it no matter what, WH is fabulous and we are planning another trip there next year.

Our kids are older, 10-13. (we have an almost 18-yo too, but she's not coming on this trip). So theme of rooms not a huge deal (more for me than anyone else) But still not a huge deal. Figured if we're close to pool and community center, kids can go on their own (but together). One of our kids favorite things when we stayed at OKW last trip was hanging out at the community center. But it probably won't be a big deal to drive or walk them over to the pool/clubhouse. The cheaper condo in building 2 is also on the ground floor. Nice to hear that you didn't have any problems with noise from neighbors above or around!

We are really looking forward to trying out Windsor Hills this trip!!

 

[twooley2]

How did you find out what building you were to be placed in? The owner we are renting from will not tell us that until 2 weeks before we are scheduled to arrive. She says for security reasons...

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

How did you find out what building you were to be placed in? The owner we are renting from will not tell us that until 2 weeks before we are scheduled to arrive. She says for security reasons...

I just asked.... no one had a problem telling me? I don't know if I quite understand what security risk it could be telling a potential renter what building your unit is in?

 

[twooley2]

I asked and they told me that it was a security risk to those who are staying there. A couple of years ago we rented from someone else and they did not have a problem giving us the address. I asked this time and they said they could not give us the address. Its just a condo too. Although the only thing that makes me think it is just their policy is I was able to find it by their name in the tax records and all was up to date and paid.In addition we were able to see the address of their properties there. When we asked though they said it was a security risk. I guess someone could always find out who's staying or break-in or something. I dunno I found it weird too. You got me....

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I asked and they told me that it was a security risk to those who are staying there. A couple of years ago we rented from someone else and they did not have a problem giving us the address. I asked this time and they said they could not give us the address. Its just a condo too. Although the only thing that makes me think it is just their policy is I was able to find it by their name in the tax records and all was up to date and paid.In addition we were able to see the address of their properties there. When we asked though they said it was a security risk. I guess someone could always find out who's staying or break-in or something. I dunno I found it weird too. You got me....

Ok, I can understand how giving out the exact address/unit number could be an issue. They just told me which building it was in, and some of them told me which floor. That's it...

 

[twooley2]

I just assumed one went with the other, no address or unit number meaning no building number.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I really think the ability to "view" the fireworks from WH is a little over-sold. Technically, you can view the fireworks. Enjoy them? Well... let's just say the "rule of thumb" applies here. If you hold up your thumb at arm's length, you can pretty much cover the fireworks. It's a novelty, not a spectacle.