Windsor Hills - Can't go wrong?

[MoonyToons]

I know there are other threads on Windsor Hills Resort, but I didn't want to hijack someone else's discussion and make it all about me, and also figured this was a good opportunity to make my posting debut.

My husband is attending a conference at the Buena Vista Palace Resort in May and his company is going to cover part of our expenses, so we thought this would be the best time to take the kids to Disney World. He and I visited DW/US alone about six years ago, but neither of us remember much about it since we were rushing through after a cruise to the Bahamas. Anyway, I've spent the past two months doing the usual internet research, and realized that staying "on property" is not an option for this family of five, and while I have a suite rate of $109.00 per night locked in at the Caribe Royale, I am now thinking a rental at Windsor Hills is the better way to go. We'll be staying twelve nights, so there is a concern for space and mental stability , plus my dh will need some semblance of peace and quiet when he needs to work off and on during our stay.

The kids gave the resort pictures a 6-thumbs up (it's that slide, I tell ya ), and I've looked through all the condos, townhouses, and even 4 bedroom homes on the main website, and narrowed down a few favorites that have availability.

Before I take the plunge and let go of the other rate, I want to get more feedback from those of you who have experience with this sort of thing, or who know the area well. I just want to make sure that I avoid any possible scams and/or pitfalls. Anything blatant I should be concerned about? If the person listing the rental is "verified" on the site, are they considered reputable? Any other places I should be looking in order to verify someones reputation?

Thanks in advace, I really do appreciate it. I've been reading this site a lot since I began searching and it has been a wealth of information.

 

[5mins2disney]

Scams? No, never heard of that, at least not in Windsor Hills, or most of the other reputable resorts.

There's variation in the quality of the homes in terms of furnishings, decor, electronics, amenties, things like free high speed internet, phone, video games for the kids, etc, so make sure you look for these things carefully if they matter to you! This also results in variation in the prices from home-home, you do tend to get what you pay for, if higher end amenities matter to you, you can expect to pay slightly more (not significantly though).

There's also variation in what I will call the "owner experience". There's another post / thread on this board right now about someone who's dealing with an owner who's disorganized, they do exist, here and elsewhere (this is fairly unusual....but it does happen!).

I would suggest that to avoid this situation, you take a look at their guest book. Many owners use a calendar from rentors.org....and in there is a free online guestbook. The more positive comments, the better. If the former guests post comments about things like "great booking process" or "thanks for making it easy to do business with you" so much the better, right? (Much like seller feedback on ebay!).

Many of the guestbooks have email addresses, phone #s, etc that former guests have left, it's actually not a bad idea to check with a former guest and just ask how their experience was, might make you feel better!

Of course, someone who's done a bad job, scammed people, etc, is not going to have a guest book, or they'll have a bad comment in it, or it will be comlpetely blank (only way to clear out a bad comment is to zero out the whole guestbook!).

Generally speaking though, Windsor Hills gets great reviews, it's a gorgeous brand new resort, and it's pretty hard to go wrong. There are 1000 condos, townhomes, and pool homes there, so it's hard for me to say who's good vs bad, I don't know them all, even though we own a few homes there ourselves!

There are reviews though up in the reviews section from various DIS members who have stayed in homes there, so do take a look!

I'm sure you'll love it!

- George

 

[MoonyToons]

Thank you very much for your response. I didn't think I had read any negative experiences overall from those who have rented there, but I wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into. I have seen a few guestbooks here and there, but I haven't been actively searching for them. After reading your helpful reply, I will make sure to do that.

One other question for you, or anyone else who knows. Is it more desirable to get a condo on the 4th floor overlooking the lake and pool, as opposed to a townhouse with a splash pool that may be a longer walk to the clubhouse? Our kids would probably spend more time at the main pool, and I'd love to have a view of the fireworks if at all possible.

I've got my selections narrowed down, but I'm having a heck of a time making a decision between the two or three options.

 

[5mins2disney]

Hmm....well take my opinion with a definite grain of salt, because I own / operate 3 townhomes there! LOL

That being said, I'll try and give you a neutral response. My thoughts...well....they're both very nice homes first of all. The condos are 3beds / 2 baths...the townhomes are 3beds/3baths with a splash pool.

The condos are actually quite large in terms of square footage...almost 1500 sq feet (slightly larger than the townhomes which are 1412 sq feet), so they're pretty spacious.

Personally, I like the added privacy of being in more of a home than a high rise type of building, and I like having a private driveway right in front of your home as opposed to parking in a lot and taking an elevator upstairs lugging things like luggage and groceries.

Fireworks views aren't that big a deal to us, if we want to see them we're in the parks watching them up close and personal for the full effect.

As far as the pool goes...we actually spend more time in our own pool than we do at the clubhouse pool. The furthest of the far away townhomes is at most a 2 block walk to the pool, and if that's too far for you you can park at it...but it's just SO convenient to jump in your own pool while doing a load of laundry, watching TV or surfing the internet, etc., versus moving over to the clubhouse pool, that we really don't get over there as much as you might think. It's funny, the first 2 trips we kept feeling like we needed to run on over there and we were missing something, now we feel more like we enjoy being in our own place, it's more comfortable and enjoyable for us. Our friends said the same, thing, it took them a trip or 2 to realize the best thing was in their own back yard! hehe

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some gorgeous condos there too, and if fireworks views are your thing, by all means go for it! I think personally, the more important amenities to us are things like awesome beds/linens, nice TVs/electronics, internet, video games, nice decorating (very important to DW), etc. You just need to realize that the quality of the furnishings/amenities varies widely from home-home...not that any are "bad" by any means...just some are much much nicer than others (and cost slightly more), but do realize you get what you pay for, for some people they really don't care, for others things like this do matter.

Some people will market their places as being a 30 second walk from the clubhouse but in all honestly, they're mostly all so close that if it's a block and a half, and it takes you a minute and a half, it's not that big of a bonus or a dealbreaker if I were renting a place, I'd be looking more at the unit itself than it's location.

How old are your kids by the way? I could see older / teen kids being more interested it the clubhouse / pool area...whereas younger kids (who need much more supervision)... I think you might be better off in a private pool home (like a townhome) where it's a lot easier to keep an eye on them. Our kids are 4&7, and the townhome pool is actually one of their very favorite parts of our trips to WDW! We have to pry them out of it to go to the parks they love it so much, looking like wrinkled little prunes! hehe

That and the video games there are their 2 favorite things, they go from one to the other like they're in kid heaven!

 

[MoonyToons]

Hmm....well take my opinion with a definite grain of salt, because I own / operate 3 townhomes there! LOL

I know, the other day when I went looking, my kids loved one of your units the best, but then they weren't available for our stay. I learned pretty quick to check the calendars before getting too excited.

That being said, I'll try and give you a neutral response. My thoughts...well....they're both very nice homes first of all. The condos are 3beds / 2 baths...the townhomes are 3beds/3baths with a splash pool.

The condos are actually quite large in terms of square footage...almost 1500 sq feet (slightly larger than the townhomes which are 1412 sq feet), so they're pretty spacious.

Personally, I like the added privacy of being in more of a home than a high rise type of building, and I like having a private driveway right in front of your home as opposed to parking in a lot and taking an elevator upstairs lugging things like luggage and groceries.

Fireworks views aren't that big a deal to us, if we want to see them we're in the parks watching them up close and personal for the full effect.

As far as the pool goes...we actually spend more time in our own pool than we do at the clubhouse pool. The furthest of the far away townhomes is at most a 2 block walk to the pool, and if that's too far for you you can park at it...but it's just SO convenient to jump in your own pool while doing a load of laundry, watching TV or surfing the internet, etc., versus moving over to the clubhouse pool, that we really don't get over there as much as you might think. It's funny, the first 2 trips we kept feeling like we needed to run on over there and we were missing something, now we feel more like we enjoy being in our own place, it's more comfortable and enjoyable for us. Our friends said the same, thing, it took them a trip or 2 to realize the best thing was in their own back yard! hehe

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some gorgeous condos there too, and if fireworks views are your thing, by all means go for it! I think personally, the more important amenities to us are things like awesome beds/linens, nice TVs/electronics, internet, video games, nice decorating (very important to DW), etc. You just need to realize that the quality of the furnishings/amenities varies widely from home-home...not that any are "bad" by any means...just some are much much nicer than others (and cost slightly more), but do realize you get what you pay for, for some people they really don't care, for others things like this do matter.

Some people will market their places as being a 30 second walk from the clubhouse but in all honestly, they're mostly all so close that if it's a block and a half, and it takes you a minute and a half, it's not that big of a bonus or a dealbreaker if I were renting a place, I'd be looking more at the unit itself than it's location.

How old are your kids by the way? I could see older / teen kids being more interested it the clubhouse / pool area...whereas younger kids (who need much more supervision)... I think you might be better off in a private pool home (like a townhome) where it's a lot easier to keep an eye on them. Our kids are 4&7, and the townhome pool is actually one of their very favorite parts of our trips to WDW! We have to pry them out of it to go to the parks they love it so much, looking like wrinkled little prunes! hehe

That and the video games there are their 2 favorite things, they go from one to the other like they're in kid heaven!

You've given me a lot to think about, and again, I appreciate the time you've taken to answer my questions. Our kids are 12, 10, and 6, and I'm quite certain the older two are going to be more interested in the main pool, especially my daughter (the eldest) who is very outgoing and would be looking for new "best friends" right away.

Regardless, though, I can see advantages to both. I wish someone would make up my mind for me.

 

[sympatico]

DH and I have stayed in two different townhouses in WH and had no problems. We're older (not toooo old) and enjoyed having the splash pool and being able to park right by the door. We also used the main pool and liked that also, didn't use the slide. Our friends with 5 kids had a 6 bedroom home across from the playground and the kids (ages 1-9) enjoyed having their own big pool in the backyard as much as going to the main pool. They did use the main pool and waterslide and liked it but it was convenient having their own and not having to share it with a bunch of other people. You can still use the main pool whenever you want and it's not too far to walk or you can drive up.
Also if you get a 4 + bedroom home a lot of them come with their own games room: pool table, air hockey. PS2 etc. I've done this many times and it's so hard to make a decision because there's so much to chose from. We used to book through a company and all you knew was that you wanted 4 bedroom home without knowing which one you would get. It's much more fun picking out the exact home you want and going through the owners. Good luck!

 

[cwnhokie]

We loved our stay at Windsor Hills. I would definately recommend staying in ether a townhome or a house with it's own pool. Relaxing by our own pool after a day at the parks, before breakfast, or for a midday break was one of the highlights of our trip. Also hanging out in the hot tub with a glass of wine after the kids went to bed. Wouldn't trade that for anything.