Windsor Hills TH or home elsewhere?

[CattailGal]

Wondering if we should rent a WH townhouse, or home in Windsor Palms or Emerald Island? Two adults, two kids (10 and 12). Any opinions?

TIA,

KC

 

[SoccerDad]

We have rented a townhouse at Windsor Hills and a home at Emerald Island on past trips, and recommend both.

We rented a 3BR townhouse with a small private pool at Windsor Hills, and it was very nice. The location is really close to Disney. The pool was really a bit on the small side but it worked for our boys who were 8 and 4 at the time.

We rented a 4BR house in Emerald Island on a later trip with my sister-in-law's family of 4, for a total of 8 guests. The house was really nice, though not quite to the same extent as the Windsor Hills townhouse, but I think that's more a difference from one owner to another. Nothing wrong with the place, just not quite as fancy as the Windsor Hills place. However, the pool was much larger so more appropriate for older kids. The drive to Disney was a bit longer, probably about 5 minutes longer than from Windsor Hills.

The reason we went with Emerald Island rather than go back to Windsor Hills on the later trip was cost. I've found the Windsor Hills places to be typically more expensive than surrounding developments, likely because it's a bit closer to Disney property.

I'm happy to refer either of the owners - send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[Brian Noble]

For kids 10 and 12, a "real" pool may be a bit more useful. Drive time won't be that much different either way. If the price is the same, I would be inclined to go with the house. But, I wouldn't turn down the townhome if I was saving some cash, especially in the winter when swimming weather can be dicey.

 

[Lisa0620]

We've decided to go with a 4bdr home for our family of four. I know the kids will love having the garage game room and the bigger pool. The clincher for us was the bedroom layouts; the downstairs bedroom in the townhomes always have a Queen bed with the King master upstairs so even with 3 bedrooms our kids would end up having to share the upstairs room.

 

[dinglefitzberry]

Have you checked a 3 or 4 bedroom at Bonnet Creek? We use Vacation Strategy.com to book. The rooms are amazing! They have 2 lazy rivers and 7 swimming pools. They also have activities for all ages including teenagers.

 

[softballmom3]

We stayed at WH this past October and it is a nice place. IDK if I would shell out the extra for the little ole splash pool they have at the TH though unless you have small children. It was a joke. We rented through vacationcentralflorida.com and the water was cloudy. We were there when the man serviced the pool and it's a shame that they even pay him cause he didn't do much at all. When he left the pool was still dirty and had leaves in it. That being said we did like WH but be careful with your homes you rent. The water was not hot at all in the showers and my Father in law went with us and actually had to go turn up the water heater so we could have hot water. They had it turned on a low setting to where the water was lukewarm at best. The pool area was great!

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Can anyone else offer opinions regarding www.vacationcentralflorida.com? We've been seriously considering booking with them and these are the first not so great reviews I've seen. They ARE inexpensive, but I know I won't be happy if I spend my vacation dollars and the place is not quite right.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Can anyone else offer opinions regarding www.vacationcentralflorida.com? We've been seriously considering booking with them and these are the first not so great reviews I've seen. They ARE inexpensive, but I know I won't be happy if I spend my vacation dollars and the place is not quite right.

We have rented through vacation central Florida. My thoughts are mixed. The townhouse was nice and clean. The pool area was not so clean. Even walking out there left you with some kind of sand/dirt all over your feet. It really needed to be swept and cleaned up.

The only other thing was that we were expected to wash all towels/wash cloths before we left. Taking showers and then having to do laundry before checking out was not cool! According to their website they have changed this rule now so that shouldn't be a problem.

All in all, if the price was right I would probably rent from them again as there were no major issues and they always responded to my questions quickly enough. HTH

 

[bheyman]

We've decided to go with a 4bdr home for our family of four. I know the kids will love having the garage game room and the bigger pool. The clincher for us was the bedroom layouts; the downstairs bedroom in the townhomes always have a Queen bed with the King master upstairs so even with 3 bedrooms our kids would end up having to share the upstairs room.

Would you mind sharing a website link for this house? It might also work for my family of four next year. Thanks!

 

[4forMe]

Honestly, I would go with the larger house. I have boys that age, and they definitely prefer the larger pool. Also, most of the homes have hot tubs/spas attached to the pool which we loved using at the end of the day.

 

[BrerMama]

We stayed at WH this past October and it is a nice place. IDK if I would shell out the extra for the little ole splash pool they have at the TH though unless you have small children. It was a joke. We rented through vacationcentralflorida.com and the water was cloudy. We were there when the man serviced the pool and it's a shame that they even pay him cause he didn't do much at all. When he left the pool was still dirty and had leaves in it.

Thank you so much for your comments. We were debating a townhome vs. pool home for our trip (2 adults, 3 teens). I knew the splash pool was small, but I think you just decided us for sure.

 

[softballmom3]

Thank you so much for your comments. We were debating a townhome vs. pool home for our trip (2 adults, 3 teens). I knew the splash pool was small, but I think you just decided us for sure.

Quite welcome . We were also 2 adults and 3 teens. It was more the size of a hot tub....I would definitely go with the pool home. A friend of mine rented one there and it was great!

 

[Lisa0620]

Would you mind sharing a website link for this house? It might also work for my family of four next year. Thanks!

sure: www.laughingplacevilla.com

Good luck!