Windsor Hills

[PrincessBelle39]

We are travelling to Windsor Hills in November this year.

We will be renting a couple of cars (there are 11 of us) but didnt want to pick them up until the next day as we arrive at 11:05pm after nearly 24hours flying and have no idea where we are going. I have made enquiries with a couple of transport companies but to transfer us to Windsor Hills they have quoted $260 +. One company said they couldn't quote as they didn't know where Windsor Hills was. If we go with one of those companies some of us are going to have to catch a taxi back to the airport...or somewhere else to pick up the cars the next day which is going to cost a bit more.

If we picked up the cars that night, would we have a huge problem trying to find where we are going. Or can anyone suggest a transport company that may be cheaper. Or would a few taxis be cheaper. Can we even get into Windsor Hills at that time of night? Any ideas would be appreciated. Its really hard planning this from the other side of the world.

 

[mungo]

Usually there are a number of places for you to pick up your rental car, it doesn't have to be at the airport.

We have always picked up our rental car, but I have heard others recommend ***********. Just had a look on their website and it says van for 10 people $75 one way and £125 return.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Our problem is we are a group of 11 so none of the 10 seat vans will help. I guess thats why the quotes are so high. Then there is gratuity on top of that and an airport meet and greet which is $20.

 

[dougsmom98]

I would just rent your cars and save your money. Use mapquest.com and print off directions from the airport to the Windsor Hills address where you are staying. Their directions are very good. We haven't had any trouble finding any of our rental homes or hotels with them.

 

[isla bonita]

Here is a great way to get out of the airport.

http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/mco_2_kissimmee1.html

WH is off of 192 west.

 

[5mins2disney]

First of all, it's not that hard to find. It's about 20 minutes, maybe 25 at most from the airport, especially later at night, there will be no traffic.

Basically, you take 528 West to I-4 West to US-192 west (exit 64B), then turn left at the 2nd light (Old Lake Wilson Road). It's 1/2 mile down on your right...where the road dips / bottom of the hill...there's a turnin on your right. Once you get to the guardhouse at Windsor Hills and they give you your vehicle pass, they will issue you a map of the resort and direct you to your home if you're not sure where it is in the resort itself.

You can come and go from Windsor Hills 24 hours a day, the RESORT has no restrictions on time, the guardhouse is manned 24 hours a day. Now...I say the resort, because your mgmt company may have different checkin procedures for retrieving your keys. If you're with IPG, Villa Direct, or Global, they have you pick up the keys at their offices first. Many owners though have the keys waiting for you in a lockbox at the home itself, or, use an electronic door lock with a key code on it, and I don't know how your home will be run, they're all slightly different.

Personally, I would just get the car and drive it, at those high prices just to get there, it's too much. Plus, then you'll need a cab the next day to take you to the rental car place, another expense. You're better off spending your vacation $$ on something fun, like a nice meal out, souvenirs, photos, something special to take home, a fun activity, you name it!

I would also pre-order groceries on www.gardengrocer.com ....ask your owner or MC if they can take delivery for you earlier in the day the same day you arrive. This way when you get up in the morning you'll have breakfast, coffee, tea, etc all waiting for you already in the home, already stocked and ready to go!


Search these forums for "Windsor Hills Shortcut" and you'll find a map and directions I've posted to get to/from the WDW parks using the "shortcut" route that gets you there in under 5 minutes with little-no traffic (Sherberth Road)!

Have a great trip!

- George

 

[ElizabethB]

I'd get rooms at the Hyatt hotel at the airport for your first night. If your plane lands at 11:05 p.m. after 24 hours of flying, you'll be exhausted and, frankly, in no condition to be driiving. Central Florida is very dark at night (why don't they light the streets and highways better?), and in our experience, it's not easy to find your way at night.

With a room at the Hyatt, you pick up your luggage and go straight up the escalator in the center of the airport, checkin and you're in the room.

This is what we always do and it works out great. We then pick up our car about 9:00 a.m. the next morning and drive to our hotel. By then, we're well rested and not trying to find our way in the dark.

Quite frankly, if your plane lands at 11 p.m., you won't have your luggage until 11:45 p.m. or so. You'll have your car rented by 12:15 a.m. or so. By the time you get the group and luggage into the cars, figure out where you're going, drive there, etc. It will easily be 1:30 a.m. before you get to Windsor Hills. Will there even be someone to let you into the house that late? Or will you have the key with you? (Not sure how Windsor Hills works.)

In any event, we've done the land at 11:00 p.m., get the luggage, rent the car, drive to the resort, checkin, unpack the car, try to get to bed, etc.thing. We won't do it anymore -- it's just too exhausting. We prefer to go right up the escalator and climb into bed. The bellman will even pick up your luggage at the carousel and deliver it to your room if you like!

You can even get a light meal first as McCoy's at the Hyatt serves food until midnight or 12:30 a.m.

Especially if you're traveling with children, I'd spend the first night at the Hyatt.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We are travelling with children and thought of the Hyatt but at well over $300 per night it just isn't worth it. It would cost us over $1000 for the 3 rooms we would need which is about $1400 in Australian Dollars. I just cant justify that for 1nights accommodation, no matter how tired we are. Especially for the sake of 25minutes travelling. We did think about a cheaper airport hotel but by the time we wait for a shuttle, we would be half way to Windsor Hills. Thats why we figured we may as well go straight there. And if we were at Windsor Hills from the beginning, we can sleep as long as we like and just relax the following morning rather than having to be up to vacate the hotel by a certain time.

We have rented directly from an owner who is based in Scotland. I believe keys are available in a lockbox but will have to confirm that with him. I like the idea of having groceries delivered during the day and will speak to them about the possibility of having the MC meet the delivery.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

You can call the local Enterprise car rental(the one on Irlo Bronson Hwy) and they will deliver the car to your condo/home, you usually just have to drive the agent back. They're right at the intersection of Old Lake Wilson Rd and Rt 192 maybe 1 mile from WH. We thought of getting limosine service from the airport to WH and then renting from Enterprise. You beat the rental car lines, and the price is a little lower as you don't pay airport fees on the car. Check first though as there may be other restrictions on non-US renters(hey, I don't make the rules). The only other problem is they are only open 8a to 6p Mon thru Sat, closed on Sun(but I'm pretty sure you can drop off after hours).

7514 W IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL H
KISSIMMEE, FL 34747-1767
Tel.: (407) 397-2229

Edit: BTW, above is just a suggestion on avoiding going back to the airport if you go with the limo. You're probably better off, all things considered, just renting the cars/vans at the airport when you arrive. At that hour the rental company shouldn't be swamped and the traffic will be minimal.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. They give us something to think about.

 

[5mins2disney]

You're welcome! I'll tell you another tip / suggestion....when you get off the plane and you're waiting for luggage...immediately send someone to pick up the rental car(s). The lines at this airport can take forever, hopefully it won't be too bad at night though (it's much worse during the day). This way, when your luggage arrives, you will hopefully have the car paperwork all sorted. This will save you time if you go this route!

 

[flagdaytwins]

One more thing.....if you are using AVIS to rent your car, it is a bit of a walk into the parking garage to get to their counter. I agree with many others, do rent the car when you land and send some of your group to get the cars and pull them around to pick you/luggage up (dragging your luggage into the parking garage is not fun so maybe your drivers can pull the rental cars to pick y'all up right out front of baggage claim).

Driving at night in Florida is a breeze and finding WH could not be easier. You may be tired, but you may be excited too to finally have reached your destination!!

 

[isla bonita]

We have been using Dollar and go right to our vehicles and do not wait in any rental lines. Sometimes there is a wait to pull out of the rental garage. Also we grab a skyport and he drags all of our luggage to our vehicles. So worth the 1.00 plus per bag. Every time we go down we learn new tricks. So see living proof you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Take it from me I never travel down with under 15 bags honest. We own and I bring things down all the time. We are going in Sept. and I just packed 2 full bags already. No food or anything just fun stuff and house stuff. The airport in RI loves me. Cracked them up last time with our doggie carriage. We use if for our drinks, snacks and coats.

No I do not push our dog around in it. She did have to use it while she was recuperating from a buldging disc.

 

[bscs]

Another thing you can do if you are worried about finding your way from Airport to WH is bring or rent a GPS (Garmin). You just type in the WH address and it will tell you every turn exactly how to get there. We are bringing ours from home but I read you can rent them from most rental car companies. Have Fun.

 

[hjd0411]

PrincessBelle39 - I have sent you a PM - just some Aussie info you may be interested in re car hire etc

Heather

 

[dmtaxter]

Rent the car that night. I arrived in March (busy season) at 10:30pm and there was no one in the airport. There are really no lines at that hour. We rent from Dollar which has the cars right across the street with no walk at all. We always take the 417 which is a highway very easy to access from the airport and drops you right near Windsor Hills. There are a few more tolls this way...a couple of dollars worth at the most. As long as you have the key to get in at that hour. Many of my guests have arrived late as well and never had trouble finding WH at that hour. If you would like directions just email me and I can send them.

 

[PlutoPup]

Hi PrincessBelle, I will be in Windsor Hills in November too! When I went last yr, our was delayed so we were kind of in the same situation as you. TRUST ME it isnt difficult to get to the resort. It was our first time there, too. The directions your owner will provide will be simple. Just pay for your rental in advance and you'll be out of the parking garage in a flash.
The price the taxi is quoting you is crazy.... thats probably 1/2 the cost of the van rental!!!

 

[neonurse]

I have a great idea...get a hotel (Laquinta was nice and close). Free transportation from the airport(that way no one has to think). Free nice breakfast in the morning. Free transportation back to airport. Pick up cars and head to management company to pick up keys. Check on tripadvisor.com for which Laquinta is nicest (there is one that isn't that nice). We stayed one night before our cruise. Nice clean rooms and great breakfast. You will all be dead tired to try to find your way. Rooms at Laquinta are usually cheap. Good luck.