Windsor Palms 3Bed/2Bath...Is this a good deal???

[indymom1]

Me and my DH are thinking about taking our sons to Disney for spring break which is 3/24-3/31/2007. We have really been thinking about staying offsite for the first time since we were just there in August and are just wanting to go swim and enjoy the nice weather. We will do parks just a couple of the days that we are there so we are looking for a nice place with more room and ammenities for the kids. I just got a quote back for a 3 bedroom/2bath condo at Windsor Palms for $59.00 a night for the week that we need. Is this a great deal or should I be afraid?? I don't know anything about Windsor Palms so any thoughts would be great. TIA

 

[bonzarella]

I am not much help but that is about half the price we've paid for a summer stay. Since it is Spring Break I think 59.00 is a great deal. It will be our first time there too. Have fun

 

[indymom1]

That is what I am worried about. Why is this unit such a great deal?? I looked at the units availability and it is booked solid except for my week from December thru Easter week and then all of July. I am hoping that is a sign that others have stayed in it and it is a nice unit. The $59 rate is also a special on units booked up until March 31st then the rate goes to $89. We are really thinking about this but don't want to go somewhere dirty or not nice. I have done some reading on Windsor Palms and it seems to get really good reviews. Hopefully some others will post what they think. Thanks for your thoughts

 

[KLAIT]

We had a similiar experience with Windsor Hills..everyone that responded with in the $90-120 price range but 1...he was at about $55 per night...I was cautious as well, but after several email back and forth, I felt comfortable with that..he just wanted his until filled as much as possible and my week would complete a month of being full. The only thing is his unit was not poolside as some of the others were....but it did not matter to us.

I would grab the rate quick if you are interested as someone else may grab it quick

 

[Brian Noble]

Because these units are individually owned, there is a *significant* variation in price from one owner to another. Typically, the less expensive units rent earlier than others, and the fact that this one is booked except for your week is indicative of that.

Of course, there is also a signifciant variation in the quality of furnishings, and so you are probably not going to be sleeping on 300 count sheets or watching hi-def TV, either.

But, for less than $500 for the week durign March, I think you're getting a pretty good deal. Snap it up.

The only reason not to is if you are looking for a more "resort-y" style feel with lots of onsite activities. If so, you might want to see if, say, Cypress Pointe still has units during that time through hotelkingdom. The ideal location for just enjoying the resort might be Orange Lake CC---my uncle owns two weeks there, and when his kids were still in school, they practically never left the resort. There was *that* much to do.

 

[horseshowmom]

That is what I am worried about. Why is this unit such a great deal?? I looked at the units availability and it is booked solid except for my week from December thru Easter week and then all of July. I am hoping that is a sign that others have stayed in it and it is a nice unit. The $59 rate is also a special on units booked up until March 31st then the rate goes to $89. We are really thinking about this but don't want to go somewhere dirty or not nice. I have done some reading on Windsor Palms and it seems to get really good reviews. Hopefully some others will post what they think. Thanks for your thoughts

I wouldn't let the price spook you. Last year, I had a 4BR/3BA house w/screened pool in a gated community for $480 total. I just got back (the week before Christmas) from Cypress Pointe Grande Villas where I stayed in a 2BR/2BA unit for $300. Prices can definitely vary greatly.

BUT, I ONLY book from individuals who accept credit cards (or Paypal where I can also use a cc), so that I have some recourse if I ever have a problem (and after renting houses/condos many times, I've never had a problem so far).

Good luck!

 

[Big V]

We have stayed at Windsor Palms twice in 2 different 3 bedroom condos and both were very nice. Nothing fancy, but still nothing to complain about.
I think the first time we stayed there, we paid $59 a night and the second time we rented from an owner for $400 for the week, tax included.
We really like the location and how fast it is to get to WDW from there! The community pool and hot tub were very nice too!

 

[newsliner1]

can anyone let me know how to rent a place for 400 or 500 for the week in windsor hills
thanks
kim

 

[spiceycat]

www.vrbo.com

http://www.windsorhills.com/

 

[Brian Noble]

For a price that low, you probably need to either be looking at least a year in advance, looking relatively last-minute, renting from a brand new owner building a customer base, visiting at very low season (think September), or filling a hard-to-fill hole in someone's calendar. I wouldn't typically expect a price that low, and getting it will take a lot of work on your part, contacting many many owners until you can find the best deal.

If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, so much the better.

 

[5mins2disney]

For a price that low, you probably need to either be looking at least a year in advance, looking relatively last-minute, renting from a brand new owner building a customer base, visiting at very low season (think September), or filling a hard-to-fill hole in someone's calendar. I wouldn't typically expect a price that low, and getting it will take a lot of work on your part, contacting many many owners until you can find the best deal.

If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, so much the better.

Well spoken Brian! You sure you aren't cut out to be an owner?! LOL

Windsor Palms is a nice place, it's a slightly older version of Windsor Hills, and you can probably find some pretty decent deals there. I would just suggest looking at lots of pictures of the place you're renting to make sure there's no surprises, as Brian mentioned there can be a lot of variation in the furnishings, electronics, bedding, etc within the various units, and some have more desirable locations within the resorts (such as poolside), and hence, variation on price.

 

[indymom1]

Thanks everyone for your input!! We found a great deal and booked a 4 bedroom pool home in Windsor Palms. We are so excited!! It will be our first trip during spring break. I am glad to hear that everyone has such great trips at Windsor Palms we can't wait for the end of March.

 

[Brian Noble]

Well spoken Brian! You sure you aren't cut out to be an owner?! LOL

My uncle owns in Glenbrook, but I'm not ready to take the vacation-home ownership plunge. For as much time as I've spent trying to get good deals renting them, though, I may as well be. I must admit that I'm no longer enjoying the hunt, so to speak, which is why I'm throwing in the towel and staying at Bonnet Creek from now on. It will end up costing me a little bit more money, but much much less time!