Windsor Hills has ruined me for Wdw resorts

[MinnieForMe]

Is Windsor Hills hard to find from Orlando International? We're flying in at midnight and I'm nervous we won't be able to find it as I'm assuming it's in a residential area.

 

[dtum]

If you have a GPS, just put in the address. Ours worked really well when I mapped it. If not you can use mapquest or AAA and get door to door directions.

 

[sjanus]

Is Windsor Hills hard to find from Orlando International? We're flying in at midnight and I'm nervous we won't be able to find it as I'm assuming it's in a residential area.

It is real easy to find. Here are the directions:

From Orlando International Airport:
Take SR-528 West towards I-4 take I-4 West.
Get off at Exit 64B for Hwy 192 West
Go 2 miles and make a Left onto Old Lake Wilson Road
Travel for 1 mile - Windsor Hills Resort will be on the Right

The address to plug into the GPS would be that of the main gate to enter for guests:

2600 N. Old Lake Wilson Rd., Kissimmee, Florida 34747-2124

Sandy

 

[Kim1964]

This thread has gotten me jazzed for our trip next year. We are staying in a 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome at WH and I am very psyched about it. The girls will be 15 and 9 for this trip, and it was clear to me after last year's trip that having our own corners to go to at the end of the day would be a good idea. I am also very thrilled about the washer and dryer. We almost never go to parks on EMH mornings, so I don't think we'll feel that loss at all. The difference in price between the townhome and the ASMu suite we had last year (which I hated) is about $1200.

 

[crusoe2]

This thread has gotten me jazzed for our trip next year. We are staying in a 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome at WH and I am very psyched about it. The girls will be 15 and 9 for this trip, and it was clear to me after last year's trip that having our own corners to go to at the end of the day would be a good idea. I am also very thrilled about the washer and dryer. We almost never go to parks on EMH mornings, so I don't think we'll feel that loss at all. The difference in price between the townhome and the ASMu suite we had last year (which I hated) is about $1200.

Off-topic I know, but I was curious about why you hated the ASMu family suite? This is one of the few onsite options we felt might be comfy for us but so far we haven't convinced ourselves to stay in one. All the reviews I've read about them so far said the suites were great so I'd love to hear from someone who didn't care for it - just to get a good comparison. TIA

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Off-topic I know, but I was curious about why you hated the ASMu family suite? This is one of the few onsite options we felt might be comfy for us but so far we haven't convinced ourselves to stay in one. All the reviews I've read about them so far said the suites were great so I'd love to hear from someone who didn't care for it - just to get a good comparison. TIA

Not Kim, but we considered the ASMU suites and nixed the idea because of the pullouts. Although most rave about how comfortable they are, I don't believe it. Also, they really cut down on available space in the suite when they're open. For us (family of 6) it's either 2 rooms onsite, or a 2-3 bedroom condo offsite.

 

[Kim1964]

I sent crusoe2 a PM, but now I feel like it looks like I didn't respond, so here is what I had to say about the ASMu suite:

I had several issues with the family suite. First, we got an accessible unit, which we didn't request or need, and the result was lost closet space, a sliding bathroom door that didn't close all the way, and the second bathroom was meant to accommodate a wheelchair, resulting in an awkward layout. The toilet also wasn't set well, and every time we sat down on it, it moved (we are not large people).

The cleaning products made it smell like a hospital to me. We had very bad luck with housekeeping, which I know can happen anywhere but daily attempts to get it resolved were unsuccessful. The biggest problem was that they didn't come until 2:30-3:00, which is hard for us because we are rope drop people who are back at the resort by 1-1:30. I asked EVERY day for earlier housekeeping, and one day it didn't come until 4:00. Every day I was told it would be earlier, but it never was. All the reviews I read told me that housekeeping would fold up the couch and the chair as part of the daily routine, but that never happened.

The other reason I didn't like it is really a personality thing with me. I like to feel a little pampered on vacation, and there is no such feeling at ASMu. The furnishings are cheap looking and the decor was very Motel 6 to me. I should have been more honest with myself about that before I booked it, but I hoped that the extra space and extra bath would be worth it. I was wrong, but again, other people may feel that the decor and ambience are perfectly acceptable.

We did discover that we like extra space and not sharing a bedroom with the kids, hence the decision to try WH next year. The place we booked looks very nice, and people from the Tour Guide Mike boards have stayed there and loved it, so I'm giving it a shot. It will be a lot less money, so even if I don't like it, I won't have the same degree of buyer's remorse that I did with ASMu. That suite cost me over $2K.

 

[TotoToo]

Cost of a value with free dining and no car rental vs. an offsite two bedroom condo and eating some meals in and some out and an inexpensive car are going to be pretty close with the offsite condo probably being a bit more. So bottom line is really what you prefer and think of as a better value vs. cost alone. The space, not having to eat all my meals out are huge to me and make for a much more relaxing vacation. For a short stay, either is appealing, but for me with a week stay or longer, give me the condo. I think, though, it's very much a personal preference thing.

Placing high values on Disney "food" (I hesitate to even call it that as in many cases it more closely resembles "food like substance") and the ever frustrating, although definitely nearly complete no extra cost access, transportation is way overvaluing both. And I'd challenge the idea that it is "close" in cost as onsite, even in mere value units, is usually considerably more than off site. And that totally ignores the BIG value of a multi-room off site unit vs a tiny (and even Disney admits lower grade) "value" unit.

Now if you don't think you've had enough Disney by simply enjoying the world class parks then the additional pounding of all things Disney in decor, music and even limited TV selections at a value should cure you. For us that borderlines on torture as a little Disney can go a long way once you've reached saturation. I'm glad those that can either stand it or actually enjoy it have the option. But having done both (so we could eliminate the remote possibility that it was a good value or something we'd miss) I can safely say we wouldn't pay a dime extra to be on site. In fact would expect to pay less as it gives you less of almost everything except the irritating "all Disney, all the time" experience. Paying for their self promotion makes zero sense to us.

 

[crusoe2]

Gr8t Fan, those pullouts were one of my main concerns too. DS is about 6'4" and over 200 lbs. so I have a hard time believing that he would be comfy on one of those. I even considered taking our good air mattress for him and then the absurdity of that hit me - pay that much for a room and then still have to take something for DS to sleep on? Ummm, no.

Kim, I got your PM but didn't have time to respond. Thanks for sharing your perspective on the family suites. It made me feel even more like we made the right decision to go back to Windsor Hills next trip instead of staying onsite. One of the things that bothered me about the family suites is that we would be paying so much money for our accommodations but would still be at a value level resort. If I'm going to spend that much money to stay onsite I'd like to have the extras like pool slides and hot tubs and such.

I think you will like Windsor Hills. We're going back in June for our third stay there. We've worked our way up from a 2 bedroom condo to a 3 br and now we're going to try a townhouse. We've gotten hooked on having the extra space and amenities of home and have found that our trips are much more relaxed that way.

 

[sue and co]

As a family of five we find offsite a much better option (when it is just DH and I that will be a different matter). Having separate bedrooms - we have a four bed villa - means we all have our separate space, there is always a full size fridge/freezer for drinks, snacks and ice cream and there is always a washer and dryer for laundry. We have our own (heated) pool and jacuzzi and so far have always also had a games room with pool table etc. As a family it is a no brainer and makes a much more relaxing vacation even with the drive to/from the parks.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

We've stayed onsite and at our offsite timeshare - this was our first stay at Windsor Hills - and will be our FIRST choice for our Florida vacations from now on! We rented from Dave Robinson at vacationcentralflorida.com. I have read varied reviews about the properties - I can only tell you that I would rate our stay as an A+! I have nothing but good things to say about the WH townhouse where we stayed. We had no cleanliness issues - the furnishings and decor were first rate! The booking process and communication were awesome. I received a personal call from Mr. Robinson shortly after we arrived - to be sure all was well and to see if we needed anything. There was even a wreath on the door and a little Christmas tree. I would recommend talking to Mr. Robinson for your WH stay!

*Disclaimer - I am not being compensated for this review. These comments are my own!

 

[december]

Great to hear! I'm planning to book 2 wks at a 2 bedroom condo from him next week-when I get paid. It will be me and my 3 kids-2, 14, and 11 in July. The baby and I can share the King bedroom, and ds14 and dd11 can sleep in the twin room. They understandably don't want to share a double bed at a value! And they are so excited about having the extra space and a PS2! I'm not planning to stay the full 2 wks, but that is the only way they book (a full week at a time). We will use most of the days though, and the cost is only $1600!

We went with my sister and her son last June, and stayed as a legal 6 at POR. OMG-we were all over each other. I ended up on a twin air mattress on the floor with the baby, ds13 had one bed, dd11 had the trundle, and my sister and her 8 yr old shared the other bed!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

December - I'm sure you guys will have a blast!! I can think of only ONE thing that is not as good as on-site - paying to park!! Make sure you budget for the $14 a day.

 

[mnosky]

We like both onsite and off site so I'll throw in my 2 cents. . This trip we are staying onsite - if we do onsite, we only do Deluxe though so onsite is always more expensive - we've also only done onsite when there is a deep discount - the 3/4 special in 09 and 40% this year.

We find that with a deluxe, taking the room discount is a better discount than the free dining. So to answer a previous question - yes off site is still definitely cheaper, even when Disney offers it's free dining or it's deepest discounts. If you add in, getting tickets for only the # of days you need them from undercover tourist, you save more. Yes, you pay for parking and a rental car but we get so frustrated with DIsney transportation, we've considered a rental car when we stay onsite.

We decided to stay onsite this time because we are going by ourselves (immediate family). We get a much bigger/better/lower cost per person house if multiple fmailies go in on it. My DD7 likes the pool with other kids and the Disney hotel activities. If we do all Disney transportation that saves us from having to take the carseat all together for DD2 (of course then we are stuck with disney transportation all week). We like Disney restaurants and it's easier to eat meals out with the kids when we stay onsite (except breakfast which we eat in the room)

So, totally off track of original question, but after a few WH stays, we have done a few onsite stays and liked it too - but that is at a deluxe and only "on sale" which helps.

BTW, we rented form vrbo.org with great luck 3 times in Disney area

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Is it still cheaper to stay offsite if Disney is offering the free dining plan

I am going to say that it has to be. I was so very tempted to stay at Bonnet Creek for our trip in May but I was able to book free dining, so I booked with Disney. For 8 nights for a family of 5, staying at POR in preferred room, with park hoppers it's 3700.00. That's WITH free dining!

This may very well be our last time staying at a Disney resort. I can't swing that every year, especially when we can stay longer and have more room in a condo.

 

[jgperkin]

i saw there a is a promo box when booking... does anyone know of any codes to receive a discount?

 

[Lucky4me]

I totally agree. The Windsor Hills zero entry pool with slide and beautiful landscaping is on par with DVC property pools. The outdoor covered lounge with the huge comfy sofas, chairs and palm plants all over is even nicer. The not too overpriced convenient store is great as is the clubhouse with pool and ping pong tables. We never got to use the movie theater, but that's a great amenity as well. Best thing is, you need a key card to get into all of the above mentioned amenities, so no pool hoppers or people who do not belong.

We loved it there and will try to stay there from now on when we visit Orlando. If you go in realizing you're staying at someone's house and not a hotel, you will have a better vacation. You cannot compare the two because they are so different.
We used vacationbythemouse.com Shane and Heather were great.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We totally agree with you...welcome to the Dark Side! We love WH and Indian Creek!

 

[TMJR]

I wanted to give my family the option of going back onsite after our 1st Windsor Hills trip 2.5 years ago...they all looked at me like I had sprouted a second head! To my family, there is no comparison between a cramped hotel room and a 3 br townhouse with a washer, dryer and private pool!

 

[december]

I think I asked this on another thread-I hope I'm not repeating myself on this one-but how hard is the drive to the parks. I'll have a gps, but I'm from a small, small town and the driving makes me nervous. Still plan to do it, just worried about the logistics!