Stinky_Pete
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2000
I've been back a few weeks, but decided to give out some info on my stay at Mystic Dunes. I didn't see a lot of info prior to my stay.
This was a last minute trip. Early December, a friend of mine emailed everyone in his email address book saying he had extra points for Diamond International timeshare resort he couldn't use that would expire at the end of December. If anyone had the time, he would book a resort for you for FREE! I already had park tickets from a prior trip I had to cancel, now free accommodations, during my favorite time to visit WDW (December) so it was kind of a no-brainer that I had to go.
LOCATION: I thought the location was great. I didn't actually time it, but I swear it was about 5 minutes to the property boarder. Take a left out of the resort, drive a mile or two, turn right, then a mile or so to merge onto World Center Drive. Maybe 15-20 minutes to the various parking lots. It is a little bit south of Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway. It is right next to Windsor Hills, where I know a lot of people on the boards rent houses.
There are a number of restaurants nearby (Ponderosa, Bob Evans - my favorite for breakfast, McDonalds, Sizzler, Sweet Tomatoes, really too many to list). There is also a Publix and Super Target just down the road. For small needs, there is a "mom & pop" market in a strip mall with a back way access so you don't even have to go into the traffic on Irlo Bronson. It's a little pricey, and they don't give cash back on debit card transactions, but if all you need is a bag of ice or a bottle of soda like I did, it's very convenient. Liquor store is next door.
If you are like me and like a McMuffin for breakfast, you can go to the McDonalds drive-through on Irlo Bronson (much less expensive than the one next to All Stars) and there is a "back way" onto property via Sherbeth Road. Way convenient! I enjoyed breakfast in the park parking lot a few mornings prior to rope drop.
ACCOMMODATIONS: I had a "standard" 1 bedroom unit. It was kind of dated in my opinion, but was clean and everything I needed worked. It had a full kitchen open to the living room area, which had a leather sleeper sofa, coffee table and TV. The kitchen was standard time share - had all the usual kitchen utensils and cookware. However, I was shocked to find there was no dishwasher. I thought that was illegal for a timeshare due to sanitation issues.
There was a stacked washer and dryer in the hall closet. I did use it once and it seemed o.k. They provide a small bottle of laundry detergent. Think a hotel shampoo bottle - that is what it looked like. The bedroom had a king sized bed and a whirlpool tub in one corner. I did not use the tub so I can't tell you anything about that.
I also didn't use any of the other amenities such as the pool or any resort activities. They did advertise activities, but I can't say anything about them. They also have an on site restaurant that offers room service but I didn't order from there. I ordered from Girodanos and Flippers and was happy with both.
The toilet would continuously run sometimes after flushing. I saw a maintenance guy and mentioned it and it was fixed the next day while I was at the parks. I also called to report that the in room safe was locked when I arrived. They offered to send someone to take care of it, but my main concern is sometimes people are charged a fee if they leave the safe locked and I didn't want to be charged.
The one glitch I had was a locked myself out of my unit when going to get something from my truck. So I had my truck keys, but didn't have my wallet or ID. I went to the registration building and without ID they wouldn't issue a new key, but called security to meet me at my unit. It felt like I was waiting forever for that security guy. I know it was at least an hour, probably more. I finally found a housekeeper guy and asked him to call and see where the security guy was. It took a couple of calls but eventually he showed up, let me in, but oddly did not check my ID.
The internet is WIRED, with the outlet on the kitchen breakfast bar. It is also painfully slow. I was really surprised by this. I had to log in a couple of times to check work email and was very disappointed with how slow it was. But still, it was free.
OVERALL. I would stay here again for the right price. Obviously if it were free again! They do rent to the public on a nightly basis, and I would probably stay here again if the price were $69/night or less for the 1 bedroom. Not sure if I would pay more. It was a nice place, conveniently located, but there are other condos available around that price that might be a little more updated.
Feel free to ask if you have any questions about Mystic Dunes. I will do my best to answer.
This was a last minute trip. Early December, a friend of mine emailed everyone in his email address book saying he had extra points for Diamond International timeshare resort he couldn't use that would expire at the end of December. If anyone had the time, he would book a resort for you for FREE! I already had park tickets from a prior trip I had to cancel, now free accommodations, during my favorite time to visit WDW (December) so it was kind of a no-brainer that I had to go.
LOCATION: I thought the location was great. I didn't actually time it, but I swear it was about 5 minutes to the property boarder. Take a left out of the resort, drive a mile or two, turn right, then a mile or so to merge onto World Center Drive. Maybe 15-20 minutes to the various parking lots. It is a little bit south of Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway. It is right next to Windsor Hills, where I know a lot of people on the boards rent houses.
There are a number of restaurants nearby (Ponderosa, Bob Evans - my favorite for breakfast, McDonalds, Sizzler, Sweet Tomatoes, really too many to list). There is also a Publix and Super Target just down the road. For small needs, there is a "mom & pop" market in a strip mall with a back way access so you don't even have to go into the traffic on Irlo Bronson. It's a little pricey, and they don't give cash back on debit card transactions, but if all you need is a bag of ice or a bottle of soda like I did, it's very convenient. Liquor store is next door.
If you are like me and like a McMuffin for breakfast, you can go to the McDonalds drive-through on Irlo Bronson (much less expensive than the one next to All Stars) and there is a "back way" onto property via Sherbeth Road. Way convenient! I enjoyed breakfast in the park parking lot a few mornings prior to rope drop.
ACCOMMODATIONS: I had a "standard" 1 bedroom unit. It was kind of dated in my opinion, but was clean and everything I needed worked. It had a full kitchen open to the living room area, which had a leather sleeper sofa, coffee table and TV. The kitchen was standard time share - had all the usual kitchen utensils and cookware. However, I was shocked to find there was no dishwasher. I thought that was illegal for a timeshare due to sanitation issues.
There was a stacked washer and dryer in the hall closet. I did use it once and it seemed o.k. They provide a small bottle of laundry detergent. Think a hotel shampoo bottle - that is what it looked like. The bedroom had a king sized bed and a whirlpool tub in one corner. I did not use the tub so I can't tell you anything about that.
I also didn't use any of the other amenities such as the pool or any resort activities. They did advertise activities, but I can't say anything about them. They also have an on site restaurant that offers room service but I didn't order from there. I ordered from Girodanos and Flippers and was happy with both.
The toilet would continuously run sometimes after flushing. I saw a maintenance guy and mentioned it and it was fixed the next day while I was at the parks. I also called to report that the in room safe was locked when I arrived. They offered to send someone to take care of it, but my main concern is sometimes people are charged a fee if they leave the safe locked and I didn't want to be charged.
The one glitch I had was a locked myself out of my unit when going to get something from my truck. So I had my truck keys, but didn't have my wallet or ID. I went to the registration building and without ID they wouldn't issue a new key, but called security to meet me at my unit. It felt like I was waiting forever for that security guy. I know it was at least an hour, probably more. I finally found a housekeeper guy and asked him to call and see where the security guy was. It took a couple of calls but eventually he showed up, let me in, but oddly did not check my ID.
The internet is WIRED, with the outlet on the kitchen breakfast bar. It is also painfully slow. I was really surprised by this. I had to log in a couple of times to check work email and was very disappointed with how slow it was. But still, it was free.
OVERALL. I would stay here again for the right price. Obviously if it were free again! They do rent to the public on a nightly basis, and I would probably stay here again if the price were $69/night or less for the 1 bedroom. Not sure if I would pay more. It was a nice place, conveniently located, but there are other condos available around that price that might be a little more updated.
Feel free to ask if you have any questions about Mystic Dunes. I will do my best to answer.