Orlando timeshare in October

[Cyberc]

Hi Tuggers

I'm looking for a 2br in october. I have found a few in RCI, but I have no first hand experience with any of them.

I'd like some recommendations or pro's and cons for each. If there should be another property which should be better i'd like to hear about that too.

We will mainly visit some of the attractions in orlando, disney for a few days and shopping in the outlet malls. We will however also use the pools and such at the resort.

I'm going with my 3 kids aged 13,13 and 7

I have found the following in orlando.

The Fountains (#7605)
Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts (#3175)
The Barefoot Suites By Ascend Collection (#D096)
Holiday Inn Club Vacations At Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)
Orlando's Sunshine Resort II (#5592)

TIA

 

[gnipgnop]

I'm not familiar with any of the resorts mentioned above except Holiday Inn @ Orange Lake, West Village. We stayed there a number of times with an exchange through RCI. The resort is very large and spread out over acres. It is divided up into four sections: North, East, West and River Island. We stayed in the West Villages but really preferred our stay in the East Village. There are shuttles that run throughout the resort but I have read that some people have waited for a long time for one to arrive. River Island is the newest section and it has the Lazy River and the slide but you have to pay for everything. Could be costly with 3 children. I'm sure someone else will check in with info on the other resorts you mentioned.

 

[Cyberc]

I'm not familiar with any of the resorts mentioned above except Holiday Inn @ Orange Lake, West Village. We stayed there a number of times with an exchange through RCI. The resort is very large and spread out over acres. It is divided up into four sections: North, East, West and River Island. We stayed in the West Villages but really preferred our stay in the East Village. There are shuttles that run throughout the resort but I have read that some people have waited for a long time for one to arrive. River Island is the newest section and it has the Lazy River and the slide but you have to pay for everything. Could be costly with 3 children. I'm sure someone else will check in with info on the other resorts you mentioned.

Thanks.

Do I understand you correctly that you have to pay to use the resort amenities?

 

[gnipgnop]

I was referring to River Island, which is the most popular section for activities mainly because of the Lazy River and the large slide. I think the cost of a float to use in the river is $7.00 each per day but not sure if you pay for the slide (we did not use). You can not use your own float, you must use theirs. But most activities at river Island are at a cost. You can use the main pool in the West Village but I'm not sure what activities are there. Also, there is a lake on the property that has paddle boats for rent. So there's another charge to consider. People have reported that this resort will nickel and dime you .

 

[bankr63]

In RCI I'd hold out for one for one of the Sheraton Vistana (2 resorts - TPU 20+) or Hilton (3 resorts TPU 30+) timeshares in the area. October shouldn't be hard to get, except perhaps for Columbus Day (a bit tougher).

 

[DeniseM]

A great place to do your research is the TUG Ratings and Reviews: https://tug2.com/timeshare-resorts/?Mexico-Newest-Reviews&area=8&new=90

You can drill down to the area you are looking for by using the menu on the left side of the Reviews page:

 

[mdurette]

We usually stay in Orlando Marriotts. (you can sometimes find Cypress and Royal and Sable Palms via RCI - but are rare). Pleased with all of them. But, I did just do a quick long weekend and ended up with cheap RCI LM stay at Holiday Inn Orange Lake, West Village. The room appeared to have been recently renovated and the 2BR was very large. The resort had a lot: pools, lazy river, mini golf, arcade, etc etc etc.

BUT....not a fan of the resort. Quite simply it is WAY too big for my liking. I like to walk and from our room at least (which was the first road at entrance) you really needed a car to get anywhere on the resort.

 

[Vacationsarefun]

We usually stay in Orlando Marriotts. (you can sometimes find Cypress and Royal and Sable Palms via RCI - but are rare). Pleased with all of them. But, I did just do a quick long weekend and ended up with cheap RCI LM stay at Holiday Inn Orange Lake, West Village. The room appeared to have been recently renovated and the 2BR was very large. The resort had a lot: pools, lazy river, mini golf, arcade, etc etc etc.

BUT....not a fan of the resort. Quite simply it is WAY too big for my liking. I like to walk and from our room at least (which was the first road at entrance) you really needed a car to get anywhere on the resort.

We too are trying to decide on an Orlando timeshare, so I have a quick question about the above: When you say that you need a car to get around, do you mean it is actually impossible to do without a car/walk places (e.g. there is no good path to walk on) or is it just inconveniently far (if the later, how far are we talking about)? Also, how difficult is parking there? I don't mind driving as much as parking/small spaces.

 

[Lisa P]

2br in october... attractions in orlando, disney... shopping in the outlet malls... pools and such at the resort... kids aged 13,13 and 7...
The Fountains (#7605)
Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts (#3175)
The Barefoot Suites By Ascend Collection (#D096)
Holiday Inn Club Vacations At Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)
Orlando's Sunshine Resort II (#5592)

The Fountains has a really nice resort-style pool area and amenities with plenty for young teens and school-aged kids to do. Its location on south I-Drive is very good for your planned activities. Of these options, this would be my pick for an Orlando/WDW/Outlets/Resort family vacation.

Summer Bay and HI/Orange Lake are both nice with attractive resort-style amenities and activities. But they are located on the far side of WDW. For us, it's too long of a drive to other Orlando area attractions and outlets, especially through the congested Disney area of I-4. IMO, these are good choices for a WDW- and resort-centered vacation.

Barefoot is inside of Old Town in busy Kissimmee, which some people love, others don't. It depends on whether you like walk-to restaurants, touristy shops, lots of active people around. Have never visited this particular resort so no info there, sorry.

Never been to Sunshine, which is off the northern stretch of I-Drive, closer to Universal. This is another busy area that some people love, others don't. With your plan to visit Orlando attractions and shop the outlets, the location may work well for you but I can't offer any thoughts about this resort either, sorry.

[re: HI/Orange Lake] ...need a car to get around, do you mean it is actually impossible to do without a car/walk places (e.g. there is no good path to walk on) or is it just inconveniently far (if the later, how far are we talking about)?

On Google Maps, enter River Island Grilling Company Kissimmee. "Get Directions" from Orange Lake Circle Kissimmee, which is in the furthest section of West Village at the front of the resort, just inside from Rte. 192. At the top of the page, click on the icon of the walking man.

This says it's about a 2.3 mile walk or bike ride to the River Island recreation area from the furthest condos in West Village. It is all on level sidewalks along pretty, nicely landscaped grounds. And yes, the walk/ride/drive takes you safely under the Rte. 429 overpass.

The resort runs a shuttle with stops around the resort (which you can request from a room phone) and there is plenty of parking in a large lot next to each Village's recreation area. Most units are located close enough to easily walk to a nearby pool to relax but families wanting the full services of a particular village's recreation center would probably drive or ride the shuttle around the resort. We enjoyed walking and biking around this resort when we stayed in East Village. HTH.

 

[mdurette]

We too are trying to decide on an Orlando timeshare, so I have a quick question about the above: When you say that you need a car to get around, do you mean it is actually impossible to do without a car/walk places (e.g. there is no good path to walk on) or is it just inconveniently far (if the later, how far are we talking about)? Also, how difficult is parking there? I don't mind driving as much as parking/small spaces.

http://www.atimeshare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ResortMap_OLCC.png

Our location was Building 4 on South Magnolia Court - way down by Route 192 at the bottom of the map linked here. From there to the West Village main area - I would say it was about a mile walk, with pathways. They did have shuttles, but I really didn't see many people using them. Most took their car (I assume) to the areas. I have no idea if you could walk to River Island as we didn't venture there. As for parking. No issues at all in front of unit or at the main area of West Village.

Again - I don't mind walking at all. We stay at Grand Vista a lot and I don't care if I'm in the furthest building from the main pool - I still walk it. But, this was a bit excessive.

On the good side about our unit location is it was very quiet and the small pool in that area only had a handful of people in it. When is the last time you went to an Orlando pool at 11am in 85 degree sunshine to find 90% of the chairs, tables, umbrellas available!

 

[Vacationsarefun]

Thanks, Lisa P and mdurette. It would probably be too far to walk comfortably in the August heat but still I am glad to know that it is possible due to paths etc. Also, parking/driving doesn't sound like a big issue there.

But I am having a difficult time making up my mind where to stay. One kid wants a great pool, one wants to stay on I-Drive, I would like both (and preferably no driving)...