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Booking Disney Off Property

krmlaw

krmlaw

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Joined
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Location
North Greenbush, NY
Adding a few nights onto a Ft Meyers stay in September over labor day.

RCI choices are:
Orangle Lake East, North or West (2 beds)
Sheraton Vistana Resort (2 beds - the gold crown one)
VV at Parkway (2 bed)
Summer Bay (2 or 3 bed)

All 9 TPU.

Looking for closeness to Disney and a decent pool.
 
I second that thought
 
bnoble said:
I would take Vistana. Orange Lake pools are nicer, but it is a farther trip.
Click to expand...

I agree, but might also take Summer Bay for a 3 bedroom. It is a bit of a drive, but not terrible, espcially in low season. I've never stayed in their regular 3 bedroom units. The pool houses are wonderful and the one 2 br we stayed in wasn't bad, though I would take Vistana over the Summer Bay 2br.

We didn't like Orange Lake.

Sheila
 
For proximity to Disney Sheraton Vistana is the best choice.
 
krmlaw said:
Adding a few nights onto a Ft Meyers stay in September over labor day.

RCI choices are:
Orangle Lake East, North or West (2 beds)
Sheraton Vistana Resort (2 beds - the gold crown one)
VV at Parkway (2 bed)
Summer Bay (2 or 3 bed)

All 9 TPU.

Looking for closeness to Disney and a decent pool.
Click to expand...

In Florida, we spell it Fort Myers

not on your list, but Bonnet Creek is within the Disney Gates , pools, lazy river, water slides, etc...and the bonus is a view of the disney fireworks; from your room if you ask nicely. Last visit we watched from the hot tub
 
I'd rather sleep in my car than stay at Bonnet Creek. That place is TERRIBLE! Go for Vistana. Many pools, activities for the kids, restaurants, and a nice General Store. It's the kind of resort you don't have to leave and still have a good time all day long.
 
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Gotta agree with Brian. For proximity, Vistana is the best of the choices you listed.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is closer and is our personal off-site favorite, but since you didn't list it I'm assuming it's not available. You might want to look through the Sightings forum to see where they are on their bulk bankings. I don't think they've bulk banked September yet, so you should be able to get in there later (when they do bulk bank September) with no problem.

I personally plan to skip Orange Lake unless I can get into River Island. That's supposed to be the best of the four sections, and all four have a combined 1 in 4 restriction, so if you stay in one of the other three you couldn't get into River Island for 4 years, either.
 
MichaelColey said:
Gotta agree with Brian. For proximity, Vistana is the best of the choices you listed.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is closer and is our personal off-site favorite, but since you didn't list it I'm assuming it's not available. You might want to look through the Sightings forum to see where they are on their bulk bankings. I don't think they've bulk banked September yet, so you should be able to get in there later (when they do bulk bank September) with no problem.

I personally plan to skip Orange Lake unless I can get into River Island. That's supposed to be the best of the four sections, and all four have a combined 1 in 4 restriction, so if you stay in one of the other three you couldn't get into River Island for 4 years, either.
Click to expand...

I second the Bonnet Creek if you have enough TPU's.
Sept. is just starting to be deposited.
This is the week before what you need and it's 18 TPU's.
2 Bedrooms 8 (6) Full Sat 25-Aug-2012 Sat 01-Sep-2012 Exchange Fee 18
The 1 bedroom is 16.

So if you stay at Orange Lake do you have access to the River in any section or just the River Island section? I've yet to try it out, next up is Oasis Lakes which supposedly has an indoor pool for winter visiting. I'm a FL whimp when it comes to cold pools. :cool:
 
Add me to the list of folks who think that if proximity plus good pools are your two main criteria, Bonnet Creek is ideal. September (at least after the first week or two) should come in lower than August.
 
Also recommend Wyndham Bonnet Creek

We stayed at Bonnet Creek a couple of months ago and loved it. We had a 3 BedRoom deluxe (non-presidential) in Building 6. I have Nothing but positive things to say about our week there.

Resort staff was great, pools awesome, and our condo was very nice. We avoided the sales folk, who seem to cause some/most of the issues with people who stay there.
 
The September bulk could hit literally anytime---the August one was quite late. The trick with Bonnet is that if you are already committed to a particular check-in day (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) you might not get that particular day---Wyndham often does not deposit all three, or even two of the three, for any given month (and it's unpredictable). If you can take any day in the weekend, you should be golden.
 
Concerning Orange Lakes. No matter which Village you stay in, you have use of all the amenities. Downside is, the lazy river charges $9 for an inner tube, even though you can BUY one near the entrance (Publix) for $6 - which you can NOT use in the lazy river.

I am thinking, the reason River Island isn't on RCI is because, either the owners are not trading away, or OL is holding on to the suites for (possible) future sales. RI is basically brand-new.

TS
 
As long as things stay the same, the bulk deposit for September 2013 should hit in January or February of NEXT year.
 
My choice would be either Bonnet Creek or Vistana, in that order. We did not like Orange Lake at all. Our unit was so far from the pool, we had to drive. Except for the distance to Disney aspect, our favourite resort is Summer Bay. We had a three-bedroom unit last year when our kids and grandbabies came down. It was a lovely 2-bedroom with a one-bedroom lockout unit. It was perfect for all of us. Next month we will be in one of the coveted houses. :whoopie:

Dori
 
thanks guys - i think i might wait then to book bonnet creek, knowing its location and that we are just there for a few days.
 
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