Random Orlando TS Observations

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

ok...here is what I did yesterday...my conference was over at 4pm and I drove around the TS properties along I-drive and surrounding areas. Here are my impressions:

DVC still rules IMHO as the best Orlando (Disney) experience. They all are fantastic quality and there is a major intangible experience staying on Disney property. I am happy I am a DVC owner.

I drove into Bonnet Creek Resort by Fairfield (hard to find as there are no signs pointing the way) and liked the resort, but it seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of TS on Disney property (gets no respect). If I owned Fairfield, I would be happy here. Unfortunately, there are no Disney characters, bus transportation, extra magic house, etc. so it may be on Disney property, but it is not integrated into the Disney experience.

All the Marriotts seem very nice here. The locations of the 3 World Center locations are hard to beat for an off Disney site. Grand Vista and Cypress Harbour are great if you like golf and want to escape Disney. I did not visit Horizons as this is a value resort.

The two Hilton properties are very nice. I think they offer a nice Marriott alternative, but seem too vertical for me. Any TS over 4 stories high seems too high for me. These are close to SeaWorld.

The Sheraton properties are along I-drive and seem fine, but I did not drive on their property.

I drove into The Fountains (Bluegreen vacation club) and it was a ghost town with only a dozen cars in the parking lot. It seemed new, but other than the guard at the gate who let me in, I did not see anyone here. It is between Seaworld and Disney and in a pretty good non-resort location but no golf like Marriott.

The Grand Beach by Sunterra seemed like a remodeled hotel and I drove past without stopping.

The piesta-de-resistance was JW Marriott/Ritz Carlton. This was not a TS, but I can see Marriott adding one to this location. Funny, it is in the WORST location (IMHO) but the golf club and spa looked wonderful. I snuck past the $9 parking and went to the golf club and parked for free! I walked into the FANTASTIC marriott pool area and made me wish I brought my bathing suite. Very cool pool and lazy river. The Ritz seemed cold to me and not as "classic" as other Ritz properties I have visited. I am not sure if it is worth the extra $$$ to stay here, but the restaruant onsite looked wonderful. I would stay at the JW and eat at Ritz. The pool at the Ritz was not as nice as JW.

I drove by TimesharesOnly headquarters and let me tell you...they are making big $$$ off selling TS resales. Very nice business building and large! They do a ton of advertising in Orlando. I also went by Vacation Timeshare Resales (OrlandoTimeshareResales) in the Regency Village and it was very small but very nicely decorated.

I later drove up by Universal Studios and was surprised NOT to find any TS on that property or even near Universal. I think Universal is missing the boat on this one. Westgate Lakes is a few miles away, but I decided to pass this one by, even thought it looked pretty nice from I-4.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

You missed one

It sounds like you didn't continue north past Grand Beach and the Crossroads 1/2 mile to Cypress Pointe Resort. Gold Crown resort 1 mile from Downtown Disney set in a planned development that allows the enjoyment of walking rather than having to drive to everything you care to do. One of the best locations in Orlando and, if I do say so, a great resort as well. Not large (by Orlando standards) but well featured. Stop by and take a look.

[SOS8260456 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close SOS8260456]

I drove into Bonnet Creek Resort by Fairfield (hard to find as there are no signs pointing the way) and liked the resort, but it seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of TS on Disney property (gets no respect). If I owned Fairfield, I would be happy here. Unfortunately, there are no Disney characters, bus transportation, extra magic house, etc. so it may be on Disney property, but it is not integrated into the Disney experience.

I am as much a Fairfield fan as I am a DVC fan, but I hate when Fairfield says that Bonnet Creek is ON Disney propery. It is surrounded on 3 sides by Disney property, but it is not on Disney property. Although I do have to say that the view I had of Spaceship Earth when we stayed at Bonnet Creek was the best view I ever had including all of our onsite stays.

Lisa

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I later drove up by Universal Studios and was surprised NOT to find any TS on that property or even near Universal. I think Universal is missing the boat on this one. Westgate Lakes is a few miles away, but I decided to pass this one by, even thought it looked pretty nice from I-4.

I own at the Orlando International resort which is a GC Fairfield. The resort is about a 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile up the road from Universal , It is near the outlets and close to wet and wild. From the out side the place does not look like a huge resort with many ameniteys. The rooms are nice and large with 3 baths.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Bill,

Nice overview in a short time frame. The Fairfield Bonnet Creek is a fantastic resort. It has Cisco phone with free broadband internet access, very nice furnishings, great service and nice floor plans in the units. The 4 bedroom penthouse is better than any Disney unit I've been in with the exception of maybe the 3-bedroom grand villa. The location is fantastic whether or not it is on or off Disney property. If you adjust what you get at the FF Bonnet Creek with the price, you get a different picture.

I don't recall you mentioning the Hilton's on International Drive or at Sea World. They are really nice, especially the Tuscany and their pool area. And, the Sherton Vistana Villages is in my opinion nicer than any of the Marriott's in Orlando. The Horizon's is my young children's favorite resort which is across the street from Marriott Cypress Harbor.

Next time, you should venture around 192 where you will find a ton of other resorts. Star Island has beauitful grounds. Orangle Lake and Summer Bay (especially the Houses) are really great resorts. Silver Lake - Silver Points is a decent resort with another great location.

Thanks for the reminder of how many truly great resorts there are in Orlando.

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

The Hiltons are very nice...I stayed at the one on I-drive near the Outlet Mall last year. My only complaint it that they are too vertical and I would like them more if they were 3-4 stories high.

I saw the Sherton Viatana and there is a lot of construction going on here, so I did not venture in. It across the street from the bluegreen resort.

I talked my way into the Marriott Cypress Harbour (extremely nice) and really liked this TS. They hit a home run with the layout and landscaping. I loved the tree lines roads and the low rise buildings. I then went across the street to Horizons and the guard gave me a hrd time about getting in...thus I lied and said I had an appointment to preview a unit for sale. He then let me in...geeze every other guard was easy to bypass, except this one. I saw LOTS of familits and KIDS having FUN. If it was up to my kids...they would LOVE this palce. It is funny...I never considered buying or renting at Horizons as this is considered a Value Marriott....and I ASSumed that it would be less quality, when indeed it was just as nice as the Grande Vista, without the golf.

I was not brave enough to venture towards 192 as I only like Celebration there. I think the retailers DESTROYED Kissimee and 192 with overdevelopment. This is the kitchiest place on earth. Celebration is a nice escape from the 192 road. I liked visiting Old Town, but perfer to stay elsewhere.

Orlando is an amazingly large place and you could easily spend a week here visiting all the TS properties. I think there is opportunities for smart buyers/sellers/renters in this place.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

What about golf?

Some friends are going in November and they're interested in the public courses. Any insight as to costs, challenge, availability, getting tee time in advance, etc?

Any input appreciated. I don't golf and have never been to Orlando.

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

Some friends are going in November and they're interested in the public courses. Any insight as to costs, challenge, availability, getting tee time in advance, etc?

Any input appreciated. I don't golf and have never been to Orlando.

I am home now (Boca Raton) and the drive home on the Turnpike pelted my car with love bugs....thousands are splatted aross my hood, grill, window...yuck!.

There are hundreds of golf courses in Orlando and most are pretty good. I would suggest playing close to where you are staying. I am sure there is a golf map web site for Orlando. Check google

[suekap Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close suekap]

Steamboat Bill

Where is celebration located. Is this resort new and still doing construction?

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

Where is celebration located. Is this resort new and still doing construction?

This started as a master planned community designed by Disney, located off 192 and I-4 just outside the gates of Walt Disney World.

It is a very quaint town located in Kissimmee.

They have a main street, market, school, golf, movie, etc.

http://www.celebrationfl.com/

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

We loved Marriott's Horizon resort when we stayed there in April. It reminded me of a Disney resort. I actually think Horizons would beat out a good portion of the Disney hotels for little kids. Horizons had a mini water park; not one, but two pools with themed slides; and a miniature golf course. We own DVC points, but I was very impressed with Horizons. The beds (great pillow top mattresses) and large TV's (1 big screen in the living room and large televisions in the bedrooms) with satellite TV were better than a DVC resort. So I don't consider Marriott Horizons a value Marriott at all. Our unit at Horizons was actually way better than the one our nephew had at Marriott Grande Vista that same week.

I want to try Cypress Pointe and Sheraton Vistana Villages on some upcoming trips.