Which of these Orlando Resorts would you pick??

[jfitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close jfitz]

We are considering spending a week visiting Disney World prior to our September 08 beach week at the Bay & Beach Club in Indian Shores. The beach week will likely include a day or two at Busch Gardens Tampa. Our Orlando visit would be strictly for Disney and encompass all four parks. We were in Orlando at Cypress Pointe Grand Villas in February and did "all the rest" but have not been to Disney for over a decade. Our group is all adults, at least agewise, so a nice hot tub trumps a water slide when it comes to amenities. Elevators in multistory buildings are a plus but not a necessity. I am considering the following II resorts on presumed quality based on their II rating, accommodation availability, and smoking policy, which is why it doesn't include Disney, Marriott and others:
Cypress Pointe
Mystic Dunes
Polynesian Isles
Sheraton's Vistana
Star Island

So which would you choose considering overall quality, ease of access to the Disney Parks, availability of nearby supermarkets, restaurants, & etc, and onsite amenities such as pools, washers/dryers in room and parking convenience?

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

I can give you my opinion on 2 of the resorts you mentioned. I stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort last year and Polynesian Isles this year. Between the 2 of them I would choose Polynesian Isles. Why, you ask? I also just wrote a review of it here

Pros:
Smaller resort
3 hot tubs
2 pools
nice layout of unit
close to area restaurants, sits perpendicular to 2 major roads with restaurants and stores
Free washer/dryer between 2 units
Jetted tubs in rooms
Nice Landscaping

The Vistana gets very good reviews, it's just not my cup of tea.
It's a large resort, they have a service in which you could order groceries for when you arrive instead of going shopping, which is very nice.
They also have a restaurant onsite which is very convenient.
They have lots of activities, a couple of pools and I'm not sure of hot tubs.
There are different sections which other people can speak to..I don't even know what section I was in but it was a building in the 30's.

I brought my grandson there, so I guess for him it was pretty good as there are many kids there.

If you do a search for Sheraton Vistana you should be able to bring up a lot of information

Both resorts are pretty much in the same vicinity, maybe 1/4 -1/2 mile away from each other.

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

I like Polynesian Isles best, secluded yet close. Cypress Pointe would be next.

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

Cypress Pointe - My Choice

I have stayed at Cypress Pointe (I); Mystic Dunes (when I stayed it was called Wyndham Palms), and Vistana. I would rate them in that order.

If I were a golfer, Mystic Dunes would become the first choice. But both Cypress Point and Mystic Dunes we better kept and friendlier than Vistana.

But, both Cypress Pointe and Vistana are on the East side of Disney closer to all the other attractions and services (location Location Location).

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

One more vote for Cyprees Pointe I, they are all 3 bedrooms units. Great location to everything in Orlando.

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

I was at Cypress Pointe in 2001 and loved it. Small resort and very close to Disney. I would go there again anytime.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

another vote for Cypress Pointe Phase 1 for unit <2Bdrm or 3BDRM lock-out> and location.

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

Our Orlando visit would be strictly for Disney and encompass all four parks.... I am considering the following II resorts on presumed quality based on their II rating, accommodation availability, and smoking policy, which is why it doesn't include Disney, Marriott and others

What does this mean? Are you only selecting resorts which may have smoking or smoking-optional rooms? Or do you think that your resort would not pull one of the Disney or Marriot rooms? There's availability at DVC/Marriott resorts in II for late August and September (great time to visit, btw, with low crowds) - do you prefer not to stay at one of them? Just trying to understand.

[jfitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close jfitz]

Trade power is not the issue; my wife is a smoker so resorts that prohibit smoking are not an option.

[bink402 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bink402]

Vistana seemed better to me

The proximity was similar but the amenities at Vistana were better
I like the tennis court

[robin5252 Member Find all posts View Profile Close robin5252]

Another vote for Cypress Pointe although if not for the smoking policy the Disney resorts would get my top vote. In September you see a lot of Disney resorts come up.