posted 05-08-2005 06:31            

I'm thinking of doing the following and would appreciate any advice. My 13 yo and I will go to Orlando the Friday after T'giving. We'll stay at Cypress Point, HGVC, or OLCC for the first week. The second week we will stay onsite at WDW (most likely All Stars). The third week we'll be back to TS, same choices as above, maybe adding Vistana. I've stayed at Vistana twice before, so I'm looking at other resorts. The first and second week we'll be at WDW quite a bit, but the third week we'll probably stay at the resort, do school work (we homeschool), and take some educational day trips--Blue Spring State Park for example. At the end of the third week my husband will join us for a few days onsite at WDW (All Stars again).

I know it makes more sense to do the TS weeks back to back, but I think I'm more likely to get the best rates at WDW the week of the 3rd rather than the 10th.

What TS do you recommend for the first and third weeks? The 13 yo likes to swim and play mini golf. I like the outdoor hot tubs and attractive grounds and accommodations.

Thanks in advance.

posted 05-08-2005 18:27               

It sounds like you've got a plan. I think you'll be happy with any of those choices. I haven't been to Cypress Point, but I have been to OLCC and HGVC. I love both of those resorts.

Rather than staying at Disney All Stars, I would rather stay at Fairfield Bonnet Creek. That's my favorite Orlando area resort.

A sleeper is The Fountains. I've been there 3 times and it's quite nice, but they only have 2 bedroom units. They will be putting in a water park there for completion in 2006.

I also like Summer Bay Resort. But, it's kinda far away.

posted 05-08-2005 22:04            

They do have paddle boats (small fee) and a fishing dock out onto the lake. (Cane poles $1; Reel poles slightly more; worms $4/dzn)
One hot tub outside, one inside the clubhouse. An indoor/outdoor heated pool between the two.

VERY conveniently located. LOVED their screened porches. Construction on site was NOT a bother. Water park...ground has been broken but that's about all.

posted 05-08-2005 22:18            

I think you'll be happy at any of the three. As long as you're splitting up the weeks anyway, why not try 2 different ones?

posted 05-09-2005 02:50               

Vistana has always been our favorite and has lots of activities, so it might be a good choice for the week you don't have a lot planned.

posted 05-09-2005 06:47               

here is a link http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=PopCenturyResortRatesListingPage

I would go with Pop Century over All Stars. besides since they are in different countries the taxes are different - All star is 12%, while Pop is 11.5%

why? more things to entertain YOU. there are some things your kids will like here. but this place has a ton of memories for the adults.

Cypress Pointe or Sheraton Vistana or Silver Lakes are probably your closest to WDW.

Cypress pointe has become so popular that hotel kingdom has increased their rates....So most (if not all) of the rehab is finished.

I haven't heard alot about Fairfield Bonnet Creek - yes it is in the middle of WDW property (but not onsite) - it is next to CBR and POP.

I don't know if having to take your own car when you are this close won't be more irrating than to stay further offsite - where everyone drives. Bonnet Creek does have transportation - but it like offsite not WDW transportation.

Pop has some of the best transportation at WDW - when one bus is full another generally arrives (if there are people waiting) - the lines look very, very long - but because the buses arrival so promptly your wait won't be long.

posted 05-09-2005 14:57            

Sheila, I don't have II, only RCI. I wish I had II because then I might be able to get one of the OKW weeks that's like a bonus week. It might be worth it to buy a cheap II week with low maintenance fees just to get those OKW weeks!

BocaBum, when I do my RCI search, Fairfield Bonnet Creek doesn't come up. It sounds like a good location, but I would still stay onsite for one of the weeks. I like being able to use Extra Magic Hour. The Fountains doesn't come up either. Is it II?

SpiceyCat, I had been thinking about Pop Century instead of All Stars, and I've been hearing good things about it. Do you like any particular section (decade) more than others? I didn't realize they were in different counties with different tax rates! I'll rent a car for the whole time we're there. I like to get to the parks really early, and you can't do that when you're off-site if you don't have a car. When I've stayed at the All Stars I've always stayed in Sports because the bus stops there first. I'm *that* kind of Disney dork!

Which resort has the easier drive to the WDW parks--Cypress Pointe, Vistana, or OLCC? If you stay at Cypress, do you have to go through Downtown Disney?

Thanks also Girard and Teachingmyown! Teaching, are you a homeschooler too?

Lisa G.

posted 05-10-2005 07:15            

I'm confident you'll be very happy with Cypress Palms. Fairfield consistently provides high quality in our resorts.

And yes, we're finishing up our 12th year of homeschooling, with only another 11 to go! WE LOVE being able to take our "school" with us while we vacation during quiet seasons. In Universal Studios/IOA last week we enjoyed VERY short lines.

posted 05-10-2005 18:10            

quote:

---

Originally posted by teachingmyown:
It's possible that The Fountains is still coming up in RCI under its old name, "Oasis Lakes at the Fountains".

---

It does still come up under Oasis Lakes. It must be one of the few Orlando resorts with an indoor pool, which would be nice in cool weather. Last time we visited the area it was in January, and we could hardly use the pools. Of course the advantage is the small crowds at WDW. Unfortunately it won't work out to stay at The Fountains this time. They don't have Sunday check-in, and I confirmed the FF Cypress Palms week for 12/18, so I need to do a Sunday check-in the week before as well.

We're finishing up our eighth year of homeschooling. Traveling in the low season is one of the secret advantages of hs'ing. ; )

posted 05-11-2005 06:57               

Vistana turn right out of their parking lot - at the next big intersection with a traffic light turn right again - once you are past the Marriott World Center (believe me you can't miss it) you are on WDW property and will start seeing the WDW signs.

from Cypress Point - it is best to go to DD - at DD turn either left or right - if you turn right - the second (could be third) turn on your left - Disney Vacation Way is the name of this road - both SSR and OKW entrances are on this road along with a golf course. go straight on this road to get to Epcot and MK - to get to the other parks turn left from 'DVC way' to Bonnet Creek Parkwat then when this road ends (ends when you can't go straight) turn right - this road has Fairfield bonnet creek and CBR on it plus Studios a little further down.

for Pop Century - I love the 50's building. it has it own swimming pool.
the preferred is 60's.

the 70's is also a convenient location. doesn't have it own swimming pool.

there is only one bus stop at Pop - so it looks very, very busy - most of time the buses come very quickly.

the most we ever waited for a bus was 10 minutes - the average was around 3 to 5 min. lots of time the bus was pulling up and we just walked on....gotta love it!!!