[DereksMom713]

Hello all! I've been M.I.A. for just a little bit. We did a bit of traveling this summer (to everywhere other than Disney) and we're now interviewing, touring, and sending out applications for college.... oops, I mean elementary school (college entry will be less stressful).

With everything going on, I'm even more eager to begin planning my May 2008 trip. Pre-planning has already brought up a big issue. Where do we stay? My family (and friends) have yet to stay on-site. I'd really really really love to do that this year. However, after experiencing the Sheraton Vistana Villages, everyone, but me, is reluctatnt to stay elsewhere unless it is comparable. I am aware of the All-Star Family Suites. But, the images aren't convincing my family. Is there anyone here who has stayed at an off-site timeshare and the family suites? What do you think? Also, somewhere within these threads, I've read about the Disney timeshares having kitchens and living rooms. And, I've also read about people having the ability to rent them. How does this work?

Thanks so much for your help.

[Dana]

The disney vacation clubs are perfect. You need to rent points from a DVC owner or pay the per night price which is pretty steep. Just post in the trade/request thread in the DVc forum to see if anyone has any points for rent for your time frame and then go from there. I don't like the layout or the look of the famiy suites either, so I can understand why you are skeptical about staying therer.

[Boss Mouse]

What about staying at a DVC? You can rent points off someone. We stay at SSR all the time and love it.

[DereksMom713]

Ok. Thanks. Over the next couple weeks, I'll narrow down my dates and then I'll post in the DVC area.

[mousemom]

If you are looking for an off site timeshare, I would highly suggest Orange Lake Resort. We went there this past summer and absolutley loved it. My mom owns a timeshare with International Interval so we just exchange out her week for a week in Orlando. That resort has everything. It is awsome. That is the best resort I have found outside of Disney. I would love to stay at one of the DVC resorts,but can not afford that much for the length we can stay for on my mom's timeshare. If you can afford a DVC(and money is not the issue) I would pick a DVC resort. I also have stayed at the Sharaton Resort last year and thought it was ok. If you all liked that one ,then you would surely love Orange Lake.

[PrincessFan]

I have not stayed at the Sheraton nor the All Star Family, but my guess is that you will not impressed with the amenities of the All Star compared to the time share. BUT, (that's a big BUT) there is something to be said about staying on Disney property. . .its Disney.

You should look into the DVC or maybe stay at the Polynesian. Can't be the value of the value resorts though, but if money is not an issue -- shoot for DVC.

[iluvwdw]

I am an owner at Vistana Villages and it REALLY is an AMAZING resort!!!!!! I haven't stayed at the All Star Family Suites, though, but I have stayed at the All Star Music. I didn't love it, so I'd vote Vistana Villages! Those rooms are ABSOLUTELY incredible!

I also recommend renting DVC points from a DVC member. We did that twice and LOVED it! However, we only rented a studio.

If price is an issue, I am sure Vistana Villages will be the cheaper option. If you can spend a little more money, go for renting DVC points!

[SuiteDisney]

I have pictures of all of the DVC resorts if it will help you to decide. Disney Vacation Club Resorts

[MissDisney]

We have stayed in a villa at BWV, and it was incredible. Absolutely an experience, but incredibly expensive!!!

We have stayed several times at Vistana Resort, which is very affordable and luxurious.

We have also stayed once at Marriott's Palm Villas, which was incredible and at a price comparable to Vistana Resort, but they are hard to get... they fill up fast, so if you can't book WAY in advance, you might have to pay the big bucks.

Nothing beats staying on property, and BWV was a perfect location for us. But the money thing was pretty hard to swallow.

[emamasa]

For an offsite timeshare - i agree - orange lake was very nice! it wasn't too far from WDW at all - we had no trouble with traffic ever.

I haven't done the other options you mentioned, but if possible, i'd try to stay onsite. For our next trip, depending on finances, we'll shoot for an onsite stay. if that doesn't work, we'll go with orange lake again without hesitation.

[SuiteDisney]

You can almost always get a DVC villa cheaper through renting points than you can paying through CRO.

[rlcarmichael]

You may want to BUY a week. There are some bargins to be had out there. I've seen Orange Lake studio for $1 on ebay.

Stayed there once on exchange and it great place. It wasn't onsite, but it was close.

Word of caution about the timeshares. Some of them aren't anything special. I'd stick to Sheraton (had a 2 bedroom there paid $1200) Orange Lake or one of the big names. Check the places out in RCI or II before you buy.

Here's a couple on line now that could be great deals!

FLORIDA ORLANDO SHERATON VISTANA TIMESHARE RCI POINTS - (eBay item 330176561797 end time Oct-19-07 17:23:13 PDT)

Week 36, Orange Lake Country Club - (eBay item 130163582126 end time Oct-19-07 17:45:00 PDT)

2BR SHERATON VISTANA Disney 5 STAR Red Week TIMESHARE - (eBay item 160168195945 end time Oct-18-07 18:00:00 PDT)

[DereksMom713]

Thankfully, cost isn't so much the issue for me. But, when traveling with other families, I like to be sensitive to their finances. In addition, my husband prefers so much the space of a villa. He is sold on having a full kitchen, living room, etc. My mother has traveled with us and has been able to have her own bedroom and bathroom.

My husband and I had a discussion last night and he agreed to allow me to stay in an on-site hotel of my choosing. If I'm going to do it, I want to go all the way and do AKL. I KNOW that isn't going to be feasible for my friends. Therefore, I'll have to save that stay for a time when just my son, him, and I go. So, it looks like we'll be staying off-site again. I'm going to look into some of the villas you guys have recommended.

Thanks.

[mousemom]

That is a good choice. I would definetly check into Orange Lake. The room in the villa was very nice. Plenty of room to move about. I did find that they were a bit nicer and roomery than the Sheraton. I did like the sheraton, but for things to do, Orande Lake had tons more. They recently added a mini type water park. It was nice,but no major thrill rides. They had a lazy river,and the water depth was not much,esp nice for little children. I really like having a pool that my littles can touch wherever they are in the pool. I would definetly ask for the River Island(that's where the water park is), or where we stayed was the North Villages. I love the pool there(lagoon style) and again low depth with slide. They have lots of activies and game room (in the west village) and also poll table,ping pong, shuffle board,ect. Very nice there. I would definetly choose an on site hotel,but with as many people as you have going an off site villa is awsome. hope you have fun which ever you choose.