Windsor Hills VS Staying On Property
Stayed at Windsor Hills Community in the spring of 2008 and really loved the experience and property. Great condo, great pool and great location. Parents rented there for 2 months and we both just loved the experience. For the past 30 years (20 plus trips) we have always stayed on property and actually felt guilty for staying "Off" property for the first time. What i love about staying on property was not altogether lost because of the close location to the parks and community pool. For us it was Actually quicker to get out of a park back to our condo than most bus-to-resort trips. I also love the fact of the 3 bedrooms 2 baths, family room & kitchen and the privacy you get with kids and inlaws/parents (I know DVC owners have a similar experience). It certainly was a different experience staying off property, but surprisingly still equally enjoyable for different reasons that I found to be refreshing and a fun adventure.
What I actually liked the most which we didnt anticipate was getting away from the crowds both at the parks and at the resorts. Something about staying on property which i never relaized was that i always feel like i was missing something fun by not being in the parks. I am always in go mode, even when sitting by the pool. Being off property I was more relaxed and didnt always feel like I should to be somewhere and being able to have the option to grab a meal at the condo made it a bit more like home...if that makes sense? Although one of the best parts of vacationing is eating out, this gives you a great option and as the week went on the more we just wanted to have meals at the condo before we went back to the parks.
We kept the same schedule of parks in the am, pool afternoon and another park at night. Didnt feel like we were inconvienenced at all with the extra back and forth in a car, not much of a difference except for the parking, which wasnt that bad. We even took a cab one night becasue we knew that we would be having plenty of drinks around the worldshowcase. $8 cab and well worth it...just went through the back of Epcot through the Boardwalk. So easy...
Another thing new for me, I never rented a car before on trips with the entire family and have always used the wdw transportation. After this trip i actually started renting a car (just to have the option) because of the access and honestly realized that the buses, although easy to use sometimes not always relaxing with 4 kids especially when its packed. I really enjoyed getting in our car and having our own space to unwind. Plus not be judged if a kid has a melt down and you need to do the smack down!
or even worse a parents who say nothing to kids when they are being disruptive, even if its not one of yours soemhow still stressful? I finally realized that access to a mini van and that 10-15 minutes of space and calm down time is well worth the cost and option.
Like most of all of us on these forums, I assume we are all the go to people for friends, families and coworkers as they plan their WDW trips. I have always recommended staying on property, but after this experience I have recommended renting a house or condo as an option depending upon their needs/ budgets, level of experience and expectations.
But with this all said... staying at the Carribean Beach for ESPN The Weekend next Thursday-Sun with my oldest son and a few other of our father-son friends. We will bus it this time as i am sure we will be the loud unruly ones! :lol:
