Review of Windsor Hills Resort

Playground

Windsor Hills Resort offers two- and three-bedroom condos, three-bedroom townhomes with private splash pools and four-, five- and six-bedroom pool homes. All units, regardless of size, contain full kitchens, washer/dryers and two or more bathrooms. Televisions are found in the living room and each bedroom. Some owners provide Internet access and other amenities, such as game rooms and upgraded furnishings.

Guests enjoy a large, zero entry community pool with fountains, a water slide and a hot tub overlooking a small lake. If you plan to spend time at the community pool, you'll need to pay a refundable fee for an access card. Next to the pool area is a clubhouse, small store, game area, fitness center and a small movie theater. The resort's recreation area features a sand volleyball court, a golf putting/chipping green and lighted basketball and tennis courts. A large, castle-themed playground offers ample opportunity for children to climb and explore. Next to the playground is a jumbo chess set and plenty of benches for the older crowd.

Condos and villas offer plenty of room for families to spread out. Couples with young children will appreciate the multiple bedrooms found in each unit. While the little ones sleep, parents can enjoy a drink in the living room or a dip in their private pool. Guests on a budget will find that meal costs can be reduced by using the kitchens for meals and snacks. By taking the Sherbeth Road shortcut, Windsor Hills guests can reach Animal Kingdom in five minutes and the other Disney parks in 10 to 15 minutes. Since each unit is individually owned, there is no central rental office. Guests must make arrangements with individual owners or management companies in order to stay at Windsor Hills and must contact the management company if problems occur during their stays. The resort is particularly strict about height requirements for the pool slide and insists that children must be at least 48 inches high to use the slide. The resort, while attractive, doesn't quite meet the Disney standards for themes and landscaping, and guests who are used to Disney resorts may be slightly disappointed.

Staying at Windsor Hills is ideal for guests who want to be close to the Disney parks without paying the high price charged by Walt Disney World Resorts. If you are vacationing with a large group or small children, chances are you'll appreciate the space that Windsor Hills Resort offers your family. The resort offers enough amenities to make it a good choice for active families and groups who enjoy a game of tennis or ping pong after a day spent at theme parks. While you'll never mistake Windsor Hills for a Disney resort, accommodations are comfortable and well-appointed and will meet the needs of most travelers.