Dave Answers Your Questions:
Is this an Official Windsor Hills Owners site?
Yes it is. All Condos and Townhouses listed on this site are owned by official Windsor Hills Owners. We stress official because we do not want you to fall victim to any internet scams out there we have heard about where someone may present themselves as a "Windsor Hills owner rental" but in truth they are not - they are scam artists. So when you rent from this site, you are secure, and backed by our $10,000 rental guarantee as well (see below). You can rest assured that your booking will come off without a hitch. All properties on this website use the SAME LOCAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY at Windsor Hills, and we are available for you 24 hours a day during your stay. 700 Guest Families or so per year rent from us, so we have lots of experience in just about every issue, you'll want to be sure to BOOKMARK this site, even if you decide to book elsewhere. We can still help answer your questions for you and have great pictures and info about Windsor Hills and the area, plus great links to other good owners, so you'll want to visit often.
This website is unlike any I have seen. Why?
We believe that when you tell the truth, people appreciate it. We know we take a different approach and sometimes people don't like it, we know there are other owners of condos who have to charge more than us and that's fine, but we would rather give you a low price, and tons of detail to let you make the decisions on your own. That's why we have pictures of what is in the drawers in the kitchen, and so forth. We have all seen the hundreds of condo websites out there talking about how great and flowery and perfect everything is at their "verified 5 star recognized caring honest villa" or some other name. We think it's fine, we just don't like to take that approach. We'd rather be honest about our units, give you the GOOD and BAD, letting you make up your own mind. People seem to appreciate this outlook, since we are over 200,000 visits to this website and we sell out all units on a regular basis. In fact, there is a counter on the main "home" page, check it out.
What's WRONG with your Condos?
You can see what is wrong on the GUEST COMMENTS page. We publish everything GOOD and BAD about our units. Here's an example. Last year I saw (and you can see it too on the guest comments page) that the biggest problem we had was that we did NOT have Ceiling Fans in our (Robinson owned) Condos - even though the units were all fully air conditioned, and the guests controlled the thermostats. Guests were complaining about no ceiling fans. So, we instructed our local manger to put them in every one of the condos we own, so they would all have ceiling fans in EVERY room. That cost us some money (about $2,000), but we listen to our guests. Someone else recently said they were upset because we didn't have a waffle iron, and one other said the garbage disposal makes a "rattling" noise when it is used in 402. We're checking out the garbage disposal issue, but I don't know about the waffle iron. Email me and let me know if you think we should put a waffle iron in every unit. I'm leaning against it, but will gladly do it if enough of you say you want it. Patti said that as a mother, she didn't think a waffle iron was necessary.
Are your prices TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
No. The reason why is simple: Our expenses are LOWER than many others who rent condos. On some units, we paid cash for them, so we have NO MORTGAGE on those units. Others have very LOW mortgages. Think about it. If there is NO mortgage, or a VERY LOW mortgage, that means we do not have to make a huge mortgage payment every month, and that can save you as much as $250 a week OR MORE on a Condo unit like these. Also, this means the property cannot be foreclosed for unpaid mortgage. We can charge you a lot less per week. People who say the low prices are TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE simply do not know our business plan. Yes, if we had VERY HIGH mortgages and used really expensive local management, then they'd be right - and we'd be bankrupt at these low rental rates. But they are wrong, so it's a non-issue. Don't buy into that false argument if it is ever used about our properties.
How Can I be sure I am dealing with an Official Windsor Hills Owner?
The best way, since you have found this page, is to book at this site, and you WILL always be dealing only with Official Owners, since this is an Official Owners website. According to Web Traffic numbers, there are two PRIMARY Owner contributed websites that guests use to reach Windsor Hills owners. One is here at VacationCentralFlorida.com and the other is the website we support and co-promote, WindsorHillsRent.com. With these two websites combined, you can reach HUNDREDS of official owners of Condos, Townhouses, and Houses. Each of these websites attract THOUSANDS of viewers monthly and offer Windsor Hills Best units. We can also vouch for the following OFFICIAL OWNER Websites, so try them out: WindsorHillsRentalDesk.com (ties in with our VacationRentalDesk we use for all online bookings); WindsorHillsFrontDesk.com, WindsorHillsKissimmee.net, WindsorHillsBooking.com, WindsorHillsResortKissimmee.net, WindsorHillsOrlando.org, WindsorHillsTownhouses.com, DisneyCondo.Org, MyWindsorHills.com, WindsorHills.us, WindsorHillsCondos.net, CondosNearDisney.net, and WindsorHillsClub.com. Check back because we are adding to this list all the time. All of these sites are SAFE, SECURE, and OFFICIAL. Just be careful and be sure you are booking with a reputable company or owner, no matter who you use. Communication from the owner or company is key. Our Online booking is SECURE by 128 bit SSL encryption.
How far in advance can I book?
52 weeks. But if you give us advance notice, we can be sure the booking system will display the proper pricing so you can book up to as far in advance as you would like.
How can you cover costs at such LOW rates?
We have spent a lot of time to figure out ways to reduce monthly costs and in turn offer you LOWER PRICES. We feel our Condos are different and superior from others you might find, there are many differences. We are decorated differently and we have unique operational advantages. Our LOWEST rates are PROMOTIONAL rates for weeks in LOW SEASON (End of August and other various weeks, primarily in Fall of each year) and always available when advertised. These weeks are available at a base rate (then add cleaning fee and tax as explained below) and are only advertised when they are AVAILABLE. But it gets even BETTER. By joining the WINDSOR HILLS CLUB newsletter we will ALERT you with email updates when we drop a rate or have a week leftover that we want to blow out at $199. Just so you are CLEAR - Other weeks, like during Spring Breaks, Christmas weeks, Summer, etc we charge HIGHER rates. Condo booking, like hotels and airfare, all fluctuate by season. But we are always happy to help you find a low priced week in the future. We charge LESS in low season months, and charge MORE in high season months. We also have multiple units and therefore save and spread costs, so our overall expenses are LOWER, which is also why we can charge you less. So instead of making a big profit, we'd rather just pass the savings on to you and make a Disney trip more affordable for you and your family. We want to make Disney Vacations possible for you - and cover our expenses for the entire year, which we do.
What is the $10,000 Guarantee?
We GUARANTEE that your condo or Townhouse (and soon houses) will be there and waiting for you when you arrive, and not foreclosed. If you arrive and to your surprise your unit has been fully foreclosed and you cannot get in because of it, we'll pay you $10,000 cash. Always book with someone who will GUARANTEE their condo. We are buying Condos at extremely low prices today so our expenses are LOWER than most, that's how we offer such low prices. Read more about the TEN GRAND GUARANTEE HERE.
What's all this talk about owners getting foreclosed? Should I be worried about renting at Windsor Hills?
Not when you rent from us. In many cases, we bought units at lower prices, so some units have a low or zero mortgage (we paid cash for the unit, for example), so we don't have that foreclosure problem. This allows us to CHARGE YOU LESS per week. We also have the $10,000 guarantee (above). Foreclosures are rampant in Florida, so stick with an established company or owner that has been doing this for years such as VacationCentralFlorida.com and you won't go wrong!
What about a security deposit?
We do NOT collect and hold a security deposit from you while you are staying at our condos. We believe YOU should be holding your money, not us. I get asked about this all the time. If I collected a security deposit, that’s like me saying to you hey, I dont really trust you, so send me some money to hold instead while you are staying in our condo. We do trust you, and we want you to have a great time at our Condos. The true answer here also is that you will sign a contract that states you will not steal or damage anything inside the condo. In return, we agree to not hold your money. You should use that money to pay for Disney tickets, buy dinners for your family, play miniature golf, and make great memories with your kids. I don’t want to hold your money. You should hold your money. Spend it if you can while on vacation and pump up the central Florida economy - (hey thats what WE DO every tme we are at one of our condos LOL!)
What is the WINDSOR HILLS CLUB?
It's free to join. It is a sanctioned entity that we own, that is generating quite a buzz on the DISNEY BOARDS out there! It is an email club, where we send you emails if a week opens up at a super low price, or there is something else of interest about our Condos or Windsor Hills. Sometimes people will have to cancel at last minute, and instead of letting the unit sit empty for a week, we will send an email to alert you that a week has opened. If you are enrolled in the club by giving us your email address (its free) then you'll get an email notice of these open weeks. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL FREE.
What is a "DISNEY FIREWORKS VIEW" building?
You can see Disney fireworks from Windsor Hills, but not from ALL of Windsor Hills. Because of this, we buy units that are in buildings which are aligned so you can see the fireworks each night. Each units page will describe the sight lines in order to see the fireworks, and we can also explain in greater detail once you book your unit. When you stay with VacationCentralFlorida.com we want you to be able to view the fireworks from Disney each night while at Windsor Hills! You will also hear the Fireworks, they are fairly loud if you are out on the balcony of any of our units or happen to have the windows open at fireworks time. Travel time of sound is just a few seconds from the shell burst, as all of our units are fairly close to the fireworks action. Magic Kingdom Fireworks can be seen by looking due North, and Epcot by looking North and East at between 20 and 30 degrees. As we say, you won't need a compass, we'll help you through this once you book your unit if you have any questions.
Will you Waive the Cleaning Fee on stays of "6 days or longer" or some other period?
This is an old "Marketing trick" that some owners use to get you to book their unit. The truth is, every condo must be cleaned after every guest, and the owner has to pay that fee. The unit CANNOT go "uncleaned" after a stay. Watch the price carefully. You will be charged MORE for rent, thereby covering the cleaning fee in that higher rent, while making it look like you are getting something for free. Be careful of "hidden fees" and charges, that is why we do not believe in hidden fees. Again, we would rather be honest and show you a full and itemized list of exactly what you are paying for. Don't fall for that "no cleaning fee" marketing gimmick.
Can I get a break in price for a longer term rental, like 2 or 3 months?
No. In fact, it costs MORE in expenses to house longer term guests, so we simply pass that charge down to the long term guest. If you stay up to 3 weeks, there is no extra charge, you simply pay the WEEKLY rate. After 3 weeks, you would pay the WEEKLY rate plus $40 additional per week.
Can I order Groceries and have them delivered to my unit before I arrive?
Yes. Why waste precious vacation time shopping for what you will need while staying at your condo or Townhouse? Do your grocery shopping ONLINE before you leave home, and have it all waiting at your unit. We are the Windsor Hills Amazon Grocery Service affiliate. This means that all VacationCentralFlorida.com guests can pre-order their groceries online and they will be at the unit when you check in. This particular grocery delivery service is exclusive and for our guests only. The downside is that there is a $25 delivery fee, but we think it's worth it! Just click RIGHT HERE for full information on the service we offer, or click the ORDER GROCERIES tab on the left.
Can I get DISCOUNT Disney Tickets through this site?
Yes. We not only have all Disney discounted tickets, we have Universal Studios, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Dinner Theater, you name it. CLICK HERE to get your Discount Tickets.
Can I see a sample Contract?
Sure thing. When I was on the board of directors at the BBB (Better Business Bureau) I learned that the best thing in dealing with customers is to always be up front so customers know exactly what they are buying, and there are no surprises. See a sample of what your contract will look like by clicking the BOOK ONLINE NOW button at any units page. This will take you through a sign up series of menus. In those menus, you will be shown a page that is your contract. You can read the contract without obligation. If you decide to go ahead and book, just click "ACCEPT", the contract then becomes a binding agreement between you and the unit owner.
What about extra fees & "hidden" charges?
We believe in NO HIDDEN FEES. You will NOT be surprised when you rent from us. Everything is LISTED on the RESERVATION SUMMARY, and you will have a copy. Every time you book with us, you will go through an online process which shows you an ITEMIZED LIST of all charges. Once you click accept, you will NOT be charged anything differently. The weekly rate is shown, and to that rate it will add a $75 Condo cleaning fee and tax. Townhouse cleaning fee is $95, since the pool has to also be cleaned every week. We give the tax money directly to the state of Florida and Osceola County, and the cleaning fee money directly to our Cleaning crew, we do not keep that money. That's it. There are no Administration or other Booking fees, cancellation fees, or any other hidden fees or charges becaue WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THEM. You pay Rate, tax, cleaning, and that is all.
How much is the tax?
13% total. Osceola County gets 6% Tourist Tax, and the State of Florida gets 7%.
How close are your units to the pool?
From personal experience (my wife and I actually LIVED in a Condo right next to a pool when we were first married), we do NOT buy units next to or very close to the pool because of all the noise and craziness, especially at night. We have found that guests want to be able to walk to the pool or spa quickly, in a minute or less, BUT they want to be able to get away from all the noise and screaming at night, and people constantly walking and running past their door and making noise in the hallways going to/from the pool. So, we buy units that are a very close walk, but far enough away to not hear all the pool noise or get all the annoying pool traffic. We check this out every time before we buy a unit, that's our opinion on it. Now, if you DO want the FULL POOL EXPERIENCE, like being immersed in all the noise and craziness of the pool at all times, (some people like it that way, and that is fine) or if you want to be overlooking the pool in the closest buildings to the pool and the pool craziness, you should NOT rent our Condos, because we are far enough away that you CANNOT hear the pool noise at night. You will be a one or two minute walk or so to the pool in any of our units, and that is on purpose based on years of having guests and condo units, and fielding comments and complaints.
What BUILDING NUMBER are you in?
Windsor Hills Condo buildings are NOT numbered by a "single digit" number officially. When you drive up to them for example, the buildings do NOT have a sign saying a single number like "9" on them - they have AN ADDRESS sign on them like "2778 ALMATON LOOP". As far as I can tell, this one digit reference and the maps floating around are NOT the way to officially refer to the buildings. I have seen maps where "Building 1" is the closest to the pool, and some where "Building 8" is closest to the pool. So, to avoid lack of clarity, and since these maps can be easily changed, we ONLY REFER TO OUR CONDOS BY THE ACTUAL UNITED STATES POST OFFICE ADDRESS. To avoid confusion and problems, we DO NOT use the single and (depending upon what version of any map you are seeing) INACCURATE way of referring to what building our units are in - so once we receive your payment, we give you the address of the unit and we use the ACTUAL ADDRESS in all of our documents. We are in 6 of the 8 Condo buildings at Windsor Hills, and as we mention above, we DO NOT buy units in those two closest buildings to the pool, we do this by design. We do not supply a map of Windsor Hills. Our units are on Almaton Loop and Comrow Street, and the buildings are within 572 Feet (or closer) of the main pool, a minute or two walk depending upon how fast you decide to walk. We don't get "You're too far from the pool" complaints. Due to security reasons and the protection of our current guests, we do not give out complete addresses of our units prior to booking.
Who is your local (Florida) manager to help me when I am there?
We have a local manager who is there for you 24/7. You will meet them once you have booked and paid for your unit. You also will receive their home and cell phone number in the event you get lost, or need anything upon check-in. This info is also INSIDE every unit in the Welcome notebook.
What is your Cancellation policy?
Up to 60 days before you arrive, you can cancel anytime and we'll just send you a check back for your booking deposit. If it's closer than 60 days, we will re-rent your dates, and once they rent at the rate you had paid, then you receive a full refund of your booking deposit too. We don't charge an "administrative" fee or other fee if you cancel, instead we just send you back a check for your booking deposit minus any difference if we have to discount the unit to rent the week(s). One note on refunds: There are some scams out there where con artists try to send us bogus checks or Money Orders and then cancel immediately to get us to send them back a legitimate check (and of course, their check ends up being bad). So we always wait until the booking deposit check clears their bank before sending a refund to them. In overseas bookings, that can take 6-12 weeks or longer. So, we DO NOT accept checks from outside the USA or Canada. If you send us a check and want a refund in one day, we can't do it until your check clears your bank. We have not had complaints about refunds except from a couple scam artists who couldn't run their tricks on us. They weren't too happy about it, having spent money to send us bogus checks which never fooled us.
Is this a time-share offer?
Absolutely not! We own the condos on this website. You are not in any way required to sit through a time share presentation; We have been tricked into that as travelers ourselves in the past, and we didn't like it! You just enjoy your vacation without any outside interference. We may call you to see if you got in OK and everything is alright with the condo. Otherwise, it’s your home for your stay!
Who owns these Condos?
My wife Patti and I own four, hopefully five very soon. Right now Patti and I own: Unit 204, Unit 204B, Unit 302, and Unit 402. You can verify this on the Osceola County property tax website (Unit "204B" is our name for that unit, there is no "B" above the door, for example, it is actually on Almaton Loop, unit #204. We do this because we own two 204 units). Units 202C, 402C, & the Townhouse 1 are owned by our Friends John & Terri Cline, Unit 203, 301, 404 and Townhouse 2 are owned by our friends Tom & Debbie Archakis, Unit 205 is owned by our friends Tim & Katie Cox, 304 is owned by Lee and Sue Ellen Waedekin, and 202 is owned by Mark and Annette Saylor. We started this website first with just a single Unit, then we added the advertising for the other units. We can vouch for all of them as good people who will treat you right. We are not a management company - we have a local management company who manages all of the condos you see advertised here on this site. Patti and I advertise these units for ourselves and our friends and have combined them into one single entity through same management, cleaning service, and other shared expenses. You are booking directly with each owner and the common management company, so once you check out the contract and agree on a price with the owner, your dates are booked, you will deal direct with the owner of that particular unit and the manager on all things from price, to payment, to arrival/departure, etc. You would deal direct with Patti and I should you choose 204, 204B, 302 or 402.
What Floor are your units on?
-Townhouses are all on ground level with an upstairs
-202, 202C, 203, 204, 204B, and 205 are on the 2nd Floor
-301, 302 and 304 are on the 3rd Floor
-402, 402C and 404 are on the 4th Floor
What about the grounds? Are they nice?
Every Condo owner pays over $5,000 per year (per Condo) to the Condo Association to maintain the grounds and the buildings, the pool, etc. So with our 14 units, we collectively are paying over $70,000 per year just in homeowners association fees, which go toward maintenance, keeping the pool and clubhouse spotless, etc. This is why Windsor Hills loks so great, it's a FABULOUS PLACE! We promptly pay all of our HOA (Home Owners Association) fees because we think that $70,000 per year is WELL SPENT and well worth it to give you a GREAT vacation! Multiply $5,000 times the number of Condos in here, and you can see why Windsor Hills is the Greatest Condo complex anywhere, and maintained in absolute top condition. On the Pool/Restaurant page if you scroll down, you can see that I recently took a walk around the grounds and put all the pictures up for you to see. This may be the most pictures of "everyday" Windsor Hills that are posted anywhere! CLICK HERE AND SCROLL DOWN
What is a "SOUTH FACING POOL" or "SOUTHERN EXPOSURE" pool that you advertise for your Townhouses?
A "South Facing Pool" is a pool whereby when you walk OUT of the sliding doors you are facing SOUTH. A "Southern Exposure" pool means that you walk out of the sliding doors and by looking up one way or the other you have a clear view of the SOUTHERN SKY. Why is "Southern" so important? Because you get Maximum Sunshine on your pool and pool deck - ALL YEAR LONG if your pool is exposed to the Southern Sky. See the Townhouse pages for actual pictures showing the sun on the pool deck. In the Fall and Winter ESPECIALLY, when the sun is lower and in the south, this is important to have "South". For example, if your pool faces EAST, you will not have FULL AFTERNOON SUN, since it will pass behind the Townhouse Roof. If the pool faces NORTH, you may have very little sun in the Winter since it would be partially BLOCKED by the two story building of the Townhouse at midday. You need to think of these issues and plan ahead. Of course, if this is not important to you (and it is not to many folks), then this all means nothing. Remember that the Lanai filters the sun, and we have heard it is approximately equivalent to an SPF 10. So, if you want Maximum Sun, to be safe, always choose a Townhouse with a SOUTH FACING or SOUTHERN EXPOSURE pool, that is our opinion on the matter. At VacationCentralFlorida, we only buy Townhouses with SOUTHERN exposure or SOUTH FACING pools at Townhouses for this reason, to make your vacation the very best and give you more of what we think you come to Florida for - the warm SUNSHINE.
Why should I choose a Windsor Hills condo and not a hotel?
Where do we start? First, we have tried all locations around and inside Disney, we are true Disney fans and we love the area and Disney. We have been coming to Central Florida for 25 years, are real Disney fans... and Windsor Hills is the BEST location we have ever found, and believe me - we have tried them all! The location is incredible, the closest Condos, just 1.5 miles from Disney, 5 minutes from I-4, and 18 miles from Orlando International Airport. The 24hr security gated resort is mesmerizing with more than 3 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and an abundance of 1st class amenities. Windsor Hills contains some of the nicest family condos and homes in the area. Hotels in the Disney area can be very expensive; in fact you will pay the same price for a 200 Square Foot Hotel Room as you would for one of our 1,450 square foot condos, with 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a full kitchen, living room, washer and dryer, and so on. Plus, once you are a registered guest in one of our condos, you have full free access to everything the resort has to offer: the pool, slide, spa, movie theater, golf putting green, lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, sand volleyball, playgrounds, it is an amazing value.
What is required to make a reservation?
When you are ready, just go online and click any of the BOOK ONLINE NOW buttons. That will take you to an availability calendar for that particular Condo, and you can then book it online. You can e-mail me at dave@VacationCentralFlorida.com if you have any other questions. If you want to check availability of ALL units for a particular date, JUST CLICK HERE.
When do we pay?
You will be required to pay a booking deposit of $250 per week that you book, which is due within 10 days of you confirming. The balance is then payable 30 days before your arrival. We then subtract that $250 deposit from your balance due. We accept personal checks, cashiers checks and money orders from USA and Canada. Canadian guests pay in US Funds (any Canada bank will give you a money order in US Funds, or your personal check will need to be for the amount in US Dollars). Overseas guests must pay by credit card. If you are in the USA, we'll take your personal check. You can also make payment through PayPal on our secure "payment" page using VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Paypal account also. If your date of arrival is less than 30 days out, regardless if you are in the states or overseas, you will be required to pay by credit card because we won't have time to get your check cleared through your bank.
Why are your dates Saturday to Saturday? I don’t like that because my dates are different!
ALL weeks are rented Saturday to Saturday, even though the booking system will allow shorter term bookings. The SHORTER TERM bookings whenever they are available are usually due to partial weeks left over following or before the OWNER stayed in the unit, or did maintenance or an upgrade in furniture, etc. We do Sat to Sat so there are no gaps in the schedule - because with Gaps, we would have to RAISE prices, which we do NOT want to do. When we first built our Condo business, we wanted to offer the absolute lowest prices so families could afford to stay in a Condo. So here’s what we did: We added up all our expenses for a year (mortgage, taxes, electric, condo association fees, phone, internet, etc.) and divided it by 52 (since there are 52 weeks in a year). That gave us what we needed on average each week to “break even”. We are not trying to make a ton of money off our guests, just pay expenses and save some in reserve for repairs. We then set the schedule on a Saturday to Saturday week since that was what 97% of all guests were asking for. So then what we do is SELL OUT all 52 weeks, some at LOWER rate, some at HIGHER rate depending upon season and demand - and that covers all our expenses. We have learned that when we only rent 3 or 4 nights in a week, then the rest of the week almost always goes UNRENTED. In short, we pay for it. But here’s the good news: Our rates are so low in off peak periods that it is better to pay for the extra week and only use the nights you want. We have many guests who do that. They want 10 days, but buy 14 because it is still less expensive than many other Choices.
How old do I have to be in order to rent one of your condos?
You must be over age 25 or accompanied by parent or guardian to rent.
Any other fine print or rules?
When I think of "fine print", I think of "No purchase necessary, void where prohibited, Member FDIC, Your mileage may vary". But here's our "fine print": By renting, you agree to follow all local laws and Windsor Hills association rules, as well as the laws of Kissimmee Florida, all of that is on the contract. Association rules are located in the Welcome notebook inside the condo. You must sign the contract which includes waiver of eligibility, responsibility, and release. Owners reserve the right to refuse service or rental to anyone, for any reason. All bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis. Your dates are held for you by confirmation and signed contract once you agree to book the dates. Before you agree to book, (and receive a written confirmation and contract back from us), all dates are still considered for sale. Book early, as all dates sell out.
When are check-in & check-out times?
Your condo will be available for check-in at around 3:00 p.m. Your checkout time is 10:00 a.m. on your departure date. A vacation condo requires more time to clean and sanitize than a hotel room, because it's a lot bigger. Therefore, please help prepare for our next guest by checking out on time. Sometimes the Condo may be ready earlier (like noon to 2PM) but we can only guarantee it by 3PM since we have to sanitize bathrooms and furniture, and wash everything. Just check when you arrive (if you get there before 3PM) and maybe they will be done cleaning it for you. Remember that the previous guest will be leaving at 10AM. We think our condos are the cleanest because we demand that our cleaning company do a fantastic job - since they get paid for cleaning the unit each week, it needs to be perfect.
How do I check in? Where do I get the keys?
Check in is on your schedule. Anytime after 3PM on your day of arrival, just show up at the Condo, and there is either a lockbox on the doorframe, OR the door handle itself has a KEYPAD where you enter a code. Simply enter the code (which we will have given you long before your arrival date) and that opens the lockbox or the door. Inside the lockbox is a key to the door. Once you are inside the Condo, there are additional sets of keys hanging in the kitchen for you. If the door is the kind with a keypad, you will not have to worry about keys, just remember your code which will be good for your entire visit. Very simple and easy.
What about security?
Windsor Hills Resort is a secure community with a gatehouse that is manned 24/7. There is a fence around the entire community.
How close is Windsor Hills to the Disney Theme Parks?
We are the closest! It will genuinely take you about 2 minutes to get to Disney property if you get the lights green. If you hit red lights, add another couple minutes. My lifelong friend John Cline claims he can be on property in LESS than 2 minutes, through a "back way". I am skeptical of his claim, but who knows, maybe he's right. You can see the "Tree Of Life" at Animal Kingdom literally while you are standing in the parking lot at Windsor Hills, that's how close you are. So maybe John is right after all. I can make it to Disney property in 2 minutes, I know that is for certain, so that is what we go with. In one of our units you can see Spaceship Earth (the giant "Golf Ball") at Epcot from the balcony. That's pretty close.
How far are the condos from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?
Universal and Sea World are about 10 - 15 minutes depending upon traffic and I-4. Sometimes I-4 backs up. If you have a GPS, bring it for your rental car. You'll be glad you did because it will keep you OFF I-4 and out of the heavy traffic and backups.
How about the Beach, or Kennedy Space Center?
Ahh, some of our favorite places. If you don't already know, we also own a condo at Cocoa Beach too and guests love it! You can see the NASA Launch pads from our balcony at the Cocoa Beach Condo - it's truly amazing. It's 48 minutes from Windsor Hills to our Condo at Cocoa Beach. Slightly less to Kennedy Space Center or the Beach right behind Ron Jon's Surf Shop (you must visit there). Overall, call it 45 or 50 minutes, it's expressway/freeway the whole way! You also will have a few toll booths on rt 528 east, so bring some change for the tolls.
What do your guests say about your Condos?
We are very, very particular about our guests having a great experience, because nothing spreads FASTER than a BAD EXPERIENCE. If someone has a great time at our condos, they will go home and tell 5 people how good it was. If they have a BAD experience, they will go home and tell 50 people how bad it was! The math does not lie - we can't afford to have guests saying BAD things about our Condos. We learned a long time ago that all that we have is our reputation, so this subject is very, very important to us - or else we'll never have anyone return or re-book with us. I invite you to go to the "GUEST COMMENTS" and read every guest book entry. It's all there, the GOOD and the BAD comments, we put them all up there for you to see. Plus, we hear from people all the time that we are regularly discussed on forums on the internet. That's pretty cool.
Is there shopping nearby to Windsor Hills?
Yes, Irlo Bronson Hwy. (US 192) has Publix grocery stores, 24 hour drug stores and supermarkets, and about a thousand gift shops that are FANTASTIC! You are close to Wal Mart, Super Target, just a minute or two from Publix (major Grocery Store) and everything else you might need. There is a hospital and after hours pediatric urgent care just a few minutes away too. Call 911 in an emergency from the condo, obviously. There are many restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets from Steak Houses to Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Asian, Burger and Pizza restaurants all less than a couple miles from the Windsor Hills Resort, those are listed on this website under “pool/restaurants” on the menu to the left. There is also a convenience store right on the Windsor Hills property that you can walk to in a minute that sells sandwiches and bread, frozen foods, cereal, milk, Chips, coffee, soda pop, everything you need if you just want to hang out at the Condo and never eat out. Their frozen Pizzas are GOOD. You really never need to leave the property, everything is right here at Windsor Hills for a fabulous vacation for you and your family.
Is there transportation or a Shuttle to the parks?
Yes, transportation is available to most Theme Parks - All Disney, Sea World, Universal, Old Town, etc. and several Shopping Malls (at an additional charge). The timetable, which changes monthly, is displayed inside the Windsor Hills on-site sundry shop. They charge a fee, which I don't personally like, but to some families they are OK with that. It's like $20 for 7 people to Disney, so what is that - about $3.00 per person per day - not too bad. That being said, we tell our guests that we recommend getting a rental car. Why? Because you are so close to Disney, having a car means you can come and go at any time. Every day you’ll pay $12 to park at Disney, but the good news is that once you pay in the morning, you can move around and park at any Disney theme park all day long and drive from theme park to theme park if you want to, wth in and out priveledges at no extra charge. So with a car you will be able to go back and forth to and from the Condo in a few minutes to any Disney theme park at any time. That's a huge benefit if you have young kids who need naps in the afternoon. It’s free to park at the Condo, and you park right outside your door. Plus, to get to most restaurants, you’ll want to have a car. But, again, we have guests all the time that just take a cab from the airport direct to our Condo at Windsor Hills, and they use the transportation thing and it's just fine, they have a fabulous time, and don't have to worry about (or have the expense of) a rental car! This is Your call, and your decision. Either way works, but from experience I like the car option.
Can we use the Community Pool and amenities if we stay in the Townhouse?
Yes.
Is the pool heated?
Yes. Fully heated year round, according to the maintenance men I have spoken to myself, they say 82 to 86 degrees farenheit. There is no extra "pool heat" charge for you at the condos for the community pool, there IS an extra charge at the Townhouse if you want the Pool Heated. Olympic-sized swimming pool in the clubhouse complex is fantastic. It is available to all guests and is heated at no extra cost to you during the winter months. By the way, the pool also has a slide for older kids, is zero depth (walk in sloped from 1 inch to 3 feet) which is perfect for your younger kids, and has a hot tub and water spouts for the kids. It is one of the best pools I have ever seen. If you go back to the Home page and look at that picture, it is taken at the zero-depth part of the pool, you can see the kids in there have walked down the slope. Now at the townhouse, pool heat is your personal option. If you want it, you can pay for the heat, which is $95 per week. That's what it costs from the electric company to keep the pool heated.
What about elevators?
Yes, Windsor Hills has elevators. There are TWO elevators in each building.
What's the difference between a WINDSOR PALMS and WINDSOR HILLS Condo?
Two entirely different places. Windsor PALMS is older, farther away from Disney, and does NOT have elevators. Windsor HILLS is closer to Disney, newer, and does have elevators. The Condos on this website are all at Windsor HILLS. We are Newer, Closer to Disney, and we Have elevators. Those are the biggest differences.
Do you provide air conditioning and heat?
Yes, our condos have central air conditioning and heat, water, phone, internet, trash collection (put your trash bags inside the bench outside the door every day). We also supply all utilities during your stay, no extra charge.
Are your kitchens fully equipped?
Yes, our condos have a fully equipped kitchen including cooking utensils, silverware, dishes, stove, microwave, refrigerator (with ice maker), coffee maker, blender, toaster and dishwasher, trash bags, everything you need for the perfect vacation. It's stocked just like home!
What about Internet and Long Distance Calls?
Yes, all of our Condos have FREE WIRELESS High Speed Broadband Internet. You must bring your laptop and it must already be able to connect to WIFI (wireless G technology). We will give you the security code and network name to connect to the wireless internet when you check in. (It is in the Welcome Notebook too). All Long distance calls to anywhere in Canada or USA are FREE for as much as you would like to call. Call all your relatives while at your Condo!
Are linens and towels provided?
Yes, ample linen and towels are provided in our condos.
Are there laundry facilities?
Yes, there is a full size washer, dryer, iron and ironing board in every one of our condos.
Hair Dryer?
Yep. Every Condo has at least one hair dryer. You need to bring shampoo. There are small bars of soap like a hotel, so you may need an extra bar of soap or two if you shower a lot.
Are there cleaning supplies?
We provide regular cleaning items such as a mop, broom, dustpan, trashbags, some toilet paper to get you started, and vacuum. As this style of vacation is classed as "self-catering", you will be responsible for other needs, such as shampoo, paper towels, napkins, dishwasher pellets, etc. Many guests leave them behind, so you will likely be fine. There is an on-site shop and supermarkets and grocery stores close to the resort that sells very small "vacation amounts" of what you will need inexpensively.
Why do you have all the Technology, HDTV, ipod stations, etc. in the condos, who cares?
We are techno geeks, some would call us "nerds" when it comes to electronics. We're OK with that.
Is the condo cleaned daily?
No, our condos are cleaned prior to arrival and after departure. A mid-stay clean and shine can be arranged at additional cost every time you want it cleaned. We give that fee directly to the folks that clean, we do not keep any of that money. But they do a great job, we are very particular about this.
Are the condos non-smoking?
Yes, our condos are all NON SMOKING! In accordance with Florida State Laws, our condos and communal areas are designated No Smoking areas. No smoking is permitted inside the condos, or on the balconies.
Do you allow pets in your condos?
No, we do not allow pets in our condos. Not because we don't love pets. We have Dogs ourselves. It's because of allergies of other guests. We don't bring our dogs to the condos when we stay there, it is better for all concerned! Besides our dog Dusty would FREAK OUT on a trip like that by air or by car! Plus, we are not sure about shots, etc. needed state to state and would not want her to be illegal - or have her get reported or ruin anyone else's vacation barking while she is on the grounds. Even though she is well behaved, it's inconsiderate. Plus, Windsor Hills has a policy whereby pets are not allowed in any common areas, and not allowed to be walked - leashed or not.
Is there a "fold out " couch?
Yes. All units have fold out couch in the living room. It is QUEEN sized.
What about BBQ Grills?
BBQ grills of any kind are not allowed at Windsor Hills on the balconies. There is a COMMON GRILLING AREA next to the Volleyball courts and putting green. You can get there in about 20 seconds walk from any of our Condos.
Where do we pick up the keys?
Since we use a lockbox or KEYLESS ENTRY door locks at the door, you do not have to stop at a management company offsite or arrive at any special time. Take your time getting here, the Condo is ready for you 24/7, arrive any time you want. You can check in anytime after 3PM on your arrival day, as late as you want to arrive. We send you the lock box code and (or KEYLESS ENTRY DOORPAD keycode before your arrival. If you are using the lockbox and keys, there is a single key inside the lockbox, and you use that to get in the door, and other keys are hanging in the kitchen.
What if something is not working at the condo?
No problem. We have a local manager who is available to maintain the condos in top condition. You will be provided with the telephone number inside the Welcome Notebook in the condo and any help you need is available 24/7 in the unlikely event that there is ever a problem. She lives only a few minutes from the Condo and is always ready to help you, just call her.
How do I access the internet?
Internet is SECURE in all of our units. The passcode is in the notebook inside the unit. Since it is a dedicated line for your unit, you may stay on as much or as little as you would like with good 1.5mbps download speed, it is a DSL service that is good for audio/video downloads, websites, and computer gaming should you decide to do that. It's excellent.
Do you have High Chairs or "Pack N Plays" at the condo?
Yes! We love kids and we love familes, we have your pack n play which can double as a crib for you. Umbrella strollers also. And we have high chairs in every Condo.
Are your Condos "kid proof"?
For the most part. We don't have a lot of frilly stuff and glass tables, etc. that kids can break, we want the condos to be "kid friendly". Take a look, you will see that our units are far more "casual" than most units. We're not trying to impress anyone trying to look like something out of a magazine with glass things sitting around. That means there are no sharp things looking pretty that kids could pick up and hurt themselves with. We are not trying to have Condos that win an award on how "adult" they look. While adults certainly love our places, our units are for familes with kids too. We want your toddlers and younger kids to have a fantastic time and remember their trip to Disney. Now the drawers in the kitchen are NOT locked, so keep an eye on a toddler if he or she gets in to the kitchen.
Does the balcony have screens?
Yes. Our lanai has a fine mesh screen allowing in the glorious Florida sunshine but keeps out the pesky bugs and keeps your kids from climbing up on the railing.
What about Monthly Rentals?
We are happy to have you be a monthly guest. Your rates are same as the weekly guests, and you will also be required to go Saturday to Saturday. So for example, if the month ends on a Wednesday, you will be buying Thursday and Friday also (the 1st and 2nd of the next month), and can stay those nights should you decide you want to.... or you can leave the 30th, but those remaining nights up to Saturday are yours.
Are all the resort amenities included in the price?
All resort amenities are free to all our guests at no extra charge. That means Movie theatre, gameroom, tennis, pool, spa, workout center, playgrounds, ping pong, basketball, sand volleyball, foosball, golf putting green, grills, playground, etc.
What about parking, is there a charge?
No, it is FREE to park at Windsor Hills. In fact, you can also park Motor Homes, boats, trailers, etc. in the large vehicle parking area too by the tennis courts.
I don’t even know you guys! How do I know you’re not just some ripoff who will steal my money and no condo will be there when I arrive?
I just got this question the other day, here is what I told her: We have 15 units total, and rent to hundreds and hundreds of families per year. If we just ripped people off and stole their money, first off, you would call the police, and we would lose our license and ability to operate in the state of Florida. Second, I would be arrested. I have a job, a family, a home, a mortgage like you, and so getting arrested would not be a very good idea. Plus, you would tell everyone you know that I am a ripoff, and believe me that word SPREADS. We’d be out of business very quickly! So I understand being skeptical, but remember, we rely on families renting our units and want them to be happy.
I hope these answer at least some of your questions, as we discover more, we’ll add them to the list. Again, we'd love to have you, we know what you want as a family coming to Disney, we did it for years and years with Daniel since he was a baby and he's now driving a car, so we understand. Please have a fabulous time no matter where you decide to stay, because having great vacations is so important for your family. If we can't help you with open dates, there are many owners here who may be open, and they can help, so let me know. Thanks again and write me if I can help you with anything at all! -Dave
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