Pros
- Less than a 10-minute drive to Walt Disney World; restaurants are within walking distance
- Rooms have full kitchens, patios, and washer/dryers
- FlowRider indoor surfing experience
- Several outdoor pools with hot tubs, waterslides, and a lazy river
- Mini-golf and game arcade on-site
- Kid-friendly features include a playground and splash pad
- Fitness center with sauna and steam room
- Free shuttle to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
- Free Wi-Fi and parking (paid for with the resort fee)
Cons
- Mandatory resort fee
- Dated rooms
- No on-site restaurant
- Front desk has limited hours
- Housekeeping is weekly
Bottom Line
The Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I is a mid-range, time-share property with 202 units. It features awesome outdoor activities like a FlowRider surfing experience, multiple water features, and heated pools. Town homes have granite countertops, washers/dryers, and stainless steel appliances, but the decor and furnishings are unstylish and old-fashioned, and some of the bathrooms are small. There's no lack of activities; in addition to the showy water features, Vacation Villas has mini-golf, a playground, a game arcade, and a fitness center and steam room on-site. The resort is right off Highway 192, and restaurants are within walking distance, but Walt Disney World is a 10-minute drive away. Be aware that there's a daily resort fee, and the front desk closes in the evening, as does the poolside bar.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Internet
- Pool
Scene
A family-friendly timeshare property with maintenance issues
The Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I offers a lot of activities, but its common spaces are dated and worn, and its rooms are old-fashioned. The entrance has a lighted stone feature wall, and modern chandelier lighting, but the lobby has an old-fashioned wood front desk, leather armchairs, and worn fabric couches. Low ceilings and tall plants make the lobby look cramped. The alcove seating areas, with contemporary gray-blue chairs, look newer. Grounds are well landscaped with shrubs and palm trees, but the signs to the property look old. The poolside bar includes lackluster black and gray tile, although the interior, with stainless steel and updated lighting, adds some style.
Location
Near Highway 192, with restaurants and Lake Cecile within walking distance
Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I is off Highway 192, with plenty of chain restaurants within walking distance. Lake Cecile is a little less than a 15-minute walk, but Disney World, Medieval Times, and Falcon’s Fire Golf Club are about a 10-minute drive from the property. Other top attractions, such as Universal Studios and SeaWorld, are 15-minutes away by car.
Rooms
Tired-looking, old-fashioned furniture, but all units have full kitchens with granite and stainless steel appliances
The Mediterranean-style town homes can sleep up to six, but their furnishings are dated and in need of an update. Antiquated wood furniture and generic artwork provide little style, and the huge mirror wall in the living room is seriously out of date. Tan travertine floor tile covers the entire downstairs, while the upstairs rooms have green patterned carpet. All kitchens are fully equipped, with stainless steel appliances and speckled tan granite countertops, and stacked washer/dryers. Most TVs are flat-screens, but some rooms still have tube-style models. Bedrooms have floral pillow shams and red comforters. All rooms feature small patios with glass enclosures and some seating. Bathrooms include the same tan tile as the rest of the town house, with shower stalls that are in need of replacement. Granite countertops are a nice plus, though, and Aqua Organics toiletries are provided.
Features
Great family-friendly activity features, including splash pad, FlowRider surfing, and mini-golf
What stands out most at the Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I is the vast amount of outdoor family-friendly activities. One of the heated pools has a funky shape (great for kids), while the other is built for laps. Two of the three hot tubs are small, but the two waterslides have been updated, and the lazy river includes a waterfall feature. A pretty basic kid’s splash pad is also available, but many guests complain that the gates are difficult to use. Inside there is a wonderful FlowRider surfing experience -- guests can surf, boogie board, or wakeboard.
There is also a fenced-in playground for kids, a game room with a range of arcade games, a pool table, and an 18-hole mini-golf course. Indoor virtual golf is available in addition to a huge multi-use tennis/basketball court. The fitness center has an array of equipment, a beautiful sauna, but a tired-looking steam room with brown and white tile.
There is no on-site restaurant, just a poolside bar serving cocktails. There is a free shuttle to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. The business center closes in the evening, as does the front desk. Wi-Fi and parking are free.
Related Hotels
Scene
A family-friendly timeshare property with maintenance issues
The Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I offers a lot of activities, but its common spaces are dated and worn, and its rooms are old-fashioned. The entrance has a lighted stone feature wall, and modern chandelier lighting, but the lobby has an old-fashioned wood front desk, leather armchairs, and worn fabric couches. Low ceilings and tall plants make the lobby look cramped. The alcove seating areas, with contemporary gray-blue chairs, look newer. Grounds are well landscaped with shrubs and palm trees, but the signs to the property look old. The poolside bar includes lackluster black and gray tile, although the interior, with stainless steel and updated lighting, adds some style.
Location
Near Highway 192, with restaurants and Lake Cecile within walking distance
Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I is off Highway 192, with plenty of chain restaurants within walking distance. Lake Cecile is a little less than a 15-minute walk, but Disney World, Medieval Times, and Falcon’s Fire Golf Club are about a 10-minute drive from the property. Other top attractions, such as Universal Studios and SeaWorld, are 15-minutes away by car.
Rooms
Tired-looking, old-fashioned furniture, but all units have full kitchens with granite and stainless steel appliances
The Mediterranean-style town homes can sleep up to six, but their furnishings are dated and in need of an update. Antiquated wood furniture and generic artwork provide little style, and the huge mirror wall in the living room is seriously out of date. Tan travertine floor tile covers the entire downstairs, while the upstairs rooms have green patterned carpet. All kitchens are fully equipped, with stainless steel appliances and speckled tan granite countertops, and stacked washer/dryers. Most TVs are flat-screens, but some rooms still have tube-style models. Bedrooms have floral pillow shams and red comforters. All rooms feature small patios with glass enclosures and some seating. Bathrooms include the same tan tile as the rest of the town house, with shower stalls that are in need of replacement. Granite countertops are a nice plus, though, and Aqua Organics toiletries are provided.
Features
Great family-friendly activity features, including splash pad, FlowRider surfing, and mini-golf
What stands out most at the Vacation Villas at Fantasy World I is the vast amount of outdoor family-friendly activities. One of the heated pools has a funky shape (great for kids), while the other is built for laps. Two of the three hot tubs are small, but the two waterslides have been updated, and the lazy river includes a waterfall feature. A pretty basic kid’s splash pad is also available, but many guests complain that the gates are difficult to use. Inside there is a wonderful FlowRider surfing experience -- guests can surf, boogie board, or wakeboard.
There is also a fenced-in playground for kids, a game room with a range of arcade games, a pool table, and an 18-hole mini-golf course. Indoor virtual golf is available in addition to a huge multi-use tennis/basketball court. The fitness center has an array of equipment, a beautiful sauna, but a tired-looking steam room with brown and white tile.
There is no on-site restaurant, just a poolside bar serving cocktails. There is a free shuttle to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. The business center closes in the evening, as does the front desk. Wi-Fi and parking are free.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
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Cable
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Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Pool
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Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
