Mystic Dunes Review

[Stinky_Pete]

I've been back a few weeks, but decided to give out some info on my stay at Mystic Dunes. I didn't see a lot of info prior to my stay.

This was a last minute trip. Early December, a friend of mine emailed everyone in his email address book saying he had extra points for Diamond International timeshare resort he couldn't use that would expire at the end of December. If anyone had the time, he would book a resort for you for FREE! I already had park tickets from a prior trip I had to cancel, now free accommodations, during my favorite time to visit WDW (December) so it was kind of a no-brainer that I had to go.

LOCATION: I thought the location was great. I didn't actually time it, but I swear it was about 5 minutes to the property boarder. Take a left out of the resort, drive a mile or two, turn right, then a mile or so to merge onto World Center Drive. Maybe 15-20 minutes to the various parking lots. It is a little bit south of Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway. It is right next to Windsor Hills, where I know a lot of people on the boards rent houses.

There are a number of restaurants nearby (Ponderosa, Bob Evans - my favorite for breakfast, McDonalds, Sizzler, Sweet Tomatoes, really too many to list). There is also a Publix and Super Target just down the road. For small needs, there is a "mom & pop" market in a strip mall with a back way access so you don't even have to go into the traffic on Irlo Bronson. It's a little pricey, and they don't give cash back on debit card transactions, but if all you need is a bag of ice or a bottle of soda like I did, it's very convenient. Liquor store is next door.

If you are like me and like a McMuffin for breakfast, you can go to the McDonalds drive-through on Irlo Bronson (much less expensive than the one next to All Stars) and there is a "back way" onto property via Sherbeth Road. Way convenient! I enjoyed breakfast in the park parking lot a few mornings prior to rope drop.

ACCOMMODATIONS: I had a "standard" 1 bedroom unit. It was kind of dated in my opinion, but was clean and everything I needed worked. It had a full kitchen open to the living room area, which had a leather sleeper sofa, coffee table and TV. The kitchen was standard time share - had all the usual kitchen utensils and cookware. However, I was shocked to find there was no dishwasher. I thought that was illegal for a timeshare due to sanitation issues.

There was a stacked washer and dryer in the hall closet. I did use it once and it seemed o.k. They provide a small bottle of laundry detergent. Think a hotel shampoo bottle - that is what it looked like. The bedroom had a king sized bed and a whirlpool tub in one corner. I did not use the tub so I can't tell you anything about that.

I also didn't use any of the other amenities such as the pool or any resort activities. They did advertise activities, but I can't say anything about them. They also have an on site restaurant that offers room service but I didn't order from there. I ordered from Girodanos and Flippers and was happy with both.

The toilet would continuously run sometimes after flushing. I saw a maintenance guy and mentioned it and it was fixed the next day while I was at the parks. I also called to report that the in room safe was locked when I arrived. They offered to send someone to take care of it, but my main concern is sometimes people are charged a fee if they leave the safe locked and I didn't want to be charged.

The one glitch I had was a locked myself out of my unit when going to get something from my truck. So I had my truck keys, but didn't have my wallet or ID. I went to the registration building and without ID they wouldn't issue a new key, but called security to meet me at my unit. It felt like I was waiting forever for that security guy. I know it was at least an hour, probably more. I finally found a housekeeper guy and asked him to call and see where the security guy was. It took a couple of calls but eventually he showed up, let me in, but oddly did not check my ID.

The internet is WIRED, with the outlet on the kitchen breakfast bar. It is also painfully slow. I was really surprised by this. I had to log in a couple of times to check work email and was very disappointed with how slow it was. But still, it was free.

OVERALL. I would stay here again for the right price. Obviously if it were free again! They do rent to the public on a nightly basis, and I would probably stay here again if the price were $69/night or less for the 1 bedroom. Not sure if I would pay more. It was a nice place, conveniently located, but there are other condos available around that price that might be a little more updated.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions about Mystic Dunes. I will do my best to answer.

[swilshire]

Diamond Resorts took over management a year or so ago and the renovations have been ongoing. There were signs of it everywhere during our last visit and everything should be freshened up soon. We had the new bed in our unit and it was very luxurious.

Sheila

[sb682]

Thanks for the review! We are going in a few weeks and I'm glad to hear you had a good experience. The reviews on other websites were making me nervous!

Lame question: do you know whether the coffee pots use cone or basket filters? Trying to finish packing our box of food.

[Stinky_Pete]

Originally Posted by sb682

Lame question: do you know whether the coffee pots use cone or basket filters? Trying to finish packing our box of food.

Sorry, I am not a coffee drinker and didn't pay any attention to the coffee maker.

[cheerky]

Originally Posted by sb682

Thanks for the review! We are going in a few weeks and I'm glad to hear you had a good experience. The reviews on other websites were making me nervous!

Lame question: do you know whether the coffee pots use cone or basket filters? Trying to finish packing our box of food.

Our unit had a Cuisinart stainless coffee maker with the gold tone built in filter basket. No paper filters needed.

[cheerky]

We stayed at Mystic Dunes again over MLK weekend. I booked a one bedroom on Hotwire.com for $46 night. The Hotwire description was for a one bedroom, full kitchen. I called ahead and requested a king size bed.

Upon arrival, I was told we would be in a standard one bedroom with a cooktop and mini-fridge. Having brought pre-cooked meals to pop in the oven, I was not happy.

After pleeding with the front desk for a room with a full sized fridge and oven, they begrudgingly accommodated us. The room was not very nice. There was a leather couch, small box tv, no table, sliding doors that opened to a gate (no balcony) , no dining table and a full size bed. The appliances were very old and like pp said, no dishwasher.

We stayed in a two bedroom at Mystic Dunes last year and really loved the accommodations. We paid $202 for a week stay through condodirect.

I was disappointed this time. On a positive note, there were luggage carts available, no bugs and no annoying requests for timeshare tours. I would stay at Mystic Dunes again if it was super inexpensive because it is so conveniently located to Disney Parks and I4.

[Stinky_Pete]

Originally Posted by cheerky

We stayed at Mystic Dunes again over MLK weekend. I booked a one bedroom on Hotwire.com for $46 night. The Hotwire description was for a one bedroom, full kitchen. I called ahead and requested a king size bed.

Upon arrival, I was told we would be in a standard one bedroom with a cooktop and mini-fridge. Having brought pre-cooked meals to pop in the oven, I was not happy.

After pleeding with the front desk for a room with a full sized fridge and oven, they begrudgingly accommodated us. The room was not very nice. There was a leather couch, small box tv, no table, sliding doors that opened to a gate (no balcony) , no dining table and a full size bed. The appliances were very old and like pp said, no dishwasher.

We stayed in a two bedroom at Mystic Dunes last year and really loved the accommodations. We paid $202 for a week stay through condodirect.

I was disappointed this time. On a positive note, there were luggage carts available, no bugs and no annoying requests for timeshare tours. I would stay at Mystic Dunes again if it was super inexpensive because it is so conveniently located to Disney Parks and I4.

Your description of your 1 bdr. matched the one that I had in many respects. Sliding door to a railing, no dining table, but 4 stools at the kitchen bar. But my bed was larger than a full size. My appliances were relatively new.

[goalierich]

Thanks for the review. I will be staying here in early June in a 2 bed/ 2 bath unit for 7 nights. I cannot wait!!

[goofyfigment]

i am thinking about booking here for a june trip, not many choices left thru II, do you think a one bedroom would be fine for me and my 19 yr old DD? II does not specify if it is a standard one bedroom or a deluxe. Thanks

[Stinky_Pete]

Originally Posted by goofyfigment

i am thinking about booking here for a june trip, not many choices left thru II, do you think a one bedroom would be fine for me and my 19 yr old DD? II does not specify if it is a standard one bedroom or a deluxe. Thanks

The leather sofa in the unit I had was a sleeper. There was only one bathroom, but somehow my family of five survived living in a house with only one bathroom.

When I booked it was through Diamond International and they were charging more points for the deluxe. There weren't any available for my last minute trip, though. You might want to see if somone at II can find out for you.

[goofyfigment]

Originally Posted by Stinky_Pete

The leather sofa in the unit I had was a sleeper. There was only one bathroom, but somehow my family of five survived living in a house with only one bathroom.

When I booked it was through Diamond International and they were charging more points for the deluxe. There weren't any available for my last minute trip, though. You might want to see if somone at II can find out for you.

So was the standard room nice? We probably won't be there much, and we have no problems when we stay at a hotel. I was just worried based on the mixed reviews

[Stinky_Pete]

Originally Posted by goofyfigment

So was the standard room nice? We probably won't be there much, and we have no problems when we stay at a hotel. I was just worried based on the mixed reviews

Please see my initial post at the top of this thread for my review.