Hi again! OK so we have a FRIDAY check-in. We want a pretty view (DUH, who doesn't?) and nearby to the Falls and Cascades pools. And obviously want to avoid highway noise.
I'd prefer a 2nd or 3rd floor unit - 1st floor makes me worry about critters. LOL If we go with the 3rd floor, I assume we'd have to carry all of our luggage, etc up stairs? (I understand only a few buildings have elevators, correct?)
Is there a link anywhere that will give me an idea of daily activities during August?
Are there lifeguards at the pools? And do we need our own beach towels or do they have towels at the pools?
PS - great to hear about the distance from place to place on the property! WIth so many buildings and pools, it looked to be pretty sprawling.
Here are partial activity listings from last August. Hopefully its enough to give you at least a general idea of some of the goings-on at the resort:
Pools are not lifeguarded. Pool towels are available using a card system (cards are given to you at check in, one per guest up to the max # of occupancy allowed for your room) and you swap your card in exchange for a towel. Give back the towel, get back your card. Pool towels are only available in certain locations during certain hours, though, so we usually just bring our own beach towels to avoid the hassle.
If you are assigned a third floor villa, then you indeed have to carry your luggage up the stairs to your unit. Here's a visual for you:
From some sections, it will be too far to walk to certain pools. I would say it would be quite a hike in the August heat to walk from at least some of the North side sections to the South side pools (and vice versa). If you are staying in Springs or Palms and want to go to the Fountains pool for a swim or activity, then you'll definitely want to drive. Virtually all sections have at least one pool (usually more) that are easily within a walkable distance, though.
Fountains I, Fountains II, Lakes, Cascades, Palms and Springs all allow for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday check-ins
Spas is generally for Friday check-ins only.
Courts is generally for Saturday check-ins only.
Falls is generally for Sunday check-ins only.
On the property map referenced a few threads ago, red buildings are normally reserved for Friday arrivals, Blue for Saturday, Green for Sunday.
With a Friday check-in, there are lots of (awesome!) possibilities for where you might be assigned.
Hope that helps a little!