Encore Resort at Reunion and Windsor Hills both solve the same basic Disney-family problem: sometimes one hotel room is simply not enough. Both offer vacation homes with kitchens, multiple bedrooms and private pools. After that, the experiences split quickly.
Encore is built for large-home resort vacations
Encore’s current inventory focuses on spacious private homes, including options for very large groups. The resort also offers a broad package of on-site recreation, dining and guest services, giving it more of a full-service destination-resort feel.
For large groups who want a high-service resort experience wrapped around a private home, that can be a compelling package.
Windsor Hills is built around Disney proximity and flexibility
Windsor Hills ranges from two-bedroom condos to six-bedroom private-pool villas. The community has its own heated resort pool, hot tub, water park, clubhouse, playgrounds and sports areas.
There is no Windsor Hills theme-park shuttle, and that is intentional in the way many guests plan their stay: families typically drive or use rideshare so they can come and go on their own schedule. The resort is located just south of Walt Disney World, making a car particularly useful for park-heavy itineraries.
Water parks: Encore is larger, Windsor Hills is included and easy
Encore places a lot of emphasis on its resort recreation complex. Windsor Hills takes a more compact approach, with AquaVenture, the heated resort pool and splash areas all working as an easy add-on to a Disney-focused trip rather than the centerpiece of the vacation.
Windsor Hills guests in townhouses and many larger homes also have a private pool or splash pool at the rental, which means every swim does not have to become a clubhouse trip.
Transportation: shuttle vs. self-directed
Encore’s complimentary theme-park transportation can be attractive for travelers who do not want to drive. Always check the current schedule, pickup points and reservation requirements because scheduled resort shuttles are different from Disney’s continuous on-site transportation.
Windsor Hills guests generally use a rental car or rideshare. For families who want to leave Disney at noon, return for naps, and head back for fireworks, having your own transportation can be the more flexible setup.
Which is better for value?
There is no universal winner because individual homes and dates vary. Encore leans toward a broader service-and-resort package. Windsor Hills often appeals to budget-conscious families who want to pay for bedrooms, a kitchen, private outdoor space and community amenities without needing a luxury-resort layer around the stay.
The Disney-family verdict
Encore is a strong choice for very large groups and families who want a more full-service resort environment. Windsor Hills is especially compelling for families who want to be close to Disney, control their own transportation and choose anything from a condo to a six-bedroom villa without paying for a broader resort layer they may barely use.
If your vacation spreadsheet has more theme-park rows than resort-day rows, Windsor Hills is likely the cleaner fit. If the resort itself gets equal billing with Disney, Encore deserves a serious look. See large family rental options at Windsor Hills.
