Anyone stayed at solterra recently?

[donna252]

As above anyone stayed here recently?mainly wondering about driving times and traffic to the parks Disney/universal/seaworld?

Would also be interested in any reviews or tips of restaurants near by.

[DurhamGirl]

Hi

I notice that no one was replied - hope it is ok with admin for me to respond.

The drive times are very variable and dependent on the time of day. We still find that leaving the villa by 8am usually takes 20-25 mins to Disney and 30-35 mins to Universal - via the I4. The route down old lake wilson road is another option.

In terms of restaurants, there is a good selection of chain type restaurants on Champions Gate Plaza, Millers, Chilies, Wendy's, dunkin donuts, McDonald's, Panara Bread, Red Robins etc. There is also a First Watch which is great for breakfast - very busy on Sundays. Other options include, Tjuana Flats (mex take-away), Dulcetto Pizzeria - sit in or takeout, Blue Coast (fusion).

Yvonne

[NewtoOrlando]

I’ve got a provisional booking at Soltera at the moment, booked it for the communal facilities as we have my 70 year old parents coming with us and there’s enough for them to do if we’re out and they don’t want to come. Although I’ve read today that the poolside snack bar is only open 4 days a week and only open 11-4pm, they would prefer to stay somewhere that at least at something going on in the evening so I’m not sure about it now!

[JoJo88]

We stayed this summer and really enjoyed the resort facilities. It was comparable to being in a hotel but with the space of a villa!

Distance wise, we weren’t doing any parks so weren’t travelling at peak park times, but to the restaurants at Championsgate it’s about 5 minutes, to Rolling Oaks about 15 using the toll road. There are a few options for getting up to the 192.

We found the resort itself quite busy, lots of cars parked outside the villas and on the roads too, and big groups at the pool, although never so busy we couldn’t get sun loungers, and it adds atmosphere with plenty of people around It was noisy at night quite often with people playing loud music round the pool even though there’s supposed to be quiet times.

The snack bar was handy, nice smoothies, and typical pool side menu. Lots of shaded seating and a club room with a free coffee machine.

We had dinner nearby at the following nearby usual suspect restaurants:

Ovation - wouldn’t go back, awful meal for a couple of us, although others love it so I do acknowledge we were probably unlucky.

Miller’s @ CG - good menu, tasty food, we had one great meal and one not so great!

Applebee’s on Hwy 27 - a favourite, cheap and cheerful, varied tasty menu

Panera Bread @ CG - lunch, good soups, salads & sandwiches.

Menchies @ CG - frozen yogurt franchise, the boys’ favourite for dessert.

Otherwise we went to the usual haunts at Rolling Oaks.

Hope this helps, I’m happy to answer any other questions 😊

[bluedave]

We’ve just returned (yesterday) and it’s about 3 to 5 minutes to the I4 at champions gate or you can go up old lake Wilson road. About 20 minutes or so.

The communal facilities are great - the best community features we’ve ever had. The place seemed empty when we were there so the roads were clear but we had a six bedroom villa (possibly a bit excessive for 4 of us) and the driveway was much smaller than driveways in other resorts (as was the garage). Would be squeeze to get 2 cars on the drive.

[geomac79]

We stayed at Solterra last year, really nice and good facilities and Champions gate is just round the corner.

I wouldn’t go back again as I felt we were always driving for a long time every day.

[speedwayfan]

We returned a couple of weeks ago having stayed in Lynn's Dibb villa (Azure Sky).

We really couldn't fault the area, facilities or the villa at all.

We were at the I4 in 3/4 mins via Heritage Pass and then around 15 mins to Seaworld/Aquatica etc.

We spent 2 full days at the community pool and the DGC loved the water slide and lazy river. The snacks and drinks were good and reasonably priced.

Wouldn't hesitate to return.

Jill

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by speedwayfan

We returned a couple of weeks ago having stayed in Lynn's Dibb villa (Azure Sky).

We really couldn't fault the area, facilities or the villa at all.

We were at the I4 in 3/4 mins via Heritage Pass and then around 15 mins to Seaworld/Aquatica etc.

We spent 2 full days at the community pool and the DGC loved the water slide and lazy river. The snacks and drinks were good and reasonably priced.

Wouldn't hesitate to return.

Jill

See more...

Can you remember how often the snack bar was open? And how late?

[speedwayfan]

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

Can you remember how often the snack bar was open? And how late?

See more...

Just had a look at my phone for photos to help. We went there Wed 21 Aug and it was closed as their computer system was down. The reception had free coffee, tea and hot chocolate available and said it would be open the next day. Really good coffee from Keurig pods. The water slide and lazy river was open all the time we were there from around 11am to 4pm.

Next time was Monday 26 Aug and it was open all the time we were there, it was so hot we left around 3.30pm.

We had planned to go again but because of the hurricane they were removing the sun beds so we stayed at the villa.

Our villa owner did have the hours of operation as a guideline in her villa, but if I remember correctly it was generally open from 11am to 5pm and a couple of days until 7pm.

HTH
Jill

[AzureSky]

Hi

These are the timings for the report facilities at Solterra:
Lazy River Mon-Thur 10am-5pm & Fri - Sun 10-6
Water-Slide Mon-Thur 10am-5pm & Fri - Sun 10-6
Pool Mon -Sun 8am - 11pm Jacuzzi 8am-11pm
Gym Mon - Sun 5am-11pm
Cafe Mon -Thurs 11am-4 pm Fri - Sun 11am-5pm
Club House Mon - Sun 9am - 7pm

Lynn