Reunion Resort vs. Encore at Reunion: What Owners Should Know

The short answer

Reunion Resort and Encore at Reunion sit next to each other, but they're separate communities with different amenities. Reunion is a 2,300-acre golf resort with everything from condos to 14-bedroom homes. Encore is all large vacation homes, 4 to 13 bedrooms, with its own guest-only water park. That difference changes how you should design the house.

Side by side

How the two are different

The easiest way to put it: Reunion is a resort that happens to have homes in it, and Encore is a neighborhood of big homes that happens to have a resort club.

At Reunion, guests are buying into the golf, the restaurants and a AAA Four Diamond address. The range of homes is huge, from a one-bedroom suite to a 14-bedroom estate. Your competition depends on which kind of unit you own. A villa is up against other villas and hotel rooms. An estate home is up against the best large homes in the area.

At Encore, every listing is a big house. The smallest is 4 bedrooms and the biggest is 13. Guests choose Encore for space and the water park, and they're almost always a large group: several families, a reunion, a team trip. Your competition is the other big Encore homes, and the guests compare them room by room.

One more thing worth knowing. Encore's club is run separately from the property owners' association, and club dues are their own line item. Ask your manager what your guests get with their stay. If you rent through a resort program with its own standards, tell us up front and we'll plan around them.

Which owner each suits

Reunion tends to suit you if:

• You want a smaller unit, like a villa or condo, with lower upkeep
• You want to rent to golf groups and couples, not just big families
• You like the idea of a full resort around the property: restaurants, golf, a water park
• You want guests who expect a luxury feel and will pay for it

Encore tends to suit you if:

• You want a large home built for big group bookings
• You're fine with every competitor being a big house too
• You want a water park that only your guests and your neighbors' guests can use
• You're ready to furnish 8, 10 or more bedrooms well

Either way, look at the governing documents and talk to a local agent and your property manager before you buy. We design the inside. We're not the right people to give you investment advice.

What it means for the design

Designing a Reunion home

The resort sets the bar. Guests walk in from a four-diamond setting, so the house has to feel finished, not just furnished.

• Keep themes refined. Put them in the kids' rooms and entertainment spaces. The great room and primary suites should feel like a luxury home.
• Invest in suites. Golf groups are adults sharing a house. They want king rooms that are close to equal, good closets, and quiet.
• Add a drop zone. Golf bags, shoes and pool bags need a place by the door.
• Plan for size. A villa needs smart storage and seating. An estate home needs a room-by-room plan so nothing repeats.

Designing an Encore home

Encore is a big-group puzzle. Twenty people arrive at once, use the water park all day, and come back to the house for dinner.

• No weak rooms. In a 10 or 13-bedroom house, the worst bedroom is the one that shows up in the review. Every room needs its own look and a real bed.
• Bunk rooms and themes earn their keep. Big family groups bring a lot of kids. A themed bunk room built to last is one of the best spots for your budget.
• Group dining and gathering. Seating for the whole group in one place, inside or out, plus a game room or theater for the evenings.
• Durability. Wet towels and sandy feet come back from the water park all day. Pick finishes and fabrics that can take it.

Where both are the same

In both communities, the homes are near each other and many share similar layouts. Guests compare the photos side by side. The house that wins is the one where every room looks planned, the sleep count is honest, and there's at least one room people remember.

How we help

We've been designing vacation rentals out of Kissimmee since 2004, and we build themed rooms and custom pieces in our own shop at 3401 Commerce Blvd, Suite G. A full vacation rental design usually runs $15,000 to $60,000, depending on scope. After a walkthrough, you get a room-by-room plan and a fixed quote.

Book a Walkthrough Call 689-777-9954

See our Reunion Resort and Encore at Reunion pages for more.

Reunion vs. Encore questions

Is Encore part of Reunion Resort?

No. Encore Resort sits right next to Reunion and shares the Reunion name in its address, but it's a separate community with its own club. Encore's water park, restaurants and clubhouse are for Encore guests. Reunion's water park, golf and dining are run by Reunion Resort. Guests at one don't automatically get the other's amenities.

Which one has bigger homes?

Both have big homes, but in different ways. Encore is made up entirely of 4 to 13 bedroom vacation homes that sleep about 10 to 28 guests. Reunion has a much wider range, from suites, condos and villas all the way up to private homes with 3 to 14 bedrooms, so the size depends on the section.

Which has the better water park?

They're different. Encore's is about 10 acres with six slides, a kids' splash zone and an adult pool, and it's only open to Encore guests. Reunion's is about 5 acres with a 1,000-foot lazy river and a big slide. Families who care most about slides tend to like Encore's.

Can Encore guests play golf at Reunion?

Encore doesn't have its own golf course. Reunion's three signature courses are open to guests staying at Reunion Resort or through its Preferred Rental Program. If golf matters to your guests, ask Reunion directly about tee times and access before you market your home as a golf rental.

Does Encore require club dues?

The Encore club, which runs the water park and other amenities, is owned and run by a separate company, not the property owners' association. That means club membership and dues are their own item. Ask for the current amounts and what's included before you buy, because they affect your costs and your guests' access.

How should I design differently for Encore and Reunion?

At Reunion, keep themes refined, put money into equal king suites, and add a drop zone for golf gear. At Encore, plan for large groups first: no weak bedrooms, durable themed bunk rooms, seating for everyone at one table, and a game room or theater where the layout allows it.

How much does it cost to design a home in either community?

A full vacation rental design usually runs $15,000 to $60,000, depending on scope. Bedroom count, how many themed or custom rooms you want, and whether you add a game room or theater move the number most. After a walkthrough, we send a fixed quote before anything gets ordered.