Back from Marriott Horizons - Pictures

[littlestar]

Just got back yesterday from Orlando. We stayed a few nights at Marriott Horizons before checking into Disney's Old Key West on our DVC points. I really, really liked the Marriott Horizons resort. We had a brand new one bedroom with a big screen TV in the living room, large second TV in the master bedroom. The beds were super comfy - great mattresses (even the pull-out couch was comfy according to our daughter and son-in-law). I definitely will go back to Horizons again. The staff was terrific. The resort reminded me a lot of a Disney resort. Great pools with slides. Just a terrific, charming resort. Here's a shutterfly picture link. I took a lot of pictures of the pools and grounds:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CbOGThs5YsXGA

 

[Paulab]

Nice pics! We stayed at the Marriott RI Seaworld opposite last summer, and overlooked the construction works, so its nice to see it finished!

 

[utahkennedys]

Thanks for the fun pics! I tried to find some on line with no luck. We own at DVC too (OKW) and I thought it may be fun to try Horizons sometime either before or after a trip, or on its own. I have heard it has lots of fun family activities.

 

[tripplanner2]

I just cancelled a reservation there. I was going to rent our friends timeshare from her and she could only get this location. I did several searches online for pictures and reviews and found nothing. The resort looks beautiful. I wish I had seen them before I had her cancel.

 

[littlestar]

Horizons was a charming resort. We'll definitely combine some days there before or after our DVC point stays. I paid $135.00 a night for the one bedroom (around $150.00 with tax). The beds were actually more comfortable at Horizons than Disney's Old Key West. I got a room with an old mattress at Old Key West and I missed the new pillow top one at Horizons. Although to be fair, I think Old Key West is in the process of replacing mattresses.

 

[kilee]

Thank you for sharing!!!

 

[Chilehead Too]

Very nice thank you for sharing.

 

[echo63]

Thanks for the nice pics. How was the drive from Marriott Horizons to WDW? Also, did your 1-bd unit come with a kitchen?

 

[littlestar]

The drive wasn't bad to WDW. We just jumped on I-4 (took the west exit that says toward Tampa) and we were there within about 15 minutes or less.

Our one bedroom had a full kitchen and including the (2) bar stool chairs and counter, we could have probably seated eight people easily. The kitchen had plenty of room. The master bedroom wasn't as big as Marriott's Grande Vista, but it wasn't bad considering it had a king size bed in it. I don't think there are very many one bedrooms at this resort as they just opened up Building 28 and 29 that have the lock-offs (one bedroom/lock-off studio combinations). Before the new buildings opened, they only had two bedrooms units from what I've been told. Maybe an owner knows a figure on how many studios/one bedrooms/2 bedrooms are available at Horizons?

I liked the compactness of Horizons - it wasn't super big and spread out. Any building wasn't a bad walk to either pool (probably a five minute walk at the most from any building). So you wouldn't have to load the kids up in the car and drive to a pool.

 

[tripplanner2]

How did you get the price of $139 per night? Was it some sort of discount or do you belong to Marriott timeshare? I am asking because my friend can get me her week but we are planning on staying for 2 weeks and need to add extra nights. My research turned up rates of $279 per night for the 2 bedroom which is what she had booked us in for the week.

 

[littlestar]

tripplanner2, I booked the $135.00 a night for the one bedroom off of Marriott's site. I signed up for a Marriott rewards card (it's free) and used the Marriott reward's member code M11 when I booked. I could have gotten a Cypress Harbour two bedroom for $166.00 a night with that code also. I don't think there is a lot of availability for the one bedrooms. There aren't many of them, plus I'm competing against owners and exchangers for vacancies.

 

[tripplanner2]

littlestar: Thank you so much for the information. One last question for you. Do they have shuttles to WDW? I called the resort and the woman said no but my friend that I was renting from said yes. I am not sure who is confused. If they did have transportation, how was it? My DH really wants to stay onsite simply because of the transportation but AP discounts do not look like they are flowing this year. I really appreciate your input. I tried finding out information online but there really is not much on this particular resort.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Thanks so much for sharing. We stayed at the Horizons when it was first built. It had two wings, the clubhouse and main pool with the pirate slide outside the clubhouse. We really enjoyed it there, and were wondering what it would look like once it had more completed. I sent the link to my step-mom and dad (who are the owners there.) I'm kinda hoping that they will be inclined to return! And, of course, bring us!

 

[littlestar]

tripplanner2, I don't know about shuttles. I didn't see anything about shuttles in my Horizons booklet that I got at check-in. We rented a car when we flew in at Orlando International for the weekend and then turned the car in at the Dolphin hotel on Monday. We used our DVC points for our onsite stay starting on Sunday and Disney's Magical Express back to the airport on Friday. We didn't go to the Disney parks until we started our onsite DVC stay.

There is an I-Ride trolley that has a stop out by Cypress Harbour across the street from Horizons. I don't know where all the trolley goes, though.

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

littlestar Thanks so much for posting the link to the pictures. They are awesome! We are DVC memebers too (own at Saratoga Springs) and last June we purchased at Horizons. It looks like a lot of work has been completed since we did our tour last year. We are palnning on our first stay at Horizons next summer with friends and now I am even more excited to go! I can't wait to have my DD 12 look at your pictures when she gets home from school today she will be so excited. Thanks again!

Chery

 

[littlestar]

Cheryl,

We really enjoyed Horizons as it reminded us a lot of the Disney resorts. Great pools with slides. The only thing it needs is a gift shop/mini mart on site. I wouldn't mind owning a week at this resort. Lucky you.

 

[suz72]

littlestar-

I just came across these photos...They are awesome. My family and I are spending a week at this resort this October. We plan to do Disney for many of the days, but I don't think we'll need to do any waterparks. The place looks like a waterpark itself!

I have searched all over for any good photos and yours are so thorough!! Thanks again...my two DDs are going to love this place. Yipee

 

[littlestar]

You're welcome, suz72. We're DVC members and I'm hard to please because I compare everything to onsite Disney. But, I loved this resort. If it would have had a Disney gift shop, I honestly would have thought I was at a Disney resort. The staff were wonderful. I pm'd you some more pictures.

Have a great time.

 

[Connears]

Just viewed your pictures out of curiosity. Your pictures are beautiful. Reminds me of our home resort of Old Key West. Just stayed at Marriott Grande Vista and was not impressed at all! We are DVC members and stayed at MGV for 4 nights during a conference this June and did the timeshare tour, but would not even think of buying. Had horrible time with first unit(ceiling had fallen in the bathroom and shower and unit was not habitable). Hated the sprawling layout and confusing numbering of buildings and rooms differently(we were in building 98 room 8207). Outdoor stucco corridors, one elevator and contant garbage and linen carts in the parking area did not make for a pleasant atmosphere. Looks much better layed out at Horizons and much more appealing. When we sat thru the timeshare tour, I asked about Horizons and our salesperson said it was just for folks with young kids. I wish we had stayed at Horizons instead. Probable would not have bought there either, but would have had a better experience I think.
Connears

 

[littlestar]

Connears,

I know, isn't it funny that Marriott sales people play it down against Grande Vista - but my husband said he'd stay any day at Horizons over Grande Vista. It just felt more quaint and Disney like to us. I loved all the pastel colors of the buildings and the brick paving stones (like Disney's Old Key West). Something else I noticed, even the bathrooms and showers at the main pirate pool were immaculate. I'm not kidding, they were spotless. Whoever manages that little Horizons resort does a terrific job (or maybe it's a combination of great staff and management). Even all the pool umbrellas were spotless - no Florida mold growing on them.

I PM'd you some interior shots of the rooms.