Best II Timeshare near Disney...

[Metsoskil]

I'm going to be trading my father's Xmas week Star Island timeshare for a week in August near Disney. Any advice as to where I should look to switch into? It's an II exchange, but obviously no DVC since they've got the restriction on Orlando trades. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villages a couple of summers ago, and that was fine. Location is probably our most important consideration, and a cool pool for the kids would be nice. The closer the better since the kids will be 3 and 6, and we still head back to the hotel mid-day for naps/rest. Thanks for any input.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm going to be trading my father's Xmas week Star Island timeshare for a week in August near Disney. Any advice as to where I should look to switch into? It's an II exchange, but obviously no DVC since they've got the restriction on Orlando trades. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villages a couple of summers ago, and that was fine. Location is probably our most important consideration, and a cool pool for the kids would be nice. The closer the better since the kids will be 3 and 6, and we still head back to the hotel mid-day for naps/rest. Thanks for any input.

One of the Orlando Marriotts would be good, I would suggest either Grande Vista or Horizons. Horizons would be the best for young children as it has great childrens themed pools. Both are located within a 15 minute drive of Disney property and there are easy back road routes with little traffic from each.

I don't know if there are any other regional restrictions with II, Westgate may have some also, so they may be out too. The regional restriction of DVC won't be the problem now as DVC will begin exchanging through RCI begining in January.

Another option is just to change the reservation on the Star Island, unless it is already deposited in II.

 

[Brian Noble]

A lot of them will have the Orlando block---and I don't know what the set is. Probably the Marriotts and Starwoods as well.

You might try for one of the Cypress Piontes. They might not be included in the block, and have a great location. They're a little "un-sung" because they get lost in the Marriott-Disney-Starwood shuffle, but they are highly regarded.

 

[dioxide45]

Also if you are traveling towards the end of August you may want to consider an II getaway. These can usually be picked up fairly cheap and the end of August is a slower season so they should be more plentiful and cheaper.

 

[Metsoskil]

Another option is just to change the reservation on the Star Island, unless it is already deposited in II.

Yup, it's already deposited. Thanks for the heads up on the pool at Horizons. That sounds right up our ally, although I'll have to check if the Mariott's have the Orlando block also.

Where are the Mariotts located?

 

[dioxide45]

Where are the Mariotts located?

Grande Vista and Horizons are located off of the Central Florida Parkway exit of I4 near SeaWorld.

 

[swilshire]

A lot of them will have the Orlando block---and I don't know what the set is. Probably the Marriotts and Starwoods as well.

You might try for one of the Cypress Piontes. They might not be included in the block, and have a great location. They're a little "un-sung" because they get lost in the Marriott-Disney-Starwood shuffle, but they are highly regarded.

The Marriotts definitely do.

Sheila

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Marriott Horizons or Grande Vista. I've had DVC's come up when Iwas looking to exchange on II. They were all stidios though.

 

[Detailor]

A lot of them will have the Orlando block---and I don't know what the set is. Probably the Marriotts and Starwoods as well.

You might try for one of the Cypress Piontes. They might not be included in the block, and have a great location. They're a little "un-sung" because they get lost in the Marriott-Disney-Starwood shuffle, but they are highly regarded.

Since I think that both the Marriotts and the Vistanas (Starwood/Sheratons) have regional blocks, I agree that Cypress Pointe would be a great choice (assuming that they're not blocked as well). Cypress Pointe Resort (but not the phase II Cypress Pointe Grand Villas) has recently been completely refurbished with a major upgrade in much of the outside common area. These side-by-side resorts are indeed in a great location near the Downtown Disney area, a big variety of chain restaurants and with relatively easy access to Universal Studios. Cypress Pointe is a smaller-scale resort than the Vistanas or the Marriotts but quite nice and well worth consideration.

Dick Taylor

 

[Metsoskil]

Since I think that both the Marriotts and the Vistanas (Starwood/Sheratons) have regional blocks, I agree that Cypress Pointe would be a great choice (assuming that they're not blocked as well).

Dick Taylor

I know that the Sheratons are not blocked. I've switched into Vistana Villages before with the same Star Island unit.

It seems that Cypress Pointe is pretty highly regarded. How far is it from the parks?

 

[MiaSRN62]

It seems that Cypress Pointe is pretty highly regarded. How far is it from the parks?

I've never stayed here before (wondering if it is gated security resort ?). It seems more open to the general area when I have been at the shopping center next door. It may be gated security and I just didn't see it. It seems more visible from the main road (SR 535) than say Vistana does (at least from my perspective).

But I can tell you it's very close to disney parks. Maybe a 10 min drive. Closest to Downtown Disney (less than 5 min drive). You could probably walk there if you wanted but I'd be concerned with crossing/navigating some busy roads on foot.

 

[spiceycat]

the busy roads are a little closer to DTD.

Cypress Pointe is fine.

stayed there once and would again. (mind is Westgate and I hate it)

this time Grand Beach showed up so taking that one.

Sheraton Vistana shows up alot.

with DVC there will be 1 in 5 once it goes to RCI - because of there are so many DVC's. Since most of the time it is either SSR or OKW - don't think the trades will be that bad - but remember one in 5 years to that resort. So if you get SSR the first year, it must be OKW the next time (unless it is 5 years).

 

[Detailor]

I've never stayed here before (wondering if it is gated security resort ?). It seems more open to the general area when I have been at the shopping center next door. It may be gated security and I just didn't see it. It seems more visible from the main road (SR 535) than say Vistana does (at least from my perspective).

But I can tell you it's very close to disney parks. Maybe a 10 min drive. Closest to Downtown Disney (less than 5 min drive). You could probably walk there if you wanted but I'd be concerned with crossing/navigating some busy roads on foot.

There is no security gate at Cypress Pointe. It is close to the main road but a couple of hotels provide a buffer. I'd guess that it's a 10 to 20 minute drive - probably not much less than Sheraton Vistana Resort but about 5 to 10 minutes closer than Vistana Villages -from Cypress Pointe to the various parks depending upon the time of day. Mia is right that it's walkable to Downtown Disney (I made that loop my morning walk route this past summer) but it is a long walk even at a brisk pace.

Dick Taylor

 

[horseshowmom]

We stayed at Cypress Pointe Grande Villas a couple of years ago (Christmas 2006) and really enjoyed it. They had Christmas music playing around the pool, and they met the requests I made (bottom floor, pool view). They had loads of activities for kids (my "kids" were 19 and 23 at the time though, so that didn't apply to us ).