Harbour lake or other Marriott?

[Jessicamcg]

which Marriott should we choose? We are owners in Aruba and are trading to go to Orlando this Fall. Have stayed at Grande Vista before and liked it
Also Considering lakeshore reserve, cypress harbor, grand vista.

Traveling with 3 kids- 10,7, 6
We typically like nicer resorts but want activities for the kids as well

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'd probably try Lakeshore Reserve. I've never stayed there but want to! Don't count out Cypress Palms. We stayed there in February and really liked it. The 2 bedroom until was really big and nice. They had a nice room to play video games and you could check out movies ect. You are also able to use the World Center amenities which include a couple of very nice water slides and a huge pool. There are also several hot tubs and a really neat nighttime show. They have a shuttle that brings you between the different resorts in the complex and there is also a walking path from Cypress Palms to the World Center.

We were also able to enjoy the indoor pool in February since it was pretty cold while we were there.

BUt we do LOVE Harbour Lake. It's a nice small resort with plenty of things to do including mini golf and the splash park.

 

[lindsmom]

I would recommend Harbour Lake over Cypress Harbour. We personally prefer Cypress Harbour, but it is much quieter and HL has way more activities for children. There is no comparison as far as pools - HL has the pirate ship, splash pad, and water slide. CH has three (I believe off the top of my head) pools that are standard pools - fountains, but no amazing features. Both have mini golf, kids activities, etc.

CH is bigger, both are very nice in our family's opinion.

 

[Detailor]

I'd take Lakeshore Reserve if available. It's the Marriott that's furthest from Disney but looks really nice. Cypress Harbour would be next on my list, then Grande Vista. If kids amenities are important, then you should, indeed, consider Harbour Lake as it's nice for the 10 and under crowd (villas are a notch below other Marriotts, in my opinion). The tri-Palms at the Marriott World Center are older but spacious and really close to Disney property (we enjoyed Sabal Palms). Guests can use any of the amenities at the three timeshare resorts or those at the hotel.

Dick Taylor

 

[maciec]

Don't do Lakeshore Reserve. We stayed there last year and it's just too far. The kids didn't like it either. I have a 5,12,and 15yo. My kids were bored there too. It is very nice, but we wouldn't stay there again because of the distance.

We are going back in October and staying at HL's at the kids request

 

[ArwenMarie]

We loved loved loved Lakeshore Reserve. Awesome pool, beautiful units, JW and Ritz a short walk away with restaurants, etc.

 

[Detailor]

4.4 miles further from Disney to Lakeshore Reserve than Harbour Lake and Cypress Harbour.

Dick Taylor

 

[dioxide45]

I'd probably try Lakeshore Reserve. I've never stayed there but want to! Don't count out Cypress Palms. We stayed there in February and really liked it. The 2 bedroom until was really big and nice. They had a nice room to play video games and you could check out movies ect. You are also able to use the World Center amenities which include a couple of very nice water slides and a huge pool. There are also several hot tubs and a really neat nighttime show. They have a shuttle that brings you between the different resorts in the complex and there is also a walking path from Cypress Palms to the World Center.

We were also able to enjoy the indoor pool in February since it was pretty cold while we were there.

BUt we do LOVE Harbour Lake. It's a nice small resort with plenty of things to do including mini golf and the splash park.

I think you are actually referring to either Royal Palms, Sabal Palms or Imperial Palms. There is no Cypress Palms in the Marriott timeshare family. All three of the Palms properties on on the World Center property. Sabal Palms is within reasonable walking distance to the World Center hotel complex and pools while Royal and Imperial are a little more removed and would likely require a shuttle ride. All three have free access to the pools, amenities and slide tower at the World Center.

Harbour Lake would be pretty good choice for the OP given the age of the children. It has pools geared toward kids. Grande Vista would probably be a good second choice. One problem with Harbour Lake is only a queen bed in the second bedroom with a pull out sofa in the second room and living room. When that sofa bed is pulled out in the second bedroom, it makes for very little room. I would personally opt for Harbour Lake since you have a good chance of getting a 2BR unit that has two queen beds in the second bedroom. Most 2BR units at Grande Vista are lock off type units with a king in the second bedroom. If the OP can score a 3BR at any Marriott property in Orlando, it would be ideal. Imperial Palms is a good choice because all of the units have 3BR units and if the OP is using Marriott Destinations Club Points to book, the points cost is the same as the 2BR units at Royal and Sabal Palms.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I think you are actually referring to either Royal Palms, Sabal Palms or Imperial Palms. There is no Cypress Palms in the Marriott timeshare family. All three of the Palms properties on on the World Center property. Sabal Palms is within reasonable walking distance to the World Center hotel complex and pools while Royal and Imperial are a little more removed and would likely require a shuttle ride. All three have free access to the pools, amenities and slide tower at the World Center.

Harbour Lake would be pretty good choice for the OP given the age of the children. It has pools geared toward kids. Grande Vista would probably be a good second choice. One problem with Harbour Lake is only a queen bed in the second bedroom with a pull out sofa in the second room and living room. When that sofa bed is pulled out in the second bedroom, it makes for very little room. I would personally opt for Harbour Lake since you have a good chance of getting a 2BR unit that has two queen beds in the second bedroom. Most 2BR units at Grande Vista are lock off type units with a king in the second bedroom. If the OP can score a 3BR at any Marriott property in Orlando, it would be ideal. Imperial Palms is a good choice because all of the units have 3BR units and if the OP is using Marriott Destinations Club Points to book, the points cost is the same as the 2BR units at Royal and Sabal Palms.

You're right it was Sabal Palms.

However, Harbour Lake does have 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom. We've stayed there several times. I think you're thinking of the one across the street that doesn't have the 2 beds. We've never stayed at that one because of the pull out issue. (Cypress something I think) lol

 

[mieuxmew]

We have stayed at Cypress Harbour, Grande Vista and Lakeshore Reserve. One important question- how much time do you plan to spend at the resort? If you are spending most of your time at the theme parks and less time at the resort, maybe consider a better room configuration and distance over resort features.

Cypress Harbour - we liked it. Med see resort. Pools are nice. Very nice kids activity center. Kids can build there own battery operated model car and there is a race track to run them on! Not too many dining options here. Rooms are huge. 2nd bedroom has a queen and pull out sofa bed, which seriously is very tight. Very close to I4 and closest to Disney. All rooms are 2 bedroom/2bath.

Grande Vista - HUGE resort! 2 main pool areas. Has a kids zone that has an indoor playground (like McDonalds). This offers the most eating options. Full sit down restaurant and a food court. Also there is a bar/grill poolside. MANY different room configurations - studios, 1 bedrooms, 2 bedrooms (look off and dedicated) and 3 bedrooms. This is my husband's favorite of the 3 resorts.

Lakeshore Reserve - Smaller resort, but fancier and I feel more upscale. This one is my favorite. Like Grande Vista, many different rooms configurations. Pools feature 2 water slides and a lazy (very lazy) river. Small pool bar/grill. Farthest from Disney (20-25 minutes). Nice kids area. Gym is very nice. We have used to pool at the JW Marriott and it is very nice as well.

 

[Monykalyn]

Grande Vista is our favorite for rooms and the awesome main pool. Stayed at Sabal last year-very quick walk to world center awesome pool and water slides. The second bedroom has a double and single bed plus pull out sofa bed in LR so all the kids got their own beds. Unit was very large as well. Harbour lake has a cool themed pool but the 2 Bed units seemed smaller to me.

Really all the Marriott properties are nicely maintained.

 

[mckennarose]

When we were at the Sabal Palms last month, the staff told us they were going to begin remodeling the units this summer. Just an FYI....