HELP me pick a Marriot Vacation Resort

[Cmbar]

We had to reschedule our Marriott Vacation Club resort stay from Myrtle Beach to somewhere in Orlando and I don't know which one to pick for our family of four.

We are planning on going to Seaworld, and the Disney Waterparks and possibly Universal. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Detailor]

I've visited the grounds of all the Orlando MVC resorts, but have only stayed at Grande Vista and Cypress Harbour. Both of these resorts are top resorts. CH is the older of the two but villas have been renovated recently and are in great condition. CH is also smaller than Grande Vista and has a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere. The staff there is great.
Grande Vista starting building out about 10 years ago is quite large. Most of the oldest villas have been renovated. If you're golfers Grande Vista would probably be the choice.
Both resorts are quite close to SeaWorld and the new Aquatica waterpark. Easy access to I-4 to get to Universal or Disney.

I suspect that you'd be very happy with either of these resorts.

Dick Taylor

 

[Cmbar]

thank you so much! That really helps!

 

[jeff968]

We've stayed at two of them and toured the others. Cyrpess Harbor is our favorite. It is a fantastic resort and covers the likes of all my family members. The resort is beautiful and just the right size. We got an offer so we are staying at Horizons next year. I have an eight year old so we are thinking of her for next year. How old are your children? I would recommend CH.

 

[spiceycat]

Cypress harbour - unless you have little ones then Horizons

 

[Cmbar]

Thanks for the responses. Our children are 9 and 11. They would love any kind of pool, but any that has a theme would be great too. We are staying at the Marriott before we head to Disney, so they will get their fill of themed pools I guess! Thanks!

 

[jeff968]

If you want a themed pool then you'll want horizons. They are a themed resort with Pirates and all. At CH they have three pools, one is the clubhouse (because it is near the clubhouse), the other is the island pool (because it is on an island), and the quiet pool (not sure what they call it but it is small and quieter then the others). There are activities at the CH pools but most of the action is at the activity center where they have crafts, games, and arcade, all kinds of stuff going on for all ages. My son loved the remote control car competition. I can't say too much about Horizons since I haven't been there yet.

 

[spiceycat]

the 9 year old might like Horizon - but the 11 year old is too old (my opinion) to like Horizons. some of their stuff is definitely for the younger set.


Besides the bathroom don't have the whirlpool tub - very important!!!
Cypress Harbour does.

 

[Cmbar]

OK our two options are Cypress Harbour or Grand Vista. They are not offering Horizons, so that answers that. Can anyone tell me what the rooms are like at Cypress Harbour. Thanks!

We are changing from a 4day/3night in Myrtle Beach to something in Orlando. They said the only thing they offer in Orlando is a 5day/4 night at Grand Vista for an additional $100 or a 5day/4night at Cypress Harbour for an additional $200. So I am trying to determine if going to the Cypress is worth the additional $100. Anyone ever stay at both of these to compare? Thanks!!

 

[spiceycat]

probably would not - because they are pretty close together.

it is the management and crew at Cypress harbour that makes it so outstanding.

but that does not mean you can't get a great villa at GV.

if you don't like your villa complain immediately to the front desk. Don't put with second best.

but since they want to sell to you - bet they give you a nice villa immediately.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I stayed in a 2-bedroom villa at Grande Vista recently and couldn't have been happier.

The smaller of the main pools, the one by Copa Loca restaurant, seemed very popular with kids about the age of yours -- plenty for them to do. Things like the surrey bikes and the paddle boats should also appeal.

The villa (apartment is a better word, I think) was wonderfully appointed, right down to dishwashing liquid, and nicely furnished with a balcony for each bedroom and a jacuzzi in the master bedroom. First rate, all around.

The restaurant at the Faldo Institute is also top-notch.

 

[jeff968]

Between the two i would still recommend CH unless you or your husband are big golf nuts. CH has a great setup where everything is just a short walk away. GV is more spread out. The rooms at CH are bigger I believe but GV is newer. The hot tubs at CH are the originals installed in the early ninties. When they remodeled the rooms they left the hot tubs and the bath room counters so they are older. The kitchens and everything else are brand new. We've toured GV twice and I would stay there but given the choice with my family we'll keep going back to CH. You should look for a resort layout map and you'll see what I mean.

 

[KYMickey]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Royal Palms or Imperial Palms! They are much closer to Disney and since they are on the grounds of the Marriott International Center you can use all the facilities there during your stay. They have their own pool for relaxing but you can use the huge hotel pool whenever you want. The location is also extremely convenient to the interstates for easy access to other parts of town. Don't know if you are a golfer or not but there is also a very nice golf course there.

 

[Cmbar]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Royal Palms or Imperial Palms! They are much closer to Disney and since they are on the grounds of the Marriott International Center you can use all the facilities there during your stay. They have their own pool for relaxing but you can use the huge hotel pool whenever you want. The location is also extremely convenient to the interstates for easy access to other parts of town. Don't know if you are a golfer or not but there is also a very nice golf course there.

Well we aren't golfer, unfortunately, because I know that would be a great option at these resorts. The only thing we are able to pick between is the Cypress and the Grand Vista, so we are kinda limited on the choices. I am tempted to go with the Cypress, but still trying to justify spending an extra 100.00 if they are comparable. I think I am going to do my best to find a layout of both resorts.

Thanks so much for everyone's opinions!

 

[Detailor]

We were at Cypress Harbour during the last week of February (our second stay there) and Grande Vista for the first week of March (our third stay at this one). Both weeks were in two bedroom villas.

In large part the layouts are similar. King bed, jacuzzi, master bath attached to the master bedroom. Living room with queen size sofa bed, full kitchen. Second bathroom next to the second bedroom. Access to the lanai from both the living room and the master bedroom. Televisions in the master bedroom, the second bedroom and the living room and a DVD player with the living room tv. Washer and dryer in a closest near the entrance and kitchen area. At CH the second bedroom has a queen bed and a second sofabed. The second bedroom can be a little cramped when the sofabed is pulled out for use. At GV the second bedroom has two double beds. I think that the second bedroom at GV is a little larger than at CH. We were in renovated villas with granite counters, new furniture, etc. at both resorts.

For me the main difference between the two resorts is in atmosphere. GV is a larger and seemingly busier resort. CH seems more relaxing and laid back. There are some other differences like the limited spa services (massages), Copa Loca bar and grill, climbing wall, golf course and greater walking paths at GV; and the lush foliage and the island pool area. With that said, we enjoyed ourselves at both resorts and would gladly go back to either.

Dick Taylor

 

[Cmbar]

Thank you all for your responses! One more question. Does either of these resorts have a quick food service. I know we will have a kitchen and we can stop at the grocery, but just want to know what is available at the resort for quick bites to eat. Thanks!

 

[cndij]

I second the recommedation for Sabal Palms, Imperial Palms etc. They are older properties but I believe all have been renovated recently or are in the process of. You simply can't beat the proximity to the pool at the Marriott World Center next door, it is massive with a waterslide even, and quick access to their food court, just inside the door from the pool. They even have an indoor pool and game room adjacent to the pool. For kids the age of yours, I don't think you will find anything to compare in
the other complexes. They also have Starbucks in the lobby.
Cindi

 

[bmbmd]

Trust me on this-I have been an owner for nearly twenty years. I have stayed at Ch, GV, Horizons, and all three of the Palms. Cypress is by far the most intimate, quiet, peaceful, and easy to navigate. Lots of activities for kids, good parking, close to Publix, easy in and out, whirlpool tub, sauna, big game room, Pizza Hut, poolside bar, easy access to International, I4, and Turkey Lake Road , good fishing on site-a very "old Florida" experience. Horizons is a great place to be with little guys-lakeside, very cheerful motif, water park, mini golf. Rooms are a little smaller and have no whirlpool. I can't recommend any of the Palms for any reason. GV is where we go when we take the whole crowd-easier to get a three bedroom. You can't go wrong at any of them, though-you will have a great time.

 

[Detailor]

Thank you all for your responses! One more question. Does either of these resorts have a quick food service. I know we will have a kitchen and we can stop at the grocery, but just want to know what is available at the resort for quick bites to eat. Thanks!

Both resorts have a Marketplace resort store that has a fairly wide range of things including a selection of grocery type products that go beyond snacks. These stores also have pastries and coffee (I think it's Starbucks) and sandwiches. Both have a Pizza Hut express and sell ice cream products. Grande Vista has a full service restaurant (Nick's) at the golf clubhouse. And both have a bar and grill (CH near the main pool, GV near the new pool area across the lake from the main pool complex).

Dick Taylor

 

[jeff968]

I second the recommedation for Sabal Palms, Imperial Palms etc. They are older properties but I believe all have been renovated recently or are in the process of. You simply can't beat the proximity to the pool at the Marriott World Center next door, it is massive with a waterslide even, and quick access to their food court, just inside the door from the pool. They even have an indoor pool and game room adjacent to the pool. For kids the age of yours, I don't think you will find anything to compare in
the other complexes. They also have Starbucks in the lobby.
Cindi

Although I've stayed at Imperial and it was a nice resort I would not recommend it unless you want a quiet resort and plan to stay just there. Having to get into the shuttle to go back and forth to the world was a real pain and that was where everything was happening (and that pool is incredible). At Cypress Harbor, our room is always a quick short walk away no matter where we are. This is very conveinient when you run out of drinks or food or any other reason. The activities are right there at CH, no shuttle involved. And, although the World is a beautiful resort, it does a lot of convetions and I didn't like getting off the shuttle in our swim suits and all our gear or visiting the food court in our suits surrounded by other vistors in business attire. You'll never have that happen at Cypress. It is a true family vacation resort where you can just relax.