HGVC International or HGVC Sea World?

[devotedchristian]

I didn't know about these 2 resorts before Cypress Point Grand Villas.

I was looking for a resort where we really didn't have to leave and just relax and enjoy the resort.

The "Highlight" of our trip will be Downtown Disney (shopping and lunch). We will not be doing any Theme Parks...including Sea World.

I just want to know which resorts offers the most for this family:

4 Adults

Kids: Age 15, Age 4, Age 7, Age 2

I'm leaning towards HGVC Sea World because of their "Indoor Movie Theatre"

But overall, which has the most planned activities if we plan to relax and enjoy our trip at the resort?

Also, is there Onsite Dining/Room Service at either one?

Thanks!

 

[tortoni]

We've stayed at both and would recommend IDrive. It's newer and has a great tableservice offered at the pool for lunch and early dinner. We did not leave much! My kids (16, 13 and 11) largely hung around the pool. There were some pool games for younger kids and a game room. Don't recall what they had at the Sea World one--though I do recall Dive-In movie.

 

[utahkennedys]

We have stayed at the Sea World location and really enjoyed it this past Sept. There were so many activities going on each day. But, I did drive by the I-Drive location and it looked newer and nicer, although it is kind of by more commercial stuff like the Premium Outlets and Publix, which is convenient but Sea World was more lush I would say.

 

[jessiangel]

My parents own a timeshare at HGVC (Seaworld). I stay there sometimes when they don't use it. We love it. They do have an indoor movie theater. We used it once. It was great. Reserved the whole theater just for us. We usually get 3 day hopper passes and spend the other 4 days just lazing at the resort. If you go, try out the poolside massages. I got one a few years ago and the guy was wonderful. Got a massage and then hung out by the pool with a drink for the evening while DH and DD swam. I was in heaven! If you make a right out of the resort, there is a publix not far down the road. Wish we could go back this year, but my parents have reserved it for themselves in July.

 

[Grumpy23]

I have stayed at both and recommend HGVC Sea World, as it seems like there is more to do there for kids. Love the indoor movie theater and the dive-in movies, plus many activities.

Also, they have the sit down outdoor restaurant, which seemed to offer more than the outdoor bar type restaurant at I Drive. The Pizza Hut at SW you could go in and order, the Pizza Hut at I Drive was delivery only I think, so you had to pay a delivery charge. And one last thing, the on site store at SW seemed to offer more than the I Drive one. I enjoyed both, but we will be going back to the SW one just for the more things they seem to offer.

 

[Grumpy23]

I forgot that HGVC publishes their activity schedule. This might help you decide whether you want to stay there, if these are the types of activities you are looking for. This is for the Sea World one, not sure about the others.

http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/pdf/sw_supervised_0701.pdf

 

[spiceycat]

love them both.

that say you can walk to some stuff at ID location.

at HGVC at SW - you can walk to SW and Discovery Cove - there is a mall - not a big one about a mile (might be closer).

I think there is more to do at SW location than ID.

but because you can actually walk to one of the best malls at ID - it might win for a non-theme park visit.

besides with SW just sitting there calling you - I don't think I would make a visit non-theme parks staying at SW location.

 

[Grumpy23]

Ohhh Spicey, you leave in 7 days!! I am so jealous, take me with you please!

 

[spiceycat]

Ohhh Spicey, you leave in 7 days!! I am so jealous, take me with you please!

love too - but you got to find your own way there...

 

[Warmwinds]

We just got back from 9 nights at HGVSW and LOVED it. I could have booked either, but chose Sea World because the colors and decor made me happy when I looked at the pictures (sounds silly, but I don't want a dark, heavy, European look on a Florida vacation no matter how new it is). We loved the pool(s) - plenty of sun and shade. We were 2 adults so didn't partake of any of the activities, although there were sure a lot of them (and a non-ringing phone call every day reminding you of them, which was nice). I know the two locations are very similar in terms of amenities, but we were really swayed by the "feel" - AND, we got lost one day and ended up at the I-Drive location and my suspicions were confirmed, I really didn't like the muddy, heavy, earthtone colors, even from the outside.

Sea World is not brand new, of course, and we had some minor maintenance issues in our unit, but nothing that we couldn't live with, and yes, it does show a little wear and tear, but if I had to do it over I would pick Sea World again and again.

 

[Grumpy23]

I agree whole-heartedly Warm. We stayed at SW in April of last year and ID in September. DH and I both agreed while ID was "nice and new", we both liked the SW location much better and are going back there this year. More options for swimming, eating, better equipped on-site store, etc.

 

[Princess89]

I own at Sea World, but prefer the I-Drive location. Even though Sea World has the movie theater..I-Drive has more inside recreation. The pool tables, and things are inside at I-Drive where Sea World's is outside. It is covered, but when its raining and windy, there really is no protection. There is also an area in the owner's lounge that you can watch movies at. As far as the kids' activities...same at both places. Your kids will enjoy either location. As for the outlet and Publix being right there, its not VERY commercial. I find it a bit quieter on that end, and its closer to DTD. Have fun whatever one choose, you can't go wrong!

 

[DawnMarie]

I have never stayed at the Seaworld location. So I can't comment on that resort. I do plan maybe during 09 staying at the Seawold location.

However, I'm an owner on I-Drive. My family and I love it there. I am a fan of the Tuscan theme, I love wood furniture. I am also a shopper so being next to the Mall is perfect for me.

 

[willowdell]

We LOVE the SW location! They have walking trails that take you around a pond and the landscaping is very lush. There is more acreage in general to "spread out" and enjoy. Plus, (i'm giving up one of our secrets here) you can get villas that are on the adjoining golf course that have incredible views. There is just more room in general for the kids to run. We bring badmitton and a ball and let them go at it. The ID location is very nice, but more compact. HTH!!

 

[spiceycat]

how do you folks go to HGVC at SW and not do SW.

being that close to SW - well I would have to go enjoy SW for a few days.

the OP asked for no theme parks.

so if you stayed at HGVC at SW and NOT done SW - well me how. - will power - or you just don't like SW.

 

[Warmwinds]

Willowdell - we had one of those golf course views! It was wonderful! We had so much fun watching the (surprisingly bad) golfers (saw maybe 2 people hit it in the hole all week). To the right was the green, to the left we had a view all the way down the fairway to a little lake (we were on the top floor, really excellent location). But I can see where a lot of the SW rooms do not have good views - either parking lot or the balcony across the way.

I was wondering which golf course it was, and what the units were on the other side - couldn't see any signs that indicated what they were - looked like there might have been two different complexes - one of grey and one more beige - do you know what they were? (had the big fountain there, and we could see people pedaling the big wheeled surreys).

 

[spiceycat]

one or two of the older building plus the new building can see the fireworks at SW!

 

[sharonb]

So, I might be doing this wrong-this is my first post. We have a chance to go to WDW this Jan during MLK week. I may see if we can go Tues-Tues to cut down on the crowds, as the posts about that weekend have terrified me (this is only our second trip to WDW). My sister in law offered us her condo-it is actually at orange lake, but no reservations can be made until late Sept and that make me nervous. So my options are HGVS or Silver Lake Resort? Which would you pick-or hold out for orange lake (east village). We have a 4.7.9 yr old-if I did this wrong, please bump me to the right forum

 

[jeff968]

We stayed at HGVC SW a few years back and enjoyed it. I almost went back in February but the pool was being remodeled. That should be complete now. One thing that i really liked about the SW location was the crouqet court. Is it still there? This is a very fun game to play with the kids and we had a blast. The resort has a bermuda theme so i think that is why the croquet was there. My kids did a day trip to wonderworks and I remember they offered a special "behind the scenes" trip top seaworld. I would go back.

 

[spiceycat]

So, I might be doing this wrong-this is my first post. We have a chance to go to WDW this Jan during MLK week. I may see if we can go Tues-Tues to cut down on the crowds, as the posts about that weekend have terrified me (this is only our second trip to WDW). My sister in law offered us her condo-it is actually at orange lake, but no reservations can be made until late Sept and that make me nervous. So my options are HGVS or Silver Lake Resort? Which would you pick-or hold out for orange lake (east village). We have a 4.7.9 yr old-if I did this wrong, please bump me to the right forum

well HGVS is a great resort.

but Silver Lakes is much, much closer to WDW - about 2 minutes from AK.

so if you going for WDW then Sl - if however you want a great place then HGVS