HHI Disney vs Marriott

[Tea Please]

I will be taking my neice and nephew to HH in October for a few days over Halloween. I've never stayed at the Disney Resort, but it looks great for kids. I will not be using points so I also was checking the Marriotts. They also look great. So has anyone stayed at both and if so can you give me a comparison. The Marriotts I looked at are Grand Ocean, Barony and Monarch.

I am leaning towards Monacrh and Disney.
The kids will be 3 and almost 7 and we be there for Halloween. Does Disney do anything special?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Tea Please
I will be taking my neice and nephew to HH in October for a few days over Halloween. I've never stayed at the Disney Resort, but it looks great for kids. I will not be using points so I also was checking the Marriotts. They also look great. So has anyone stayed at both and if so can you give me a comparison. The Marriotts I looked at are Grand Ocean, Barony and Monarch.

I am leaning towards Monacrh and Disney.
The kids will be 3 and almost 7 and we be there for Halloween. Does Disney do anything special?


Thanks in advance.

All three Marriott's are in a better location than DVC. GO and Barony are at least as good of resorts in general, Monarch is a little sub par. If you're going for most of a week, you should be able to do better with Marriott. If you only need a studio or 1 BR for a few days, DVC may be a better choice. There are units for Barony there right now in II for much of the time.

 

[BeckyV]

We were going to Boardwalk over Halloween, but visited Hilton Head over New Years and the CMs told my kids about their activities over Halloween. Well, they decided right then that they would go to DVC HH. The CMs are wonderful. I just returned from a week there and have also stayed at just about every timeshare on Hilton Head. My kids did not want to leave the resort for the beach house. They are 7 and 11. My vote goes for Disney. Marriotts are very nice resorts, but the CMs at Disney's Hilton Head are great. Email me if you have any questions.

Becky

 

[Tea Please]

Originally posted by Dean
Monarch is a little sub par.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. The Monarch seemed to have a slight edge for us over the other two, I liked the smaller size of the resort. And Tug reviews show favorably I'll keep checking.

For Disney, since I will not be using points, I guess I would just take a 1 b/r. I will call for members discount and also the Birnbaum disc.

BeckyV, Could you elaborate on the kids activities for Halloween? I'm curious as to what is planned. The 7 yo was alittle disppointed that she would "miss" Halloween, but if there are planned activities that would work out great. Maybe the kids could meet up.

 

[linco711]

I'd go with the Marriot......Location...location...location......So much better to be on the beach.....I think you'll like the decor much better at Marriot. Disney H.H. vacation club is very dark, and not in the best Island location.

 

[spiceycat]

I love the Grand Ocean - this is a beautiful resort - no complaints....Barony rooms seemed alot smaller than GO.

oh as far as things to do - don't worry Marriott have lots of things to do - that goes without saying...

you might not get up earlier enough to do some - although the sun rises here and that is always great to see!!!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by spiceycat
I love the Grand Ocean - this is a beautiful resort - no complaints....Barony rooms seemed alot smaller than GO.

1270 for Barony vs 1380 sqare footage for GO.

 

[walter]

We own at OKW & VB and have for the past three yrs visited HH & love it! In Oct. we will visit OKW for 10 days and then will try the Marriott on one of those 3 day specials.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by walter
We own at OKW & VB and have for the past three yrs visited HH & love it! In Oct. we will visit OKW for 10 days and then will try the Marriott on one of those 3 day specials.

Realize that for those specials they usually put you in a hotel like Fairfield, the Marriott hotel, or a studio for other places (though there are no studios at HH). Make sure you are confirmed at the resort and your paperwork states the timeshare you want.

 

[garettdoyle]

We stayed at Marriott Grande Ocean for one week in the summer of 2003 and we stayed 8 nights at DVC HH the last week of April of 2004. We stayed in 2 bedroom units at both resorts (not sure if Marriott has anything else?) First of all, we had a great time at both resorts.

Differences:

The Rooms - The bedroom units at both resorts are roughly the same size (about 1300 sq). The kitchen and living areas at the Grande Ocean are much bigger whereas the bedrooms at DVC are much larger, especially the 2nd bedroom. I thought the kitchen was better equiped at the Marriott. It is hard to beat the ocean view we had at Grande Ocean from the deck but we didn't like being so high up (4th or 5th floor).

Planned Activities - We only tried a couple of the activities at the Grande Ocean but in general they were lame. The activities at DVC we really good. Not even a comparison, DVC hands down.

Pools - Bigger and nicer pools at the Grande Ocean.

Oceanside versus soundside - The resorts each have a completely different feel. Staying at DVC HH, we experienced more of the nature side of HH, not just the ocean.

Which resort would we pick for our next Hilton Head trip? I suppose if we got a significantly better deal at one over the other, that might tip the scales. We loved both. Our family liked the mix of activites (ocean and non-ocean) at DVC HH. If you want a "beach" vacation, the Grande Ocean is absolutely great (very convenient!).

Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by Dean
All three Marriott's are in a better location than DVC.

If you're looking for a strictly ocean/beach vacation, you would be correct.

However, lots of us like the "split" of the Disney resort -- it's like having two vacations in one!

 

[stlrod]

My home resort is HH and as of now am a Marriott owner as well. I have stayed at GO, BB and of course DVC. I prefer DVC, then GO and was unimpressed by BB. The activities at BB over Easter of the children were poorly organized and expensive. My child not being able to participate in an Easter Egg hunt because we didn't sign up soon enough has left a lasting impression with me. So much, it (along with other Marriott disappointments) has caused me to sell my Marriott timeshare. GO has a superb location. I just prefer the pool at Disney and the low-country feel.

 

[gracelrm]

You might watch for discounts at DVC. I believe last year the Disney Visa offered 2BR units for $99 during that time of the year.