Review Just booked Marriott's Harbour Lake...

[happymommy]

So, after staying onsite for almost every trip (except the first one DH and I took on a super tight budget the year before we got married, and we stayed at the now defunct Residence Inn at Lake Cecile, and had a wonderful fun time there)... I have decided to stay at Harbour Lake for this next trip.

With two kids, one turning 13 in a couple of weeks, I want more space for all of us. My DH is Marriott platinum, so the extra 7 nights credit will help him with keeping that.

It looks like, unlike many of the Marriott villas, this one has two real queen beds in the second bedroom, so that appeals to me, as each child will have their own bed. I love having a washer and dryer, plus a kitchen for light meals (or I'll grill or make pasta or something). I get tired of eating out so much after a while, and we're not huge eaters!

I had the BWV booked in a one bedroom villa (which means I'd have to bring an aerobed for one child, as they won't share a sofa sleeper) with the 45% off and it was still $335 a night (and I've paid more to stay there, by a few $$ before). We do love that place, but still we got a Marriott Rewards discount and are now paying $221 a night for two bedrooms. The rental car I just booked was only $200 for a week plus a day, through Costco.

Has anyone stayed there recently, with any suggestions? I am a bit hesitant to cancel the BWV, but really probably will. Disney is getting so expensive, when you add tickets and eating out. We do love the Boardwalk area, but this saves us enough for tickets for all 4 of us. I haven't used a car at Disney in a couple of years! I may buy AP's for me and the kids, so we'll get free parking.

I actually am getting a bit excited to explore other dining options once again outside of Disney - the first trip DH and I took, we never ate at the parks (we were spending very little on that trip). We had so much fun finding great places to eat! We even had a Chinese place right near our hotel that had a lunch buffet that was really great and about $8 a person I think (okay that was years ago). So, I'd love to hear from others. We may be offsite folks (at least when it's all 4 of us) from now on!

 

[dioxide45]

I would stay in the 2BR at Harbour Lake over a 1BR anywhere. You will like the extra space.

Call ahead and ask for a dedicated 2BR unit, they do have some units that "lock off" in to 1BR and studios and they have only a king bed and sofa sleeper in the extra bedroom. Most units are dedicated 2BR units, so it would be likely that you would get that already. But call and make the request to be safe.

Your children are getting older, to a point where they may get more from Marriott's Grande Vista. Harbour Lake is geared to children, but I would consider it geared more to children under age 10, not the tween and teen that you have. I am not saying that they won't like it, there are still lots of activities, but Grande Vista has the same or similar activities that they would like also. The pools are far better at Grande Vista and the rooms are a little larger and more plush. They would probably be happy with eather, so Harbour Lake is still a good choice.

You only need one AP to get the free parking at WDW. So if it is cheaper, just buy the AP for one in the car and use that to park, eveyone else can just use a MYW ticket. You got a decent rate on the car rental and the free extra driver that Costco provides is great.

What time of year are you traveling.

 

[happymommy]

I'm going mid-March. But, DH just emailed me that he agreed about the resort being better for little kids, and he really wants the Boardwalk (even with the aerobed deal) so, it looks like we're back there.

I will look into Grande Vista though! Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

I would still pick the 2BR Harbour Lake over a 1BR anywhere, even BWV. There is enough to do there to keep older kids busy. While the pools are definitly themed to young children, there is a waterslide in the one pool that older kids may like. BWV 1BR wouldn't be worth the extra $800 for the week.

 

[happymommy]

Yeah! I just booked a "getaway" through Interval Int'l instead at the Marriott Grande Vista - got a 2 bedroom for about $450 for the whole week after taxes. DH said it looks great. What a find!