JW Marriott or Disney Resort?

[moppy]

Okay, now I am in a quandry. We are booked at JW because we want a two bedroom suite and got a great rate (around $500. a night for deluxe suite)...plus we have only three days and want to do Seaworld, Animal Kingdom and MK. The best price I could get for a two room suite at Disney was around $1500.00 a night. Last time we stayed at Disney we found that the transportation took forever (40 minutes from hotel to MK) so we figured we would stay at JW where they have complimentary shuttles to theme parks and SeaWorld...now I am wondering if we should just bite the bullett and stay at a Disney resort. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[babybunrab]

Since you're only there three days, you might want to be more centrally located so that you can get to Universal and SW a little more quickly. Plus, the price is right... Hmm. I suppose if I were doing what you are doing, I'd stay off site. I don't stay off-site myself, but that's only because I'd miss the 'magic' and don't ever leave Disney property while I'm there!

 

[safetymom]

I think you made a great choice. Being on property is nice but sounds like you got a great rate and will be closer to all the attractions you want to see.

The Disney magic is great but the money difference will allow you to do more if you wish on your vacation.

Maybe for the difference in the money you could rent a car. That would speed up your transportation needs.

 

[arewealmosthereyet?]

we just had the same dilema and we just love that JW grande lakes. we have stayed there when it just opened and it was beautiful...the pool is amazing and I did just love it. My husband travells a lot so we would even get a free suite upgrade if avail when we travel there.

having said that, in two weeks we are staying at the grand fl/wl for our week stay. I think for us anyway a great part of the visit is the ability to get back to your room and relax in speedy time. I have small kids fs I need this. My advise is for three days is to all stay in the same room and visit the jw another time. Not much help I know. Just know if you do stay at that marriott you will have a great time, I think it is a nicer resort that the grand fla. Not much help, I know, but hey

I finally posted!!!!!

lucy

 

[moppy]

Lucy especially...I have two toddlers, two and three...and the idea of going back to the room to nap appeals in a big way...is the transportation back to the GF that quick that we could just leave a park, go nap and then return later? Thanks.

 

[disneyisfun]

We have stayed at JW before and the hotel is absolutely wonderful. We stayed in a suite as well and it was roomy and big. They have a zero entry lazy river pool for the kids and they will love it. In fact, we are going there tommorow for a 2 night stay and can't wait.

That being said the fact that you have 2 toddlers makes the convenience of the GF so appealling. Just hop right on the monorail and away you go...

...although we love the JW, the GF might be the way to go with 2 toddlers.


Either way I am sure you will have a great time!!! You can't go wrong with either of these two hotels.

 

[arewealmosthereyet?]

I think that with 2 little ones the GF is great. my kids think the best part of that resort is either the monorail or that little boat to and from MK. We go back and forth quite a bit during the day. If the boat is waiting when you exit MK you can be back at the GF in about 7 minutes in the small boat. We have been know to just take that boat around the lagoon a few times.

I have rationalized a way that we can offord that every time we go. Kids are small only once, back and forth to MK all the time, you get the idea. I really like it there, but if the JW was right next to disney I think I would stay there. ITs my new favorite hotel, and its so affordable.

so with little ones I would stay close to the MK. I think the GF is a great resort!

have fun!

And whoever is going this weekend....you must check out their breakfast buffet!!

 

[disneyisfun]

arewealmosthereyet?

hi, we are going this weekend...included in our package is coupons for the breakfast buffett everyday...we will definately check it out...thanks!!

 

[arewealmosthereyet?]

disney is fun -

you will love that buffett!!! Me and the kids atill talk about it! Have a great time. I love the pool bar there also. Too bad they dont have conceirge at the Marriott resorts anymore or it would be heavenly!!!

have fun!

 

[safetymom]

Most Marriott resorts have concierge. Not sure about the ones in Orlando.

 

[arewealmosthereyet?]

the true "resorts" hotels do not have conceirge anymore due to the fact that their clientel is mostly tourist, and they did that to save money. And all conceirge has been cxld in all marriots fri -mon morning.

We recently stayed at 2 marriott resorts and they have not had conc. service for a while.

 

[Annette_VA]

The JW Marriott Grand Lakes definitely doesn't have concierge. I just called the hotel this week, asking about it.

 

[safetymom]

Hmmm that's surprising.

 

[moppy]

Hi. I just called WDW and got a pretty good rate on a one BR at the GF - they told me it is very close to everything...we are really only planning on doing AK and MK and then Seaworld one day. I guess the deciding factor was the ability to bring the kids back to nap and relax...Gosh, you guys are influential! Thanks again for the advice.