Live from Horizons by Marriott in Orlando

[ttfn3]

Hello everyone! We checked in yesterday at the Horizons by Marriott in Orlando. We were lucky and got our unit shortly after we ate lunch. The weather warmed up enough to do a bit of swimming. DS gives the slide a Our 2 BR unit looks brand new. We got a top floor unit with a view of the Lake. Looks like lots of activities planned for the kids for the week. We participated in the Disney Trivia yesterday - and DH and DS did the Cane Pool fishing. We also played ping pong and minature golf.

We headed off to visit family in Florida today. I'll post more details later. If anyone has any questions or would like to me to check out anything while I'm here, let me know!

 

[tortoni]

Hi, we are going to Horizons next month. Would love your opinion on which is the best building to ask for (preferably by the pool with the slide) and whether there are any food options on-site. We are a family of 5, are the 2 bedrooms units large?

Most importantly, have a great time.

 

[karriern]

Do you have free wireless internet in the room? DH can't live without computer for a week!!

 

[chrisann]

we're going in October and want to make sure we get a nice unit!! Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[ttfn3]

Let's see if I can answer everyone's questions. Building 28 is right by the pool with the slide. However, I'm not sure I would really request this building since it also faces out towards I-4. That's the one big negative with this resort. It's very near I-4 so the traffic noise it's a distraction IMHO. The resort is relatively small, so it's very easy to walk to all the pools and activities. We are in building 12 on the top floor (floor 6). Our unit overlooks a lake. We asked to be in a building away from I-4. We can still hear the freeway noise from our balcony. Luckily, when the window/sliding glass door is closed, the noise is very faint.

There's a small food service place near the pool with the slide. It has a few sandwich offerings. The Harbourside Bar & Grill is located near the Pirate pool and Horizons Hall (activity center). We haven't eaten there. The menu on the TV lists eggs, french toast, pancakes, cold cereal offerings. Lunch/dinner consists of Grilled Cheese, grilled chicken, Hot Dogs, Buffalo Wings, Potato Skins, Coconut Shrimp, chicken & caesar salad, soup, wraps, fish/chips, hamburgers, cheese pizza, mariner's catch (to name a few LOL).

The 2 BR is a very long unit. We have previously stayed at the Vistana Resort, Vistana Villages, Marriott Grande Vista, Disney Saratoga Springs & BWV. For a 2 BR unit, it's one of the smaller ones we have stayed in. It looks pretty new so everything is in great condition. The master bedroom layout is a bit different with the shower & sink area open to the bed. There's a separate "toilet" room. The 2nd bedroom has 2 queen beds - and there isn't any extra floor space. There's a bath right off the 2nd bedroom that can also be accessed from the front entry area. The couch is a sofa bed.

There is FREE wireless access from the condo. A really nice perk for a timeshare.

We're headed to Winter Park tomorrow for an Arts Festival. I LOVE this festival.

I'll check back in later to see if anyone has anymore questions.

 

[momofbgtwins]

We own at Horizons, and were there last week. We prefer buildings 13 and 15 because of the lake views. They are close to the pirate pool (we have 4 yo twins). BUT everything there is close since it's a small property, comparitively. We stayed in building 14 last week, on the second floor and really didn't like the view - of the pirate pool. I didn't feel as if I had much privacy. But for some, it would be fun to people watch from their balcony, I guess.

I have never been bothered or really aware of the I-4 traffic noise?

It is a wonderful place for kids, and the staff is great!

One thing to be aware of is that Horizons is owned by Marriott, and follows the Marriott non-smoking guidelines. As of May 1st the only smoking on property will be in designated smoking areas. We had smokers in our party last week and they were able to smoke on their balconies, but not in their units (which they were fine with) but that won't be allowed after May 1st.

 

[Palm_Tree]

Thanks for the info ttnf3 - hope you are all having a great time. We will be heading to Disney for the first time with our two kids (DD 7, DS 6) at the end of next April for seven days and were considering staying at either the Vistana Village, Marriot Grande Vista or the Horizons. Given you have been to all three, I am hoping by the end of your stay that you can provide more feedback as to which perhaps would be your first choice, or the "positives" of each. The non-smoking factor in the rooms is essential for us so it may eliminate one or two of the others, I will have to check.
We may opt to spend the first or last two days at the Poly when we do MK with the kids, but are then thinking that the extra space and price of one of these three off site locations may make the most sense (?).
Enjoy!

 

[ttfn3]

Palm_Tree - I believe that all the Marriott resorts are now nonsmoking - tho. I'm not 100% sure. My DS has allergies and every resort we have ever stayed in has been very accomodating for our family. I don't think you would have a problem with any of the resorts you have on your list.

It's been a bit cool here so far. It did warm up enough that DS participated in the wacky pool games at the pirate pool this afternoon. The staff here have been wonderful and the people leading the kid activities are very good with the kids. Kids can earn wooden pirate tokens that can be traded for small toys. DH is at adult BINGO right now. I'm not sure why it's for adults only - I'll get the scoop later.