Marriott Grande Vista Advice Needed

[tomshortridge]

We have traded a part of our Palm Desert, CA Marriott Time Share for a week at Marriott Grande Vista.

Unfortunately, we will be there for Easter week - the busiest time of year! : )

I am looking for any tips about the resport (good rooms, pool etc), about driving to the disney parks, or anything else people can tell me to make our stay even better!

Thanks

Tom

 

[Connears]

Stayed there last June and would not return. We are dvc members , but were going to a conference at the convention center and would only go to parks at night so we stayed at MGV for 4 nights in 1bdroom as promotional deal to do timeshare tour. We had very bad experience with first room being totally uninhabitable with ceiling in bathroom caved in and worker stuff everywhere. We had hauled our our stuff up there(outdoor corridors and one elevator). when we called to tell them about the room they told us we could have another room(nice of them) but we had to go to check-in and get the key ourselves because bell services was busy! 2nd room was very nice, but don't like the stuccor outdoor corridors and there were garbage and laundry trunks in the parking area all day. When I cooled down I spoke to manager and she was genuinely appalled and gave us $50 store credit. The rest of trip was uneventful, but they certainly did not give us a good impression to purchase. Pool area and indoor kids areas were nice, dvc rental and food services OK. Just not my style. You will dfind others on this board who love the resort..not us.
Short drive to wdw parks..its on International drive near seaworld. Very close to malls,etc.

Connears

 

[swillis]

I steyed there in June 06 with my best friend and my 2 kids. We had a 2 bedroom condo that overlooked the quiet pool.

I loved Marriott grande vista! The room was very clean, it was very spacious. We had 2 minor problems that were addressed immediately, and then followed up with the manager to make sure everything was ok.

The pools are fun, and there are quite a few to choose from. They have 1 upscale restaurant (Nicks) and one poolside restaurant (forget the name) They have a store onsite for some general groceries (expensive) and a Starbucks, and Pizza Hut.

There is a great kids club that has activities every hour of the day. We never took advantage because this was a Disney trip, but we could have easily stayed here for a week and my kids would not have been bored (they were 10 and 11 at the time)

It was about a 10 minute drive from the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" arch.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone. I am used to staying in $300 per night hotel rooms, and this was right on par with that.

They are doing remodeling, and I would try to request a renovated room to avoid to some dated furniture, and less modern looks.

Have fun!

 

[connorsgram]

We've stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista in a 3 bedroom in Sept. 05 and Sept. 06. We are owners at Marriott Imperial Palms and traded for the Grande Vista. The condo is very big--plenty of room to spread out. Our condo was very clean and up to date. The staff was very helpful in providing maps and directions to the parks, malls, grocery, etc. There is a lake with paddle boats and bicycles to rent. There's an indoor play area for children--like a big plastic jungle gym. The resort is far enough off the street to be quiet and there was a security guard at the entrance so I felt safe. You can schedule the photographer to take family pictures around the resort. We were very pleased with ours, thought they were reasonably priced, and bought them both times. There's a resort guide that gives you a run down of daily activities like an animal rescue group that brought a little alligator that we got to pet--DGS thought that was great! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[Carrickdisfan]

We shall be staying here in June/July. Anyone know which buildings are the new ones or if any of the other buildings have been renovated. We have stayed at this resort twice before and love it however I would prefer a newer room if possible. Also is there a cafe at the new buildings as I don't remember a cafe serving lunch/snacks at the main pool area. Many thanks for any replies.

 

[swillis]

I don't know for sure which of the rooms are renovated, and which are not. I would be sure to request a renovated room. They will rent them as long as they are not otherwise full with timeshare owners.

The cafe (it's a restaurant really) is located at the pool with the fountains, and the big kids pool. I remember the name now, it's called the Copa Loca. The serve sandwiches, hamburgers, salads, chicken nuggets etc.

 

[Diamondgrl]

Tomshortridge,
We stayed at the MGV last June in a 2bed/2bath villa and we had a wonderful time. The key to not having a bad experience with the rooms is requesting either a new building or renovated building. The newest building while we were there was the Ibiza building. They were building two more buildings as well so they may be open by now but I'm not sure. Call the resort and ask them to fax or mail you the layout of the resort and ask the operator which are the newest buildings and then request it. Seeing that you are a Marriott owner, it shouldn't be hard to get your request. Our room in the Ibiza building was beautiful. Marble countertops in the kitchen and master bed as well as the 2nd room. Two balconies, one screened with a golf view. DisneyWorld is not far away (about 10 mins.) and a car rental is really a necessity. The resort has three pools. The main pool is nice but sometimes get a little crowded. The other two pools are just as nice and is usually less people. They have daily activities and they have a movie night (I think on Friday). Hope you have a great stay!!

 

[tomshortridge]

thanks for the input!

have learned a lot on these boards!@

 

[spiceycat]

definitely ask for a rehab or new building.

if you get an older one and believe me you will know before you open the door - just go back and try to get them to give you a new one.

when I was there - they were not even cleaning the halls on the one yet to be rehab.

when I complainted I was told just come back when it was......

well I haven't been back since and won't until they complete this rehab they have been working on it for years - it should have been done long ago.

if you can I would go for Marriott Cypress Harbour - always gets good reviews - even when it was in rehab.

 

[2xDisneyDad]

We have stayed there 3 times and loved all three. We stayed in the same building for all trips and it was new. I believe the name of the building is Cristobal. What we found is there are only a few two bedroom non lock off type rooms which we really needed with a 3 and 5 year old and they seem to be in the newer buildings. We call about a week or so before the trip and request, nicely, a new/refurbished room and has worked so far.

 

[tomshortridge]

Thanks again for the input

I was wondering how far in advance to ask for a specific building or at least for a "rehabed" building.

I guess I will try a few weeks out.

Tom

 

[Juniortrooper]

We're staying the week after Thanksgiving and I have already called to request one of the newer buildings. The receptionist was really nice and she said she put a note in the file for the request. I will be calling again in the summer and maybe again in November just to confirm everything! I'd call now-it won't hurt!
Amy

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I haved stayed twice and loved the property both times/

Easter would be a great time to go. make sure you do the egg hunt, My kids still talk about the fact that we arrived a day later. They color the grass where the eggs are hidden, And then hide the color eggs in the grass that color makes them blend it very cute I thought.

They had wonderful programs for the kids all day long.