Marriott Grande Vista w/ timeshare tour?

[Mouse Skywalker]

Greetings Everyone:

I'm looking for some advice. I got a call from Marriott offering me a deal because I'm a Marriott Rewards partner. It's a 2 bedroom villa in Marriott's Grande Vista or Cypress Harbor for 5 days/4 nights for $398 and they give $100 to use for park passes, etc. But you have to sit through the 90 min timeshare pitch on your last day.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how high pressure the timeshare pitch is? We were already planning a trip to Orlando this summer, and were considering trying out Discovery Cove. So this would be good for that. I'm hesistant about the sales pitch though. It's a chunk of vacation time for the pitch, and I don't want to end our vacation on a down note if they make us feel bad about the pitch.

However, it's a good deal on the room, would save us a little money, and we could put that money towards Discovery Cove (which is sooooo pricy).

I'd love to hear the experts thoughts here.

 

[jeff968]

Do it!!! Of all the timeshare presentations that I have sat through Marriott is the lowest pressure. Now, they still try to get you to buy but they won't go crazy doing it. Just be prepared to say no. There resorts are great so be prepared to be impressed but they have high maintenance fees and the units are much cheaper on the secondary market. I'm a rewards member and I've sat through so many of these and didn't buy that we are now banned for life. We still visit often as we're always able to find a rental, matter a fact we'll be there again in 9 days!!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks Jeff: So it sounds like you think it's a good deal.

 

[jeff968]

Yes, it is a good deal. We usually pay $1K for a holiday week rental. You can do better if you watch eBay and are flexible on your dates.

 

[powellrj]

we have done Marriott and they are really low pressure. Go for it!

 

[Laxmom]

We did this deal several years ago. It is as good as it looks. Worst case senario, you spend an hour and say no. Catch is, both you and your spouse must attend. Both resorts are very nice. We have stayed at both. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Reflection]

I received this same offer a couple of years ago. The sales presentation was low pressure. Grande Vista is a lovely resort with numerous activities.

 

[lynn813]

I just received the same phone call offering me 5 days/4 nights at Marriott Cypress Harbor. Only it was for $199. The woman on the phone told me there was no presentation, they wouldn't pitch numbers to us, just take us on a tour the day before we leave.

It really sounds too good to be true to me. What about when you get back from the trip? Do they "stalk" you for the rest of your life?

 

[inkkognito]

Marriott is indeed low pressure compared to the others. That's not to say "no pressure" (after all, they make their living selling the timeshares) but they are ethical and aboveboard. We did their presentation to get $100 once.

 

[Connears]

We did the timeshare tour 2006 at Marriott Grand Vista(we were at a conference at convention center and did not want to use dvc points). The tour is very low pressure. We immediately told them we have DVC and were really not looking to buy even though I am Marriot rewards member. I had a very bad experience with this resort although others will give you rave reviews. Briefly, we were originally given a room that should never have been in inventory with the ceiling haven fallen in in the bathroom, workers upplies everywhere includeing the bed and plaster from the ceiling everywhere. When we called the desk after seeing this they told us we had to come and get another key(the buildings are exterior hallways with one elevator and we had brought all our luggage up already.0...I am not one to complain, but this 1 bedroom was totally a disaster and there was no one apologizing for the error. I did speak with the manager the next day ans she was truely shocked and aopolgetic, but they lost me already. Not a good way to impress a potential buyer. the 1 bedroom was nice with similar amenities to dvc except full dining room table. The buildings were tacky to me with stucco exteriors and there were always laundry and garbage carts in the parking lot. We had 4 nights in 1 bedroom for toal of $249.00 and they gave us $100.00 disney dollars to do the tour. Close to Seaworld and convenient drive to WDW, but I-drive can have traffic. It is worth the price if you don't encounter the issue we did. Its not for us, but glad we didn't pay much for it.

Connears

 

[jeff968]

Even the best resorts have their off days. A co-worker had so many problems during her DVC trip two years ago she ended up moving her room twice within a week. Fortunatly, these are the exceptions, not the norm. We'll be back at the Cypress harbor in 5 days. We can't wait and we expect another fantastic experience.

 

[dioxide45]

Close to Seaworld and convenient drive to WDW, but I-drive can have traffic.

The area of I-Drive where Grande Vista is located had very little traffic. Trafic to Disney property is non existent except at World Center Drive and 535. The area of I-Drive near Sand Lake Road is chaotic but not near Grande Vista.