Marriott Grande Vista

[E&K's Dad]

Does anyone have any info, opinions or advice about staying at the Grande Vista?

How long of a drive to each of the parks?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[purse lady]

I LOVE the Grande Vista. I believe it is true luxury. It's absolutely goregous! It is about 20-30 minute dr to Disney-I'd say about the same to universal and Sea world is right there. When you arrive, you drive down a long, palm tree lined driveway to a gated entrance. Just past that you'll see the office and main pool. It is always quiet and clean. The staff is superb. I know once we got to our room and our key didn't work. We called the desk from our cell. It was late and we were tired from just arriving from PA on a trip that took about 12 hrs longer then expected. They had security at our door literally within 2 minutes. A few minutes later someone else arrived with new keys.
We often eat at Nick's grill on the property. We have family members with very strict dietary needs and they are more then accomodating. As a matter of fact, the first time we ate there and explained what was needed they asked how long we were staying so they could be better prepared the rest of our visit. One day the head chef was off but he left such detailed instructions for the chef working that all was taken care of without hesitation. It isn't a fancy place, it's in the club house of the golf course. It's a small restaurant but it's just perfect for us. I highly recomend it. I think you'll love your stay. I really can't imagine anyone not liking it. I can't wait to get back. We were unable to stay there last year-they were booked. I believe there is a new'wing' and pool. Enjoy.

 

[GetGlowing]

We like Grande Vista. My in-laws own timeshare there so we've stayed several times. It's a high-quality, lush resort.

 

[Detailor]

IMHO Grande Vista is one of the top resorts in Orlando. Right up there with the Disney Vacation Club resorts in terms of quality but the the villas are generally larger. Doesn't have the theming of a Disney but has a great array of amenities including onsite access to a golf course. Generally, you can't go wrong with a Marriott timeshare resort and, specifically, Grande Vista is a very, very good one.

Expect that your drive from GV to the various Disney parks will take 12 to 15 minutes; five minutes to SeaWorld; and around 12 minutes to Universal.

Dick Taylor

 

[dioxide45]

We own at Grande Vista and have stayed many times, usually using a cheap getaway through Interval International.

Check out the Grande Vista page at Marriott Timeshare. There is area information and also a resort map. The resort is very large. Be sure to ask for a renovated unit. Depending on your family you may want to the West Village section near the Plaza del Sol pool area. If traveling with an older family, we prefer the east sections with the smaller more private pools.

 

[rainbows]

LOVVVEE the Marriott Grande Vista !! MY all time favorite !
I was so sad that they werent available when we're going. It's gorgeous !

 

[Jailen's Gma]

We just return from Grande Vista on Saturday. The family had a ball. We were there with two 3 yr olds, 5, 7, 9 and 11 yr olds and they all loved it. We only went to Disney one day. We were near the pool area that had a kid area. They also enjoyed the Kid Zone. One of the 3 yr old enjoyed so much she was actually singing in the shower.

We will be going back there again. You will love it.

 

[GetGlowing]

I just located my photos from the Grande Vista from our first visit in 2006. You can see them here and here. The second link has some photos of the most-themed pool.

 

[E&K's Dad]

Thanks for the information. We are looking forward to our stay in the next couple of weeks.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Ask for a renovated unit or a newer unit by the new pool. We have stayed here a bunch of times and I do love it (you WILL have an awesome time), but Jan 2008 was a little upsetting. We had a unit in building 82, it was a 2 bedroom lockout. We also had friends in a 1 br and other friends in an efficiency in the same area. Here are a few things I remember, it was well over a year ago!

-Fridge door rusting
-Many, many lightbulbs out (main unit and 1 br unit)
-tub in lockout had a hole in the side size of an apple (how does that happen?) with a lousy patch job (looks like my 3yo did it)
-lamp next to bed- switch broken off
-dresser drawer in lockout wouldn't open/close

I did complain, I am not an owner but DH is the highest level platinum with Marriott. They offered to move us but it was too much of a pain since we were near friends. They did give us something to make up for it.

Now that my DD is 3 we switched to the Harbour Lake (aka Horizons). Units are a little smaller but I feel it is more geared towards her. Jan '09 we got a unit that was only a few weeks old and our stay was wonderful.

Now I am just waiting to see Marriott Lakeshore Reserve! Phase one opens June 2010. There are 5 different floor plans just for 2 bedroom units!

 

[GetGlowing]

Is Lakeshore Reserve the new one by the Ritz Carlton? If so, my in-laws bought that one as well, so we'll be staying there next year sometime.

 

[E&K's Dad]

Thanks again. Does anyone have any suggestions of what building or area to request? Are they numbered or named? From what I am reading it looks like there has been building remodeled does anyone know which ones?

 

[kckmom]

We own there, but haven't been since 2005 and all the renovations. Would love to hear the feedback on where to request too.

Our DDs are 8, 6 and 3, and loved the pool at Harbour Lake (old Horizon) with the pirate ship and buckets dumping water on them! Would love to be close enough to a family friendly pool at MGV without being near a lot of noise!

TIA!

 

[dioxide45]

Check out this resort map of Grande Vista.

Thanks again. Does anyone have any suggestions of what building or area to request? Are they numbered or named? From what I am reading it looks like there has been building remodeled does anyone know which ones?

Units at the resort are almost always going through some type of refurbishment due to the size of Grande Vista. The west village section (on the west side of the large lake, buildings 77, 78, 79, 84, 85, and 86) is the newest section. Buildings 79 and 84 being closest to the Plaza del Sol pool complex. The units in this section are in great condition.

We own there, but haven't been since 2005 and all the renovations. Would love to hear the feedback on where to request too.

Our DDs are 8, 6 and 3, and loved the pool at Harbour Lake (old Horizon) with the pirate ship and buckets dumping water on them! Would love to be close enough to a family friendly pool at MGV without being near a lot of noise!

TIA!

I would suggest the area close to the Clubside Village Pool. This area may be a little quieter than Plaza del Sol and the pools are great. You could also go for the buildings away from the Plaza del Sol pool in the west village.

The pools at Harbour Lake are far more geared towards children the age of yours.

 

[rritch2]

bump

 

[E&K's Dad]

Does anyone know if the Grande Vista Villas have in room safes? I don't see any listed on the room details but am hopeful.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I know 2 bedrooms have them, I am not sure about studio units. Just some of the units might use a key instead of a code which my family refuses to use.

We stayed at the Horizons (aka Harbour Lake) in 2006 and my Mom kept a small wallet in the safe the entire week with several credit/debit cards she rarely uses. The safe at Harbour Lake uses a key, not a code. Two weeks later one of the cards had a tons of self-serve gas transactions all over Florida! Before that, the card hadn't been used in months and it was never out of the safe in FL.

For a few years my DD was still in diapers. I would open a Pampers bag and hide everthing between diapers inside the bag!