Marriott GV or Residence Inn 2BD for family of 5?

[cyansmom]

Aloha!!

My family of 5 will be in WDW for 2 weeks in Oct/Nov...need 2 BD/BR. Trying to decide between Marriott Grande Vistas or Residence inn...can anyone help me? Any other suggestions?

DS ages 15, 12 and 6 + DH and myself

Mahalo!

 

[Lorix2]

Welcome to the DIS!

I can only tell you about the Grande Vista. It is BEAUTIFUL. The villas are very spacious and clean. The landscaping is gorgeous. They have opened a new pool area in addition to the 4 or 5 they have now with a bar & grill. THere's plenty to do for the kids/teens and it's only a 10-15 minute drive to the WDW gates.

Our 2BR villa there was a one bedroom unit with a lockoff studio. Each villa had it's own entry. The one bedroom had the full kitchen, master bath w/whirlpool tub, washer/dryer, living room, dining area, bathroom and balcony. The lockoff had a king bed, sleeper sofa, table and chairs, microwave, mini fridge, bathroom and balcony. Both had tv's too. My kids loved staying in the lockoff because they felt they had their own place. You would not be dissappointed. Have you looked at the pics online?

Nobody has ever posted a bad experience here, it's a 5 star luxury resort.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[CarolA]

Having stayed in both in different cities, I can say the Marriott is probably much nicer.

 

[kellbell]

We just returned from the Marriott GV and loved every minute of it! It is close to the parks and there is a ton of stuff to do everyday. We thought our unit was fabulous. I took some advice from the boards here and faxed a request fro a central location. We ended up in Building 83 (San Marco) on the tope (6th) floor. Feel free to ask more questions if you need to.....

Kelly

 

[debbie655]

Kellbell,

I would love to hear more! We are staying here during the last week of August. Maybe you can tell me more about what kind of activities they have? We have a 10 year old daughter and my 20 y/o daughter and her boyfriend, 21 y/o son, and 24 y/o son and his wife will also be with us. Would you recommend building 83 as being near to the pool or is there another bldg. that you would recommend. Would love to know more about this resort..thanks!

 

[Lorix2]

debbie655 - I can tell you that we stayed in bldg 91 "Denia" on the 6th floor, #1626 & 1627 and it overlooked the quiet pool and golf course and the water. At this quiet pool are restrooms and some laundry services. There is also a jacuzzi near the pool, it was HOT!

There is a lap pool with a jacuzzi, the main pool shaped like a horseshoe with jacuzzi nearby that one too.

The villas were a few doors down from the elevator which was really convenient but never heard any noise from it at all.

I thought this location was perfect.

Our villa was only a 5 minute walk to the main pool, marketplace and lobby.

This resort is a luxury 5 start resort, mediterranean themed. Tt's really beautiful, clean and it's location is wonderful.

We've already deposited a villa for April 2005, we can't wait.

Feel free to PM or post for more info if you'd like. Hope this helps until Kellbell replies to you

 

[cyansmom]

Mahalo to everyone for your replies...my dilemma in making the decision is really the free breakfast for all of us at the RI. I really don't want to cook on my vacation and also want to save money on food. I realize that after 2 weeks, the free breakfast would probably become old.

My DH is partial to staying in a hotel...not a condo but if the Marriott GV has daily maid service (tidying up), that may sway him. What does the daily maid service cover? do they make the beds? How often do they change the sheets?

Also...is the Marriott GV pet-friendly? No offense to pet-lovers ( I love them myself), but my family is allergic to pet dander and fir. I would hate for them to have an allergic reaction on our vacation.

Sorry for all the questions and concerns...this is a trip of a lifetime for us. We have saved for a long time to go to Florida (all the way from Hawaii!!!)

Thanks a million to everyone's help...I have learned so much from everyone on this board!!

cyansmom

 

[debbie655]

Lorix2--Thanks for the info! I am just trying to get an idea of which buildings are not too far from the main area. Yours sounds perfect as does kellbell's. From the pictures I've seen, the pools are all together in one area and not spread out throughout the resort, is this true? I was also wondering what type of activities they have for the kids.

I really don't want to cook on my vacation

Cyansmom-- We are staying here for 3 nights after 4 nights at the Royal Pacific. Eating out at the different restaurants is a big part of our trip but....... I actually look forward to a home cooked breakfast (by hubby) and maybe even dinner on our first night here. Eating out gets old after a while for us, believe it or not!

 

[Lorix2]

cyansmom - yes, there is maid service available, however we opted not to pay for it (we rented from an owner so I think that why we would have had to pay). I'm sure the front desk can help you with that if you call.

Pets are not allowed. We are highly allergic to cats and dust. Our allergies never flared while we were there.

We cooked breakfast in our villa some days, had just pop tarts or cereal on the others. Just knowing you could do this and save money on that meal alone, was a plus.

Debbie655 - the main pool area has the jacuzzi, toddler pool near it. Then a short walk up a few steps to the lap pool and another jacuzzi. Behind my bldg (5 min walk from there) was the quiet pool and another jacuzzi. I believe I saw another pool area way across the golf green too by another set of units.

Actitivies and amenities as follows: (taken from my guest certificate for April 2005)

*BBQ facilities
*Billiards
*convenience store
*facsmile service
*gift shop
*golf (9holes)
*lake
*swimming pools
*video/dvd rentals
*organized activities
*bar/cocktail lounge
*bicycles
*deli
*fitness center
*golf school
*hot tub or whirlpool
*laundry facilities
*restaurant
*volleyball
*aerobics classes
*babysitting service
*basketball
*boat rentals
*beach/pool towels
*clubhouse
*exercise room
*gameroom
*internet access
*massage service
*playground
*sauna
*tennis

We never took part in the activities, but they had a "Families Fued" night and we were sorry we missed it. They also had a movie night out by the pool with a huge screen.

There is also a sandy beach area fenced off from the water, no access to the lake. The kids can rent pails & shovels from the acitivity center and there are those outdoor showers to wash off before going back in the pool or you're villa. Restrooms are right off the main pool area there as well. The toddler pool looked like alot of fun for the little ones. That is all gated too, they cannot leave without an adult opening the gate.

The indoor play area was a huge hit with my kids, all padded with slides and climbing areas.

Feel free to ask more ?'s if you'd like

 

[debbie655]

Thank you so much for all that info, Lorix2. I am glad I picked this resort and can't wait to go! The movie night sounds like fun, they do this at Royal Pacific as well (where we've stayed the last couple of years) but we never seem to be there on the right night. One more question if you don't mind...the indoor play area, what ages would you say it was appropriate for? Thanks again!

 

[Lorix2]

debbie - my pleasure

Well, I didn't see any kids older than 12 I would say. My kids were 5 and 10 last year and we couldn't get them out of it. It's not huge, but good size and perfect to come inside to cool off. There's plenty of comfy seating for parents to sit and watch too.

Trust me, you'll not be dissappointed with this resort.

 

[debbie655]

Lorix2, that's what I was hoping to hear. My daughter is 10, well she will be turning 11 the day we leave but she is still into that kind of stuff...LOL. and if there were all really young kids there, I'm sure she would probably feel funny about playing there. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and post all that information, I really appreciate it!

 

[Lorix2]

You're welcome, anytime

Tell you're daughter to play to her heart's content, she will not be the only 11 y/o running around in there, she'll probably make a friend or two

BTW - when are you going?

 

[debbie655]

We are leaving for Orlando on Aug 20, driving from NY so hopefully arrive Sat the 21st. Our first four nights will be at Royal Pacific Resort, then moving over to the Marriott. We like the RP for the convenience to Universal Parks and also the FOTL plus it is sooo beautiful. Every year, we usually stay somewhere familiar mixed with somewhere new. I get all of my information from these boards and have never been disappointed yet!

I see you stayed at the Vistana Villages? We stayed there a couple of years ago. I make all the travel arrangements for my family and was really nervous that it wouldn't live up to our expectations but wow! this was our first experience with a condo and we couldn't believe our eyes when we walked in! Absolutely beautiful!

Anyway, sorry to go on and on..LOL. I am so looking forward to this trip, I obsess for months and then it is all over so fast.

 

[Lorix2]

debbie - I think you're my twin

We loved the V.V. too. We drive also and I plan the whole thing and I DIS every day until the day we leave.

I'd love to try RP sometime, I've heard great things about that place too.

Hope you have a wonderful trip, it won't be long now.

Be sure to do a trip report and let us all know how you're vacation was. I'm so jealous, I have to wait until April

 

[debbie655]

Hope you have a wonderful trip

Thanks a bunch! We always do .

 

[kellbell]

I think everything was covered before I could get back to y'all...

I really liked this resort and have stayed in quite a few nice ones over the years. We saw a variety of ages there - from infants to "kids" in their late teens and twenties with their parents. I was glad I asked for building 81 or 83 since they were so close to everything. I don't mind a little walk but it was alot easier to be close to all the places my kids wanted to go (play area, new pool, marketplace, etc.).

We did not have daily maid service since we did an exchange. I think the service is available to persons who wish to purchase it or are not owners/exchangers. It was quite easy to wash the towels if I needed to or throw the pool towels in the dryer after a day at the pool. As a matter of fact, I worshipped that washer/dryer combo!!

I hope you have a wonderful time....if it wasn't for the humidity, I would wish we were still there!!'

Kelly

 

[cyansmom]

I think my DH is convinced thanks to all of your input!! Looks like we'll be at the Marriott Grande Vista!

Just wanted to give everyone on this board a "BIG MAHALO" (many thanks) for all your great input and advice. This is the nicest board I've found yet!

Can't wait for our "big" trip!!

If anyone needs help with a trip to Hawaii...please PM me and I can give you a "true" description of some of the hotels in Hawaii!!! I worked in the travel industry for many years.

cyansmom

 

[Lorix2]

Yay! I'm so happy for you - you made a great decision and you will be extremely happy at the MGV.

When are you going? Be sure to give us a trip report when you return, we'd love to hear about you're experience there

 

[cyansmom]

Our trip is October 28th - November 12th. How far is it from the airport (MCO)? We arrive at 1:00 am and wondering if I should get a room near the airport for one day or drive down to Marriott GV. If its not too far, then I'll drive down when we arrive.