Marriott Harbour Lake, good for teens?

[spima3]

Changed the title as I found my answer, but have another question.

I am taking my 3 kids to WDW in Sept. We had planned on staying at WH, and I found two really nice condos for that time period. Both are close to the pool.

Well, after talking w/ a friend of mine, she offered me a timeshare w/ her INterval International. After looking at what they list, the Marriotts seem to be the nicest, probably Harbour Lake seems the best for us.

My youngest two will LOVE this place, but what about the 15 yr old? Enough there to keep a moody 15 yr old happy? I've already been warned she better not be bored!

TIA

 

[Detailor]

In my experience every moody 15 year old is a little different - we've experienced three daughter going through that age.

I think it depends on what your daughter is willing to do not to be bored but I think she might be happier at a larger resort than Harbour Lake and that might work for the younger children, too. I think you're right in looking at the hotel chain timeshare resorts. Interval offers some nice choices. I'd suggest either Marriott's Grande Vista (which would be my pick for a 15 year old because of the size, variety of pools, activities - though you have to be at least 18 to rent a boat or surrey bike - and a generally younger resort vibe), Sheraton's Vistana Resort - I think it was the original Orlando timeshare mega-resort - or Marriott's Cypress Harbour.

For me, Harbour Lake seems so geared to the younger child set that I think it kind of misses the mark for the older teen. But if she's willing to do things with the younger children then it would be a good experience for her there.

So, how does one go to Orlando and be bored, anyway?

Dick Taylor

 

[spima3]

In my experience every moody 15 year old is a little different - we've experienced three daughter going through that age. .

Well, good to see you lived to tell about it! I've got a 10 yr old DD as well, so I've still got lots of fun ahead of me; she's been the moody one since she was a toddler.

I think it depends on what your daughter is willing to do not to be bored but I think she might be happier at a larger resort than Harbour Lake and that might work for the younger children, too. I think you're right in looking at the hotel chain timeshare resorts. Interval offers some nice choices. I'd suggest either Marriott's Grande Vista (which would be my pick for a 15 year old because of the size, variety of pools, activities - though you have to be at least 18 to rent a boat or surrey bike - and a generally younger resort vibe), Sheraton's Vistana Resort - I think it was the original Orlando timeshare mega-resort - or Marriott's Cypress Harbour.

I looked at these, but they don't have a water slide, which the kids really wanted, and also, I don't think they had double beds in the second bedroom? I will take a second look at them, though.

Also, I'm not hearing good things about the Sheraton Vistana Resort; basically, if you are with a timeshare you get stuck in the old section and it's pretty bad. I really don't want to take that chance, as we will be spending quite a bit of time at the resort.

For me, Harbour Lake seems so geared to the younger child set that I think it kind of misses the mark for the older teen. But if she's willing to do things with the younger children then it would be a good experience for her there.

She barely speaks to them, so I doubt she is going to want to spend quality time w/ them.

So, how does one go to Orlando and be bored, anyway?.

Well, if you find out the answer to that one, let me know! We are mainly going for US/IOA, which we didn't get to last time, and now with Wizarding World, I am really looking forward to it. I thought we might as well hit WDW for a couple of days as well. When I told her that, she said we were there last time, why would we go again? We've only been there once before; I don't think she's going to be a Disneyholic!

 

[Detailor]

You're right about Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista - no pool slides at either. The second bedroom set up at CH is a queen size bed and a queen size sofa bed. At GV it's two double (I think that they're doubles and not twins but could be wrong about that) beds. And both have queen size sofa beds in the living room.

I've also seen a lot to disparate information about Vistana Resorts and it's right - to an extent. My recollection is that the two major timeshare exchange companies - RCI and Interval - have very different contracts with Sheraton for that resort. You are much more like to get into a section that hasn't yet been refurbished going through RCI than II so since your friend uses II you should be okay. The other thing on this resort is that the various sections (phases) of the resort have all at least started major refurbishments and that will bring every phase right up to date. So getting stuck in an older, non-updated phase is more likely with the other exchange company. [Though I'll say that both of our stays at this resort were exchanged through RCI and we were very happy with our placement both times. Best bet: use the Diamond Lane request system to get your location request(s) documented before you go. It's available online at http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/sheraton_vistana_resort/welcome.jsp. Just scroll down at that page and you'll see the Diamond Lane link on the right.] This is a nice resort and I think that there are two pool slides.

And on that 15 yo: My guess is that she wouldn't be impressed with Harbour Lake unless you've never done a timeshare resort before. There is a largely unthemed pool area (more adult-like) in addition to all the pirate pool stuff but there are going to a lot more little kids than teens there, if that makes a difference to her.

If it were me in your situation I'd go with Vistana Resorts with the expectation that you'd be able to make everybody a lot happier.

Good luck and have fun.

Dick Taylor

 

[spima3]

And on that 15 yo: My guess is that she wouldn't be impressed with Harbour Lake unless you've never done a timeshare resort before. There is a largely unthemed pool area (more adult-like) in addition to all the pirate pool stuff but there are going to a lot more little kids than teens there, if that makes a difference to her.
If it were me in your situation I'd go with Vistana Resorts with the expectation that you'd be able to make everybody a lot happier.
Good luck and have fun.
Dick Taylor

Thanks so much, Dick, for taking the time to respond. I've found several of your posts on similar threads and was seriously considering Vistana Resorts. After reading this, I think you are right, it is probably the best choice.
I will request a refurbed unit and hope for the best.

 

[Detailor]

Thanks so much, Dick, for taking the time to respond. I've found several of your posts on similar threads and was seriously considering Vistana Resorts. After reading this, I think you are right, it is probably the best choice.
I will request a refurbed unit and hope for the best.

You're welcome.

Our first Orlando/Disney trip with our children was at Vistana Resorts (before it was purchased by Sheraton) and it converted us to a no hotels on vacation family. That experience also led us to purchase timeshare weeks (we own two weeks at a resort that's someplace in North Carolina) and have never regretted any of it. Consequently, Vistana holds a special place in our minds.

I hope that you all have a great vacation together, separately. Hmm, well, you know what I mean.

Dick Taylor