Marriott Horizon's Kids Programs???

[pmiranda]

We're staying at the Marriott Horizons this holiday season, and I see that they appear to offer a few different kids programs, like breakfast with the pirates, or sports night, etc... I can't seem to find out any details on these programs anywhere. Has anyone used any of these kids programs, and did you think they worth it, or did the kids have a good time, etc...? I'd like a few hours to spend with the spouse w/o the kids, while on the trip. Thanks!

 

[barefootMom]

I was wondering the same thing and have not been able to find a listing anywhere either. Can I ask, are you a timeshare owner or if not, how did you book Horizons? I really would love to stay there but am just trying to figure out how to book it...other than through the Marriott website, I have only seen it offered on Ebay. Any ideas?

 

[pmiranda]

I was wondering the same thing and have not been able to find a listing anywhere either. Can I ask, are you a timeshare owner or if not, how did you book Horizons? I really would love to stay there but am just trying to figure out how to book it...other than through the Marriott website, I have only seen it offered on Ebay. Any ideas?

That's how I booked it, through a travel agent on ebay. Interval International was the travel ageny that booked it actually. I was a bit apprehensive doing it on ebay, but the person had a 100% rating and several hundred positive feedback. I was sent the certificate through email as a pdf document within a day of paying. The next day I checked Marriott's online reservation system, and we were in it with all the correct information, so I feel much better. It was so much less expensive than paying Marriott's price of $239/night for a 2-bedroom villa. We were originally going to stay at the Quality Inn Maingate east in a 2-bedroom, but this was actualley cheaper at only $679 out the door for 7 nights. Now if someone has more info on the kids programs, that would be so much better than waiting to find out when I get there.

 

[cinderella97]

We have stayed at Horizons last Christmas with our 9 yo dd and we loved it. They have a slide at the pool and a mini water park. There is also a putt putt golf course that you can play on.

Interval International is a time share trading company - not a travel company. The person you bought it from either traded his week or used a certificate. If they used a certificate and you have a 2 bedroom he would have paid about $349, please be careful, because if II finds out that they "sold" this unit, you could be out of a place to stay. II has been very tough on these "sellers". Check out www.tug2.net, its a timeshare forum just like this and they can answer any questions for you.

Have fun

 

[marlower]

I was wondering the same thing and have not been able to find a listing anywhere either. Can I ask, are you a timeshare owner or if not, how did you book Horizons? I really would love to stay there but am just trying to figure out how to book it...other than through the Marriott website, I have only seen it offered on Ebay. Any ideas?

I have booked it through vacation club dot com, it is marriotts official website, no need to be a timeshare owner to rent. They are fabulous rooms, we had a two bed. condo, with full kitchen, washer/dryer, it was spotless! Have stayed here two times and just think they are so good and perfect location too!

 

[utahkennedys]

That's how I booked it, through a travel agent on ebay. Interval International was the travel ageny that booked it actually. I was a bit apprehensive doing it on ebay, but the person had a 100% rating and several hundred positive feedback. I was sent the certificate through email as a pdf document within a day of paying. The next day I checked Marriott's online reservation system, and we were in it with all the correct information, so I feel much better. It was so much less expensive than paying Marriott's price of $239/night for a 2-bedroom villa. We were originally going to stay at the Quality Inn Maingate east in a 2-bedroom, but this was actualley cheaper at only $679 out the door for 7 nights. Now if someone has more info on the kids programs, that would be so much better than waiting to find out when I get there.

Like the other poster mentioned, just so you are aware, you bought what is called an exchange and it was made through Interval International. The person who sold it to you violated Interval's rules by selling an exchange, and the risk when doing that is that Interval cancels it if Marriott or Interval finds out what has happened...Just a heads up, I have read cases here and on other boards where this very thing happens so you have to be very careful renting on eBay. You can be safe renting from a Marriott OWNER in which case the reservation is from Marriott -- not Interval. Anytime you get something from Interval, you have rented an exchange.

ETA: To protect yourself when buying anything like this on eBay, ask that the seller send you a copy of the confirmation with any confidential info blacked out. If they won't do this, don't bid. For example, in this case, the seller should have been able to send a Marriott Confirmation to any interested buyers. If they send you something that says "RCI Guest Certificate" or "Interval International" - RUN! Otherwise, you may be out the $$$ and a place to stay -- not a happy way to start a vacation and it does happen!

 

[barefootMom]

Sorry if I opened a can of worms to the original poster...I know you are still looking for a listing of activities and I am interested in that too! So, do I understand I probably do not want to be searching ebay to rent a week at Horizons? Is that tug2net site where I would go or where is it that I should go to find one? THANKS!

 

[pmiranda]

Thanks for the heads up, everyone. I know I won't be doing that again. I sure hope nothing goes wrong when we get there. I tried to do a little research on the net after getting informed here. I still haven't been able to find any info on anyone's room cancelled out from under them, but I do believe you when you say it has happened. I did, however, find the info related to exchanges being leased out by non-owners is grounds for being kicked out of II. I'll just have to hope all will be ok, and now I wish I didn't know.

 

[utahkennedys]

Hopefully you are fine, I didn't want to scare you, but it's a real risk. Search TUG with keywords "canceled exchange" etc. and you'll find threads...not only does the exchanged resort reservation get canceled, but the person's Interval account gets terminated too...not pretty and not worth the risk to me with my timeshares, but apparently for some it's a business they are worth taking risks in. I have heard too that DVC now randomly asks people how they made their reservation...and if they say they bought it on eBay from so and so and it was an interval reservation -- yikes!

 

[FayeW]

I thought Interval International and RCI members could gift those exchange weeks to friends and family if they wanted to, so wouldn't they have to prove that money changed hands before they could cancel reservations?

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Interval does allow you a guest certificate, I think you can recoup your cost of the getaway but not make money on the deal. So unless the renter tell II that they rented a getaway, II will never know.

 

[pmiranda]

Bump......since it gotten off-topic a bit, I'd like to ask again if anyone knowns anything about the various kids programs, like breakfast with the pirates, or sports night, etc..., as in anything that gives the parents some free time.

 

[jmpellet]

I am also interested in the activities!

I signed up at www.marriottvillas.com as interested in a timeshare. I am also a Marriott Rewards member and received an phone offer for $199 for 4 nights in a 2 bedroom. Of course, there is the prerequisite tour but I am willing to do that for $50 a night. I believe they also sometimes let you extend the number of days at that rate.

 

[ttfn3]

We stayed at Marriott Horizons for the first time in March 2007. We spent the majority of the week hanging out at the resort. My DS (age 10) participated in many of the activities. The first night we were there they had Disney Scene It Trivia. Yahoo! Perfect for Disney fans. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the DVD player to work with the TV - so we ended up just asking questions. That was the theme for most of the planned kid activities for the week - lots of "technical difficulties". However, I'll focus on what did work and was fun. DS enjoyed the kids scavenger hunt (more like a run), and the scooter races (the best IMHO), the kids field games (he's a soccer nut), and some of the water play games. The "pirates" that lead the activities were very nice - as were all Horizon employees. - Oh, DH also participated in the Adult Poker Night - which he enjoyed.

We also took advantage of the mini golf. We are not owners - so we paid $25 for unlimited golf for everyone in our unit for our whole stay. We played every day. We enjoyed the ping pong table, pool table, and the basketball courts - as well as the pools. DS met some kids at the pool during our stay that he enjoyed playing with most of the week.

I must say tho. that DH and DS favorite place to stay is Vistana Resort. They have great activities - and lots everyday. We haven't found a place in Florida that is comparable.

My tip is to make sure you request a unit that is away from I-4. We found the noise from the traffic distracting. Tho. we did have a unit the furthest away from I-4 - and is had a great view of the "lake" with a daily waterskier to watch in the a.m.

If you have any more questions - let me know!