Marriott Horizons or Cypress Harbour

[wildcat315]

We are going to Orlando in a couple of weeks and can't decide where to stay. There are 5 of us. Which of the Marriott's is nicer? We have two teenage daughters. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[3kidsfordis]

I have never stayed at Cypress Harbor but the reviews look good. I've stayed twice at Horizons and love it but it is really geared to younger kids-pirate themed pool etc. Check out reviews and pictures on tripadvisor or other travel sites.

 

[Ed J]

They are across the street from each other, so location isn't a factor. Horizons is a tad nicer, CH is a way bigger complex. Horizons lacks a store, if that matters to you.

 

[wildcat315]

Thanks for the comments.
If we end up at Horizons is there any certain building/location to ask for.

Michelle

 

[Detailor]

I don't know much about Horizons, though we've walked through the property. Cypress Harbour, however, is an outstanding resort. CH has all two-room villas that are really topnotch. As I understand it, the villas at CH are bigger and better appointed than the Horizons resort. While Horizons is much newer (building is still going on) a total refurbishment project was completed last year at CH so the villas there are in newer (and more upgraded) condition than most of those at Horizons. I would think that the teenagers would enjoy Cypress Harbour more than Horizons as the focus isn't quite so much on the younger crowd.

Dick Taylor

 

[wildcat315]

Thanks for your input regarding CH. Is there any preference for building?

Thanks

 

[DisneyZell]

I don't know of any preferences for buildings at CH, but I have stayed there (back in 1994, so it has been a while). However, my family is going to be there from Feb. 21 - 28, so I don't know if you will already be gone or not. If not, I can give you some info once we are back. The only thing I know about the two different Marriott timeshares is that CH is supposed to be higher end than the horizons properties. Don't know if that means anything, but just an fyi.

Have fun!

 

[Lisa P.]

At Cypress Harbour, if you just request a room with a lake view from your balcony, you'll be pretty near the pools and activity areas. If you get a room at the back of the resort, without a lake view, it's a little further to get to everything. Lots of buildings have a lake view.

 

[Detailor]

Lisa's advice is very good.

We really like Building 62 at the end of the lake and next to the activities center. There's also an area pool in front of one end of the building and it doesn't get much use so we've used as our personal pool several times at CH.
Buildings 52 and 53 are on either side of the main clubhouse/check-in area and the main pool area so they're pretty nice locations (as are 51 and 54 on either side of those buildings). Finally Building 65 is adjacent to the entrance walk to the Island Pool area - since the resort went to non-smoking status Building 65 is no longer a smoking building so that one looks like a good location to me, too.
But over-all the buildings are pretty much the same as they're recently refurbished. If you want a lake view ask any of these building numbers: 50-55 or 60 - 65 (there is no building 61). Buildings 66-74 are on the back side of the resort and generally have golf course views. Buildings 56 and 57 are oddly located near some of the resort facilities but also have golf course views.
Refer to this page online for a map of the resort layout - https://www.my-vacationclub.com/common/respages/pdf/resorts/cy/cy_sitemap.pdf.

Dick Taylor

 

[littlestar]

With older teeangers I'd pick Cypress Harbour. With younger kids that enjoy zero entry pools with themed slides we go for Horizons. They are both wonderful resorts, though. Horizons has newer buildings and is geared more for younger families. Having said that, Cypress Harbour is my favorite resort in Orlando along with Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

 

[jeff968]

Cypress Harbor is our favorite resort and we've stayed there 4 times and love it. That said, we toured Horizon's last year, they offered us a rental deal, my 9 YO was very interested so we'll be there in 3 weeks. It looks like a nice place. I'll let you know how we make out. We are moving out of the "small children" phase of our life (Oldest daughter is 19, son 16, youngest is 9) so we will probably do this one year and then back to CH for us. Good luck.

 

[LiteBrite]

Can you tell me about how long it takes to drive to WDW from CH? We are using one of my father's Marriott timeshare weeks in May, and he booked us into CH. It will be our first time staying that far from WDW, and we're a little apprehensive about the drive.

 

[Ed J]

Your 1 left turn from I-4, 2 exits from the roads that take you to Disney.
< than 10 minutes taking the highway, 15 if you take back roads so you pass shopping / gas etc. It's not far.

 

[LiteBrite]

Thanks!

 

[bmbmd]

When my kids were teenagers, they loved CH. Several nights a week, staff organizes trips for teenagers. As much as this trip is about family, you know your kids would rather hang with their peers. Horizons has some little kid activities, but did not offer field trips for bigger kids when we were there.