Marriott Horizons versus Cypress Harbour

[ttfn3]

I'm trying to figure out which resort would be best for my family - and DS (age 10 - almost age 11). We have stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista before. How do these resorts compare? We like to hang out at the resort A LOT - and enjoy having activities to participate in. DH would be happy with a Golden Tee Golf Game I'm looking for nice accommodations - with a good view - and a nice pool area.

 

[mainelyj]

We used to go to Grande Vista exclusively over the past years, but they have grown too big and have way too many people staying there.

We have enjoyed Cypress Harbour much better. Does not seem as crowded. Great kids activities - we like to take advantage of these too. We have never been toHorizons.

We plan to return to Cypress Harbour in April.

 

[Detailor]

Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista are quite similar in terms of amenities and features. Grande Vista is newer and larger than Cypress Harbour. Horizons is newer than Grande Vista and I hear it is nice but that the rooms as not as well appointed or as large as GV or CH.

Dick Taylor

 

[utahkennedys]

From everything I have read, Horizons is for younger children so I would pick MCH. We want to try both. We stayed at MGV and it was very nice, but we can't comment on kids activities. I am not in a big rush to stay there again since we own DVC and I want to try the other Marriotts first.

 

[ttfn3]

Bump. Has anyone stayed recently at either resort?

 

[Detailor]

Bump. Has anyone stayed recently at either resort?

We were at Cypress Harbour (and Grande Vista) in 2005. Haven't been to Horizons. You might be able to get a sense of the resort from the website: www mvci com (place in the appropriate .'s). IMO, the accommodations at Cypress Harbour are very nice as are the grounds, pools, etc. We'd go back without hesitation. If you pick this resort call or fax the resort a week or two before arrival with a request for a water view (we always ask for a high floor, too, in order to cut down on the noise associated with people walking above). Cypress Harbour has a nice look about it with lots of trees that seem to make it more private than newer timeshares. Horizons is right across the street and the landscaping - particularly the trees - hasn't developed into maturity yet.

Dick Taylor

 

[jeff968]

We were just at the MCH last week. It is our favorite resort. While we where there we did the tour of Horizons. They've done a lot of work since we toured it in 2005. The pirate pool is huge and looks like lots of fun. The mini golf looks great. the units are smaller then MCH and have stackable W/D put they're nice. If you had smaller children they would love the place. Everything is pirate themed. My kids are 17, 14, and 7. They all find lots to do at MCH so that is why it is our favorite.

 

[littlestar]

I love them both. I've got a trade into Cypress Harbour for New Years week (yeah). They are right across the street from each other. If your kids love slides and water and you're going during the warm months, I'd go for Horizons. If it's slightly cooler weather, I'd pick Cypress Harbour. Decisions, decisions. They are both lovely.

 

[randbmom]

We own at Horizons and have stayed at Grande Vista and Cypress Harbour in the last few years. The biggest difference in Horizons is that there is no jacuzzi tub in the master suite. Instead there is a bigger screen TV in the family room.

My kids, 7 and 12, would not leave the Pirate Pool area of Horizons. In my opinion, Grande Vista is too big and impersonal, Cypress Harbour was nice, but Horizons is spectacular for kids and the rooms are all brand new. If I were a golfer I may feel differently. Two great pool areas make it worthwhile to me.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I have stayed several times at Grand Vista and Once at Horizon's/
in contrast to the prior poster My kids had no use at all for the pirate pool. Instead they stayed the entire time at the splash down complex where the water slide is.

Grand vista's money is invested alot in the indoor accommadations where as Horizons is in outdoor activities.

Some differances where the furnishings are higher end at Grand Vista but, more family functional at Horizons for instance the kitchen table is a banquette which I much prefer over the prettier glass tables. nad there are 2 queens in the second bedroom. I miss the jacuzzi but for Summer I picked Horizons for the outdoor spaces.

 

[bmbmd]

We were pre-construction owners at Cypress Harbour (1989, I think) and have stayed many times at all three of these resorts, as well as Royal Palms at the World Center. As our children have grown and grandkids have come along, seems like we generally gravitate to the Grande Vista these days. It is usually easier to get a huge three bedroom three bath there, the pools are spectacular for all ages, the dining options are excellent, and there is immediate access to the Faldo institute and golf course. (for owners, the twilight rates are like fifteen bucks, and kids under fifteen are free). The fishing in the catch ponds is excellent-we have caught bass up to seven pounds out of them. Nice bar, frequent night-time entertainment, nice activiites-we love it. Horizons is a great place for younger kids, and we loved the Pirate Ship feature. There is not, however, a place suitable for lap-swimming. Nice gym, nice game room, mini golf, and we loved the rooms, but there are no jacuzzi tubs in the rooms. If I were to go again,I think I would take a kayak and venture out on the lake. We really didn't care much for Royal Palms-dated, crowded, dirty-we took it last year because we needed a three bedroom at a late date. It's the place to go, though, if you really, really need a bidet.

If it were just my wife and me, however, we would go home to Cypress. Very romantic, lots of atmosphere, wonderful golf course, beautiful rooms, and lots of memories of the past eighteen years. Basically, you can't go wrong at any of the resorts. Have a great time.

 

[jeff968]

We really didn't care much for Royal Palms-dated, crowded, dirty-we took it last year because we needed a three bedroom at a late date.

I thought Imperial Palms was the three bedroom units? I thought Royal was only two?

Another difference, Cypress harbour units have dedicated laundry rooms with full size washer and dryers. You can do your laundry and fold it in the laundry room. Horizons and GV have stackable units in a closet. the laundry job always overflows into the kitchen

 

[momofbgtwins]

We own at Horizons and love it for our 4 1/2 yo twins. There is plenty to do, and DS is entralled with the pirate theme.

We toured Cypress Harbor and loved it, too. The only downside for us was the second bedroom has only 1 bed, and a sofa bed. Horizons has 2 beds in the second bedroom, which is better for us with 2 kids.

Having a dedicated laundry room (CH) is a nice feature, but not a priority - as long as I don't have to leave the unit and go to a public laundry room I'm happy!

 

[DisneyNeckCoolers]

We stayed at Horizons, with DDs who were 5 1/2 yo at the time. We loved it there. There were 2 themed pools, one with a long waterpark-like slide. There was plenty to do there. The resort had activities scheduled all day long. We never felt like we were missing out on WDW when we stayed home all day because there was always something to do. The rooms were very comfortable. My girls loved that they both had their own bed in thier room (2 queens in second room) with their own TV. 3 TV's in all, one in each bedroom and one large screen in the family room. I love that we had a full kitchen and the banquette dining room table. The resort definitely thought of "little kids" when they used outdoor furnishing materials for the chairs and bench around the table. Very easy to clean if there's a mess, yet still very comfortable and stylish for inside use. The stackable laundry was a little smaller than I remember other stackable laundry appliances. I had to break my loads into smaller loads than I expected. All in all, I would definitely visit Horizons again.

 

[ttfn3]

Thanks everyone for your insight! We're going to let DS decide - since his parents can't seem to So, after showing him lots of pictures online - he picked Marriott Horizons. I'll post a review when we return.

 

[chris1gill]

Can someone tell me where the Splashdown Complex is? And what it is?

I just booked 7 nights at Horizons for next March, our kids will be 10 & 13.... I thought the kids would like the mini golf & having two beds...

Do Horizons and CH share facilities by the way?

 

[spiceycat]

Can someone tell me where the Splashdown Complex is? And what it is?

I don't know did you mean Waterworks?
http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/ho/default.jsp

no they don't share any facilities.

now there was a time when if you stayed at one Marriott you could use the stuff at the other Marriott - but I think they did away with this?

 

[chris1gill]

Twinmomplus2 made mention of the Waterworks complex vs. the pirate ship. Are there any actual pools at the resort? Or just the pirate ship with little water features?

What does CH have for pool's?

 

[spiceycat]

Twinmomplus2 made mention of the Waterworks complex vs. the pirate ship. Are there any actual pools at the resort? Or just the pirate ship with little water features?

What does CH have for pool's?

can't find a map for H - so going by the reviews there are 2 pools - one with the pirate and one with the slide (I really though this was the pirate)

ch has 1 main pool with 2 quiet ones.

 

[chris1gill]

Oh God, I really hope Horizons has a pool other than the pirate ship I chose it since it offered two beds in the second bedroom, but a lack of a pool geared towards an older child will be a problem... UGH...