Marriott Orlando World Center or Gaylord Palms?

[WaltsMartini]

Hi folks - I have some Bonvoy free nights coming my way and am booking 4 nights for next March at WDW. Will be me, my husband, 10 year old son and my daughter is turning 8 on the trip. I have a conference at Coronado Tue - Thur; we will stay Thur - Sun somewhere else else, check in to Coronado Monday, and they’ll head home Tuesday morning and I’ll do the conference thing.

The ideal plan is to rent DVC points, but we may not have the budget for that this trip and I want to get a solid plan B booked. Would you recommend Marriott Orlando World Center or Gaylord Palms? Both are very similar point-wise and have similar rooms. Both have resort fees, over the top landscaping, big pools, etc. I’m trying to find a big distinction - better/ cheaper on-site dining? An actually good shuttle service? Low or no parking fee? If anyone has any insight, would love to hear it!

 

[HopperFan]

DH has stayed at Gaylord and I have day visited. I thought the atrium was beautiful and cool to explore, they have the nice water park now. It is very pretty. Parking there is $38 per day. According to their check in letter there is a shuttle that you have to make a reservation for. No idea of how frequent since you need an account to even see. Gaylord Welcome Letter (Bus info) Our biggest issue is how expensive the food options are there.

We have not stayed in Marriott World HOTEL but have stayed in the MWC Vacation Villas on the property about 6+ times and returning in December and next spring. They have a good main pool area and great fairly new water park (amenity for hotel guests, and MVC are sometimes allowed for a fee). Parking for hotel is $23-25. There is a shuttle and you also have to make a reservation for it. https://orlandoworldcentermarriott.ipoolside.com/ Looks like they have a bus for each destination. We ate at the hotel restaurants and surprised that for a hotel they had wide range of places and they were reasonable. They have a market that also has premade and quick service food items and we had several meals from there.

 

[Dug720]

If those were my options, I'd say Marriott. I dislike them, but I HATE Gaylord. I worked for them in another location before grad school and it was the worst employment of my life with how they treated their employees. Their resorts may look pretty (and mostly identical) on the outside - but behind the scenes it is UGLY.

 

[happily single]

We stayed at the Marriott once about 10 years ago. The parking garage is literally 1/3 mile from the hotel. We found the hotel to be very impersonal and absolutely hated the walk (and parking fee) from the garage

 

[Judique]

We stayed at the Marriott once about 10 years ago. The parking garage is literally 1/3 mile from the hotel. We found the hotel to be very impersonal and absolutely hated the walk (and parking fee) from the garage

When I've stayed there (It's been a while) they had a shuttle to the garage from the front of the hotel. Has that been discontinued?

 

[mobrien207]

I've stayed at both and prefer Marriott. Great pool and very close to the EPCOT gate although you must drive. I found the Gaylord to be isolated and very expensice for food given the quality. Parking is always a bit of a walk at huge hotels.

Just my two cents.

 

[Shellyred8]

DH has stayed at Gaylord and I have day visited. I thought the atrium was beautiful and cool to explore, they have the nice water park now. It is very pretty. Parking there is $38 per day. According to their check in letter there is a shuttle that you have to make a reservation for. No idea of how frequent since you need an account to even see. Gaylord Welcome Letter (Bus info) Our biggest issue is how expensive the food options are there.

We have not stayed in Marriott World HOTEL but have stayed in the MWC Vacation Villas on the property about 6+ times and returning in December and next spring. They have a good main pool area and great fairly new water park (amenity for hotel guests, and MVC are sometimes allowed for a fee). Parking for hotel is $23-25. There is a shuttle and you also have to make a reservation for it. https://orlandoworldcentermarriott.ipoolside.com/ Looks like they have a bus for each destination. We ate at the hotel restaurants and surprised that for a hotel they had wide range of places and they were reasonable. They have a market that also has premade and quick service food items and we had several meals from there.

We've stayed at the MWC Vacation Villas on property at Marriott World Hotel site and I agree with @HopperFan on the restaurant reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. I also really like the location. It's not really crowded around the entrance to the complex, so it was fairly easy to get in and out of. We also liked the main pool area. If the pool is important to you, this might be a good option.
You might also want to check out the villas here. I'm not sure if you can use your points at them, but the Marriott Royal Palms are a great option if you nee more space/sleeping surfaces.