Marriott Vacation Clubs--which one to stay at?

[barefootMom]

I have just started checking out the Marriott vacation clubs for a stay with my husband and 2 daughters--2 and 5. Which one is the best choice? Horizons? Cypress Harbour? Grand Vista? I tried to do a search to see if someone compared them but could not get it to work. Any help would be appreciated. Also, is it possible to swim in the pools down there the first week in Feb.?? Thanks!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I can only answer for the one resort that Ive exchanged into with Interval and that is Marriott Grande Vista. Its a great resort, the rooms (well most of them) are in great condition and every third building or so has its own pool. Location is hard to beat and you are a 5 min ride from Sea World, 10 to Universal and the foot of Disney...

 

[utahkennedys]

We have stayed at MGV and really enjoyed it. We would stay there again for the right deal. We also would like to try Horizons which I hear is very family oriented, and Cypress Harbour does look beautiful. These 3 seem to get great reviews, while the older 2 do not. You probably can't go wrong.

We loved the location of the Grande Vista, very close to the new Publix, Sea World, and not too far from WDW either.

 

[barefootMom]

I would definitely like to find out which one people think is best for the kids...I understand the Horizons sounds like a great pool area for my little ones, but if we go in late Jan. or early Feb. would they be able to take advantage of it? Anyone else been to Horizons or Cypress Harbour? Grande Vista seemed to have more mixed reviews if I remember right?

 

[Zoemakes5]

For kids your age, I'd recommend Horizons. The pool areas are made for younger kids. There's a big pirate ship with slide and water spouts and stuff. And then a whole water park area with hoses and stuff. Do a search on the Disboards, someone was there not too long ago and posted with pictures.

 

[spiceycat]

Horizons is much better for your kids ages - otherwise I would go with Cypress Harbour - it gets the better reviews.

 

[savannah33]

We're staying at Cypress Harbour with kids ages 4, 2 and 1. What is the pool area like for CH?

 

[savannah33]

Oh and as for swimming in Feb. I'm not sure but I know I live in Savannah GA and it's definitely too cold here to swim. If the pools are heated it might be OK but otherwise I'd say probably not.

 

[barefootMom]

If it is too cold to swim in late Jan/early Feb. would I be better off booking Cypress Harbour instead of Horizons? We're from Maine so we don't need it to be tooo warm, but if the kids are not going to want to stay at the pool for HOURS than should we not choose Horizons?

 

[savannah33]

I would inquire with the hotel if the pool is heated and open year round before making a decision.

 

[barefootMom]

Can anyone tell me why we might want to stay at Cypress Harbour over Horizons even though we have little ones? Size wise how do the two compare?

 

[littlestar]

Here's my pictures of Horizons from April. We stayed in a one bedroom in New Building 28/29. Horizons is adorable. We're DVC members who enjoy staying at Horizons and Cypress Harbour to supplement our Disney resort trips (Cypress and Horizons are across the street from one another):

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CbOGThs5YsXGA

Horizons is perfect for small children. It's not very big and spread out so you don't have to worry about having to load up the kids in the car to drive to a feature pool. It's a five minute walk max to either feature pool. BOTH pools are zero entry and have themed slides. It reminds me very much of a Disney resort.

Size wise Horizons is about 1100 square feet for a two bedroom and Cypress is probably 1300 square feet would be my guess. Horizons has a big screen TV in the living room. Horizons doesn't have a jacuzzi tub in the master bath, though - Cypress Harbour does. We went back and forth between the two resorts as they are directly across the street from one another. Cypress Harbour is more spread out than Horizons, but it's very pretty and Florida feeling. I like both resorts, but if I had small children who loved to swim, I'd probably pick Horizons because of the themed pools with slides, mini water park, and miniature golf course.

We actually enjoyed Horizons so much that when we found a good price on a resale, we bought an every other year week 2 bedroom lock-off at Horizons Branson. We were very impressed - obviously. I'd stay at Cypress Harbour in a heart beat, too, though. Very nice place.

 

[gallaj0]

We stayed at Horizons last August, and we'd go back anytime. We were dissaointed we couldn't trade in again this year.
We had a 2 bedroom, it was very nice.
The pools/water park area was great, we spent a whole day there.

 

[momofbgtwins]

We also love Horizons. We have 4yr old b/g twins, who happen to LOVE pirates, one of which, "Captain Horizon", happens to be the mascot for Horizons. There are daily activities for the kids. We like that it is small. We did look at Cypress Harbor when we were there in March. It was very nice, too. The second bedroom at Horizons has 2 double beds, but from what we saw at CH, there is only one bed in the second bedroom? In late February/early March we were swimming in the heated pool with the Pirate ship (but we're New Englanders, too!). We also LOVE Seawold which is only a few minutes away from either resort. Good luck!

 

[barefootMom]

Thanks everyone! I guess I feel comfortable with Horizons then. Yipee for us New Englanders who still like to swim even when those around us are bundled up and shivering!

 

[Zoemakes5]

We also love Horizons. We have 4yr old b/g twins, who happen to LOVE pirates, one of which, "Captain Horizon", happens to be the mascot for Horizons. There are daily activities for the kids. We like that it is small. We did look at Cypress Harbor when we were there in March. It was very nice, too. The second bedroom at Horizons has 2 double beds, but from what we saw at CH, there is only one bed in the second bedroom? In late February/early March we were swimming in the heated pool with the Pirate ship (but we're New Englanders, too!). We also LOVE Seawold which is only a few minutes away from either resort. Good luck!

From what my step-mom was told, the second br has one Queen and one pull out sofa that is full sized, with a pull out queen in the living room. When we were at Horizon's I stayed in a 2BR. The second BR was very spacious, and didn't have any trouble with 2DS in one bed, DH and I in the other and DD in the pack and play when we went. They did have two Queens or two fulls. They did have a sunken tub, it was connected to the 2nd BR and the kitchen/common area.
I was kinda hoping for the Horizons myself this time around, but it was thought that DS's would like the CH better. And, the DD will have a great time just being in the pool.
Since so many have been to both, here, can anyone describe the actual pool area(s) at CH? What ammenities do they have? slides? Bubblers/fountains? And, was wondering if you were able to "pool hop" from CH over to Horizons if you're with a Marriott owner?
Thanks!