Marriott?

[stormer]

We are DVC members and are very used to staying onsite. My mother offered us her timeshare for Aug. and our AP's will still be good. Seems to hard to turn down. She can get us in at Marriott's Cypress Harbor, Grande Vista, or Harbor Lake. Anyone have any experiences with any of those places? We have two boys, 12 and 10, at the time of the trip. I am going to research all of them, but curious if anyone has any recommendations.

 

[Ed J]

Been to all 3.

With kids that age I'd pick Cypress Harbor. If they were younger I'd say Harbor Lake, but they're a year or too old for the pools there IMO.

But all in all you can't go wrong with any. If you are folders I'd pick GV or move over to the resorts that flank the world center.

If your boys fish Cypress Harbor is a blast for that.

 

[Ed J]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2769393&highlight=cypress

Some photos of CH in that link.

 

[stormer]

Thanks, I'll go check it out.

Do they have wahers and dryers in the rooms? I notice it said something about a utilityy room with a washer and dryer. Is that in the room or just in the resort?

 

[Ed J]

Full size in the utility rooms.

The Marriott's are really nice places.

 

[littleorangebird]

I've stayed at Harbour Lake and it is a great resort. It is a beautiful resort and the villas are very spacious and include many in-room amenities. They have 2 awesome pool areas for the kids plus mini-golf, basketball/tennis courts, a game room, a playing field, plus many daily resort activities such as luaus, campfires, bingo, and pool games. I personally love it there and I hope to stay there again when I go down again this year.

 

[Ametista]

Thanks, I'll go check it out.

Do they have wahers and dryers in the rooms? I notice it said something about a utilityy room with a washer and dryer. Is that in the room or just in the resort?

I agree, Cypress Harbour is best for kids those ages. Its a really nice resort. We have stayed at all 3 Marriotts that you mentioned.

I remember there was a washer/dryer in the unit. I would call the resort directly to verify. I know at Grande Vista for example the small studios don't have W/D but the 2 bedrooms do.

 

[TeamSy]

We love the villas that flank the World Center, but if we had to choose I always prefer Grand Vista, as we like the facilities there best and the 3 bedroom option. Cypress is also nice, but your boys will have to share a room. Also check out the new Lakeshore Reserve property - they have a nice lazy river!

 

[happymommy]

I'm not sure, but Cypress Harbor is all two bedroom units? Dioxide may chime in here!

Otherwise, what size unit is she able to book for you?

If it's a two bedroom, I personally would choose Harbor Lake. I have stayed there and Grande Vista several times, and prefer Harbor Lake. It's smaller, easier to navigate, we found our villas to be much cleaner there (don't know if it was just the luck of the draw though), and we loved it!

The second bedroom in Harbor Lake (and GV) has two beds. I believe Cypress Harbor is one bed and a sofa sleeper or something - I've heard it's tight there. I like to have my kids each sleep in their own bed if possible!

I'd also agree to see if you can get Sabal Palms - they're my (new) favorite in Orlando! It's MUCH closer to the Disney parks (and with Sabal Palms you get two beds in the second bedroom, although one is a twin; with Royal Palms you only get one bed, and Imperial Palms is all 3 bedrooms).

 

[summerrluvv]

Harbour Lake is AWESOME! My kids love it there. My son is 15 now, but he would still have a blast there.

 

[hegsag]

I just got back from Marriott's Harbour Lake. My 11 y.o. wasn't thrilled with the pirate ship pool area but the rest of the resort she LOVED! She loved the water slide, mini golf, playground, (we weren't around for the arts and crafts offered daily nor the ice cream sundae making they offer daily) and the game area. She loved the basketball courts, bonfire, foozball, pingpong, slushes at the pool & I'm probably leaving something out. We had a spacious 2 bedroom that also had a washer/dryer in the villa. It was clean & we had a screened in porch. My 7 y.o. son LOVED everything about the resort. Definitely a 2 thumbs up from us!

Oh, I've never stayed at a resort where housekeeping came in daily and made the beds and took out the trash. If I had known, I wouldn't have left my purse on the bed when we went to the pool. Fortunately, nothing was taken from my purse. However, I did throw it in the trunk of the car from then on as it was too big to fit in the safe.

 

[spiceycat]

would go with Cypress Harbour it is entirely 2-bedroom villas.

stayed there twice - liked it - now if it is gone then Grande Vista is fine too.

grande vista is too big for me - like disney's ssr - would never buy there.

since you only mentioned the marriott's close to Seaworld not Disney - are Sabal Palms or Royal Palms gone already. since they are generally less popular than Cypress Harbour - that would be surprise.

Imperial, Sabal and Royal Palms are in the world center that big marriott along world center drive

the kids can use the pools at hotel as well as the timeshares. Sabal Palms does not have a slide - but the world center does

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcowc-orlando-world-center-marriott/

 

[stormer]

Thanks for all of the replies. They all sound great. She didn't mention Royal Palms or Sabal Palms, but when she checked they are available. That opens a whole new can of worms. Now there are even more choices! Are they just as nice, but closer to Disney?

 

[happymommy]

In my opinion, Sabal Palms had some GREAT features, yet it did feel a bit more dated than Harbor Lake. That being said, we stayed 11 nights there, are going back there for spring break, and I may book two weeks there late August if possible!

It's literally 3 miles to Typhoon Lagoon, so a mile or two further to the Epcot resort area. It was so close! Also just a couple miles the other way is a super Walmart to stock up on groceries and toiletries (and if you just need some snacks, wine, beer, or toiletries there is also a CVS just one stoplight away once you exit the complex).

The unit was a bit larger than other Marriotts. I requested and received an upper unit (there are only two floors, and I always like to be higher up so I don't hear neighbors upstairs). I don't mind that there are no elevators. We used the gas grills right outside a few times, as it was so convenient.

You can use the newly renovated super pool at the Marriott Orlando World Center, or the little quiet pool right there at Sabal Palms (when we did, we never had anyone else in the pool).

Big differences between Sabal and Royal: Sabal has two beds in the second bedroom, while Royal has one. Sabal has just two floors without elevators, so it feels to me more homey - Royal has more levels and elevators. Sabal is closer to walk over to the World Center. Either way they offer a free shuttle bus. Royal has the large soaking tub in the master bathroom; Sabal has the huge shower. Tip: there is an opening above the shower that allows morning light to shine into the master bedroom, so I stuffed an extra pillow in it and that solved that.

If you're going to the Disney parks, I'd try for Sabal personally! I loved it there.

 

[stormer]

Thanks, Sabal sounds great.

 

[jeff968]

I've been to all 3 of as well as Imperial. I also agree that Cypress Harbour is the best and would recommend it for you. I didn't like Imperial as much (which would be similar to Sabal and Royal) because you have to take a shuttle to the world resort were all the activities are taking place. With CH, everything is within walking distance. It is just the right size and configuration with much to do. It is also a very beautiful resort.

 

[happymommy]

Yes if you're looking into the Palms (Imperial, Royal, Sabal) they do have a shuttle to go over to the Marriott Orlando World Center. Sabal Palms, however, is closest so just a short walk.

If Harbor Lake was in the same location, I'd pick that one. I just loved Sabal Palms for being so close to Disney parks.

Either way, you can't truly go wrong with Marriott!

 

[papertraveller]

We are DVC owners, and also own in the Marriott points system.
We have stayed at Imperial Palms, Cypress Harbour (just this past month) and Grande Vista (several times).
As a PP mentioned, you really can't go wrong. Mom has given you a great opportunity and I'd start thinking about the special thank you gift to get her!!
The Marriott properties are well-designed and offer spacious accommodations, much larger than DVC. The amenities are generally similar -- variations on a theme, if you will.
The 2-BR at Cypress Harbour was a nice, cozy second bedroom -- a double with a pullout couch. It probably would be tight for your two boys. That said, it's very nice.
We liked Grande Vista, but it is like SSR in that it is spread out. It's great if you want to golf, however, and we found the variety of activities was better than CH.
We really liked Imperial Palms (and can't wait to get into Sabal/Royal) because of its proximity to the World Centre Marriott.
Our next trip? As a PP mentioned, Lakeshore Reserve, next door to the JW on John Young. Can't Wait!

 

[aubreysmom09]

We are staying at Harbour Lake in 30 days Our DD is 4, and I know she would like the pools there. I have heard really great things about Cypress Harbor. We had to choose between Harbour Lake, Cypress Harbor, and Grand Vista due to a Timeshare bounce back. Depending how we like Harbour lake we will buy resale. I'm just wondering if that's why she has to choose between the 3 resorts?? We toured the Lakeshore Reserve.