MOWC, Ritz, or JW Marriott?

[dylcon]

We're taking the kids to Discovery Cove and SeaWorld in August, and I've narrowed hotel choices to either the Marriott World Center, the Ritz, or the JW Marriott Grande Lakes next door.

We've got 2 kids (boys 9 and 11 yo), and I was told we'd be better off at the MOWC rather than either the Ritz, or the JW Marriott as it's more "kid friendly," less "business-like" and has much better pools.

Anybody have any experiences/thoughts about any of these??

Thanks!!

 

[CarolA]

Don't know about kids, but I would go with the Ritz or JW over the MOWC. The Ritz was great and so was the JW. They share pools and the JW had a Lazy river pool just wonderul.

 

[seastar]

We took our kids to the JW last summer. They loved it!! The pool is great for kids. They had free games/activities for the kids and a "dive-in" movie you watched from the pool. Plus the place is brand new and just down the street from Sea World. If you stay at the JW, you can also us the facilities at the Ritz and vice-versa.

 

[KittenLittle]

Another vote for the JW! Awesome pool complex,and the dive-in movie was great for the whole family. This is a 1st class hotel in every way! The kids won't want to leave.

 

[wdisneelvr]

oops double post sorry

 

[wdisneelvr]

I've never been there, but drive by the JW and the Ritz every day, dreaming of staying someday....it's gorgeous!

I've heard that the MOWC is very business-like and doesn't have many kids activities other than a nice pool area.

 

[dylcon]

Thanks so much for the replies...the more the merrier!

I had originally been set on the MOWC...but found their room rates (we were thinking of a suite) to be MUCH higher than those of the Ritz and JW (which REALLY surprised me)!!

And I'm not impressed w/their attitude either...to even get a room rate quote from MOWC, I had to leave my name and ph #, so that their "suite dept" could call me back "within 48 hours."

Waited 3 days...never heard from them! So *I* had to call a toll number.

I found this to be a bit much...especially when I was able to call the JW/Ritz (toll-free), and get rates immediately.

Glad to hear that the JW/Ritz pool is great...that's what I'd heard about MOWC.

Anybody know if JW has a pool slide?? How are the rooms??
Thank you!

 

[seastar]

There are no slides at the JW or Ritz. The lazy river is fun with waterfalls and lifeguards spraying you with water guns. One part is zero entry which is great if you have non-swimmers. There is also a playground at the Ritz.

Our room was a standard room with a view of the pool and golf course. I would recommend getting that view as the other side is over the parking lot. We could see the Seaworld and Epcot fireworks from our room. We were on a very high floor-I think the 22nd floor. The higher the better for a good view. Our room was pretty but a little on the small side. However, our bathroom was HUGE and gorgeous with lots of marble and a separate glassed-in shower (plus a bathtub).

Breakfast buffet in the main restaurant was GREAT!

I did a quick search and found my trip report from last summer:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=412321&highlight=+JW++marriot

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We are staying at the Ritz in November. They have a discovery cove package that I booked which was a fabulous price. It includes the dolphin swim, full breakfast, and valet parking and it is on the club level. I called the hotel directly to voice my concerns about my kids staying there and they fully encouraged it. They even told me we probably would not need to eat out as the club level is quite extensive Crab legs and scallops were mentiond.

 

[floridafam]

IMO, Ritz are wonderful hotels for children.

Make sure you check out the Ritz website and get on their mailing list. I've received several e-mail special offers the past few months.

 

[dylcon]

Welp, looks like it's gonna be the JW/Ritz thanks to everyone here...appreciate the replies and help!

The Ritz offers DC packages, but JW does not. I'll look into them, as it seems the Ritz is somewhat more 'flexible' w/upgrading and/or changing pakages.

I called MOWC and inquired as to their DC package...asked if I could upgrade the room in the package, and they adamantly said "no."

I asked if I could add a 3rd night...and they said "certainly! At the regular room rate!"

Merely looking at roomrates...a one bdrm suite at MOWC is $950...while at the Ritz it's $399...and JW $369! Heck...a Ritz club/concierge level suite is $599, STILL less than MOWC!

Is it me? I cannot understand why MOWC is *more expensive* than the Ritz!

*I've signed up for their email/mailing list (thanks floridafam), and will look to book CL (thanks momtoomootoo) and look forward to that pool (thanks seastar...enjoyed that review as well!).