Need help picking a timeshare property!

[Picabo]

This is our first trip to Disney and we have 2 little girls (2 1/2 and almost 4 when we go in Early December). We are looking for something super close to Disney as I imagine at least a few days, that we'd need to bring them back to the hotel for naps and to recharge their batteries. Most days, we'll probably just see what they are able to see and then call it a day and return to the resort. But there are a few days we'll want to return in the evening for parades/fireworks, etc.

Can anyone recommend something that is really close proximity to Disney, especially MK where we'll spend most of our time. And preferrably something that has a toddler pool/play area.

Oh and FWIW, we use interval international.

THANKS!!

 

[Detailor]

Can anyone recommend something that is really close proximity to Disney, especially MK where we'll spend most of our time. And preferrably something that has a toddler pool/play area.
Oh and FWIW, we use interval international.

I think that the three Marriotts - Imperial Palms, Sabal Palms, Royal Palms - on the Marriott World Center hotel property are the closest II resorts. Then Sheraton Vistana Resort, Cypress Pointe Resort and Cypress Pointe Grande Villas, Blue Tree Resort at LBV, Celebrity Resort @ LBV, Sheraton Vistana Villages, Marriott's Harbour Lake, Marriott's Cypress Harbour, Marriott's Grande Vista. I think that the furthest that you'd travel from resort to theme park parking lot is about 11 to 13 miles and the closest would be about 5 to 8 miles.

My personal preference is for the Marriotts but the Sheratons are good - Villages is newer but a little further away from the parks. And the Cypress Pointe Resort is pretty nice, too.

Good luck.

Dick Taylor

 

[littlestar]

Since you will be going when you could have potential cold weather, I would probably opt for one of the Palm Marriotts due to the Marriott World Center having an indoor pool.

If you were going in warm weather, my recommendation would be Marriott's Harbour Lake/Horizons (it has themed pools with slides for kids like the Disney resorts) or maybe Sheraton Vistana Villages (a new themed pool area is supposed to be opening in late fall).

My top picks would be any of the Marriott Vacation clubs and Sheraton Vistana Villages. Then the regular Sheraton Vistana and Cypress Pointe resort.

 

[Lisa P.]

The indoor pool at Marriott Orlando World Center was VERY cold when we were there one January and no one was using it. Don't know if that was a fluke or not.

Given the ages of your children, your desire to stay very near WDW and the offseason time period (easy trade options for 2BRs), my recommendations would be:

Sheraton Vistana Resort (II gets the newer sections, unlike RCI) - very close drive, nice pools w/zero entry, plenty of kiddie areas and activities

Cypress Point or CP Grandvillas - very close drive, nice facilities incl basic kiddie pools and playgrounds, 3BRs even available

Marriott's Harbour Lake - excellent themed kiddie pool areas and activities, a little further drive to the parks

Marriott Grand Vista, Marriott Cypress Harbour or Sheraton Vistana Villages - very nice pool facilities, very high quality resorts with amenities, but a further drive to the parks. HTH!

 

[Picabo]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to check out the Marriotts and the Sheraton Vistiana. Is any ONE of those better than the other in terms of being closest to MK? The pool is a bonus but since it's early December, I have no clue if it'd even be warm enough for us to want to go in it. Although a playground or water play area would be nice.

We aren't going to trade out week. (Just used it last week actually) I personally don't think it's worth trading INTO Orlando hotels - at least not with our resort. The "Getaways" with II are so cheap and plentiful that it's just not worth it for us to give up our 2 bedroom beach week. Now, if we could trade into a DISNEY property, that would change things significantly. haha But the chances of that happening look slim to nothing.

Anyhow - being CLOSE as possible is the most important thing for us on this particular trip since we'll need afternoon breaks.

THANKS again!

 

[nezy]

Everything is relative-as far as "close by" is concerned!
That said, we have stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbour-closer to Sea World-we love it there, it is our favorite-younger kids my like the Horizon's which is across the street. Sheraton Vistana is also pretty close-stayed there many years ago and it was very nice-still in the bldg. stage, Of course closest would be Bonnet Creek property belonging to FairfieldSheraton-I have never stayed there but have read good things. It is closer to the Animal Kingdom area I think rather than the magic kingdom area.
You definitely want to stay someplace that you will be able to relax.
Have a great trip.

 

[nezy]

I should really read everything before I respond!

That said, I think that the Marriott's on the World Center property are very close-as long as you leave via the correct road-we had no problem going into, but coming home from MK we had to make sure we were on the correct road or else we ended up well south/west of the Marriott world center area. We were there in Feb. and the indoor pool was just fine-but it was also warm outside. Also, if you stay at any of the MVC resorts you can use the hotel resort amenities.

 

[jdm]

We are making this same choice. We are going in August and using the Getaway benefit of our II membership. I'm pretty sure we are going to go with Vistana and request Lakes or Cascades or Fountains II section. We stayed there several years ago and loved it. The location itself was great too with the nearby restaurants (my kids love that Golden Corral and we end up eating there a lot). We have stayed at Cypress Harbor and Grande Vista but they are a little bit of a drive depending on traffic. They are very close to Sea World however. I've stayed at Cypress Point as well but I felt it was definitely a notch below the others listed and my kids hated that they didn't have a tv in their room (not allowed @ home) I'm not too familiar with the Marriots onsite at the World Center. I hadn't really thought about those. Not sure if they are closer than the Vistana? Maybe someone could weigh in with more details on those.....

 

[erinch]

a nice thing about the Vistana, if aesthetics matter, is that many of the buildings are lower --3 story ones, as opposed to mostly high rises. The landscaping on the grounds is beautiful, with many ponds with ducks and fish to feed. We like staying in the Springs, which is on the same side of the resort as the zero entry pool and the other activities (mini golf, general store); it also has its own small playground and family pool.

 

[Detailor]

I'm not too familiar with the Marriots onsite at the World Center. I hadn't really thought about those. Not sure if they are closer than the Vistana? Maybe someone could weigh in with more details on those.....

The three Marriott Palms resorts at the World Center are closer to Disney than is the Vistana Resorts. But not by much. The two properties abut.

The Vistana property is on SR 535 and the Marriott property is just around the corner (two left turns from Vistana and about a mile from Vistana to these MVCs) on SR 536. SR 536, also known as World Center Drive. The Disney World arch and signage is over the road about two miles from these Marriotts just after the I-4 interchange.

Dick Taylor

 

[Malibelle]

You might want to consider renting DVC points for a 2 bedroom place at one of the deluxe disney properties. Its significantly lower in price then booking through disney and you are right on property. I would check out the DVC rent board.

 

[jlp879]

In terms of being close to the Magic Kingdom, none of the II timeshares really are. We just came back from our first trip to WDW and I was surprised how far apart everything was. To be really close, I'd stay on property. Otherwise, once you get in a car and drive off property 10 or 15 minutes makes no difference at all.

I'd say the closest group of II timeshares is the Marriotts at World Center. The Sheraton Vistana Resort is right behind them. You can get a good idea of distances from Google Earth or any online mapping service.

That said we stayed at the Marriott Harbour Lake (used to be Horizons by Marriott) and it is absolutely terrific for little kids. Lots of pool features, zero entry, water play areas, etc. We had to pull our kids away from the resort to get them to go the parks! There is a reason this resort rates so highly on Tripadvisor and they have got the kid factor down!

 

[thumbalyna]

We used II in October and stayed at Parkway International and it was very close to the parks and it was very nice - they only have 2 bedroom condos so we traded a one bedroom for that so as not to lose anything on our end.

we had a first floor villa and the pool was right outside our backdoor. it was very quite.

 

[TotoToo]

In terms of being close to the Magic Kingdom, none of the II timeshares really are. We just came back from our first trip to WDW and I was surprised how far apart everything was. To be really close, I'd stay on property. Otherwise, once you get in a car and drive off property 10 or 15 minutes makes no difference at all.

I'd say the closest group of II timeshares is the Marriotts at World Center. The Sheraton Vistana Resort is right behind them. You can get a good idea of distances from Google Earth or any online mapping service.

That said we stayed at the Marriott Harbour Lake (used to be Horizons by Marriott) and it is absolutely terrific for little kids. Lots of pool features, zero entry, water play areas, etc. We had to pull our kids away from the resort to get them to go the parks! There is a reason this resort rates so highly on Tripadvisor and they have got the kid factor down!

Both Cypress Pointe resorts are 1 mile from Downtown Disney - 5 from MK. It is tough to get much closer even if you stay on site. Plus the area around Cypress Pointe is very pedestrian friendly and the Disney transportation is easy to use from Downtown Disney. It is one of the best locations in all of Orlando for easy access to all of the major parks - Disney, Universal and Seaworld. None are more than a 10 minute drive.

 

[gmwsr15110]

Thanks for all of the great info.

 

[swilshire]

Now, if we could trade into a DISNEY property, that would change things significantly. haha But the chances of that happening look slim to nothing.

Disney VC no longer trades through Interval International. Any weeks you see this year are cancellations left over from before the change. They are exclusively with RCI for now.

Sheila

 

[Victoria J]

We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort a few years ago when DS was 2 and had no problem making afternoon trips back for naps. We found it was still quicker than staying onsite and taking the buses to/from the parks. The zero entry pools were great and loved the resort. The only drawback (if it really even counts) is that the decor was a bit dated. BUT our villa may not have been representative of the rest of the resort since we are not timeshare owners.

 

[erinch]

we're at the Vistana right now in a renovated unit, and very, very happy. It's gorgeous, and the service/responsiveness couldn't be better. We just spent one night at the Hard Rock for Universal express access, and we were really happy to get back here.

 

[Meteora]

The only drawback (if it really even counts) is that the decor was a bit dated. BUT our villa may not have been representative of the rest of the resort since we are not timeshare owners.

Almost all units have been redone at this point and are more modern. We absolutely love Vistana--the grounds are spacious, there are activities for adults and kids, places to eat on property, DVD players to watch your Disney movies, plenty of pools to choose from, playground areas, and some very cool birds wandering around some pretty scenic lakes and fountains. It's a very easy trip onto Disney property--DTD is literally right down the road.

Last year, we had a couple of minor problems with our unit--the dishwasher having excess water, for example (it turned out the last people to use the unit had stopped it midcycle, before it drained)--and each time had a very competent person sent to deal with the issue within twenty minutes of calling. Both times, the problems were fixed immediately. Having stayed in plenty of places where these issues were not so well handled, we really appreciated the quick and friendly service.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

If you can find a way to get it..my vote is for Bonnet Creek by Wyndham