Parc Soleil vs Cypress Harbour

[Reeves2]

Will be going down in June for a week with my wife and three boys (6,4,1). We'll be staying offsite this trip, and will spend most of our time at Disney. After reading numerous reviews and threads, narrowed our choice to Hilton Parc Soleil or Marriott Cypress Harbour.

This is the sense of the positives I get about each place...

Parc Soleil:
- Newer property with updated nicely appointed suites
- Garage parking convenience
- On site restaurant with good food and reasonable prices
- Very convenient to Disney with a less congested "back door" route into Disney World

Cypress Harbour:
- Nice surroundings
- Lot of activities on site
- Very nice rooms (if you get a refurbished one)

Do I have this right? My concern about Parc Soleil is that there may not be much to do on site to keep us entertained if we take a break from the park. As far as Cypress Harbour, it seems like some of the rooms haven't been refurbished for a few years, so it could be a gamble as far as the quality of room we got.

Also, is Parc Soleil really that much more convenient getting into the park, or is it not a much of a difference?

Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

Also, is Parc Soleil really that much more convenient getting into the park, or is it not a much of a difference?

Thanks!

Never stayed at Parc Soleil but have stayed at Cypress Harbour. I think for park access it would be close. Both have easy access to I4 and both have easy back ways to get to the parks. Though I think I may give a slight edge to Cypress Harbour as you can go back roads and avoid the LBV area by going down to World Center Drive. As for off side dining Parc Soleil is probably a little easier because you can get to the strip of restaurants on 535 in LBV by going down Palm Parkway.

From seeing Parc Soleil driving by, it seems like it is more a high rise type complex where Cypress Harbour is more spread out.

 

[joybeth]

I stayed at Park Soliel back in February and thought it was lovely. The suites are beautiful. The pool area was very nice with a big water slide and water fall There were kid activities by the pool every day. They also showed a movie by the pool one evening. The parking garage means that it is not a long walk from your car. The drive to Disney was also pretty easy. I would definitely recommend Park Soliel.

jb

 

[Reeves2]

Thanks for the info. Seems like both would work well, didn't realize that Cypress Harbour has its own alternate route into Disney. The 'newness' of Parc Soleil is really appealing and is winning out so we will stick with the reservation we made there. Good to know there are activities throughout the day there for the kids if we decide to use them.

 

[c&m]

Good choice with Parc Soleil. We stayed there in March for 9 nights during spring break, and we are returning in July for 2 nights before we go on property at AKL. We would stay entirely at PS if we weren't going with another family who wants to stay on-site.

PS is a fabulous property. The commute into WDW was not a big deal. The quietness of the resort (in the middle of nowhere) was a relief given the madness of the parks. The garage parking was fabulous and there was always a spot. The hard wood floors were a nice touch. The kitchen was wonderful to work in, and the washer/dryer a blessing to have.

We plan on returning to the PS every time we go to Orlando. It is that good.

 

[Reeves2]

Yes, the garage sounds perfect, especially when dealing with kids and a double stroller. Being able to walk right onto it and ride it straight to our floor will be very nice.

How does Parc Soleil work as far as attempting to take mid-day breaks? Last two trips we stayed onsite at a monorail resort (GF), and would religiously take an afternoon break to nap and rest up before heading out again for dinner. We've never had a car and relied on Disney transportation, which worked very well. Having never stayed offsite I'm wondering how difficult it will be to stick with this routine.

 

[c&m]

Before we stayed at PS in March, I did a Google map distance check. PS is about the same driving distance time to Epcot as AKL to Epcot. So I don't think distance is an issue from park to any area resort. It will just never be as convenient as staying close to a monorail resort like the GF, Contemporary or the Poly.

Having a mid-day break will never be as convenient as you had it staying at the GF before. But as my DH says, the cost savings of staying at PS versus GF...we'd put up with the hassle of exiting and re-entering the parks for a mid-day break. We also found different ways to take breaks within the parks (like napping on the train around MK; we call it the nap train).

It's basically switching up the routine. We enjoyed having a car and coming/going as we pleased, driving to Whole Foods or Publix to pick up food, taking our teen DDs to the premium outlets to shop, going to Universal, etc.

 

[jeff968]

Our #1 and #2 resorts. You can't lose with either but I would pick the Parc Soleil. If you have been reading reviews I am sure you have stumbled onto mine (I have two posted for PS, 2011 and 2012). We have been to both places multiple times. parc soleil gets the nod because it is new and I like the configuration although the grounds are more beautiful at CH. As for things to do, no problem, the PS staff will keep your family plenty busy if you want to partake in the daily activities. We always have a blast.

 

[Reeves2]

Great, sounds like mid-day breaks are doable. It was nice staying onsite but this time we want to check out the other Orlando area attractions as well and be able to spread out in our room a little more, so I think the trade off will be worth it.

jeff968, your reviews were really helpful and were part of why I decided to book at Park Soleil in the first place. Was curious if you were going to see this thread since I know you have stayed at both properties in the past... glad to hear you would lean toward PS, though as you said I'm sure both properties would be great.

 

[littlestar]

Cypress Harbour is a Marriott Vacation Club resort and Parc Soleil is part of Hilton Grand Vacation Club. They both are very nice. Parc Soleil is a high rise with more of a penthouse apartment feel. Cypress Harbour is low rise buildings spread out on beautiful mature grounds. Cypress Harbour has been totally refurbished so room condition would be a non-issue for either of the resorts.

I like and enjoy both vacation clubs, but Cypress Harbour is my all time favorite resort in Orlando - it's so peaceful and I love the comfort of the Marriott beds and the living room furniture is very comfortable. Parc Soleil's furniture looks great, but it's not very comfortable to sit on. Also, whenever anybody switches on the wall mounted bedroom lights at Parc Soleil, you can hear it every time they press in the switches. So soundproofing was not as good at Parc Soleil in my opinion.