Too many resorts to choose from!

[lejaf]

We are a family of five (kids ages are 9, 7 and 2) and trying to pick a place to stay and having a hard time deciding. Have been to Vistana Resort and HIFS and although both were great, want to try out new places. Right now I'm looking at:
Caribe Royale (seems expensive though),
Marriot Grand Vista,
Sunterra Cypress Pointe
Hilton Grand Vacations
Vistana Villages

Any input on these places (or others) would be appreciated. We want two bedrooms and some sort of kitchen/fridge in the room. Balcony would be good. Kiddie pool/playground is also important. Restaurant on the property is also imortant to us.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[RobinLyn]

Caribe Royale is a wonderful suite Resort with a great pool and the location to Epcot and MGM make it that much better. Check out mousesavers for good prices at Caribe Royale:
www.mousesavers.com/cariberoyale.html

RobinLyn

 

[Lisa P.]

Don't know much about Caribe Royale, other than people who've stayed at HIFS and liked it have posted that they enjoyed this place a lot too... perhaps more. It offers a breakfast and a long water slide.

The other four places are timeshare resorts so I'm a bit more familiar with them. Of these, only the Sunterra CP has a short pool slide. But the all have nice pool areas. All of their 2BRs will have a kitchen & dining table with full size kitchen appliances, including microwave, dishwasher & disposal, as well as a stacked washer/dryer in your unit... rather like the 2BRs at Vistana Resort. All of them offer a balcony or screened porch, at least one kiddie pool (at Vistana Villages, the main pool has a zero-depth entry side) and a small playground. Marriott GV has an indoor play area/ball pit.

I believe that The Caribe Royale includes breakfast buffet with all stays, though I have not stayed there and don't know if there is any other food service onsite. The others do not provide breakfast though it's easy to fix with a full kitchen.

Marriott GV has a golf club & restaurant onsite - never ate there. Sunterra CP, Hilton GVC and Sheraton VV do not have restaurants onsite. I believe that all of these 4 timeshare resorts have a poolside cabana bar/grill at their main pool areas where sandwiches and basic food items may be purchased at lunch & dinner hours. MGV & HGVC also have onsite indoor Deli shops - don't know about the others. HTH!

 

[lejaf]

Robinlyn, thanks for the link to the Mousesavers discount. The discount is for a one bedroom but I may call and see if there is a discount for the two bedroom as well.

LisaP, thanks for all the information! Do you like or dislike any of these properties (or other properties) more than the others. What about location. Are some more conveniently located than others. I have to admit that I can seem to EVER get my bearings around Orlando and last year when we stayed a tthe HIFS for the second time I felt like maybe I sort of knew where I was going and I'm not usually that bad with directions. My kids liked having the ninetendo in their room at HIFS, do other places offer this? Also, although I loved the Vistana, I thought the property was just too big. I didn't like having to drive to the store,restuarant and pools and although we coiuld have walked, the kids were small and i was just easier to drive. So are these properties all huge like the Vistana?

I think, this year we are going to spend some time at Universal and maybe Busch Gardens....maybe I should look at places that might be more convenient to them.

Sorry for all the questions, but I'd appreciate any input! My head is spinning with all the options!