Trying to save but stick with SSR?

[SwanVT2]

DH really wants to stay off property next vacation at a rental with a kitchen to save money. It is a 400.00 difference between SSR studio, (which is our favorite for the paddock pool and walking on property-we can’t afford to rent a one bedroom) and a 2 bedroom villa at Marriott Harbour lake. Marriott has the kitchen and pools look great for DD (she wants a slide). Has anyone stayed at Marriott Harbour lake? Is it at all comparable to my favorite SSR in terms of walking grounds and cleanliness? Thanks!

 

[Stargazer65]

I've stayed at Marriott Harbour Lake, but I preferred Marriott Cypress Harbour. It is nicer and it was the same price when I went, you should look at it. I thought Harbour Lake was inferior to SSR, but Cypress Harbor comparable to SSR. I stayed there twice.

 

[SwanVT2]

I've stayed at Marriott Harbour Lake, but I preferred Marriott Cypress Harbour. It is nicer and it was the same price when I went, you should look at it. I thought Harbour Lake was inferior to SSR, but Cypress Harbor comparable to SSR. I stayed there twice.

Is there a slide at their pool? DD wants a slide. Thx

 

[Stargazer65]

Is there a slide at their pool? DD wants a slide. Thx

There's 3 pools, I don't remember a slide at Cypress Harbour though. What I remember most is the grounds, the lakes, the rooms, and the patios were nicer than Harbour Lake. We stayed at both one trip, and next time everyone (kids included) wanted Cypress Harbour rather than Harbour Lake. Both are nice though, I don't think you'll be disappointed in either.

 

[sethschroeder]

Wrong forum likely but a 2BR is a big upgrade over a studio.

SSR "on site" is not the same as other properties since it has to bus everywhere. I would say I would likely budget in a uber the whole time if I stayed elsewhere. Plus you lose out on Epcot and MK deluxe nights plus the early morning access, which could all tip it in the direction of SSR because those are pretty big benefits these days IMO.

 

[SwanVT2]

There's 3 pools, I don't remember a slide at Cypress Harbour though. What I remember most is the grounds, the lakes, the rooms, and the patios were nicer than Harbour Lake. We stayed at both one trip, and next time everyone (kids included) wanted Cypress Harbour rather than Harbour Lake. Both are nice though, I don't think you'll be disappointed in either.

They are booked the week we are traveling.

 

[SwanVT2]

Wrong forum likely but a 2BR is a big upgrade over a studio.

SSR "on site" is not the same as other properties since it has to bus everywhere. I would say I would likely budget in a uber the whole time if I stayed elsewhere. Plus you lose out on Epcot and MK deluxe nights plus the early morning access, which could all tip it in the direction of SSR because those are pretty big benefits these days IMO.

I think my husband figures we can save money by cooking in at the kitchen.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I think my husband figures we can save money by cooking in at the kitchen.

What's wrong with a SSR one bedroom (if you're used to staying in studios anyway)? Not an ideal point value, relative to a two bedroom, but if you're looking to save money, the 1BR is still less than a 2BR.

 

[SwanVT2]

We really don’t want to spend over 3,000 for our lodging for the week.

 

[Shellyred8]

DH really wants to stay off property next vacation at a rental with a kitchen to save money. It is a 400.00 difference between SSR studio, (which is our favorite for the paddock pool and walking on property-we can’t afford to rent a one bedroom) and a 2 bedroom villa at Marriott Harbour lake. Marriott has the kitchen and pools look great for DD (she wants a slide). Has anyone stayed at Marriott Harbour lake? Is it at all comparable to my favorite SSR in terms of walking grounds and cleanliness? Thanks!

We haven't stayed at Harbour Lake, but we have friends that stayed there and their daughter loved their pool area. We stayed at Cypress Harbour once (it's right across the street from Harbour Lake) and really liked that place. The pools at Cypress Harbour don't look as "fun" as those at Harbour Lake.
If this is a Disney-focused trip, keep in mind both of these are a little bit of a drive to get to WDW. It's not horrible, but it's definitely something to keep in mind because you will feel more disconnected.
Have you looked at Marriott's Royal Palms and Sabal Palms? They are pretty close to Disney Springs and you have access to the pools at the Orlando World Center Marriott (there is a slide there ).

In terms of walking grounds, I would say SSR comes out on top for me. The Marriott resorts are nice, but I prefer SSR and being able to walk to DS.

 

[SwanVT2]

We haven't stayed at Harbour Lake, but we have friends that stayed there and their daughter loved their pool area. We stayed at Cypress Harbour once (it's right across the street from Harbour Lake) and really liked that place. The pools at Cypress Harbour don't look as "fun" as those at Harbour Lake.
If this is a Disney-focused trip, keep in mind both of these are a little bit of a drive to get to WDW. It's not horrible, but it's definitely something to keep in mind because you will feel more disconnected.
Have you looked at Marriott's Royal Palms and Sabal Palms? They are pretty close to Disney Springs and you have access to the pools at the Orlando World Center Marriott (there is a slide there ).

In terms of walking grounds, I would say SSR comes out on top for me. The Marriott resorts are nice, but I prefer SSR and being able to walk to DS.

We have decided to stay with Marriott Harbour Lake. We really aren't looking to go to the parks, just relax at the pool. We will save money cooking in or having food delivered. Eating at DS is expensive! I just read that you can no longer use the World Center pools when staying at the timeshare resorts, just an FYI.

 

[zavandor]

Wrong forum likely but a 2BR is a big upgrade over a studio.

SSR "on site" is not the same as other properties since it has to bus everywhere. I would say I would likely budget in a uber the whole time if I stayed elsewhere. Plus you lose out on Epcot and MK deluxe nights plus the early morning access, which could all tip it in the direction of SSR because those are pretty big benefits these days IMO.

I agree with this. Do not underestimate how important is that extra half hour. By the time offsite guests can enter the parks, all attractions have a sizable line. You may get maybe one with a reasonable wait before everything is jammed. This is if you are early morning people and would take advantage of it, otherwise, it's wiser to stay offiste and use the money you save to buy G+.
The extra evening time, or whatever it's called, was absolutely fantastic at the MK, a bit less so at Epcot.

 

[Shellyred8]

I just read that you can no longer use the World Center pools when staying at the timeshare resorts, just an FYI.

Where did you read this? I just looked at their website and it says they have access to all the amenities at the World Center. I know website updates sometimes lag behind what is happening in reality, so that's why I'm wondering where you read this info.

 

[SwanVT2]

Where did you read this? I just looked at their website and it says they have access to all the amenities at the World Center. I know website updates sometimes lag behind what is happening in reality, so that's why I'm wondering where you read this info.

Someone left a review in TripAdvisor saying they were disappointed they couldn’t use the pool and the manager replied to them saying this is now the case

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Just a though but if 400 dollars is the make or break about staying at SSR
Have you priced a standard location rather than the preferred ?

You can still use the pool at the spring and the main building.

Just guess here but the difference in the points on a 5 night stay should be about $400

 

[Brian Noble]

DH really wants to stay off property next vacation at a rental with a kitchen to save money. It is a 400.00 difference between SSR studio, (which is our favorite for the paddock pool and walking on property-we can’t afford to rent a one bedroom) and a 2 bedroom villa at Marriott Harbour lake. Marriott has the kitchen and pools look great for DD (she wants a slide). Has anyone stayed at Marriott Harbour lake? Is it at all comparable to my favorite SSR in terms of walking grounds and cleanliness? Thanks!

When considering Disney vacation lodging for a family trip, there are three things you might want:

1. To be onsite
2. To spend a reasonable amount of money
3. To have a reasonable amount of space

For most people (and most definitions of reasonable) you can do two of those three things, but it is very hard to do all three at the same time.

The advice I usually give people is to figure out which of these is the one that is non-negotiable. For our family of four, #3 was the non-negotiable. Having space to spread out and the conveniences of a villa/condo made a qualitative difference in our vacations. That's partly because we are not in the parks open-close, but spend a fair bit of time relaxing at the resort, by the pool, etc. etc. etc.

I will also tell you that having a lockable door between the parents and the kids at night was worth a lot, because it was our vacation too.

We could squeeze into a 1BR if we had to, but we quickly discovered that for us a 2BR was really the minimum size for more or less any vacation the four of us took together.

Once you have that figured out, the next step is trying to decide which of the other two you'd rather live without. Again for our family, that was often #1, especially earlier in our careers. If we could figure out an affordable way to stay in a 2BR DVC condo, we'd do it. If we couldn't, we stayed offsite--usually at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Those trips were great fun. They were different than our DVC stays, but different isn't worse (or better). It's just different. There are things we liked more about WBC (a dining table large enough for us to comfortably share, for starters), and things we liked more about other places.

I've not personally stayed at the Marriott resorts, but we are considering one for a Universal-focused trip next March. My take from others' reviews: they aren't necessarily the closest timeshares to the Disney theme parks, but they are very very nice. I think you will like it.

 

[SwanVT2]

When considering Disney vacation lodging for a family trip, there are three things you might want:

1. To be onsite
2. To spend a reasonable amount of money
3. To have a reasonable amount of space

For most people (and most definitions of reasonable) you can do two of those three things, but it is very hard to do all three at the same time.

The advice I usually give people is to figure out which of these is the one that is non-negotiable. For our family of four, #3 was the non-negotiable. Having space to spread out and the conveniences of a villa/condo made a qualitative difference in our vacations. That's partly because we are not in the parks open-close, but spend a fair bit of time relaxing at the resort, by the pool, etc. etc. etc.

I will also tell you that having a lockable door between the parents and the kids at night was worth a lot, because it was our vacation too.

We could squeeze into a 1BR if we had to, but we quickly discovered that for us a 2BR was really the minimum size for more or less any vacation the four of us took together.

Once you have that figured out, the next step is trying to decide which of the other two you'd rather live without. Again for our family, that was often #1, especially earlier in our careers. If we could figure out an affordable way to stay in a 2BR DVC condo, we'd do it. If we couldn't, we stayed offsite--usually at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Those trips were great fun. They were different than our DVC stays, but different isn't worse (or better). It's just different. There are things we liked more about WBC (a dining table large enough for us to comfortably share, for starters), and things we liked more about other places.

I've not personally stayed at the Marriott resorts, but we are considering one for a Universal-focused trip next March. My take from others' reviews: they aren't necessarily the closest timeshares to the Disney theme parks, but they are very very nice. I think you will like it.

Yes we have decided to stay at Marriott Harbour Lake!

 

[SwanVT2]

When considering Disney vacation lodging for a family trip, there are three things you might want:

1. To be onsite
2. To spend a reasonable amount of money
3. To have a reasonable amount of space

For most people (and most definitions of reasonable) you can do two of those three things, but it is very hard to do all three at the same time.

The advice I usually give people is to figure out which of these is the one that is non-negotiable. For our family of four, #3 was the non-negotiable. Having space to spread out and the conveniences of a villa/condo made a qualitative difference in our vacations. That's partly because we are not in the parks open-close, but spend a fair bit of time relaxing at the resort, by the pool, etc. etc. etc.

I will also tell you that having a lockable door between the parents and the kids at night was worth a lot, because it was our vacation too.

We could squeeze into a 1BR if we had to, but we quickly discovered that for us a 2BR was really the minimum size for more or less any vacation the four of us took together.

Once you have that figured out, the next step is trying to decide which of the other two you'd rather live without. Again for our family, that was often #1, especially earlier in our careers. If we could figure out an affordable way to stay in a 2BR DVC condo, we'd do it. If we couldn't, we stayed offsite--usually at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Those trips were great fun. They were different than our DVC stays, but different isn't worse (or better). It's just different. There are things we liked more about WBC (a dining table large enough for us to comfortably share, for starters), and things we liked more about other places.

I've not personally stayed at the Marriott resorts, but we are considering one for a Universal-focused trip next March. My take from others' reviews: they aren't necessarily the closest timeshares to the Disney theme parks, but they are very very nice. I think you will like it.

Update- we ended up booking OKW and are headed there Tuesday. With SSR main pool under refurbishment, we realized everyone would flock to the Paddock pool. We are excited to try a new resort and that I can safely walk the grounds in the morning. My brother in law and his girlfriend flew over from Germany to Florida yesterday, are doing a diving trip at the Keys, then meeting us in Orlando Tuesday. They are staying at POFQ. Itĺl be nice to meet them by boat at DS and go to the parks with them having on-site transportation. We are very excited!

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I think my husband figures we can save money by cooking in at the kitchen.

What the point of vacation then if you have to cook and do dishes

 

[SwanVT2]

What the point of vacation then if you have to cook and do dishes

Exactly. So we are going to OKW and will eat at DS