Which offsite Marriott not considering pools?

[Keishag]

We are planning on staying offsite for the first time for our upcoming trip. I'm so torn on which Marriott to book! We are booking through II so I've narrowed it down to either Harbour Lake, Grande Vista or one of the Marriott Palms (can't remember all of their names). I have read over and over how awesome the pool area is at Harbour Lake for kids, but we were there last October and it really just wasn't warm enough for me to consider it swimming weather.

So with the pool taken out of the equation, which would you choose for a 7 night stay in October? We are a family of 4, my son will be 8 and my daughter 6.

Thank you all so much for the help!

 

[Missytara]

You may get a more definitive answer by posting on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

This is more for on-site resorts.

 

[Lynne M]

And I'll move it over to the Orlando Hotels board for ya.

 

[jeff968]

Having stayed at most of them I would recommend one you didn't even mention, Marriott's Cypress harbor. Our favorite of all of them. Just the right size, great location, much to do, and beautiful.

 

[chalee94]

the palms.

their location is the best. if you can swing a villa at the imperial palms - might be tough to get on only 5 months notice, but maybe not - your kids would get separate BRs since all villas at imperial palms are 3BR...

 

[jeff968]

the palms.

I totally disagree. We stayed at Imperial Palms and although the unit was fine it was very disconnected from everything. If you like quiet, then fine but getting on the shuttle or walking to the world resort (where everything is happening) was a big pain. Having stayed at many of the other resorts were everything you needed was just a short walk away we found the palms unacceptable.

 

[chalee94]

If you like quiet, then fine but getting on the shuttle or walking to the world resort (where everything is happening) was a big pain. Having stayed at many of the other resorts were everything you needed was just a short walk away we found the palms unacceptable.

yeah - depends on how much they'll be hanging around the resort.

but for someone used to staying onsite at wdw, i was thinking it would be nice to be less than a mile from the "welcome to wdw" sign...

might also make a difference if they are planning to hit universal or sea world or whatever...

 

[nicoleterp]

We are trying to decide between the Harbour Lakes and the Grande Vista

 

[Keishag]

Thank yall! We won't be at the resort a whole lot, we love to be in the parks. We also won't be doing Universal or Sea World, just Disney. With that said, would one of the Palms still be the best bet?

 

[Detailor]

Thank yall! We won't be at the resort a whole lot, we love to be in the parks. We also won't be doing Universal or Sea World, just Disney. With that said, would one of the Palms still be the best bet?

Sabal Palms, Royal Palms and Imperial Palm Villas are the Marriott timeshare resorts that are closest to Disney. Nice, quiet resorts that are a clear change of pace from a day/night at WDW. Since you expect not to be at your resort all that much then you probably won't care that activities aren't particularly convenient (activities are shared between and at each of the three resorts) and the relative inconvenience of the distance from two of the resorts (Royal and Imperial) to the hotel's pool area (the onsite hotel's facilities can also be used by timeshare guests) probably won't be an issue either.

These resorts aren't my favorite Orlando Marriotts (I agree with jeff968 about Cypress Harbour as the favorite and Grande Vista is pretty nice, too) but they're just fine.

Dick Taylor

 

[chalee94]

i've heard a lot of great things about cypress harbour but for a disney-focused trip, i'd try to get imperial palms for the location and villa size. JMO.

 

[Ed J]

We are trying to decide between the Harbour Lakes and the Grande Vista

Both are great.

If you want a small resort and don't care about an on-site restaurant Harbour Lakes is a fine choice.

If you want an on-site restaurant and a large resort Grand vista is the best choice.

 

[bporcelli]

I have a 9 yr old and 7yr old and we stay at Harbour lake.
I find the "Size" of Harbour Lake to be sufficient for their age group. There are plenty of kids activities for when your not in a park. The Mini golf and sport courts, arcade, play ground will keep them amused and there is less area for wandering. Plus I like to be a short drive from International drive and WDW. All of the other choices (Grande Vista, Cypress, palms) are very nice and you won't go wrong.

We spend the majority of the time at parks but feel the time spent at HL to be filled with choices.



However, my choice with Kids that age is HL.

Brian

 

[Keishag]

Thank you all for the input! I really appreciate it! I ended up booking Grande Vista. I think, given that we are rarely at the resort to participate in the kids activities, that it will be a great fit for us.