Why is selecting a place so difficult...?

[janets]

Dh, ds#1 and #2 and I are coming to WDW 11/5-11/12. We stayed in a wonderful 3 bdrm in Windsor Palms in December; unfortunately, the owner sold and now it is being managed by a rental company and she really can't recommend it yet so we're looking elsewhere.

I had recommended to friends they try CP and they did in January (3 adults, 4 children). Took a 3 bdrm and really enjoyed it, except for the master bathroom situation. I was pretty sure I would do the same (want separate bedrooms for the boys since ds#1 tends to be noisy and walks in the middle of the night) and at about $100/night including tax, it's a great bargain. However, I guess I'm a bit nervous about the the decor/cleanliness/updatedness of the property and rooms so I started looking for other possibilities.

Was willing to do 2 bdrm for Vistana, but haven't been able to snag something yet (if I'd have been quicker, I could have gotten a week through skyauction today that ended up going at $250). Then I started looking at more "upscale" places, like Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott.

Long story short(er), I can do a 2 bdrm/2 bath villa at Marriott (any of the props, Grand Vista, Sabal or Royal Palms) on a package. 5 nights, including 2 adult 4 day MYW basic tickets, add on 2 add'l nights, use Visa card for discount and take 90 minute timeshare presentation for bottom line $1550 including tax. Tickets alone are $194 each. So the room would average out at about $169/night. However, a search brought up good and bad reviews of the Marriott properties. Saw some people felt they were outdated and needed repairs, others loved them.

I have some time to decide, but I'm hoping that someone out there will give me a recommendation as personal and positive as the one I got from DisneySteve about Windsor Palms, which was so great we booked with the owner and loved it. I know that sometimes you just have to make a choice and take a leap of faith, but with small kids, that's harder to remedy than if you are just a couple of adults.

Anyone who can give me some ideas as to which way to go, or if you have another property that you think would be terrific, I'm happy to hear about it.

Thanks all.

 

[spiceycat]

if the Marriott's Cypress Harbour was included - jump on it.

if not then I won't go with Royal Palms.

with the Grande Vista - only if they guaranteed neither a new room or one that recently went through rehab.

so that leaves Sabal Palms - there are so few reviews about this place - that it is hard to judge. So if that was your only choice - I might take it.

was Horizons in the list?

 

[janets]

from the website, it looks like Cypress Harbor is included in the promotional offer. I didn't ask the agent about that property but I certainly could call again.

I'm actually hoping that I'll either (1) get a mailing offering some sort of promotional timeshare offer or (2) will find someone who is an owner who is willing to pass their info on to me so I can get an offer.

Of course, I'm not sure that the additional nights would be offered at the promotional rate of a postcard solicitation, so I'd have to compare offers carefully. And the current offer through the website is for 4 day basic MYW tickets. I have to find out if I can go to the WDW gate and pay for them to be upgraded to hoppers, since we'd really like to be able to do more than 1 park in a day.

Thanks for the strong recommendation of CH. I seem to recall some posts of yours from my searches that said you liked it. Can you give me a little more info?

 

[spiceycat]

It gets great reviews from tuggers -
www.tug2.net
timeshares users group.

they say it is the best Marriott in Orlando - probably in Florida.

I have been very happy with their suggestions so I pass it on.

My cousin is going to be staying here on one of my bonus weeks this Sept - but I think you are going earlier.

It is a superior resort - even for a Marriott. Lots to do for both adults and families.

the Grande Vista use to get great reviews - but when they started the rehab - they let some areas slide - and boy did they slide - that is when the bad reviews got started. Hey I put one in - nothing is a bigger turn off than dirty halls, pools and elevators... My room was fine. However since I have heard that some of the rooms needs a rehab badly... So I was probably lucky.

just shows what different management will do - each Marriott is managed by different people or groups.

However since they are still selling the GV - you would think they would do a better job of kepting up the entire resort.

here is website for Cypress Harbour
http://www.cypressharbour.mvci.com/

 

[janets]

we'll be down for NJ Teachers' Convention (11/5-11/12). I guess I have to justify the difference in price and I'm hoping that whichever resort I pick, it will be clean, comfortable and family friendly.

I appreciate your info on CH. I think I'll wait a bit and see if I can get a postcard or something. If I find an owner (and it has to be a Marriott owner, not RCI), I might be able to get one that way. My sister is a Marriott rewards member and my BIL gets lots of points; she says that she gets solicitations all the time but never uses them. Perhaps I'll ask her to save the next card when it comes and see if I can use it (provided it comes early enough to use!).

 

[spiceycat]

you can sign up
www.vacationclub.com

there are several owners of Marriott on the DVC board - just go ask on the DVC community board - I am sure one of them would be happy to recommend you.

some people are richer than me they can afford both a Marriott and DVC - I can't - I picked DVC and so far I am very happy.

but believe me if I had the money - the Marriott have one of the best timeshares in the country-or world for that matter - they are everywhere!!!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Thank you for the link. I just signed up! Do you get promotional offers through them once signed up ?

 

[L107ANGEL]

Yes I am a newbie. My name is L107angel....."Hi l107aneglnewbie" but I think I found a place to be...........

 

[janets]

took your suggestion and posted a question on the DVC board asking for anyone with Marriott ownership for some info and help. Was reading other posts and then refreshed my screen and lo and behold, my post was removed. Gone. Missing.

Somewhat upsetting to me that rather than just posting that maybe I was in the wrong place, my post was removed. Not too happy about that. Guess I'm not going to get any answers from them.

 

[Magical-Memories]

It gets great reviews from tuggers -
www.tug2.net
timeshares users group.

they say it is the best Marriott in Orlando - probably in Florida.

I have been very happy with their suggestions so I pass it on.

My cousin is going to be staying here on one of my bonus weeks this Sept - but I think you are going earlier.

It is a superior resort - even for a Marriott. Lots to do for both adults and families.

the Grande Vista use to get great reviews - but when they started the rehab - they let some areas slide - and boy did they slide - that is when the bad reviews got started. Hey I put one in - nothing is a bigger turn off than dirty halls, pools and elevators... My room was fine. However since I have heard that some of the rooms needs a rehab badly... So I was probably lucky.

just shows what different management will do - each Marriott is managed by different people or groups.

However since they are still selling the GV - you would think they would do a better job of kepting up the entire resort.

here is website for Cypress Harbour
http://www.cypressharbour.mvci.com/

Hi SpiceyCat,

Hope I'm doing this right! 1st Time poster....long time lurker ;-) My sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave us use of one of their timeshare weeks. We are booked into Marriott's Grande Vista for a week in mid-November. I read through all of the trip-advisor reviews on the timeshares that were available to us..and thought that the Grande Vista seemed like the best. I just realized I could do a search here on reviews..and did..and found this on the Grande Vista.

We are a family of 6, 4 kids between 6-11. Should we reconsider and see if it is possible to change locations to Marriott's Cypress Harbor instead? Or is there a specific location in the Grande Vista that you would recommend we request? (Do you think our chances of getting a request honored in mid-November is reasonable?)

Probably putting too much thought into this..this will be our first trip as a family..kids first trip all together..and I know they are just thrilled staying in a hotel.

Thanks!
Gin

 

[mbb]

took your suggestion and posted a question on the DVC board asking for anyone with Marriott ownership for some info and help. Was reading other posts and then refreshed my screen and lo and behold, my post was removed. Gone. Missing.

Somewhat upsetting to me that rather than just posting that maybe I was in the wrong place, my post was removed. Not too happy about that. Guess I'm not going to get any answers from them.

Wow...got to say I'm a little surprised as well. I know I've seen posts before asking about Mariott properties on the DVC community Board.

People ask about trades to other places and for reviews all the time...I'm wondering if maybe a mod was reading your post and meant to reply to it, and hit the remove button by mistake...I know that does happen innocently enough.

Would you consider pm'ing one of the DVC Community Board Moderators and ask why your post was removed?

Just a thought...wish I could help.

 

[spiceycat]

Janet I am so sorry this happened to you!!!

I would definitely write to the moderators and see what they didn't like - they may think you were advertising instead of asking for advice. THere is a BIG difference.

Gin - is your sister an owner at Marriott - they get the best - if it is just an exchange (from another timeshare) - I would change.

the Grande Vista use to be the best - no doubt - but lately (in the last year or two) - they are builting new and rehabs - now you will think it is pretty wonderful if you get a new or rehab units - definitely the best. If you get one of the other units then you will wonder what is so great about Marriott....

it is that big of a difference.

the not rehab units - Marriott is not trying very hard to kept clean - the halls are not just dirty - but horrible!!! the pool - well - it was not only cold - but from little kids jumping in not as clean as I like my pools.

there is no reason for Marriott to do this.

hey if WDW can kept their value resorts clean - Marriott can Definitely kept its timeshares clean!!!

each Marriott is individual managed - that can make a big difference.

Cypress Harbour has always gotten good reviews. the Grande Vista completes depends upon where THEY put you.

 

[Magical-Memories]

Janet I am so sorry this happened to you!!!

I would definitely write to the moderators and see what they didn't like - they may think you were advertising instead of asking for advice. THere is a BIG difference.

Gin - is your sister an owner at Marriott - they get the best - if it is just an exchange (from another timeshare) - I would change.

the Grande Vista use to be the best - no doubt - but lately (in the last year or two) - they are builting new and rehabs - now you will think it is pretty wonderful if you get a new or rehab units - definitely the best. If you get one of the other units then you will wonder what is so great about Marriott....

it is that big of a difference.

the not rehab units - Marriott is not trying very hard to kept clean - the halls are not just dirty - but horrible!!! the pool - well - it was not only cold - but from little kids jumping in not as clean as I like my pools.

there is no reason for Marriott to do this.

hey if WDW can kept their value resorts clean - Marriott can Definitely kept its timeshares clean!!!

each Marriott is individual managed - that can make a big difference.

Cypress Harbour has always gotten good reviews. the Grande Vista completes depends upon where THEY put you.

SPiceyCat,

Thank you so very much! Ok..I think I am going to request a change because this is through Interval..not a Marriott owner. They did offer me Horizon's at first..and I asked for Grande Vista...I could kick myself!

I will call today and see if it can be changed!

Also..I placed a new thread on this...I didn't know if my posting on this would be seen because it was 'older'..so please ignore that! And thanks Again!

Gin