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Disney Family Holiday......MVC or Villa?

Gemini Chica

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Marbella Beach Resort
Playa Andaluza
My husband and I are here in Orlando at the moment staying in Grande Vista. We return in October with the whole family needing 4-5 bedrooms. I am totally torn on staying in Grande Vista or Harbor Lake, taking two apartments for each week. Or renting a Villa closer to Disney in like Formosa Gardens, Celebration for e.g. My main concern is traffic and time to get to the parks due to distance?
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
Traffic in Orlando in October shouldn't be too bad. Getting to the parks from either Grande Vista or Harbour Lake is not an issue. The main issue is preference, do you want your own pool which will probably be a rather simple pool, or the grand resort experience and activities resorts like Grande Vista and Harbour Lake can offer?
 

Bill4728

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There are 3 MVC resorts very near Disney world (DW) The "palms" resorts Imperial Palm, Sabal Palms and Royal palms they are all at the Marriott convention center just outside of the DW complex. One of them ( Imperial palms) has only 3 bed units. So if you stayed there in two rooms, you'd get 6 bds
 

Gemini Chica

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Playa Andaluza
We went to see Harbor Lake today, wow its fab for kids, lots on here had recommended it, so I think our mind is made up on there, we have 8 so 2 apartments with 2 bedrooms give us enough. Just need to match up getaways.

As we live in Spain with our own pool, I dont think a villa will excite our kids as much as a resort will.

Thanks for your answers.
 

mdurette

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I know my DD would like a resort stay vs a villa rental. She loves to partake in organized activities via the resort. From a simply craft like decorate your own piggy bank to a magic show.

If the kids you are brining are under 12, I would suggest Harbor Lake. Their activities are geared more towards that age group. Also Harbor Lake is MUCH smaller and what that means is everything you need is quick walk. Personally, I think their outdoor offerings are better than GV for kids: They have a water slide, splash area, mini golf, playground, sports field, basketball courts, etc. Again....all within a quick walk from your villa.

As for the traffic, I wouldn't worry about it at all. We have use Grand Vista and Harbor Lake numerous time as our home base for Disney fall trips. Never have an issue with traffic.
 

m61376

Tug Review Crew
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Def. rec. Harbour Lake for little ones (although I'd say it really shines for the 8 and under crowd; older kids will enjoy it, but the attractiveness of the pirate ship pool will wane. If your kids are a bit older, ten you might want to consider Cypress Harbor, right across from Harbor Lake, with fishing and paddle boats as options there.

When we stayed at Harbour Lake we were at the Magic Kingdom in abbot 10 minutes, and a mile away from SeaWorld
 

Gemini Chica

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I booked it today, thanks for all the advice and help!
 
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