Marriott Orlando first of December

[riverdees05]

What would be the best Marriott for a first of December visit to Orlando for a family of 5 - 3 children ages 8 to 4. How is the weather that time of the year? Any watchouts?

 

[chalee94]

i'm more of a disney fan than an orlando marriott expert but i'll get things started...

What would be the best Marriott for a first of December visit to Orlando for a family of 5 - 3 children ages 8 to 4.

harbour lake has a pirate themed pool and is generally the better choice for families.

the palms resorts are part of a larger hotel-based resort that has a terrific location right outside disney property (but the hotel draws more of a business clientele which might mean a less family-oriented atmosphere). imperial palms is all large 3BR villas.

How is the weather that time of the year?

variable.

sometimes it's beautiful and can get to the upper 70s or so. sometimes it's very cold - jacket and jeans cold.

the decorations are up in the disney parks and resorts, though, so definitely take your time gawking. be sure to stop by the grand floridian hotel on one of your magic kingdom visits to see the giant gingerbread house.

 

[DVB42]

You cannot miss with any of the Marriott resorts. Early - mid December is my favorite time to visit Disney and Orlando in general. Personally we have stayed at the Imperal Palms, Royal Palms, and Cypress Habour during December. They were all fantistic. Since we enjoy Disney, I like the Marriott resorts that are close by. The Imperial and Royal Palms are just minutes away. Sabal Palms is in the same complex and although I have not stayed there it would be an excellent choice as well. Last December we stayed at Cypress Harbour. It is near Sea World and not far from Universal Studio. Also, I perfer to stay in dedicated 2 or 3 bedroom facilities over lock-off units.

All of the Christmas decorations are on display during Decemmber at the Disney parks and resorts. In my opinion they are "must see" activities.

 

[Davidr]

When our kids were younger we went to Disney every other year in the week after thanksgiving. The crowds thin out and the xmas decorations go out. The weather is usually good for the parks, not too hot and not too cold. Its generally too cool for the water parks but the Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista both have heated pools. Most days we would bring a sweatshirt for the morning and evening and sometimes shorts to change to in the middle of the day.

You should look into "Mickey's very merry xmas party". They close the Magic Kingdom early and reopen to a limited number of people with special (extra cost) tickets. Almost no wait for any ride and free hot chocolate. If you do very merry don't go to the parks that day or you will crash and burn. We would sleep late then go to the pool that day to have the energy to stay at the MK until the end.

 

[Detailor]

sometimes it's beautiful and can get to the upper 70s or so. sometimes it's very cold - jacket and jeans cold.[/COLOR]

We've experienced just that sort of swing. A few years ago, at the beginning of December, we were at a conference in St Pete and stayed in Florida a few extra days because the weather was outstanding - shirtsleeve weather: sunny and in the high 70s/low 80s. But last December it was in the 40s and 50s during the days and a bit uncomfortable at times. We had a great time in spite of the weather.

Check out the Osborne Family Lights show at Hollywood Studios and the nightly snow in Celebration (do Celebration first as it might be a little disappointing after seeing the fantastic snow and light show at the Studios).
We also visited some of the Disney resorts to see the decorations - Beach Club, BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge were all pretty impressive.

Dick Taylor

 

[pedro47]

Any Marriott Resort in Orlando. Our grandkids at that aged range liked Marriott Grande Vista Resort and they enjoyed Universal Studios over Disney.

 

[Kola]

We've experienced just that sort of swing. A few years ago, at the beginning of December, we were at a conference in St Pete and stayed in Florida a few extra days because the weather was outstanding - shirtsleeve weather: sunny and in the high 70s/low 80s. But last December it was in the 40s and 50s during the days and a bit uncomfortable at times. We had a great time in spite of the weather.

I agree, the weather can be variable but for the past four years we have stayed in Orlando in late November -early December and I managed to swim every time, - not every day but when it's sunny. Recommend Marriott's Cypress Habour but if you stay at Sabal Palms or Royal Palms you are free to use all facilities of the nearby magnificent Marriott hotel (free shuttle). We are planning to be there again this year.

 

[colamedia]

You should look into "Mickey's very merry xmas party". They close the Magic Kingdom early and reopen to a limited number of people with special (extra cost) tickets. Almost no wait for any ride and free hot chocolate. If you do very merry don't go to the parks that day or you will crash and burn.

Very good advice

You can actually get into the Magic Kingdom from 4pm the day of your Chistmas Party ticket, so you can have a couple of hours of normal park and then be there for the change over as they get those without tickets out of the park. If your children are used to Disney the Chistmas Party might be enough of the Magic Kingdom for them for that trip.

Universal also has some special Christmas activities with the Grinch.

The Disney resorts MUST be visited, there are decorations in every resort lobby, some impressive trees, and some amazing things like the gingerbread house.

 

[dioxide45]

With a family of five, I would not recommend Cypress Harbour. With only a queen bed (and sofa bed) in the second bedroom, it means someone will have to sleep on a sofa bed. Which means setting it up and breaking it down every morning and night. Go for one of the Palm resorts or ask for a dedicated 2BR unit at Grande Vista or more so at Harbour Lake.

 

[colamedia]

Very good point about Cypress Harbour - the 2nd bedroom virtually turns into one big bed surface when you have the sofa bed open, no room for suitcases etc.

The second bedroom in Royal Palms is also very small, BUT it has a queen bed and a single/daybed type set up, so you could have 3 kids in there relatively easily if you can get your 3 kids to sleep in one small room with hardly any room for suitcases etc, the wardrobe is teeny tiny. I think Sabal Palms is almost the same set up?

Grande Vista, even the lock off 2 bed would be OK since the lock off room is so large, you could leave the sofa bed down the whole time without it being in the way and still have heaps of room, you just have the problem of the lock-off door being probably to heavy for kids.