Lakeshore Reserve - Memorial Day

[disneymom1]

I traded our July Manor Club studio for a 2 bedroom Sabal Palms Memorial Day week. I opted for the $49 eTrade, which allows you to trade up to 3 times. A few weeks ago, I traded for Cypress Harbour. This morning I saw a 2 bedroom available for same check in date at Lakeshore Reserve so I snagged it! There are some Memorial Day weekend check in dates available if anyone is interested.

We have only stayed at Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista (loved both). Lakeshore is smaller/newer/more upscale?? We are in a 2 bedroom look-off (DZZAA). Room looks like the standard Marriott 2 bedroom lock off floor plan. Any room request suggestions? Are the 2 bedroom lockoffs in certain buildings? How are the kids activities (my twins will be almost 10 y/o). I bet they will like the water slides and zero entry pool. How is the bar/snack bar? What is the nearest grocery store?

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

 

[dioxide45]

I traded our July Manor Club studio for a 2 bedroom Sabal Palms Memorial Day week. I opted for the $49 eTrade, which allows you to trade up to 3 times. A few weeks ago, I traded for Cypress Harbour. This morning I saw a 2 bedroom available for same check in date at Lakeshore Reserve so I snagged it! There are some Memorial Day weekend check in dates available if anyone is interested.

We have only stayed at Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista (loved both). Lakeshore is smaller/newer/more upscale?? We are in a 2 bedroom look-off (DZZAA). Room looks like the standard Marriott 2 bedroom lock off floor plan. Any room request suggestions? Are the 2 bedroom lockoffs in certain buildings? How are the kids activities (my twins will be almost 10 y/o). I bet they will like the water slides and zero entry pool. How is the bar/snack bar? What is the nearest grocery store?

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

Congratulations, great re-trade. 2BR lock off units are only in the Messina and Palermo buildings. These units are located on the sides of the buildings. Your options in Messina are pool view or a view that overlooks the townhome units in Rosarno. Palermo either overlooks the townhomes of Capo d’ Orlando or a wall of bamboo.

There really are no fabulous views, but some like pool views while other may like the quieter side of Messina. Messina is closer to the pool than Capo d’ Orlando but neither is very far at this small resort.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I traded our July Manor Club studio for a 2 bedroom Sabal Palms Memorial Day week. I opted for the $49 eTrade, which allows you to trade up to 3 times. A few weeks ago, I traded for Cypress Harbour. This morning I saw a 2 bedroom available for same check in date at Lakeshore Reserve so I snagged it! There are some Memorial Day weekend check in dates available if anyone is interested.

We have only stayed at Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista (loved both). Lakeshore is smaller/newer/more upscale?? We are in a 2 bedroom look-off (DZZAA). Room looks like the standard Marriott 2 bedroom lock off floor plan. Any room request suggestions? Are the 2 bedroom lockoffs in certain buildings? How are the kids activities (my twins will be almost 10 y/o). I bet they will like the water slides and zero entry pool. How is the bar/snack bar? What is the nearest grocery store?

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

The property build-out is small. I prefer a view towards the rear of the property where you can sometimes observe small otters playing in the lake, all types of birds, and alligators.

The kids will love the pools. The bar area is conveniently located next to the pool. You can go there and sit for lunch or have them bring the food to your chair by the pool. Very relaxing.

Plenty of grocery spots within 1 mile of the property. I suggest Publix.

Have a great time.

FT

 

[disneymom1]

Thanks!

Are all four buildings 5 stories? Should I request a high floor? Are the balconies screened in?

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks!

Are all four buildings 5 stories? Should I request a high floor? Are the balconies screened in?

Only two buildings have "flats", that have 2BR lock off units, those are Messina and Palermo. These are the only buildings with units on more than one floor. The other building clusters of Capo d’ Orlando and Rosarno only have townhome units. While these building structures have more than one floor (only two), each unit is multi story.

With that, your only choices of buildings are Palermo and Messina, they both have five stories.

I don't beleive any of the balconies are screened, but we didn't have any issue with insects when we stayed there over Memorial week in 2012.

 

[pwrshift]

I almost bought here when it was announced. Whew.

At that time I got their promo video of what the complex was going to look like. I haven't been there to see how close this matches the current setup, but it might be of interest:

http://vimeo.com/1327158

Brian

 

[SkyBlueWaters]

Just saw this. Unfortunately, kids still in school, but thanks anyway for letting us know.

 

[amanda14]

I am pleased they haven't done the full build out yet. All the amenities of that video are already there, so with the smaller buildout it would be less crowded.

 

[pedro47]

What an awesome trade. I still believe that the Manor Club trade very well in Marriott and II.

 

[b2bailey]

We just returned from a week at Lakeshore Reserve. With the cold weather the pools were pleasant, but I would have enjoyed just a peek of sunshine. Nevertheless, it was by far the nicest timeshare property we have visited as far as architectural design. I think the only one that may surpass it is the timeshare formerly known as Four Seasons Aviara which we have been blessed to exchange into a couple of times. We enjoyed renting a 'surrey bicycle' at the JW property.

 

[dioxide45]

I am pleased they haven't done the full build out yet. All the amenities of that video are already there, so with the smaller buildout it would be less crowded.

There is/was also another pool planned at Lakeshore Reserve. So I would think the impact of a full build-out would be small. While it is nice to have an uncrowded resort, long term a full build-out will be better for the owners.

 

[n777lt]

Thanks!

Are all four buildings 5 stories? Should I request a high floor? Are the balconies screened in?

Although Palermo and Messina are 5 stories, the 2 bedroom lockoffs, if "deluxe" - with two kitchen and dining areas - are not on the 5th floor...4th floor is the highest. My personal preference is the 4th floor 02/04 suite -- view of the new obstacle course but also the pond with, as FT mentions, the possibility of wildlife sightings. It's only about 1/3 built at this point and the intimacy of the resort is delightful. The GM is very accessible, too, and very responsive to questions/complaints/suggestions.
I predict that your kids will love it, with the lazy river and waterslide (if there's height/age limit, I don't know it. Have fun.

 

[dioxide45]

Although Palermo and Messina are 5 stories, the 2 bedroom lockoffs, if "deluxe" - with two kitchen and dining areas - are not on the 5th floor...4th floor is the highest. My personal preference is the 4th floor 02/04 suite -- view of the new obstacle course but also the pond with, as FT mentions, the possibility of wildlife sightings. It's only about 1/3 built at this point and the intimacy of the resort is delightful. The GM is very accessible, too, and very responsive to questions/complaints/suggestions.
I predict that your kids will love it, with the lazy river and waterslide (if there's height/age limit, I don't know it. Have fun.

The OP has a ZZAA unit code, that is a 2BR lock off, not a 2BR deluxe. So the OP will end up in a unit that is along the side of the building up to the fifth floor.

I went back and looked through some photos, it looks like the height restriction for the water slides is one must be at least 42" tall.

 

[amanda14]

There is/was also another pool planned at Lakeshore Reserve. So I would think the impact of a full build-out would be small. While it is nice to have an uncrowded resort, long term a full build-out will be better for the owners.

Why is that?

 

[disneymom1]

My kids are 49 inches so no problem with the water slides. :whoopee: Is the lazy river at the JW much better? How far of a walk is it? Do we need to bring our own tubes? I read that you need to buy tubes for Lakeshore. Will access to the JW be limited for Memorial Day?

Resort looks awesome! Very upscale and awesome landscaping. Only real "complaints" I see are no early check-in, which is no problem since our flight gets in at 8:30pm.

I hate late check-ins. Last time we stayed at Grande Vista, I called that morning advising we would be a late arrival and were told we would "be very pleased with our room assignment as our request was honored" (we requested to be near one of the 2 main pools). When we checked in we were about as far from the main pools as you could get! Seems like our room we were originally assigned was given away and there were only 2 rooms left to pick from.

At least nothing at this resort seems far, so any room should be fine.

 

[budnj]

One thing I noticed a few years ago is that some of the 2 br l/o 5th floor units do not have "solid" roofs on the balcony, but rather a series of beams. Not the best on a rainy day...

 

[melroseman]

If you're going with kids...

My recollection is that past posters have claimed the disney fireworks can be seen from the right units. I expect that if that's true the unit would be a west-facing high floor in Messina?? Never saw them myself.

 

[dioxide45]

My kids are 49 inches so no problem with the water slides. :whoopee: Is the lazy river at the JW much better? How far of a walk is it? Do we need to bring our own tubes? I read that you need to buy tubes for Lakeshore. Will access to the JW be limited for Memorial Day?

I would expect access to the JW to be limited. When we were there for Memorial Week 2012, access was restricted. You could only access the JW facilities after 6:00pm over the weekend. Once Tuesday came the restrictions were lifted.

Resort looks awesome! Very upscale and awesome landscaping. Only real "complaints" I see are no early check-in, which is no problem since our flight gets in at 8:30pm.

I hate late check-ins. Last time we stayed at Grande Vista, I called that morning advising we would be a late arrival and were told we would "be very pleased with our room assignment as our request was honored" (we requested to be near one of the 2 main pools). When we checked in we were about as far from the main pools as you could get! Seems like our room we were originally assigned was given away and there were only 2 rooms left to pick from.

At least nothing at this resort seems far, so any room should be fine.

There is really no such thing as early checkin at MVCI properties. You get in to the villa only when it is ready. If it is ready early, you can usually get in early. If it isn't ready until 6:00pm, you don't get in until 6:00pm. People that get in early, really just get it because of luck of the draw. No status or privilege will get you in earlier.

 

[dioxide45]

My recollection is that past posters have claimed the disney fireworks can be seen from the right units. I expect that if that's true the unit would be a west-facing high floor in Messina?? Never saw them myself.

I suppose it would be possible to see them, but they would be a long way off and I would expect a severely limited view. You could probably cover them with your thumb held at arms length if they were visible at all.

I would never make a villa request at any of the Orlando Marriott properties based on any kind of view of fireworks.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

The only viewable place for fireworks is over by the JW and Ritz. The fireworks that can been seen are from nearby SeaWorld.

I have never seen Disney fireworks from Lakeshore.

FT

 

[tashamen]

I'll be there that week also

I'll be there Memorial Day week also in a 2BR snagged with an AC back in October - a real bargain, especially since my employer reimbursed the cost of the AC redemption fee. (I'll be attending a conference for some of that week but wanted to stay in a ts rather than the conference hotel, and the AC cost was less than 2 nights at that hotel.) I believe I have a dedicated 2BR based on what I've read here (unit type TOVI).

I would expect access to the JW to be limited. When we were there for Memorial Week 2012, access was restricted. You could only access the JW facilities after 6:00pm over the weekend. Once Tuesday came the restrictions were lifted.

I think this will likely be true again. I stayed at the Canyon Villas last Memorial Day week, and that was true there until Tuesday. They sent me an email a few weeks ahead of time and asked for unit preferences (all of which they honored) and informed me of that restriction.

 

[mjkkb2]

My kids are 49 inches so no problem with the water slides. :whoopee: Is the lazy river at the JW much better? How far of a walk is it? Do we need to bring our own tubes? I read that you need to buy tubes for Lakeshore. Will access to the JW be limited for Memorial Day?

.

Yes you need to bring your own tubes. The trip to RC property is not bad. There are paved pathways to get there from Lakeshore. One may walk it in 10 -15 min. The maintenance/resort staff will also give you a golf cart ride if you ask (fun for small children). WE have stayed there last year in August (slow season) and made a trip to RC property one day. I wasn't impressed, wit the grounds/pools outdoors. It was beautiful, but Lakeshore was equally nice.

 

[dioxide45]

The lazy river at the JW is a lot better and more like you would expect a lazy river to be. There is also more current to the lazy river at the JW, though the one at Lakeshore Reserve is pretty good.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

The lazy river at the JW is a lot better and more like you would expect a lazy river to be. There is also more current to the lazy river at the JW, though the one at Lakeshore Reserve is pretty good.

ditto. The lazy river at Lakeshore is more like a pool with a current. The JW is a real lazy river. We prefer Lakeshore because our kids are small and it is easier to access. We like switching between the hot tub, beach entrance, water slide, and lazy river. It is more difficult for us to keep track at JW but is it still a much better lazy river.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I am pleased they haven't done the full build out yet. All the amenities of that video are already there, so with the smaller buildout it would be less crowded.

There is/was also another pool planned at Lakeshore Reserve. So I would think the impact of a full build-out would be small. While it is nice to have an uncrowded resort, long term a full build-out will be better for the owners.

Why is that?

Because it would lower the maintenance fees. As it stands there are very few units to support the extremely nice facilities at Lakeshore. Staff mostly stand around during the off season. The workout facilities and locker rooms are empty. The water slide attendant will come down and chat with the bottom lifeguard for very long periods because there is nobody on the slides. Even when the resort is at 100% capacity it looks empty. There is plenty of wasted expense that the maintenance fees are paying for. Lakeshore only exists in it's present form because of the economic crash. It might be nice (trust me, I love it), but it is not sustainable.