Which Orlando Marriott for Teenagers

[bazzap]

What is OGS?
OGS = On Going Search
I still have to think about some of the acronyms I see used on TUG after all these years?

 

[kds4]

I'm trying to take a big family trip to Orlando in early June 2016 (or late March/early April) . I'm hoping I can get 2 or 3 places using my lockout and exchanging in II. Ages of kids (10,12,14) And older teens with another family (16,18)

Which resort should we try for? All the options seem overwhelming. I'm thinking Lakeshore Reserve or Cypress Harbour based on reviews. I've also considered the Royal Palms due to the Worldcenter access. Grand Vista sounds a little bit on the big side.

I'm worried it will be difficult to try to get 2 trades into the same property for the same week using my lockout. Is Lakeshore reserve a much more difficult trade? Also is the week after Easter Sunday too busy and therefore even more difficult to try to trade into?

We have also heard that Cypress Harbour is great for teens. We'll find out for sure when we go ourselves for the first time this August. From past experience, I agree with other posters that there are no 'bad' Marriott exchanges into Orlando. However, each resort is different with it's own personality. The following are based on multiple stays at each of these properties with kids that are 11 and 12.

Lakeshore Reserve - Waterslides, Lazy River, Pool Tables, Ping Pong, live reptile show, and a HUGE lazy river at the adjoining Marriott, along with plenty of other activities for all ages.

Grande Vista - Multiple Pools, Beach Volleyball, Fishing, Paddle Boat Rentals, Basketball and Tennis Courts, Pool, Ping Pong, and Foosball Tables, Trivia Contests, Salsa Tastings, Karaoke, Resort Photographer (No sitting fee and they take photos of you at multiple locations around the resort. Free 5x7 for each room with options to buy more. Very reasonable. Definite recommend - We used one of their photos of us from our last MGV visit for our 2014 family Christmas card). There are plenty of other activities for all ages.

Harbour Lake - Waterslide, Water 'Play' Area (think 500 gallon dump bucket, cannons, sprayers, etc.), Unlimited Mini-Golf (was $25 per room unlimited play for the entire stay when we were last there), Trivia Contests. Definitely geared for families with younger age children (unless you love mini-golf). The waterslide is decent, but not as good as the twin slides at Lakeshore.

 

[Cmore]

Just stayed at Imperial Palms, which are 3br units, the renovations are nice. I can confirm they are charging $10 per condo per day for the world center water slides it was noted in the paperwork we were given. Never checked it out to confirm they would truly charge it, as we were out running the parks most of the week.

We've stayed at Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour, Sabal and Imperial Palms. I'd vote for Cypress or GV. Although you can't really go wrong. Haven't stayed at Lakeshore so can't comment on that location.

 

[kds4]

Just stayed at Imperial Palms, which are 3br units, the renovations are nice. I can confirm they are charging $10 per condo per day for the world center water slides it was noted in the paperwork we were given. Never checked it out to confirm they would truly charge it, as we were out running the parks most of the week.

We've stayed at Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour, Sabal and Imperial Palms. I'd vote for Cypress or GV. Although you can't really go wrong. Haven't stayed at Lakeshore so can't comment on that location.

Hmm. This charge sounds troublesome. Was it optional? Is it temporary or perhaps an experiment in revenue enhancement for hotels that are co-located with MVCI properties? If this is deemed a success by the Hotel company, how far and to how many other properties could it extend? Will Lakeshore owners/guests be charged to utilize the pool complex at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes in the future?

I recall previous posters describing different perks they have had access to at co-located hotel properties, but I don't recall specifics beyond Spa or Restaurant discounts. What other MVCI perks have owners been enjoying by visiting co-located Marriott hotel properties that could be jeopardized if the Hotel company begins 'up charging' MVCI owners?

 

[Big Matt]

I think you should remember that Marriott only manages the properties (both Timeshare and hotel). Any relationship between the Timeshare and Hotel is based on the HOA of the Timeshare and either Marriott or the owner of the hotel which most often is not Marriott. I don't think that there is any real risk of a broad or sweeping change in use of amenities at co-located Marriott hotels.

 

[Fasttr]

Hmm. This charge sounds troublesome. Was it optional?

Yes, you only paid the $10 daily fee (one fee to include everybody in the villa) to use the Tower Slides only on the days you wished to use the slides. When I was there, you got wristbands at the towel hut by the Tower Slides and they took your villa number to charge the fee to your room.

 

[dioxide45]

Hmm. This charge sounds troublesome. Was it optional? Is it temporary or perhaps an experiment in revenue enhancement for hotels that are co-located with MVCI properties? If this is deemed a success by the Hotel company, how far and to how many other properties could it extend? Will Lakeshore owners/guests be charged to utilize the pool complex at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes in the future?

I recall previous posters describing different perks they have had access to at co-located hotel properties, but I don't recall specifics beyond Spa or Restaurant discounts. What other MVCI perks have owners been enjoying by visiting co-located Marriott hotel properties that could be jeopardized if the Hotel company begins 'up charging' MVCI owners?

Realize the the hotel is owned my an independent company. It isn't owned by Marriott International or Marriott Vacation Club. So any shared facilities agreement is between the HOA and the hotel owner. Not MVC and MI.

Looking at the 2015 budgets for the three Palms properties, I don't see where they are paying the World Center any fees related to said use of those facilities. It could be there, but I may be missing it. I see a "Rent for Recreation" line item, but it is $0.

Other properties have certain use agreements, DSVI with the JW, Canyon Villas with the JW. What is usually written in to these agreements is that they can use the current state of the facilities for $x. If new facilities are added at the hotel property it would require a new agreement for likely more dollars, or a pay per use fee. At the Aruba properties, the Ocean Club has use of the hotel pools that were there when the shared use agreement was put in place. However the hotel since added a new adults only pool, Ocean Club guests don't have use of that pool.

I don't see it as a way to get new revenue. The hotel has paid considerable amounts of money to add amenities to serve their guests and increase revenue. If they are not getting additional revenue from the HOAs for these added facilities, I don't see a problem with a pay per use setup.

It is good to know that use of the slide tower at the World Center is only $10 per villa per day and only for the days used. This IMO is a bargain. The slide tower is a lot of fun.

 

[Cmore]

Hmm. This charge sounds troublesome. Was it optional? Is it temporary or perhaps an experiment in revenue enhancement for hotels that are co-located with MVCI properties? If this is deemed a success by the Hotel company, how far and to how many other properties could it extend? Will Lakeshore owners/guests be charged to utilize the pool complex at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes in the future?

I recall previous posters describing different perks they have had access to at co-located hotel properties, but I don't recall specifics beyond Spa or Restaurant discounts. What other MVCI perks have owners been enjoying by visiting co-located Marriott hotel properties that could be jeopardized if the Hotel company begins 'up charging' MVCI owners?

Yes, optional - we didn't do it as the weather turned a bit chilly late in our week, so we played a lot of mini golf and went on an airboat tour when we weren't at the parks. You can still use the World Center pool at no charge, the charge is only for the water slide use, and is $10 per condo ( not per person ) per day, meaning only on the days you choose to use the slides. A good deal actually if you want to use it. Hope this helps.

 

[disneymom1]

Lots of opinions here. I have stayed at Lakeshore, Grande Vista and Cypress Harbor. All were excellent! Here's some other nit picky info food for thought.

Cypress Harbour has dedicated 2 bedrooms. Love the full size washer/dryer in the laundry room (not small stackable). Resort is very nice - not too big/not too small. Great activities. Biggest possible negative - 2nd bedroom is very small. Has one queen bed and a sofa bed. When the sofa bed is open, there is only minimal floor space remaining. Depending on the teenagers, bed configuration may or may not be an issue. Pizza Hut express and limited take out food options.

Grande Vista - much larger resort. More pools. Lots more eating options - bars/grills/ food court/restaurant/ice cream shoppe. Also lots of activities.
Many different room configurations. 2nd bedrooms can have a king/sofa bed, 2 double beds or 2 queen beds.

Lakeshore Reserve - awesome! Very small resort (only 4 buildings). Very difficult to get a reservation here. I have been stalking Interval International 2-3 times a day for months to try and get a 2 bedroom here for our May trip. I saw maybe one unit pop up a week, mostly studios and 1 bedrooms. Saw a 3 bedroom show up only once (wrong dates). I FINALLY got a reservation for a 2 bedroom this am - I feel like we won the lottery! There are water slides and a lazy river (very very lazy slow moving river). Keep in mind this property is THE farthest from Disney.

Haven't stayed at any of the Palms.

Haven't stayed at Harbour Lake, but Harbour Lake is great for young kids as it has a water play area. I would not pick this for teens.

Every time we go to Orlando, I keep promising myself we will spend more time at the resort and enjoy the amenities/activities. Between the Disney Parks, Disney water parks, Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, my kids basically open and close the parks every day!

Good luck with your vacation planning.

 

[larryallen]

I have been scouring the Orlando threads on Tug and this is the best one so far. Planning a little family reunion there later in the year. Kids ages 9-15. Will probably rent a couple units online although might try to figure out how to do a trade as I have never done that. Liking the looks of GV as there is a ton of availability and looks to be very nice. Thanks to all for the great contributions.