II resort for Disney vacation

[Scm175]

Hello all, I am looking for advice on picking a II resort to use as a base for my families October vacation to Disney World. My wife and I along with our 11 year old daughter will spend most of our time at the Disney parks but will take a few days to explore the area. I like the looks and reviews for Marriott's Cypress Harbor but I am unsure of the practicality of of traveling daily to Disney World from there. There are exchanges open for almost all Interval resorts for my travel dates and any advise you could give me would be great.

 

[jancpa]

If driving time is a priority, Sheraton Vistana is a short distance away.

 

[chalee94]

The Sheraton Vistana Resort thread on the DISboards is very helpful:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-sheraton-vistana-resort-thread.3148502/

I stayed at SVR a couple of years ago and it's a great choice. It is right near the Marriott Palms resorts (Sabal/Royal/Imperial) and all are in the same great location near Disney property. These are my first choices for Disney-focused trips when I can get them (but I wouldn't complain about any of the Marriotts).

I just got back from a stay at Cypress Harbour - it is a great resort but it is a little farther from the parks - not terrible but you never know if I-4 will be gridlocked when you go that direction and Intl Drive has more stoplights... (I still don't get why Cypress Harbour's 2nd BR doesn't have a privacy option on the curtains either - but the grounds are beautiful in the spring and the villas are nice, so I rig my own privacy screen with the bed runner...)

 

[rickandcindy23]

I would stay at the Marriott because it's incredibly nice and luxurious and has all of the amenities I want on vacation. It's maybe two extra minutes down I-4 from 535. We stay there almost every trip and the guard gates know us, when we arrive to check in that frist day. Is that weird? We sometimes stay there six weeks in a year. Love it there.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The Sheraton Vistana Resort thread on the DISboards is very helpful:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-sheraton-vistana-resort-thread.3148502/

I stayed at SVR a couple of years ago and it's a great choice. It is right near the Marriott Palms resorts (Sabal/Royal/Imperial) and all are in the same great location near Disney property. These are my first choices for Disney-focused trips when I can get them (but I wouldn't complain about any of the Marriotts).

I just got back from a stay at Cypress Harbour - it is a great resort but it is a little farther from the parks - not terrible but you never know if I-4 will be gridlocked when you go that direction and Intl Drive has more stoplights... (I still don't get why Cypress Harbour's 2nd BR doesn't have a privacy option on the curtains either - but the grounds are beautiful in the spring and the villas are nice, so I rig my own privacy screen with the bed runner...)

Did you get a newly remodeled unit, or did you have the unit with the blue sectional and the sailboat theme?

 

[chalee94]

Did you get a newly remodeled unit, or did you have the unit with the blue sectional and the sailboat theme?

I got a newly remodeled room when I stayed at Grande Vista in December but still got the blue sofa at Cypress Harbour. It was very clean, comfortable and in a good location in the resort (and I'm not a Marriott owner) so I was very happy with it. Based on the Grande Vista, I'm sure the updated villas are extremely sweet...

(or are you saying they might finally address the privacy issue for the 2nd BR? That would be a great update.)

 

[mdurette]

We always stay at the Marriotts for Disney trips. Usually Grand Vista or Harbor Lake (which is a across the street from Cypress). The drive is never a hassle.

My 12 year old daughter would pick Harbor Lake if she had the choice. She likes the activities - mini golf, basketball, table tennis, etc that is offered there. It has been a long time since we have been to Cypress - not sure what the kids stuff is like there.

Also - before you pull the trigger on an exchange, double check the cost of the getaways. Sometimes they are very reasonable (less than $500) and you can save your week for something else.

 

[got4boys]

My favorite would be Sabal Palms at Marriott World Center. It is before the light at 535 and World Drive (very busy intersection). Sabal Palms just went through a refresh too.

Yes do look at the getaways. Depending on your dates for Getaways, you can pay a lot less for than your maintenance fees. For example. Sabal Palms, Royal Palms and Harbour Lake for Getaways in a 2 bedroom, you can get it for $500 (depending on your II member status).

 

[sfwilshire]

Mystic Dunes is exclusively II and is a great location for WDW and other area attractions. We are owners and spent two weeks there at Christmas/New Years with extended family. You can be at Animal Kingdom in 10 minutes. Hollywood Studios, about the same. Maybe 20 minutes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Sheila

 

[HudsHut]

Charles:
I don't understand what "privacy issue" there is?

Scm175:
Both Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista are gorgeous. We enjoyed them both. Grande Vista is huge (900+ units). You can see SeaWorld fireworks from some buildings at Cypress Harbour. (It is adjacent to HGVC Sea World). We had no difficulty in getting to the WDW parks from either.

The Royal, Sabal and Imperial Palms are adjacent to the Orlando World Center Marriott and have access to those amenities as well. They are a bit closer to the WDW parks.

 

[Scm175]

Thanks for the replies. Now leaning looking like Sheraton Vistana. I like the short drive to WDW and the looks of the villas. Thanks a ton for the advice about buying a getaway. I can get a week for $389.

 

[Inhislove]

We have stayed at the Marriott Palms properties and love their convenience to Disney. Honestly felt we could get to the parks just as quickly as people riding buses to/from their Disney hotel. It's nice the Palms properties have access to the World Center pools and slides. Sheraton Vistana Resort neighbors Royal Palms but didn't have a light to turn in/out off of a busy road last time I checked.

We've stayed at Marriott Cypress Harbour or Harbour Lake for Disney and found them to be convenient as well. A little further but good access to I4.

 

[chalee94]

Sheraton Vistana Resort neighbors Royal Palms but didn't have a light to turn in/out off of a busy road last time I checked.

all you do is turn right out of SVR, then turn right at the next light and cross over I-4 and in no time, you are on wdw property. I've never had much of an issue turning right out of the SVR resort. (If you were determined to go left, there are times of day where it could be a problem but that's not typically an issue. and I think there is a stoplight near the chick fil-a that stops any traffic coming from your left, so that you can take the right turn out of the resort.)

Charles:
I don't understand what "privacy issue" there is?

the second bedroom has its window facing out to the exterior hallway. while there is a sheer curtain obscuring the window, there's no way to shut out the light with a curtain (and while no one can probably see in, it still feels a little exposed to me).