[2015] Conference at Marriott World Center Orlando -- will Sabal Palms work?

[JudyS]

My sister's husband is going to a conference at the Marriott World Center Orlando, and my sister plans to go with him, mostly as a vacation. Do you think staying at Sabal Palms would work for attending a conference, or is it too much of a hassle to get from the villas to the main building?

Also, my brother-in-law needs to get to the conference no later than Thursday (staying 5 nights, checking out Tuesday) and Sabal Palms has check-ins only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Any creative ideas for getting them that one extra night (Thursday) at a reasonable cost? I already asked II about their shortstay program, but Sabal/Royal/Imperial Palms weren't available. The only options I've come up with are rent a room directly from Marriott or book two back-to-back exchanges.

Also, for anyone who has stayed at the main Marriott World Center Orlando hotel, how inconvenient is the self-parking? Valet parking is about $30 a day, and I'm think if the hotel self-parking is far from the main hotel, taking a shuttle from the villas might actually be preferable.

 

[GrayFal]

Sabah Palms would be great. The closest TS to the hotel. You can easily walk to the hotel. For what the valet would cost them, they could rent one additional night at Sabal.
Or
For the extra night, they can just book thru Marriott.com for a hotel night for the first night.


Or get a Marriott Destination CLub member to book the one night they need at Sabal.

 

[Fasttr]

Sabal is a very short walk to get to the World Center facilities.

As for your extra night, you may want to check at www.vacationpointexchange.com and have somebody renting points check to see if your night is available and if they will rent you the points needed, make the ressie for you, and add your sister's/BIA's name to the ressie. I'm guessing a weeknight DC ressie would cost less than a Marriott.com ressie.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Any of the Palms timeshares would work because a shuttle is constantly on standby to take guests to and from the timeshares. Sabal works especially well for someone wanting to walk but you can still take the shuttle from there to the front entrance of the world center.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Also, for anyone who has stayed at the main Marriott World Center Orlando hotel, how inconvenient is the self-parking? Valet parking is about $30 a day, and I'm think if the hotel self-parking is far from the main hotel, taking a shuttle from the villas might actually be preferable.

You still have to pay for self parking. As a guest it is $18.11 per day for self parking and $27.69 for valet. There is also a $22 per day resort fee. Add up the fees and booking at one of the palms becomes a no brainer to me.

If you are a Marriott owner try the discount codes. Otherwise look for special rates or try AAA.

 

[JudyS]

Thanks! TUG comes through again!

You still have to pay for self parking. As a guest it is $18.11 per day for self parking and $27.69 for valet. There is also a $22 per day resort fee. Add up the fees and booking at one of the palms becomes a no brainer to me.

Just to clarify, you mean these fee apply to people who stay on cash at the main hotel, but NOT to timeshare exchangers who stay at the villas, correct?

What about WiFi and the shuttle to the Disney parks -- are those free for people staying on exchanges at the villas?

 

[Fasttr]

Thanks! TUG comes through again!

Just to clarify, you mean these fee apply to people who stay on cash at the main hotel, but NOT to timeshare exchangers who stay at the villas, correct?

What about WiFi and the shuttle to the Disney parks -- are those free for people staying on exchanges at the villas?

Free parking at the villas for folks staying there.

Free WiFi at villas.

No Disney Shuttle....but from The Palms....you are so very close....even a cab would not cost much.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Thanks! TUG comes through again!

Just to clarify, you mean these fee apply to people who stay on cash at the main hotel, but NOT to timeshare exchangers who stay at the villas, correct?

What about WiFi and the shuttle to the Disney parks -- are those free for people staying on exchanges at the villas?

The Palms resorts have their own parking lots and it is free to get a parking pass and park at any of the 3 lots. You can use the facilities of any of the 3, or the World Center. I don't think you can use the World Center self parking without paying but there is no reason to.

The only additional fee for Palms guests are a per villa fee for the use of the water slides at the World Center. The rest of the WC pool areas are included at no charge. It's a bargain considering the WC guests have to pay $126.77 for self parking for a week and $154 for the resort fee. That is whopping $280 in additional to the nightly rate which would at least be $1,200 for a small room.

The nightly rates at the Palms tend to be higher than WC depending on the time of year but if you can snag an exchange or a cheap AC it works out well.

 

[Bnov]

Depending on the dates of the conference, your best option may be an II Getaway. I see several dates this fall with prices for a full week ranging from $347 to $507. All-in costs (including adding your sister and her husband as guests) would be a bit more, but the per/night cost is still quite low even if the Getaway covers only four of the nights. You can easily add weeknights (Sun-Thurs) for $100/night by renting points from others (assuming the conference is this Fall).

 

[Big Matt]

Being really specific, Sabal Palms is to the right and behind the World Center if you are looking at the World Center from the front. You need to walk across a parking long in the rear of the hotel to get into the conference center. I would absolutely stay there. I've done so in the past for a conference. The only hassle is if it rains and then you probably just need to decide to take a run for it or just get wet.

 

[sjsharkie]

The Palms resorts have their own parking lots and it is free to get a parking pass and park at any of the 3 lots. You can use the facilities of any of the 3, or the World Center. I don't think you can use the World Center self parking without paying but there is no reason to.

I can confirm this as of Sept 2014. I stayed at Imperial Palms last fall, and I had a car load of stuff I needed to haul over to World Center. I had to pay for self parking in the WC structure -- the self parking is automated and there is no attendant at the gate. You pay at a machine.

-ryan

 

[Superchief]

I've owned at Royal Palms for many years and have used it for both business and vacation stays. It is very accessible to the World Center convention center. It is close enough to walk, since it is about halfway between the hotel main entrance and the villas. There is also a free shuttle. All of the Palms (Royal, Sabal, and Imperial) continue to be very nice properties and are well managed.

Sabal Palms is closer to the main Marriott World Center facilities (pool, spa, restaurants, food court), but Royal Palms has a nicer pool (than Sabal) and its own workout facility. As mentioned previously, there are no resort fees (except $10/day/ villa on days you use the water slides), and parking is free.

 

[jpc763]

Sabal Palms is closer to the main Marriott World Center facilities (pool, spa, restaurants, food court), but Royal Palms has a nicer pool (than Sabal) and its own workout facility. As mentioned previously, there are no resort fees (except $10/day/ villa on days you use the water slides), and parking is free.

Superchief,

Can you expand on this? I own at Imperial Palms but have not been back there since 2012. I do not remember a $10 fee for anything but I believe that the pool structure at the world center has undergone a major renovation since I was there.

I plan on going in Spring of 2017 so wanted to know.

Thanks, John

 

[Fasttr]

Superchief,

Can you expand on this? I own at Imperial Palms but have not been back there since 2012. I do not remember a $10 fee for anything but I believe that the pool structure at the world center has undergone a major renovation since I was there.

I plan on going in Spring of 2017 so wanted to know.

Thanks, John

They built a water slide tower structure a couple of year or so ago. Originally its usage was free to the Palm's guest...but a bit later they started charging a $10/villa charge on the days you want to utilize the slide (which is wristband controlled). Its not mandatory, nor automatic. If and when you decide you want to use the slides, you just get your wristbands (for any in your villa who want to use the slides) at the hut by the slides and the $10 for that day gets charged to your villa.

 

[pedro47]

Great location to attend the World Center.

 

[Superchief]

They built a water slide tower structure a couple of year or so ago. Originally its usage was free to the Palm's guest...but a bit later they started charging a $10/villa charge on the days you want to utilize the slide (which is wristband controlled). Its not mandatory, nor automatic. If and when you decide you want to use the slides, you just get your wristbands (for any in your villa who want to use the slides) at the hut by the slides and the $10 for that day gets charged to your villa.

I have heard from some people that they often don't charge this fee, especially when the resort isn't crowded. The slides are pretty nice, and it is a cheap alternative to keep younger kids occupied vs going to Disney or other Water Parks.

 

[dioxide45]

They built a water slide tower structure a couple of year or so ago. Originally its usage was free to the Palm's guest...but a bit later they started charging a $10/villa charge on the days you want to utilize the slide (which is wristband controlled). Its not mandatory, nor automatic. If and when you decide you want to use the slides, you just get your wristbands (for any in your villa who want to use the slides) at the hut by the slides and the $10 for that day gets charged to your villa.

At $10, IMO it is the best bargain of an add on fee in the Marriott system. That tower slide is a lot of fun.

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

Keep in mind that this is an older property and I would not classify it as a resort. It has the look of more of a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge or Florida Retirement Condo, circa late 1970's, early 1980's with a pool and not much more unless you use the facilities at the hotel.

 

[JudyS]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! My sister and her husband needed to stay Thursday night - Monday night, and I thought "Hey, I can get another unit for myself and my husband, checking in the previous weekend, and my sister and her husband can stay with me on Thursday."

So, I booked two units -- one for me & DH with check-in Sunday, September 13, and one for my sister and her husband with check-in Friday, September 18. They stayed with us in the guest bedroom on the night of Thursday, September 17. I booked one unit as an exchange, and used an AC for the other unit.

This was actually a great way to have a family vacation, with both of us having enough space. (Usually, I stay at her house and it's really cramped.) Unfortunately, my sister usually wants to stay places where there are no timeshares, but this time it worked out great.

I wasn't thrilled about the unit -- it had steps inside that my husband immediately tripped over. But, he wasn't hurt and the unit was good enough.

It worked out very well for my brother-in-law to attend his convention. Generally, either my sister or my husband would drive him to the convention, and he'd take the shuttle bus back.

Shortly before I left, I discovered that the spa pool at the main hotel was very close to the Sabal Palms. It was a lovely pool and I recommend it to anyone who stays at any of the Orlando World Center timeshares, especially if you're at Sabal palms.

Thanks again!

 

[Fairwinds]

Keep in mind that this is an older property and I would not classify it as a resort. It has the look of more of a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge or Florida Retirement Condo, circa late 1970's, early 1980's with a pool and not much more unless you use the facilities at the hotel.

I know you don't like the architectural design of the timeshare. But, the furnishing are standard MVC quality and the small timeshare pool, huge modern fitness center, biggest hotel pool I've seen with water features, and water slide, multiple restaurants and bars, grills, fire pits, tennis courts, basketball courts, jogging path, onsite beautiful golf course, quit pool, hot tubs, very nice spa, food court, coffee shop, game room = RESORT. And all of this 5 min outside Disney property

 

[silentg]

We went to World Center, when we first moved to Florida in 1987. Our kids loved riding the glass elevator! Back in the 90's it was available to rent for pool parties, birthdays, scout outings etc. We never stayed at the hotel, but enjoyed the pools and the kid parties there. Not sure if they still do this, but it was a fun time.
Silentg

 

[SkyBlueWaters]

I have heard from some people that they often don't charge this fee, especially when the resort isn't crowded. The slides are pretty nice, and it is a cheap alternative to keep younger kids occupied vs going to Disney or other Water Parks.

I can vouch for that, and it was crowded.

 

[Fairwinds]

We went to World Center, when we first moved to Florida in 1987. Our kids loved riding the glass elevator! Back in the 90's it was available to rent for pool parties, birthdays, scout outings etc. We never stayed at the hotel, but enjoyed the pools and the kid parties there. Not sure if they still do this, but it was a fun time.
Silentg

Children are so easily pleased. Mine also enjoyed the glass elevator years ago. It remindeds me of the time my father purchased a spring suspension rocking horse for my son. We assembled it in the evening and when the little guy came down the stairs in the morning his eyes widened and he let out a wahoo as he ran past the horse and dove into the box

 

[Luckybee]

Keep in mind that this is an older property and I would not classify it as a resort. It has the look of more of a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge or Florida Retirement Condo, circa late 1970's, early 1980's with a pool and not much more unless you use the facilities at the hotel.

You've just made me feel really really old

Dh and I have stayed at Grande Vista, Cypress, Lakeshore R , Royal P, and Sabal P.

Out of all of them our favourite two are Sabal and Lakeshore.

At Sabal we loved the showers, the balcony, the layout of the unit, the closeness to the bigger pool at the hotel while still having the peace and quiet of the property itself.

We loved Sabal so much that when all the others were avail for our trip next May we chose Sabal.

True that it doesn't have the same level of facilities as many of the newer properties so it is certainly not the place for those who want it all at their fingertips...but for us it was perfect

 

[JudyS]

Question: Do all the Sabal Palm units (other than handicapped units) have stairs inside? That was really the biggest drawback for me -- both because DH tripped on them, and because I was injured in a fall a few months before the Sabal Palms stay and kept worrying I'd fall on the stairs. (I especially disliked the tile steps in the bathroom -- it seems really easy to slip on them.)

I actually had a reservation for a handicapped unit, because I use a wheelchair if I need to go more than a short distance. But when I arrived, that unit was down for maintenance and all the best the resort could do was a regular unit on the first floor.