[2017] Royal vs. Sabal Palms

[GregT]

All,

I have a trade request in for Sabal Palms for a specific check-in date in June 2018 -- I like the comments from some of my TUGging friends on Sabal, and we want the easy walk to Marriott World Center.

However, there is the exact check-in day I want currently available in II for Royal Palms.

If proximity to World Center is priority, should I just take the Royal Palms unit? We will spend most of trip at Disney World and also the World Center hotel. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Best,

Greg

 

[Fasttr]

Greg....check out this Google map satellite view. Just collapse the left side panel when it opens. Sabal is indicated top left. Royal is indicated middle right. As you can see, its not a huge difference, but the walk "seems" much closer from Sabal because you start seeing World Center "stuff" sooner....where from Royal, you have the little road, then the World Center conference center area and a parking lot to walk by before you get to the main pool area. Walk from Royal may be twice as far, but either way, its not an incredibly long walk. But if it were me, I would hold out for Sabal if you see yourself always making the trek to the WC pool anytime you want to take a dip in the water.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/O...ad1f834b74a8da!8m2!3d28.3610305!4d-81.5096872

 

[sb2313]

Greg- my parents and siblings stayed at royal and sabal palms this march while I was at dvc with my wife and kids(leading myself to do lots of trips to drop everyone off at thier resorts as I was the only one with a car), so i can definitely say if proximity to world center is key you should definitely wait for sabal palms as there is quite the distance between royal palms and the world center.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

When I owned at Royal Palms, there was a shuttle to the World Center. But that was a few years ago. . .

 

[dioxide45]

There is still a shuttle from Royal/Imperial. If walking, I would wait for Sabal. While it would be possible to walk from Royal, it wouldn't be ideal and it is quite a distance, then you have to walk through the hotel to get to the pools. From the map, it looks like you can get to the pool area of Sabal without having to go through the hotel?

 

[tiel]

You can get to the pool area directly from Sabal Palms, without going through the hotel. Our choice would always be for Sabal Palms over the other options in the same complex. The walk is short (though on the really hot and muggy days it seems endless!), and fairly direct.

When we stayed at Royal Palms a few years back, we always used the shuttle. But we didn't like having to walk through the large lobby of the hotel, then down the stairs, and then still have a short hike to the pool. Just too inconvenient and too much work (with all our pool stuff) for us.

Were we doing this, we'd probably just wait. You're targeting June of 2018, so there's plenty of time for your request to get filled. However, you could always take the Royal Palms week, then retrade for Sabal Palms if it becomes available, to be safe.

 

[Superchief]

We own at Royal Palms and traveled there for years when our children were younger. Sabal Palms is definitely closer, but we frequently walked to the resort property. We actually enjoy walking and it helped to burn some calories after a meal. It is about a 10 minute walk to the MVC Spa/Fitness facility, from which you can also enter that rear section of the resort pool.

Keep in mind that Royal Palms has a pretty nice pool and small fitness facility on site that are convenient, quiet alternatives to the MVC pools. Sabal Palms pool is very small and i don't think they have a fitness center. I would confirm the Royal Palms unless you really don't like walking or waiting for the shuttle. Both are great properties and very convenient to Disney.

 

[Panina]

Sabal palms does have a fitness room and is also a short walk to the larger fitness room of the complex.

I personally prefer sabal palms over royal palms. Too much traffic noise at Royal palms.

 

[Big Matt]

I've stayed at both. What hasn't been said is that they are very different in terms of the buildings and units. Sabal is basically a two story condo with stairs up to the second level. Royal is more like a traditional timeshare building. Bed configurations are different too. Sabal is a lot closer than Royal. Both are on the golf course. Royal has a very small market place and being able quickly get over to the World Center for coffee, breakfast items, etc. is very convenient when staying at Sabal. I'd hold out for Sabal

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I just checked out after staying two weeks at Sabal. It wasn't a vacation but I like the world center even more than I did before. We have stayed at Sabal and Royal in the past. Definitely prefer Sabal but the shuttle will pick up from either. The Central Pantry is awesome and I also love Siro.

 

[Superchief]

Sabal palms does have a fitness room and is also a short walk to the larger fitness room of the complex.

I personally prefer sabal palms over royal palms. Too much traffic noise at Royal palms.

I agree that the fitness center at the World Center is very nice and it's more convenient to Sabal. However, it was very crowded during my last visit and it was nice to have a decent facility at Royal Palms. I also enjoyed the fairly large pool at RP when the World center pool became too crowded. I haven't yet stayed at SP, but plan to in the future. We always enjoy Royal Palms.

 

[Panina]

I agree that the fitness center at the World Center is very nice and it's more convenient to Sabal. However, it was very crowded during my last visit and it was nice to have a decent facility at Royal Palms. I also enjoyed the fairly large pool at RP when the World center pool became too crowded. I haven't yet stayed at SP, but plan to in the future. We always enjoy Royal Palms.

My first stay was at sabal palms before the renovations. I was so excited to get a trade into Royal palms as the reviews were better. Ultimately I was disappointed, I liked the sabal palms much better. Royal palms is nice, and some will like it better then sabal palms, just my taste.

 

[RBERR1]

I have a stay booked at Imperial Palms. How far a walk is it to the World Center ( I can see from the map that it is further back then the Royal Palms but not sure how far) and is there a fitness center there as well? BTW-are you only able to use the facilities in the Palms you are booked at or can you use any of them (Fitness center, pools, etc)?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[jwalk03]

Imperial & Royal share one check-in area and pool. I never tried to use anything at Sabal when we stayed at Royal, but I doubt you would have any issue if you wanted to.

It was a trek to get to the World Center Pool, we took the shuttle and only did it one day. The other days we just enjoyed the quieter (and very empty) Royal Pool.

 

[Superchief]

I have a stay booked at Imperial Palms. How far a walk is it to the World Center ( I can see from the map that it is further back then the Royal Palms but not sure how far) and is there a fitness center there as well? BTW-are you only able to use the facilities in the Palms you are booked at or can you use any of them (Fitness center, pools, etc)?

Thanks,
Rich

If I recall correctly, Imperial Palms has a small pool. I'm confident that you can use the Royal Palms fitness center, shared tennis courts, and the larger Royal Palms pool and shuffle board.

 

[dioxide45]

I have a stay booked at Imperial Palms. How far a walk is it to the World Center ( I can see from the map that it is further back then the Royal Palms but not sure how far) and is there a fitness center there as well? BTW-are you only able to use the facilities in the Palms you are booked at or can you use any of them (Fitness center, pools, etc)?

Thanks,
Rich

Royal and Imperial Palms are for all effective purposes the same property. When you stay at Imperial, you actually check in across the street at Royal Palms. There is a small pool at Imperial Palms with a hot tub, but you have full access over at Royal Palms. I don't even think Imperial palms has its own fitness center.

 

[s1b000]

I am at Royal right now and would not recommend it. Yes there is a shuttle that runs until 11 PM but it will only drop you at the reception building. I've also had several maintenance and service issues so have been disappointed in the resort thus far.


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[dioxide45]

I am at Royal right now and would not recommend it. Yes there is a shuttle that runs until 11 PM but it will only drop you at the reception building. I've also had several maintenance and service issues so have been disappointed in the resort thus far.


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That is generally how the shuttles as most of the properties work. Over at Lakeshore Reserve, the shuttle only drops you at lobby entrance. There really isn't any other place to take you.

 

[s1b000]

Aha my home resort is DSV and we have multiple stops throughout


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[Panina]

I am at Royal right now and would not recommend it. Yes there is a shuttle that runs until 11 PM but it will only drop you at the reception building. I've also had several maintenance and service issues so have been disappointed in the resort thus far.


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I was also disappointed in Royal as I experienced Sabal first. The decor looked nice but issues such as peeling kitchen cabinets and drapes were mismatched in living room. The noise from the cars on the road was annoying. With that said, still much nicer then most Orlando timeshares but Sabal much better.

 

[s1b000]

Yep those are some of the same issues + bad plumbing + spotty service. Definitely my worst MVC stay.


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[hajjah]

We stayed at Royal back in October on a getaway that was pretty expensive. It is a nice resort, but the unit was very dated. The master bath was creepy and old, like being in a tunnel. I would not return.

 

[dioxide45]

We stayed in Royal Palms for a couple nights back in May of 2016. While it wasn't the best property we have stayed in, it wasn't the worst. We must have been in a refurbished unit because it seems to be pretty fresh and clean. Here is a link to the photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/116398116@N08/albums/72157668489995530

 

[ljmiii]

We stayed in Royal Palms for a couple nights back in May of 2016. While it wasn't the best property we have stayed in, it wasn't the worst....

Good to hear since we'll be there in August. Booked at 13 months and chose Royal Palms over the other Orlando resorts (despite some negative reviews) on the theory that ANYTHING is better than I-4 traffic. We'll see (and post) soon-ish...

 

[Big Matt]

Good to hear since we'll be there in August. Booked at 13 months and chose Royal Palms over the other Orlando resorts (despite some negative reviews) on the theory that ANYTHING is better than I-4 traffic. We'll see (and post) soon-ish...

You need to understand the alternate routes that avoid I4. There are many of them and they are simple once you get used to where you are. When I stay at Grande Vista I never use I4 to get to Disney