Are the Royal and Sabal Palms the Same?

[CMF]

What's the big difference between the Royal and Sabal Palms?

Charles

 

[JBRES1]

Royal/Sabal

I would say the location is it.
Sabal Palms is on the back side of the resort next to the spa, where as the Royal Palms is a bit of a walk from the main resort area.
I rather stay at the Sabal palms if for no other reason than the the ability to let the kids walk over to the World Center Resort rather than the bus.

Jim Breslin

 

[Dave M]

I agree. Sabal Palms is closest to the big swimming pool and other activities at the hotel. Imperial Palms (100% 3 bedrooms) is the closest timeshare of the three to the convention center.

 

[Big Matt]

Agree with both responses, but let's get a little more specific.

Sabal is right next to the World Center and is not more than 100 yards to the main pool. It has two beds in the second bedroom and has a strange (in my opinion) floor plan.

The other two are down a hill and around a bend at the other end of the property. It's not real far, but certainly not that close either. Imperial is across the street from Royal. The tennis courts for both are on one end of IP. Both share a check in building at RP. The marketplace is small and there was not any hot food when I was there three years ago. RP has one bed in the second bedroom.

Go look at the resort map on the TUG in the images section. You can see where the Royal Palms and Imperial Palms entrance road meets with the main hotel entrance road. It's another 400 yards or so up a mild grade to the front of the hotel. You have to go around it to get to the main pool. There's also not really any parking so you have to take a shuttle or walk. I'd only take RP if SP isn't available and would only take IP for the third bedroom.

 

[CMF]

I was trying to sell myself on the idea of a stay a Sabal Palms. I was concerned because it is an older resort and not as nice as our favorite Orlando Marriott, Grande Vista. My conscience (aka wife) told me that I should not have to talk myself into staying at a resort - even if when I can pull a two bedroom with an efficiency . . . . and so it goes.


Charles

 

[Big Matt]

Charles,
just my opinion based on your posts and other history.

You would probably be okay there. The units aren't quite as nice as Cypress Harbour, but not bad either. If you've never been to the World Center, it's older, but very nice. Think Marriott Marquis but in Orlando. Huge and tons of amenities. There is a food court among the other 3-5 restaurants and Starbucks. Two golf courses also (if I'm remembering right). It's less than two miles to Mickey and very close to Downtown Disney.

Just so you will know my history in Orlando, I stayed at Royal Palms first, Grande Vista second (three times), and Cypress Harbour last (twice). I like Cypress Harbour the best and GV next best. I would have had a much better vacation the first time at Sabal vs. Royal due to the proximity to the hotel.

 

[iamnotshopgirl]

Charles

I can tell you that the villas in Sabal Palms are all in the process of being renovated. I spent the second week of December at Sabal. Bathrooms and kitchens are just about all done. In regard to the bathroom the large soaking tubs have been removed. Now a walk in shower with "rain shower" head, all new tile and jet spray (2) heads. Kitchens have all new appliances, granite counter tops. Soft good replacement to begin this year curtains, furniture, carpet etc. I like Sabal because of being the nearest to the World Center. Short walk to the back gate of the World Center for the use of both the out door and inside pools, game room and restaurants. I would suggest Charles if you decide on Sabal to request first floor room location. The stairs to the second floor are a little steep and at my tender age a little rough on the knees and I always request the 1st. I do not think you would be disappointed if you chose to stay at Sabal.

regards.......bob

 

[Dave M]

Bob -

Off topic...

You are an owner, so you would know better than I, but I thought the speling was "Sabal" rather than "Sable". Have I been wrong?

 

[dioxide45]

Bob -

Off topic...

You are an owner, so you would know better than I, but I thought the speling was "Sabal" rather than "Sable". Have I been wrong?

You are correct Dave, it is indeed Sabal Palms.

 

[iamnotshopgirl]

you are right Dave...did not realize I was spelling it wrong! Senior moment or just not paying attention.....sorry about that.

bob

 

[Dave M]

I wasn't yanking your chain. I had always spelled it that way and thought I had goofed.

Thanks for your response. (I could have peeked at Marriott's site.)

 

[JudyS]

I checked out the Orlando World Center timeshares a while back, and the only way I could find to drive in there was via a service, which was almost blocked with trucks, entrance behind the main hotel / conference center. Having to drive in that way each time I went to my villa would make me feel like I was delivering a load of tomatoes, rather than being on vacation!

Is there another way to get to the timeshare units? Or, is the service entrance the only way?

 

[Big Matt]

JudyS,
that's the way you get to Sabal.

There is a separate road that forks right off the main entrance road not far from the highway for Royal and Imperial

 

[CMF]

OK - I changed my mind and booked a week.

Charles

I can tell you that the villas in Sabal Palms are all in the process of being renovated. I spent the second week of December at Sabal. Bathrooms and kitchens are just about all done. In regard to the bathroom the large soaking tubs have been removed. Now a walk in shower with "rain shower" head, all new tile and jet spray (2) heads. Kitchens have all new appliances, granite counter tops. Soft good replacement to begin this year curtains, furniture, carpet etc. I like Sabal because of being the nearest to the World Center. Short walk to the back gate of the World Center for the use of both the out door and inside pools, game room and restaurants. I would suggest Charles if you decide on Sabal to request first floor room location. The stairs to the second floor are a little steep and at my tender age a little rough on the knees and I always request the 1st. I do not think you would be disappointed if you chose to stay at Sabal.
regards.......bob

Thanks for the nudge Bob.

Charles

 

[CMF]

Last minute change-a-roo

I was looking at II inventory for my niece who was thinking of coming down to Orlando with us an I saw a Grande Vista two bedroom sitting there - so I changed my reservation from Sabal Palms to Grande Vista. Cool beans :whoopie:

Charles

 

[EducatedConsumer]

One nice thing about staying at the Palms (for a Marriott Rewards points junky), other than the many already mentioned, is that you can charge all of your purchases at the World Center (food and beverage, golf, spa, gift shop, etc) back to your villa, and earn 10 points per dollar.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Wouldn't you earn 10 points per dollar even if you dropped in to the World Trade Center for a round of golf and placed it on your Marriott Rewards Card?

I don't think you'd have to stay there to get that earning power on your card...

 

[rsackett]

I think you get 5 points per dollar for using the card, but you can get an additional 10 pts per dollar spent by charging to your room if you are staying on site.

Ray

 

[Superchief]

I would choose Royal Palms over Sabal Palms. Royal Palms units have screened in porches, and I don't think that Sabal Palms units have any balconies or porches. Many Royal Palms units have golf course views. Since a free shuttle to the World Center runs on a regular basis, I do not consider the distance to be a major issue. Keep in mind that parking is free for all of the timeshares on the MWC property, while hotel parking is very expensive.

 

[iamnotshopgirl]

Sabal Palms has screened in porches, limited views of the golf course with some villas right along side, you can walk to the World Center or take the shuttle. All units have been renovated.

bob

 

[philatraveler02]

Just a note to add that Sabal Palm Units do indeed have screened in porches with table and charies. Some of the units at Sabal also face the golf course. The convenience of being able to walk over to the World Center from Sabal is a definate plus.

 

[Superchief]

When I purchased at Royal Palms many years ago, the balconies were a key selling feature vs. Sabal Palms. I am happy to hear that they have been added. I have only stayed at Royal and Imperial Palms, so I am less familiar with Sabal. I think any of the 'Palms' are still great choices. Having access to the MWC resort is very similar to Canyon Villas access to Desert Ridge. My only dislike for Royal Palms vs. newer MVC properties is the smaller second bedroom. It still only had a double bed when I was last there three years ago.

I found the shuttle to the hotel to be very convenient during the construction of the convention center addition. Prior to this construction, the walk from RP to MWC only took about 5 minutes, but the new addition blocked the short cut throught the old parking lot.