To get your appetite going for BeachPlace, here's a view of what you'll be facing:
http://www.sunny.org/webcam/
There are only two views at MBP...ocean front and intracoastal waterway. The ocean is morning sunrise, waterway is afternoon sunset. Nice either way. Waterway is probably quieter as the bars and people below in the shops ocean side might be a little noisy on weekends...but fun too.
Restaurants: You won't need a car much, if at all, as if you like walking most of what you want will be within a 30 minute walk. Fast Foor or Gourmet dining---it's all here. MBP is quite unlike any other Marriott timeshare in that you can walk to everything you want to do...great restaurants, beach, fishing, shopping...you won't have enough time there to see and do everything readily available to you.
In fact, some great restaurants are within a 10 minute walk...some examples:
Casablanca -- no reservations, 5 minutes away, always busy and fun.
http://www.casablancacafeonline.com/
Just north of MBP is the Ritz Carlton, Hilton, Westin, W, Atlantic -- take your pick and enjoy the upscale bars and restaurants.
A little further, at Galleria Mall, maybe 15 minute walk on Sunrise, are PF Changs, Seasons 52, Capital Grille, Blue Martini, Truluck's -- upscale and great for people (and car) watching.
http://fort.lauderdale.retailguide.com/data/m101965.htm
Something different...a little further up Sunrise from the Galleria is Canyon Southwest Cafe (get there early), Mai Kai on North Federal (not walking distance - take a taxi) for a great show and fixed price dinner, 15th Street Fisheries on the water and Southport Raw Bar near it too, Mango's Los Olas, etc.
http://maikai.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...n_Southwest_Cafe-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html
http://www.15streetfisheries.com/
Too numerous to list them all...these are my favorites. I've been going to Fort Lauderdale every year for at least 30 years...like a 2nd home to me.
Brian
No BBQ's at MBP...trust me, you won't want to wait for an elevator while your steaks get cold anyways. Eat out every night instead...work it off during the day.