Best pool in the MVC system in Orlando

[TravelTime]

I am wondering which pool is the best, biggest and most kid friendly one among the Marriott Vacation Clubs in Orlando? We are staying at Grande Vista now and the pool is okay but nothing special.

 

[Fasttr]

Any of the MVC Palms properties have access to the Marriott World Center (hotel) pools which includes a really nice water slide tower, and nice freeform pool.

Hotel in Orlando near Disney | Orlando World Center Marriott

Plan the ultimate family vacation at our Orlando hotel near Disney with resort spa, outdoor pools and waterpark with waterslides at Orlando World Center Marriott.

www.marriott.com

I believe some of the pool area at the World Center is currently under renovation through summer of 2021.

 

[UK Fan]

My son always liked the pool with the lazy river at Lakeshore Reserve too.

 

[jwalk03]

The pool at the Marriott World Center Hotel is really nice freeform, little grottos and waterfalls, and the water slides are a lot of fun. These are not your typical little pool waterslides. I havent stayed at any of the other Orlando Marriott's yet to compare though.

 

[needvaca]

I've seen or stayed at most.
Harbour Lakes is awesome for the under 10 set. It's like a little kid's waterpark.
Lakeshore Reserve is nice for older kids, and adults. Heated, waterslide, long leisurely lazy river.
Sabal, Imperial and Royal Palms pools are very basic (think condo complex). However they are walking distance to Marriott World Center with their huge pool/waterslides, etc. Great for teens

 

[dioxide45]

Grande Vista doesn't just have one pool. There are six of them in total. That said, I would agree that they aren't spectacular, but are perhaps better than most when comparing them to other properties in Orlando. The three Palm properties do have access to the World Center Pool. Though it is currently closed with no signs of reopening. The slide tower is still open. THe pools at each of the Palm properties are unimpressive. Really just like condominium pools. If we are just talking about the pools at the timeshares, I would probably rate Lakeshore Reserve first followed by Grande Vista. Lakeshore Reserve has the lazy river and two waterslides.

 

[Swice]

Adding a note about Lakeshore. The large pool at Lakeshore is never really "full" because Lakeshore hasn't been built-out. Plus, Lakeshore guests can use the pool and lazy river at the neighboring JW Marriott-- this benefit is paused at times when the JW Marriott is at full capacity. Lakeshore does NOT have usage of the Ritz pool, but it's really just a large rectangle. (Lakeshore, JW Marriott and Ritz are all on the same property.)

 

[jme]

I am wondering which pool is the best, biggest and most kid friendly one among the Marriott Vacation Clubs in Orlando? We are staying at Grande Vista now and the pool is okay but nothing special.

Not sure which pool you're talking about, as Grande Vista has two huge pools, both very different from each other in look and features,
one on each side of the lake, with several smaller pools scattered around the outlying GV buildings.
And if you're talking about one of the larger pools, I would ask under what circumstances, if any, did you see and experience those pools?
Reason I ask is that the larger GV pools are very nice, imho, with beautiful features around them and beautiful landscaping.
They are both as good or better than most Marriott pools in general, and I've never met anyone who didn't like them, including us.
I see nothing substandard or boring about them at all, and we've been there many times.

The Lakeshore Reserve pool complex is exceptional, much more private, and the landscaping is superb, making it my favorite Marriott pool
excepting a few in Hawaii. The JW Marriott pools in Orlando, adjacent to the GV resort, are extremely nice as well, perhaps the best I've seen,
given the amazing landscaping around them. The Ritz pool is huge and nice, albeit a boring shape, being long and rectangular.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

Adding a note about Lakeshore. The large pool at Lakeshore is never really "full" because Lakeshore hasn't been built-out. Plus, Lakeshore guests can use the pool and lazy river at the neighboring JW Marriott-- this benefit is paused at times when the JW Marriott is at full capacity. Lakeshore does NOT have usage of the Ritz pool, but it's really just a large rectangle. (Lakeshore, JW Marriott and Ritz are all on the same property.)

Did the privileges change? We've always been able to use the Ritz pool.

 

[dioxide45]

Did the privileges change? We've always been able to use the Ritz pool.

I was wondering the same. Several years ago we went over and used the Ritz pool. No one questioned us and we actually used the shuttle provided by Lakeshore Reserve to go.

 

[jmhpsu93]

I was wondering the same. Several years ago we went over and used the Ritz pool. No one questioned us and we actually used the shuttle provided by Lakeshore Reserve to go.

We tried in 2019 and they wouldn't let us. Wasn't a weekend or anything. We were just trying to get in some swim practice so we wound up swimming against the current in the Lakeshore lazy river. LOL

 

[NboroGirl]

Grande Vista doesn't just have one pool. There are six of them in total. That said, I would agree that they aren't spectacular, but are perhaps better than most when comparing them to other properties in Orlando. The three Palm properties do have access to the World Center Pool. Though it is currently closed with no signs of reopening. The slide tower is still open. THe pools at each of the Palm properties are unimpressive. Really just like condominium pools. If we are just talking about the pools at the timeshares, I would probably rate Lakeshore Reserve first followed by Grande Vista. Lakeshore Reserve has the lazy river and two waterslides.

Six pools at MGV? I've been going there since 2003 and I've only known of 4: Copa Loca pool, Village Center pool, and the Golfside and Clubside pools.

 

[dioxide45]

Six pools at MGV? I've been going there since 2003 and I've only known of 4: Copa Loca pool, Village Center pool, and the Golfside and Clubside pools.

There are four pool areas, but Copa Loca and Village Center technically have two pools each. Lap and main pool at Village center. Then at Copa Loca there is the upper pool and lower pool. Thus, six pools.

 

[Big Matt]

I actually like the vibe at Cypress Harbour a lot.

 

[TravelTime]

There are four pool areas, but Copa Loca and Village Center technically have two pools each. Lap and main pool at Village center. Then at Copa Loca there is the upper pool and lower pool. Thus, six pools.

I am at Grande Vista now and we have been using the Copa Loca pool because we are in Building 79. I count the entire pool area as one pool. So I agree with Nborogirl that there are only 4 pools/pool areas here. I think the Copa Loca pool is pretty but nothing out of this world. Based on all the feedback, we will probably stay at Lakeshore Reserve next time.

 

[dioxide45]

I am at Grande Vista now and we have been using the Copa Loca pool because we are in Building 79. I count the entire pool area as one pool. So I agree with Nborogirl that there are only 4 pools/pool areas here. I think the Copa Loca pool is pretty but nothing out of this world. Based on all the feedback, we will probably stay at Lakeshore Reserve next time.

Neither is right or wrong. Just one interpretation or another.

 

[KProuty]

There aren't enough pools at Grande Vista for the amount of people who use them in high season.

 

[dioxide45]

There aren't enough pools at Grande Vista for the amount of people who use them in high season.

It seems to be even more so this year. Many people are traveling to Orlando to spend time at the resorts and not as much at the parks. So the pools are extra busy.

 

[TravelTime]

The parks are really busy so it does not seem to me like people are avoiding the parks. There is no social distancing or anything. Disney is a bit more conservative than Universal and SeaWorld. But not by much. Today we did the Shrek show at Universal and they kept saying to take one step forward so more people could fit in the enclosed room. We are vaccinated and this is a test of whether vaccines work. I told my husband that if this is how busy the parks are during Covid, I can only imagine how much worse the crowds are during regular times.

BTW, why would people travel to Orlando to spend time at the resorts when there are so many better places to visit?

In talking to people at the pool, it seems there are a lot of locals here. I also noticed that Volcano Bay seemed to be filled with locals. It was not diverse at all. The theme parks seem more diverse. But the water parks seem to attract a local Hispanic crowd. Any thoughts as to why?

 

[jwalk03]

The parks are really busy so it does not seem to me like people are avoiding the parks. There is no social distancing or anything. Disney is a bit more conservative than Universal and SeaWorld. But not by much. Today we did the Shrek show at Universal and they kept saying to take one step forward so more people could fit in the enclosed room. We are vaccinated and this is a test of whether vaccines work. I told my husband that if this is how busy the parks are during Covid, I can only imagine how much worse the crowds are during regular times.

BTW, why would people travel to Orlando to spend time at the resorts when there are so many better places to visit?

In talking to people at the pool, it seems there are a lot of locals here. I also noticed that Volcano Bay seemed to be filled with locals. It was not diverse at all. The theme parks seem more diverse. But the water parks seem to attract a local Hispanic crowd. Any thoughts as to why?

Many people go to Orlando just to hang out at the resorts and pools for the nice weather and you can often get very cheap getaways and easy exchanges. It’s also certainly true in my experience that the water parks attract a lot of locals- seems the tourists that want to go to parks focus more on the theme than the water parks.

 

[Big Matt]

IMO, one of the great things about Disney is that you can do a lot without spending money on park tickets. For example, Disney Springs has a lot going on and some good/okay restaurants. Go visit Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge and grab a meal. Use the transportation system to get around. Lots of fun.

 

[gln60]

It seems to be even more so this year. Many people are traveling to Orlando to spend time at the resorts and not as much at the parks. So the pools are extra busy.

I think its because Orlando always has lots of availability exchanging as well as using DC Points.

 

[dioxide45]

Discounting perhaps the first quarter, I think this year is also going to prove to be an exceptional year for tourism to Florida and Orlando. Early numbers are already showing tourism up over 2019. Everything seems busy here in Orlando. From the grocery stores, to the restaurants. Another thing I have found. If eating out, plan to eat early. We often get carry out and some place were stopping taking orders by 9pm. One restaurant was closed midweek by 4:30pm. Not enough staff and I suspect they wanted to prioritize weekends, so scheduled the small staff that they had for those days.

I must say, it is good to see Ginther's Swirls busy again (up International Drive from Grande Vista across from Denny's). We stuck with them through the lows last year when times were slow. It was also a big reason for the pandemic weight gain . The last few times I have driven past the place, it is packed. If you like ice cream and are in Orlando, head up there. They have a selection of so many ice cream items, I couldn't even start to name them all.

 

[Fasttr]

I must say, it is good to see Ginther's Swirls busy again (up International Drive from Grande Vista across from Denny's). We stuck with them through the lows last year when times were slow. It was also a big reason for the pandemic weight gain . The last few times I have driven past the place, it is packed. If you like ice cream and are in Orlando, head up there. They have a selection of so many ice cream items, I couldn't even start to name them all.

@dioxide45, I figured this Orlando dessert spot to be more your speed. ;-)

Best Dessert and Date Night in Orlando | Better Than Sex

Experience extraordinary moments at Orlando's premier dessert restaurant. Discover sinfully delicious desserts, signature wines, and the perfect date night.

www.betterthansexdesserts.com

 

[KProuty]

I'm not seeing Orlando in the getaway choices for weeks that used to have cheap getaways, like the week after Thanksgiving.