Currently at NCV - ANY QUESTIONS?

[Andar]

Currently at NCV any questions?

The main pool is closed for heating repair. The parking near the parking garage is being resurfaced.

Stormy weather, but another great vacation here.

 

[thmom]

NCV questions

Andar-how long will the main pool be closed? We arrive Dec. 26th. Is the grill at the pool open? Any recommendations while we're there? Thanks, Patty

 

[mfan]

Andar-how long will the main pool be closed? We arrive Dec. 26th. Is the grill at the pool open? Any recommendations while we're there? Thanks, Patty

We'll beat you by 1 week. We arrive on Dec. 19th! I called them today, and the pool is supposed to reopen by tomorrow. We shall see...

 

[pamandgary]

We arrive 1/2/09 for two weeks. We want a great view more than anything else. Any units we should request? Restaurant recommendations?

 

[Andar]

According to the memo they gave us at check-in:

Due to the clsoing of our Main Piazza pools for an equipment upgrade, December 8 thu December 18, the Food and Beverage department will be offering a lunch cart at the Grotto pool duing the hours of 11 am to 2 pm.
The La Vista pool bar and grill will be closed.

The Market Place is available from 7am to 10 pm daily, with in-room delivery from 5 pm to 9pm.

If you need transportation to the Grotto Pool, please contact an At Your Service agent at the Front Desk.

So it is suppose to reopen today. As you may have heard, we have had stormy weather here and I am not sure if that will effect the reopening date. I will let you know.

We had reserved a GPS car in San Diego yesterday, but it was cancelled due to the storm. We plan to go to Knotts Berry Farm today, they were also closed yesterday due to the storm.

Beautiful clear day today, so we will take in Knotts Berry Farm. It has been 20 years since I have been there.

As far as restaurants and attractions, there was a thread not too long that where many people made suggustions. I will try and find it and post a link to it.

We always ejoy a breakfast at the Crystal Gove restaurant. I also like a place in Fashion Island area called El Torrito Grill. It is an upscale El Torrito, and they are using it as a test site. We haven't been there yet this visit but were there in Sept.

Regarding building with a view. We like the 3900 building for a couple of reasons: the view, it is close enough to the lobby and pools but far enough away to be quiet, I have a service dog and always request the ground floor. There is a nice 'relief area' for her across the parking lot (of course we never leave any evidence of her visit). However, I think any of buildings above the 3800 building would have a great view. The newer buildings are just farther away from the lobby and pool area. They do provide very fast 'shuttle' service within the resort. Just call and someone will come with the golf cart or van. The higher up the bldg number the farther up the hill it is located.

We did go to the owner's wine and cheese, info night. Per the salesperson:
1) They are working on the last unit, should be complete 2010.
2) Marriott will most likely do internal trade system in the "next year" as their contract with Interval International is now only 'month to month"
3) First time in history there are some "discounted" weeks.
4) Newest Marriott resort in Cancun.

We will be here until Sunday,, so if there are any other questions, I will try to answer them.

 

[Andar]

Just called the front desk about the pool. They said they are still working on the heater. I would expect that even if they fix it today, it would take a day or so to warm up. It has been very cold here at night and reaching the 50's during the day. Today is sunny but is still not warm enough to help heat up the pool.

 

[Bill4728]

We arrive 1/2/09 for two weeks. We want a great view more than anything else. Any units we should request?

If you're a NCV owner, The 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100 & 4200 bldg are without question have the best views. I think that the 4000 bldg is the best because it doesn't overlook the park and therefore you don't get the noise from people playing B-ball or at the putting green. And it is easier to walk thru the park to the pool from the 4000 bldg than from the 3900 bldg. ( but we like to go to the pool next to the 1100 bldg for the peace. - but those bldgs have no view!)

 

[thmom]

Thanks

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like the pool might be up and running by the time we get there, but the weather doesn't sound like swimming weather. Of course, to my kids any weather is swimming weather. We've had an unusually long cold streak up here in Portland, so anything will seem warm to us. I have seen the other threads with recommendations and will write those down for our trip. Have fun down there. Patty

 

[Andar]

Thanks, we had a great day at Knott's Berry Farm today. The weather was cooler but suny. There was hardly anyone at the park.
I don't know if it was the economy, weather, or the time of year, but we enjoyed it. It will probably be another 20 years before I go back. Couldn't believe the prices ($51.99 for adult ticket!). However, I checked the internet before we left and we found out they had a special honoring law enforcement. Since sis is retired CHP, we both got in free (if there were any others in the party it would have been $15.00 each).
So always check for "discount tickets" to any park before going:

 

[mfan]

Thanks, we had a great day at Knott's Berry Farm today. The weather was cooler but suny. There was hardly anyone at the park.
I don't know if it was the economy, weather, or the time of year, but we enjoyed it. It will probably be another 20 years before I go back. Couldn't believe the prices ($51.99 for adult ticket!). However, I checked the internet before we left and we found out they had a special honoring law enforcement. Since sis is retired CHP, we both got in free (if there were any others in the party it would have been $15.00 each).
So always check for "discount tickets" to any park before going:

We're heading there on Sunday. They're having a Toy for Tots donation drive this weekend. Anyone who brings a gift worth $10+ will get a free entry pass! Just hope it doesn't get too crowded, especially if the weather stays clear.

 

[toocherie]

As for restaurants, I live in the area and here are my recommendations:

If you come out of the resort, turn left and go down to PCH and turn left (south). A couple of miles down there is a shopping center called Crystal Cove. In this center there are three great restaurants:

Sage on the Coast: the chef, Rick Mead, has another location in Newport Beach that I have been going to for years (in fact, we had my parents' 50th anniversary dinner there). His food is fantastic--what I would call "California cuisine"--the patio is very nice (and heated).

Javier's: is a Mexican restaurant and bar (upscale)--I think the food is better than El Torito Grill (which is part of a chain)--part of the Javier's dining room has great views of the ocean.

Mastro's: upscale steak/fish place. Haven't eaten here but have heard good things about it.

If you go North on PCH (right) you hit Fashion Island. In addition to the aforementioned El Torito Grill, there is a great steakhouse called Flemings and a Hawaiian place called Roy's. There is also a PF Changs. If you are there at lunchtime--check out the restaurant (called Mariposa) in the Neiman Marcus--every diner starts out with a cup of broth and hot popovers with strawberry butter. Can you say yummy? There is a also a California Pizza Kitchen, a Cheesecake Factory and a PF Chang's here. Also some smaller places, including a food court with Wahoo's and Red Robin and a movie theater.

If you go further up PCH to the north you get into Newport Beach "proper" and there are a lot of oceanfront restaurants. Further south on PCH past Crystal Cove you get to Laguna Beach which has lots of walking opportunities to window shop as well as some great restaurants. (Try Five Feet--the fried catfish is unbelievable--it's a Chinese style restaurant)

Anybody need any other info about the area????:whoopie: