Horizons or Cypress Harbour

[GeNioS]

First time post...I have searched the threads and have found posts close to what I need, but not exactly. Please point me to the proper thread if it already exists....

Going to Orlando in November...based on reviews and trip advisor ratings, have eliminated Grande Vista (mostly I think because I don't want to think about three anymore and I don't need three bedrooms) and decided to choose between Horizons or Cypress Harbour. Seems like every time I make a decision I read something else that makes me rethink it. I just can't seem to separate them.

Our family is my wife and I plus a 2 1/2 year old.

Nicer rooms vs. nicer pools vs. is child old enough to care about pools vs. restaurant on site vs. grounds vs. vs. vs. vs. Help!

Will someone please help me put this to rest so I can book the trip and move on to other aspects of the trip?

Thanks!

 

[Big Matt]

Here you go:

CH - multiple pools, quiet, probably won't be many kids there in November, beautiful grounds centered around lake and golf course, rooms are very nice (but not new), no restaurant, good marketplace.

Horizons - multiple kid themed pools including zero entry, lots of kids activities, there will be other kids there, not as quiet (intentionally), more family oriented, resort still under construction, rooms aren't as large, smaller marketplace, no restaurant

Grande Vista (I had to do it...) - Huge resort that has portions around pools and others around golf, one pool is zero entry and kid themed, rooms are large and some very new while others needing refurb, good kids activity center, good marketplace, restaurant on site (Nick's Grill), golf on site, time share sales are still very active yet resort near completion.

Take Horizons. With three of you, the place will seem huge anyway. Tons of good stuff for your child, and the pools are great for kids. You also won't feel out of place with a child that may want to be loud, act up, etc.

 

[littlestar]

With a 2 1/2 year old, I'd take Horizons hands down.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Hey, welcome to TUG. Your first post as a member!

We personally love the serenity of Cypress Harbour, and our favorite part of the resort's exterior is the resort's styling (like Disney's Old Key West), the white sand, the lake, and the wonderful pools. The units' interiors have been updated, and they are gorgeous, like staying in a brand new resort. The giant whirlpool bathtub is one thing that Horizons' units do not have that we love!

Horizons does have the special pool with the pirate ship.

 

[cigarboo]

If you were going in the summer, I would definitely take Horizon's for the fabulous pool, activities & theming. November can be a little chilly for extended pool time for a 2 1/2 yo, depending on the child. Probably too cold for the water park/spray area, since that water comes out really cold even in the summer. It's still a wonderful compact resort that I would always choose for my kids, but they are 5 & 7. I think if you wanted to be a little "selfish" and have a bit more of a luxurious stay, with more upgraded furnishings and a jacuzzi tub, you can stay at Cypress Harbor and your 2 1/2 yo will have just as good of a time. As your child gets a little older, I think Horizon's theming for kids will trump the finer furnishings of CH or GV. If the weather was cold or I didn't plan on much pool time, I may lean towards CH. Either one is great.

 

[GeNioS]

Thanks for the input. Not sure where I could get this El Guapo-style plethora of information.

Not sure it makes it easy because even here I see the benefits of both....sounds like there isn't a bad choice...so unless someone just got back and screams "Snakes and Cockroaches" I'll go with Horizons.

I kind of like the "selfish" play...and at 2 1/2 he probably won't know the difference. But as much as the serenity sounds real (real real real real) nice, I'd hate to have him act up and spoil the serenity for others.

Thanks again...very nice for you guys to jump in here and help me out!!! I'm sure I'll be leeching information for a while but hopefully I can contribute in the future.

 

[Detailor]

We've stayed at Cypress Harbour and walked through the Horizons property (the two properties are across the street from one another), but haven't stayed there.

A couple of things to think about based on our observations...

There's no buffer between the Horizons property and I-4 and I found the road noise to be noticeable - not horrendous, but noticeable. Hopefully the insulation in the buildings deadens the noise. At Cypress Harbour I haven't noticed noise from the highway.

Horizons is a relatively immature resort so for the most part you see the buildings, the access streets and the play areas/pools. However, on the backside of the resort (the east side) there's a lake and that's a nice view. Unfortunately I don't think that they allow watercraft on the lake like they do at Cypress Harbour.

Horizons looks like a nice resort and we've considered it a couple of times but we've consistently decided to stay with either Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour as the rooms look like they're nicer than the pictures I've seen of Horizons, the resort amenities seem more expansive, and those resorts have consistently given us a top vacation experience (I think that they're as close in quality to a Disney Vacation Club resort as you'll get).

You'll probably not go wrong with any of these resorts.

Dick Taylor

 

[Scott_Ru]

No "Snakes and Cockroaches" response because you are faced with all good choices (including GV, which we love). But if I had a 2 1/2 year old (which I did about 40 years ago!) I'd definitely choose Horizons.

Have fun!

 

[CAROLW]

We stayed at Horizons April 2007 with our twins who were 5 y/o at the time. They LOVED the pools so much that they couldn't wait to get back to the pools when we were at the Disney parks.

The villas are a bit smaller than other Marriotts, but still very nice. We stayed at the building by the pirate pool and had a view overlooking the Lake. Didn't even notice that the highway was nearby, and certainly never heard it.

There were children of all ages and it was nice not to have to worry about my kids annoying anyone. My kids are very social and had lots of other kids to play with.

I would love to try CH one day, but probably when the kids get older.

 

[rsnash]

I'm glad to see all you families out there love Horizon. We don't have any kids, which is why we chose Cypress Harbour for our trip in January. It looks more relaxing, I like the idea of paddling out on the lake, and Horizon looked way too child friendly for us!

To each their own!