Lakeshore Reserve - Lazy River access (JW Marriott)

[ocdb8r]

So, what's the deal with access to the lazy river and pool area over at the JW? We're off to the resort next month and 3 out of 4 days are "restricted access" due to high occupancy rates at the JW. I'm a bit confused as this was the main reason we spent the extra points to reserve at Lakeshore reserve. Given the timeshare has it's own pool and slides, we'll be fine as we wouldn't have spent more than a couple of days at the JW, but found this a bit odd given this is one of the biggest features touted by MVC. A quick check of reviews on TripAdvisor show that this isn't really an exception as several of the last reviews all report similar restrictions. If I was an owner here, I would not be happy (especially if I had any intention of staying during busier seasons).

For those that own here, is this a deeded right or just a stop gap until the resort builds out more fully? Is this something they "sold" the resort on?

 

[dioxide45]

It isn't a deeded right, but rather an agreement setup between the HOA and the ownership at the JW hotel. The arrangement would have been setup by Marriott when the resort was first conceived. The arrangement is a great selling points as you mentioned. Other resorts have similar arrangements. We all know about Desert Springs I where they failed to renew their agreement and guests there no longer have the ability to use certain facilities at the hotel without paying additional fees.

It seems that there is a clause in the agreement in Orlando where the management at the JW is able to restrict access to their pools to Lakeshore Reserve guests if occupancy rates go over a certain amount. I can understand why the JW management would have this type of clause in order to maintain a good experience for the guests paying to stay at the JW. Unfortunately that doesn't bode well for Lakeshore Reserve guests.

 

[LAX Mom]

I stayed there last Oct (didn't seem very busy at JW, Ritz or Lakeshore) and was able to use the pools at all three properties. I preferred the pool at Lakeshore, it's newer and has a lazy river. After checking out the other pools we just stayed at Lakeshore and enjoyed the amenities there.

 

[ocdb8r]

It seems that there is a clause in the agreement in Orlando where the management at the JW is able to restrict access to their pools to Lakeshore Reserve guests if occupancy rates go over a certain amount. I can understand why the JW management would have this type of clause in order to maintain a good experience for the guests paying to stay at the JW. Unfortunately that doesn't bode well for Lakeshore Reserve guests.

I guess this makes sense, however I wonder how the HOA is billed for use/access given the fluctuation? It seems the JW is exercising this clause rather liberally. I had heard about the situation and Desert Springs I, however it seems to be Lakeshore Reserve has been billed much more as an "integrated" resort. Add to that the severe delay in build out due to the economy, and it's a bit of a bummer. Most seem to have been pretty happy with the pools at Lakeshore proper, but we're looking forward to a lazy river that actually MOVES (like at the JW).

 

[dioxide45]

I guess this makes sense, however I wonder how the HOA is billed for use/access given the fluctuation? It seems the JW is exercising this clause rather liberally. I had heard about the situation and Desert Springs I, however it seems to be Lakeshore Reserve has been billed much more as an "integrated" resort. Add to that the severe delay in build out due to the economy, and it's a bit of a bummer. Most seem to have been pretty happy with the pools at Lakeshore proper, but we're looking forward to a lazy river that actually MOVES (like at the JW).

I looked at the financial report for Lakeshore and couldn't find a line item for the usage of JW facilities like they had at DSVI. There is a line for $285 common assessment. Not sure what that is. So I don't know what owners there are paying for the privileges of JW facility use.

One scary thing I saw was the almost $500 developer subsidy. Not sure how long that will last. The MF there are already high enough for Orlando.

 

[NJMOM2]

Most seem to have been pretty happy with the pools at Lakeshore proper, but we're looking forward to a lazy river that actually MOVES (like at the JW).

Don't expect any warp speed from the JW Marriott lazy river. It is longer than the Lakeshore Reserve lazy river and only slightly faster.

 

[ocdb8r]

One scary thing I saw was the almost $500 developer subsidy. Not sure how long that will last. The MF there are already high enough for Orlando.

WOW! That's especially disturbing considering we were able to book a 2-bedroom for $253/night (all in w/taxes) using the MVC Owner discount. That works out to $1771 for the week (assuming mid-week rates aren't even lower. Maintenance fees for this unit are $1110. Assuming a developer subsidy of $500 that makes the true maintenance fee $1610...hardly an incentive to own here.

On that note though, love the ability to book mid-week (Sun-Thur) with points (lower point costs) and then tack on weekend nights at the beginning or end using the MVC owner discount. One of the few nice things about the point system that allow us to stretch our use.

 

[rovitm]

I was at Lakeshore last year with my kids. We actually preferred their lazy river and slide compared to the JW.

So, what's the deal with access to the lazy river and pool area over at the JW? We're off to the resort next month and 3 out of 4 days are "restricted access" due to high occupancy rates at the JW. I'm a bit confused as this was the main reason we spent the extra points to reserve at Lakeshore reserve. Given the timeshare has it's own pool and slides, we'll be fine as we wouldn't have spent more than a couple of days at the JW, but found this a bit odd given this is one of the biggest features touted by MVC. A quick check of reviews on TripAdvisor show that this isn't really an exception as several of the last reviews all report similar restrictions. If I was an owner here, I would not be happy (especially if I had any intention of staying during busier seasons).

For those that own here, is this a deeded right or just a stop gap until the resort builds out more fully? Is this something they "sold" the resort on?

 

[Darlene]

How did you find out that it would be restricted while you were there? We are going in July, and I bet we will have the same problem.
Darlene

 

[davidn247]

I looked into buying at Lakeshore and did my due-diligence in full details.

The documents are clearly stating that JW and Ritz are providing access to Lakeshore owners but it can be shutdown unilateraly at any time. Basically, Lakeshore owners have no rights (this is why we did not buy... cannot trust the salesman...).

Note that this is valid for the tennis courts too, which are technically owned by JW! They are not at all on property of Lakeshore resort (even if salesmen tend to tell you differently)...

 

[davidn247]

BY THE WAY..... fantastic 3BR Lakeshore available right now (Flexchange) for June! Argh.. not enough vacations!

 

[anne1125]

Just want to add that it is a beautiful resort and you will love it. We never went to the parks or the other hotel and had a great time.

Anne

 

[DS14]

I may be staying at the JW next month. Does the shared resort usage work both ways (can I use Lakeshore facilities while at JW)?

 

[ocdb8r]

How did you find out that it would be restricted while you were there? We are going in July, and I bet we will have the same problem.
Darlene

A few weeks before your stay they send out an email with info about the resort, the floorplan of your unit and other helpful tidbits. In my email it included a notice about the restrictions.

 

[Janette]

We are in the building closest to the JW. We prefer the cushioned chairs, more shade, and longer river at the JW. It has been very low use so far this week. With all the chairs, I can't figure out how they could have a problem. How will they know who is there? There is no lock on their gates, no way of identifying guests, etc. Either pool is great. We went to the greet on Monday morning and Mike, the flyfish instructor, gave us a golf cart tour of the entire property. We are going on an Eco kayak tour with him tomorrow. Tommy played golf today and had loved the course. The resort is very nice!