Marriott Lakeshore reserve V Disney Saratoga Springs

[Dean]

Aren't OKW and SSR about the same size? Both seem HUGE. I think both also have four main pool areas. SSR isn't limited to just two.

In Physical size they are around the same size but SSR is so much more navigable than OKW with the main area being much more centrally located (relatively speaking) and the walkway across the lagoon. SSR also has better pools and better amenities. We love OKW overall and the units are huge by DVC standards. In addition we have a soft spot for OKW due to the early days with colored cloth napkins, etc. Points are close to the same overall.

Only 3 building have elevators but OKW is good at honoring medical requests if done in advance and with clarity.

 

[Big Matt]

Jumping in late on this thread. I don't think there is a comparison if you are doing the Disney parks. You get free transportation/parking, tons of good restaurant and entertainment options at SS include a good restaurant on site plus extra magic hours. Lakeshore is farther out and you need to drive to everything other than the other Marriott properties on location. I would probably still take SS even if not doing the parks.

 

[frank808]

We always have vehicle and have annual pass to the parks so staying on site is not really needed. We like the setup of MVC better than DVC. Now if we come with first timers or have little ones, we choose DVC in a heartbeat. Going back to the resorts from the parks is so easy for afternoon lunch and relaxation.

We prefer off site now at our first choice Lakeshore Reserve since it is just wife and I. Hit the parks, walk around and hit a few rides. Maybe have lunch in the park and more likely than not leave by 2pm. Maybe return later or to a different park.

We like MVC in this order Lakeshore, Cypress Harbour and Grand Vista. Not a fan of the Palm properties at all even though they are closest to Disneyworld.

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[rthib]

We like MVC in this order Lakeshore, Cypress Harbour and Grand Vista. Not a fan of the Palm properties at all even though they are closest to Disneyworld.

Do you still rank Cypress over Grand? I am a little worried about the construction. Cypress was always my favorite but we have not been there since the golf course land starting being developed.

 

[frank808]

Do you still rank Cypress over Grand? I am a little worried about the construction. Cypress was always my favorite but we have not been there since the golf course land starting being developed.

We were just there in Jan for a week and it was fine. Like that you don't have to drive as far from main road to Grand Vista Villa. Though I like that Vista is on I drive and close to Seaworld and restaurants.

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[Mlvnsmly]

We always have vehicle and have annual pass to the parks so staying on site is not really needed. We like the setup of MVC better than DVC. Now if we come with first timers or have little ones, we choose DVC in a heartbeat. Going back to the resorts from the parks is so easy for afternoon lunch and relaxation.

We prefer off site now at our first choice Lakeshore Reserve since it is just wife and I. Hit the parks, walk around and hit a few rides. Maybe have lunch in the park and more likely than not leave by 2pm. Maybe return later or to a different park.

We like MVC in this order Lakeshore, Cypress Harbour and Grand Vista. Not a fan of the Palm properties at all even though they are closest to Disneyworld.

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We like Sabal Palms specifically due to the close proximity to the World Center pools and water park. The other 2 are a little inconvenient because you need to walk a long distance to get to the World Center or rely on the shuttle. Like you said, the proximity to Disney is amazing. I think we'll just miss you as we'll be at Cypress the last week in July (leaving for a night in the middle to stay at Royal Pacific for the Universal perks), then we move to the Ritz at the beginning of August. I'm sweating just thinking about it haha.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

What kind of access are you looking for?
There is a fee to use the JW pool- $50/unit I believe.
You have access to the restaurants and shops in the JW and the Ritz just a few minutes walk away plus a nice path along the lake- nothing like that at Grande Vista.
Lakeshore has a lazy river and waterslides on property too.
GV used to be our favorite in Orlando and one stay at Lakeshore changed that.
Check out the MVC app to compare the amenities on the properties.

Yes it's $50/day per villa, but only up to 4 people. Also, it's subject to blackouts which is all holidays and what seems like every weekend. The last few times we've been there, it's been Monday-Thursday only.

 

[frank808]

We like Sabal Palms specifically due to the close proximity to the World Center pools and water park. The other 2 are a little inconvenient because you need to walk a long distance to get to the World Center or rely on the shuttle. Like you said, the proximity to Disney is amazing. I think we'll just miss you as we'll be at Cypress the last week in July (leaving for a night in the middle to stay at Royal Pacific for the Universal perks), then we move to the Ritz at the beginning of August. I'm sweating just thinking about it haha.

Will be at Lakeshore from July 26 and checking into Cypress on Aug 9. Maybe we can meet up at Lakeshore again or Cypress? We are at Grand Vista from mid July if you are around earlier.

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[Pamplemousse]

Yes it's $50/day per villa, but only up to 4 people. Also, it's subject to blackouts which is all holidays and what seems like every weekend. The last few times we've been there, it's been Monday-Thursday only.

If I had kids who wanted a waterpark day I doubt that would be our choice but it would certainly be cheaper than dedicated waterparks.
To me Lakeshore wins as a resort on its own, and throw in the beautiful lake path and access to walkable restaurants makes it the best place for us- especially without young kids.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

If I had kids who wanted a waterpark day I doubt that would be our choice but it would certainly be cheaper than dedicated waterparks.
To me Lakeshore wins as a resort on its own, and throw in the beautiful lake path and access to walkable restaurants makes it the best place for us- especially without young kids.

Yes, it's definitely the nicest resort and The JW is cheaper than a dedicated water park daily ticket. If you're going to go a few times though, it could be cheaper to do a season pass at a water park. We did that this year with Island H20.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

Will be at Lakeshore from July 26 and checking into Cypress on Aug 9. Maybe we can meet up at Lakeshore again or Cypress? We are at Grand Vista from mid July if you are around earlier.

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We check in to the Ritz on 7/31 so it sounds like we'll both be at Grande Lakes. We're trying to use up our 85k certs and nobody felt like driving to Amelia, Sarasota, or Naples. Not the best value this year, but maybe we'll get upgraded.

 

[rthib]

Will be at Lakeshore from July 26 and checking into Cypress on Aug 9. Maybe we can meet up at Lakeshore again or Cypress? We are at Grand Vista from mid July if you are around earlier.

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Would love your option/review after current stay as to status of Cypress and also how you would rank those two and Grande based on your current stays. Trying to decide between the three.
Can get 2 weeks at Grande or Cypress but could only do one week at Lakeshore and then move, so trying to see if worth it and which other resort I should stay at.
I like Cypress and Grande about equal now.

 

[BrownThunder]

We always have vehicle and have annual pass to the parks so staying on site is not really needed. We like the setup of MVC better than DVC. Now if we come with first timers or have little ones, we choose DVC in a heartbeat. Going back to the resorts from the parks is so easy for afternoon lunch and relaxation.

We prefer off site now at our first choice Lakeshore Reserve since it is just wife and I. Hit the parks, walk around and hit a few rides. Maybe have lunch in the park and more likely than not leave by 2pm. Maybe return later or to a different park.

We like MVC in this order Lakeshore, Cypress Harbour and Grand Vista. Not a fan of the Palm properties at all even though they are closest to Disneyworld.

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Why don't you like the Palms properties?

 

[Huskerpaul]

We check in to the Ritz on 7/31 so it sounds like we'll both be at Grande Lakes. We're trying to use up our 85k certs and nobody felt like driving to Amelia, Sarasota, or Naples. Not the best value this year, but maybe we'll get upgraded.

We had an 85k cert to burn and stayed at the Ritz the day before checking into Lakeshore. I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.

 

[frank808]

We check in to the Ritz on 7/31 so it sounds like we'll both be at Grande Lakes. We're trying to use up our 85k certs and nobody felt like driving to Amelia, Sarasota, or Naples. Not the best value this year, but maybe we'll get upgraded.

Great! We can meet up at Lakeshore or i can go over to the RC.

Didn't we meet up at Lakeshore pool a few years ago?

I still have an 85k certificate to burn by 8/27/2025 so know what you mean. Granted as long as the room costs $150 I will reak even on the RC card. Thinking of using cert in Vancouver in early July.

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[frank808]

Would love your option/review after current stay as to status of Cypress and also how you would rank those two and Grande based on your current stays. Trying to decide between the three.
Can get 2 weeks at Grande or Cypress but could only do one week at Lakeshore and then move, so trying to see if worth it and which other resort I should stay at.
I like Cypress and Grande about equal now.

We were just at all 3 within the past 6 months. But will see if there are any updates. Lakeshore is still first in our book. Cypress and Vista are 2nd and 3rd but it is very close between those two.

We check into MGV July 12, into MGK July 26 and then into CHP Aug 9. So will be able to compare them all. Was able to get a 2br for SSR in August but the trade fee+$190 DVC fee just didn't make it worth it. Then having to move from one unit to another for a week instead of staying in same unit for 8 weeks did not go well with wife.

Just glad MVC finally refurbished the interiors of Lakeshore. Lakeshore needed a refresh of furniture. I also noticed there used to be so many lifeguards. Last visit there was only one or two lifeguards by the slides. There used to be 3 or 4 around the lazy river about 10 years or so ago. But still a great HEATED lazy river and not crowded!

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[frank808]

Why don't you like the Palms properties?

The palms properties doesn't have the larger pools, facilities, grounds etc of the other MVC resorts. I am not a fan of the layout of the interiors of the palm units. If I cant find a unit at any of the other properties, I would stay at the palms no problem. To me, there are better options within the MVC Orlando family. Just different strokes for different folks. Some people love the palm properties over Grand Vista and Lakeshore.

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[amycurl]

I do like that the Imperial Palms have 3 bedrooms.


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[Mlvnsmly]

Great! We can meet up at Lakeshore or i can go over to the RC.

Didn't we meet up at Lakeshore pool a few years ago?

I still have an 85k certificate to burn by 8/27/2025 so know what you mean. Granted as long as the room costs $150 I will reak even on the RC card. Thinking of using cert in Vancouver in early July.

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Yeah, pretty sure it was June 2020. We were in the pool talking to a lady from Texas that said she was promised limo service when she signed up haha. You gave me a tour of the deluxe unit and I gave you guys some Voodoo Donuts that the kids didn't want. You also gave me your key to the JW Pool since mine didn't work. I never once got a working key for the JW from the front desk.

I got $2000 per cert last year at the Ritz in Naples (with the help of NUAs) so I've set the bar pretty high for myself unfortunately.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

We were just at all 3 within the past 6 months. But will see if there are any updates. Lakeshore is still first in our book. Cypress and Vista are 2nd and 3rd but it is very close between those two.

We check into MGV July 12, into MGK July 26 and then into CHP Aug 9. So will be able to compare them all. Was able to get a 2br for SSR in August but the trade fee+$190 DVC fee just didn't make it worth it. Then having to move from one unit to another for a week instead of staying in same unit for 8 weeks did not go well with wife.

Just glad MVC finally refurbished the interiors of Lakeshore. Lakeshore needed a refresh of furniture. I also noticed there used to be so many lifeguards. Last visit there was only one or two lifeguards by the slides. There used to be 3 or 4 around the lazy river about 10 years or so ago. But still a great HEATED lazy river and not crowded!

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The lifeguards were MVC employees and they eliminated the positions in I think 2021, but still kept an outsourced guard at the slides. Everyone that was a lifeguard at the time was offered another position or had the opportunity to move to the 3rd party lifeguard company. I think only 1 guy moved. Most stayed with MVC in activities and one became LP. From what they said, it was a legal requirement in Florida or maybe Orange County to keep a guard at the slides because they were standalone and didn't empty into the pool.

 

[frank808]

Yeah, pretty sure it was June 2020. We were in the pool talking to a lady from Texas that said she was promised limo service when she signed up haha. You gave me a tour of the deluxe unit and I gave you guys some Voodoo Donuts that the kids didn't want. You also gave me your key to the JW Pool since mine didn't work. I never once got a working key for the JW from the front desk.

Ok I thought so. It has been almost 5 years now. Will be good to catch up on life and relax in lazy river.

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[frank808]

The lifeguards were MVC employees and they eliminated the positions in I think 2021, but still kept an outsourced guard at the slides. Everyone that was a lifeguard at the time was offered another position or had the opportunity to move to the 3rd party lifeguard company. I think only 1 guy moved. Most stayed with MVC in activities and one became LP. From what they said, it was a legal requirement in Florida or maybe Orange County to keep a guard at the slides because they were standalone and didn't empty into the pool.

Wow didn't know the lifeguards were gone that far back. I thought it was maybe 2/3 years ago I still saw one guard around lazy river. Then noticed when we visited Oct last year, lifeguards were all gone. Did not know MVC eliminated them that many years ago.

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