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Matched Harbour Lake- Take it?

K

kelm

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2015
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Location
NY
I had an OGS for a 2bdrm+ at Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando or Harborside at Atlantis for Aug 2016 but matched today for a 2bdrm at Marriott's Harbour Lake instead. We will be travelling with kids, 16, 10, and 9. Is this a good taker? Thanks.
 
HL is a very nice resort, but it's Aug. in Orlando, which is very different than Atlantis. Aug. is low season for Fl and a very easy trade. We love Aug. at WDW, but be prepared for possible downpours/storms. If you go, plan to be outside in the AM and in the shade or indoors during afternoons. Unless I was looking for O, I would hold out until at least spring before changing my plans to O from Atlantis.
 
Hate to say it but I think the chances of getting Atlantis in the summer is impossible so I wouldn't wait for that one. Even if one slipped through, it would go to a Starwood owner. I finaly gave up and bought one. Lakeshore also gets snapped up pretty fast by Marriott owners, but is not as hard as Atlantis. I had an AC for a 1 bed at and did a trade for a 2 bed at Lakeshore this past August and noticed they went pretty fast in II. Maybe you can keep the Harbour Lake and get the retrade feature in case Lakeshore pops up. Harbour Lake is a great resort for kids.
 
I have never stayed at Harbour Lake. We have stayed at Cypress Harbour, Grande Vista and Lakeshore. My impression is that Harbour Lake is best suited for very young kids. Have your kids look at the photos and see if they are interested in Harbour Lake. My kids have stayed at Grande Vista and LOVE IT!

Agree Orlando is far less popular than July. August is very HOT and HUMID! It is also hurricane season. Orlando will not be a difficult trade. Grande Vista is a very large resort and often has inventory available. Lakeshore is MUCH smaller in size, which makes it a more difficult trade (way less rooms/inventory). That being said, we love Lakeshore Reserve.
 
Weimaraner said:
Hate to say it but I think the chances of getting Atlantis in the summer is impossible so I wouldn't wait for that one. Even if one slipped through, it would go to a Starwood owner. I finaly gave up and bought one. Lakeshore also gets snapped up pretty fast by Marriott owners, but is not as hard as Atlantis. I had an AC for a 1 bed at and did a trade for a 2 bed at Lakeshore this past August and noticed they went pretty fast in II. Maybe you can keep the Harbour Lake and get the retrade feature in case Lakeshore pops up. Harbour Lake is a great resort for kids.
Click to expand...

Would Frenchmans Cove in St Thomas also be slim chances of getting in August?
 
kelm said:
Would Frenchmans Cove in St Thomas also be slim chances of getting in August?
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You could give it a try - a much better chance than Atlantis. I just looked up Frenchman's Cove on Interval and the Travel Demand Index on the page said weeks 1-14 are high demand at that resort. July/August are not as much in demand. Marriott owners would get first chance at the weeks but I'm guessing you may have luck. I've stayed at this resort in January with a Marriott trade - also enjoyed this one.
 
Frenchman's cove could be had. Don't take Harbour Lake. You can easily get Cypress or Grande Vista in August which are both much better for kids with your age ranges. Just remember that Florida residents go back to school early to mid-August so those travelers are already out of the mix.
 
you might also consider adding Aruba.
 
I wonder why they matched you to Harbour Lake when you didn't include it in your search? Did you accept it based on a call from II trying to offer you substitutions?
 
dioxide45 said:
I wonder why they matched you to Harbour Lake when you didn't include it in your search? Did you accept it based on a call from II trying to offer you substitutions?
Click to expand...

I received a phone call from them and they left a message. Never received an an email, like I usually do. I just received the message yesterday and they said to call to confirm but I haven't called back. I will not take Harbor Lake.
 
Big Matt said:
Frenchman's cove could be had. Don't take Harbour Lake. You can easily get Cypress or Grande Vista in August which are both much better for kids with your age ranges. Just remember that Florida residents go back to school early to mid-August so those travelers are already out of the mix.
Click to expand...

The only reason we go in August! - Fl residents are back to school!!
 
Big Matt said:
Frenchman's cove could be had. Don't take Harbour Lake. You can easily get Cypress or Grande Vista in August which are both much better for kids with your age ranges. Just remember that Florida residents go back to school early to mid-August so those travelers are already out of the mix.
Click to expand...

elaine said:
you might also consider adding Aruba.
Click to expand...

I didn't know if Aruba would be boring? My kids are used to water parks and amusement parks. The beach for a week!? We live 40 minutes from a beach, granted not as nice as Aruba I'm sure.

Sorry for the many separate quotes. I didn't know how to put them in one reply.
 
We just got back from Grande Vista today. It is very close to the water parks ( you can take the trolley).

That said, I've never been to Harbour Lake so I cannot compare.

I used a one-bedroom non-marriott to trade into a 2 bedroom Thanksgiving week, so I would imagine a less busy week would be even easier.
 
I'm a Harborside owner and we're actually here now. We love it here but it's been pretty windy all week. There is actually a thread on the Starwood forum with discussion about summer availability and that there is nothing available at all until the last week of August.

Aruba Surf Club is fun for kids with a lot of activities and a lazy river. Frenchman's Cove is very nice and there's a lot to do in the area if you rent a car or cab it.

You can buy resale at Harborside pretty cheaply if you don't mind the maintenance fees.
 
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