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Newport Beach or Palm Desert in April?

A

ArubaFan01930

TUG Member
Joined
May 3, 2017
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Location
Massachusetts
Resorts Owned
Marriott Aruba Surf Club, Marriott Grande Vista
Hi - We have a 2BR booked at Marriott St. Thomas Frenchman's Cove with DP in mid April of 2018 but I am now thinking that we will choose a new destination and put the STT off until 2019.

We are a family of 6 with 4 kids aged 11-16. Been to Orlando parks and resorts several times so were looking for something new. Coming from New England so sun/fun type of destination is desired that time of year.

So - I was looking at what is available during that week. Aruba (our home resort) is booked, Phoenix booked but there are openings at Newport Beach and both of the Palm Desert Villas.

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or opinions. April looks a little cool that time of year at Newport Beach and Palm Desert looks super hot but no ocean, maybe less going on with for kids that age etc.

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
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Newport Beach will be cool in April. Water much too cold for swimming.

Palm Springs should not be super hot at that time, but I always wonder how much there is for kids to do.
 
Thanks for the reply. Maybe I will try to get on a waitlist for the Canyon Villas in Phoenix. Or, there are some places in HHI available but also have some concerns about the weather, ocean temps, stuff to do for teenagers etc. there too.
 
Weather wise - Palm Springs hands down. It will be in the mid 80s +/- . Newport beach will be much cooler. Not terrible, but much too cool for swimming.

As far as activities for kids, Shadow Ridge is known for having great pools that are family friendly. There is great hiking and scenery at Joshua Tree NP, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tram is fun. Good hiking at the top. We truly enjoyed the Palm Springs Aviation Museum but I suppose it would be hit or miss with the kids. You could also do a (long) day trip to Disney if you wanted. There's a ton of golf courses around - maybe you could take the kids to hit a bucket of balls.
 
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I agree with the other respondents, go to Palm Desert. The weather will be delightful. There is a lot for kids to do at the Marriott activity centers. Also, all of the Marriotts in PD have several nice pools. At DSV1/2, you can rent a bike. Perhaps Shadow Ridge as well.

If your kids are in to hiking, take them to Joshua Tree NP, to 1000 Palms Oasis (see water bubbling out of the ground), to Indian Canyons, etc. Marriott does supervised hikes during the cooler months but I'm not positive about April.

At Newport Coast, the ocean never gets particularly warm. The temp of the ocean in August and Sept may sometimes get to 72 or rarely 73 degrees. The pools at NCV are kept warm, but if the air temp isn't warm enough, it'll feel really cool as you leave. In May, there is a fog condition at the coast called "May Gray". In June they call it "June Gloom". Sometimes there is coast fog in April as well.

Both NCV and the PD Marriotts are nice. But I think that you'll enjoy PD a bit more. BTW, there are actually more than two PD properties. Technically, there are five: DSV1, DSV2, DSV-Jasmine court (I'd skip that with kids as it is a bit too quiet and secluded), Shadow Ridge Village and SR-Enclaves (I'd suggest skipping that also because the master BR is separated from the rest of the unit by a sliding wall - - it doesn't do a very good job of sound deadening).
 
Great stuff, thanks! My first post here and glad I did. Regarding the multiple properties, would you say the DSV1 or 2 would be the way to prioritize before the others?
 
Dan Colbert said:
Great stuff, thanks! My first post here and glad I did. Regarding the multiple properties, would you say the DSV1 or 2 would be the way to prioritize before the others?
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DSV1 would be my choice based upon unit layout. The lockoff has two double beds and is off of a separate foyer. I would think that your kids are old enough for this arrangement. DSV 2 is a more traditional lockoff with the second bedroom having a king bed and a queen sleeper.

There is also Shadow Ridge Villages - not quite as large as DSV1 - and I am not sure of the bed layout. The one that you don't want for your family situation is Shadow Ridge Enclaves.
 
Agree with others that DSV1 is the best choice. You also get access to the main Marriott hotel pools from these villas. The weather is usually great that time of year. In addition to "things to do" suggestions I'd add the Wet & Wild water park in Palm Springs, the Living Desert Zoo in PD. The weekend street fair at the College of the Desert is also worth a visit - even for the kids.
 
ArubaFan01930 said:
Thanks for the reply. Maybe I will try to get on a waitlist for the Canyon Villas in Phoenix. Or, there are some places in HHI available but also have some concerns about the weather, ocean temps, stuff to do for teenagers etc. there too.
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Canyon Villas is a great property. We have gone there two years in a row and we loved it! My sons is 12 and really enjoys the activities there.

We have also been to Palm Desert and are going back there in a few weeks. My son plays golf, so he plays a lot there. The PS tram was a lot of fun, so we will probably do that again this year.
 
ArubaFan01930 said:
Great stuff, thanks! My first post here and glad I did. Regarding the multiple properties, would you say the DSV1 or 2 would be the way to prioritize before the others?
Click to expand...
I would go with Shadow Ridge Villages (not Enclaves) for kids 11-16. There are a lot of activities, movie theater, mini golf, ping pong, etc, and the pool areas are kid friendly.
 
Kids and adults alike should enjoy the Living Desert zoo in the Palm Desert area. We always go to Palm Springs in April for Cliff's birthday. Usually just a bit warmer than we'd prefer, high 80s.
 
Trip booked, ended up breaking up the week due to availability so 3 days at Newport Coast and 5 days at Dester Springs Villas 1. It saved the $15 daily fee to use the JW facilities and it sounds like you can also use the pool at Villas 2 if desired. We got an extra day for the same points compared to St Thomas. Thanks for all the advice.
 
ArubaFan01930 said:
Trip booked, ended up breaking up the week due to availability so 3 days at Newport Coast and 5 days at Dester Springs Villas 1. It saved the $15 daily fee to use the JW facilities and it sounds like you can also use the pool at Villas 2 if desired. We got an extra day for the same points compared to St Thomas. Thanks for all the advice.
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Congratulations! That should be a nice combination and give an opportunity to experience both resorts and areas.

In fact, we will be at Newport Coast from April 22-29 via an II trade followed by 3-4 nights at DSV2 via DC points.

Best regards.

Mike
 
Desert weather should be great but Southern California may surprise you too as it may be quite nice. Who knows what the weather will be from one day to the next in most places today?

Both resorts are very nice and a lot to see and do if you like sightseeing too.
 
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