Orlando recommendations.

[topmom101]

Hello Tuggers, hope everyone is well.

Some months back I purchased a getaway to Orlando for the first week in May. Because of the pandemic, II has allowed me to cancel and they have issued me a getaway credit which I must use before December 2020. I am thinking of reserving a week during the month of October hoping that by then we might be able to travel.

I am partial to Marriott properties and there are several available during the month of September and October. I am only familiar with Grande Vista and would love to experience a different one.

Which would you recommend? I will be traveling with 3 female friends. We will have a car, are all in our sixties and are not interested in the parks. Thank you.

 

[Big Matt]

Go search in the Marriott forum and you will find a lot of information about your question. From my perspective it depends on what you want. The three Palms are at the Marriott World Center. They are large, older, but nice inside. Nothing much to do other than the World Center pool, fitness center, restaurants. Golf also. Cypress Harbour is another on that is older. Great units. More compact footprint that Grand Vista. Nice pools and very laid back feel. Nice spa and fitness center. Harbour Lake was originally themed as a lesser resort (along with Willow Ridge) and themed for families with kids. Great pool area. Very close to Cypress Harbor. Lakeshore is on the same property as the Ritz Carlton and JW. Upscale with many different unit configurations. Not much to do around the resort, but nice lazy river and golf on the grounds.

Hope that gives you a start.

 

[topmom101]

It does, Matt. Thank you.

 

[sfwilshire]

Since you're a TUG member, check out the resort reviews and rankings. There are numerous great resorts in the area. October has been busy in recent years due to Food & Wine at WDW and the holiday. A lot of people with cancelled Spring vacations seem to be rescheduling for the Fall, but some may wait longer before they feel comfortable travelling. Hard to say what demand will be like.

I can't help wondering why anyone would want to visit Orlando if they aren't interested in the parks. Orlando is just a tourist town with not much appeal other than the parks. I'd head for the Gulf coast instead in that situation.

Sheila

 

[Big Matt]

Orlando has much more than theme parks. There are beautiful parks, lakes, and other things to do in the downtown area. There are wonderful botanical gardens, lots of golf, water sports, museums, etc. It's actually one of the nicest places to live IMO.

 

[cbyrne1174]

Lakeshore Reserve is the best one without kids.

 

[topmom101]

Lakeshore looks fantastic! That will be my number one choice. Thank you. Hope I can get it.

 

[Monykalyn]

Lakeshore has been my "unicorn" with a non MVC trader-but have stayed in all the others. Harbour lake is really great for kids, and was undergoing a refurb (started 2018). Our personal favorite is Cypress Harbour for location, unit size, activities and staff. We have older kids (20's, late teens, mid teen) and it was great for us. The Palms are good if you want to be super close to Disney.
Hope you manage to snag Lakeshore if that is your 1st choice!

 

[dioxide45]

Hello Tuggers, hope everyone is well.

Some months back I purchased a getaway to Orlando for the first week in May. Because of the pandemic, II has allowed me to cancel and they have issued me a getaway credit which I must use before December 2020. I am thinking of reserving a week during the month of October hoping that by then we might be able to travel.

I am partial to Marriott properties and there are several available during the month of September and October. I am only familiar with Grande Vista and would love to experience a different one.

Which would you recommend? I will be traveling with 3 female friends. We will have a car, are all in our sixties and are not interested in the parks. Thank you.

Four four female friends, you probably want something where you can get three beds in a 2BR unit. That would make Grande Vista, Harbour Lake and perhaps Lakeshore Reserve the best options. Cypress Harbour is a great property, but it only has a queen in the second bedroom. That means two people are probably stuck on sleeper sofas. Grande Vista has some dedicated units that you can request that have two queens in the second bedroom. Harbour Lake is mostly 2BR dedicated units, also with two queens in the second. The unit configurations at Lakeshore Reserve are all over the place, so there is no telling what kind of unit you would get.

 

[topmom101]

Thank you, dioxide. I am always reluctant to utilize the sofa bed so that is a very good thing to consider. I am glad you brought that to my attention.

I appreciate everyone’s input. I will call II today and, based on availability, I’ll make a decision. I just hope this craziness is over by then and we can get there. One of my three girlfriends has done very little traveling and Orlando was her choice. I planned this trip last summer for her and we were to leave May 2nd. Last week she was diagnosed with 2 types of cancers, one very rare and aggressive. Non-operative. She’s scheduled to begin 5 grueling weeks of chemo followed by 4 weeks of radiation. She is so excited about this “girl only” vacation and I want her to have the best time. Thanks again, friends.

 

[dioxide45]

Also keep in mind that while Harbour Lake has the highest percentage of dedicated 2BR units, it is also the most popular with kids. Grande Vista doesn't have a very high percentage of (apartment style) units. That is what they call their dedicated 2BR units. YOu really can't go wrong with any of them and as long as two friends don't mind sharing a king size bed, then a 2BR lock off that has two kings wouldn't be a problem either.

 

[mbh]

Please make sure to buy travel insurance. October is the heart of hurricane season

 

[R.J.C.]

Please make sure to buy travel insurance. October is the heart of hurricane season

Actually, all of the major hurricanes here in the past 5 years have been in Sept.

 

[pedro47]

Please make sure to buy travel insurance. October is the heart of hurricane season

Please read the whole policy about hurricane season before you purchase or call and ask the travel insurance company what is cover and not cover on the hurricane issued?