Which is better for young kids: Canyon Villas, Mountainside, or Summit Watch?

[fleming4]

We're thinking of going to one of these 3 resorts in August with our two grandchildren, ages 4 and 6. Among the 3 options, how are the activities for kids these ages at each resort? Would we be better off at one of them? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Superchief]

In August, I think Mountainside is a clear winner if you are traveling with young kids. Park City weather will be much better than Phoenix at that time for outdoor activities. Mountainside is more of a family resort, while Summit Watch is much better for adults. There is a nice pool at Mountainside, the resort is adjacent to a small amusement park, and there are activities in areas surrounding Park City, including the steam train in Heber City.

 

[n777lt]

Phoenix is much too hot for much outdoor activity - unless you leave for the mountains. Park City has lots of trails, bike paths, and interesting day trips.

 

[LisaH]

Even though I own at Canyon Villas, I have to agree with the recommendation for Mountainside. However, my neighbor took her family to Phoenix/Scottsdale every year in early Aug and stay at CV or Desert Ridge. They love the heat and love the pool facility there.

 

[Pompey Family]

We took our kids to Mountainside in August a couple of years ago (9 and 7) and they enjoyed it. There's a decent pool there although it did get very crowded when outside groups were allowed to use the facilities (including one group of kids who took over the entire grill area one lunchtime). There are two kids lounges, one for younger kids and one for teens, with video games, air hockey etc. There were activities put on by the staff but these weren't as good as other resorts.

There's also the alpine slide and coaster just outside the resort. We didn't find a great deal to do with the kids in the area, yours will be a bit young to go hiking and the hills may also be too much for cycling. Check out what's on offer in SLC, our kids really enjoyed the Natural History Museum there but again, 4 and 6 might be too young to really appreciate it all.

We checked out Summit Watch whilst we were there and were not impressed by it, I certainly wouldn't choose it as a resort for kids.

 

[DEScottzz]

I think Canyon Villas guests can use the pools and other facilities at the JW Marriott resort just across the way. They advertise a lazy river and a serpentine slide.

I have no grandkids and I'm too old for such things, but I just want to be sure you're aware that they are available.

 

[n777lt]

If you are counting on being able to use the JW pool at Canyon Villas, call them before you reserve to make sure you aren't hitting one of their black-out weeks - they bar people from Canyon Villas during a few high occupancy periods (though August would be one only if there's something like a golf tournament going on!)

 

[Colt Seavers]

We took our kids to Mountainside in August a couple of years ago (9 and 7) and they enjoyed it. There's a decent pool there although it did get very crowded when outside groups were allowed to use the facilities (including one group of kids who took over the entire grill area one lunchtime). There are two kids lounges, one for younger kids and one for teens, with video games, air hockey etc. There were activities put on by the staff but these weren't as good as other resorts.

I have to agree with the earlier recommendations for Mountainside as we enjoy it in the summer almost as much as in the winter. My son's favorite thing when he was younger was just to ride the buses and trolley around town and he very much liked the mining museum on Main Street.

Regarding the "outside groups" do you mean that a group was renting/using the facilities with the knowledge of the staff or they were sneaking in and you thought the staff should have removed them? The spa area with the multiple spas and waterfalls is better than any other timeshare I have been to. I guess if the worst thing you can say about the pool is that people are sneaking in to use it then it can't be too bad.

As for the activities I have been to many Marriott and non-Marriott properties and I have yet to find one with better activities so I cannot say I agree with that assessment. One that we enjoyed most was the van tour to the crater that had a natural spring inside.

 

[CCR]

I have to agree with the earlier recommendations for Mountainside as we enjoy it in the summer almost as much as in the winter. My son's favorite thing when he was younger was just to ride the buses and trolley around town and he very much liked the mining museum on Main Street.

Regarding the "outside groups" do you mean that a group was renting/using the facilities with the knowledge of the staff or they were sneaking in and you thought the staff should have removed them? The spa area with the multiple spas and waterfalls is better than any other timeshare I have been to. I guess if the worst thing you can say about the pool is that people are sneaking in to use it then it can't be too bad.

As for the activities I have been to many Marriott and non-Marriott properties and I have yet to find one with better activities so I cannot say I agree with that assessment. One that we enjoyed most was the van tour to the crater that had a natural spring inside.

I love both Mountainside and Summit Watch. My kids tend to think the activities are more fun at the Mountainside resort. The pool there was crowded in June but by August last year that issue had been solved as the guests now all wear wrist bands to use the facilities. I think there were local groups sneaking into that pool before but now there is an attendant checking to ensure that isn't happening.

We spent a week at Summit Watch over Thanksgiving and I thought the pool and movies on the big screen was great. Summer in Park City is very nice.

 

[fleming4]

Thanks for the input

Thank you all for the ideas and input. Very helpful.

 

[Pompey Family]

Regarding the "outside groups" do you mean that a group was renting/using the facilities with the knowledge of the staff or they were sneaking in and you thought the staff should have removed them? The spa area with the multiple spas and waterfalls is better than any other timeshare I have been to. I guess if the worst thing you can say about the pool is that people are sneaking in to use it then it can't be too bad.

As for the activities I have been to many Marriott and non-Marriott properties and I have yet to find one with better activities so I cannot say I agree with that assessment. One that we enjoyed most was the van tour to the crater that had a natural spring inside.

The groups appeared to be outside groups that were there with Marriott approval.

I agree that the spa area is better than any other Marriott I've been to although in the heat of August they're not always desirable.

With respect to the activities I was referring to the kids club activities rather than any organised trips.

 

[Superchief]

Although I really enjoy summer vacations at Mountainside, I have encountered problems with crowds and unsupervised children. There are many owners who live nearby and use it as a summer getaway. They often have other family members come on the weekends to use the facilities. This appears to be a bigger problem from Mid-June to the end of July. Weekends can be bad, but weekdays seem to be less of a problem. When I was there last year around Labor Day, this was less of a problem and MVC staff appeared to pay more attention to keeping unsupervised children out of the Fitness Center. It is a shame that parents don't respect other guests or the safety of their kids.

I have observed that guests here frequently take over the grilling areas. I don't think these are outside groups, but are owners who are staying there and using it as their own 'summer home'. I've observed people putting tablecloths on all of the tables at lunch time, and then staying throughout the evening. They hog all the grills and tables. To be honest, I've not encountered this selfish behavior at any other MVC property. During one visit a few years ago, one 'family' used most of the tables for most of the week. They have expanded the grilling area and added more tables, but there are still some local owners who seem to think the whole area is there for their own private parties.

We still really enjoy the area and have learned to work around the grill/patio table situation and now go either early June or after Mid-August. It is really a nice getaway from the heat and humidity of the Midwest. Since it is a ski resort area, there are several excellent restaurants which offer more reasonable prices in the summer. Sundance and Mirror Lake are within about an hour drive and scenery is comparable to national parks (and a lot less crowded).