Which Marriott in Orlando?

[IngridN]

DH and I are going to take his 90 year old mother and her boyfriend to Orlando for her 90th b-day next year. Which Marriott do you recommend and why? We will be renting a car, so distance from the parks (Disney and Universal) are not an issue.

Would you recommend March/April timeframe or September, weather-wise? Her actual b-day is in August and we were initially thinking Sept, however, are concerned that the temp. and humidity may be overwhelming for them. Would March/April be more comfortable? We do want to avoid the crowds.

Lastly, neither of them will be able to get around the parks all day w/o wheelchairs for some of the time. Anything we should be aware of or plan for in that regard?

DH is a mouse kid at heart and he's decided that even if his mom doesn't want to go, we will!

Edit: We are also open to non-Marriott timeshares.

Ingrid

 

[JPrisco]

March or April is a better choice in my opinion. September is still very hot in Orlando.
My Mom is 83 and she loves Grande Vista. Ask for a room near the main pool/food area and getting around is much easier.
She had trouble at first at Cypress Harbour and then found out all she had to do was call the front desk and they would send a cart to take her to the pool - then she loved it there also.
We used to rent Mom an electric scooter in Disney, but now she can not control them too well, so we get her a push wheelchair. More work for us, but safer for the other guests.
I think it is great that you are taking a 90 year old on vacation. God bless you. I think this will be our last year taking Mom, just too much work for her (and us), she tires so easily.
Enjoy!

 

[dioxide45]

March and April will be best weather wise. September can be very HOT. However, September is far better for crowds while March and April are prime spring break times and will be crowded. My suggestion is May or the week or two after Thanksgiving. Great weather and lower crowds.

As for resort, I think Lakeshore Reserve would be best, but also the hardest to get. Grande Vista or one of the Palms would be good options also.

 

[calberry]

We stayed at the Imperial Palms a couple of years ago with our daughter, her husband and their 2 kids under 4. We liked IP because it has 3 bedrooms, so there was lots of room to spread out! And it was a very easy drive to all the Disney properties ;-)

Steve

 

[jme]

altho the past two years have been quiet stormwise, September is in the middle of the hurricane season, and you just never know. your trip has little possibility of being interrupted, but if it did, September would be more likely for that to happen.

and, as silly as it might seem coming from a guy, I remember a trip there in April, and one of the things I remember most was the gorgeous rose gardens in glorious bloom throughout the Disney parks, esp Epcot.

 

[TSPam]

Hi,
September is the height of hurricane season and very hot so March/April would be better.
Grande vista is a great resort --very big. The second bedrooms are either lock offs with king bed and sofa and a mini fridge or two queen beds.
Cypress harbour is lovely but the second bedroom has 1 queen bed and a pull out so not so good for your situation.
I have not been to lakeshore reserve but I have heard great things about it.

Sabal Palms has steps in the villas so that may not be a good a choice for you.
Royal Palms would be fine and it is located a the Marriott World center and you can use all of the amenities there.

You can rent wheelchairs and have them delivered to your resort. Or scooters too.

If you have a handicapped parking permit there is parking close the entrance to all of the parks.

 

[Big Matt]

I would go the beginning of November. It will be very nice weather wise and not crowded. Early May should be light too, but may be getting up to the 90 degree range on some days.

 

[Twinkstarr]

I would go the beginning of November. It will be very nice weather wise and not crowded. Early May should be light too, but may be getting up to the 90 degree range on some days.

As having just done an early November trip in place of our traditional Thanksgiving, it is definately warmer than later in the month. Epcot's Food & Wine festival is going on, special events, Eat to the Beat concerts(think washed up 80's artists, Night Rider was playing the night we went to Illuminations).

Of all our Orlando trips(plenty since I am a DVC'er), the one we took in early May was the best. As JME mentioned the flowers, the Epcot Flower & Garden show is going on during that time. Warm enough to use the pool every afternoon.

 

[IngridN]

Thank you all for your input. DH and I are leaning towards March/April, however, Oct/Nov would work better logistically. On the other hand, more time for medical issues to surface if we wait until the end of the year. Neither MIL nor her boyfriend are in the best of health and we really want to do something special for her 90th.

We would be getting 2 2-bedroom units, a 2 and 1, or a 3 bedroom. Searching II, it appears that 2 of the 'Palms' only have 2 bedroom units as that's all I see with my studio.

Ingrid

 

[TSPam]

yes, Royal palms and sabal palms are dedicated 2 bedrooms. (Sabal has two steps down into the living room and up into the master bathroom-- also glass block in the shower make the bedroom bright in the mornings)
Imperial Palms are dedicated 3 bedrooms.
G vista has Studio, 1,2,and 3 bedrooms
cypress harbour is dedicated 2 bedroom.

 

[MichaelColey]

March/April can still be pretty warm, but is usually way better than September. If you're flexible on your dates, I agree with the November suggestion and would also throw February into the mix.

Other timeshares in Orlando that are often recommended are the HGVCs and Wyndham Bonnet Creek (which is very convenient to Disney).