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Which Orlando MVC do you prefer?

travelinmom

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I’m looking at booking 4 or 5 days in December. The main goal is to hang out at the pool and Disney for a day or so. Lakeshore Reserve is not available for the dates I’m considering. Which resort do you prefer and why? Thanks in advance!


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jmhpsu93

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If LR is not available, then Grande Vista. Big footprint with multiple food/beverage locations, many pools, nice golf course or lake views. Great for kids too. If you have little kids I've heard Harbour Lake is great.
 

pedro47

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We liked Grande Vista because their is something their for all the various ages in our family group. There are fourteen (14) in our group; with an age range from 9 to 80 years old.
 

GregT

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Marriott: Maui Ocean Club Lahaina Villas (3BRx5), Ko Olina, Shadow Ridge II, Willow Ridge, Aruba Ocean Club, DC Points HGVC: Flamingo, Sea World, I-Drive, Starwood Bella (x4), SDO, TradeWinds, Worldmark
We've stayed at Lakeshore Reserve, Cypress Harbour, Imperial Palms and Sabal Palms. They are all good for different reasons but I will stay at one of the Palms properties next time I am there. I really like the proximity to the hotel, which has excellent infrastructure -- great pool, restaurants and bar infrastructure and an easy walk (from Sabal Palms, we took shuttle from IP). Honestly, Lakeshore Reserve was my least favorite, maybe because my expectations were so high. I didn't care for the pool -- but that may not be fair because I'm comparing the timeshare's pool to the hotel's pool.

Finally, Sabal Palms units are huge -- they clearly reflect the earlier era when Marriott was focused on the existing unit size.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Best,

Greg
 

Dean

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I’m looking at booking 4 or 5 days in December. The main goal is to hang out at the pool and Disney for a day or so. Lakeshore Reserve is not available for the dates I’m considering. Which resort do you prefer and why? Thanks in advance!


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It depends on the age of any children. For young children, Harbour Lake. For older Children and teens, GV. Some like the Palm resorts on the Marriott hotel property due to access but we don't like to "travel" to the beach or pool. And don't forget CH which is many people's favorite resort, esp to hang out.
 

1st Class

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Will you have kids with you? Kids in your group makes a big difference.

Lakeshore is furthest away from the theme parks and we love the pool area and access to the JW pool/lazy river.

Grand Vista is large and spread out, but too big for our group. It does have wonderful pool areas and lake/golf views and I think they've added boat rentals. It is located off Central Florida Pkwy between Lakeshore and I-4.

Harbour Lake is best for kids 10 and under, has a great pirate pool, and is closer to theme parks.

Cypress Harbour is right across the street and has a more adult theme but three great pool areas and activity center. They also run a free pontoon across the lake and offer rental pedal boats, etc. Downside to Cypress is 2nd bedroom has a double bed and pullout sofa, so very tight if using both. Both HL and Cypress are located near the entrance to I-4, but we usually go to Disney via Palm Pkwy, as I like to avoid I-4 whenever possible.

I've never stayed at the Palms properties, but they are close to Disney and reviews are great for the pool area if that is important to you.

So, if proximity to Disney is your top priority, the Palms may fit the bill, but do consider the others based on your individual group likes.

Edited to add: I just noted you'll be travelling in December which may or may not be warm. Weather is variable but it can also be on the cool side. You can sit by the pool and enjoy the hot tub, but I suggest you have a plan B or bring some cool weather clothing including jackets.
 
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jme

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Will you have kids with you? Kids in your group makes a big difference.

Lakeshore is furthest away from the theme parks and we love the pool area and access to the JW pool/lazy river.

Grand Vista is large and spread out, but too big for our group. It does have wonderful pool areas and lake/golf views and I think they've added boat rentals. It is located off Central Florida Pkwy between Lakeshore and I-4.

Harbour Lake is best for kids 10 and under, has a great pirate pool, and is closer to theme parks.

Cypress Harbour is right across the street and has a more adult theme but three great pool areas and activity center. They also run a free pontoon across the lake and offer rental pedal boats, etc. Downside to Cypress is 2nd bedroom has a double bed and pullout sofa, so very tight if using both. Both HL and Cypress are located near the entrance to I-4, but we usually go to Disney via Palm Pkwy, as I like to avoid I-4 whenever possible.

I've never stayed at the Palms properties, but they are close to Disney and reviews are great for the pool area if that is important to you.

So, if proximity to Disney is your top priority, the Palms may fit the bill, but do consider the others based on your individual group likes.

Edited to add: I just noted you'll be travelling in December which may or may not be warm. Weather is variable but it can also be on the cool side. You can sit by the pool and enjoy the hot tub, but I suggest you have a plan B or bring some cool weather clothing including jackets.

Nice reviews, all accurate, but I especially concur on the caveat regarding the fickle weather in December.
We went to WDW in December once, and altho it didn't affect us as to visiting the parks and overall enjoyment
(Christmas season was awesome), if anyone is going to "hang out around the pools", they could be in for a
huge disappointment. It was quite COLD when we went, enough to need a coat. Probably an aberration but nevertheless
it's always possible, and a "plan B" is excellent advice.
Again, nice job on the reviews.
 

Inhislove

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We love Royal and Imperial palms best for Disney, followed by Harbour Lake or Cypress Harbor (across the street from each other). Harbour Lake is a smaller footprint for walking, with great water features for kids and some lakefront views (that also feature I4 in the background ). Cypress Harbour has a center lake with a nice inside room for games and activities, as well as surrey bikes, rental boats, and mini golf.

We love Grande Vista’s inside kid area for younger ones, but the long drive to the guard gate over speed bumps at 6 miles an hour (takes about 5 minutes each way) can get annoying if you are trying to make a fast pass!
 

travelinmom

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Sorry! I left out that it would just be my husband and I. We are looking to escape Ohio winter for a few days!


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Fasttr

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Sorry! I left out that it would just be my husband and I. We are looking to escape Ohio winter for a few days!
I’d do Cypress Harbour if just the 2 of you.
 

Inhislove

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We love Royal Palms for proximity to the parks- turn right, go over I4 and you are on Disney property! The World Center restaurants and upscale amenities are available to you as well.
 

Dean

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Sorry! I left out that it would just be my husband and I. We are looking to escape Ohio winter for a few days!


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I'd do a 1 BR GV if using DC points but you might look at II getaways as well.
 

Big Matt

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If you just want to hang at the pool while you are at the timeshare, I'd go with Grande Vista or Cypress Harbor. I've stayed at Royal and Sabal, and the pools aren't much. World Center pool is great, but can be very crowded. Grande Vista has much more on property to do, and Cypress is very quiet. Cypress has a great spa and work out facility. Grande Vista has a full service restaurant at the golf club.
 

BocaBoy

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We love Royal and Imperial palms best for Disney, followed by Harbour Lake or Cypress Harbor (across the street from each other).

Why Royal and Imperial and not Sabal? Sabal Palms is easily my favorite of all the Orlando Marriotts, and the best located of the three Palms resorts.
 

BocaBoy

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It is always interesting to see the comments on the seven Orlando Marriott timeshares. Everyone likes something different. Personally, Sabal Palms is my far and away favorite and the one I like least is Grande Vista. Cypress Harbour is probably my second favorite and then Lakeshore Reserve third. I have not stayed at Harbour Lake so if there are young kids that is a big caveat.
 

TheTimeTraveler

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It is always interesting to see the comments on the seven Orlando Marriott timeshares. Everyone likes something different. Personally, Sabal Palms is my far and away favorite and the one I like least is Grande Vista. Cypress Harbour is probably my second favorite and then Lakeshore Reserve third. I have not stayed at Harbour Lake so if there are young kids that is a big caveat.



If I recall correctly, the Sabal Palms Villas are very spacious!




.
 

travelhacker

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There are so many varying opinions. Here's my take:

We have three young kids, so Harbour Lake is king. If I didn't have kids with me, I wouldn't stay there though. I would go to Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour.

For us, the palms looked really good on paper (close to Disney, access to the World Center, etc). At the end of the day, we just didn't like Royal Palms. The resort just had so many people at the pool (World Center). We tried to attend activities, but they never actually happened ("oh sorry, the person that does that activity didn't show up today"). The room design felt like it was straight out of the 80's, and the interior wasn't bad, but we much preferred the interior of Harbour Lake....and that's saying something since that tends to rank very low compared to other Marriotts.

I would never book an off season week using DP points. Pay for an interval getaway if your dates are firm and use your points for something better...you should be able to get it for $450 (or less -- we just got some weeks for $300) for the week (including taxes). If it costs more than that, be patient and wait for a sale or price drop.
 

Inhislove

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@BocaBoy We also love Sabal Palms. For Disney, the drive back around the world center was sometimes backed up by deliveries and things, so we choose Royal over Sabal for rope-drop purposes. The last time we went to Sabal, our toddler kept trying to fall down the two steps, so that may have tainted my view!

It is interesting to note everyone’s opinions. We love the Royal Palms pool, and have generally found it to be fairly uncrowded and easy to get chairs. World Center can definitely get crazy! We have been the only family to who showed up for Palms activities (like karaoke), but love the little things like pancakes for charity and tasting chocolate. We’ve taken advantage of World Center activities like Gatorland and Belly Dancing on the lawn and make sure to use the water slides (only 11am-7pm) at least once each trip. Each family definitely has their own vibe though.

I don’t think you can go wrong! I would echo other’s thoughts that for a couple mainly relaxing at the resort, Cypress Harbour would be a great choice
 

pianodinosaur

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We stayed at The Royal Palms in 2017. The rooms and the pool were great. We had access to all facilities at Marriott World Zcenter and could bill them to our room. The shuttle service was outstanding. We picked up a lot of MarriottRewards in the process. It would now be Bonvoy points.

All units at the Royal Palms and Sabal Palms appeared to be 2 bedroom units and all units at the Imperial Palms appeared to be 3 bedroom units. If you want a 1 bedroom hotel room, you may be better off redeeming some Bonvoy points. Marriott’s Grande Vista offers studio and1 bedroom units, however, we have never stayed there.

Have a great trip. I don’t think you will go wrong at any of the MVC properties or any of the Bonvoy resort properties. You might like The Swan or The Dolphin at Disney World.
 

mdurette

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For 2 adults I would say you won't be disappointed with any Orlando Marriott. Harbor Lake would be the last one on the list to consider though as they do cater to younger kids.

Also...just my 2 cents. If early December is when you are planning and you have access to II - check out the cost of their getaways. Even better, if you have an AC check out those too.....you will be pleasantly surprised with the offerings for early December.
 

pianodinosaur

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We stayed at The Royal Palms in 2017. The rooms and the pool were great. We had access to all facilities at Marriott World Zcenter and could bill them to our room. The shuttle service was outstanding. We picked up a lot of MarriottRewards in the process. It would now be Bonvoy points.

All units at the Royal Palms and Sabal Palms appeared to be 2 bedroom units and all units at the Imperial Palms appeared to be 3 bedroom units. If you want a 1 bedroom hotel room, you may be better off redeeming some Bonvoy points. There are studio and one bedroom units at Marriott’s Grande Vista and Harbour Lake.
 

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Sorry! I left out that it would just be my husband and I. We are looking to escape Ohio winter for a few days!


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In that case, I suggest Cypress Harbour. II is offering $75 off getaways and early December weeks are usually plentiful. You should be able to snag a week for under $500 and that's a steal!
 
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jme

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In that case, I suggest Cypress Harbour. II is offering $75 off getaways and early December weeks are usually plentiful. You should be able to snag a week for under $500 and that's a steal!

If Cypress Harbour is the selection, rest assured it's a beautiful resort, and the units are fabulous (scroll to link at bottom).
The pools are gorgeous.
There's a covered screen porch which is very enjoyable, especially in the mornings for coffee or evenings for wine.
For a couple, our favorite Orlando resorts are Lakeshore Reserve or Cypress Harbour,
and we would be ecstatic to get a deal at either one. We have stayed at both several times.

Location of CH--- a very good location:
https://goo.gl/maps/v7N1ZMMb7aUE5LFt9

Also close to some very good restaurants along International Drive:
https://goo.gl/maps/gpgazh1Tu7tL52VL6

(Grande Vista is only a good choice if you have children or teens, or you want to spend most of each day poolside,
as the pools and activities are outstanding, and it's a huge resort. There are more pool features for kids than at LR or CH.
The units are fine but not as nice as LR and CH, imho.
Not a fan of Harbour Lake at all.)


Cypress Harbour photos:
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x88dd807e4c7ad67b:0x51861dcb1591dc00!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4shttp://www.vfmii.com/exc/aspquery?command=invoke&ipid=1073864&ids=42159!5smarriotts cypress harbour - Google Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e1!2shttp://www.cfmedia.vfmleonardo.com/imageRepo/6/0/98/423/311/mcocy-pavilion-2857-hor-clsc_O.jpg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiwutWA8PbkAhWona0KHf0GBeEQoiowC3oECA4QBg
 
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kds4

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For just DW and I, we would likely go in the following order:

Lakeshore Reserve - Really enjoy the quality of furnishings/Mediterranean Theme.
Grande Vista - Lots of adult activities with several pool options.
Cypress Harbour - Love this property. Riding the water taxi is a favorite activity (on a boat to nowhere - at least until they get tired of us riding back and forth across the lake).
Sabal Palms - Haven't tried (believe largest SF 2BR)
Imperial Palms - Haven't tried (3BRs)
Royal Palms - Haven't tried (2BRs)
Harbour Lake - Little Kid Centric
 

jmhpsu93

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+1 for the screened porches at CH - I sat there reading a book during two hours of thunderstorms back in July and it was awesome. The units are really nice there, and all 2 BR.
 
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