Tweet
Just joined the group! We're Michigan Bluegreen owners considering a late summer trip to the Smoky Mountains....we would definitely want the 2 bdr. townhouse but can't decide if we should try for Mountain Loft or Pigeon Forge? We would be traveling with our 14-yr. old daughter and 11-yr. old son...any recommendations would be most appreciated! Thanks Jim
-
-
I am looking as well, and if you do a search here as well as TUG, I have been advised to go for the Gatlinberg resorts. Welcome.Ann-Marie -
I've been to both and I prefer MountainLoft. They have newer units there is you get into the right section. And, the location is much closer to the Smokey Mountains. Great views of the mountains.
Laurel Crest is in Pigeon Forge which is an area with a lot of kids gaming places.
Either is fine, though, since they are so close to each other.
JimComment
-
Ditto ML, tho I have not been to Laurel Crest.
We've been in buildings, mmm, 8 and 10, I think? Lodge units, whose balconies give an awesome view of mountains.
Very close to park entrance, too. I like that it's not on the strip as I prefer a more sedate atmosphere. Driving to the action vs walking is not a problem for me.
The clubhouse has a game room and planned activities, plus indoor pool and I think there's an indoor hot tub? not sure on that. we've always used the outdoor ones, but seasonally, not sure they'd have another pool beyond the main open.
I like the the 1 br deluxe A LOT, so if you got the deluxe + std, the kids could feel like they have their own apt if one takes the bedroom and the other takes a sleeper sofa. The deluxe has the larger "main room" so might not bother about putting the bed back to couch in the second unit.
Kids might enjoy having their own kitchenette to keep their snacks and drinks handy. I think the balcony in that lockoff is either tiny or non-existent. don't recall exactly, we just used the one attached to the deluxe.
The deluxe also has a wonderful master suite. If you get a newer building, all the better. I, personally, would ask for the newest 1br dlx+ 1 br std top floor (I think there are only 4 or 5 floors, but I want to be highest).Comment
-
Stay Out of the Sales Office
From another post, you can see the problems in Mtn. Loft's sales office. Please....for your own sanity...do not go to their sales office unless you want to be put through 'waterboarding'.Comment
-
Listen to Tom.............the sales office is not your friend. They called me two days before arrival and forced the issue until I agreed to attend the update, on the other hand, I received the same call from Big Cedar two days before arrival and received the same pressure. The difference was was the sales staff at Big Cedar was knowlegable and not rude or pushy.Comment
-
I visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge two or three times per year. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are five miles apart. Pigeon Forge is mainly a strip stretching for two to three miles. It is very child friendly in that it has go-karts, amusement areas, Dollywood, Splash Country, minature golf, etc. In other words the children can spend a years allowance rather quickly. A number of family friendly theatre shows are also in Pigeon Forge. Some restaurants in Pigeon Forge serve beer, but no liquor is sold or served in Pigeon Forge. Laurel Crest is located about one and one-half miles from the strip.
Gatlinburg has one theatre show, an Aquarium, a tram that goes up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg (games, ice rink, restaurant, snow skiing in the winter, etc), miniture golf, and lots of little shops. A very nice location to visit. At one end of Gatlinburg's city limits is the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg has wine and liquor by the drink as well as liquor stores. I am not promoting alcohol, but to some people this makes a difference as to where they dine. Mt. Loft is located two miles from the Gatlinburg strip. I personally like Mt. Loft better, but I don't have young children who are looking for the excitement in Pigeon Forge.
Both locations have some good restaurants. However, if you go to Gatlinburg and want to splurge for that one great meal, don't miss dining at the Greenbriar Restaurant. A little pricey, but good.
The two bedroom townhome is perfect for children. The master br is upstairs and the children's room will be downstairs with two twin beds. Master br is very nice. My only complaint with the townhomes is the lack of noise insulation. This is also true in the villas, but it seems to be more pronounced in the townhomes.
I hope this information helps, and I hope you find the Tennessee hospitality to be unequalled.Comment
-
I don't like something about Tennessee laws regarding timeshares, to boot, but at the moment I can't remember what it is. And I'm not sure how that works with Bluegreen, since their home office is in Florida. I just remember thinking I wouldn't want to ever own in Tennessee.Originally posted by Tom in GA
If you particularly want to go to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and if someone in the group has issues with car sickness, Laurel Crest might be the better choice, because the less-twisty back route to Cades Cove goes right by it. The main entrance and the bigger visitor's center and all are closer to Mountain Loft. You can get to Cades Cove from the main entrance, too, of course, but our middle daughter found it a miserable trip (first time she'd ever gotten car sick).
Both drives are pretty, but the drive in the national park goes along streams with mountains on both sides much of the way (lots of places to pull off, too), while the drive from Laurel Crest that differs goes through pretty towns and the valley is much wider. The Laurel Crest one is FAR preferable at night, even if you're staying in Gatlinburg - you can see the lights of big houses and whatnot up on the other side, and the mountains shadowed against the sky.
Comment
Comment