Orlando Marriotts

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Is there a ranking of the Orlando Marriotts? I know that they all are good, but which ones are the better ones? And which ones are closest to WDW?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I have stayed at many - at this point - I would say Grande Vista is the most upscale and adult oriented. Has a 9 hole golf course (with access to the Marriott Grand Pines? 18 hole course across the street)and the Nick Faldo golf School - and a nice restaurant overlooking the golf course.
Two main pool areas with the usual 'stuff'.
Nice Golf Course views and set back from I-Drive. (I could never understand why HGVC built their new resort between the parking lot of Premiere Outlets and I-Drive - it is like staying on a highway!)
It has the 'standard' new Marriott layout/lock-off configuration. 2BR L/Os sleep 8 3BR L/O sleep 12 plus 'dedicated units'
You can request to be near the busier main pool areas or a bit farther away with a tranquil golf course view.
They have limited spa services - they have a kids club and babysitting - they have a great lakeside bar!!!
My sister goes every year with her 2 now teenage kids, there is free tennis, rental bikes.
My son has gone with 8 young adult golfers.
I have gone with a group of 30 people in 5 units and we had a ball.

Marriott Cypress Harbor - have stayed here - an older but very well maintained resort near Grand Vista - nice large living/dinning/kitchen area. BIG master bedroom with LARGE round jacuzzi tub. 2BR non-lock-off sleep 8
Second bedroom definitely small - a full or queen bed with full pullout sofa - when sofa is pulled out, you can barely move in the room - fine for families but not good for couples sharing.
Mature landscaping, lake and golf course views - the golf course is the Marriott Grand Pines? mentioned above.
Has all the usual programs and activities associated with Marriott.

more to follow....

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Locations
Marriott Grande Vista on East side of I-Drive
Opposite the entrance to MGV (to the west) is the entrance to Marriott Grande Pines Golf course which surrounds Marriott Cypress Harbor
MCP entrance is on Westwood Blvd - across the street is the entrance to Horizons which lies between Westwood and the I-4

Horizons by Marriott - haven't stayed here - saw it 4 years ago when under construction. People who like it really LIKE it - very child friendly with a pirate ship - originally built as a 'cheaper' Marriott Brand (think JW versus Courtyard) it is now treated the same as other MARs.

The original Marriott Orlando Resorts Sabal Palms (2BRslp6), Royal Palms (2BRslp7) and Imperial Palms (3BRslp10)
Closest to WDW - exit the resort, make a right - drive a 1/2 mile going under I-4 and within a mile you are on Disney property.
These 3 resorts are older, but refurbished - are LARGE units and are on the grounds of the Orlando World Center Hotel which is a great perk. Surrounded by the Eagle something golf course...LOl...it is a beautiful resort complex and u can use all the resort amenities.....

[hliw Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close hliw]

Horizons by Marriott - Orlando

We have stayed there and loved it. It is just wonderful for families with children under 11 or so. It definitely is not the top tier construction that most MVCs have - ie no granite in the kitchen, no soaking tub (just a shower in the master). HOWEVER, the property is a destination in and of itself. It has a putt putt course, remote control speed boats, cane pole fishing, a "dry" water park (lots of spraying and dumping, but no standing water), the infamous PIRATE SHIP POOL (zero entry) with slides and water feature as well as a second pool that has a very fun twisty slide. It is my understanding that they will be adding a general store and movie theater as the resort expands.

They hire young adults from all over the world who work there for a year as "counselors" - they are fun and engaging and wonderful with the children. Popcorn in the lobby every day, great smoothies by the pool, lots of games for children of all ages to compete for wooden tokens that can be exchanged for cheap/junky prizes that they seem to LOVE. We had a fantastic time with our then 3 year old. DH and DD are going back this year while I hike the Inca trail with my sister. We have sent 3 families there on ACs - all have loved it.

We love exchanging into that property, but expect to "outgrow" it - we are happy swapping in and having our home resort as base.

Hope this helps shed some light on this property.

Best,
HLIW

[dioxide45 Member Find all posts View Profile Close dioxide45]

Two main pool areas with the usual 'stuff'.

Actually MGV has four pool complexes.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Actually MGV has four pool complexes.

Yes, two main areas with the bells and whistles and two NICE, quiet locations overlooking the golf course....

[shopgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shopgirl]

We are very partial to Cypress Harbour. We just stayed there a fourth time a few weeks ago. The units have almost all been refurbished now, except two buildings. The decor is just gorgeous. They even replaced the green cabinets (I would have left them because they were fine). We love the lanais and spend a lot of time out there, reading and eating breakfasts and snacks. If I don't get a Disney resort, I can always get a Cypress Harbour and I absolutely don't feel disappointed in our exchange. Wonderful place with a great staff.

Grande Vista has a mix of new, remodeled and old cruddy units. It is not worth the risk for us. We stayed there twice, one week in an older unit, a second week in a new unit. The difference is night and day. The new units are really lovely, but I will take a CH anytime.

We loved Cypress Harbour before it was remodeled, but the remodel makes it FABULOUS.

[Jimbo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jimbo]

Stopped by many when in Orland about 4 years ago

When we were there on a WDW vacation staying at Disney's Boardwalk, we enjoyed visiting many of the Marriott's on our way into Disney. We just stopped by to take an informal tour.

We are now looking to go back so thanxxx for all this information. Cypress Harbour was one we did not happen by.

So, thanxxx to all of you for your vast experience shared here. I will use this when we are looking for our accommodations for next year.

Cindy, you mention that you love CH. Would it be good for kids, too?

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

Cypress Harbour is probably my most favorite Orlando Marriott with Horizons second place. Cypress Harbour has beautiful grounds with a serene feel. Cypress Harbour reminds me of the Sheraton resort on Kauai (the feel of it).

We're also Disney Vacation Club members. In a few weeks we have an Animal Kingdom Lodge studio booked for our kids and me and my husband are staying at Cypress Harbour and I'm not one bit disappointed that we're staying at Cypress Harbour - it's that good.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

All this talk about Orlando is making me want to go to Disney......I'm sitting here looking out my window at all the snow, and not feeling much like going out in the cold.

I've stayed at the Grand Vista with teenagers, and we all loved it. I haven't stayed at Cypress Harbour, but have read many good things about the resort. I don't think you can wrong with either of those two.

[hliw Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close hliw]

Cypress Harbour and Horizons are across the street from each other. It would be a quick walk to check out the other if staying at either.

Cheers!
HLIW

[moopdog Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close moopdog]

Is there anything else that's within walking distance to the Horizons? We're staying in Sept and are nervous about staying off Dis property for the first time. Is there any kind of transportation at all that we can utilize (that's cheap)? And what about places to eat at the resort?

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

Is there anything else that's within walking distance to the Horizons? We're staying in Sept and are nervous about staying off Dis property for the first time. Is there any kind of transportation at all that we can utilize (that's cheap)? And what about places to eat at the resort?

The I-Ride trolley stops in front of Cypress Harbour across the street.

I Ride Trolley

I think it costs $1.00 for a single fare ride and they also have 3, 5, and 7 day fares. I know it goes to the outlets.

Horizons only has a quick snack shop type place to eat (hamburgers, etc.). You will need to rent a car for going to the grocery store and the various restaurants. Over on Vineland road we always go to the Outback steakhouse. We also take the back way to Downtown Disney on Palm Parkway and there are plenty of restaurants over in that area. We are Disney Vacation Club members and when not staying onsite, we enjoy staying over on Westwood Boulevard at Marriott's Cypress Harbour and Horizons. The location is convenient and very close to Seaworld. There's not a lot of businesses on Westwood Boulevard, but I like that.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

The I-Ride trolley stops in front of Cypress Harbour across the street.

I Ride Trolley

I think it costs $1.00 for a single fare ride and they also have 3, 5, and 7 day fares. I know it goes to the outlets.

Horizons only has a quick snack/shop type place to eat. You will need to rent a car for going to the grocery store and the various restaurants. Vineland has a ton of places to eat (we always go to the Outback on Vineland). We also take the back way to Downtown Disney on Palm Parkway and there are plenty of restaurants over in that area.

I agree with the above....

Don't be nervous, just rent a car - it is very easy to get around Orlando and the rental prices are quite reasonable.
For convenience, pick one of the rental agencies right IN the airport...you go to the same area where u check in with Disney for the Magical Express.....and just cross the street into the garage to pick up the rental car.

[kenrabs Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenrabs]

We decided to use an AC to go to Orlando over Culumbus week. After researching it came down to Cypress Harbor and Horizons. Since the trip is for a 9 yr old we chose water park and putt putt over granite counter tops. We spend little time in our room so the activities geared towards kids was a no brainer.