Orlando - Help me pick a nice resort

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Cindy, I read the whole thread where you described your unit and Vicki didn't like it. Being an outsider, I also think that she has something to do with the developer. She may be a family member as I doubt she is an employee. They don't care that much if people complain about something. She is taking it very personal.

A bad review of a resort, where you own, may be uncomfortable for a minute but what the heck, it is not your home so why take it personal? However, it is important that a resort is clean and that is what Marti was asking about.

I feel like inserting my link I posted here earlier under your post over there and see how she will react to that. This may be one of the reasons why hotel and resort developers are replacing them with something else as they don't want to be sued when somebody gets sick from bacteria in the pipes.

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

Emmy,
I noticed the tubs were different at Marriott Grande Vista's newer units, with holes in the bottom. They called it "champagne bubbles." I guess those are supposed to be cleaner. They are not as soothing as the jets. I was thinking of Lawrence Welk while I was sitting in there. Also, Don Ho. ♬ Tiny Bubbles..........♬

I noticed that Fairfield Kona Hawaiian Village had that type of tub as well, only it was an old-fashioned tub with the legs. Pretty messy, as it was not deep enough for all those holes and the water shooting out of them. The ceramic tiles got very wet and slippery. I almost fell down more than once. We stopped using the tub and used the marvelous shower instead.

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

I wanted to add that Marriott's Cypress Harbour units that are refurbished still have the older tubs. I have not had any problems with those, but with bacteria you never know if it is present and cannot be seen. I especially like the jets in those, plus the tubs are large enough for a family, if you take family baths. Rick's favorite resort is Cypress Harbour. He loves the lake, the pools, the ambience. It is the best there is, even if the sofas are getting a little old.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Thanks so much for this post...my wife headed to Orlando on business-which Marriott?

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. My wife is going to a conference in early October at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando and they want about $300 a night......the other J.W. Marriott is the same price...I said no way...I will use one of my bonus weeks at RCI and get you a week in a condo even though she only needs 3 nights.

Well after going through what was available in RCI (Vets Holidays to get an idea about what RCI may have for bonus certs) which were really only available in Kissimmee......a little further away then she would like.....we eliminated all the lower score resorts, then..... I thought to myself I had better go check II and see if they have a getaway week.

Sure enough they do.....so the choice is an efficiency unit at Marriott's Grand Vista or Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club at Orlando....all for only a little bit more than what an RCI bonus week would cost. Plus they are close....like 5 mins away from the Ritz.

She will be real busy and the resort amenities really will not matter....which one is more quiet? Convenient to catching a taxi? or using the resort shuttle to local office areas? and which one is safer?

I almost want to go with her but the kids are in school and Orlando is not really at the top of our list (we have Disney here 10 mins away)........but the Marriott's sound great. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

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

Cindy, I read the whole thread where you described your unit and Vicki didn't like it. Being an outsider, I also think that she has something to do with the developer. She may be a family member as I doubt she is an employee. They don't care that much if people complain about something. She is taking it very personal...

I haven't had any interactions with Vicki, but from what I'm reading, it seems that she isn't held to the same standard on TUG that most people are. Maybe the TUG moderators feels that if she cares so much about OLCC, it isn't worth upsetting her. Still, if she is related to the OLCC developer (and I have no idea if she is or not), that strikes me as a good reason to make sure that she is held to the same standard as everyone else when it comes to discussing OLCC. TUG is supposed to be for timeshare users, not timeshare developers. If I wanted to have a developer exaggerate how good their resort is, and then give me a hard time if I point out any problems with it, I'd go on a timeshare tour -- at least that way I'd get free Sea World tickets or something!

...
I noticed the tubs were different at Marriott Grande Vista's newer units, with holes in the bottom. They called it "champagne bubbles." I guess those are supposed to be cleaner. They are not as soothing as the jets. I was thinking of Lawrence Welk while I was sitting in there. Also, Don Ho. ♬ Tiny Bubbles..........♬....

Maybe the Lawrence Welk resorts should install these in their units!

I am surprise that no one have recommended any Disney Resorts.

The Disney resorts are great -- I own at Boardwalk and love it there! But, Marti sounded like she wanted to trade into multiple large units for this winter. Two and three bedrooms for this winter would be very difficult to get even for a DVC owner. Trading in to that many DVC units would almost certainly be impossible.

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

4ARedOctober, take the Grande Vista and ask for a new unit!

The Grande Vista's are incredibly priced right now on Getaways. I know so many people who go in the fall and stay at hotels, then I ask why they did not call me. The studios are great at Grande Vista. We were right next to the pool, ground floor, and the pool noise did not bother us at all, especially past 8:00, when it was dark. Your wife will love the place!

I forgot that Marti is a DVC owner. She stayed at OKW and did not appreciate the housekeeping in her unit. There was even trash under the sofa. I hope our experience is a clean one, we are going to be there, in a one bedroom, 9/23-10/5. So excited about those two exchanges. We are leaving a couple of days before our second week is over. Rick didn't want to take that many days off from the firehouse.

We love Lawrence Welk, Escondido. They have the large soaking tubs but do not have the whirlpools. I noticed that the resort is getting an update, maybe they are going to put champagne bubble tubs in their units. Wouldn't the old guy have loved that!

I have a feeling that Marti has already decided on OLCC. She posted more info on the resort. I hope she has a great experience, if that is the case.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Thanks Cindy,

I think we will go for it. Is it an issue for her to check in 3 days late from the check-in.....she only needs 4 nights at the end of the week? Is this an issue with Marriott?

Thanks.

John

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

I am sure they would have no problem with the check-in and out dates.