What is the best timeshare resort in Orlando or families and why?

[cwnhokie]

So far we have stayed at the Liki Tiki, a house in Windsor Hills, and Old Key West. We are looking to use my dad's timeshare exchange with Interval International. We have boys ages 6, 8, and 2. I thought I would pose this question to the experts of the DIS. Thanks you!

 

[spiceycat]

disney is no longer part of II - so would go with one of the Marriott's. with your age children - would try for Horizons

 

[cwnhokie]

When did Disney leave II? I've been looking and hoping it would pop up again, but haven't seen it in a month or so. I guess that is why.

 

[littlestar]

The best is a tough question - especially since Orlando has so many wonderful ones. Of course, I like DVC but it's through RCI now.

But offsite and availabile through Interval exchanges, I especially like Marriott's Cypress Harbour, Marriott's Horizons (great for young kids), and Vistana Villages. I stayed in a one bedroom at the older Vistana and it was nice, too.

We will be staying at Marriott's Imperial Palms here in a few weeks so I'll be sure to post on that when I return.

 

[spiceycat]

When did Disney leave II? I've been looking and hoping it would pop up again, but haven't seen it in a month or so. I guess that is why.

disney won't say. believe me most of the members are very upset over this.

RCI trades are not II trades.

can only guess that RCI gave to DVC a great package - this is to DVC - not the members.

Since Jim Lewis - there is not a lot of member input. In fact he ignores what members wants and goes with what he wants.

 

[cwnhokie]

I sense so bitterness there. That's too bad, it was awesome when we were able to trade for Old Key West. I may have to starting thinking about buying some points again. In the meantime we may try Horizons. Is that located closer to Universal?

 

[maroo]

disney is no longer part of II - so would go with one of the Marriott's. with your age children - would try for Horizons

What is II?

 

[spiceycat]

II - Interval International

here is there website
www.intervalworld.com

here is RCI
www.rci.com

 

[spiceycat]

I sense so bitterness there. That's too bad, it was awesome when we were able to trade for Old Key West. I may have to starting thinking about buying some points again. In the meantime we may try Horizons. Is that located closer to Universal?

it is about half way between US and WDW - it is closer to SW.

Horizons is really cute for kids.

oh yea - lots of bitterness - he changed exchanges club, higher the points and higher the add on - all in a few months. the guides don't like some of the new changed either. but he is not listening to anyone.

here some information on Horizons
http://timeshares.marriott-vacations.com/ownership/theme-resort-detail.jsp?resort=HO&page=default

forgot - no whirlpool tub in the master - if you need that then

Marriott's Cypress Harbour

you know my trader that gets DVC with II - is also RCI - so first thought about going with RCI - but can get most of RCI in orlandi with my SA. So kepting my beach one for II. Besides like getting 2 weeks for one - and weeks you can use.

 

[calgarygary]

Depending upon when you go, Vistana Villages may be an ideal choice for your family. The new pool with interactive pirate ship would have great appeal for your boys. I don't know when it is scheduled to open but you could always check with the resort.

 

[Lisa P.]

The majority of DVC members don't exchange externally and the majority are not well-versed about II or RCI, so most DVC members probably don't have an opinion about II or RCI. Here on the DisBoards, the switch seems to upset members.

Cwnhokie, with children the ages of yours, I agree with with Spiceycat and Littlestar's recommendations for the Marriotts, particularly Horizons.

I'd place an II ongoing search request for the Horizons and include the Disneys if your travel dates are between now and Sept 2009, to hope for a DVC cancellation (why not?) and if nothing matches by 6 months or so before travel (sooner if you're seeking a prime holiday week), then add Grand Vista and Cypress Harbour. If another month still yields nothing, consider the Cypress Points (close to WDW), Vistana Villages (nice zero-entry pool) or perhaps Star Island, if you'll have a 2BR or larger (also zero-entry pool).

As for location, Horizons is between WDW and Universal, somewhat south of Sea World. Still a pretty good location.

 

[cwnhokie]

Thanks a bunch! I knew I could find helpful answers here. I don't know yet what week we may be looking for, DH is worried about the economy and doesn't feel comfortable going yet. We just know we want to take the little guy before he turns three. He already loves Mickey, DH thinks I coached him but I really didn't. I just checked out lots of pictures of Horizons on tripadvisor and it looks like it would be fun for all of them.

 

[kkleiner]

Hi, We are also on the fence between Horizons, Grande Vista, Cypress Harbor and Vistana Villages, thru II. We need a 2 bedroom. My wife and I would love a '2 person' jacuzzi tub. Sounds like Horizons doesn't have one?

How about Cypress and Vistana Villages? We have stayed at Grande Vista before and I think that's more like a single person one?

Also, when is VVillages getting a pirate ship pool area? I know Horizons has one.

Our kids are ages 13/10/7.


Thanks for any input on this.

 

[kkleiner]

another question - we had a search in for DVC thru II and they called us and told us to cancel it as of 1/1/09, which we did. By what I've read here, you can still trade into DVC with II until Sept 09?

 

[littlestar]

This is what I'm hearing on Vistana Villages new pool area. This is a quote from Tim (an owner) from the tug boards:

"St. Augustine Village buildings 23 and 26 are scheduled for occupancy in February and March, respectively, and building 24, in May. The final building...building 25, along with new and exciting amenities, opens in November. Of the new amenities, first up is a 150,000 gallon, zero-entry pool equipped with a water slide, plunge pool, and even an interactive pirate ship. To help optimize your time in the sun, there will also be an outdoor pool bar and grill. "

 

[Lisa P.]

another question - we had a search in for DVC thru II and they called us and told us to cancel it as of 1/1/09, which we did. By what I've read here, you can still trade into DVC with II until Sept 09?

As of 1/1/09, II is not receiving new deposits from DVC. However, there have been a handful of brief sightings on II of weeks with check-ins through Sept 09. These would be weeks were originally deposited with II prior to 1/1/09 and confirmed by II members. Then, later, the exchanges were cancelled by II members whose plans changed. So if you have an ongoing search with II and it includes DVC resorts, you ought to be able to continue it. However, they may require you to include another resort and check-in date which has a current contract with II. If II will no longer allow ongoing searches to include DVC resorts, you'd have to look online early in the mornings daily to look for cancellations and it would not be hopeful, either way. Hope that makes sense.

 

[blondietink]

We own at DVC which now trades with RCI. We also own at Sheraton Vistana Villages which trades with II, so we have the best of both worlds, I think. Sheraton is also a member of the Starwood resort system, so we get to participate with all of those hotels, too, with the points we accumulate though their reward system. If I were you, I would check out both RCI and II to see which you might want to trade into for a stay at a different resort and then go and look for a timeshare within that system. We have never traded out of DVC as we feel we get more bang for our buck staying with DVC. Good luck on your decision.

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

I have a week to exchange on Interval International. None of the resorts we have stayed at in the past in the Orlando area are available and none of the Marriott resorts are currently available for my dates. The following are available to exchange for my dates: Calypso Cay Vacation villas, Liki Tiki, Cypress Pointe Grande Villas, Celebrity Resorts Orlando, Blue Tree at Lake Bueno Vista, and High Pointe World Resort. PLEASE PLEASE give me your input on these, both positive and negative. TIA

 

[spiceycat]

I have a week to exchange on Interval International. None of the resorts we have stayed at in the past in the Orlando area are available and none of the Marriott resorts are currently available for my dates. The following are available to exchange for my dates: Calypso Cay Vacation villas, Liki Tiki, Cypress Pointe Grande Villas, Celebrity Resorts Orlando, Blue Tree at Lake Bueno Vista, and High Pointe World Resort. PLEASE PLEASE give me your input on these, both positive and negative. TIA

there have been good reviews for both Cypress Pointe Grande villa and Liki Tiki. Now Cypress pointe grande villa has some bad reports too - just Cypress point seems to better - although work is being done.

I liked Calyso Cay Vacation Villas when we tried it -but that was years ago.

None of the Marriotts - when are you going?

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

there have been good reviews for both Cypress Pointe Grande villa and Liki Tiki. Now Cypress pointe grande villa has some bad reports too - just Cypress point seems to better - although work is being done.

I liked Calyso Cay Vacation Villas when we tried it -but that was years ago.

None of the Marriotts - when are you going?

THANKS for the reply. We are planning to arrive May 30 or 31st. Nothing is coming up on the exchange for any of the Marriotts (although strangely when you look at the Getaways available for that week Marriott Cypress Harbour and grande vista and Horizonz are all available for Getaways that week! Grrr...) We love Cypress Harbour and that would be my first pick if available. Of the three above, Cypress Pointe, Liki Tiki and Calypso Cay, in your opinion are any of those less conveniently located to Disney? It is a bit hard to tell from the maps on II. By the way, I have a seven year old daughter--any thoughts on which of the three she would prefer? THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT!