Marriott Grande Vista

We staying at MGV for 4 nts. Wondering if anybody could tell me a little about the facilities and the layout of the buildings. We are not renting a car and I will be over 6 months pregnant so wondering what building would be the best to ask for?

* nearest walking distance possible to front entrance, near kids pool - whichever has interactive sprinklers etc for younger kids (we have a girl age 4 with us). Also would like a renovated building.

I know all of the above will probably be a tall order but realistically I won%26#39;t be up to walking miles to the entrance every day in the heat so maybe that%26#39;s the most important factor.

Also wondering what other facilities to expect.

playground, covered from sun or not?

Is there a disney shuttle? What (if any) is the charge?

Is it walking distance to nearby restaurants like Denny%26#39;s?

Is there a DVD in the unit?

Anybody know of any weblinks to pictures of the interactive kids pool?

Can you use Marriott Horizons facilities if you staying at MGV?

Any other tips you have are more than welcome!!!

I%26#39;ve googled MGV every which way and can%26#39;t find the answers to any of the above,

Thanks a million in advance and sorry for the long post!

Aine

Dublin

Marriott Grande Vista

If you%26#39;re wanting to walk to the entrance of Marriott Grande Vista to catch the I-Ride trolley to get around, unfortunately, there are no units (last I saw) that are within close walking distance to the front entrance. From the front entrance of MGV to the security gate, there is a little drive with magnolias; very pretty and gives a secluded feel to the resort, but it makes the walk out a bit long just to get to the entrance for even the closest units. Now I don%26#39;t know, but I did see bikes and such being ridden out that way, and there are also golf carts (timeshare sales staff, I think) that go out that way; perhaps there%26#39;s someone who can take you to the front, or maybe they even have a shuttle. I know this from having driven into the resort, but haven%26#39;t gone past the security gate and I%26#39;ve never stayed there.

My guess is there would be DVD players in virtually every unit. Have you checked the user reviews on TripAdvisor for MGV yet? I stayed at Marriott Ocean Pointe in 2005 in the West Palm Beach area, and back then the unit had a DVD player.

I believe from past posts there is a Disney shuttle, but it probably costs money.

Have you checked the candid traveler photos on TripAdvisor yet for MGV?

As far as walking distance, there is very little close to the resort; one strip mall which has a Thai place and maybe another restaurant or two relatively close to the front entrance. However, the I-Ride Trolley (www.iridetrolley.com) will take you to the busy parts of International Drive, where there are loads and loads of restaurants, attractions, etc. I can%26#39;t necessarily vouch for the service and time it takes, but its your best option. However, once again, you have to get out to the front entrance of the resort. The cost is pretty low, though; much much cheaper than a Taxi, though not as convenient. There are about 3 or 4 Denny%26#39;s restaurants on International Drive.

There have been past posts by people looking for renovated buildings, as well as some info in the user reviews for the resort.

Marriott Grande Vista

Yeah, have tried Trip Advisor but no pics of kids pool and facilities or info on layout of buildings etc.

Will prob. just use Taxis a fair bit and maybe IRide to Seaworld and Prime Outlets etc.

Thanks for the input!

I think you might want to try checking the pictures again. I found all kinds of pictures of the pool areas in the Candid Traveler Photos for the resort on TripAdvisor. Two of those in particular has a picture of the interactive sprinklers for younger kids outside the pool (one from a little ways away, and one very close with a kid in it), and there were several pictures of the water cannon pool (perhaps this is what you were looking for?), as well as other pools. I also saw a picture of the TV in one of the units and it looks like a DVD player under the TV (not that I had much doubt; MGV is still trying to sell timeshares; I don%26#39;t think you can sell a new timeshare in Orlando today without a DVD player; pretty soon the standard will have risen to an LCD TV as well). Also, I saw a picture of the kids indoor activity center, though I don%26#39;t know about the playground; I did see a sandy area which could be part of the playground, but it wasn%26#39;t covered. So take another look at the Candid Traveler Photosthough if you have a slow computer, it may take a little bit to get through most of them, but since you%26#39;re staying there, its well worth it.

BTW, I rethought it, and the strip mall with the Thai restaurant is probably not really that close to the entrance of MGV.

Hi-stayed there 2 years ago and loved it-call up ahead of time and request a close building to the main area-mention that you%26#39;re pregnant too, maybe they%26#39;ll take that into consideration. Our room over looked the lake and a main pool area, which was great, I think the main building has rooms too, but when we went they were smoking rooms. It%26#39;s a very large resort, so staying near the main pool is great-our room did have a DVD player, also you can rent DVD%26#39;s there, and I think my son also rented a playstation 2. Both were pretty reasonable for the week. You%26#39;ll love it, we%26#39;re staying at the Horizons for the first time at the end of the month, can%26#39;t wait!! The onsite restaurant is very good-overlooks the golf course, but on the expensive side, it%26#39;s nice for a ';treat'; though-food was excellent. Go shopping when you first get there-I think PUblix isn%26#39;t far-stock up on water etc. in your room-it definetely helps keep the cost down. Have fun, you%26#39;ll love it!