JaxDad identified the seven MVCI resorts in Orlando.
The Tri-Palms resorts are, indeed, the closest to the Disney parks. And they're also the oldest Marriott timeshares in the area. If you're thinking about one of those, Imperial Palm Villas are three bedroom units while Sabal Palms and Royal Palms are two bedroom villas. The Sabal Palms villas are quite large, so lots of space to spread out in. These three resorts, that are adjacent to one another, are approximately 7 miles from the parking lot for Magic Kingdom, about a 12 minute drive. (They're off the road that becomes Epcot Center Drive at the Disney property line about a mile and a half from the resort.) I think that these are fine for people expecting to be at Disney parks for much of the day. There's a spa next to Sabal Palms (resort closest to the hotel) and a huge pool at the hotel that guests can use (smaller pools at the resorts). The hotel has one or two restaurants and a fairly large food court.
The Cypress Harbour and Harbour Lake resorts are across the street (Westwood Boulevard) from each other - about 10 miles from the MK parking lot, about an 18 minute drive. HL has two bedroom units but I think part can be locked off to make a 1 bedroom and a studio. CH units are all two bedroom villas and they're quite nice (generally our choice when in Orlando). While we tend to take the surface streets to Disney, these resorts are located two or three minutes from an I-4 entrance ramp, so pretty convenient to the many Disney roads off the highway. HL is oriented toward families with young children, CH has a nice, laid-back atmosphere with lots of typical MVCI amenities and programs.
Grande Vista has three-, two- and one-bedroom units. The resort is just off International Drive. I think that GV is the largest of the seven MVCI resorts, so lots of pools, food options and amenities in general. The resort is 11 miles from Magic Kingdom parking, about a 20 minute drive. The two primary pools areas here are usually very busy but the more remote pool areas are usually very quiet and relaxing. There's the unique feature of a real sit down restaurant on site at this resort and direct access to a small nine-hole golf course there as well.
Lakeshore Reserve is the newest of the seven, located just off John Young Parkway, next to the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. The furthest away from the Disney parks, it's about 13 miles from the MK parking lot, a little over a 20 minute drive. There's a regulation golf course on-site (I think it's associated with the Ritz-Carlton), several water features. I think that one of the hotels has a lazy river feature but I'm not sure if LSR can use that or not.
Dick Taylor
