If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club at 7102 Grand Horizons Boulevard, Orlando is giving Disney some noticeable competition. In traditional Marriott time shares style these are wonderful one or two bedroom (with corresponding one or two bathrooms) villas. Guest rooms with kitchenettes are also available.

All of the usual amenities found in hotels and timeshares villas are to be found here. There is a difference in the entertainment offerings though. As if close proximity to Disney World was not enough this resort has its own amusements. For one thing there is the 20,000 square foot Putt-Of-Course miniature golf. Additionally, the Horizons Harbor pool with water slide has a pirate theme and hours of fun. Another attraction to the resort is the WaterWorks water playground.

What’s more the Horizons offers package prices that sweeten the deal with discounts and Orlando vacation options. It’s hard to resist these perks for staying Marriott. After all, these villas have screened balconies, full kitchens and separate living rooms. There’s no shortage of space and not much reason for staying at a cramped hotel.

Could it be that you aren’t convinced yet? Well the host of family and children programming most of which include “with the pirates” in the title could be fun. Would three golf courses within 10 miles turn the tide? Spa with massages onsite? How’s about the hotel gym? Well what does it take to get you to book at the Horizons?

Money? It doesn’t grow on trees. True enough. With regular room rates between $178 to $309 per night it can get costly. That in addition to the gas–which is what, $100/gallon?–spent driving and vacation can get high priced. After all, gas driving to Orlando from Maine may run well over $500 round trip. If the villa is $2000 plus for the week and you plan on eating out a few times you’re up to about $2700 or more.

Going to Disney on vacation? That’s another $76 for adults and $65 children ages 3-9 per day. Keeping in mind that Epcot is separate. Animal kingdom is separate. The MGM studio is also a separate admission as is the Magic Kingdom. Better buy the package if you want to see it all. For $175.34 for children or $209.24 for adults guests can see any of the parks for a 5day period. A family with two adults and two children aged between 3 and 9 pays $769.16 for the 5 day passes. That brings a week in Orlando with 5 days at Disney to about $3500. Of course that’s not including sun tan oil or water wings. For all of that you better bring Master Card.

Posted by Hope on Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at 2:30 am.