We stay at Marriott properties at least half the time whenever we visit Orlando/Disney, sometimes for just the nite we fly in and other times for our entire visit. Because we held Annual Passes, which offered free parking at the WDW parks, we chose the option to stay nearby at the Marriott Village on Vineland Avenue right next to Exit 65 on Interstate 4. This location is extremely convenient to Downtown Disney and via Exit 67, all of the WDW property.
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We had stayed at the Marriott Village before (Fairfield) and thought the Springhill Suites would have been a substantial upgrade. It wasn't. Suites is probably a misnomer as our hourglass-shaped room barely contained a lumpy King-sized bed near the bathroom and a reasonable Double-sized pull-out couch next to the desk and "kitchen" (a microwave, sink and refrigerator). I guess we shouldn't complain because the rate was only $84/nite + tax -- which was fantastic. Still, we have stayed at many Marriott properties and this room did not compare with the Residence Inn and other true "Suite" hotels that we have enjoyed.
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"Free" breakfast was included and this was a disappointment too. A huge dining area was segregated into a section for "Elite" Marriott guests (like us) where we were "served" our coffee and juice. A nice try, but this section was actually more crowded and the tips that we ended up leaving for the server didn't make this a great deal. There were dozens of open tables in the much larger non-Elite section, where we ended up sitting on other AM's. Moreover, the breakfast selection was a bit weak -- not even close to the Fairfield Inn on Canada drive where we have stayed at previously. Toast, orange juice, coffee along with oatmeal and waffles - that's it. No eggs, fruit or meat. We ended up skipping 3 of our "free" breakfasts because they just weren't worth the cost.
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Maybe the most disappointing part of the stay was getting pitched several times in the Lobby and via the room telephone about "Marriott Vacation Club" investment opportunities. Imagine the message light flashing when one returns to one's room at 9:00 in the evening and it's a recorded message inviting you to check out their "vacation villas"!? Time share sales "deals" are very common in Florida, but I definitely don't expect such an intrusion when we're paying cash for our rooms.
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Don't get me wrong -- the rooms were clean and well maintained. Internet (also free) worked well. Housekeeping was great. They had laundry rooms and plenty of convenient parking. Front desk staff was typical Marriott - great. Location is fantastic . . . close to everything WDW and lots of good offsite stuff.
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Just that a few negatives made this property a bit disappointing and less of a "deal" than I otherwise thought it might be. I might even stay here for the same rate - but I wouldn't pay 20% more.











