Hotels in OrlandoFollow

Hey there,

I'm planning to take Hannah down to Disney/Universal for a few days over April vacation for her 6th birthday. I've been to Disney a few times, but never with a kid, and I was wondering if folks could offer some advice on kid-friendly hotels. Preferences: indoor pool, breakfast included. I hate buying hotel buffet breakfasts because I just don't eat $11 or $12 worth of food at breakfast...it's the principle. I'd also prefer free shuttle service to the parks so that I don't have to drive around. I'm planning on taking her to the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, and the new Harry Potter section at Universal...so I'd imagine we'll be staying for 3, possibly 4 nights.

Any suggestions appreciated (based upon your own/your friends experience...I can read online reviews myself, thanks)!

Nexa

Try a timeshare resort. Yes, you'll have to spend one morning listening to their spiel for 2 hours, but as long a you do that, you get some cheap hotel stays, usually with full kitchen, which allows you to save more money, allowing you to cab it (if they don't have shuttles to Disney). I'd recommend any of the Westgate Resorts if you're willing to take 2 hours to sit through their spiel. Lock your/Smash's wallet away though, they're good con men. Also, I'm not sure about the indoor pool thing in Florida. I don't think there's going to be a ton of options with that. Indoor pools are far more expensive to build and maintain than outdoor and it is sunny Florida we're talking about.

Also, google cheap hotels Florida. That's what I did when I went 2 years ago.

haha, yeah, Smash would come with us if I really wanted him to, but he feels the same way about Disney/theme parks/water parks/etc. I figure there's no point in wasting the money (not to mention feeling like I'm dragging someone around who doesn't enjoy it) having him along...so I'll give him some sort of home-improvement project, take Hannah and go.

Yeah, Hannah starts kindergarten in about a month...ridiculous.

Nexa

Not that I don't appreciate the well-meaning advice, but I really did mean

I'm hoping for some feedback/suggestions based upon your personal experiences staying in Orlando. Like I said, I know how to use the internet :) Also: there's no chance I'm sitting through a timeshare seminar, especially with Hannah.

Thanks,

Nexa

My own personal experiences don't meet your criteria. No indoor pool, no shuttle to Disney(that I knew of) and no free breakfast. My experiences included the Westgate Resorts and Fantasy World Resort. Both are timeshare hotels. They may have done the shuttle. I had a van rented so just used that. The other place I stayed, did offer shuttle service, but had no indoor pool or breakfast included and was ridiculously overpriced at $400/night. Nice hotel though, Buena Vista Palace.

I agree. I'd drop Animal Kingdom and go to Epcot instead. I found Animal Kingdom to be a disappointment. Although, Hannah would probably love the Safari ride and petting area. I don't think the rest of it would be too interesting to her.

How the hell are all the kids getting older? I saw DSD mention that her oldest is starting 3rd grade (that right?), Hannah's starting kindergarten, Charmaine's starting junior high, my oldest graduated from high school, my middle one starting high school...

I need a baby!

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Thom can eat a slice of pizza properly, take off his shoes and dance like Elvis. Time really does fly.

The best part of Epcot is the section with little cultural enclaves from all over the world. The last time I was there, we decided to have a drink in each "country" as we worked our way around.

I think we only got as far as Japan. Warm sake hits like a freight train.

No, they're supposed to drop Animal Kingdom, get drunk at Epcot and then visit the mine birds.

I've realized that I need to start planning a getaway vacation for Ray and me. We still need to have our honeymoon.

After 10 years, it's no longer a honeymoon. It's a "We've got to get away from these ****** kids!" trip.