one bedroomed apartment nr I Drive???

[Kaz65]

Hello - I am beginning to plan our family trip for May 09 and wondering if anyone has any tips for one bedroomed apartment/suites near I Drive? Last time we stayed at a basic resort south of Seaworld and the I Trolley links were hopeless (running only every 30 minutes and not late into the evening). Have been considering Sheraton Vistana Resort off I Drive but not sure of exact location - any comments about this place? Also short listed Hilton Gardens near Seaworld and Homewood Suites near Universal.

Any comments gratefully appreciated from fellow Brits

Cheers Karen:cheer2: :cheer2:

[wayneg]

Only one we have stayed at from your 3 is Homewood suites near Universal, got a great rate of £22/night for 3 of us in Oct 2004.
It must have cost them for us to stay, got breakfast every morning and 4 evening a week they had managers reception with food and drinks for 2 hours.

I would only stay up there again if I was offered another good rate like this, its so far down to Disney from up there. We have AP's for Disney, visit DTD a lot, Old Town on 192, Celebration. Absolutely nothing wrong with the suites but the location is not for us, we hate Idrive, last week I drove on it twice and it reminded me why we stay at LBV area, 30 minutes to do 2 miles, its just a nightmare. Maybe other times of year its OK but Easter, August and Xmas its a no go area for us.
Last Sauturday afternoon we called at Prime outlet top of Idrive, its got so busy there now it took 30 minutes to get out of carpark.

Personally I would not decide on 1 or 2 places and stick to it, I would wait until an offer comes up and leave your options open, look at my list below, apart from Onsite hotels never paid more than £30/night incl tax in Florida.

[Shooby doo]

:thumbsup2 I can't vouch for the Staybridge suites on I-drive but I have stayed at the ones in LBV & the I-drive one normally gets better reviews so well worth considering.As far as Vistana is concerned be aware that it's location is well down the South end of I-Drive passed Seaworld so you won't exactly be in the middle of things!
HTh Sd

[barnaby1]

We have stayed at the homewood suites near universal several times and would highly recomend them.

We always stay at the north end of I drive as we don't hire a car and find getting around very easy. We gave up on the I ride a long time ago and just use linx buses now.

[amberandolly]

We are staying at the Embassy suites on Jamaican court - mid I drive, in 3 weeks time - we got a good deal via alpha rooms and you get a full cooked breakfast plus a few free drinks in the evening.
It's in a good location, just up from the mercado and the pointe - plenty of eating places are nearby too.

[astrodrummergirl]

Last august we stayed at the Hawthorn Suites, just off of I-Drive, near the pirates dinner show and the giant McD's. It was a nice place, and it has decent shuttles to Seaworld, Disney and universal and a free hot breakfast each morning. It's probably more expensive than the others listed, but it was the only one that had a central location, shuttles to the theme parks we wanted to go (no car) and a free breakfast, and thus will be staying there again in september (once we actually get it booked!)

[Kaz65]

Hey thanks for all the quick responses. We will be hiring a car but last year we had a minor road accident on our first night (not fmiliar with road crossings!) so Dh a bit wary of a lot of driving and thought I Drive would be best. However we have been looking at Buena Vista and Kissimee but is there anyway within walking distance to eat and have a couple of beers in the evening? I think that is the main reason for DH stipulation to be near IDrive !!!!

[wayneg]

LBV has lots of places to eat, we dont drink but we eat at Orlando Ale House which always has drink specials, Its a sports bar, Fosters lager $2/pint, alcopops 5 bottles for $6 etc. I am sure there are other places to drink but I have never looked.
For food there are all the usual places, Olive Garden, Black Angus, McD's, Lots Lots more.

[Kaz65]

Is there an Olive Garden adn Black Angus in LBV? They are DH favorite eating joints - is there a main area in LBV or can you direct me to where I can get more info on LBV in general please

[Kaz65]

Wow WayneG you have visited Florida A LOT! Out of all your trips what were the best accommodations? I am definatley looking for a 1 bedroomed apartment even though there is only me my DH and DS aged 7yrs. We would have loved to stay at a Disney resort but they dont appear to offer the 1 bedroomed option for such a small party??? PLEASE share if you know otherwise

[wayneg]

Yes there is both OG and BA. Can't find a site to show you what there is but there are lots and lots of places to eat.
I have never looked at Onsite for a 1 bed apart but I am sure they do something, they have lots of different styles but it will be very expensive, just a basic hotel room is double and triple what we pay offsite.
We are more than happy in a room with twin queen beds. Of our fave places is Courtyard by Marriott, palm parkway http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34515-d84903-r6757281-Courtyard_Orlando_Lake_Buena_Vista_at_Vista_Centre-Orlando_Florida.html

Stayed here twice, around £25/night August 06 and August 07, last year we did do a few nights in their 1 bed suite as they had no std rooms available, just a little larger with a sofa, table, fridge, micro, sink etc. that was £25/night. We like the location better than anywhere we have stayed, including onsite.

[Kaz65]

Thanks Wayne - will definatley research LBV further

[barnaby1]

Wow WayneG you have visited Florida A LOT! Out of all your trips what were the best accommodations? I am definatley looking for a 1 bedroomed apartment even though there is only me my DH and DS aged 7yrs. We would have loved to stay at a Disney resort but they dont appear to offer the 1 bedroomed option for such a small party??? PLEASE share if you know otherwise

One option for a 1 bed apartment on disney property is the doubletree suites. Although it is not a "disney" hotel it is located with 6 others at downtown disney. It has free transport to all the parks and is within easy walking distance of both DTD and the crossroads shopping area and its shops and resturaunts.

[ARE WE THERE YET]

Don't know if this would be of any interest but they do family suites now at All Star Music. I think they are quite expensive though. They have prices out for next year on UK Disney site.