Never stayed offsite for WDW

I shouldn't say never but it has been such a long time. DD is now 18 now and the only time we stayed off site was when she was six. I can't even remember where we stayed then. But she is bringing a college friend who is not so much into Disney.

The reason I am thinking of staying offsite is because with her being older and perhaps wanting to see more of Orlando as well. Like I see they have a I-Ride or Hop on Hop off bus. We've done these in NYC and DC so would love to do in Orlando as well. Also see there is the Orlando Eye, would love to do that...I think. And would just like to visit International Drive all over again.

Plus we will be driving down so looking for a hotel that is in this area as well as has free shuttle to Disney, Universal and maybe even Sea World. Because driving 1200+ miles one way, I would like to give my car a rest for the time we are here.

So looking for a place that is clean safe and fits my other requests (as much as possible).

You probably want to look at hotels on International Dr south of Sand Lake rd around the convention center or Sea World,around here you'll be pretty central to Disney and Universal.The Eye is great,I would also do the package online that also includes the aquarium and the wax museum.I myself don't do offsite shuttles to the parks(except the Busch Gardens shuttle from Orlando)as they just seem inconvenient,if I see that I have to be back on a bus at a certain time and I can't even see the fireworks then I don't even consider it,I always have a car so that's not an issue.If staying at a Disney hotel I do leave the car,for Busch Gardens avoiding an hour plus drive each way and that its free and that Busch has no fireworks and usually doesn't stay open that late makes that shuttle real attractive.If you stay somewhere near Sea World maybe you can walk to the park when you go to Sea World,I did that once,I think it was the Hilton Garden Inn,literally right across the street,no free breakfast though.The area right around the convention center has several hotels I've stayed at and haven't been disappointed in.

We were looking into Embassy Suites on International Drive South/Convention Center. How is that in conjunction to where everything is? How is it as far as a Hotel?

Thanks

If your budget can do it we like Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista. They have a shuttle to all the parks. Their included breakfast is wonderful. They have an evening reception which is like a quick service meal that is offered 3X a week. It's offered only for two hours.

You can get a 1 or 2 bedroom depending on your budget. With a one bedroom you will have a sleeper sofa and you can get two queens in the bedroom. In the two bedroom you could have a king in one and two beds in the other and you won't have to use the sleeper sofa in the living room. The living room is between the two bedrooms. There is a kitchen, too. Laundry is offered in the hotel on a separate floor.

Their pool is okay. There is a mini grocery store on the premises.

The hotel is located well for all the parks.

I do like the Marriott brand, so will definitely check that out. We've stayed at Marriotts in NYC and have enjoyed it. Is this hotel located on or how close to International Drive. Hoping it is close only because we will be there for 12 nights and we are driving from NYS so looking to give my car somewhat of a rest.

No, its not close to International Drive. Let me talk to DD, she has stayed in that area with her friend and her family and I will see where they stay.

We stayed on International Drive years ago and used the I-shuttle, but it was more than 20 years ago and there are much better places to stay now! We love to rent off-site pool houses because we don't have a pool at home and they are much cheaper than most hotels and almost all WDW hotels. It would put your car back in use, but we also drive 1200 miles one way so we don't mind getting in the car and taking off again!

We have never used Uber before because its not offered in our town, but I know lots of people use it.

Taking notes here. Wondering about the Aquarium that was mentioned, is that on International Drive? Really looking to stay on International Dr. Shuttle to Busch Garden sounds like a really good idea. And Residence Inn sounds good because we need a Suite.