Conventions in Orlando

[estherhead]

OK, I know this is VERY far away, but dh will be going to a business convention in Orlando March 10-13, 2010. I work for the company too and should have no problem getting them/us to buy me an airplane ticket too (I'm vice president, so "they" better or I'll just use my own business credit card!)

I'm also sure they'll pay for 2 nights hotel and a car rental. Then we'll go to Disney, probably just as a couple as we're planning on taking the kids to Disneyland in Feb 2010 so too bad for them on Disney in March.

Anyone been to the Orange County Convention center? Is it nice? Would you stay on Disney for a convention there or would you switch to Disney later? If you had 3-4 nights to stay at Disney and had only ever stayed at Values & got some kind of a deal, what Deluxe resort would you try? I'm afraid the Poly & Floridian are out of our price range no matter what and my heart is torn between Wilderness (because we can take the boat to MK) and AKL (because I adore it.) Do these seem like good, romantic choices?

Also, I've done Deluxe dining for free & loved it. Do you think it is worth the money if you have to pay outright & are generally cheapskates & would probably have a heart attack at paying $200.00 for a meal for two?

 

[crisi]

I've stayed at the Rosen Center near the convention center and the Peabody. Both are very nice hotels. I'd stay close to the convention center so you can run back to the hotel, drop off stuff, do email, take a nap - whatever you do in between convention sessions (or however yours is set up). Disney is about 20 minutes away - traffic can be a pain - but I've headed over a few evenings for dinner, etc.

When you switch to Disney, either the WL or AKL tend to be more affordable than the other Deluxes - and both are really nice hotels. Romantic at Disney is a combination of what you make it and luck of the draw - I'm sure there are people who make romantic honeymoons at All Star Sports and people unlucky enough to end up next to a family with a colicky baby and a screaming toddler at the Grand Floridian and find no romance at all. I'd give a nod to WL for Romance (walk on the beach or take the path to Ft. Wilderness, and watching fireworks from the beach is more romantic than animals), but I find AKL to be more cool.

We pay $200 (+) for meals for two all the time - up to you on that one.

 

[NJtoATL]

Leaving tomorrow for a convention at the Orange County Convention Center. Will stay 2 days near the convention center then off to All-Star Music (Disney). They had a decent rate. I haven't stayed on property in four years so I am long overdue.