Gaylord Palms

[pavil]

Just back from Disney/US/IOA and saw in the distance a Huge Complex, the Gaylord Palms. Has anyone stayed there? From the website it looked cool and I think I remember seeing it on the Travel channel. I was just looking to hear some 1st person accounts of someone who stayed there or just visited it.
Thanks

 

[I Love Tigger]

We visited it in 2003 when we had to exchange our hire car, it was very impressive and would liked to stay there one day! We couldn't believe how big it was inside, and really enjoyed looking round the shops.

 

[daannzzz]

I got the Gaylord Palms through Priceline and spent a night there. If Disney didn't have their great resorts this would be my first choice. It was a very interesting place with some beautiful sections and lots to look at. The pool looked fun and the rooms, though not large were nicely decorated and comfortable. Give it a try if you get a chance.

 

[disneysteve]

We haven't stayed there but we did visit when we were down in November. It is well worth a trip over there to tour the property. The hotel is as nice or nice as anything Disney has to offer. The enormous atrium lobby is incredible. It has a recreation of the Everglades and even has live alligators, waterfalls, a fort, numerous shops and restaurants and more. It is quite a site. And lots of the guest rooms in the main building have balconies that open to the atrium. Very, very cool.

 

[dgaston]

We were lucky enough to win a Priceline stay here for one night in 2004. We were upgraded to a suite, with king bedroom, pull out sofa, huge dining table, minifrig and sink and two balconies overlooking the St Augustine area. This is the nicest hotel room I have ever had. I would love to repeat this sometime, for more than one night!

 

[nybound]

My wife and I stayed there in April (part of a business trip).

Here are some random thoughts.

The part that draws you in is the atrium. I'm not sure how to describe it that would do justice to its size. Both day and night are wonderful to just stroll around all of it.

Because this was a business trip, we did not eat at any of the restaurants at the resort - only at the attached convention center (which is immense in itself).

The rooms were nice. Nothing spectacular. Just a nice clean room with adequate space for a family of four.

On site parking may not be convenient depending on where your room is (plus, you have to pay $7 a day).

There are two outdoor pools. I was a bit disappointed that there was not an indoor pool.

The health club is nice and has plenty of equipement. The spa looks really nice, but didn't use it ourselves.

There are several stores in the resort to cover most needs.

The location is highly convenient to WDW. It's a ten minute drive to Epcot from the resort.

Overall, I would stay there again.

 

[stlrod]

Just got back from 3 nights. It was great and very, very close to WDW. If you stay there, make sure to attend one of the alligator feedings offered on T, Th and Sat at 6:30 pm. A rep from Gatorland comes and it is quite entertaining.

 

[ms.ojo]

For those of you who have actually stayed there...where did you eat? We will be traveling in Dec w/ dh who is attending a conf. The restaurants at the hotel look very expensive! And from what I can tell, no place to purchase bread and fixings for PB&J or bagels and cream cheese to have in the room. Do any local pizza or other places deliver?? We won't be having a car at our disposal but I could make arrangements to stop enroute at a groc store if need be.

The hotel itself looks wonderful and I'm looking forward to the stay, but I think the food is going to be a killer. our children will be 6 and almost 3 at the time. Kind of picky eaters. Hate to plop down that kind of money at a rest. and not have them like it. Would prefer being able to have fixings in the room, or ability to order pizza, subs, etc delivered.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I've stayed here three or four times, including a four night stay two weeks ago. It is the single most beautiful resort I've ever visited.

Each time I've been upgraded to Emerald Bay, the resort's deluxe rooms. The rooms have walk-in marble and glass showers, dual sinks, robes and heavy, oversized furniture. The soaps are all oatmeal, which I love!!

The enclosed atriums have three or four distinct parts -- the Everglades (with an appropriate bayou setting), Key West (it has a HUGE ship that is actually Sunset Sam's seafood restaurant), St. Augustine and Emerald Bay (both overlook a huge Spanish-style castle, and some overlook the lush greenery surrounding the gator area). Where you want to stay depends on your lifestyle -- I LOVE the Everglades, but can never get a balcony there. It's super quiet, too. Key West is fun and if you get a balcony there, you can sit on it with a drink and listen to the live music. It can be loud, however.

The restaurants are, indeed, expensive and cater to business travelers on expensed budgets. We always make a run to the Publix in Little Lake Bryan (behind the Premium Outlet mall).

There are two pools -- the kid's pool which has a cement octopus that shoots water out of its tenticles and seahorses that spout water into the pool (it's ADORABLE) and a quieter, adult pool. We always go to the Marine Pool just because it's so much more fun!

Let me know if you have any questions. We're staying on-property in October, but I'm afraid the Gaylord Palms has spoiled me forever...

 

[daannzzz]

RE; Food.
I was only there one night on my arrival night. I wasn't in the mood for a big meal and had not planned an expensive meal that night. There is a bakery / coffee store in the main atrium. They have cookies and banana bread and such but also sell premade sandwiches along with chips and such. The coffee and cookie were good but the sandwich was mediocre AND it was not cheap, just less than the restaurants.

 

[ms.ojo]

Wow...sounds like dining is def going to be an issue for us....but I KNOW the kids are going to love the themed pool (thanks for the pics!!!) and the alligators, etc in the atrium.

Think we'll plan on making a stop at Publix enroute to the hotel and load up on food. Don't suppose there are microwaves in any of the rooms are there? Just the little fridge? Is this fridge just for the Pay as you go type stuff, or can guests put things in it??

Thanks again

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Wow...sounds like dining is def going to be an issue for us....but I KNOW the kids are going to love the themed pool (thanks for the pics!!!) and the alligators, etc in the atrium.

Think we'll plan on making a stop at Publix enroute to the hotel and load up on food. Don't suppose there are microwaves in any of the rooms are there? Just the little fridge? Is this fridge just for the Pay as you go type stuff, or can guests put things in it??

Thanks again

No microwaves. The fridge is completely empty save for two bottles of water. If you take them with you in the morning, room service usually refills them in the afternoon (call if you don't have them). You also get the newspaper and a turndown service . We made a run to Publix three times, and even had fruit and wine in the room. Each evening DH and I put DD to bed and sat on the balcony and had a glass of wine while we waited for her to fall asleep.

Cribs are also provided on request, no additional charge. Comes complete with a crib sheet and bumper pad,plus ours had a little towel display all of her own. If you have kids, remember to ask for a room with a bathtub -- the king rooms all have walk-in marble showers.

 

[ms.ojo]

That sounds so nice!!! I can't wait for this vacation. We're spending a week at Disney, then this conference at Gaylord Palms...and finishing up w/ 2 days at Universal/IOA!!!!! All with the Christmas decorations and parties etc... This is a dream come true for me!

 

[swincha]

stayed in one of these in nashville. you could spend a couple of hours just walking about the grounds. word of warning we stay in the more hotel part. because if you have a view of the gardens you will hear the bars until 2am. i had a complimentary room one weekend because i couldn't sleep and my room was moved to another noisy area but this was in nashville.

 

[dgaston]

There is a Publix just one loooong block from the Gaylord Palms on International Drive S. It's just past the underpass on the Left hand side of the road heading over to 192.
HTH

 

[ms.ojo]

Are there sidewalks so that this could conceivable be walked??? Or should I just plan on doing it w/ the taxi on the way to check-in???

I'm also hoping I can find a local phone book there w/ a decent pizza place that delivers for 1 or 2 nights. That would be ok too. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy all the nice eateries at Disney and do many character meals...but this place just sounds SO over the top for its restaurants...I want to have some options for the kids. There favs are mac & cheese, buttered noodles and PB&J! LOL.

 

[disneysteve]

I'm also hoping I can find a local phone book there w/ a decent pizza place that delivers for 1 or 2 nights.

Our favorite is Flippers in Old Town. They have very good pizza. They also offer sandwiches and platters. We get pizza from there every trip.

 

[ms.ojo]

Our favorite is Flippers in Old Town. They have very good pizza. They also offer sandwiches and platters. We get pizza from there every trip.

THANK YOU! I'll check to see if they have a website so I can print out a menu to bring w/ us.

 

[ms.ojo]

Our favorite is Flippers in Old Town. They have very good pizza. They also offer sandwiches and platters. We get pizza from there every trip.

I tried Switchboard.com to find their phone # and see if they had a website but the only listing they had for pizza places in Old Town was hungry Howies. Have you been there recently???

Anyone else have suggestions like this???? I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!!!

 

[Foladar]

My family in Michigan goes to Hungry Howies (can't speak for the one in Orlando - yet) but they've always said how amazingly great it was and they -always- order pizza from there, atleast once a week. I'm def going to try some in Orlando once I go back since they've recommended that.