Help with Hotel/Res

[Luvmythree1s]

Hi everyone!

First off all, I would like to say that I am terrible with decisions. Give me too many choices and I will drive myself crazy trying to decide on one. I am trying to make a decision on which hotel/resort to stay at. We are a family of 5 with 3 young kids (10 year old boy/girl twins and 5 year old girl). My choices are the Hyatt Place Lake Buena Vista, the Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista, or the Port Orleans Riverside resort. We are stay 2 nights after spending 5 days at a much cheaper and smaller hotel. We would really like to stretch out a little.

I know a lot of people love the Port Orleans. I would like to stay at Port Orleans however I am unsure about the small space. I have also read mixed reviews on the level of service at the Port Orleans. I am also not thrilled about the long walks to the room. We will just have a standard room since I couldn't get preferred room. What I am really worried about is spending the extra money and finding myself and the family underwhelmed or disappointed. I know that the holiday inn resort has two bunkbeds and I think my kids would really like that but I've also heard mixed reviews on the hotel. Has anyone stayed at either one of these off-site hotels recently? How was your experience? How was your experience at Port Orleans Riverside? I think we will end up spending an extra $150-200 or so more at Port Orleans vs the other hotels.

FYI, I will be posting this in the Orlando hotels forum. Thanks in advance everyone!

*Sorry for the typo in the title line.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

QUestion: Are there attractions for which having the 60-day on-property FP+ might be a benefit to the POR stay? Looking beyond space alone, you're unlikely to get Frozen Ever After FP+ for 3-5 with off-property FP priority, for instance.

 

[AllieBoo]

I haven't stayed at either of the offsite hotels you mention, but I have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. If space is the most important part to you, you may not like POR. It will be a standard hotel room with two queen beds, table and chairs in the corner, and a double sink vanity outside the bathroom, not extremely spacious. The "level of service" will be that they replenish your towels/toiletries and clean your room daily, and sometimes they do cute little towel animals for the kids.

The main benefit to POR is that you are onsite and immersed in the Disney magic, and you can use Disney transportation. POR also has a great pool (you can also use the pool at Port Orleans French Quarter), and the grounds are beautiful! We loved walking around by the river.

 

[Amanda999]

If you want room to stretch out for a few nights (and don't want to pay $$$$$ for onsite 1 or 2 bedroom), check out Staybridge Suites LBV, 8751 Suiteside Drive, Orlando. 2 bedroom/2 bath/2 TVs, free breakfast (carb heavy but still) and walk to Publix supermarket, easy drive back roads to the parks (I don't go on Hotel Blvd if I don't have to!). I'm paying $183 (free cancel until 1 day prior) in June and late August, free parking, no fees, wifi included. Pool gets good reviews, has spa, but no slide. Only 3 stories tall, so less walking to your car.
DH refuses to stay in a single hotel room (like POR) when all 4 of us go, so its either 2 rooms at POR or Staybridge when we all go. Staybridge is cheaper than 1 room at POR.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

For our family, staying on site is always a priority. We have stayed at POR many times - our favorite moderate. The landscaping is beautiful - lots of room to walk around and close enough to walk to POFQ ...food court is good, great main pool and 5 quiet pools and good bus service to the parks. There is a boat to take you to Disney Springs which is also a great advantage. You can request a room with a trundle so easy enough to sleep 5. While the room is not large, we are a family of 5 and stayed many times at POR with no comfort issues.
Don't forget when you stay offsite, you either drive and pay parking fees everyday, or take a shuttle from your hotel which can sometimes be hit or miss...you don't get the advantage of a 60 day out fastpass reservation. For our family, there is something magical about being on the property - all the Disney touches and service are special--obviously, my vote is POR!

 

[Sue M]

No, haven't stayed at either off site properties. But have stayed at POR lots. It's a beautiful resort. The grounds are so pretty I love walking along the river paths. Always recieved great service from staff. Some of the resort ammenities are the boat to Disney Springs, horse & carrige rides, and a fun evening entertainer in the RiverRoost lounge.
Onsite perks are worth it with 60day FP+, dining, and airport transportation. Plus Disney transportation. Even if I have a car, I leave it in the parking lot and just use Disney transportation.
In the rooms you will have 2 queens, Murphy bed, fridge & coffee maker, 2 sinks in bathroom.

Staying on site is a different experience than offsite. Offsite is just another hotel. POR is a resort.

 

[HopperFan]

You can't even compare the onsite/offsites because the rooms are totally different, the hotels are totally different and the grounds/amenities are totally different. It sounds like onsite is not for you, and that is fine.

What I would do is find ONE resort for my entire trip that meets my needs/budget and just stay put. Staybridge Suites suggested by @Amanda999 is a good one and newly rehabbed. I would also go through Mousesavers and look at the newly refurbed Holiday Inn Waterpark (formerly Nickelodeon). The suites have a master and then doorless bedroom with a double/single bunk room your kids might love. Great location for easy access into the parks.