First of all, I want to say that I had planned on staying at only 1 place, but since my plans kept changing I ended up staying at 3 different places in the Kissimee/Lake Buena Vista Area. I thought Id compare them for you all since many times you only stay at one place so you dont compare similar priced properties. Of course as always this is my 2 cents
My first stop was Country Inn and Suites Orlando Maingate. http://www.countryinns.com/orlandofl_maingate?s_cid=L8640281
It is rated as a 2.5 star by priceline in Disneyworld Vicinity, and is the one located on Calypso Cay. I bid on Priceline for 35 a night and with taxes/fee it worked out to be $86.82 for 2 rooms for the 1 night so 43ish for 1 night for 1 room. This worked out to be my favorite place of the trip. It was by far the cleanest of the rooms I stayed in this trip although like many places wasnt perfect. It was obvious the room was older and they had renovated it to make it look newer. Bright colors. It was next to the timeshare location of Calypso Cay and while the lady at the front asked me if I was interested in a talk I said no thanks and that was the end of that! No other mention of it. There were several pools and my 5 year old daughter and I went to 2 of them. There were beach entry pools with easy slides and a good sized Jacuzzi. I saw many people having a drink and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. Free parking, no resort fee. In the morning there was a breakfast buffet. Everyone turns in a ticket and you eat as much as you like. Good fresh fruit like apples and bananas, cereals, pancakes to heat up and at least 1 special item, breakfast burrito was it for us. They also had hard boiled eggs, and the typical breads, juices. No pressure to tip anything extra as everyone was there for buffet only. They were a pet friendly hotel so if you are allergic keep that in mind. I had no problems though. They had a small fridge and microwave in the room. Didnt use the shuttle service, but had a brief look and since they share a service with other hotels I would have wanted to drive myself, cant stand waiting for that long : ) Rooms were normal, but nothing out of the way special.
Next stop was the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista. http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/ Ive stayed there before. I booked with the Spirit deal where you pay 9.95 for the 1st night and 49.99 for the second so for the 2 night it worked out to be the cheapest place if you only want 2 nights 66.32 for both nights including tax http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/spirit Free parking, no resort fee. No Jacuzzi, a very old and tired looking pool and if your room was on the I-4 side it was LOUD. I requested a building that was pet free and on the not I-4 side. Room was fine, much older condition than Country Inn, but decent. I liked that the room had a fridge and microwave though. Not quite as clean as the other, but still acceptable. When you check in they dont want to give you any info about the area, they send you over to the tour desk who wants to sell you tickets and or other services. I just wanted the shuttle times and a map. The shuttles here were MUCH better. They dont share the bus with other hotels, but it does sometimes make a stop at more than one park and seemed very busy while we were there. I have ridden the shuttle here in past and felt that you could get by without a car here if you are strapped for cash. I drove up Turkey Lake Road and went to Whole Foods for a few meals. They have such gourmet salads and hot foods that I took some to go and put them in my fridge at the hotel. It recently opened and I would say it a 12-15 minute drive from there. The breakfast buffet here annoys me. If you go during peak times you have to wait for a table since they want to seat you. The free breakfast includes icky fruit, juice, bread and a few icky donuts. They really push upselling their buffet breakfast which is in the same room that has the waffles, eggs, bacon, etc. I didnt think it was worth it at all. You felt obligated to tip even with the buffet here since they sat you at a table, etc.
My last hotel stay was at Ramada Celebration http://www.ramadaorlandocelebration.com/amenities.php I booked this one on Priceline 2.5 star for $40 a night plus fees, taxes, not sure of the total, but around 50 a night I guess. You can find deals for almost that on their website. I was placed close to 192 which was loud!!! I heard many ambulances, Harleys, etc throughout the night. Free parking but no breakfast. The pools were not special in any way just basic and were several, its a large property. Room was in between Country Inn and Comfort LBV. It was mostly clean, and I liked the comforters but the room looked tired.
So, my summary if you arent renting a car Id go with Comfort LBV without a doubt. If you are getting a car Id go with the Country Inn and Suites. Id avoid the Ramada unless it is an adult only trip.
Hope this is helpful to someone.
I'll try to answer any questions I can.
My first stop was Country Inn and Suites Orlando Maingate. http://www.countryinns.com/orlandofl_maingate?s_cid=L8640281
It is rated as a 2.5 star by priceline in Disneyworld Vicinity, and is the one located on Calypso Cay. I bid on Priceline for 35 a night and with taxes/fee it worked out to be $86.82 for 2 rooms for the 1 night so 43ish for 1 night for 1 room. This worked out to be my favorite place of the trip. It was by far the cleanest of the rooms I stayed in this trip although like many places wasnt perfect. It was obvious the room was older and they had renovated it to make it look newer. Bright colors. It was next to the timeshare location of Calypso Cay and while the lady at the front asked me if I was interested in a talk I said no thanks and that was the end of that! No other mention of it. There were several pools and my 5 year old daughter and I went to 2 of them. There were beach entry pools with easy slides and a good sized Jacuzzi. I saw many people having a drink and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. Free parking, no resort fee. In the morning there was a breakfast buffet. Everyone turns in a ticket and you eat as much as you like. Good fresh fruit like apples and bananas, cereals, pancakes to heat up and at least 1 special item, breakfast burrito was it for us. They also had hard boiled eggs, and the typical breads, juices. No pressure to tip anything extra as everyone was there for buffet only. They were a pet friendly hotel so if you are allergic keep that in mind. I had no problems though. They had a small fridge and microwave in the room. Didnt use the shuttle service, but had a brief look and since they share a service with other hotels I would have wanted to drive myself, cant stand waiting for that long : ) Rooms were normal, but nothing out of the way special.
Next stop was the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista. http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/ Ive stayed there before. I booked with the Spirit deal where you pay 9.95 for the 1st night and 49.99 for the second so for the 2 night it worked out to be the cheapest place if you only want 2 nights 66.32 for both nights including tax http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/spirit Free parking, no resort fee. No Jacuzzi, a very old and tired looking pool and if your room was on the I-4 side it was LOUD. I requested a building that was pet free and on the not I-4 side. Room was fine, much older condition than Country Inn, but decent. I liked that the room had a fridge and microwave though. Not quite as clean as the other, but still acceptable. When you check in they dont want to give you any info about the area, they send you over to the tour desk who wants to sell you tickets and or other services. I just wanted the shuttle times and a map. The shuttles here were MUCH better. They dont share the bus with other hotels, but it does sometimes make a stop at more than one park and seemed very busy while we were there. I have ridden the shuttle here in past and felt that you could get by without a car here if you are strapped for cash. I drove up Turkey Lake Road and went to Whole Foods for a few meals. They have such gourmet salads and hot foods that I took some to go and put them in my fridge at the hotel. It recently opened and I would say it a 12-15 minute drive from there. The breakfast buffet here annoys me. If you go during peak times you have to wait for a table since they want to seat you. The free breakfast includes icky fruit, juice, bread and a few icky donuts. They really push upselling their buffet breakfast which is in the same room that has the waffles, eggs, bacon, etc. I didnt think it was worth it at all. You felt obligated to tip even with the buffet here since they sat you at a table, etc.
My last hotel stay was at Ramada Celebration http://www.ramadaorlandocelebration.com/amenities.php I booked this one on Priceline 2.5 star for $40 a night plus fees, taxes, not sure of the total, but around 50 a night I guess. You can find deals for almost that on their website. I was placed close to 192 which was loud!!! I heard many ambulances, Harleys, etc throughout the night. Free parking but no breakfast. The pools were not special in any way just basic and were several, its a large property. Room was in between Country Inn and Comfort LBV. It was mostly clean, and I liked the comforters but the room looked tired.
So, my summary if you arent renting a car Id go with Comfort LBV without a doubt. If you are getting a car Id go with the Country Inn and Suites. Id avoid the Ramada unless it is an adult only trip.
Hope this is helpful to someone.
I'll try to answer any questions I can.
