Need an offsite WDW hotel!

[MistyD]

DH, DD and I have been planning our December trip for over a year and we are already booked on-site. FIL, who lives in South Florida, has decided to drive up for a couple of days to join us. Can anyone recommend a good off-site hotel that isn't too far away from WDW? Ideally one that has a shuttle to the parks. He will need an ECV but will rent one at the parks.

I found Quality Inn Maingate West on hotels.com.... anyone stayed there?? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[HeatherC]

How about Buena Vista Suites. It's recommended by Mousesavers, is right outside the Disney gate and is reasonably priced.

There is even a link for it here on the Dis.

Good luck to you.

 

[MomofKatie]

We enjoyed our stay at the Radisson Resort Orlando- Celebration. It is very close to WDW property and has shuttle service (don't know if it's free or not). The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the pool and other amenities are great. Prices run $79- $99 per night, with an extra $10/night resort fee. There is a discount code for them on the DIS, and they almost always have rooms available on Hotwire for around $50/night.

 

[catherines_mama]

I enjoy Royal Plaza. Stayed there twice on a great rate from Mousesavers. They do shuttles to the parks if you want them.

 

[kilee]

I'd consider one of the DTD hotels. Especially if he'll be using a shuttle. Many of the offsite hotels do not have very good shuttle service.

 

[srwarden1928]

We stayed at the Regal Sun in March. It is walking distance to DTD. They have shuttles to the parks. We drove and really enjoyed the location.

 

[Darby O'Gill]

Hello. As far as off disney hotels go, my advice would be based on the money you had to spend.

In any case.....I prefer hotels on us192(irlo bronson HWY) as it is close, convenent, and NOWHERE near as traffic jammed as I-Drive.

RIght now, you can book Days Inn Maingate East for 34.95 a night, 5840 W. Irlo Bronson.....very much bottom barrel.....hope and pray for a clean stay.(great locale, very close to old town and the parks proper), but again, BOTTOM BARREL.
Howard Johnson's MAingate West is going for around 40$ per night off of their website 8620 W.Irlo Bronson HWY. Gets GREAT reviews off of trip advisor and rated as number 7 best deal for hotels on the unofficial guide to WDW. Best bang for a buck......VERY CLEAN, slightly off of the hustle and bustle of middle-tourist orlando, but still a motel......you want a room closest to the lobby......they are more updated.
Orlando Vista Hotel on 12490 S.Apopka-Vineland Rd. is a HOTEL instead of motel, and is located very near downtown disney. Is going for about 53$ a night right now on GTAhotels.com. A bigger step up from the first 2 i mentioned, but undergoing a management change i think. Trio advisor is 50/50 on this one.
Radison Resort Orlando Celebration (2900 Parkway Blvd.) is basically on the corner of us192 and the road to the dis. Prices vary, but if you look, 79-89$ a night can be had. I stayed there on my honeymoon in OCT 06, and it is JUST ABOUT a 4-star hotel. Spacious and clean. Just seemed to me to have slightly lower expectations than a normal Radison in your major US city. Also, we had some problems with staff....but VERY VERY convienent for the money, and now your starting to get into the upper half of hotels in orlando.

Hope this somewhat cheapskate opinion is helpful.

Other advice......if you can afford a car rental or have your own car....DO IT!!!. Nice to have freedom while in Orlando.
If you can spend more than 100$ per night on a hotel....get as nice as you can....feeling pampered is more important than saving a few bucks if it wont kill your budget to do so.
Use Trip advisor to get user reviews on Hotels. 50% good normally means a good stay(most people only write to say negative)
The best online deals can be found from 45-60 days out normally for hotels.....that is when the hotels starty to worry about occupancy rates.

Have a Magical time.........
Darby O'Gill (new king of knock-na-sheega)