No Car - Need help with hotel with lots of facilities within walking distance

[Cybella]

I have never been to Orlando and am looking to stay on fairly nice property which is walking distance to restaurants and shops as we will not be renting a car. We are 2 sisters and need somewhere with twin beds (*** we are twins...lol)

I like the Omni at Champions Gate, the Marriott, the Gaylords, JW Marriott, the Hilton at Orlando and any others like these.

Can people who have stayed at these properties advise if its easy getting around. Am looking to stay in an area with lots of restaurants, shops etc where we can walk to. Do hotel shuttles drop you off to dining areas????? And if so, are they free?

Would welcome all suggestions.

 

[Brian Noble]

If it were me, I would either rent a car, or consider a stay in either a Disney resort, or one of the resorts in the Downtown Disney area. The latter may be the perfect fit for what you are looking for.

http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

If you are looking for a nicer place, the Hilton might be right up your alley:

http://www.mousesavers.com/hiltonwdw.html

The Hilton isn't quite as nice as some of the others on your list, but perfectly fine, and more conveniently located. It's an easy walk to Downtown Disney shopping and dining, perhaps the nicest property in the DTD Resort area, and has a decent (but not great) shuttle schedule to the parks.

You might also consider the Swan or Dolphin:
http://www.swandolphin.com/

 

[Cybella]

Thanks for these Brian. Much appreciated.

 

[tednvon]

Good morning...sounds like a fun trip.
I am sure others will help out here, but your question is good one. First of all, The Gaylord, The Omni, The big Hilton are all really neat but kind of in the middle of nowhere as far as walking is concerned...they do have bus transportation that is mostly to Disney parks...
As I think about the area, and restaurants and shopping a couple options come to mind...
1. Buena Vista Palace on Hotel Plaza Blvd http://buenavistapalace.com/?src=sl_citysearch_link is walking Distance to Downtown Disney http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/marketplace/ and the really neat Disney Westside http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/downtown-west-side.htm with lots of shops and some good restaurants within a good walking distance. It is all free to wander, no charge like the theme parks. Not many places offer twin beds anymore but I am sure they have two queen or two double rooms. You could catch Disney buses at Downtown Disney and get to any of the big resort hotels like Beach Club or Boardwalk http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/BoardWalkMap.pdf that are also lots of fun just to walk and explore, especially at night.

2. International drive has lots and lots of hotels and restaurants all within walking distance http://www.mustseeorlando.com/maps/orlando-in-drive-hotels-map.htm This area will be very busy and I don't think the shopping is as nice as Downtown Disney...lots of T-shirts places, arcades and kid stuff.

I would recommend the Buena Vista Palace...

let's see what others say...Ted

 

[spiceycat]

without a car - that leaves very few that will work.

Hilton at DTD is one. This is close to DTD you can't get any closer. So lots of places to eat, shop, entertain are around.

best yet it is the only hotel in DTD on EMH. (extra magical hours) - so you can be in the WDW parks earlier and later than the major of guests. (most of WDW guests stay offsite)

of course most of the places you listed will have towncars to take you for a price.

that say you have picked some of the highest rated resorts. might just stay at disney in the Polyn for those prices.

now the Polyn is definitely overpriced. but it is the middle of the MK resorts - and you have several very, very nice places to eat at CR and GF.

if you stay with Disney they will give you transportation back and forth to the airport. the others will not. so add that to your expensives.

of course I look for deals - with just stay at Pop or one of the value resorts - and then use WDW transportation to get to the other places. just ride the MK bus to MK resorts. the studio bus to Epcot resorts.

okay assuming you are going to WDW parks - you didn't say. If you aren't. then there is a whole other list.

 

[Cybella]

Thanks everyone..

Yes I will be visiting the parks and am looking at 7 December to 13 December.

 

[diznygirl]

I may be biased but I'd recommend the Celebration Hotel. It's right in downtown Celebration with restaurants and shops and has a complimentary WDW shuttle.

http://www.celebrationhotel.com/hotel_overview/hotel_overview.asp

And if you like that sort of thing - a Starbuck's just a few doors down.