O.k. I need help looking for a hotel that is off-property but near Disney that sleeps 6 people in the room - 4 will be adults and 2 will be children. We would like a suite or at least separate bedrooms. Any suggestions?
If it were me, I'd need a three bedroom place! Two adults in each bedroom, and then one for the kids. Everyone will sleep better.
Although it is super duper close and convenient, the previous poster did mention the Doubletree in Downtown Disney. I've stayed there twice, and it is a suite (you can get two beds in the bedroom, door to separate, then a sofa sleeper in the living room). It has a kitchenette, and yes the best part is it has free and good transportation to all the Disney parks. To me, though, six is pushing it for a good nights' sleep.
I'm so partial to Marriott brand (since my DH travels a lot, he's platinum, so we always try to book them to keep his status, and we own two weeks EOY at Ko Olina). I would see about the Imperial Palms if it were me - but like I said I just always look at Marriott first! It's connected to the Marriott Orlando World Center - just 4 miles to Typhoon Lagoon and Epcot area. You can use the pools at the Marriott (as well as your own small one) - which was just redone and looks amazing. The Imperial Palms are all 3 bedroom units (the Sabal Palms and Royal Palms are two bedroom ones, and the Royal Palms only has one bed in the second bedroom, so I'd rule that one out for sure).
Yes, you can book it through Marriott, but it's expensive that way. Better to look at rentals on
www.redweek.com - I've rented several times from owners at Marriott and Disney Vacation Club places through redweek before.
You can see some properties on redweek - just remember that you won't get daily maid service as you're treated like the owner. That doesn't bother me, since I don't need maid service usually in a condo. Dirty towels just get tossed in the wash!