Orlando area hotels near WDW

[LilGMom]

We are going down at the end of November for a weeks stay at SSR (1 bd.) starting on a Sunday. Last night my DH sorta mentioned, in passing, that he was thinking that we should go down on Saturday since that gives us another full day. We don't want to add another night to SSR due to the high points for Saturday night. The night that we'd pay OOP for is Nov. 29 and according to the WDW website there is availability at POFQ so finding room on WDW property doesn't seem that it will be a problem. My problem is that I don't like the idea of paying OOP around $200 for a moderate (the last time we paid for a mod. we paid around $140ish, inc. tax) when I know that there are some very nice hotels close to WDW that might have bigger rooms for the same amount. Granted they aren't on WDW property, we'd have to pay for parking, and we wouldn't be in the room that much but with a 7 & 3 yr. old any amount of time in a hotel room feels longer so more room is appreciated. The moderates might not cost that much if/when there are AP or FL resident discounts that can be applied but with it being the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend I'm not sure if they'll have any discounts or if they'll just go ahead and black that weekend out.

I'd love to hear from anyone and everyone about their experiences on hotels in the WDW area that they've stayed at that they really liked and if you have some that you'd avoid like the plague let me know that too. We stayed at the Grosvenor once after planning a very spur of the moment trip with my SIL and we'll never stay there again. Pictures on the webistes can be sooo deceiving.

For what it is worth we are driving down from NW FL so we don't need transportation to, from or around to be part of the equation.

TIA!!

 

[mikelan6]

Try the Swan & Dolphin. They should have some pretty decent rates for that weekend ... it's a Deluxe resort and on Disney property with Disney transportation, right next to Epcot!

 

[TheBeadPirate]

We stayed at the Staybridge last week on 534/5 (?) it is only two blocks from the entrance to hotel drive and four from DTD... Full kitchen, very comfortable beds, great pool and inexpensive... and since you drive (We do all of the time now...figure it gets us about another 15 hours in the parks over a weeks stay) you will have no problems for a night

 

[aspen37]

If you check out the discount boards at the top of the page you will see a link for Gaylord Palms. You have to book through Dream Unlimited to get this price. I got a room for 1 night for $111.87 with tax. When I checked Gaylord Palms website the same view was $239.00. Gaylord palms is across the HWY from Down Town Disney.