Quality Suites Maingate East Reviews? And Tips for a couple w/out a car.

[srchavez1@aol.com]

Hello all,
My girlfriend and I are planning our first trip as a couple. We are heading to Disney in May. We are staying for 7 nights, and will be without a car (we are under 25 and can't rent one). From lots of research I believe the Quality Suites Maingate East to be a great hotel for our needs, just wondering if anyone has been there and would care to share their thoughts. We are both 22 and are looking for; spacious rooms, hotel bar, transportation to parks, near restaurants and shopping...what is within walking distance to the Quality Suites? Any tips from people who have stayed there or any other hotels that meet our desires are welcome. Also anyone that can desribe how Irlo Bronson works, is it a really highway? are we able to cross the road to get to a grocery store? whats around the area. Any tips at ALL about the area or helpful hints are welcome and greatly appreciated.Thanks everyone!
John

 

[disneysteve]

We stayed at QS in November 2002. It was nice - spacious room, bar adjacent to the pool, buffet breakfast. It is a short walk from Old Town which is a great entertainment and shopping complex, also has several restaurants (Flippers has really good pizza). Old Town also has rides - roller coaster, go-carts, etc.

As for other shopping and dining in the area, the whole strip is nothing but that. Irlo Bronson isn't a "highway" just a big street. There are traffic lights and crosswalks at the corners.

Steve

 

[dsnycrzy]

we stayed there in August and we loved the hotel. HATED THE TRANSPORTATION . It was always late, about an hour, and then when it did pull up it would only have room for 5 people when thes 60 -70 people standing there. you 2 might be okay b/c it's just you 2. it was 13 of us so doing the free shuttle was useless, we just got on the city bus which also takes you were the free shuttle goes for a small fee.
the pool is nice. there are free drinks at a certain time like 4p.m. to 6 or something like that (only certain drinks of course).
the breakfast was heaven sent for us because of all the kids (3 adults-6 kids between 4 and 11- and 4 babies between 1 and 2).
we put the wash in the washer and went to have drinks or a swim. it was really nice.
we had fun.
anymore questions please ask.

we would go there again this year but there rates went up over $20 more a night and for a 2 week vacation, that's a lot when it will be almost as many people this year (2 adults and 8 kids- 3of those babies), I don't want to fight for the shuttle or have to pay for the city bus.
we're going back across the street to Ho Jo MGE. the rates are cheaper and I have never have a problem with the shuttles in all the years I've stayed there. I'd just have to pay for us to go to US and IOA b/c they don't have that shuttle there.

 

[Lewisc]

NONE OF THE OFFSITE HOTELS have decent shuttle service. STRONGLY suggest you switch to either a Disney hotel or at least one of the DTD hotels.

Actually the DTD hotels would work out great for you, walking distance to Crossroads, DTD (PI) and decent bus service to Disney.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Lewisc
NONE OF THE OFFSITE HOTELS have decent shuttle service. STRONGLY suggest you switch to either a Disney hotel or at least one of the DTD hotels.

I agree that shuttle service is generally a lousy option. As much as I hate to recommend onsite hotels, this is one situation where it might make for a much nicer trip. See if you can get the $59 rate at the values.

Steve

 

[Dodie]

Please don't shortchange yourself. Especially if you won't have a car. You really need to stay on site to benefit from all of the Disney transportation and the ease of getting around.

I'd check out the All Stars and Pop Century. Although you won't find the "hotel bar" you mention, you can certainly buy drinks there. Besides, you can take Disney transportation to any of the Moderate/Deluxe resorts which WILL have a hotel bar.

There are discount codes available right now! It would pay to check out that option.

You might even try using Dreams Unlimited (online travel agency associated with this site). Ask for a quote and see what they can come up with for you.

If you won't have a car - you really want to stay on site.