Radisson Resort Parkway- info please

[disneydoodlebug]

I got a good deal on Radisson off the Mousesavers site, 2 adjoining rooms for about 100.00 a night the first week in December. We've never stayed off-site and I'm a little nervous. Has anyone ever stayed there? How is it? Thanks!

 

[HeatherC]

Hi - We are thinking of staying here in November for two nights also. I have seen mixed reviews on TRIPADVISOR.com. This may help you decide. Just do a search for Kissimmee hotels.

We may actually wind up switching to Caribe Royale (Very close to the gate) which has a 1 bedroom suite for $119 a night only because I have heard their pools are all heated. I think only the smaller one at the Radisson is heated. Because it will be later in the season, we definitely want to swim and prefer a heated pool with little kids.

Another option is CypressPoint GrandVillas. Hotel Kingdom.com is advertising a two bedroom for around $88 a night. These have a full living room, kitchen and washer and dryer. Plus the pools are heated.

Good luck with your planning. Hope this helps a little.
Heather C

 

[Jynohn]

I stayed at the Raddison Resort Parkway last May. I didn't care for the room decor, but it was clean and was all we needed for the 3 nights we were there. The lobby and grounds were very nice, but the rooms, although recently renovated, seemed a little "dated" to me. Because we were there for such a short time, we didn't get to use the pool or explore the resort very much, but did have the breakfast buffet on the last day. I remember it was under $10 pp and decent food.

The hotel was only about 10 minutes from the parks, and very close to Celebration. The shuttle bus was fine in the morning to get to the TTC, but we did have to wait for quite some time to get back to the resort, and we had to take a taxi back from Downtown Disney because there was no shuttle running. If you are staying there and plan to go to Downtown Disney or visit other resorts I would suggest renting a car.

We were offered a special comeback rate of $77/night, but chose not to take it since we wanted to stay onsite for our next trip. I'd stay there again if it was for another short trip. It was worth the money we payed, and a nice hotel, just no "magic"...

Have a great trip whatever you decide to do!

 

[Jynohn]

I stayed at the Raddison Resort Parkway last May. I didn't care for the room decor, but it was clean and was all we needed for the 3 nights we were there. The lobby and grounds were very nice, but the rooms, although recently renovated, seemed a little "dated" to me. Because we were there for such a short time, we didn't get to use the pool or explore the resort very much, but did have the breakfast buffet on the last day. I remember it was under $10 pp and decent food.

The hotel was only about 10 minutes from the parks, and very close to Celebration. The shuttle bus was fine in the morning to get to the TTC, but we did have to wait for quite some time to get back to the resort, and we had to take a taxi back from Downtown Disney because there was no shuttle running. If you are staying there and plan to go to Downtown Disney or visit other resorts I would suggest renting a car.

We were offered a special comeback rate of $77/night, but chose not to take it since we wanted to stay onsite for our next trip. I'd stay there again if it was for another short trip. It was worth the money we payed, and a nice hotel, just no "magic"...

Have a great trip whatever you decide to do!

 

[Scratch42]

We had a few unwanted guests and an indoor pool, which they did not charge extra for!LOL

To stay a couple of nights worth it, but to stay any longer, would not recommend it! Out of all the Rads I've stayed at this was the worst. As mentioned, recently renovated but found very dated! They must have had left over decorating stuff from the 70's!LOL

DD loved the Pool Slide, we did not eat on site there 'cause you're close enough to other restaurants, that is if you have access to a car.

Scratch

 

[Katiebug]

Hi!

We're staying at the Radisson for 7 nts and we leave in two weeks.

I'll make sure to post a report when I get back.

We also got the two room special b/c my parents are also coming with us. Thought about a condo but most don't have maid service and I don't clean on vacation - no matter how cheap it is.

The Radisson looks really nice. Hopefully all the positive reviews are accurate. We'll keep our fingers crossed!

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[w. josh]

Just returned from a four-night stay - 9/1-9/5 - and we were very pleased with the hotel. The grounds are beautiful, the rooms were clean and relatively large, especially for the price, and the restaurants were convenient and relatively inexpensive. I do agree that the decor was a bit outdated, but no more so than any other hotel we've stayed in over the last few years. And the ability to follow your charges daily and check out through the television was great.

The only negative I can think of was that the pool never stayed very clean due to the landscaping - there were always leaves everywhere. I've seen some comments (not here, fortunately) stating that "none of the employees spoke English", but found that to be a xenophobic stance - while most of the employees were Hispanic, we found all of them fluent in English and very friendly. We're definitely planning on staying here again next year if we can get a similar price ($72 a night).

 

[Katiebug]

For those of you who have stayed at the Radisson. Does the hotel require payment upon check-in or check-out?

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[Jynohn]

They swiped my debit card at check in. I believe they put a hold on the funds for a day or two, then it went back into my account until check out. I'm not positive, so someone correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[Katiebug]

How much of a hold? For the whole amount?

The reason I'm a little worried is I put my debit card on the reservation and we have two rooms. My parents and I are splitting the cost of the room. I want to pay in cash and don't want my debit card to be tied up while I'm there in case of emergencies.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[Jynohn]

Yes, I believe it was for the whole amount, but I was paying the balance with my debit card. I don't think they'd hold the whole amount on your card if you're paying by another method. They may hold a small amount for incidentals like phone calls, etc. though if you're not paying by credit/debit card. I'd just double check when you get there so there are no surprises.

Have a great trip!

 

[Hillbeans]

I believe they only charge your credit card upon checkout, but they may hold a little aside for incidentals as another poster stated.

My family and I stayed at the Radisson in May. We had room 1406, which was on the 4th floor. We had a great view of the pools, and our room had been recently renovated. The bathroom was very nice with the marble tiles, however the beds were doubles which seems small since myself and my DH are tall.

The room was clean, and I saw the maid staff changing the sheets every day. We also had a nice assortment of shampoos and body lotions. The hallways are sort of 70's looking, but I think for the rate we paid ($78 including breakfast buffet) it was a great deal. They have a zero entry pool for the little kids and the waterslide was comprable to the one at AKL.

I'd stay here again, however I agree with previous poster that if you're looking for the onsite "magic", pay extra and stay onsite. We stayed 3 nights here and 4 at the AKL and if we had been at the AKL first, we would have never left.

 

[disneydoodlebug]

ok, well now i'm totally confused as to what to do! I was really hoping the RRW would be nice. We stayed at PO riverside our last two visits. Our three kids are older now and the room would just be too small. I have a hold on a package for the Grand Floridian but was afraid it cost too much, even though it's a great price for the package. Should I just go for it? Is it that great of a hotel? I was thinking it would be beautiful in December, but I've never seen it before so it's hard to know.

 

[Scratch42]

Go for the "MAGIC"!

Don't forget the resorts will be dressed for Christmas!

But whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

Scratch

 

[3MGIRLS]

We stayed at the Radisson for one night Sept 13th. What a disappointment. After reading such great reviews on Mousesavers.com and the review from The Unofficial Guide to Disney, maybe I just had higher expectations.

I agree with the previous post that the rooms were clean, but no magic! That was the ugliest hotel room I have ever stayed in, and we visit Disney/Orlando 5-6 times a year. Where did they find the lampshades and bedspreads? Who could like this stuff? We have stayed at most on site hotels, and numerous off site ones. Why anyone would consider this hotel great, I don't know. The lobby is nice, but the rest of it is not desireable. The main pool is not heated, and was getting chilly already. Later in the fall it wil be cold. There are so many other bargains that are newer and brighter. The rooms are very dark and gloomy, and the staff is clueless. While we were there, we saw an adult jump off the waterfall, into 3 ft deep water, which by the way looks nothing like the photo on their website. On Sunday morning, a child jumped into the pool, bashed his mother in the head, and they both came out of the pool bleeding. No one from the hotel helped until other guest s went looking for security. Both required stitches in their heads. We found towels and ice, and when security did come, he offered no help, only wanting to know how it happened. There was blood all over the deck of the pool, and it took them 45 minutes to come and clean it up. Yuck!

I think you mentioned Riverside. We are a family of five and have stayed there. I like it much better, even though it is not one of my favorite because of its decor.

One nice place is the Residence Inn at Seaworld. The rooms are bigger, and it is only a year old. It is bright, and the staff is nice, and has a free breakfast. Also, the pool is a zero entry, but no slide. The Marriott at Lake Bryan complex is also nice and new. We stayed at the Springhill Suites in April. The pool is standard but clean. Newer is almost always better, no matter what the brand of hotel.

We recently stayed at Cypress Pointe Grandvillas, 3bdr we won on skyauction. The size of the room was excellent. It was very clean, and had a big screen TV, and the 3 bathrooms were great. We only paid $245 for the entire week, no timeshare presentations, and no hidden costs.

Good luck, and feel free to ask me any questions about the Yuck, why do people like this hotel, Radisson.

 

[momo2qts]

Hi all,
We stayed there from 8/31-9/7. Granted the decor was outdated. That said, the rooms were clean, the beds nice and the pool kept my two kids entertained. We were at the parks from the opening to the closing. For the money, and for how much time we actually spent in it, it was a very good deal. We added breakfast for $15.00 for us and it was worth it. The breakfast buffet was great. We never ate there for lunch or dinner. The location was awesome for an offsite hotel. I loved the freedom we had because we rented a car. Would I do it again? I don't know. The money you save is great, but you don't get the Disney feel. If this was my big trip of the year, I would stay onsite. We stayed at the Poly LV last September so, this was our second trip in one year. I guess you have to try this at least once to see if you like it. If anyone wants specifics on the hotel, email me. I can talk about Disney forever.

 

[disneydoodlebug]

Thanks so much for all the info 3mgirl! I am definately not going to stay at the RRP, there have been too many negatives I've heard. We only go to Disney every 2-3 years so I am not willing to risk a gross hotel. I would stay at POR again except my youngest is 10 and will not fit the trundle bed. ( She barely fit last time!) Unfortunately, Disney is not set up for families with more than two kids! Any other ideas folks?

 

[3MGIRLS]

I plan and replan everytime we go to Disney. I make changes everytime, and we go a few times a year! I think its part of the trip, the planning!

The world is made for 4 people, restaurants, cars and hotels. We are also a family of five, and we are starting to get crowded in a regular hotel room. The cheapest Disney option is probably to get 2 All Star rooms. We haven't done this, but others have. Somewhere on this post I read one of the cheerleading groups are going to be there the 2nd week of December, so that may not be the best. The Dolphin will hold 5 people, we have stayed there and it is nice. They have some nice rates for teachers, military, and also have an entertainment rate. It never hurts to call and ask.

I had considered staying at Sierra Suites LBV, which gets high marks on this site. Expedia had rates in the fall for $55 a night. We have stayed at Spring Hill Suites, Lake Bryan, and while no Magic, it is new and very nice. The Residence Inn at Seaworld is one of our favorite, but it is harder to get a good deal. I do not like the Doubltree Guest Suites at Downtown Disney. It is in need of refurb.

Have you considered Skyauction.com? We stayed at Cypress Pointe Grandvillas this past week and loved all the room. We had a 3bdr 3bath condo for $245 a week! No timeshare presentations, no hidden costs, but you do have to pay for it up front. If you are unfamiliar with this site, there are plenty of postings about it on disboards.

Good Luck!

 

[justynsaunt]

Hmmmm....well we WERE going to stay one night at the Radisson and then begin our stay at the GF. A big selling point, besides it's location, was the buffet breakfast. Can anyone tell me how the food, particularly the breakfast, at the Residence Inn By Marriott at Seaworld ?

 

[3MGIRLS]

I liked the breakfast at Residence Inn Seaworld. The hotel is also much nicer than the Radisson. It is new, tropically decorated. The pool is small, but has zero depth entry and very clean.

The breakfast is your typical warm business-fare buffet. We have stayed there 3 or 4 times, and each time they made fresh waffles, oatmeal, sausage and/or bacon, fresh fruit, biscuits, bagels, toast, and cold cereal. I'm sure there is more, but this is what I remember. I can't imagine, for one night only, this hotel would be a disappointment.

There is not a restaurant, but a small Pizza Hut express. I don't remember a lounge.