The Suites At Old Town

[mickeystoontown]

For years and years, we stayed offsite at Days Suites near Old Town. While the suites were definitely not a five star hotel, we never had a problem while staying there. The rooms had some wear and tear and we had some plumbing problems which were quickly repaired by the staff. We're pretty low maintenance and laid back so we looked at the fact that we got a good rate and we could deal with a little wear and tear.

We recommended Days Suites to all of our friends and family and their reviews were the same as our's. Great for a family on a budget, some wear and tear, nothing really bad to say.

Last year, we decided to book a stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort which we immediately fell in love with. We never even left Disney property.

This year (5/31/07 to 6/9/07), we, again, stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort but decided we wanted to go to Old Town and shop a bit. The Suites at Old Town are located just next door to Old Town (hence the name). The parking lots are right next to each other.

Immediately upon turning into the parking lot, we were shocked at the state the Suites at Old Town was in. It is no longer owned by Days Inn and we assume that's the reason it looks so horrible.

The entrance and check-in building looked semi-okay but the pretty rock water fountain out front wasn't running and the shrubbery was dying. There wasn't even a real sign out front stating the name. It looked like it was just something they threw together and put on the top of the entranceway.

We drove down the side road a bit and were appalled! What used to be nice balconies and patios were now dirty concrete. The buildings used to be painted bright colors and they were now peeling and faded. The parking lot was filthy with trash and stains. I, literally, saw bugs on the parking lot. I can't imagine (and really don't want to) what the inside of the rooms and pools look like. The place is now a dump!

I wouldn't care if I got a rate of $25.00 a night, I wouldn't stay here!

I am so very glad that we drove by there this time around. What if I had decided to stay offsite again or had recommended it to friends and family?

Never again will I recommend this place to anyone! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS!

 

[mickeystoontown]

bump

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

What a close call!!! Can't image what you would have ended up with if you had booked it again Or worse if you had recommended it to someone!

We stayed at Caribbean Beach a few years back and it is lovely - now though we like to stay off site for the extra room with the kids

 

[maelstrom]

I noticed this trip that it wasn't a Days Inn anymore. But it has looked icky and rundown to me for years now.

 

[Charleyann]

We stayed there two years ago for 11 days. Place was dirty and rundown. People smoking pot near the building. The noise was terrible as was the service!

Never again!

Charleyann

 

[dougsmom98]

Thanks for posting. This is good information to know for anyone looking for an off site hotel. I'll have to remember this if anyone asks about this place.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for posting. This is good information to know for anyone looking for an off site hotel. I'll have to remember this if anyone asks about this place.

That's exactly why I wanted to post the information. Like I said, I've recommended the place over the years but never ever again!

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Thanks so much for yhe info I almost madee this mistake I am so happy to have fellow disers here!!!!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Wow, thanks for the info! I remember reading these boards years back when the Days Suites at Old Town was a place that was OK for a family on a budget and didn't need tons of ammenities. Seems like many of the "good" off-site hotels from just a few years back either have changed hands or just became run-down and not very safe.

 

[crazy canuck]

Scary spot!! That whole Old town area has gone downhill. I would not stay there even if they paid me.

 

[maelstrom]

I agree that the whole Old Town area has gone downhill. There used to be so much more there and it was a lot more crowded. We still go everytime we're in Florida, but we don't stay very long as there's only a few shoppes that we visit (general store for our little glass bottles of Pepsi, Groovy because I love hippie stuff and I got a fabulous tye-dye dress there a few years back, the 50s store because I'm still on the hunt for a Pink Ladies jacket that actually fits, Black Market Minerals because I'm one of those freaks who believes in the healing power of gems and I also make jewelry, and those couple of gift shoppes with the postcards and cheap Disney clothes). But the area sure isn't what it used to be. What a shame.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I agree that the whole Old Town area has gone downhill. There used to be so much more there and it was a lot more crowded. We still go everytime we're in Florida, but we don't stay very long as there's only a few shoppes that we visit (general store for our little glass bottles of Pepsi, Groovy because I love hippie stuff and I got a fabulous tye-dye dress there a few years back, the 50s store because I'm still on the hunt for a Pink Ladies jacket that actually fits, Black Market Minerals because I'm one of those freaks who believes in the healing power of gems and I also make jewelry, and those couple of gift shoppes with the postcards and cheap Disney clothes). But the area sure isn't what it used to be. What a shame.

The surrounding motel/hotels and stores still looked the same. They didn't really look run down. I was just so appalled by the way The Suites at Old Town looked.

Like I said, I am so glad we made a quick trip by there so I wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

In the past, we didn't mind staying there (when it was Days Suites). It wasn't anything fancy and we never stayed in our room anyway. But, now, there is no way I would stay there.

Actually, Old Town was beginning to look a little better than previous trips. There were several of the "dollar store" types shops that were gone and replaced with "boutique" type stores.

There was also a sign near the haunted house that said a wax museum would be opening.

There was some construction going on in a couple of other empty stores.
So, I'm thinking they are trying to build it back up.

The little glass bottles of Pepsi are no more! They are not the middle sized bottles and they are 49 cents. Still a good price but we didn't buy any 'cause they just didn't seem the same as the little squatty 25 cent bottles.

The movie themed store is still there. I don't remember if they had Pink Ladies jackets or not. They had the normal Marilyn Monroe, Wizard of Oz, Elvis, Betty Boop, Lucy, etc. stuff.

Black Market Minerals is my very favorite store at Old Town. They now have a website. I have one of their cards but I can't find it amongst all of the various Disney brochures, maps, etc. I think it was www.blackmarketminerals.com. The lady said the site doesn't show EVERYTHING they sell but that you could send them an e-mail and they'd try to find what you're looking for.

Black Market Minerals used to have lots of windchimes and wood carvings but they didn't have a lot of those during this trip. They mostly had gems, stones, jewelry and jewelry supplies.

Lisa

 

[Aubiesmomma]

Ek! I would NEVER (even if i was paid ) stay there.As someone who lived in Celebration,and has many friends in the area I can tell you there known as the crack motels.Olde town has gone WAY down hill since I lived there which was about 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't know that area that well. And we have lived in this area only 3.5 years.
Even a few years ago Old Towne had a bad reputation. No way would I stay there.
I have said this recently to a few people and they said Old Towne was cleaning up it's act.
Me personaly, I would not want to find out first hand. I always suggest only staying at off site hotels that are at least Good Neighbor Hotels. If one is a GNH, and sounds that bad, I know DIsney would want to know about it. GNH have to meet standards. And hotels around here change owners and conglomerate companies all the time. Even the chains. Just because you book with a name brand hotel or resort, does not mean it will be that same company who owns or manages it when you check in.

 

[spiceycat]

is that why some of the area is now calling itself Celebration despite the fact they are in Kissimmee not Celebration?

 

[Aubiesmomma]

is that why some of the area is now calling itself Celebration despite the fact they are in Kissimmee not Celebration?

Places outside of celebration are doing that?How sad.People work very hard to make and keep celebration what it is.There is nothing right outside of it that would be on par with celebration.I'd hate for people to think the run down touresty area was a part of celebration.

 

[spiceycat]

here is one
http://www.radissonhotels.com/reservation/rateSearch.do

there are a few others in the area that are doing it too.