why are the motels along 530/192 so cheap?

[lmbcdb]

We have extra vacation days available and thought we would surprise the kids and head down two days early. Can't afford to add days/tickets/food to the resort package, but can swing a motel and sandwiches for a few days.

I went to Priceline and there are 10-12 one star motels along 530/192 "Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy" that range from $25-35 a night.

My question is this: Are they that cheap because they are nasty or because there is an overabundance of motels near the entrance of DW?

I grew up in Houston and Dallas, where a $30 motel meant drug dealers and "hourly" rooms.

 

[vicki_c]

I wouldn't be booking any one-star resorts on priceline - you're definitely looking at seedy, nasty or worse. I think most here that do priceline only do 3-4 star hotels.

You get what you pay for.

 

[ConnieB]

1 star rating is too low in my book. Of course everyone's idea of "low" is different...so what you might do is look in your own town on Priceline and find out what it lists as 1 star near you. Then drive by and see if that is acceptable to your family. I would assume that Priceline uses some guideline to determine their star rating so what they consider 1 in your town and 1 in Orlando should have the same characteristics.

The other thing to keep in mind....I've been reading quite often about how the tourist industry in Orlando is really struggling. Disney has been really putting out a lot of great deals (free dining throughout the year!!) to bring folks on-site....this of course means that those people aren't staying at the hotels listed in Priceline.....so those hotels are having to reduce their price to lure you to stay there instead of onsite.

 

[DOOM1001]

A lot of the hotels on 192 are older as this was the area where many people stayed before Disney had two dozen hotels and the International Drive and Lake Buena Vista area had as many hotels as they do today.With that said booking through Hotwire and Priceline name your own price I regularly get 3 star hotels on International Drive and LBV in the $29-$45 range,for example I've gotten the Comfort Suites on Turkey Lake rd closer to Universal probably a dozen times for as low as $24 and never more than $45 ,there are a lot of hotels in Orlando, if they don't offer them at these prices they'll just sit empty.As far as 192 goes I rarely stay there as there aren't that many good hotels left,the better ones left such as the Comfort Suites maingate east next to Old Town are west of 535,never book a room east of 535 as the few that are left are old roach motels since the area has gone downhill over the years,west of 192 is also deteriorating but still has some worthwhile places.

 

[lmbcdb]

A lot of the hotels on 192 are older as this was the area where many people stayed before Disney had two dozen hotels and the International Drive and Lake Buena Vista area had as many hotels as they do today.With that said booking through Hotwire and Priceline name your own price I regularly get 3 star hotels on International Drive and LBV in the $29-$45 range,for example I've gotten the Comfort Suites on Turkey Lake rd closer to Universal probably a dozen times for as low as $24 and never more than $45 ,there are a lot of hotels in Orlando, if they don't offer them at these prices they'll just sit empty.As far as 192 goes I rarely stay there as there aren't that many good hotels left,the better ones left such as the Comfort Suites maingate east next to Old Town are west of 535,never book a room east of 535 as the few that are left are old roach motels since the area has gone downhill over the years,west of 192 is also deteriorating but still has some worthwhile places.

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for!

 

[yvettedem]

being a single mom i can tell you i have stayed in a major majority of the hotels on 192 and with my experience i can tell you in 1 word....YUCK! we used to always stay at motel 6 across from old town without any problems until they became pet friendly and stopped caring about the way their rooms were...now, they stink like urine, a/c is not taken care of and the carpets well you get the pic.......i had also stayed at howard johnson maingate east 2 visits ago....never ever ever go there blech! econo lodge near mile marker 12 or 13 was not that bad neither was the other one on the other side heading towards disney but everything else inbetween again BLECH!!

now I am spoiled and will only stay at the value resorts....so much nicer and when you factor in that parking is included, it makes up for the difference you are actually paying! especially if you get in on one of the deals....and I dont mean the "free dining" those you are paying rack room rates which can be in excess of 40-50% more than if you got a special rate whether it is fl resident, aarp, aaa etc...you can go to the store and get dry food there or take a cooler with you like i am to keep foods cold HTH!

 

[disneyba]

Would not stay anywhere on 192, east of I-4 and especially east of SR535.

Also would not stay north end of International Drive (north of convention center).

Seedy areas, tired motels, and tourist crime.

Try the Lake Buena Vista area. Comfort Inn on Palm Parkway isn't too bad.

It would be worth paying a few bucks more to get a safer area and a nicer hotel.

Although the Disney Value Resorts are more than these one-stars you are looking at, you really do get more for your $...Disney themeing, good food courts, clean & heated pools, clean rooms, friendly service, Disney transportation to the parks or free parking at the parks, better security and safe environment. Something to think about. Pop Century would be my pick, if you decided to go that way.

Have a good trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

Are they that cheap because they are nasty or because there is an overabundance of motels near the entrance of DW?

Yes.

 

[Danibelle]

We like the Marriott Village at Lake Buena Vista. There is a Fairfield, Courtyard, and Spring Hill Suites. This is a much better area than most of 192or the end of I-Drive.

 

[DOOM1001]

Would not stay anywhere on 192, east of I-4 and especially east of SR535.

Also would not stay north end of International Drive (north of convention center).

North of the Convention Center on I-Drive is not bad at all,north of Sand lake rd is where it gets more dicey but its still not too bad.

 

[irisesareblue]

If you're going to do priceline I would do the 3-4 star thing and try to bid as low as possible. If you book the maingate area, you might be strike it lucky. One star means Motel 6 - Two star can be Howard Johnsons. Three stars may be the Clarion.

IMHO I would rather pick one of the hotels in the area and try to book it through hotels.com or their direct website - There is a Super 8 at 5785 West Irlo Bronson that has good reviews on Tripadvisor - it's rated 22 of 185 hotels in Kissimmee. I had a friend from the TA boards who stayed there and she said it was decent and clean. There are fridges and microwaves and a small outdoor pool. Even the Howard Johnson Tropical Palms Kissimmee rates well in their reviews. I think it's your expectations that make or break the experience - if you're booking a 1 or 2 star and expecting 5 star, it isn't going to happen but if you go in knowing that it's going to be basic you'll be happy.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

I bid on Resort area for 65.00 locations were down town Disney and got the Hyatt Grand Cypress (looks nice on their website) checking in 1 week from today!

 

[ntsammy5]

We saw some "Suites" on 192 with a billboard advertising a suite for $140/week. I have nightmares aboiut places like that!

 

[iloveokw]

You get what you pay for......also remember not that long ago the hurricanes went through.....mold.

 

[Purseval]

North of the Convention Center on I-Drive is not bad at all,north of Sand lake rd is where it gets more dicey but its still not too bad.

There is a Wyndham right on the corner of Sand Lake and I-Drive. That big round hotel is a Sheraton and there are plenty of good, safe hotels around Universal. We've paid as low as $21 for a 3-star in the Universal/Seaworld area so your savings on a 1-star aren't going to be worth it. We have stayed in a 2-star almost directly across from Universal, run down but safe. If you are going to bid on Priceline just leave Kissimmee off of your list.

You get what you pay for......also remember not that long ago the hurricanes went through.....mold.

A hurricane hasn't made landfall in Florida in the past 5 years. For those of you planning vacations next hurricane season take note that in all of the time they have been tracking hurricane activity Florida has Never gone 6 years without a hurricane making landfall.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

North of the Convention Center on I-Drive is not bad at all,north of Sand lake rd is where it gets more dicey but its still not too bad.

That is what I was going to say. The Wyndham on the corner of Sandlake & I-Drive is by far from seedy or nasty..

 

[PureTcrazy]

We just stayed in a 2 bedroom deluxe suite, with a kitchenette and Living Room, at Royale Parc for $125. This is on 192 right near Old Town. The bedrooms were very large with 2 queen beds in each. The kitchen had a 2 burner cooktop, microwave and a dishwasher. This included a free breakfast buffet with eggs, breakfast meat, pastries and make-your-own fresh waffles and Happy hour in the evening at the pool bar. It has a gated court-yard with a pool and hot tub. It was very clean and we were very pleased. It is right near many restaurants and easy to get to the parks. We paid extra to be on the ground floor. My son and I stayed there last February and paid $70 for a 1 bedroom suite with the same amenities and enjoyed it just as much then.

No, it did not have any real theming or luxury services likes a spa or TS restaurants, but it was a great value for the price. The rooms are as pictured on their website.

 

[torinsmom]

You can most likely get a 3 star in the Disney area for $30-$40 through Priceline. Summer before last we got the Hyatt Place Universal for $30/night through PL. It was so nice, and right across the street from Universal(we didn't get to do Disney that year)

 

[spiceycat]

I like the hotels along US 192 - now some of the worst were at one time Holiday Inn - not sure what happen but now avoid them.

the hotels that I still like is Best Western Lakeside
and would you believe the Motel 6 - there. It is not on US 192 but back behind the Perkins restuarant. So most of the people there just want a cheap place to stay. Some times you see Disney CM here.

it is small - but it is clean!

 

[englishteacha]

Check out Travelzoo.com. They have tons of Orlando deals.