Orlando Hotel Questions?

Planning a trip middle of October to Orlando. Staying for about 5 nights. My expecting wife who will be about 6 months along and our 2 1/2 year old daughter and I. Have not been to Orlando since 91.
Originally was going to book at the Ritz-Carlton as we have always been happy at thier properties.
Looking online I see the Grand Floridian which looks nice and im sure there are many more....
So any and all advice would be welcome on where to stay and what to see with a 2 1/2 year old and a pregnant wife!

Thanks, Dave

 

It depends on which parks (if any) you will visit.. All Disney resorts are great.. I like the Animal Kingdom Lodge personally.. The Dolphin and Swan are spectacular albeit a bit pricey. Grand Floridian is nice as well..

If you don't want to stay inside the Disney property, you have a ton of options as well but, again, it all depends on what you will do..

Post some options and I am sure most of can chime in.

 

I would choose the Grand Floridian over the ritz, just as nice and your at Disney (for your daughter) with mickey, donald roaming around the hotel. The ritz is off the beaten path a good 15 min. from anything except I-dr. and sea world.

Disneys Boardwalk is nice aswell. enjoy your trip and if you have any more questions fell free to ask.

mike

 

DAVE

I SECOND THE GRAND FLORIDIAN...

WENT THERE IN 99 WITH 3 KIDS..IT WAS A BLAST AND DISNEY WAS RIGHT THERE........

THEY RUN SPECIAL PACKAGES WITH AIR/LODGING TOO...CHECK WITH THEM OR YOUR TRAVEL AGENT

BRUCE

 

I stayed right outside Disney at the caribe royal which was really nice, they have nice villas that also have a full kitchen which comes in handy with the kids. I heard that the hotels inside were over priced though they are very convient. Make sure you book your meal reservations way in advance at disney so the kids can see the characters


http://www.cariberoyale.com/

 

Hi Dave...

Like Bruce and others mentioned earlier, the Grand Floridian is one of the nicest and most convenient of all the Disney resort hotels if the Magic Kingdom is your primary park destination as it is just a monorail / boatride away across the lagoon. It has nice pool & recreational facilities (spa, etc.) and a full sandy beach as well. The next nearest resort would be the Polynesian resort.

Other Disney resorts that we've stayed at are:

-- The Wilderness Lodge (our favorite) - boat or bus/monorail ride to Magic Kingdom (across the lagoon), bus rides to all other parks (Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, etc.). Dinner restaurants and stores are inside the hotel. Large heated pool is just outside. Very upscale resort too.

-- Fort Wilderness Camp - the log cabins are very nice, or you can bring a tent / camper / RV also. There's a General Store nearby, pool, and sandy beach (with mini speedboat rentals). There's also bike, golf cart, and canoe rentals too. They hold outdoor movies at night. We like to book a dinner at the Hoop-De-Doo Revue. The kids like to visit the animal petting farm.

-- We've also stayed at a few of Disney's "value" resorts for those times where we were just in town for 2 or 3 days. Those would be the All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, etc. -- the kids loved these resorts as they are themed for kids. Rooms are comfortable for a family of four, but larger families might need an extra room. Restaurants / stores are on premises. Only thing is, you have to drive yourself from these resorts to the parks.

-- Finally, we've stayed at a couple of the "moderate" resorts like the Port Orleans and the Coronado. Very similar to the "value" resorts in all respects, except that they have nicer amenities and you can catch bus rides from them.

Never have stayed at the Contemporary resort, but we do like to book a Character Breakfast there often for the kids. They have nice character breakfasts at both the Cinderella Castle (Magic Kingdom) and the River Boat at the Disney World Shopping Village too.

We go to Walt Disney Worlds at least 2 or 3 times a year (just 2-1/2 hours away) -- and have done so for the last 30 some odd years -- and there's still always something new to see and do.

Just remember that nothing is "inexpensive" once you drive onto the WDW grounds!

-- Oh, and if you, the wife, and the kids enjoy cruises, then you just have to go on one of the Disney cruises! In fact, we're leaving on one this Thursday -- and it will be our third disney cruise since '00. Everything is first class -- especially the dining and nightly shows. We absolutely enjoy it!

 

Thanks to all of you for your help!
Yes definetly will be going to Disney and Sea World, not sure what else or if there will be time. The Floridian is looking good.
Question, assuming we stay at The Floridian in Disney is it easy to hop in a car and go to say Sea World. Heard that some of the parking lots are far away and it is a hassle.
Thanks again.

 

From the Grand Floridian - you are maybe 10 mins. from the major highway
I-4 which is a 10 minute drive to Seaworld exit ...then 5 mins to their parking lot . International drive is the main drag (tourist trap) near Sea World - but it does have some alternative restaurants to WDW.

 

The Grand Floridian is top notch. We stay there every time we go to Disney. And, be sure to reserve characters dinners well in advance, and there are many to chose from.