How To Choose A Hotel & Save Money

All the rates cited here are what are called "rack rates." That means they're typical prices listed in the hotel brochures or the ones that hotel clerks give over the telephone. You can almost always negotiate a better price by purchasing package deals, by assuring the clerks they can do better, or by mentioning to the clerk that you belong to one of several organizations that receive a discount (such as AARP, AAA, the armed services, or a labor union). The Orlando Magicard can save you plenty of cash as well. Even the type of credit card you use could get you a 5% to 10% discount at some of the larger chains. Any discount you get will help ease the impact of local resort taxes, which aren't included in the quoted rates. These taxes will add up to 12.5% to your bill, depending on where you're staying.

The average, undiscounted hotel rate for the Orlando area is currently about $106 per night double, and that rate in good times climbs about 5% a year. The lowest rates at WDW are at the Pop Century and the three All-Star resorts, which, depending on the season, can run from $82 to $151. They're pricier than comparable rooms in the outside world; though they are small and basic, they are still Disney-owned and offer the same on-property advantages as Disney's more expensive resorts.

WDW's 2008 value seasons or lowest rates are generally available from January 1 to February 13, August 3 to October 11, and November 30 to December 18. Regular season rates are available from March 30 to May 21 and October 2 to November 29. Summer rates (only at Disney's value and moderate resorts) run from May 22 to August 2. Peak rates apply from February 14 to March 29, and holiday rates from December 19 through December 31. While the actual dates will shift a little (and will also change depending on the level of hotel you choose), the same periods should apply in 2009.

If you're not renting a car or staying at a Walt Disney World or Universal resort, be sure to ask when booking your room if the hotel or motel offers transportation to the theme parks and, if so, whether there's a charge and exactly what it is. Some hotels and motels offer free service with their own shuttles (listed in the reviews in this chapter). Others use Mears Transportation, and rates can be as high as $16 per person round-trip (some hotels make these arrangements for you; others require you to do it). On the other hand, if you have a vehicle, expect to pay $11 a day to park it at Disney or Universal, $10 at SeaWorld.

If you stay at a WDW resort or one of Disney's "official" hotels, transportation is complimentary within WDW.

In or out of Walt Disney World, if you book your hotel as part of a package, you'll likely enjoy some type of savings. The Walt Disney Travel Company (tel. 407/934-7806) offers a number of Disney resort packages.

Outside Disney, you'll probably be quoted a rate better than the rack rates contained in the following listings, but you should try to bargain even further to ensure you get the best rates possible. Ask about discounts for students, government employees, seniors, military, firefighters, police, AFL-CIO, corporate clients, and, again, AARP or AAA, holders of the Orlando Magicard, even frequent traveler programs (whether you have hotel or airline membership). Special Internet-only discounts and packages may also be featured on hotel websites, especially those of the larger chains. No matter where you end up staying, always ask again when you arrive if there are any additional discounts or promotions available. But never come to Orlando without a reservation: Taking chances on your negotiating skills is one thing, taking chances on room availability is quite another. Orlando is a year-round destination, with a heavy convention and business trade, and international vacationers flock here during periods when domestic travelers aren't. If you come without a reservation, you may find yourself extremely disappointed -- or completely out of luck.

I mention concierge levels where available. In these hotels within a hotel, guests pay more to enjoy a luxurious private lounge (sometimes with great views), free continental or full breakfast, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres served at cocktail hour, and/or late-night cordials and pastries. Rooms are usually on higher floors, and guests are pampered with additional special services (including private registration and checkout, a personal concierge, and nightly bed turndown) and amenities (such as upgraded toiletries, bathroom scales, terry robes, hair dryers, and more). Ask for the specifics when you reserve a room.

You'll also find counselor-supervised child care or activity centers at some hotels. Very popular in Orlando, these can be marvelous, creatively run facilities that might offer movies, video games, arts and crafts, storytelling, puppet shows, indoor and outdoor activities, and more. Some provide meals and/or have beds where a child can sleep while you're out on the town. Check individual hotel listings for these facilities.

Tight Squeeze -- An average hotel or motel room in the Orlando area has about 325 to 400 square feet and beds for four. Although hardly a castle, most travelers find it adequate for a short stay. I've made a special note in the listings of properties where the rooms are substantially larger or smaller than the average.

Credit or Debit? -- If you use your debit card (instead of a credit card) as collateral against any purchases you may make during your stay, your card may be charged anywhere from $50 to $250 (or more) per day, whether you actually charge anything to your room or not. This policy can seriously deplete your checking account, leaving you with far less funds than you realize or planned on -- and you won't see a credit back to your account until up to 10 days after you have checked out of your resort. Though WDW does not (at least for now) follow this practice and no charges are applied to your account until you check out, other resorts in the area do. Be sure to ask exactly what your hotel's policy is regarding debit and credit charges the minute you check in (or before you arrive).

Yours, Mine, and Ours . . .

With an ever-increasing number of condo-hotels (they rent rooms and suites to the general public as if the property were a mainstream hotel, but in this case the room is, either fully or partially owned by someone other than the hotelier) springing up around the Orlando area, they're becoming more and more difficult to overlook. In the past, time-shares were notorious for their pushy sales tactics, luring mainstream guests to buy into their resorts by offering gimmicks and discounted attraction tickets -- nowadays time-shares (or fractional ownerships, as they're usually referred to) are in the minority (and far less pushy than in the past) as wholly owned condos become more popular.

The Westin Imagine (tel. 888/822-3532; www.westin.com), a modern high-rise style resort with standard rooms as well as one- and two-bedroom suites (prices start at $200); and Floridays Resort Orlando (tel. 866/797-0022; www.floridaysresortorlando.com), a Mediterranean-inspired resort with two- and three-bedroom suites (prices start around $250), plus extensive pool and play areas all in a villagelike setting are among the newest (and the nicest) to pop up in recent months. Each offers spacious and well-appointed accommodations, upscale amenities, inviting grounds, and locations close to the shops and restaurants that line International Drive.