Hotels

There seemed to be no end to Orlando's hotel boom just a few years back. Almost 4,000 new rooms were added every year through 2000, and then things began to slow down. The good news (though maybe not for your pocketbook) is that tourism numbers (and hotels) are once again on the rise, with roughly 5,000 rooms added to the city's inventory this past year alone. An additional 5,600 rooms are slated to open in 2009 with another 3,000 scheduled to open in 2010. The Orlando area now has more than 115,000 rooms, including scores of places located in or near the major-league tourist draws: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and the rest of International Drive. Disney alone has 33 resorts (a total that does not include the new Kingdom Tower at the Contemporary, rumored to be part of Disney's Vacation Club), timeshares, and "official" hotels.

Beautifully landscaped grounds are the rule at properties in WDW, neighboring Lake Buena Vista, Universal Orlando, and on the mid- and southern portions of I-Drive. But the beauty of the area is often offset by the beast of heavier traffic and, at times, higher prices. No matter what your budget or crowd tolerance, there is something for everyone. If you're looking for an inexpensive or moderately priced motel, check out the options in Kissimmee (though that area is no longer limited only to the budget conscious) and, to a lesser degree, on the northern end of International Drive.

Once you have decided on your vacation dates, book your accommodations as soon as possible, especially if you want to stay on Disney or Universal property. Advance reservations are an absolute necessity if you're planning on staying at any of the preferred resorts in town, whether on theme park property or in Orlando proper.

The hotels listed in this guide are divided by location and price category. As you might expect, many of the inexpensive properties are the farthest from the action and/or have the most spartan, unimaginative accommodations.

Keep in mind, however, that this isn't one of the world's best bargain destinations. Unlike other Florida tourist areas, there are few under-$60 motels that meet the standards demanded for listing in this guide. That's why we've raised the price bar. The ones in our inexpensive category charge an average of less than $90 per night for a double room. Those offering $90 to $180 rooms make up the moderate category, $180 to $250 rooms are listed as expensive, and anything more than $250 is listed as very expensive. Any included extras (such as breakfast) are listed for each property. Orlando's peak and low seasons are often complicated as the peak times are sporadically disbursed throughout the calendar. Even remote things such as the International Sweet Potato Growers convention in Orlando can raise off-season prices. These events especially impact moderately priced properties outside WDW.

Keep in mind that rates are per night double unless otherwise noted, and they don't include hotel taxes of up to 12.5%. Also, most Orlando hotels and motels let kids younger than 12 (and usually younger than 18) stay free with a parent or guardian if you don't exceed maximum room occupancy. But to be safe, ask for details when booking your room.

Wired to the Rest of the World -- All Disney resorts are wired for high-speed Internet access. A fee of $9.95 per 24-hour period applies to use the service. Be sure to check if your resort has a preselected "start" time, often the midafternoon, or you may find yourself being charged twice in a single day, depending on when you sign up for the service. Select Disney resorts (mostly in the Very Expensive range) offer limited Wi-Fi access (in public areas only) for a 24-hour period at a rate of $9.95, or 60 minutes at $5.

Places to Stay in Walt Disney World

The resorts here are either Disney-owned or "official" Disney hotels that offer many of the same perks. All are on the Disney Transportation System, which means those of you who don't want to venture too far (and are okay with the occasional scheduling inconvenience) will be able to do without a car. If you do decide to bring or rent a car, you'll get free parking at your hotel and at the Disney parks.

If you decide that Disney is your destination, come up with a short list of preferred places to stay, and then call CRO (tel. 407/934-7639) for up-to-the-minute rates. Web surfers can get information at www.disneyworld.com.

Those who come by auto will find large signs along all of the major roads on Disney property pointing the way to the various resorts.

Individual resorts don't have their own golf courses, but WDW has 99 holes situated along the northern end of the property. The same goes for kennels; resort guests can board their pets overnight at the Transportation & Ticket Center on Seven Seas Drive, near Disney's Polynesian Resort. A second overnight facility (offering a range of services, the most basic of which include day care, grooming, and overnight boarding) is scheduled to open this year (the facility will be located on the Bonnet Creek Parkway).

Prices in the listings reflect the range available at each resort when this guide was published. Rates vary depending on season and room location, but the numbers should help you determine which places fit your budget.

Note: Most hotels and resorts, Disney or otherwise, have cribs (or portable cribs) available (though limited in number) at no extra charge. Rollaway beds or cots are usually available as well; however, many resorts will charge around $10 to $25 per night to use them. Refrigerators (mini ones, anyway) are sometimes available, though some hotels may charge up to $10 per night for the privilege. All Orlando hotels also offer at least some nonsmoking rooms, and all of Disney's hotels went smoke-free (except for some designated outdoor areas) on June 1, 2007.

A Night Out -- Several of the higher-priced Disney resorts -- including Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Wilderness Lodge, as well as the Polynesian Resort -- have supervised kid care, usually from 4 or 4:30pm to midnight daily ($11 per child 4-10, per hour, dinner and activities included; tel. 407/939-3463). Disney also offers in-room sitters through Kid's Night Out (tel. 407/827-5444). The Walt Disney World Dolphin, an "official" resort, also offers a supervised child-care program.

Relax and Rejuvenate -- If, after pounding the theme park pavement, you find yourself in need of some R&R, Disney's got just the ticket. The Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs, and Walt Disney World Dolphin each have a full-service spa offering services ranging from massage therapy to facials to full-body treatments -- all designed to relax your mind, body, and soul. Small-scale spas (offering limited services) can be found at the Animal Kingdom, BoardWalk, Contemporary, Coronado, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club resorts.

Value in the Eyes of the Beholder -- Disney's All-Star resorts charge a "preferred room" rate, but don't expect much for the top rate of $151. Guests who book it are paying for location: Preferred rooms are closer to the pools, food court, and/or transportation. If you've got a rental car or don't mind walking, don't bother paying extra; some of the quietest rooms at the All-Stars are the standard ones (those farthest from the action).

Getting Away -- If you want to enjoy the amenities and service of a Disney resort but can't do without some beach time, the Disney Vacation Club offers visitors the option of renting a room just 2 hours south of WDW at its Vero Beach Resort (tel. 407/939-7775; www.dvcresorts.com), directly on the Atlantic Ocean, with sand, surf, and all the Disney trimmings included. Studios, standard rooms, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom cottages are all available ranging about $185 to $1,165 per night. You will need to arrange your own transportation.

Reservation Services

Many of the Kissimmee hotels can be booked through the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 800/333-5477 or 407/944-2400; www.floridakiss.com). The same goes for Orlando and the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 800/643-9492; www.orlandoinfo.com).

Florida Hotel Network (tel. 800/293-2419; www.floridahotels.com), Central Reservation Service (tel. 800/555-7555 or 407/740-6442; www.crshotels.com), and Hotels.com (tel. 800/246-8357; www.hotels.com) are three other services that can help with room reservations and other kinds of reservations in Central Florida. HotelKingdom.com (tel. 877/766-6787 or 407/294-9600; www.hotelkingdom.com) is also a good source of room or vacation rental bargains. You can also book Disney World hotels directly by calling tel. 407/934-7639 or visiting www.disneyworld.com; Universal Orlando properties can be booked by calling tel. 888/430-7333 or 888/273-1311, or by visiting www.universalorlando.com.

Walt Disney World Central Reservations Office (CRO) & Walt Disney Travel Company -- To book a room or package at Disney's resorts, campgrounds, and "official" hotels through the Walt Disney World Travel Company, contact the Central Reservations Office (CRO), P.O. Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000 (tel. 407/934-7639; www.disneyworld.com).

CRO can recommend accommodations suited to your price range and specific needs, such as being near a particular park, facilities that offer supervised child-care centers, or a pool large enough to swim laps. But the staffers who answer the phones usually don't volunteer information about a better deal or a special unless you ask.

Be sure to inquire about Disney's numerous package plans, which can include meals, tickets, recreation, and other features. The right package can save you money and time if you use all of its features (there's no sense in paying for something you won't use); having a comprehensive game plan in place is helpful in computing the cost of your vacation in advance.

CRO can also give you information about various theme-park ticket options, the airlines, and car rentals. It can also make dinner-show reservations for you at the resort of your choice.

Other Sources for Orlando Hotel Packages -- In addition to the Disney sources above, several other travel companies offer packages utilizing Disney resorts. In addition to AAA (tel. 800/732-1991; www.aaa.com) and American Express Vacations (tel. 800/346-3607; http://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/personal), almost all of the major airlines offer vacation packages to Orlando. Give each source a call, ask for brochures, and compare offerings to find the best package for you.

On a slightly smaller scale than Disney, Universal Orlando offers several travel packages that can include resort stays (both on and off property), VIP access to the parks, discounts to other Orlando attractions, and cruises. Airfare and car rentals are also available. You can book a package by calling tel. 800/711-0800 or 877/801-9720. On the Internet, visit www.univacations.com or www.universalorlando.com. SeaWorld also offers vacation packages that include stays at nearby resorts and park tickets. These can be booked by calling tel. 800/423-8368, or visiting www.seaworld.com.

Special Treatment -- AAA (tel. 800/732-1991; www.aaa.com) members can take advantage of special lodging programs at select WDW resorts and preferred parking at the theme parks if they purchase a AAA Disney vacation package or prepurchase their park tickets at participating AAA locations (these cannot be purchased at the parks!).