Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [31]
To make matters worse, some off-site hotels charge you for shuttle rides. They may tell you that by buying shuttle tickets you’ll save the “horrendous” cost of Disney parking, but the truth is Disney parking is $14 no matter how many people are in a car and the shuttle-bus tickets can range from $5 to $12 per person. And it still may take you two hours to get there!
This is why I suggest that families staying off-site either drive to Orlando or get a rental car. If you do decide to use an off-site resort shuttle be sure to ask if it’s a private shuttle and if service to theme parks is direct. If you don’t like what you hear, rent a car or call a cab.
Does the hotel provide in-room babysitters? Is there an on-site child-care center or kids’ club? What’s the cost? How far in advance do you have to make reservations?
Does the hotel provide direct shuttle service to the theme parks? How often do the buses run? How early do they begin and how late do they run? How many stops do they make? Do you share the shuttles with other hotels? Do they run to the theme parks directly or make a circuit of all four? Is there a fee?
Do kids stay free? Up to what age?
Do you have any suites with kitchens? If not, can we rent refrigerators or microwaves?
Does the hotel provide a free buffet breakfast?
What fast-food or family-style restaurants are nearby?
Are laundry facilities on the premises?
Can I buy tickets to area attractions through the hotels? Are the tickets discounted? (Note: Disney tickets are rarely discounted but sometimes off-site hotels offer discounts to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and area dinner shows.)
Money-Saving Tip
If you’re staying off-site and thus will be eating at least some of your meals outside of Disney property, pick up a few of those free tourist magazines that are available in the airport and all around Orlando. They’re full of dining discount coupons, many of them for family-oriented restaurants near the theme parks.
Helpful Hint
One note of caution: An extremely cheap hotel rate, say $55 or less, generally means that the hotel is in a less desirable part of town than those I’ve listed, both in terms of theme-park proximity and general security.
Great Off-Site Hotels for Families
Orlando has plenty of hotel rooms, so how is a family to choose? The listed properties that follow are tried-and-true family favorites based on proximity to Disney World, amenities, and value. For descriptions of the Universal Orlando resorts, see Chapter 14.
Two notes: Since the hotels listed are all recommended as good family choices we did not provide star ratings. And since Walt Disney World is so huge and spread out, our “proximity to Disney” rating is based on the distance between the hotel and Disney’s main entrance gate.
Off-Site Luxury Hotels
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress 407/239–1234
www.hyattregencygrandcypress.com Map location 26
This beautiful hotel—so close to Disney that it’s almost on-site—has expansive grounds, lush landscaping, an elegant lobby, and numerous sporting options. It’s a serene oasis and a great choice for families who want the option to escape from Disney in the evenings and yet remain conveniently close to the parks. Prices start at about $155 in the off-season, $225 in the on-season.
Proximity to Disney World:
Excellent, via a 5-minute drive
Proximity to Universal:
Good, via a 15-minute drive
Proximity to SeaWorld:
Good, via a 15-minute drive
Pluses
+ The pool area is gorgeous, with 12 waterfalls and several very secluded whirlpools.
+ You can golf, play tennis, and ride horses at the equestrian center. Pleasant trails wind through the grounds for walkers and runners.
+ Camp Hyatt has great