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number of so-called kid suites—multi-room suites in which one of the rooms is decorated to please children, with amenities like video-game consoles and bunk beds, as well as a private master bedroom for parents and kitchenette with a mini-refrigerator and microwave—the Nickelodeon Holiday Inn has plenty of them. Rates begin as low as $149 in the off-season, rising to $259 for peak season. If you don’t want a kid suite, rates begin at $109.

Proximity to Disney World:

Good, via a 10-minute drive

Proximity to Universal:

Fair, via a 20-minute drive

Proximity to SeaWorld:

Good, via a 15-minute drive

Pluses

+  Entertainment options for kids are practically unlimited.

+  This is the ultimate family-focused hotel; you’ll find virtually nothing but parents with kids here.

+  If your kids are into Nick characters like SpongeBob, this place will be heaven to them.

+  Some effort is made—such as having two separate pool areas—to keep the hyperexcited older kids from trampling the overwhelmed younger kids.

+  The kid suites are numerous and well priced.

Minuses

−  No question: this has to be the loudest, most garish hotel in the world.

−  The nonstop stimulation may make it hard to persuade your kids to nap in the afternoon or even go to sleep at night.

−  Dining options consist of fast food and buffets, which appeal to kids and are fairly priced but don’t offer much variety or nutrition.

Sheraton Vistana 407/238–5000

www.starwood.com Map location 24

The Sheraton Vistana has been a perpetual favorite with our readers since we first began doing resort surveys. One mom wrote, mirroring many other letters, “We found the resort to be very pretty, very quiet, and very clean. And it took us only 15 minutes to drive to Disney World.”

Unusually well decorated and maintained, these villas supply almost anything a family could require, and the location is nearly equidistant between the major Orlando theme parks. One-bedroom villas begin at $140 in the off-season and $189 in the on-season; two-bedroom villas begin at $177 off-season and $219 on-season.

Proximity to Disney World: Good, via a 15-minute drive

Proximity to Universal:

Good, via a 15-minute drive

Proximity to SeaWorld:

Good, via a 15-minute drive

Pluses

+  Activities offered in the game room during the day and in-room babysitting at night allow parents to have some private time.

+  A central location between International Drive and I-4 makes it easy to get to all the theme parks and to family-friendly restaurants and minor attractions along International Drive.

+  The villas are larger and more comfortable than those in most other all-suites hotels.

Minuses

−  On-property food options are limited, although there’s a casual deli-style restaurant and pool bar. Since most families take advantage of the villa kitchenettes and there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in the area, the lack of on-site dining options is rarely a problem.

−  Not a lot of entertainment. In terms of mood and noise-level, the Sheraton Vistana is almost the exact dead opposite of the Nick Holiday Inn.

Budget Off-Site Hotels

Comfort Suites at Maingate East 407/397–7848

www.choicehotels.com Map location 20

This hotel is cheaper than most of the area suite-style hotels, largely because of its location off Route 192. Also called the Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Route 192 isn’t quite as spiffy as International Drive but the hotel is clean and comfortable, the staff is pleasant, and the price is definitely right. Maingate East is a mere 2 miles from Disney property, and if you’re looking for a location that’s both affordable and close enough to be able to return to your hotel for a midday break, the Comfort Suites at Maingate East is a good option. Prices range from $89-$149 during the off-season and $119-$189 during the on-season.

Proximity to Disney World:

Excellent, via a 5-minute drive

Proximity to Universal:

Fair, via a 20-minute drive

Proximity to SeaWorld:

Fair, via a 20-minute drive

Pluses

+  Starting at $89 for the smallest suite, it’s hard to