Flamingo Crossings Complex - Orlando

1   Not Recommended
March 8, 2016 by

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TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings/Western Entrance
 Map | 1 Review | 0% Recommended

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Flamingo Crossings is a new development on the western edge of Disney's property. The plan is for this area to be built up over the next 10 years, it's currently in its infancy with only the two Marriott properties - the TownePlace Suites and Springhill Suites. I stayed here for one night before checking into a Disney resort. My stay was at the TownePlace. I'm posting this review to educate future travelers because these hotels might look very tempting based on location in relation to Disney World, but there's much more to be aware of.

Location

It's important to understand the location of this complex. It is both a pro and a con. The hotels are located on Western Way which takes you directly into WDW. Western Way gets you to Epcot/Blizzard Beach/Coronado Springs in less than ten minutes. If you have a car this is very convenient. If you're looking for the usual conveniences that exist outside most Orlando area hotels (Walgreens/CVS, Publix, fast food, Walmart/Target, gas stations, restaurants, etc.) you will be disappointed. Today Flamingo Crossings is an island containing only the two hotels. If you want any of these types of businesses you need to travel to US 192. That trip is either 5 minutes via toll road ($1.50 each way) or 20 minutes via a narrow and windy back road. This toll road (FL 429) is also the way you'll get here from I-4 unless you enter via Disney property (Western Way).

In 10-15 years this will probably be a primelocation. Some rumors have Disney building a fifth park in this area. And more hotels are coming. All of the missing businesses will likely follow eventually. But today it's a desert.

Check In

We arrived late - about 9 pm. I expected a quick check-in and a quiet lobby. Instead I found out that my reservation at the Springhill had been canceled (not by me!) and a new reservation with a new confirmation number had been made at the TownePlace. All without my consent and without any notification. I wasn't pleased. I was informed I was 'upgraded' and moved as a result. Maybe others disagree but in my book moving from SHS to TPS is hardly an upgrade. It's actually the opposite.

These hotels share a parking lot so moving from the SHS to TPS wasn't difficult. We walked into the lobby and found ourself in the middle of a zoo. Teenagers everywhere along with shouting chaperones. We arrived just as 20 pizzas from the local Flippers were being distributed... by the front desk staff! We (gold elites, not that they recognized our status) had to wait for pizza distribution before anyone would check us in. And this amounted to a 20 minute wait. Not acceptable.

Room

Rooms are what you'd expect - very new. But they're small. These aren't suites. Regular sized rooms with kitchenettes in the entry. Television didn't work, wouldn't turn on. Took over an hour to have someone come and fix. Beds were fine as one would expect at a new property.

Overall

The one positive of this hotel is the proximity to WDW. But unless you are part of a youth sports team or planning a school trip, avoid Flamingo Crossings. This is not a suitable hotel complex for anyone traveling on business or anyone looking for a quiet stay or a good night's sleep (picture bands of kids running through the halls). Also the customer service here is abyssmal. No elite recognition. And if you have issues like I did, the GM is a ghost. Won't return a phone call or email. Take my advice and avoid.

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