Orlando Recommendations
 

I've stayed at 2 Holiday Inn Express's and not been pleased. They are older 50's styles hotels that have been converted. Rooms are not as quiet as I like.

Plus I'd REALLY like a high speed internet connection. Quiet and clean. I don't have $200/night but $100/night would be fine. THANKS

Try the Courtyard at the Marriott Village at Little Lake Bryan. They usually run under $100/night. It's a nice property with indoor/outdoor pool, convenience store, shuttle to WDW, etc. There's also a Courtyard across I-4 but it's much older.

Any of the three properties at Little Lake Bryan are usually a bargain - Courtyard, Fairfield or Springhill. For the quality of this group they are often under the local market rate. I've spent as little as $59 at the Courtyard and $65 at the Springhill (which included a dinner voucher at Planet Hollywood). Well worth it for fine, new hotels.

Though no Hi-Speed Internet available, I'm at the Courtyard @ Vista Center (Lake Buena Vista) right now and have had a very pleasant stay.

When I arrived and got to my room there was a card from the General Manager addressed to me welcoming me as a "Rewards Member" along with a coupon for a free full breakfast buffet (just now finished breakfast...it was very nice). Also turn-down service with box of chocolates and bottled water and ice.

Excellent recognition, IMHO, and I'm only a Silver on a $59 stay! Nice clean property, too.

The Lake Buena Vista Courtyard also has a free shuttle service to the Disney Parks and is right across the street for Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island.

This is valuable information. I too have seen (and passed over) that $59 rate at this property. I won't be so hasty next time. (Lowly Silver as well BTW.)

Here's a tip for those staying at the Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Walt Disney World Resort (the one on Hotel Plaza Blvd)...

Be sure to fill out the Manager's questionaire you'll find in the room or at the front desk. By completeing it, you'll get a special code for a $49 room rate on a return visit (some months excluded).

I've now stayed a 3 Courtyards in Lake Buena Vista and I have to say I liked the one at Vista Center the best. Though the one at Marriott Village at Little Lake Bryan on Vineland Ave has a nicer pool.

To bump this back up and seek some more information...

We'll be spending a weekend with the Mouse 13-14 December and are debating between the CY Lake Buena Vista @ Marriott Village and the CY Lake Buena Vista @ WDW.

We stayed at the MV property last year and were quite pleased. PremEx or anyone else have a direct comparison between the two? Rates for our stay period are essentially the same for the two properties ($69-76 per night).

Also, does anyone know the operating schedule of the WDW property's shuttle to the Disney parks? We usually like to hit the gate at opening time.

Thanks.

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Don't stay at the Walt Disney World Courtyard.

Horror story way too long to for this thread, just stay away.

The Ren Sea World Resort is excellent, with a great 4 diamond restaurant, Atlantis. Its hard to get a great meal in Orlando since you're usually dealing with families back from the parks in the evenings. For elites, the hotel has a club level & lounge, over sized rooms and you can park at n/c right in the hotels lot, unlike the World Center, JW or Ritz, where its almost a must to valet since your car is far away. The Ren usually has some good promos going on; I am there next week using M12 rate code and got a $99 a night including breakfast for two. Its right across the street from Sea World. right now there is also rate code R9H with about the same rates thru the end of the year.

If you are referring to the location on AUSTRIAN Ct, I would like to hear the story. I am booked there for a week in January.

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

The WDW Courtyard in in the Lake Buena vista area, is a high rise, about 8-9 years ago was a HoJo; its right next to I-4. The Courtyard is an "old style" Courtyard bldg. I have always had good service, rooms and personnel at this location.