Orlando Hotel Tips by TheTravelSlut

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa @ Disneyworld: Disney's newest resort- Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is themed in Victorian architecture with the historic influence of horse racing. The motto for the resort is "Health, History, Horses." This lakeside Resort captures the heyday of an upstate New York country retreat in the late 1800s.

The 65 acre resort has a total of 18 Villa Buildings with 828 Vacation Home Units & 1,260 guest rooms. I particularly enjoy Artist's Palette which is a food area & market located in the Carriage House (lobby building) & offers counter service dining.

I also like the High Rock Spring Pool which starts with a water fall that cascades down the rocks into a large pool. There is also a water slide which passes under a bridge & empties into the pool. There are two whirlpool spas. "Quiet" leisure pools are also located near the of resort room buildings.

I have stayed at this resort several times now and have requested the Grandstand Villa twice & received it both times. I like it for its convenience to everything (pool, boat ramp, lobby).
This resort comes highly recommended for everything including facilities, amenities a service.

2007 Room Rates (per night, tax not included):

Room Type Value Regular Peak Holiday:

Studio $279 $309 $359 $399
1 BR Villa $370 $420 $485 $560
2 BR Villa $515 $610 $745 $850
3 BR Grand Villa $1135 $1265 $1430 $1595

Check in: 4pm, Check out: 11am. Late check-out of 1pm can be requested without an additional charge.

Resort amenities

• Food Court, Snack Bars
• Pizza Delivery
• Swimming pool
• Whirpool, Spa
• Video Arcade
• Children's activities
• Playground
• Gym, Health Club
• Jogging trail
• Watercraft Rentals
• Tennis
• Multilingual staff
• Self parking

As with all Disney Hotels, free transportation to the Disney Theme Parks, Water Parks and Downtown Disney from Saratoga Springs Resort is available by: Bus and Water Taxi.

Unique Qualities: I love all rooms here.

Studios are 376 sq. ft. & like a hotel room with kitchenette , toaster, microwave, under-counter refrigerator with small freezer, coffeemaker, & bar sink. All have a patio or balcony with 2 chairs & table. They sleep 4.

1-Bedroom's are 1,016 sq. ft. & have a large "great room" with queen size sleep sofa & laundry room with full size washer/dryer. The master bedroom is luxurious, with king bed, chair & ottoman, 2 nightstands, armoire with TV, hope chest with drawers & ceiling fan. They also sleep 4.

2-Bedroom units are 1,322 sq. ft. & are a 1-bedroom plus studio combined. There are 2 different layouts for the 2-bedrooms- regular or “dedicated” 2-bedroom which has a 2nd sink & vanity area in place of kitchenette, & a 2nd large closet in the space that would be the outside entrance for the studio. The "lock-off" layout is simply the 1-bedroom & studio with a door between them. These units are well suited for couples traveling together who want privacy. 2-bedroom units sleep 8.

3-Bedroom Grand Villas are 2,265 sq. ft., are expensive & hard to get. All units are 2 stories, with full kitchen, dining room, great room, laundry room, master bedroom & bath, and 4th bathroom on the 1st floor. The 2nd floor is 2 bedrooms, each with private bathroom & TV. 1 bedroom has 2 queen-size beds, & the other has 2 double beds. The great room has an open, 2-story ceiling, 32" TV & stereo, dining area with 4 chairs, & queen size sofa sleeper, loveseat, & chair. The dining room has a large table that seats 8, connecting to a home-size kitchen.

Room amenities
• In-room high speed internet access
• Nonsmoking rooms available
• Irons, ironing boards, hairdryers & make-up mirrors in each room
• Fully stocked minibars
• In-room safes
• Cable TV w/ Disney Channel & ESPN
• Cribs, refrigerators & microwaves available upon request
• Laundry facilities

Kitchens include:
• Coffee makers
• Blender
• Dinnerware
• Pots & pans
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Stove
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Electric mixer (upon request)

Address: 1960 Broadway, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 - USA

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Across the lake from Downtown Disney & east of Old Key West Resort. It is the site of the former Disney Institute.

Phone: (407) 827-1100

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Country Inn & Suites Orlando Airport: Best value park and fly Country Inn & Suites Orlando Airport Review

I've stayed here twice now before flying out of MCO (Orlando International Airport) and both times the service, the amenities, the room and facilities all met or exceeded my expecations.

Yes, I would recommend this hotel for park and fly purposes or for just a stay.

Unique Qualities: The park and fly (up to 14 days free) is a great feature.

The rooms are large, clean and quiet.

The breakfast (included) is nice and complimentary shuttles to and from the airport are great.

Address: 5440 Forbes Place, Orlando, Florida, 32812, United States

Comparison: about average

Directions: JUst north of the airport

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Seralago Hotel & Suites: Very close to Disney, located in Kissimmee

I have stayed at The Seralago Hotel & Suites several times in the past when Disney resorts were not available or I spontaneously arrived in the area & wanted a safe, clean, convenient & very reasonable hotel room. Seralago meets this criteria perfectly.

Unique Qualities: 614 Rooms & Suites, 2 heated, Olympic-style pools, & less than 3 miles from Disneyworld in the heart of Kissemmee's boulevard of bargains, restaurants, attractions & entertainment.

There is a full-service restaurant & Food Court with small grocery store, & a Kid's-Eat-Free Program - children 12 & under eat FREE breakfast
FREE shuttle to the Walt Disney World® Magic Kingdom Transportation Center & tickets to all Orlando's family attractions can be purchased right in the lobby.
Pet Friendly.
KidSuites from USD $71 with standard features like a mini-fridge, microwave oven, coffee/tea maker, hair dryers & iron/ironing board in every room
2-Room Suites from USD $79
2 large pools and 2 Jacuzzi® whirlpools.
Just next door to the Old Town shopping, dining and entertainment attraction area

Also, there is a Kiddies pool, video arcade game room, 2 kid's playgrounds, Fitness Center, 2 Tennis Courts, Sand Volleyball Court, Basketball hoop, Coin laundry facilities & 1,200 total square feet of meeting space for weddings, small meetings & family reunions, free wireless internet in the lobby & foodcourt, free shuttle to WDW running about 4 times per day

Address: 5648 Irlo Bronson Highway Kissimmee, Florida 34746

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: From airport take Greenway (Highway 417) toll-road south to Disney/Kissimmee. Exit #3 left onto Osceola Parkway. Right @ Seralago Boulevard. Seralago Hotel & Suites Main Gate East is straight ahead.

Other Contact: 1-800-366-5437

Phone: 407-396-4488

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.seralagohotel.com/

All Star Sports resort, Pop Century, etc: Disneyworld's value-Priced Accomodations

Unique Qualities: One advantage about staying at a Disney “Value Priced” property is that rather having than expensive restaurants attached, they have food courts with café & deli priced food for the whole family right on site. Everything is cafeteria style. You can buy a reasonably priced meal for the family without having to drive anywhere. ( ie. cold cereal & milk for breakfasts).They have children’s play areas and themed swimming pools.

Suggestion: Go to a local grocery store and buy a foam cooler ($5.00) & milk, juice, cereal, finger foods) Fill the chest with ice ( from the hotel/motel) if your room does not come with a refrigerator.

Address: Walt Disney World-Lake Buena Vista in the Orlando, Florida area

Comparison: about average

Directions: Southwest of downtown Orlando, just off Interstate 4.

Other Contact: 1-800-205-3002

Phone: 407-939-5000

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortCatListing?id=ValueResortListingPage