Florida for non drivers

[MrsGardner]

We are thinking of booking up for Florida for August 2012 (this is the only time we can go). Can anyone please recommend a decent hotel suitable for non drivers and is pretty central and has good transport links e.g. courtesy shuttle buses and/or 'i-trolley'. I've done a bit of homework and understand a hotel on International Drive would be a good option however I'm having trouble finding one with only good reviews! This holiday is going to be the only one we are able to have for a good number of years so I don't want to be staying in a dump! Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

DH and I went before we were married and before we could legally hire a car. We stayed in Best Western on International Drive. It was perfectly decent - not a dump by any stretch of the imagination. The staff were helpful, it was clean, rooms were a good size (2 queen beds), there was a restaurant (steakhouse actually) attached to hotel, which served breakfast as well as dinner.

We were 19 when we stayed here and it was the first holiday we'd paid for ourselves. We'd probably stay somewhere a bit more upmarket now but this one is totally adequate. It is central and there are shuttles available to all the parks - Disney, Universal, Seaworld.

If you are just planning to go to Disney, however, there are shuttles that run between all the disney resorts and hotels.

I should also say that the hotel had an outdoor pool but we didn't use it.

Mrs G

I would look at the hotels that are situated south of the junction of I Drive and Sandlake Road (north of Sandlake, I Drive is far narrower and looks like a strip mall) like the Embassy Suites (there are two on I Drive), the Peabody and the Rosen Plaza. All are in a nice location on I Drive and would probably suit your needs.

We stayed att the Hilton Doubletree suites on I-Drive which is walking distance from Seaworld and is on the trolley routes to Disney and Universal. It was really good value, has 3 outdoor pools and all the facilities you would expect.

Thanks for all the advice. I have also been recommended the Econo Lodge - has anyone stayed at this one?

We went back in 2005 and stayed at the Quality Inn Plaza on international drive. There was a shuttle that took you to Universal which was free and there were buses that took you Disney that you paid for. There was a sizzlers restaurant where we ate every morning and plenty of other restaurants and some shops within walking distance and there was the I-trolley as well but it could be a bit unpredictable. We found i.e if it was full it just kept going past the stop and you could be waiting over half an hour for the next one, so not terribly reliable.

I know of the Econolodge you mention on I Drive although I have not stayed at it. I'd have a look also at the Embassy Suites which is next door to this property.

Would also suggest you read the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com

Hi Just come back from staying at Floridays resort on International Drive - Excellent! I trolley stops right outside for seaworld, Aquatica and hotel offers shuttle to all the parks. Rooms fantastic, hotel pool and small cafe. Supermarket just round the corner. Would certainly recommend it

Glad to see report of floridays - going in October.

Quality inn plaza was good for the price.

Have you thought about onsite at disney? End August is free dining for uk visitors - seems pricey but includes all food. You can also use all disney transport for free.

We stayed at Old Key west with free dining plan last october - lovely resort.

Thanks for you all your comments. My head is buzzing, it is so much easier planning our normal holidays to Greece!

Not to be disrespectful to MN but have a look at the trip advisor orlando and disneyworld forums. There will be much more information on places to stay and some brilliant tips on where to go and what to do and how to save money.
Can also recommend staying on disney when the free dining plan offer is on. We stayed at Port Orleans riverside and it was lovely and very child friendly. With the free dining it works out about the same to stay onsite at disney as on I drive. However, without it you can get cheaper elsewhere.
Try trip advisor. Its brilliant!

Sheraton Vistana Villages is fabulous. Situated on I-Drive.

We're going in june and are staying at the econolodge, we dont drive so had this hotel recommended to us for good location and weve heard good reviews about it so hopefully itll be all good :) x

I was going to say stay on site - or split stay it with a Universal hotel if you are doing that as well - otherwise we were looking at Floridays or Blue Heron (near Disney) or any of the hotels at Lake Buena Vista near Downtown Disney.

I think it is better to be closer to Disney or onsite in August as you will be hittign the parks early and then be out by 1 for some pooltime etc - if you want to go back in the evening when it is cooler then it is going to be a bit of a pain relying on the shuttles rather than onsite transport or a cab from DTD.

If you stay onsite you get the free transfer from/to the airport as well so that needs factoring in too. You get this even if you are only there for a couple of days as long as its your first/last hotel.

I second Sheraton Vistana Villages, although it is quite far up I-Drive. Very nice aparthotel with great pool. Shuttles to Disney and very helpful, accomodating staff.