Which Disney (Florida) hotel?

[Hulababy]

Have done Disney before but only in villas.

Thinking of going again for a week mid December. This time it will be just me, Dh and 6y DD, so we are considering a Disney hotel for the week, and just doing Disney and not the oher parks nearby.

Don't want to spend a fortune TBH, esp as from experience we will not be in the hotel very much as DD likes to be in the parks morning til night!

Have you stayed in a hotel? Which one and what was it like?

We're looking into this atm for April09 . We stayed at Dixie Landings when we went in about 1994(pre-kids), now Riverside - Port Orleans I think . Would stay there again as you can take the boat up to Dwontown Disney which is nice in the evening, Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach. However some fo the Lake Buena Vista hotels seeme better value so very confusing.

I stayed with my 2 ds 9 and 4 at the Wilderness Lodge Hotel.It was the cheapest of the deluxe range. I loved it, only 2k from Magic kingdom but you felt as if you were in a mountain retreat. Mousesavers.com will give you loads of tips so you can ensure you are aware of special promotions and what suits your needs. You could always split your week and stay in 2 hotels one for the days you are in the parks and the other for relaxing.

Thanks.

Have looked for spcial offers but nothing for December when we want/need to go.

Just been looking at Carribbean Beach which looks nice and is a good price. 3 star hotel.

Def want a Disney hotel.

The best value for Florida I have found is with Travelcitydirect.com. We got a beautiful villa last time we went but I am sure they also do the hotels. This time we are going to stay in a 3 bed luxury villa that sleeps 10 even though there is only 4 of us. I have two teenage boys and they like their own space.It is on International drive. Flat screen tvs, walk in shower and jacuzzi and so on. Would have cost more on Virgins website for us to have 1 room together.

Have used Travel City before. They were okay, although home flight was pretty dire it has to be said. However as they were so cheap compared to the rest of the estate agents, etc. Unfortunately though they only appear to do 14 day holidays, not 7 days.

Oh go on then, I'll join in a Florida thread...

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside which I am told is fab. (emkana told me (so it must be true) and also my cousin who lives there) It's a mid price Disney hotel. Apparently groovy pianist in the bar so you can relax with your after-Disney cocktails. Great service. Boat to Downtown Disney for restaurants etc. 5 miles from Magic Kingdom. Nearer to Epcot.

Caribbean Beach main pool is closed for part of 2008 Hula so you might want to check. We were going to book that but changed to POR.

Hula - check out www.TheDibb.co.uk for info and reviews on the hotels

Will have a look - we aren't going till mid December. TBh not sure it will be warm enough for a pool anyway! But don't fancy being around renovation works, etc.

Hulababy

Caribbean Beach has some very mixed reviews on Tripadvisor - would suggest you look at www.tripadvisor.com before booking anything.

I think alot of them have mixed reviews of all the Disney hotels - one man's paradise is another man's hell!!

I'm going in 29 days May so I will report back!!

Might just go in a villa again; looks like it is more hassle with the hotels!

Hula-I'd go for a villa everytime!!

We haven't done a Florida-disney hotel but did one in Eurodisney for a treat & they are much the same quite overpriced & crowded for what they are IMHO but the proximity to the parks IS a plus.

This time did a villa & TBH it was great having a base we could veg out in/around,kids loved the pool (although you might wanted heated in Mid -Dec!!)& we were only 15 mins from all the parks.

VERY much personal choice though as FloridaK says!